As the new year begins, UPSC aspirants must focus on several critical developments shaping India's policy and strategic landscape. Key topics for January 1, 2026, include the draft rules for the four labour codes, India's ambitious thorium energy program, and the transformative PRAGATI governance platform. Understanding these issues is vital for both the Preliminary and Main examinations, as they touch upon governance, economy, science, and international relations.
New Labour Codes: Draft Rules and Key Provisions
The government has placed draft rules for public feedback under the four landmark labour codes, marking a significant step towards their implementation. These codes, cleared by Parliament five years ago and officially notified in November 2025, aim to replace 29 fragmented laws with a unified, modern framework.
The draft rules introduce several pivotal changes. They cap the weekly working hours at 48 and propose allowing women to work night shifts between 7 PM and 6 AM, subject to written consent and provision of safe transportation. The rules also mandate Aadhaar-linked registration for unorganised workers above 16 and establish a National Social Security Board for gig and platform workers.
A major reform is the introduction of fixed-term employment, making workers eligible for gratuity after just one year of continuous service, a benefit previously limited to permanent employees after five years. The government has clarified the definition of wages, stating that if allowances exceed 50% of total remuneration, the excess will be added to the wage calculation, though performance incentives and ESOPs are excluded.
The public has a 30-45 day window to comment on the draft rules for the Code on Wages, Code on Social Security, Industrial Relations Code, and Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (OSH) Code. The final rules are expected by March 2026, with full implementation targeted for April 1, 2026, the start of the next financial year.
Why Labour Codes Matter for UPSC
This topic is crucial for the UPSC syllabus under Current Events, Government Policies (GS-II), and Indian Economy (GS-III). Aspirants should ponder why these codes were introduced, their constitutional basis (Concurrent List), their impact on formalisation and job creation, and the benefits and concerns for different worker groups, especially women.
India's Thorium Ambitions: A US Partnership
In a strategic move for energy security, state-owned NTPC Limited is set to partner with US firm Clean Core Thorium Energy (CCTE). CCTE is only the second American company in nearly two decades to receive a US Department of Energy export license to sell nuclear technology to India.
This collaboration focuses on developing thorium as an alternative nuclear fuel. India possesses abundant thorium reserves but limited uranium, making thorium utilization a long-term strategic goal under its three-stage nuclear power programme. The partnership aims to deploy CCTE's ANEEL fuel (Advanced Nuclear Energy for Enriched Life) in India's existing Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs).
This initiative follows the recent passage of the SHANTI Act, 2025, which opens India's nuclear sector to private and potential foreign participation. Using thorium in PHWRs could accelerate the third stage of India's nuclear programme, enhance energy security, reduce nuclear waste, and lower proliferation risks.
Thorium's Relevance in UPSC Preparation
This development is key for Science & Technology and Energy Security (GS-III). Aspirants must understand India's three-stage nuclear programme, the significance of thorium reserves, the role of PHWRs and Fast Breeder Reactors, and the strategic implications of Indo-US nuclear cooperation.
PRAGATI: A Decade of Pro-Active Governance
Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently chaired the 50th meeting of the PRAGATI (Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation) platform, which has reviewed projects worth over Rs 85 lakh crore in the past decade. He emphasised the mantra of "reform, perform, and transform" to ensure faster project execution and citizen-centric outcomes.
Launched in 2015, PRAGATI is a digital platform that uses video conferencing and data integration to monitor critical infrastructure projects and schemes across states, exemplifying cooperative federalism. It has been instrumental in completing long-pending projects like the Chenab Bridge in Jammu & Kashmir and the Bogibeel Bridge in Assam.
During the meeting, projects worth over Rs 40,000 crore in sectors like roads, railways, and power were reviewed. The Prime Minister also stressed outcome-oriented implementation of the PM SHRI schools scheme, aiming to make them benchmarks for holistic education.
PRAGATI's Importance for Polity and Governance
For UPSC, PRAGATI is a perfect case study for topics under Governance (GS-II), including e-governance, transparency, accountability, and cooperative federalism. It demonstrates how technology can be leveraged to eliminate bureaucratic delays and ensure timely implementation of projects.
Other Crucial Topics for UPSC Aspirants
The UPSC Key also highlights other significant issues. Gig workers staged strikes demanding a ban on unsafe 10-minute delivery models and fair wages, bringing focus to the challenges in the platform economy and the new Social Security Code's provisions for such workers.
Meanwhile, copper prices hit a record high in 2025, driven by US tariff policies, supply disruptions at major mines, and soaring demand from AI infrastructure and the green energy transition. As a critical mineral, this has implications for India's resource security and economic planning.
Finally, an editorial perspective underscores India's test in 2026 to act as a global bridge amidst geopolitical fissures, leveraging initiatives like the National Critical Minerals Mission and digital public infrastructure exports (India Stack) to strengthen its strategic autonomy and leadership in the Global South.
For a comprehensive preparation, aspirants are advised to review previous year questions on these themes and connect current developments to core syllabus areas for both Prelims and Mains.
