January 2026 Current Affairs

A fresh PM-KISAN installment is credited to over 9 crore eligible farming families under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme. The scheme provides ₹6,000 per year in three equal installments of ₹2,000 directly into bank accounts via DBT.

India accelerates rooftop solar installations under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana toward its target of 1 crore households. Beneficiaries get free electricity up to 300 units/month and can sell surplus power to DISCOMs.

The government reviews housing construction progress under PMAY-Urban 2.0, targeting homes for EWS and LIG categories. The scheme offers interest subsidies under Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme (CLSS) for eligible beneficiaries.

PM Vishwakarma Yojana continues expanding coverage to traditional artisans and craftspersons across 18 trades including carpenters, blacksmiths, potters, and weavers. The scheme provides skill training, toolkit support, and collateral-free credit up to ₹3 lakh.

India celebrates its 77th Republic Day at Kartavya Path, New Delhi, on January 26, 2026. The event showcases India's military prowess, cultural diversity, and achievements under the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision. The President of India takes the salute at the parade.

National Voters' Day is observed on January 25, marking the foundation day of the Election Commission of India (established 1950). The day promotes inclusive and qualitative participation of voters and encourages youth registration.

The Government of India announces Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri awards on the eve of Republic Day. The awards recognize eminent personalities for their distinguished contributions to arts, science, literature, sports, public affairs, and social work.

The Budget Session of Parliament commences in late January 2026 with the President's Address to the Joint Sitting of both Houses. The session is the most important of the year, culminating in the presentation of the Union Budget on February 1.

India and the United States deepen bilateral ties under the iCET (Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology) framework covering semiconductors, AI, quantum computing, and space. Defence cooperation, trade relations, and people-to-people linkages continue strengthening.

India-Pakistan relations remain strained following the Pahalgam terror attack (April 2025) and India's Operation Sindoor (May 2025). India maintains a firm no-tolerance policy against cross-border terrorism while the international ceasefire arrangement holds.

India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) continues driving bilateral trade growth. UAE is India's second-largest export destination. The CEPA covers goods, services, and investment, targeting $100 billion in bilateral trade.

India-China relations see gradual normalisation following the disengagement agreement along the Line of Actual Control in October 2024. Diplomatic and military talks continue to resolve remaining friction points and restore bilateral trade and exchanges.

The Economic Survey 2025-26 is presented in Parliament on January 31 by the Chief Economic Adviser. It reviews India's GDP growth, inflation, fiscal position, external sector, and outlines economic priorities. India maintains its position as the fastest-growing major economy.

Monthly GST collections continue above ₹1.8 lakh crore, reflecting strong consumption demand and improved compliance. GST e-invoicing, AI-powered analytics, and anti-evasion drives by the GSTN contribute to buoyancy in indirect tax revenues.

India targets a fiscal deficit of below 4.5% of GDP for FY2025-26 under the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act framework. The government balances capital expenditure push with revenue discipline and aims for fiscal deficit of 4% by FY2026-27.

India's foreign exchange reserves remain among the world's largest (above $650 billion), providing over 11 months of import cover and a buffer against global financial volatility. The RBI actively manages reserves to ensure exchange rate stability.

RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra, who assumed office in December 2024 for a 3-year term, leads monetary policy decisions. The Monetary Policy Committee balances inflation control near the 4% target with support for economic growth.

UPI records over 18 billion monthly transactions, cementing India's position as the world leader in real-time digital payments. NPCI International expands UPI acceptance to Singapore, France, UAE, Nepal, Bhutan, and several other countries.

Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) accounts exceed 54 crore, enabling direct benefit transfers for 300+ government schemes. Jan Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile (JAM) trinity eliminates middlemen and ensures last-mile delivery of subsidies.

RBI's Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) — the Digital Rupee (e-Rupee) — expands its pilot programs in both retail and wholesale segments. India is among the early adopters of CBDC globally, with the e-Rupee using blockchain-inspired DLT.

The appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner follows the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023. The selection committee comprises the PM, Leader of Opposition, and a Union Cabinet Minister.

The Comptroller and Auditor General of India continues auditing government accounts, public sector undertakings, and government-funded bodies. CAG reports are laid before Parliament and State Legislatures for accountability.

The Union Public Service Commission oversees recruitment to All India Services and Group A Central Services. UPSC's independence is protected by constitutional provisions ensuring its Chairman and Members can only be removed by the President through an inquiry.

Padma Vibhushan, India's second-highest civilian honour, is awarded to distinguished personalities for exceptional and distinguished service to the nation. The award recognises contributions in arts, literature, science, public affairs, trade, and industry.

Padma Bhushan (3rd highest) and Padma Shri (4th highest) civilian awards are conferred on eminent individuals. Awards are selected by a committee constituted by the Home Ministry and approved by the President of India.

