SWM Rules & WaSH Warriors

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 29 January 2026 covers important current affairs of the day, their backward linkages, their relevance for Prelims exam and MCQs on main articles

InstaLinks : Insta Links help you think beyond the current affairs issue and help you think multidimensionally to develop depth in your understanding of these issues. These linkages provided in this ‘hint’ format help you frame possible questions in your mind that might arise(or an examiner might imagine) from each current event. InstaLinks also connect every issue to their static or theoretical background.

Table of Contents

GS Paper 3:

1. World bank’s A Breath of Change Report

 Content for Mains Enrichment (CME):

1. WaSH Warriors

Facts for Prelims (FFP):

1. Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules, 2026

2. Sampoornata Abhiyan 2.0

3. PANCHAM Digital Chatbot

4. New Aadhaar App

5. V-BAT Autonomous Drones

 Mapping:

1. Sunabeda Wildlife Sanctuary

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 29 January 2026

GS Paper 3:

World bank’s A Breath of Change Report

Subject:  Environment

Context: The World Bank’s 2025 report, A Breath of Change, highlights that nearly one billion people in the Indo-Gangetic Plains and  himalayan foothills (IGP-HF) breathe the world’s most polluted air, necessitating urgent transboundary cooperation.

About  world bank report 

What it is?

• “A Breath of Change” is a strategic solutions book that moves beyond diagnosing air pollution to providing a practical, multi-sectoral roadmap for the IGP-HF airshed, covering 13 jurisdictions across Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, and Pakistan.
• It frames solutions around the “4Is” framework: Information, Incentives, Institutions, and Infrastructure.

Key Trends & Data:

• Health Impact: Air pollution causes approximately one million premature deaths annually in the IGP-HF region.
• Economic Cost: The regional economic damage from pollution is estimated at 10% of GDP annually, due to lost productivity and healthcare costs.
• LIFE EXPENTENCY . Exposure to PM₂.₅ reduces average life expectancy in the region by more than three years.
• Hazardous Exposure: 81% of public-school students in the region are exposed to hazardous levels of PM₂.₅ (above 35 µg/m³).
• Pollution Origin: In many jurisdictions, over 50% of ambient PM₂.₅ originates from outside local administrative boundaries.
• Regional Dominance: The IGP-HF region records the highest levels of air pollution globally, with PM₂.₅ levels 8 to 20 times the WHO guideline.
• Target Goal: The “35 by 35” target aligns with the WHO’s first interim target for cleaner air.
• Transboundary Flow: In NEPAL TERAI REGION  , an estimated 68% of air pollution originates from other countries.

Reasons for Transboundary Pollution:

• Geography & Topography: The flat plains are surrounded by the Himalayas, which trap pollutants and lead to frequent smog episodes, especially during winter inversions.

E.g. Delhi’s unique location makes it a sink for pollutants carried from upwind states like Punjab and Haryana.

E.g. Pollution from Pakistan’s Punjab can account for up to 30% of air pollution in Indian Punjab.

• Secondary Particle Formation: Precursor gases (such as SO2SO_2SO2​ and ammonia) travel long distances and react in the atmosphere to form fine particles far from their source.

E.g. Coal-fired power plants in one region emit sulfur dioxide that forms secondary PM₂.₅, affecting neighboring jurisdictions.

• Agricultural Practices: Seasonal crop burning  creates massive smoke plumes that travel across states.

E.g. Post-harvest fires in India and Pakistan create a seasonal crisis, blanketing the entire IGP-HF region in haze.

• Industrial Clusters: High-stack industries such as thermal power plants release emissions that disperse across vast areas.

E.g. Clustered MSMEs in peri-urban areas like Kanpur and Dhaka cause intense local exposure that drifts across city limits.

Initiatives Taken So Far:

• Kathmandu Roadmap (2022): Established a regional framework for science-policy dialogue and shared air quality goals.
• Thimpu outcome (2024): Endorsed the aspirational “35 by 35” target and emphasized harmonized monitoring and financing.
• Malé Declaration: A long-standing (non-binding) regional platform for joint monitoring and capacity building.
•  India national clean (NCAP): A flagship domestic program targeting PM₁₀ reductions in over 130 cities.
• Market-Based Pilots: Gujarat’s world-first particulate matter emissions trading system (ETS) in Surat.

