In Current Affairs for 09 January 2026, we will see the latest national and international current affairs news. These important current affairs will be beneficial for your upcoming NDA, CDS, CDS OTA, AFCAT, TA, Agniveer Army, Agniveer Navy, Agniveer Air Force, Women Military Police, INET, MNS, ACC exams, SCO, PCSL, CAPF, and SSB interviews, and direct entries for Army, Navy, and Air Force like SSC Tech, TGC, JAG, NCC, TES, 10+2 Cadet. Download a PDF file about current events at the end of this article. Let us now see the Current Affairs.
Current Affairs 09 January 2026
The newly established Keyi Panyor district, Arunachal Pradesh is set to become a national pioneer as India’s first Bio-Happy District. This innovative initiative seeks to harmonize biodiversity conservation with human well-being, presenting a development model that equally values ecology, livelihoods, and public health.
The project draws inspiration from the concept of “Bio Happiness”, envisioned by legendary agricultural scientist Dr. M. S. Swaminathan. The initiative is being implemented by the M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation, in close partnership with the district administration.
According to Soumya Swaminathan, Chairperson of the Foundation, the program focuses on livelihood assessment, agro-biodiversity mapping, and evaluation of local ecosystems. Bio happiness emphasizes that true human well-being can be achieved only when biodiversity is conserved and used sustainably to improve nutrition, health, and income opportunities.
India’s First Fully Paperless District Court
India has achieved a major milestone in judicial reform with the inauguration of the country’s first fully paperless district court in Kalpetta, Wayanad district of Kerala. The court was virtually inaugurated by Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant.
This transformation marks the complete digitization of district-level judicial functioning, where every stage—from filing cases to delivering judgments—is conducted electronically. The initiative reflects India’s push toward digital courts, significantly reducing clerical delays, paperwork, and physical court visits.
The integration of artificial intelligence into district court operations is another first, improving efficiency and access to justice. The shift also delivers environmental benefits by eliminating large-scale paper usage, lowering litigation costs, and enabling faster case resolution through instant digital communication.
United States Withdraws from 66 International Organisations
In a major shift in global diplomacy, the United States announced its withdrawal from 66 international organisations through an executive order signed on January 7, 2026. This move signals an intensified retreat from multilateral engagement under President Donald Trump’s administration.
A significant aspect of this decision is the U.S. exit from climate-related frameworks, including the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)—the foundational treaty adopted in 1992 that underpins the Paris Agreement. The U.S. also withdrew from the International Solar Alliance, jointly led by India and France.
The administration cited concerns over inefficiency, redundancy, and misalignment with U.S. sovereignty and national interests. While exiting several multilateral bodies, the U.S. has chosen to retain engagement with select organizations such as the International Telecommunications Union, International Maritime Organization, and International Labour Organization, with a strategic focus on countering China’s influence.
India Leads the World in Bio-Bitumen Production
India has achieved a global first by becoming the world’s first country to commercially produce bio-bitumen for road construction. This breakthrough represents a major step toward sustainable infrastructure development and environmentally responsible highways.
The announcement was made by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari during the CSIR Technology Transfer Ceremony in New Delhi. Bio-bitumen is produced from biomass and agricultural waste, offering an eco-friendly alternative to conventional petroleum-based bitumen, which is traditionally derived from crude oil.
The initiative supports India’s Atma Nirbhar Bharat vision by promoting indigenous technology, reducing dependence on fossil fuels, and encouraging greener construction practices.
Usman Khawaja Bids Farewell to International Cricket
Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja announced his retirement from international cricket in January 2026, following the final Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground. His retirement marked the end of a remarkable 15-year international career.
Khawaja holds the distinction of being Australia’s first Muslim Test cricketer and became a powerful symbol of cultural and religious diversity in Australian sport. He scored 6,206 Test runs at an average of 43.39, including 16 centuries, and amassed 1,554 ODI runs.
One of the defining moments of his career was his 171-run century during the 2018 Ashes at the SCG, which remains etched in cricketing history.
Middle-Distance Star Jinson Johnson Retires
Indian athletics witnessed a significant moment as Jinson Johnson, a celebrated middle-distance runner from Kerala, announced his retirement from competitive athletics at the age of 34.
Over a career spanning more than 15 years, Johnson represented India at major international events, including the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games. He achieved national recognition by setting multiple national records and winning Asian Games gold, inspiring a new generation of Indian distance runners with his consistency and dedication.
Billiards Legend Manoj Kothari Passes Away
The Indian sports fraternity mourned the loss of Manoj Kothari, one of the most influential figures in Indian cue sports, who passed away in January 2026 at the age of 67 in Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu.
A two-time World Billiards Champion, Kothari won his first world title in 1990 and later secured the World Doubles Championship in 1997 alongside England’s Ian Williamson. He served as Chief National Coach of the Indian billiards team from 2011 and played a key role in nurturing young talent.
His contributions were recognized with the Major Dhyan Chand Award in 2005 and the IBSF Lifetime Achievement Award in 2025. He also won 16 national state titles, leaving behind a lasting legacy in Indian billiards.
Conclusion
From pioneering sustainable development models and digitizing the judiciary to sporting milestones and major global policy shifts, these developments highlight changing priorities in governance, environmental responsibility, and international engagement. Together, they reflect a dynamic period of transformation for India and the world.
Review Questions
1. Which district is set to become India’s first Bio-Happy District?
A. Wayanad
B. Keyi Panyor
C. Tirunelveli
D. Kalpetta
✅ Answer: B. Keyi Panyor
2. The concept of “Bio Happiness” was originally introduced by which renowned scientist?
A. Verghese Kurien
B. C. V. Raman
C. M. S. Swaminathan
D. Raghunath Mashelkar
✅ Answer: C. M. S. Swaminathan
3. India’s first fully paperless district court was inaugurated in which location?
A. Kochi, Kerala
B. Kalpetta, Wayanad
C. Thiruvananthapuram
D. Kozhikode
✅ Answer: B. Kalpetta, Wayanad
4. Who virtually inaugurated India’s first fully paperless district court?
A. Justice D. Y. Chandrachud
B. Justice Sanjiv Khanna
C. Justice Surya Kant
D. Justice U. U. Lalit
✅ Answer: C. Justice Surya Kant
5. Which major climate-related international framework did the U.S. exit in January 2026?
A. Kyoto Protocol
B. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
C. UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
D. Green Climate Fund
✅ Answer: C. UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
6. India became the first country to commercially produce which eco-friendly road construction material?
A. Green Cement
B. Fly Ash Concrete
C. Bio-bitumen
D. Polymer Asphalt
✅ Answer: C. Bio-bitumen
7. Who announced the commercial production of bio-bitumen in India?
A. Piyush Goyal
B. Narendra Modi
C. Nitin Gadkari
D. Dharmendra Pradhan
✅ Answer: C. Nitin Gadkari
8. Usman Khawaja retired from international cricket after his final Test at which venue?
A. Melbourne Cricket Ground
B. Adelaide Oval
C. Lord’s
D. Sydney Cricket Ground
✅ Answer: D. Sydney Cricket Ground
9. Which Indian athlete, a national record-holding middle-distance runner, announced his retirement recently?
A. Avinash Sable
B. Mohammed Afsal
C. Jinson Johnson
D. Gagandeep Singh
✅ Answer: C. Jinson Johnson
10. Manoj Kothari won his first World Billiards Championship title in which year?
A. 1985
B. 1990
C. 1997
D. 2005
✅ Answer: B. 1990
