Asia Current Affairs — Last 12 months
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Fri, 23 Jan 2026
IWDC 3.0 in Kochi identifies inland waterway projects worth over ₹1,500 crore
The third meeting of the Inland Waterways Development Council, chaired by Sarbananda Sonowal in Kochi on 23 January 2026, identified projects worth over ₹1,500 crore.
President inaugurates Granth Kutir at Rashtrapati Bhavan with books in 11 classical languages
President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated Granth Kutir at Rashtrapati Bhavan on 23 January 2026, a collection of about 2,300 books and around 50 manuscripts in India's 11 classical languages.
30 GHz frequency allocated for vehicle-to-vehicle communication to cut road accidents
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari told the MoRTH Consultative Committee on 23 January 2026 that DoT has allocated 30 GHz radio frequency for developing vehicle-to-vehicle communication systems.
Thu, 22 Jan 2026
CDS releases Military Quantum Mission Policy Framework
Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan released the Military Quantum Mission Policy Framework on 22 January 2026, a roadmap for bringing quantum technologies into the armed forces.
ICMR hands over two Mobile Stroke Units to Assam
ICMR handed over two Mobile Stroke Units to the Government of Assam, after a North-East model cut stroke treatment time from about 24 hours to 2 hours.
GHG emission intensity targets notified for 208 more industrial units
The government notified Greenhouse Gas Emission Intensity targets for 208 more obligated entities in petroleum refining, petrochemicals, textiles and secondary aluminium under the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme.
Naxal Central Committee member 'Anal' and 15 others killed in West Singhbhum, Jharkhand
A joint operation by the CRPF and Jharkhand Police in West Singhbhum killed Naxal Central Committee member 'Anal alias Patiram Manjhi', carrying a ₹1 crore reward, and 15 other Naxalites on 22 January 2026.
India's power transmission network crosses 5 lakh circuit km
India's transmission network (220 kV and above) crossed 5 lakh circuit km on 14 January 2026 with the commissioning of the 765 kV Bhadla II–Sikar II line in Rajasthan, the Power Ministry said on 22 January.
10 soldiers killed as Army vehicle falls into gorge in Doda, J&K
Ten Army soldiers were killed and 11 injured on 22 January 2026 when their vehicle plunged into a gorge at Khanni Top on the Bhaderwah–Chamba road in Doda district.
Over 10,000 km of rural roads sanctioned under PMGSY-IV for six States/UTs
The Centre sanctioned more than 10,000 km of road projects under PMGSY-IV for Jammu & Kashmir, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh and Sikkim, connecting about 3,270 isolated habitations.
ECI launches ECINET, its one-stop digital platform, at IICDEM 2026
The Election Commission launched ECINET, a one-stop digital platform for all election information and services, at IICDEM 2026 in New Delhi on 22 January 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.
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.