India Current Affairs — Last 12 months
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Tue, 20 Jan 2026
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.
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.
Centre of Excellence for power sector regulation launched at IIT Delhi
Union Power Minister Manohar Lal inaugurated the Centre of Excellence for Regulatory Affairs in the Power Sector at IIT Delhi on 19 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.
Navy signs contract with Thane MSME shipyard for three 200-tonne barges
The Indian Navy concluded a contract on 16 January 2026 with Suryadipta Projects Pvt Ltd, an MSME shipyard in Thane, for three 200-tonne Bottom Opening Non-Propelled Barges.
Overhead electrification masts going up on Mumbai–Ahmedabad bullet train corridor
The Railways Ministry said on 19 January 2026 that installation of overhead electrification (OHE) masts is progressing on the Mumbai–Ahmedabad bullet train corridor, with more than 20,000 masts planned.
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.
Railways run 244 special trains for Mauni Amavasya, 40 in Prayagraj on peak day
Indian Railways ran 244 special trains for the Mauni Amavasya period from 3 January 2026, carrying about 4.5 lakh passengers, with 40 special trains in Prayagraj on 18 January alone.
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
PM lays foundation of ₹6,950 crore Kaziranga Elevated Corridor in Assam
PM Narendra Modi performed the Bhoomi Pujan of the Kaziranga Elevated Corridor Project — 4-laning of the Kaliabor–Numaligarh section of NH-715, worth over ₹6,950 crore — at Kaliabor, Assam, on 18 January 2026.
Rajnath Singh opens 30mm ammunition plant in Nagpur, flags off first Guided Pinaka rockets to Armenia
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated a Medium Caliber Ammunition Manufacturing Facility at Solar Defence & Aerospace Ltd in Nagpur on 18 January 2026 and flagged off the first tranche of Guided Pinaka rockets to Armenia.
PM launches ₹830 crore projects in Singur, including hybrid electric catamarans and Amrit Bharat trains
PM Narendra Modi inaugurated, laid foundation stones for and flagged off projects worth more than ₹830 crore at Singur in Hooghly district, West Bengal, on 18 January 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.
India's first open-sea marine fish farming project launched at North Bay, Andaman
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh launched India's first open-sea marine fish farming project at North Bay, Sri Vijaya Puram, in the Andaman Sea on 18 January 2026.
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.
PM Vishwakarma Haat 2026 opens at Dilli Haat
MSME Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi inaugurated PM Vishwakarma Haat 2026 at Dilli Haat, INA, New Delhi, on 18 January 2026, with more than 117 artisans taking part.
First IndiaSkills regional competition for the North East to be held at Gauhati University
The Skill Development Ministry announced on 18 January 2026 that the North East Regional Competition of IndiaSkills 2025-26 — the first dedicated to the region — would be held at Gauhati University from 19 to 22 January.