Prelims Current Affairs includes International Mind-Body Wellness Day, Vice Chief of Air Staff, Bomb Cyclone, Gig Workers and Gig Economy in India, Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), National Sport Climbing Championship 2025, Goa to Get Third District – Kushavati

IMPORTANT DAY

1. INTERNATIONAL MIND-BODY WELLNESS DAY

Observed on 3 January.

• Promotes: Exercise, meditation, adequate sleep and stress management
• OBJECTIVE: To encourage a healthy, peaceful and balanced lifestyle

APPOINTMENTS

2. VICE CHIEF OF AIR STAFF

Current Context: Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor assumed charge as the Vice Chief of the Air Staff of the Indian Air Force on 1 January 2026, succeeding Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari.

ABOUT THE APPOINTMENT

• Post: Vice Chief of the Air Staff
• Date of Assumption: 1 January 2026
• Predecessor: Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari

GEOGRAPHY

3. BOMB CYCLONE

Current Context: A powerful bomb cyclone recently caused severe winter conditions across northern United States.

ABOUT BOMB CYCLONE

• Type: Intensely strengthening mid-latitude storm
• Formation Process: Explosive cyclogenesis
• Key Feature: Rapid drop in surface air pressure within 24 hours

INTENSIFICATION CRITERIA

• 60° Latitude: 24 millibars in 24 hours
• 40° Latitude:8 millibars in 24 hours

AFFECTED REGIONS

• North Atlantic
• Northwest Pacific
• Southwest Pacific
• South Atlantic

ECONOMY

4. GIG WORKERS AND GIG ECONOMY IN INDIA

Current Context: Gig workers of platforms like Swiggy, Zomato, Blinkit and Zepto protested against 10-minute delivery timelines on New year.

ABOUT GIG ECONOMY

• Defined under the Code on Social Security, 2020
• Work outside the traditional employer-employee relationship

TYPES OF GIG WORKERS

• Platform-based: App-based delivery and service workers
• Non-platform-based: Casual and part-time workers

SCALE IN INDIA

• Around 10 million workers currently
• Expected to reach 5 million by 2029–30

CHALLENGES

• Income instability
• Occupational safety risks
• Lack of social security
• Algorithmic control and weak bargaining power

ENVIRONMENT

5. CARBON BORDER ADJUSTMENT MECHANISM (CBAM)

Current Context: The European Union implemented CBAM from 1 January 2026.

ABOUT CBAM

• Carbon tax on imports from countries with weaker climate policies
• Prevents carbon leakage
• Transition phase started in 2023

SECTORS COVERED

• Cement, Aluminium, Fertilisers, Iron and steel, Hydrogen, Electricity

IMPACT ON INDIA: Higher cost for Indian exports of steel, aluminium and cement

SCHEME

6. PRADHAN MANTRI MATRU VANDANA YOJANA (PMMVY)

Current Context: Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana completed nine years since its launch.

ABOUT PMMVY

Launched: 2017

• Type: Centrally Sponsored Scheme
• Ministry: Women and Child Development
• Integrated With: Mission Shakti (2022)

BENEFICIARIES

• Pregnant women and lactating mothers aged 19 years and above
• Focus on informal and unorganised sector

BENEFITS

• ₹5,000 for first living child
• Additional benefit through Janani Suraksha Yojana
• ₹6,000 for second girl child under PMMVY 2.0

SPORTS

7. NATIONAL SPORT CLIMBING CHAMPIONSHIP 2025

Current Context: Fourteen-year-old Amieyra Khoslla won the gold medal in the Youth Girls (Under-17) category at the 29th National Sport Climbing Championship 2025.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

• Event held from December 26–29, 2025, in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
• Amieyra scored 8 points in the bouldering finals.
• She achieved a perfect score of 100 in the qualification round.

ABOUT THE EVENT

• Organised by the Indian Mountaineering Foundation.
• Conducted at Yavanika, Bengaluru.
• Included bouldering and speed climbing across age groups.

PLACE IN NEWS

8. GOA TO GET THIRD DISTRICT – KUSHAVATI

Current Context: The Goa government announced the creation of a third district named Kushavati, carved out of South Goa.

ABOUT KUSHAVATI DISTRICT

• Named after the ancient Kushavati River.
• Talukas included: Dharbandora, Quepem, Sanguem and Canacona.
• Quepem town will serve as the district headquarters.

ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENT

• Until full infrastructure is ready, administration will be handled from South Goa.
• South Goa Collector will temporarily oversee the new district.

Download Pdf | Study Material | Downloads | Daily Quiz  | FREE Youtube Videos