Challenges Associated:

• Institutional Fragmentation: Mandates are often split between environmental, transport, and agricultural ministries, leading to siloed action.

E.g. In Pakistan, overlapping duties between environmental and industrial ministries delay technology transitions.

• Funding Gaps: Regional mechanisms lack sustained, long-term financing and often rely on fluctuating donor support.

E.g. Progress on the  Male declaration slowed significantly after external funding from SIDA ended.

• Weak Enforcement: While standards exist, agencies often lack the technical staff and resources to penalize non-compliance.

E.g. In India, half of the State Pollution Control Boards are reportedly understaffed.

• Data Gaps: Monitoring networks are concentrated in cities, leaving rural areas “blind” to pollution levels.

E.g. Pakistan lacks a functional, integrated national air quality monitoring network.

• Economic Barriers: High upfront costs deter small-scale actors (MSMEs and farmers) from adopting cleaner technologies.

E.g. The cost of retrofitting heavy-duty vehicles in India can exceed 180% of average per capita income.

Recommended Solutions (The 4Is):

1. Information:
   • Expand real-time monitoring networks and use  satellite based training (GeoAI) to identify pollution hotspots such as brick kilns.
2. Incentives:
   • Reform fossil fuel and fertilizer subsidies, redirecting funds toward clean technologies like electric vehicles and Happy Seeders.
3. Institutions:
   • Clarify legal responsibilities through dedicated Clean Air Acts and establish a permanent regional secretariat for coordination.
4. Infrastructure:
   • Invest in regional electricity grids,  EV Charging , and centralized common industrial boilers to reduce emissions at scale.
5. Market Instruments:
   • Scale up Emissions Trading Systems (ETS) and pollution taxes (such as Nepal’s Green Tax) to mobilize private capital.

Conclusion:

The air pollution crisis in the  INDO Gangetic plains is a shared regional challenge beyond the capacity of any single nation. Committing to the “35 by 35” goal and institutionalizing transboundary cooperation can turn a public health emergency into resilient, low-carbon growth. What is needed is political courage to move from diagnosis to delivery and ensure a true “breath of change” for nearly one billion people.

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 29 January 2026 Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)

Wash warriors

Context: The Ministry of Jal Shakti honoured WaSH Warriors from across India at a special Samvad Samaroh in New Delhi in January 2026, recognising grassroute leadership in water and sanitation.

What it is?

• WaSH Warriors are grassroots champions—individuals from rural communities—who lead efforts in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WaSH), especially under the Jal Jeevan Mission and allied programmes.

Aim

• To promote safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene through community ownership .
• To ensure inclusive, equitable, and sustainable WaSH outcomes, particularly for women and vulnerable groups.

Functions:

• Mobilising communities for water conservation and safe water practices.
• Supporting implementation and sustainability of Har Ghar Jal tap connections.
• Promoting ODF Plus behaviours and hygiene awareness under  swacha bharat abhiyan (Grameen).
• Encouraging local monitoring, maintenance, and long-term functionality of water assets.

Significance:

• Reduces women’s drudgery and improves health outcomes (lower diarrhoeal disease burden).
• Strengthens last-mile governance and accountability in rural service delivery.
• Demonstrates the success of people-centric development and decentralised implementation.

Relevance for UPSC Examination:

• GS Paper II (Governance & Social Justice):

• • Government policies for water supply, sanitation, and rural development
  • Role of community participation and decentralisation in service delivery

• GS Paper III (Environment & Sustainable Development)

• • Water conservation, sustainable resource management
  • Behavioural change and community-led environmental action

• GS Paper IV (Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude)

• • Public service, leadership at grassroots level
  • Values of collective responsibility, empathy, and social commitment

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 29 January 2026 Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules, 2026

Source:  PIB

Subject:  Environment

Context: The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change notified the Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules, 2026, which will supersede the 2016 rules.

• These regulations introduce a technology-driven, Polluter Pays framework and will come into full effect from April 1, 2026.

About Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules, 2026:

What is it?

• The SWM Rules, 2026, are a comprehensive regulatory framework notified under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
• They aim to integrate the principles of Circular Economy and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) into India’s waste management infrastructure to ensure zero-waste to landfills.

Origin and Evolution

• 1986: Environment (Protection) Act provides the parent legal framework.
• 2016: Previous rules introduced basic segregation and landfill management.
• 2026: The new rules shift focus toward on-site processing, digital tracking, and economic penalties to ensure compliance.

