January 2026

The Supreme Court of India has issued nine landmark directions to Central and State governments to address the growing issue of student suicides in higher education institutions (HEIs). Recognising systemic deficiencies, the Court invoked Article 142 of the Constitution, emphasizing the urgent need for administrative reform, faculty recruitment, and mental health support systems.

The Court highlighted that rapid expansion and privatization of higher education have not been matched with quality improvements. Many public universities suffer from over 50% faculty vacancies, delayed appointments of Vice-Chancellors, and weak student support mechanisms.

Among the key directives are mandatory record-keeping and tracking of student suicides, timely filling of vacant teaching and administrative posts, and strengthening institutional accountability. The judgment underlines that education policy must prioritize student well-being alongside academic excellence.

This intervention is significant for governance, as it reinforces judicial oversight in public welfare and education reform. For competitive exams, it is relevant under GS-II (Polity & Governance) and Essay topics on education reform.

India has firmly established itself as a global hub for Global Capability Centres (GCCs), with more than 1,800 GCCs currently operating across major urban centres. These centres, set up by multinational corporations, perform high-value functions such as research and development, data analytics, artificial intelligence, finance, and product innovation.

Originally known as back-office or captive centres, GCCs have evolved significantly. The post-COVID world, marked by remote work adoption and mobility restrictions in Western countries, accelerated this transformation. India’s large pool of skilled, English-speaking professionals and competitive cost structure made it the preferred destination.

According to government data, GCC revenues grew from $40.4 billion in FY2019 to $64.6 billion in FY2024, reflecting strong momentum. States are actively competing to attract GCC investments by offering infrastructure support, policy incentives, and talent development programs.

This trend has major implications for India’s economy. GCCs generate high-quality employment, contribute to exports, and position India as an innovation partner rather than a cost centre. They also align with national initiatives like Digital India, Make in India, and Skill India.

Andhra Pradesh has taken a major leap toward future-ready education by enrolling over 55,000 students in a quantum computing skilling programme launched through the National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning (NPTEL). The initiative, delivered by IIT Madras faculty in collaboration with IBM Quantum, aims to equip students with hands-on exposure to quantum algorithms and Qiskit, a leading open-source quantum computing framework.

Quantum computing represents the next frontier in computation, leveraging principles of quantum mechanics such as superposition and entanglement. Unlike classical computers that operate on bits (0 or 1), quantum computers use qubits, enabling them to solve complex problems exponentially faster. Applications range from cryptography and drug discovery to climate modelling and artificial intelligence.

India launched the National Quantum Mission (NQM) to build indigenous capacity in quantum technologies. Andhra Pradesh’s skilling programme aligns perfectly with this mission by creating a talent pipeline capable of contributing to research, startups, and strategic sectors. By integrating academia with industry participation from IBM Quantum, the programme ensures practical relevance and global standards.

The initiative also reflects a broader shift in India’s education policy toward emerging technologies, skill-based learning, and industry collaboration. Platforms like NPTEL democratize access to high-quality education, especially for students in Tier-II and Tier-III cities.

From a competitive exam perspective, this development is important for Science & Tech current affairs, especially questions related to quantum computing, national missions, and digital education platforms.

The recent outbreak of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) in Neemuch district of Madhya Pradesh has drawn nationwide attention to the challenges of managing rare neurological disorders under India’s public health system. According to official reports, the outbreak has resulted in the death of two children, while several confirmed and suspected cases are undergoing treatment in government hospitals. Health authorities have activated emergency response mechanisms to prevent further escalation.

Guillain-Barré Syndrome is a rare autoimmune condition in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the peripheral nervous system. This leads to symptoms ranging from mild tingling and muscle weakness to severe paralysis. In extreme cases, patients may require ventilator support if respiratory muscles are affected. Although GBS is not contagious, it is often triggered by bacterial or viral infections, contaminated food or water, or, rarely, post-vaccination immune responses.

In Neemuch, nine confirmed and nine suspected cases were reported within a short span of time, prompting the district administration to act swiftly. A special ward was established at the Civil Hospital, and critical patients were referred to higher medical centres. The Madhya Pradesh government announced that all treatment costs would be borne by the State, ensuring no financial burden on affected families.

Health officials collected water samples from purification plants, food samples, and blood serum from patients. While preliminary findings did not indicate contamination, samples were sent to national laboratories in Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Pune for advanced testing. A National Joint Outbreak Response Team (NJORT) was also scheduled to visit the district to trace the possible source of the outbreak.

This incident highlights the critical role of India’s Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), which monitors unusual health events and coordinates rapid response. It also underscores the importance of early diagnosis, as timely administration of treatments like intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) or plasmapheresis can significantly reduce complications.

From an examination perspective, GBS outbreaks are relevant for GS-III (Science & Technology) and GS-II (Health Governance) in UPSC, as well as for State PSCs and SSC. Questions often focus on disease mechanism, public health response, and government preparedness.

The Neemuch outbreak serves as a reminder that even rare diseases require robust surveillance systems, trained medical staff, and inter-state laboratory cooperation. Strengthening primary healthcare, improving sanitation, and enhancing community awareness remain essential to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The foundation stone for the ₹6,957-crore Kaziranga Elevated Corridor in Assam marks a historic development in India’s approach to combining wildlife protection with sustainable infrastructure. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the project, which aims to create an 86-km four-lane National Highway, including a 35-km elevated stretch passing directly through the Kaziranga National Park. This project is not only a massive infrastructure effort but also a pioneering example of how modern transport networks can be built without compromising environmental integrity.

Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is globally renowned for its one-horned rhinoceros, tigers, elephants, swamp deer, and an extraordinary variety of flora and fauna. For decades, the park has struggled with wildlife mortality due to road traffic, especially during monsoon floods when animals move towards higher ground crossing the National Highway that bisects the sanctuary. Regular accidents, roadkill, and increasing human–animal conflict have long posed serious concerns.

The new elevated corridor intends to eliminate these dangers by enabling animals to move freely underneath the roadway, preserving their natural migration paths. It represents one of India’s most ambitious wildlife-friendly infrastructure projects and aligns with the global shift toward green highways and sustainable development.

The Prime Minister emphasized that the corridor will significantly enhance road safety, reduce travel time, lower accident rates, and contribute to the socio-economic development of the region by boosting connectivity. However, the heart of the project lies in its environmental value: a guarantee that the movement of rhinos, elephants, and other wildlife remains unhindered.

The corridor also has strategic significance for Assam. The State has been working to eliminate rhino poaching, and under the leadership of the Assam government, Kaziranga has seen a marked reduction in illegal wildlife activity. The elevated structure strengthens the effort by reducing human encroachment and protecting habitat continuity.

Additionally, the project is expected to become a model under India’s broader framework of Green Infrastructure, complementing schemes like the National Wildlife Action Plan, Project Elephant, and Project Tiger. The corridor also supports India’s commitments under the Convention on Biological Diversity, and its sustainable mobility goals.

On the political front, the Prime Minister criticized previous administrations for neglecting the park and enabling land encroachment and infiltration in Assam. He commended the current government for reclaiming forest land, protecting cultural heritage, and creating a secure environment for both wildlife and communities.

The elevated corridor is not only an engineering achievement but also a biological necessity. As India urbanizes and expands, infrastructural innovations like this help secure the future of biodiversity. It also opens the door for similar corridors in other critical habitats such as Rajaji National Park, Sundarbans, and parts of the Western Ghats.

Kaziranga’s corridor can eventually emerge as an international benchmark for eco-sensitive transport infrastructure, especially in global discussions on climate adaptation, environmental planning, and sustainable tourism.