{"id":65207,"date":"2026-01-27T18:18:55","date_gmt":"2026-01-27T12:48:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=65207"},"modified":"2026-01-28T15:09:51","modified_gmt":"2026-01-28T09:39:51","slug":"news-in-short-27-01-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/27-01-2026\/news-in-short-27-01-2026","title":{"rendered":"News In Short 27-01-2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Polar vortex<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS1\/Geography<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A powerful winter storm has been fueled by the <strong>activity of the polar vortex<\/strong> in the US triggering heavy snow.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The polar vortex is a <strong>large area of low-pressure and cold air <\/strong>that swirls like a wheel around both of the <strong>Earth\u2019s polar regions.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img data-dominant-color=\"d9e0e8\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"865\" height=\"617\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-115.png\" alt=\"polar vortex\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-65208\" style=\"--dominant-color: #d9e0e8; aspect-ratio:1.4019715224534501;width:355px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-115.png 865w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-115-300x214.png 300w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-115-768x548.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 865px) 100vw, 865px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>There are two types of polar vortex:<\/strong> tropospheric and stratospheric.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The tropospheric polar vortex <\/strong>occurs at the lowest layer of the atmosphere; it extends from the surface up to about<strong> 10 km to 15 km<\/strong> where most weather phenomena occur.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The stratospheric polar vortex<\/strong> occurs at around<strong> 15 km to 50 km high.&nbsp;<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Unlike the tropospheric polar vortex, <strong>the stratospheric polar vortex disappears during the summer<\/strong> and is the strongest during the autumn.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Impact of the Polar Vortex<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>The US, parts of Europe, and Asia <\/strong>experience <strong>chilly winds<\/strong> when the <strong>polar vortex at the North Pole weakens <\/strong>and travels from its usual position.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>As this system weakens,<\/strong> some of the cold, arctic air can break off and migrate south<strong>, bringing plenty of cold air with it.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: IE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Indian Railways Deploys Humanoid Robot \u2018ASC ARJUN\u2019<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/ Governance<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Indian Railways has deployed a humanoid robot named \u2018ASC ARJUN\u2019 at Visakhapatnam Railway Station.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>ASC ARJUN is a humanoid robot that works with the Railway Protection Force (RPF) for security, surveillance and assistance at the station.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is fully designed and developed in Visakhapatnam using indigenous, home-grown technology by a dedicated technical team.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Significance<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Enhance safety and security of passengers at a busy station.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Optimise manpower by taking over routine patrolling and monitoring tasks so RPF staff can focus on critical work.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Use emerging technologies (AI, IoT, robotics) to improve service delivery and modernise rail operations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=2217905&amp;reg=3&amp;lang=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>PIB<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Shri Narayan Ramachandran Committee<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/ Economy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The PFRDA has constituted the Committee for<strong> Strategic Asset Allocation and Risk Governance (SAARG)<\/strong> chaired by<strong> Narayan Ramachandran<\/strong> to review the National Pension System (NPS) investment guidelines.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The committee will review and modernise NPS investment guidelines for both Government and Non\u2011Government sectors so that returns, risk and long\u2011term security for subscribers are better balanced.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It aims to align NPS with global pension standards, changes in Indian financial markets, and the evolving needs of long\u2011horizon investors like government employees and private sector subscribers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Main tasks<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Foundational review &amp; benchmarking:<\/strong> Examine whether current rules (caps, exposure norms, valuation, etc.) are adequate and compare them with large foreign pension systems (e.g., Canada, Netherlands).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Asset classes &amp; diversification: <\/strong>Reassess equity, debt, money market and recommend new asset classes (like REITs\/InvITs, certain alternatives) to improve diversification and resilience to shocks.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Strategic asset allocation: <\/strong>Suggest optimal mixes between equity and fixed income, with prudential limits to protect conservative savers while giving growth potential to younger subscribers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Performance &amp; accountability: <\/strong>Rework benchmarks, evaluation frameworks and disclosure so that Pension Funds are judged fairly on risk\u2011adjusted performance and are more accountable for under\/over\u2011performance.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>\u200bRisk &amp; ALM (asset\u2013liability management):<\/strong> Propose comprehensive frameworks for market, credit, liquidity and operational risk, linked explicitly to long\u2011term pension liabilities rather than just short\u2011term NAV moves.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: TH<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Agarwood<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/ S&amp;T<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Union Minister laid the foundation stone of the<strong> \u20b980 crore Agarwood Value Chain Development Scheme<\/strong> in Tripura.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About Agarwood<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Agarwood<\/strong> is a rare, highly fragrant wood that forms inside certain trees (Aquilaria) when they get infected or wounded, and the tree produces a <strong>special dark resin as a defence<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>This <strong>resin\u2011rich wood<\/strong> is then used to make <strong>high\u2011value perfume oils (oud), incense and traditional medicines<\/strong>, and is traded globally, especially in West Asia and East Asia.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is mainly <strong>found in tropical, high\u2011rainfall regions of South and Southeast Asia, including Tripura <\/strong>and other parts of Northeast India, where the climate and soils suit Aquilaria trees.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Only a small share of trees naturally develop resin, and it can take decades, which is why agarwood is rare and expensive.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: PIB<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Ammonium Nitrate<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/ Science &amp; Technology<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In News \/ Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Security agencies seized 10,000 kg of ammonium nitrate ahead of Republic Day celebrations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About Ammonium Nitrate<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Ammonium nitrate is a <strong>white, crystalline chemical compound (NH\u2084NO\u2083)<\/strong> that serves as both a high-nitrogen fertilizer for agriculture and a key ingredient in industrial explosives when mixed with fuel oil (like ANFO).