Key Features of SWM Rules, 2026:

A. Four-Stream Segregation at Source:

• Waste generators must now segregate waste into four distinct categories:

• 1. Wet Waste: Kitchen waste and fruit peels (for composting/bio-methanation).
  2. Dry Waste: Plastic, paper, metal, and glass (for Material Recovery Facilities).
  3. Sanitary Waste: Diapers and tampons (must be securely wrapped).
  4. Special Care Waste: Paint cans, bulbs, and expired medicines (designated collection points).

1. Bulk Waste Generator (BWG) Accountability:

• Entities with a floor area of 20,000 sqm+ or generating 100kg+ waste daily are now Bulk Waste Generators.

1. Polluter Pays & Environmental Compensation:

• For the first time, the CPCB will levy environmental compensation for:

• • Operating without registration.
  • False reporting or forged documents.
  • Improper waste disposal practices.

1. Digital Tracking & Online Portal:

• A Centralised Online Portal will track waste from generation to disposal. All audits, registrations, and reporting for waste processing facilities must be done digitally, replacing physical paperwork.

1. Use of Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF):

• Industries (especially Cement Plants) must replace 15% of their solid fuel with RDF (processed non-recyclable plastic/textiles) over a six-year period.

F. Special Provisions for Hilly Areas & Islands

• Tourist Regulation: Local bodies can regulate tourist inflow based on waste handling capacity.
• User Fees: Mandatory waste fees for tourists to fund high-altitude waste management

Significance of the 2026 Rules:

• Higher landfill fees for unsegregated waste make it cheaper for local bodies to process waste than to dump it.
• Time-bound biomining and bioremediation of existing dumpsites with quarterly progress tracking.

Sampoornata Abhiyan 2.0

Source:  News on Air

Subject:  Government scheme

Context: NITI Aayog CEO Shri B.V.R Subrahmanyam launched ‘Sampoornata Abhiyan 2.0’—a 3-month intensive campaign to achieve 100% saturation of critical development indicators in India’s most underserved regions.

About Sampoornata Abhiyan 2.0:

What it is?

• Sampoornata Abhiyan 2.0 is a mission-mode, time-bound campaign designed to accelerate progress in 112 Aspirational Districts and 513 Aspirational Blocks. It builds upon the historic success of the first phase launched in 2024, focusing on saturating (reaching 100% coverage) specific social sector goals.

Campaign Timeline:

• Start Date: January 28, 2026
• End Date: April 14, 2026 (Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Jayanti)
• Duration: 3 Months

Aim & Objectives:

• Achieving full coverage of essential government services in health, nutrition, and education.
• Driving performance through monthly tracking and healthy competition among districts and blocks.
• Ensuring that the benefits of schemes like ICDS and TB Mukt Bharat reach the most remote households.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

The campaign focuses on a specific set of metrics divided between the District and Block levels:

6 KPIs for Aspirational Blocks

1. Supplementary Nutrition: Regular intake by children (6 months to 6 years) under ICDS.
2. Measurement Efficiency: Real-time tracking of children’s growth at Anganwadi Centres.
3. Anganwadi Sanitation: Percentage of centers with functional toilets.
4. Clean Drinking Water: Availability of drinking water in operational Anganwadis.
5. Girls’ Education: Schools with adequate and functional girls’ toilet facilities.
6. Animal Welfare: Percentage of bovine animals vaccinated against Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD).

5 KPIs for Aspirational Districts

1. Newborn Health: Proportion of live babies weighed at birth.
2. TB Notification: TB case notification rates (both Public and Private sectors).
3. Health Outreach: Regular conduct of Village/Urban Health Sanitation & Nutrition Days (VHSND/UHSND).
4. School Infrastructure: Schools equipped with functional girls’ toilets.
5. Livestock Security: Universal animal vaccination coverage.

Implementation Strategy & Significance

Strategy for Success

• 3-Month Action Plan: Each district and block must develop a tailored roadmap to hit saturation targets by April.
• Concurrent Monitoring: District-level officers are mandated to conduct frequent field visits for data validation.
• Behavior Change: Intensive awareness campaigns (Nukkad Nataks, Gram Sabhas) to encourage community participation.
• Collaboration: A unified approach involving Central Ministries, State Governments, and NITI Aayog.

