January 22, 2026 - Current Affairs

India’s Traffic Chokehold: Bengaluru Ranks Second; Pune 5th in Global Congestion Index for 2025

January 22, 2026

The urban traffic crisis in India deteriorated, with Bengaluru city being ranked as the second most congested city in the world, second only to Mexico City, according to the TomTom Traffic Index 2025. The commuters in Bengaluru experienced extreme delays as the average speed during rush hours drastically reduced, and the motorists were stuck in the gridlocks for about 168 hours per year. Pune was also not left behind, as it was ranked fifth in the world, a testimony to the ubiquity of traffic congestion in the Indian metro. Many other cities in India also ranked high in the congestion list, and this represents a long-standing problem of city mobility and planning infrastructure that is impacting daily living and productivity.

Bengaluru and Pune Lead India’s 2025 Traffic Congestion Rankings

Bengaluru was ranked as the second most congested city in the world in 2025, right after Mexico City, and it has an average congestion level of 74.4 per cent.
Rush hour travel time in Bengaluru was found to be on average 36 minutes and 9 seconds to travel 10 km, which was substantially slower than in previous years.
In 2025, Bengaluru commuters were wasting around 168 hours a year in traffic jams, which is a higher equivalent of over 7 days lost.
The mean speed at rush hours decreased to approximately 13.9 km/h, which indicates a lower frequency of travel than in 2024.
Pune ranked fifth in the world and second among Indian cities in the world's top 10 regarding congestion.
Other Indian cities also topped the rankings, such as Mumbai, New Delhi, Kolkata and Jaipur, indicating that traffic stress is very prevalent in Indian metros.
The average speed in Mumbai was established at approximately 20.8 km/h, yet congestion made the commuters spend approximately 126 hours annually.
The congestion level was 60.2 per cent in New Delhi, where motorists wasted 104 hours per annum in a snarl-up.
The Asian situation showcased 6 Indian cities in the list of the top 10 most congested in the US, which demonstrates the seriousness of the issue of urban traffic in India.
In general, these ratings demonstrate the dire necessity of an enhanced city movement, traffic control, and city infrastructure development in the city of India.

PYQs Based on Bengaluru History and Music

Exam	Year	Question	Answer
SSC GD	2016	Who is known as ‘Sher-e-Mysore’?	Tipu Sultan
SSC CGL	2016	Which city served as the capital of Tipu Sultan?	Srirangapatna
SSC MTS	2022	Tipu Sultan was killed in which war defending Seringapatam?	Fourth Anglo-Mysore War
UPSC Prelims	2014	Tipu Sultan fought which wars against the British?	Anglo-Mysore Wars
UPSC Mains (GS-1)	2018	Explain the significance of Tipu Sultan’s administration in Karnataka’s history.	Modernisation of the army, trade, silk industry and revenue reforms
SSC / Bank	2025	Tipu Sultan ruled which kingdom?	Mysore
SSC / Bank	2025	Tipu Sultan introduced which modern technology in warfare?	Rocket artillery
SSC / Bank	Various	Carnatic music primarily developed in which region of India?	South India (Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala)
SSC / Bank	Various	Who is known as the father of Carnatic music?	Purandaradasa
SSC / Bank	Various	Which percussion instrument is primary in Carnatic music?	Mridangam
SSC / Bank	Various	In Carnatic music, the improvisational exploration of a raga at the start is called what?	Alapana
State PSC (KPSC/TSPSC)	2019	Who was known as the Tiger of Mysore?	Tipu Sultan
UPSC / State PSC	Various	Which dynasty is associated with the historical development of Carnatic music?	Vijayanagar

Conclusion (Bengaluru 2nd, Pune 5th in 2025 Global Traffic Index)

The Global Traffic Index of 2025 places Bengaluru in the position of the second most congested city and Pune in the position of the fifth one, which indicates the critical situation in the urban traffic in India. The issue of increased congestion impacts everyday commuting, productivity, and the environment, and the necessity to find better solutions to urban planning, efficient transportation, and sustainable mobility in Indian cities is immense.

India’s Demographic Dividend is Turning into a Divide

January 22, 2026

The demographic dividend long promised in India is starting to turn into a demographic divide, with regional and labour market inequalities increasing. A recent report demonstrates that although the national population can go up to about 1.59billion by 2051, the varying demographic transitions in different states are transforming the workforce in India. States in the north that have high fertility will provide a higher proportion of the working age group, and in the south, it is ageing with a falling fertility rate. This imbalance may transform federal relationships, pressurise the employment relations, and undermine fair economic development unless the employment, skills development, and regional inequalities are addressed through policy.