&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It\u2019s<strong> highly soluble in water<\/strong> and acts as a strong oxidizer, providing oxygen to fuel rapid combustion but doesn\u2019t explode on its own.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Its <strong>dual-use nature creates risks<\/strong>: while vital for farming (supplying 34% nitrogen to crops) and mining, it can be diverted to make powerful improvised explosive devices (IEDs).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>India tightly controls it under the <strong>Explosives Act, 1884 and Ammonium Nitrate Rules, 2012<\/strong>, mandating licenses for production, storage, transport and sales.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: PIB<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Bactrian Camels<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Species in News<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Two majestic Bactrian camels<strong> named \u2018Galwan\u2019 and \u2018Nubra\u2019,<\/strong> were showcased at the Republic Day Parade on Kartavya Path.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>\u2018Galwan\u2019 and \u2018Nubra\u2019<\/strong> are named after places in the<strong> cold desert of Ladakh<\/strong>, the only place in India where this species is found.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Bactrian camels (Camelus bactrianus<\/strong><strong>)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The name<strong> \u201cBactrian\u201d comes from a region<\/strong> (former kingdom conquered by Alexander the Great) located between Afghanistan, Iran, and Kazakhstan.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is a<strong> double-humped camel<\/strong>, also called the<strong> Asian or Mongolian camel <\/strong>and is listed as <strong>Critically Endangered<\/strong> on the <strong>IUCN Red List<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is mainly<strong> <\/strong>found in Northern Pakistan, Iran, Turkey, India, with the largest domestic population in China.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Bactrian camels are considered <strong>omnivorous<\/strong>; however, they are <strong>primarily herbivorous, feeding on a wide selection of vegetation<\/strong>, even those that other animals might refuse, such as thorny, tough, or dry plants.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Bactrian camels, known as the \u2018Ships of the Silk Road\u2019, were crucial for crossing the harsh trade routes of Central Asia.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img data-dominant-color=\"667e73\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"754\" height=\"757\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-116.png\" alt=\"Bactrian Camels\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-65209\" style=\"--dominant-color: #667e73; aspect-ratio:0.9960369063099882;width:196px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-116.png 754w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-116-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-116-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 754px) 100vw, 754px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.downtoearth.org.in\/wildlife-biodiversity\/republic-day-2026-how-the-bactrian-camel-featured-in-this-years-parade-once-helped-connect-china-and-india\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>DTE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Jeevan Raksha Padak Awards<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: Miscellaneous<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The President of India has approved the conferment of the <strong>Jeevan Raksha Padak Series of Awards\u20132025<\/strong> on 30 individuals for displaying exceptional courage in saving human lives.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Jeevan Raksha Padak series are <strong>civilian life\u2011saving gallantry awards<\/strong> that honour people who risk their own lives to save others in emergencies like drowning, fires, accidents, electrocution, mine incidents or natural calamities.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It <strong>started in 1961 as a civilian offshoot of the Ashoka Chakra<\/strong> series to recognise brave, humane acts by ordinary people.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Its aim is to <strong>reward civic courage, altruism and humanitarian values<\/strong> when someone voluntarily puts themselves in danger to save another person.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is <strong>open to all people<\/strong>, any gender, any profession; can also be given posthumously.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is of three categories:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak:<\/strong> For saving life in situations of very great danger to the rescuer.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padak: <\/strong>For courage and prompt action in situations of great danger.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Jeevan Raksha Padak<\/strong>: For courageous, quick action where there is serious risk of bodily injury to the rescuer.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Each award consists of a medal and certificate, plus a one\u2011time cash amount (approximately: Sarvottam \u2013 \u20b92 lakh, Uttam \u2013 \u20b91.5 lakh, Jeevan Raksha \u2013 \u20b91 lakh).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: PIB<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Padma Awards<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: Miscellaneous<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>On the eve of Republic Day, President Droupadi Murmu approved the conferment of 131 Padma Awards.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The awards <strong>instituted in 1954<\/strong> initially as a single class, they were restructured in 1955 into the current three levels.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Padma Awards are among<strong> India&#8217;s highest civilian honours<\/strong>, recognising exceptional contributions across diverse fields like art, social work, science and public affairs.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>They are presented in <strong>three categories<\/strong>,<strong> Padma Vibhushan<\/strong> (topmost for extraordinary service), <strong>Padma Bhushan<\/strong> (high-order service), and<strong> Padma Shri<\/strong> (distinguished service)\u2014with Bharat Ratna as the nation&#8217;s supreme civilian award above them.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Eligibility and Process&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Open to all persons, including citizens, foreigners \/ NRI \/ PIO \/ OCI &amp; posthumous awards allowed in highly deserving cases.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Government servants, including PSU employees are not eligible except Doctors and Scientists.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Nominations go to a <strong>Padma Awards Committee (chaired by Cabinet Secretary)<\/strong>, whose recommendations reach the Prime Minister and President for approval.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cannot be used as titles <strong>(per Article 18(1) and 1996 Supreme Court ruling)<\/strong> and higher awards require a 5-year gap from prior ones.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: PIB<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><strong> Context <\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">A powerful winter storm has been fueled by the activity of the polar vortex in the US triggering heavy snow.<\/li>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><strong> About <\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> The polar vortex is a large area of low-pressure and cold air that swirls like a wheel around both of the Earth\u2019s polar regions.\u00a0 <\/li>\n<p><a href=\" https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/27-01-2026\/news-in-short-27-01-2026 \" class=\"btn btn-primary btn-sm float-end\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-65207","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-current-affairs"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/65207","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=65207"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/65207\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":65250,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/65207\/revisions\/65250"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=65207"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=65207"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=65207"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}