Sangeet Natak Akademi presents its annual Akademi Awards recognising outstanding artistes in music, dance, theatre, and related performing arts. The awards reinforce India's commitment to preserving and promoting traditional art forms.

ISRO's Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission advances with crewed module structural testing, launch abort system qualification, and astronaut training at JSC Houston and Russia's Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre. India aims to be the 4th nation to independently send humans to space.

India's first commercial semiconductor fabrication plants progress in Dholera (Gujarat) by Tata Electronics and Jagiroad (Assam) by CG Power-Renesas JV. The India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) offers 50% fiscal support, aiming to make India a global chip manufacturing hub.

India's 5G network expands beyond metro cities to tier-2 and tier-3 cities, with Jio, Airtel, and BSNL rapidly rolling out coverage. India has become one of the fastest 5G rollout countries globally since launch in 2022.

India's National Quantum Mission (NQM) advances with research on quantum computing, quantum communication, quantum sensing, and quantum materials. The mission targets developing intermediate-scale quantum computers of 50-1000 physical qubits.

The Republic Day parade at Kartavya Path showcases India's indigenous defence capabilities including LCA Tejas fighters, Arjun MBT, Pinaka MLRS, Brahmos cruise missiles, and drones. The parade reflects progress under Atmanirbhar Bharat in defence manufacturing.

India's defence exports continue robust growth, crossing ₹21,000 crore (FY2023-24), up from merely ₹2,059 crore in 2016-17. Export destinations include Armenia, Philippines, Sri Lanka, UAE, USA. DRDO and DPSUs drive export-oriented product development.

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) advances creation of integrated theatre commands to ensure seamless coordination among Army, Navy, and Air Force. The proposed commands include Maritime Theatre Command, Air Defence Command, and three geographical theatre commands.

India's nuclear triad — land-based (Agni missiles), sea-based (INS Arihant/Arighaat SSBNs), and air-based (Mirage 2000/Rafale) — ensures credible minimum deterrence. India maintains a No First Use (NFU) policy and is a signatory to the NPT.

India accelerates renewable energy capacity addition toward the 500 GW non-fossil target by 2030. Solar capacity leads the growth, followed by wind, hydro, and other renewables. India has already crossed 100 GW solar capacity milestone.

India's National Green Hydrogen Mission progresses with pilot plants for green hydrogen production, electrolyser manufacturing under PLI, and offtake agreements from fertiliser and steel sectors. Target: 5 MMTPA green hydrogen production by 2030.

India continues implementing its enhanced Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement: 45% reduction in GDP emission intensity (vs 2005), 50% cumulative electric power from non-fossil fuels by 2030, and net zero emissions by 2070.

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) implements winter action plans for Delhi-NCR and surrounding areas under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to curb stubble burning, vehicular emissions, and construction dust causing hazardous AQI levels.

India remains a top-ranked Test side in the ICC World Test Championship cycle. The BCCI manages a packed bilateral series calendar as India competes for ICC events. The national team continues its dominance in white-ball formats.

The Khelo India program continues expanding with Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG) and Khelo India University Games (KIUG) identifying talent at state and district levels. The program funds over 3,000 athletes at national level under Khelo India Athlete programme.

Indian badminton continues its global rise with PV Sindhu, Lakshya Sen, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, and Chirag Shetty competing at BWF World Championships and major tournaments. The BAI National Badminton Championships develop domestic talent.

India continues producing world-class chess players following D. Gukesh's historic World Chess Championship title (December 2024) at age 18. Indian chess prodigies dominate global rankings, with multiple players in the world top 10.

The World Economic Forum's Global Risks Report 2026, released ahead of the Davos Annual Meeting, identifies AI governance failures, climate extreme events, cyber insecurity, and geopolitical conflicts among top global risks for 2026-2030.

The Economic Survey 2025-26, prepared by the Finance Ministry's Chief Economic Adviser, provides a detailed account of India's economic performance, sectoral analysis, and policy recommendations for the upcoming fiscal year.

NITI Aayog releases the periodic SDG India Index assessing states and UTs on their progress across all 17 Sustainable Development Goals. India aims to achieve the SDGs by 2030 as part of its commitment to the UN 2030 Agenda.

India's high-level delegation attends the WEF Annual Meeting at Davos-Klosters, Switzerland in January. Indian government and industry leaders showcase India's growth story, investment opportunities, and digital public infrastructure as a model for developing nations.

The International Monetary Fund conducts its annual Article IV consultation with India, assessing macroeconomic performance, financial sector stability, and structural reforms. IMF forecasts India as the fastest-growing major economy with 6.5%+ growth.

India actively participates in the expanded BRICS grouping (now BRICS+), which includes Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, UAE, and Saudi Arabia alongside the original five members. India's BRICS engagement focuses on reform of multilateral institutions and trade in local currencies.