HPSC HCS Current Affairs — Last 12 months
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Wed, 21 Jan 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
PSBs sanction ₹52,300 crore to MSMEs under digital Credit Assessment Model
Public sector banks sanctioned over 3.96 lakh MSME loan applications worth more than ₹52,300 crore between 1 April and 31 December 2025 under their digital-footprint Credit Assessment Model, the Finance Ministry said on 19 January 2026.
NBWL Standing Committee considers 70 proposals at 88th meeting
The Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife, chaired by Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, considered 70 proposals in and around protected areas at its 88th meeting in New Delhi on 19 January 2026.
TDB and BIRAC approved as first fund managers of ₹1 lakh crore RDI Fund
The Technology Development Board and BIRAC have been approved as the first Second-Level Fund Managers of the ₹1 lakh crore Research Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund, with industry project funding to start by the end of January 2026.
NDRF Raising Day observed on 19 January
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) marked its Raising Day on 19 January 2026, with greetings from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
About 10,000 special guests invited to 77th Republic Day Parade
About 10,000 special guests from different walks of life were invited to watch the 77th Republic Day Parade at Kartavya Path on 26 January 2026, the Defence Ministry said on 19 January.
C-DOT wins SKOCH Award 2025 for Cell Broadcast emergency alert system
The Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) received the SKOCH Award 2025 for its Cell Broadcast Solution at the 104th SKOCH Summit, the Communications Ministry said on 19 January 2026.
Sun, 18 Jan 2026
INS Sagardhwani flagged off for Sagar Maitri V
DRDO's oceanographic research vessel INS Sagardhwani was flagged off from Kochi on 17 January 2026 for the fifth edition of the Sagar Maitri initiative, the Defence Ministry said on 18 January.
Power distribution utilities post ₹2,701 crore profit in FY 2024-25 after years of losses
India's power distribution utilities collectively recorded a positive Profit After Tax of ₹2,701 crore in FY 2024-25, against a loss of ₹25,553 crore in FY 2023-24, the Power Ministry said on 18 January 2026.
High-speed-capable rail track grows to 84,244 km from 31,445 km in 2014
Indian Railways said on 18 January 2026 that track fit for 110 km/h or more has grown from 31,445 km in 2014 to 84,244 km, covering about 80% of the network, and that 6,851 km of track was renewed in 2024-25.
Sat, 17 Jan 2026
DGCA imposes ₹22.20 crore penalty on IndiGo over December 2025 flight disruptions
The Civil Aviation Ministry said on 17 January 2026 that DGCA imposed penalties totalling ₹22.20 crore on IndiGo and required a ₹50 crore bank guarantee after the airline's 3–5 December 2025 disruptions.
Amrit Bharat Express: 30 trains running since December 2023, 9 more services coming
A PIB backgrounder of 17 January 2026 said 30 Amrit Bharat Express trains have run since the service's launch in December 2023, with 9 more services being added, and non-AC sleeper fares of about ₹500 per 1,000 km.
Indian Coast Guard Ship Sankalp makes port call at Port Louis, Mauritius
Indian Coast Guard Ship Sankalp, an Offshore Patrol Vessel on overseas deployment in the Indian Ocean Region, made a port call at Port Louis, Mauritius, on 17 January 2026.
Indian Navy's First Training Squadron arrives at Changi Naval Base, Singapore
The Indian Navy's First Training Squadron (1TS) — INS Tir, INS Shardul, INS Sujata and ICGS Sarathi — arrived at Changi Naval Base, Singapore, on 15 January 2026, the Defence Ministry said on 17 January.
Secretary (Defence Production) to lead delegation to 3rd India–Kenya Defence Exhibition in Nairobi
The Defence Ministry announced on 17 January 2026 that Secretary (Defence Production) Sanjeev Kumar would lead a four-member delegation to Kenya for the 3rd India–Kenya Defence Exhibition and Seminar in Nairobi on 19 January.
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.
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.