Current Affairs — January 2026
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Thu, 22 Jan 2026
MSDE signs MoU with World Economic Forum to launch India Skills Accelerator
The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship signed an MoU with the World Economic Forum to launch a Skills Accelerator in India and strengthen its TVET ecosystem.
Trucks-on-Trains on Western DFC cuts Rewari–Palanpur transit to about 12 hours
Indian Railways' Trucks-on-Trains service on the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor carries loaded trucks between New Rewari and New Palanpur, cutting transit from about 30 hours by road to about 12.
PM Modi and Brazil's President Lula reaffirm strategic partnership in phone call
PM Narendra Modi received a call from Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on 22 January 2026; both reaffirmed the India–Brazil Strategic Partnership.
CAQM revokes GRAP Stage III across Delhi-NCR as air quality improves
The CAQM's GRAP sub-committee revoked all Stage III restrictions across Delhi-NCR on 22 January 2026 after Delhi's average AQI improved to 322.
Wed, 21 Jan 2026
Draft National Electricity Policy 2026 released for consultation
The Ministry of Power released the Draft National Electricity Policy 2026 on 21 January 2026; once final, it will replace the policy notified in 2005.
Cabinet approves ₹5,000 crore equity support to SIDBI
The Union Cabinet on 21 January 2026 approved equity support of ₹5,000 crore to the Small Industries Development Bank of India, to be infused in three tranches up to FY 2027-28.
Cabinet extends Atal Pension Yojana up to 2030-31
The Union Cabinet on 21 January 2026 approved continuing the Atal Pension Yojana up to FY 2030-31, with funding support for promotion, development and gap funding.
9th India–Myanmar Joint Trade Committee meets in Nay Pyi Taw
India and Myanmar held the ninth meeting of their Joint Trade Committee in Nay Pyi Taw on 21 January 2026 and aim to raise bilateral trade from USD 2.15 billion to USD 5 billion by 2030.
Lucknow becomes UP's first 'zero fresh waste dump' city
With the new 700 TPD Shivari Solid Waste Management Plant, Lucknow became the first city in Uttar Pradesh to scientifically process 100% of its municipal solid waste under Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban.
NITI Aayog releases decarbonisation roadmaps for cement, aluminium and MSMEs
NITI Aayog on 21 January 2026 released three reports on green transition roadmaps for the cement, aluminium and MSME sectors, consistent with Viksit Bharat 2047 and net zero by 2070.
IICDEM-2026 opens at Bharat Mandapam with 42 election bodies
The Election Commission of India's three-day International Conference on Democracy and Election Management (IICDEM) 2026 began at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, on 21 January 2026.
DGCA launches Electronic Personnel Licence for Airline Transport Pilot Licence
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation launched Electronic Personnel Licence (EPL) services for the Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) on 21 January 2026.
GI-tagged Kaladi of Udhampur to be upscaled with food technology
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh on 21 January 2026 directed CSIR labs to upscale Kaladi, the GI-tagged traditional dairy product of Udhampur district in Jammu & Kashmir, for wider food uses.
GSI plans 1,068 projects for Field Season 2026-27 with critical-mineral focus
At the 65th Central Geological Programming Board meeting on 21 January 2026, the Geological Survey of India presented a 1,068-project annual programme for Field Season 2026-27, including 236 critical-mineral projects.
Manipur, Meghalaya and Tripura mark Statehood Day
Manipur, Meghalaya and Tripura celebrated their Statehood Day on 21 January 2026, with greetings from the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister.
₹512.27 crore XV Finance Commission grants released to Gujarat's rural local bodies
The Centre released ₹512.27 crore of Fifteenth Finance Commission grants for rural local bodies in Gujarat for FY 2025-26, announced on 21 January 2026.
Tue, 20 Jan 2026
Eight core industries grow 3.7% in December 2025
The combined Index of Eight Core Industries rose 3.7% (provisional) in December 2025 over December 2024, data released on 20 January 2026 show.
CAQM revokes GRAP Stage IV in Delhi-NCR as air quality improves
The CAQM sub-committee on GRAP revoked all Stage IV curbs across Delhi-NCR on 20 January 2026, three days after invoking them; Stages I–III stayed in force.
INS Sudarshini sets sail on Lokayan 26 expedition from Kochi
The Indian Navy's sail training ship INS Sudarshini was flagged off from Kochi on 20 January 2026 for Lokayan 26, a ten-month transoceanic expedition covering about 22,000 nautical miles.
Motor vehicle rules amended: no NOC, fitness or permit with unpaid toll
The Centre notified the Central Motor Vehicles (Second Amendment) Rules, 2026, linking unpaid National Highway user fees to vehicle transfers, fitness certificates and National Permits, the Road Transport Ministry said on 20 January 2026.
Khelo India Winter Games 2026 open in Leh
The sixth Khelo India Winter Games opened at NDS Stadium, Leh, on 20 January 2026, with Ladakh hosting the ice-sports leg for the third time.
CCI approves Emirates NBD's acquisition of up to 74% in RBL Bank
The Competition Commission of India on 20 January 2026 approved Emirates NBD Bank's proposed acquisition of between 51% and 74% of RBL Bank.
233-year-old Valmiki Ramayana manuscript gifted to Ram Katha Museum, Ayodhya
A rare 233-year-old Sanskrit manuscript of the Valmiki Ramayana, dated 1792 CE, was permanently gifted to the International Ram Katha Museum in Ayodhya, the Culture Ministry said on 20 January 2026.
11th meeting of the National Committee on Dam Safety held
The National Committee on Dam Safety (NCDS), constituted under Section 5 of the Dam Safety Act, 2021, held its 11th meeting in New Delhi on 20 January 2026.
TDB signs pact for commercial production of steel-slag pothole mix ECOFIX
The Technology Development Board signed an agreement with Visakhapatnam-based Ramuka Global Eco Work Pvt Ltd for commercial production of ECOFIX, a ready-to-use pothole repair mix made from steel slag, on 20 January 2026.
Navy's First Training Squadron makes port call at Belawan, Indonesia
Ships of the Indian Navy's First Training Squadron — INS Tir, INS Shardul and INS Sujata, with ICGS Sarathi — made a port call at Belawan, Indonesia, on 20 January 2026.
Department of Posts activates 887 ATMs at post offices
The Department of Posts said on 20 January 2026 that it has revamped its ATM network, with 887 ATMs now active at post offices across India.
APEDA holds organic conclave and buyer-seller meet in Guwahati
APEDA, with the Government of Assam, held an Organic Conclave-cum-Buyer Seller Meet in Guwahati to boost agri-exports from Assam, the Commerce Ministry said on 20 January 2026.
Mon, 19 Jan 2026
UAE President's India visit: trade target of US$200 billion by 2032, defence and LNG deals
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan visited India on 19 January 2026; the two sides agreed to double bilateral trade to US$200 billion by 2032 and signed letters of intent on defence, space and Dholera.
86th All India Presiding Officers' Conference begins in Lucknow
The three-day 86th All India Presiding Officers' Conference (AIPOC) was inaugurated in Lucknow on 19 January 2026 by Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel.