Daily Current Affairs: Economy, Environment & Defence

📅 Date: 10 January 2026 (Saturday)

Welcome to your comprehensive daily digest. Today, we cover India's robust economic outlook by the UN, critical environmental conservation efforts for the Grey Slender Loris, major defence technology testing by DRDO, and new digital initiatives for women's empowerment. Let's dive deep into these developments.

---

1. Economy: UN DESA Predicts 7.4% Growth for India

The Indian economy continues to show resilience. The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), in its latest report, has projected that India is expected to grow by 7.4 per cent in the current financial year. This growth is primarily driven by robust domestic consumption and strong public investment.

About UN DESA

The UN DESA is the development pillar of the United Nations Secretariat. It is rooted in the UN Charter and guides the global implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

• Headquarters: New York, United States.
• Mission: Its divisions work collaboratively to promote the social, economic, and environmental dimensions of sustainable development globally.
• Key Publications:
  • World Economic Situation and Prospects Report.
  • World Social Report.
  • Sustainable Development Goals Report.

---

2. Environment: Conservation of Grey Slender Loris

In a joint conservation effort, the state governments of Kerala and Tamil Nadu have initiated measures to restore habitats and strengthen the monitoring of the Grey Slender Loris.

About Grey Slender Loris

The Grey Slender Loris (Loris lydekkerianus) is a small, nocturnal primate found in Southern India and Sri Lanka. They belong to the family Loridae.

• Primate Type: They are prosimians, meaning they belong to the oldest and most primitive group of primates, predating monkeys and apes.
• Habitat: They primarily inhabit tropical rainforests, scrublands, semi-deciduous forests, and swamps.
• Behavior: Being nocturnal hunters, they feed on insects, berries, and small vertebrates. They communicate through complex vocalizations and scent marking.
• Conservation Status: Listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List due to habitat loss and poaching.

---

3. Wildlife: Ratapani Tiger Reserve Named After Dr. Wakankar

The Madhya Pradesh government has announced that the newly designated Ratapani Tiger Reserve will be named after the renowned archaeologist and Padma Shri awardee, Dr. Vishnu Shridhar Wakankar. Dr. Wakankar is famous for discovering the Bhimbetka rock shelters.

---

4. Media: 'Creator’s Corner' on DD News

Acknowledging the boom in the creator economy, Prasar Bharati has launched the ‘Creator’s Corner’ on DD News. This initiative aims to provide a national platform for digital content creators.

• Objective: To promote the digital economy by showcasing quality content from individual creators on a national broadcaster.
• About Prasar Bharati: It is India's Public Service Broadcaster, a statutory autonomous body established under the Prasar Bharati Act, 1997. It comprises Doordarshan (TV) and All India Radio (AIR).

---

5. Governance: PANKHUDI Portal Launched

The Ministry of Women and Child Development has launched a new digital initiative named the PANKHUDI portal to streamline Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts.

Key Features

• Purpose: It acts as an integrated partnership facilitation portal to strengthen coordination and transparency in women and child development initiatives.
• Stakeholders: It serves as a single-window platform for NRIs, NGOs, CSR contributors, corporate entities, and government agencies to collaborate.
• Focus Areas: Nutrition, Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE), child protection, and women's safety.
• Mission Alignment: It directly supports flagship missions like Mission Saksham Anganwadi & Poshan 2.0, Mission Vatsalya, and Mission Shakti.

---

6. Geography: Dal Lake Freezes

The iconic Dal Lake in Srinagar has partially frozen as temperatures in the Kashmir Valley plunged well below freezing point. This phenomenon attracts tourists but poses challenges for locals.

Static GK: Dal Lake

• Location: Srinagar, J&K. Surrounded by the Pir Panjal mountains.
• Titles: Known as the “Jewel in the crown of Kashmir” or “Srinagar’s Jewel”.
• Water Source: Mainly fed by the Telbal stream from the Jhelum River.
• Unique Features:
  • Floating Gardens: Locally called “Rad”, these are wetlands within the lake used for cultivation.
  • Mughal Gardens: The shoreline is lined with famous gardens like Nishat Bagh, Shalimar Bagh, and Chashma Shahi.

---

7. Defence Tech: DRDO Tests Scramjet Engine

The DRDO has successfully conducted ground testing of a full-scale, actively cooled, long-duration Scramjet Engine. This is a critical step for India's Hypersonic Missile Programme.

Ramjet vs. Scramjet

• Scramjet (Supersonic Combustion Ramjet): An air-breathing engine where combustion takes place while the airflow inside the engine remains supersonic. It is efficient at Hypersonic speeds (Mach 5 and above).
• Mechanism: Unlike standard jet engines, Scramjets have no moving parts (no rotating compressors). They rely on the vehicle's high speed to compress incoming air.
• Fuel: It uses liquid Hydrogen (fuel) and liquid Oxygen (oxidizer).
• Status: India is the fourth country to demonstrate Scramjet flight testing.

---

8. International Relations: India to Host IICDEM-2026

The Election Commission of India (ECI) is set to host the India International Conference on Democracy and Election Management (IICDEM)-2026 in New Delhi.

• Organizer: India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM) under the ECI.
• Theme: “Democracy for an inclusive, peaceful, resilient and sustainable world”.
• Significance: This reinforces India's position as a global leader in democratic processes, coinciding with India's Chairmanship of the International IDEA (Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance) Council for 2026.

---

That concludes today's comprehensive analysis. From the freezing waters of Dal Lake to the fiery speeds of Scramjet engines, staying informed is key. Happy Learning!