Current Affairs — January 2026
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Tue, 27 Jan 2026
25th Bharat Rang Mahotsav opens at National School of Drama, New Delhi
Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat inaugurated the 25th Bharat Rang Mahotsav, described as the world's largest international theatre festival, at the National School of Drama, New Delhi on 27 January 2026.
Maharashtra approves Metro Line 8 linking Mumbai and Navi Mumbai airports, and Nashik City Ring Road
A Maharashtra government meeting chaired by CM Devendra Fadnavis on 27 January 2026 approved Metro Line 8 connecting Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport with Navi Mumbai International Airport, and the 66.15-km Nashik City Ring Road costing ₹3,954 crore.
RBI signs MoU with European Securities and Markets Authority for recognition of CCIL
With Union Cabinet approval, the RBI signed an MoU with the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) on 27 January 2026 to enable ESMA's formal recognition of the Clearing Corporation of India Ltd (CCIL) and other RBI-regulated central counterparties.
Department of Posts ties up with Stock Holding Services Ltd to widen access to capital markets
The Department of Posts signed an agreement with Stock Holding Services Limited (SSL) at Dak Bhawan, New Delhi on 27 January 2026 to give citizens access to regulated capital market services through India Post's network of over 1.65 lakh post offices.
₹199.24 crore Smart and Integrated Fishing Harbour approved at Mayabunder, Andaman & Nicobar
The Department of Fisheries approved a Smart and Integrated Fishing Harbour at Mayabunder, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, at ₹199.24 crore with 100% central assistance under PMMSY.
Halwa ceremony marks final stage of Union Budget 2026-27 preparations
The Halwa ceremony marking the final stage of preparation of the Union Budget 2026-27 was held at the Budget Press, North Block on 27 January 2026 in the presence of Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman; the Budget will be presented on 1 February 2026.
SIAT 2026 automotive technology symposium opens in Pune in ARAI's Diamond Jubilee year
Heavy Industries Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy inaugurated the three-day Symposium on International Automotive Technology (SIAT) 2026 in Pune on 27 January 2026, organised by ARAI in its Diamond Jubilee year.
Mon, 26 Jan 2026
77th Republic Day: Kartavya Path parade features first-ever phased Battle Array of the Army
India celebrated its 77th Republic Day on 26 January 2026 with President Droupadi Murmu taking the salute at Kartavya Path and EU leaders António Costa and Ursula von der Leyen as Chief Guests; the parade showcased a phased Battle Array Format of the Army for the first time.
India is Country Partner at Gulfood 2026 in Dubai with the largest participation
India took part as Country Partner at Gulfood 2026 in Dubai, the world's largest annual food and beverage trade exhibition, with the largest participation of any country by number of exhibitors and exhibition area; the India Pavilion opened on 26 January 2026.
Myanmar's military-backed USDP claims victory in first election since 2021 coup
Myanmar's military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) claimed on 26 January 2026 that it had won the country's first election since the army seized power in 2021, held in three phases on 28 December, 11 January and 25 January.
Khelo India Winter Games 2026 Ladakh leg: Army retain ice hockey gold, Haryana overall champions
The Ladakh phase of the Khelo India Winter Games 2026 ended in Leh on 26 January with the Indian Army beating Chandigarh 3-2 to retain the men's ice hockey gold and Haryana winning the team championship.
DRDO showcases Long Range Anti-Ship Missile, a hypersonic glide missile, at Republic Day parade
DRDO displayed its Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LR-AShM) with launcher at the 77th Republic Day parade; the hypersonic glide missile is designed for the Indian Navy's coastal battery requirements.
Vedanta Kalinga Lancers win Men's Hockey India League 2026, beating Ranchi Royals 3-2
Vedanta Kalinga Lancers beat Ranchi Royals 3-2 in the Men's Hockey India League final at the Kalinga Hockey Stadium, Bhubaneswar on 26 January 2026, with Belgian drag-flicker Alexander Hendrickx scoring twice.