Significance:

• Grassroots Transformation: Moves the needle from mere scheme implementation to tangible outcome saturation.
• Data-Driven Governance: Uses real-time monthly tracking to identify and fix implementation bottlenecks.
• Inclusive Growth: Directly targets the bottom of the pyramid in the country’s 513 most backward blocks.

PANCHAM Digital Chatbot

Source:  ITV

Subject: Government Scheme

Context: The Ministry of Panchayati Raj launched ‘PANCHAM’ (Panchayat Assistance and Messaging Chatbot), on the eve of India’s 77th Republic Day.

• This flagship AI initiative establishes a first-of-its-kind direct two-way digital bridge between the Central Government and over 30 lakh elected representatives.

About PANCHAM Digital Chatbot:

What is it?

• PANCHAM (Panchayat Assistance and Messaging Chatbot) is a WhatsApp-based AI tool designed as a digital companion for rural local bodies.
• It eliminates the need for complex apps or middlemen, allowing Sarpanches and ward members to access government data through the familiar interface of WhatsApp.

Ministry & Collaboration:

• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR).
• Knowledge Partner: UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund).

Aim & Objectives:

• Direct Connectivity: Linking the Government of India directly with village-level decision-makers.
• Information Saturation: Ensuring 100% awareness of central and state welfare schemes.
• Feedback Loops: Creating a real-time channel for field-level issues to reach senior policymakers.

Key Features of PANCHAM:

Multilingual Support (22 Languages):

• Integrated with the AI-powered BHASHINI engine, PANCHAM speaks and understands 22 official Indian languages. Whether a representative is in Kerala or Mizoram, they can interact in their local dialect.

Voice-Based Assistance:

• To bridge the literacy gap, the chatbot supports voice notes. Users can record a question in their language, and the AI will respond with a voice message, making it accessible for everyone.

WhatsApp Integration:

• PANCHAM works directly through WhatsApp.No separate storage-heavy mobile applications are required.Representatives simply scan a QR code or save the official number to start the conversation.

Real-Time Data & Training:

• Scheme Updates: Instant access to FAQs on e-GramSwaraj, SVAMITVA, and Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA).
• Bite-Sized Training: Dissemination of 30–50 second video modules on leadership, financial management, and social justice.
• Geo-Tagging Support: Guidance on mandatory tasks like geo-tagging of Panchayat Bhawans.

Significance for Rural India:

• By providing direct information on grants and funds, the influence of corrupt middlemen is significantly reduced.
• Empowers women Pradhans and young leaders with the same data available to city-based officials.

New Aadhaar App

Source:  ITV

Subject:  Government scheme

Context: The Government of India has launched the New Aadhaar App in January 2026, dedicated to the nation.

• This next-generation app, introduces a Privacy-First approach, allowing users to update mobile numbers from home.

About New Aadhaar App:

What is it?

• The New Aadhaar App is a secure, next-generation mobile platform designed by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI).
• It is significantly different from the old mAadhaar app, focusing on consent-based control and data minimization in line with the DPDP Act.

Developed by: This next-generation app, developed by UIDAI.

Aim & Objectives:

• Eliminate Photocopies: To stop the misuse of Aadhaar data during routine checks at hotels and airports.
• Resident-Centricity: To provide Identity at Fingertips while allowing users to choose exactly what data they share.
• Ease of Living: To reduce physical visits to Aadhaar Seva Kendras for routine updates.

Key Features:

Secure Offline Verification (No Internet Needed):

Users can now verify their identity without an active internet connection or sharing their 12-digit number.

• Share ID: Generate a password-protected file with only limited fields (e.g., just Name and Age).
• QR Scanning: Scan an entity’s QR code to provide instant, digitally signed proof of identity.

Update Mobile Number & Address from Home:

For the first time, residents can update their registered mobile number directly through the app using Face Authentication.

• Fee: A nominal fee of ₹75 is applicable.
• Timeline: Updates are typically reflected within 15 days.

One Family – One App:

The app allows the management of up to five Aadhaar profiles on a single smartphone. This makes it a perfect tool for parents to manage their children’s or elderly dependents’ digital IDs.

Selective Data Sharing:

Users no longer have to share their full digital card. You can choose to share only Photo and Age for a movie ticket or Name and Address for a hospital visit, masking the Aadhaar number entirely.

Biometric Lock & Unlock:

A single-click feature allows you to lock your biometrics, ensuring no one can use your fingerprint or iris data without your permission through the app.

