Find the current affairs of 16 January 2026. Stay updated with the most important news and events that have occurred on this day. Our daily current affairs updates are carefully curated by GK and Current Affairs experts, ensuring that you receive accurate and relevant information to enhance your competitive exam preparation.
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Highlights of 16 January 2026 Current Affairs
- The Supreme Court of India delivered a split verdict in Centre for Public Interest Litigation v. Union of India (2026) on the constitutional validity of Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, which mandates prior government approval before investigating public servants.
- Justice P.S. Narasimha upheld Section 17A with safeguards, ruling that prior sanction should be granted by independent bodies such as the Lokpal or Lokayukta, while Justice B.V. Nagarathna struck it down as unconstitutional for violating Article 14 by creating unreasonable classification.
- The issue of Section 17A’s validity has been referred to the Chief Justice of India for constitution of a larger bench, keeping the legal position unsettled.
- The Supreme Court issued binding directions to strengthen implementation of Section 12(1)(c) of the Right to Education Act, 2009, mandating 25 percent reservation for EWS and disadvantaged children in unaided private schools.
- The Court directed Central and State Governments to frame rules under Section 38 of the RTE Act through a consultative process involving child rights commissions, and assigned monitoring and grievance redressal roles to NCPCR and SCPCRs.
- The 16th Assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency concluded in Abu Dhabi with a strong call to accelerate the global renewable energy transition and bridge policy, finance, and technology gaps.
- The Renewable Energy and Jobs – Annual Review 2025 highlighted India’s growing role, with 1.3 million renewable energy jobs and top global rankings in solar PV and hydropower employment.
- The January 2026 Global Economic Prospects report by the World Bank revised India’s growth forecast upward to 7.2 percent for FY 2025–26, even as global trade growth is expected to slow sharply.
- The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority introduced operational guidelines for the NPS Vatsalya Scheme, 2025, expanding pension coverage to children and promoting early financial literacy and long-term savings.
- India’s passport ranking improved to 80th position in the Henley Passport Index 2026, while food prices entered deflation for the first time since 2014, reflecting easing supply-side pressures and changing inflation dynamics.
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