Current Affairs 04 January 2026

Haryana’s Sex Ratio Rises Sharply to 923 in 2025.

• Haryana recorded a sex ratio at birth (SRB) of 923 in 2025, a 13-point rise from 910 in 2024, the highest in five years.
• Officials credit strict action against prenatal sex determination and illegal abortions, including curbs on MTP kit sales.
• Panchkula topped districts with an SRB of 971, while Fatehabad and Panipat also crossed 950, though Gurugram and Sonipat lagged.

High levels of antibiotic-resistant staphylococci detected in Delhi.

• Jawaharlal Nehru University researchers collected air samples from Delhi.
• Found high levels of antibiotic-resistant staphylococci in indoor and outdoor environments.
• Staphylococcus: Gram-positive, spherical bacteria, commonly called staph, forming clusters, found on skin and mucous membranes.
• Eight staphylococcal species identified.

QR Codes Made Mandatory on Road Signages in Delhi.

• PWD has mandated QR codes on all new road signages to display manufacturer, material and warranty details.
• Issued on January 1, the guidelines require QR codes on retro-reflective signboards, integrated into tender conditions for uniformity and visibility.
• The QR codes will later link with the PWD Sewa app, enabling citizens to report issues like damaged signages, potholes and road defects.

US Attacks Venezuela and Claims Nicolas Maduro’s Capture.

• United States carried out a large-scale military strike on Venezuela on January 3, with Donald Trump claiming capture of President Nicolás Maduro—a claim not confirmed by Caracas.
• US justified the action citing alleged narco-trafficking, migration concerns & national security, framing it as law-enforcement enforcement than war.
• It raises serious international law concerns over sovereignty.

IFFCO Sahitya Samman 2025 Awarded to Maitreyī Pushpa.

• Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative conferred the IFFCO Sahitya Samman 2025 on Maitreyī Pushpa for her contribution to Hindi literature rooted in rural & agrarian themes.
• The IFFCO Young Literary Award 2025 was awarded to Ankita Jain for her book Oh Re! Kisan, highlighting agriculture & rural life.
• The awards were presented by IFFCO Chairman Dilip Sanghani; Sahitya Samman carries ₹11 lakh.