2 Minute Series_28 January 2026

 28^th January 2026

1. Urban Tap Water Coverage: Recently, urban tap water coverage has increased by 64% since 2011, mainly due to the rollout of Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation and AMRUT 2.0, as per data released by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.

• Key Highlights: Urban tap water coverage rose from 49% in 2011 to about 77% by 2025, marking a 64% increase.

• 228 lakh household tap connections have been provided in urban areas, according to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA).
• 20 lakh sewer connections have been added, including systems under Faecal Sludge and Septage Management (FSSM).
• Treated wastewater reuse has expanded to nearly 6,000 MLD across States and Union Territories.
• Water Security & Urban Environment: 7,480 acres of water bodies have been rejuvenated.
  - 2,704 acres of green spaces have been developed.
• Under ‘Jal Hi Amrit’, Water Resource Recovery Cells (WRRCs) have been established in 25 States and UTs to promote treated water reuse and biosolids management.
• Through the AMRUT Mitra initiative, over 28,000 women SHG members are involved in water demand management, quality testing, billing, and system maintenance.

2. Hydrogen Zone: Recently, at India Energy Week (IEW) 2026, Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas inaugurated the Hydrogen Zone in Goa.

• About Hydrogen Zone: Hosted by Oil India and highlights advanced hydrogen technologies supporting India’s low-carbon energy transition.

• The zone showcases innovations across the entire hydrogen value chain — production, storage, and utilisation.
• It demonstrates how hydrogen can decarbonise hard-to-abate sectors, including: Refining, Fertilisers, Steel and Mobility.
• The initiative positions India as a competitive and reliable player in emerging global hydrogen markets.
• The Hydrogen Zone is one of 11 strategically curated thematic zones at India Energy Week 2026.
• These thematic zones enable direct engagement among policymakers, industry leaders, investors, and technology providers on solutions, business models, and partnerships.
• About IEW: India’s flagship global energy platform. Acts as a neutral international forum driving investment, policy alignment, and technological collaboration toward a sustainable energy future.

3. Hoya Nagaensis: Recently, researchers from Nagaland University recorded a new plant species Hoya Nagaensis, reinforcing Northeast India’s status as a biodiversity hotspot.
   

• About Hoya nagaensis: Genus: Hoya — widely valued for decorative, wax-coated flowers; Geographical range: High-altitude temperate forests of Nagaland

• Confirmed location: Kavünhou Community Reserved Forest
• The species represents a new scientific record, identified during detailed botanical exploration in remote and poorly studied forest landscapes.
• Characteristics: Exhibits unusual leaf morphology and distinct floral structures, clearly differentiating it from known species.
  - Produces star-shaped flowers, a hallmark of the genus.
  - Secretes milky latex, a defining trait of plants belonging to the Apocynaceae (milkweed) family.
• About Hoya Genus: Commonly referred to as wax plants, Hoyas are popular among horticulture enthusiasts.
• Native distribution: Southeast Asia, Australia, and Polynesia.
• Floral traits: Flowers are typically star-like with a glossy, waxy texture.

4. TomTom Traffic Index 2025: Recently, India’s urban mobility crisis has come into sharp focus, as the TomTom Traffic Index 2025 highlights the growing mismatch between rapid motorisation and inadequate urban transport capacity in Indian cities.

• Key Findings: Bengaluru ranked 2nd globally in congestion, behind Mexico City, and 3rd among the world’s slowest cities.

• Bengaluru recorded an average congestion level of 74.4% in 2025.
• Bengaluru and Kolkata featured among the top five slowest cities globally.
• Kolkata ranked 4th slowest
• Pune overtook Mumbai to become the 5th most congested city globally, with 152 hours lost annually.
• New Delhi ranked 23rd, while Jaipur, Chennai, Hyderabad, Ernakulam, and Ahmedabad also featured.
• India’s global position: 5th most congested country worldwide and 2nd most congested in Asia, after the Philippines
• Index Methodology: Rankings are based on average travel time, congestion levels, and vehicle speeds.
  - Analysis draws on 65 trillion km of global trip data.
  - “Slowest cities” focus on actual travel speed, while congestion measures delay compared to free-flow traffic.

5. Agarwood: Recently, the Union Minister of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region laid the foundation stone for an ₹80 crore Agarwood Value Chain Development Scheme at North Fulkabari in Tripura.

• About Agarwood: Aquilaria malaccensis is a forest tree species belonging to the Thymelaeaceae family.