Significance for the Common Man:

• Aligns with the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act by ensuring only digitally signed credentials are shared, not the actual Aadhaar number.
• Enables safe and instant verification for service partners and gig workers without exposing sensitive details.

V-BAT Autonomous Drones

Source:  TP

Subject:  Security

Context: The Indian Army officially selected the US-based firm Shield AI to supply its cutting-edge V-BAT autonomous drones.

• This emergency procurement deal marks a milestone as India integrates the Hivemind AI software, allowing for sovereign development of autonomous military capabilities.

About V-BAT Autonomous Drones:

What is it?

• The V-BAT is a Group 3 Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS).
• Unlike traditional drones that require runways, the V-BAT uses a unique ducted-fan design to take off and land vertically like a rocket, then transition to horizontal flight for surveillance.

Developed By:

• Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM): Shield AI (US-based Deep-Tech firm).
• Indian Partner: JSW Defence, which is establishing a $90 million manufacturing hub in Hyderabad to make India a global production base for the V-BAT.

Aim & Objectives:

• To provide persistent Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) in high-threat zones where GPS or communication might be jammed.
• To eliminate the need for runways, catapults, or recovery nets, making it deployable from ship decks, rooftops, and remote forward posts.
• Through the Hivemind SDK, the aim is to allow Indian engineers to build mission-specific AI behaviors tailored to India’s unique borders.

Key Features:

Vertical Take-Off & Landing (VTOL):

• The V-BAT’s single-engine, enclosed-rotor design allows it to operate in austere environments. It can launch from a 12×12 foot clearing, making it ideal for the narrow ridges of the Himalayas or crowded Indian Navy ship decks.

Hivemind Autonomy Software

The brain of the drone, Hivemind, enables the V-BAT to:

• Sense & Act: Navigate without GPS or human input.
• Threat Avoidance: Dynamically change paths when targeted by electronic warfare.
• Team Operations: Allows multiple drones to collaborate autonomously on a single mission.

Operational Specs:

• Endurance: Over 12 hours of continuous flight.
• Engine: Heavy-fuel engine (logistically compatible with standard military fuel).
• Payload: High-definition ISR sensors and targeting systems.

Significance for Indian Defence:

• The V-BAT is uniquely suited for India’s varied terrain—from the high-altitude LAC/LOC to the vast Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
• The deal isn’t just a purchase; it’s a technology transfer. The Hyderabad facility ensures that V-BATs are Made in India for the world.

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 29 January 2026 Mapping:

Sunabeda Wildlife Sanctuary

Source:  TOI

Subject:  Mapping

Context: The Sunabeda Wildlife Sanctuary in Odisha was officially declared ‘Maoist-free’ in January 2026, leading to a major breakthrough in wildlife monitoring.

• Recent camera trap data reveals a flourishing leopard population (estimated over 70), marking its transition from a conflict zone to a potential Leopard Haven.

About Sunabeda Wildlife Sanctuary:

What is it?

• Sunabeda Wildlife Sanctuary is a sprawling biodiversity hotspot and a proposed Tiger Reserve located in the western reaches of Odisha.
• Established in 1983, it is part of the Deccan Peninsula biogeographic zone and serves as a vital ecological bridge in Central India.

Located in:

• District: Nuapada, Odisha.
• Border: Adjoins the Sitanadi and Udanti Sanctuaries of Chhattisgarh.
• Area: Approximately 600 sq. km (proposed reserve extends over 956 sq. km).

Key Geological & Natural Features

• Terrain: A vast, high-altitude grass-covered plateau characterized by deep canyons, multiple valleys, and gorges.
• Hydrology: It forms the primary catchment area for the Jonk River, a tributary of the Mahanadi. The sanctuary is also the source of the Sunder and Indra
• Waterfalls: Home to 11 magnificent waterfalls, making it a prime destination for eco-tourism.
• Vegetation: Predominantly Dry Deciduous Tropical Forest. Key flora includes Bija, Teak, Sissoo, and Sandalwood.

Significance:

• Acts as a critical corridor for Wild Water Buffalo migrating between Odisha and Chhattisgarh.
• One of the few ideal habitats left for the Hard-ground Barasingha (Swamp Deer) and Nilgai.
• Over 200 bird species have been reported, including the elusive Forest Owlet and the Banded Bay Cuckoo.