Rising Regional Inequalities Challenge India’s Demographic Advantage

Demographic transition is not uniform in nature since the total fertility rate (TFR) of India has been below the replacement level of 2.1 births per woman, and it currently stands at approximately 1.9, which is a nationwide demographic change.
The young labour force is still not minor -About 68 per cent of people in India are of working age (1564), which might be the economic strength in case the productivity and employment can keep up.
The difference in fertility in the regions remains high – states such as Bihar, Jharkhand or Uttar Pradesh still present a higher fertility rate, and states such as Delhi, Kerala and Tamil Nadu have significantly low rates, which is explained by the different socio-economic backgrounds and accessibility to education and healthcare.
The divergence between countries in terms of demographic trajectories can result in a two-fold problem: some will experience the risk of surpluses of labour, and others an ageing process that is not slowing down and an ageing population with fewer and fewer young people in the future.
Policy implications — These variances may make it difficult to plan at the national level, and this will influence resource allocation, job creation and fair growth among states.
Long-term perspective – In the absence of specific measures in skill development, education, and regional economic strategies, demographic benefits may transform into demographic separations.

Previous Year Questions of Demographic of India

Exam & Year	Question	Correct Answer
UPSC Civil Services Prelims 2009	Between Census 1951 and Census 2001, did population density increase more than three times, and did the annual growth rate double?	Neither (Both statements false)
SSC CGL 2024 Tier-II (Official)	Regarding the 2011 Census: (1) The population increased by more than 181 million from 2001–11; (2) The decadal growth rate saw the fastest post-independence decline.	Both statements are correct
SSC MTS 2024 (Official)	In which census was negative population growth recorded?	1921 Census
RRB Technician (Geography)	As per the 2011 Census, what is India’s population density?	382 persons/km²
SSC / RRB / State PYQs	The first synchronous census in India was conducted in which year?	1881
SSC / RRB / State Exams	The year 1921 in Indian census history is known as?	The Great Divide
SSC / RRB / State Questions	The Census Act in India was passed in which year?	1948

Conclusion (India’s Demographic Dividend Turns into a Divide)

At a very crucial stage, India is facing a demographic advantage. The population imbalance between the southern states, geographical inequalities, and ageing will put the demographic dividend in jeopardy of becoming a divide. Employment, development of skills and equity in the region should have some strategic policies that would exploit the workforce to positively bring about inclusive and sustainable economic growth.

UAE To Partner With Telangana To Develop India’s First Net-Zero Smart City

January 22, 2026

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has committed to collaborating with the state of Telangana to create the first Net-Zero Greenfield Smart City in India, which was named Bharat Future City, based on their high-level discussions on economic topics in Davos at the World Economic Forum. Within the partnership, both governments will explore collaborating on mega infrastructure and sustainability projects, such as clean energy, climate-resilient planning, and high-tech urban development. The city is an approximation of 30,000 acres planned to be a multi-sector sustainable urban-industrial megaw development, servicing artificial intelligence, education, healthcare, industry, residential and entertainment sub-sectors, which will be a significant milestone in the Indian urban transformation.

What Is the UAE–Telangana Net-Zero Smart City Project?

The UAE- Telangana project aims at constructing the Bharat Future City, which is expected to be the first Net-Zero Greenfield Smart City in India, in collaboration with the United Arab Emirates and the government of Telangana.
This announcement was preceded by high-level discussions at the World Economic Forum at Davos, where the UAE agreed to partner with Telangana in this flagship programme.
The Future City of Bharat is a large, sustainable, urban-industrial city covering an area of about 30,000 acres that aims at incorporating clean energy, green mobility, and climate-resilient infrastructure.
The city will also have a section on artificial intelligence, education, health, industries, residential life, and entertainment.
It is an ingredient part of Telangana Rising 2047, the long-term vision of developing its economy into a 3 trillion economy by 2047 by being innovative and sustainable in development.
The UAE has offered to create a combined task force with the officials of Telangana so that the project can be implemented effectively and within due time.
These global companies are already on board, and they are considering partnerships to provide a skilled workforce and technologies.
The smart city will also be a model of sustainability in the world, aiming to combine economic growth with responsibility to the environment and innovative urban planning.
The project will lead to employment, innovation and development of infrastructural facilities and improvements, enhancing the India-UAE relationship and making Telangana a global investment and technology destination.
On the whole, Bharat Future City is the next step in the process of sustainable urbanisation and net-zero development in India.