• Commonly called Oud, Gaharu, or Agar, it is regarded as the costliest incense material in the world.
• The prized resin forms when the tree undergoes severe biological stress, usually after infection by specific moulds such as Phaeoacremonium (Phialophora parasitica), triggering a natural defence response.
• The Aquilaria tree is fast-growing and adapted to subtropical forest conditions.
• Native to the Himalayan foothills of South Asia, across Southeast Asia, and extending to Papua New Guinea’s rainforests.
• In India, agarwood occurs naturally in the Northeastern states, especially Assam, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram, and Manipur.
• Uses & Economic Value: Resin-infused wood is used for incense and traditional medicine.
  - Distilled agarwood oil serves as a key ingredient in high-end perfumes and cosmetics.
  - Agarwood ranks among the most valuable non-timber forest products
• Growth & Ecological Characteristics: Grows from near sea level up to ~1,000 metres, with around 500 metres considered optimal.
• Seedlings need dense shade and abundant moisture, but once established, growth is rapid.

6. India and the European Union: Recently, India and the European Union concluded negotiations on a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA), described as the “Mother of All Deals”, marking a historic upgrade in bilateral ties.

• Key Highlights: Announced during the visit of the European Council President and European Commission President, the FTA aligns with India@2047 and a future-ready strategic partnership.

• Covers the 4th and 2nd largest economies globally, creating a combined market of USD 24 trillion (~₹2,091.6 lakh crore).
• Impacts nearly 2 billion people, positioning the deal as one of the world’s most consequential trade agreements.
• Designed as a modern, rules-based framework to strengthen market integration, supply-chain resilience, and long-term cooperation.
• Indian exports to EU: Preferential access across 97% of EU tariff lines and over 70% tariff lines (90%+ export value) get immediate zero duty.
• Major beneficiaries: Labour-intensive sectors — textiles, apparel, leather, footwear, marine products, gems & jewellery, toys, sports goods, tea, coffee, spices.
• Agricultural gains: Preferential access for tea, coffee, spices, grapes, gherkins, cucumbers, dried onion, fruits, vegetables, and processed foods.
• Sensitive sectors protected: Dairy, cereals, poultry, soymeal, select fruits & vegetables.
• Opens pathways for future Social Security Agreements and supports Indian students’ mobility and post-study work.
• Traditional medicine (AYUSH): Enables practice and establishment of AYUSH wellness centres in EU states where regulations permit.

7. Strobilanthes Riteshii: Recently, scientists from the Botanical Survey of India officially documented a new flowering plant species Strobilanthes riteshii, from Arunachal Pradesh.
   

• About Strobilanthes riteshii: Family: Acanthaceae; Genus: Strobilanthes

• India harbours significant diversity of Strobilanthes, with the Himalayan and Northeast regions contributing nearly 50% of known species.
• Members of this genus are recognised for showy flowers and synchronised mass-blooming cycles.
• Nomenclature: It honours Dr Ritesh Kumar Choudhary, a noted Indian taxonomist at the Agharkar Research Institute, acknowledging his work in plant taxonomy and molecular systematics.
• Discovery & Habitat: Location: Chayangtajo area, East Kameng district.
• Distribution: Endemic to the Eastern Himalayan region of Arunachal Pradesh. Extremely limited population, with around 25 mature individuals recorded so far.
• Conservation Status: IUCN Red List: Data Deficient (DD)
• Ecological Importance: Reinforces the Eastern Himalaya as a crucial biogeographical corridor linking India, China, and Tibet. Highlights the region’s highly endemic and fragile floral diversity.

8. Reports on the Circular Economy: Recently, NITI Aayog launched three reports on the circular economy covering ELVs, waste tyres, e-waste, and lithium-ion batteries.

• Key Highlights: Launch at: MRAI–International Material Recycling Conference (IMRC), Jaipur.

• Objective: Strengthen India’s circular economy ecosystem through policy and institutional reforms.
• Focus areas of reports: Infrastructure development for recycling
  - Sector formalisation
  - Strengthening Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
  - Enhancing revenue and economic potential
• Strategic context: Circular economy is central to Viksit Bharat @2047, enabling low-carbon, resource-efficient growth.
• Role of key sectors: Electronics and electrical equipment form the backbone of digital infrastructure.
  - Lithium-ion batteries enable energy storage and electrification.
  - Automotive vehicles drive modern mobility.
• Projected surge in waste streams: Lithium-ion batteries: 29 GWh (2025) → 248 GWh (2035)
  - End-of-Life Vehicles: 23 million (2025) → 50 million (2030)
  - E-waste:19 MMT (2024) → 14 MMT (2030)