Legal Current Affairs for 22 January 2026

The Supreme Court of India held that State investigative agencies (including State Anti-Corruption Bureaus and State police) are competent to register and investigate corruption cases under the Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA), 1988, even if the accused is a Central Government employee.
The Court clarified that no prior permission of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is required before registering the case against the central government employee by the State police.
About PCA, 1988
PCA 1988 act criminalises corrupt conduct like bribery, misappropriation, disproportionate assets etc.
It aims to combat corruption in different government organisations and public sector entities.

Location: Between the Brahmaputra River and the Karbi (Mikir) Hills in Assam.
Status: National Park, Tiger Reserve, Important Bird Area (IBA), and UNESCO World Heritage Site (1985).
An important area for migratory birds as it is located at the junction of the Australasia and Indo-Asian flyway.
Biodiversity found: Tigers, elephants, swamp deer, wild buffalo, etc.
Largest population of Indian one-horned rhinoceros found here.

About OSOP
Aim: Launched in 2022 to encourage indigenous and specialised products and crafts of India through providing display and sale outlets on railway stations across the country.
Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Railways.
Products include: Artefacts made by indigenous tribes, handlooms by local weavers, handicrafts like wood carving, chikankari and zari-zardozi work and other processed/semi processed food items/products.
Part of the broader “Vocal for Local” and Atmanirbhar Bharat vision.

Proclaimed: In 1823 by U.S. President James Monroe (United States’ policy on the new political order).
Objective: To establish U.S. dominance and security in its surrounding region.
The three main concepts of the doctrine
Non-colonization: European powers should not establish new colonies in the Americas.
Non-intervention: Europe must not interfere in the affairs of independent American states.
U.S. Non-interference: The U.S. would not meddle in European wars or colonies.

Steel slag is a solid waste generated in the process of steel making and is mainly composed of oxides of calcium, iron, silicon, magnesium, and some other elements.
Properties: Possesses strength, durability, and corrosion resistance.
Applications: Suitable for use as a construction material, concrete and cement applications, road construction etc.

Location: It is a 610.5 sq km areasurrounding Kumbhalgarh Fort (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), in parts of Rajsamand, Udaipur, and Pali districts of Rajasthan.
Covers four hill and mountain ranges of the Aravallis: Kumbhalgarh Range; Sadri Range; Desuri Range and the Bokhada Range.
Wildlife: leopard, striped hyena, jungle cat, Indian pangolin, blue bull, chinkara etc.
Vegetation: Predominantly dry deciduous, with forests of Dhok, Salar, Khair, and Churel trees.

Location: Diego Garcia is a coral atoll in the central Indian Ocean, part of the Chagos Archipelago.
History: The Chagos Archipelago was administered by the United Kingdom as the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) from 1965.
In May 2025, the United Kingdom and the Republic of Mauritius signed an agreement under which Mauritius is recognised as sovereign over the entire Chagos Archipelago, including Diego Garcia (with UK having a 99 years lease of Diego Garcia)
Military use: Diego Garcia hosts a joint UK–US military facility.

LWRs are nuclear reactors that use ordinary (light) water (H₂O) as both the coolant and the neutron moderator.
LWRs currently account for over 85% of the civil nuclear reactor capacity in the world.
Working principle: Fission of uranium fuel produces heat, which is transferred by light water to generate steam that drives turbines for electricity production.
Fuel used: LWRs typically use low-enriched uranium (3–5% U-235).
Indian context: India traditionally developed Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs), but has identified LWRs as a priority for rapid capacity addition.