Tamil scholar D. Gnanasundaram, known for his work on the Kamba Ramayanam, passes away
PM Narendra Modi condoled the death of Tamil scholar D. Gnanasundaram on 26 January 2026, recalling his exceptional understanding of the Kamba Ramayanam and their interaction at the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Tiruchirappalli, in January 2024.
MHA tableau on three new criminal laws showcased at Republic Day parade
The Home Ministry's Republic Day 2026 tableau on the three new criminal laws displayed e-Sakshya, e-Summons, Nyaya Shruti, NAFIS and ICJS; Amit Shah said the laws mark a shift from a punishment-oriented to a justice-oriented system.
BRO completes high-altitude rescue at Chatergala Pass in J&K, clears 38 km of snow-bound road
The Border Roads Organisation under Project Sampark cleared about 38 km of snow-covered road on the Bhaderwah–Chatergala axis and evacuated 20 civilians and 40 troops from Chatergala Pass (10,500 ft) in Jammu region, completing the mission on 26 January 2026 with zero casualties.
Nagaland opens its first Drone School in Kohima; MARCOFED launches 'Naga Bazaar' e-commerce platform
Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio inaugurated the state's first Drone School and Drone Centre of Excellence at the Nagaland GIS and Remote Sensing Centre, Kohima, and launched MARCOFED's 'Naga Bazaar' e-commerce platform on 26 January 2026.
Sun, 25 Jan 2026
Republic Day 2026: Ashoka Chakra for Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla among 70 gallantry awards
President Droupadi Murmu approved gallantry awards to 70 Armed Forces personnel, including six posthumous, with the Ashoka Chakra going to IAF Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla.
Padma Awards 2026 announced: 131 awards including 5 Padma Vibhushan
On the eve of Republic Day, the President approved 131 Padma Awards for 2026 — 5 Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan and 113 Padma Shri.
Mark Tully, the BBC's 'voice of India', dies at 90
Veteran journalist Sir Mark Tully, long-time BBC correspondent and bureau chief in New Delhi, died at a New Delhi hospital on 25 January 2026, aged 90.
982 police, fire, home guard and correctional personnel get medals on Republic Day 2026
The MHA announced Gallantry and Service Medals for 982 personnel, including 125 Medals for Gallantry.
PFRDA sets up SAARG committee to review NPS investment guidelines
PFRDA constituted the Committee for Strategic Asset Allocation and Risk Governance (SAARG), chaired by Narayan Ramachandran, to modernise the NPS investment framework.
Scindia lays foundation of ₹450 crore Matabari Tourism Circuit at Dumbur, Tripura
DoNER Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia laid the foundation stone of the ₹450 crore Matabari Tourism Circuit at Narkel Kunja, Dumbur Lake, on 25 January 2026.
ECI releases 'Chunav Ka Parv, Bihar Ka Garv' on Bihar Assembly Elections 2025
The ECI released a publication on the Bihar Assembly Elections 2025, which recorded the highest turnout since 1951 at 67.3% and women's participation of 71.8%.
Assam launches 'Eti Koli Duti Paat': ₹5,000 for every tea garden worker
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma launched the Mukhya Mantrir Eti Koli Duti Paat scheme at Doomdooma, Tinsukia, on 25 January 2026, giving ₹5,000 to each tea garden worker.
16th National Voters' Day: theme 'My India, My Vote'
The Election Commission celebrated the 16th National Voters' Day on 25 January 2026 in New Delhi with President Droupadi Murmu as Chief Guest.
Indian Navy's First Training Squadron concludes port call at Belawan, Indonesia
The Navy's First Training Squadron (INS Tir, Shardul, Sujata and ICGS Sarathi) departed Belawan, Indonesia, on 23 January 2026 after a three-day port call.
Bharat Parv 2026 at Red Fort from 26 to 31 January
The Ministry of Tourism is organising Bharat Parv 2026, a six-day cultural and tourism festival, at the Red Fort lawns in New Delhi from 26 to 31 January.
Mann Ki Baat 130th episode: PM calls for 2026 to be about quality
In the 130th Mann Ki Baat, the first of 2026, aired on National Voters' Day, PM Modi urged a focus on 'Zero Defect, Zero Effect' and praised community river and water-body revival.