Important Questions Asked in Recent Exams

Exam	Year	Question	Answer
UPSC Prelims	2016	Which of the following is not a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)?	Iran
UPSC Prelims	2008	Consider the following statements: 1. Ajman is one of the seven Emirates of the UAE. 2. Ras al-Khaimah was the last sheikhdom to join the UAE. Which is correct?	Both 1 and 2
UPSC Mains (GS-2)	2017	The question of India’s energy security constitutes the most important part of India’s economic progress. Analyse India’s energy policy cooperation with West Asian countries.	Essay-type answer expected
UPSC Prelims	2025	With reference to COP26, India committed to which of the following?	Net-Zero carbon emissions by 2070
UPSC Prelims	2016	The term “Intended Nationally Determined Contributions” (INDCs) relates to:	Plan of action to combat climate change

Conclusion (UAE Partners with Telangana for India’s First Net-Zero City)

The UAE-Telangana collaboration to create the first net-zero city in India is a significant advance in the sustainable urbanisation process. Bharat Future City will be a combination of clean energy, green infrastructure and high-technology, which will be a prototype of climate-resilient development. This project enhances the India-UAE relationships and demonstrates innovation in terms of sustainable city planning.

Mozambican Rights Activist Graça Machel to Be Conferred with Indira Gandhi Peace Prize

January 22, 2026

Mozambican rights activist Graça Machel has been chosen to get the Indira Gandhi Peace Prize on Peace, Disarmament, and Development 2025, the Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust said. She received the international jury led by former Indian National Security Advisor Shivshankar Menon in recognition of decades of groundbreaking efforts in the education, health, nutrition, economic empowerment, and humanitarian moves in demanding situations. Machel is a great African stateswoman and humanitarian who has devoted her life to alleviating the conditions of vulnerable groups and promoting human rights in the world. The award is given in honour of her lifelong dedication to making the world a more just and fair place to live.

Graça Machel to Receive Indira Gandhi Peace Prize

Graça Machel is a hugely international human rights leader, educationist, and humanitarian head of Mozambique.
It has been chosen to give her the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament, and Development 2025 award due to her lifelong work in social justice and human development.
She was born on the 17 th of October, 1945, in rural Mozambique, brought up in a humble background, and schooled in the mission schools.
She got politically involved when studying outside the country and even joined the struggle for Mozambican liberation to gain independence.
She became the first Minister of Education and Culture in Mozambique, having become the first independent country in 1975.
She was instrumental during her reign in increasing access to education, particularly among children in the rural regions.
During the 1990s, she co-headed a seminal UN study of the effects of armed conflict on children, which impacted the global child protection policy.
Graaca Machel has always been a champion defending the human rights of women and children, health, nutrition, and empowering them economically.
She established child development institutions, food security institutions, and leader capacity-building institutions in Africa.
She has been a pioneer member of global peace, ethical leadership, and social responsibility.
She has been awarded various international honours and awards for humanitarian service over the years.
The Indira Gandhi Peace Prize is awarded in the recognition of her decades of dedication to the cause of peace, equality, and sustainable development in the world.

Previous Year Questions of Indira Gandhi Peace Prize

Exam Name	Year	Question	Answer
UPSC CSE Prelims	2015	The Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development (2014) was awarded to which organisation?	Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
UPSC CSE Prelims	2018	The Indira Gandhi Peace Prize is awarded for outstanding contributions in which fields?	Peace, Disarmament and Development
State PSC (UPPCS)	2019	The Indira Gandhi Peace Prize is named after which former Prime Minister of India?	Indira Gandhi
State PSC (BPSC)	2020	In which year was the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development instituted?	1986
WBCS Mains	2021	The Indira Gandhi Peace Prize 2020 was awarded to whom?	Sir David Attenborough
State PSC	2022	Who selects the recipient of the Indira Gandhi Peace Prize?	Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust
SSC CGL	2022	The Indira Gandhi Peace Prize carries which of the following?	Citation, Trophy, and Cash Award
State PSC	2023	Which Indian NGO received the Indira Gandhi Peace Prize in 2021?	Pratham
UPSC CSE Prelims	2024	The Indira Gandhi Peace Prize can be awarded to which of the following?	Individuals, Institutions, or Organisations

Conclusion (Graça Machel to Be Conferred with Indira Gandhi Peace Prize)

Graça Machel as the recipient of the Indira Gandhi Peace Prize is due to her lifelong commitment to human rights, education and social justice. She has brought a change in the world that continues to offer hope and bring positive transformation in the world through the presence of her leadership and humanitarian work, thus making her a strong icon of peace, equality, and sustainable development.