Current Affairs — 16 January 2026
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Fri, 16 Jan 2026
Agriculture Minister details proposed Seed Act 2026: QR-code traceability and penalties up to ₹30 lakh
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan explained the features of the proposed Seed Act 2026 on 16 January 2026, including nationwide seed traceability and penalties of up to ₹30 lakh for substandard seeds.
Startup India completes a decade; PM says India is the world's third-largest startup ecosystem
On National Startup Day, 16 January 2026, PM Narendra Modi addressed a programme at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, marking ten years of the Startup India initiative.
Ponduru Khadi of Andhra Pradesh gets GI tag
Ponduru Khadi, a hand-woven cotton fabric from Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh, has been granted the Geographical Indication (GI) tag in favour of KVIC, the MSME Ministry said on 16 January 2026.
6th ASEAN–India Digital Ministers' Meeting approves ASEAN–India Digital Work Plan 2026
The 6th ASEAN–India Digital Ministers' (ADGMIN) Meeting, held virtually on 16 January 2026 with the theme 'Adaptive ASEAN: From Connectivity to Connected Intelligence', approved the ASEAN–India Digital Work Plan 2026.
CBIC extends Drawback, RoDTEP and RoSCTL benefits to postal exports from 15 January 2026
The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) extended Duty Drawback, RoDTEP and RoSCTL benefits to exports made through the postal mode in electronic form with effect from 15 January 2026.
India and Germany sign Joint Declaration of Intent on telecommunications cooperation
India and Germany signed a Joint Declaration of Intent (JDI) on Telecommunications Cooperation during German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's visit to India on 12–13 January 2026, the Communications Ministry said on 16 January.
Praveen Vashista sworn in as Vigilance Commissioner in the CVC
Praveen Vashista, a 1991-batch IPS officer of the Bihar cadre, took oath as Vigilance Commissioner in the Central Vigilance Commission on 16 January 2026.
Centre releases ₹15.20 crore XV Finance Commission grants for Mizoram's rural local bodies
The Union Government released ₹15.20 crore of Fifteenth Finance Commission untied grants for rural local bodies in Mizoram, benefiting all 808 eligible Village Councils, the Panchayati Raj Ministry said on 16 January 2026.
CAQM invokes GRAP Stage III across Delhi-NCR as AQI rises to 354
CAQM's GRAP sub-committee invoked Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan across the entire NCR on 16 January 2026 after Delhi's AQI rose from 343 to 354.
MoSPI invites nominations for Sukhatme National Award in Statistics 2026
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation invited nominations for the Sukhatme National Award in Statistics 2026 on 16 January 2026; the award will be presented on Statistics Day, 29 June 2026.
PM pays tribute to Thiruvalluvar on Thiruvalluvar Day, urges people to read the Tirukkural
PM Narendra Modi paid homage to the poet-saint Thiruvalluvar on Thiruvalluvar Day, 16 January 2026, and urged everyone to read the Tirukkural.