Current Affairs January 2026 with MCQs

Nitin Nabin elected as new BJP National President

The Bharatiya Janata Party elected Nitin Nabin as its new National President in January 2026, succeeding J.P. Nadda who had completed his extended term. This leadership transition is strategically timed ahead of several major state assembly elections in 2026, including those in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal, and Assam. The BJP National President serves as the topmost organisational authority of the party, overseeing electoral strategy, candidate selection, and parliamentary coordination. Nabin, a senior BJP leader from Bihar, is expected to lead the party machinery into one of its most demanding electoral phases.

Indian Railways marks 100 years of rail electrification — 9 January 2026

On 9 January 2026, Indian Railways celebrated the centenary of rail electrification in India, a journey that began with the Mumbai suburban section in 1925. By this date, over 68,700 route kilometres had been electrified — covering more than 72% of the entire network — placing India among the world’s most electrified large rail systems. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw unveiled an ambitious reform roadmap titled “52 Weeks, 52 Reforms” — committing Indian Railways to implement one major structural reform every week throughout 2026, spanning passenger experience, freight efficiency, maintenance quality, and digital modernisation.

Governor reshuffle: 7 states and 2 Union Territories; Rakesh Agarwal as interim NIA DG

President Droupadi Murmu announced a significant reshuffling of governors across seven states and two Union Territories in January 2026. Such reshuffles are carried out under Article 155 of the Constitution, which empowers the President to appoint governors on the advice of the Prime Minister and the Union Cabinet. Separately, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved IPS officer Rakesh Agarwal as the Interim Director General of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) under the Ministry of Home Affairs. The NIA was established in 2008 under the NIA Act, following the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, as India’s premier counter-terrorism investigative body.

India celebrates 77th Republic Day — 26 January 2026

India observed its 77th Republic Day on Monday, 26 January 2026, at Kartavya Path (formerly Rajpath), New Delhi. Republic Day commemorates the date in 1950 when the Constitution of India replaced the Government of India Act (1935), transforming the nation into a fully sovereign, socialist, secular, and democratic republic. The celebration was presided over by President Droupadi Murmu, who unfurled the national flag followed by the national anthem and a 21-gun salute. PM Narendra Modi visited the National War Memorial before the parade to lay a wreath and pay tribute to fallen heroes.

EU leaders as Chief Guests — an unprecedented diplomatic first

In a historic first, both top leaders of the European Union jointly served as Chief Guests at the 77th Republic Day — Ursula von der Leyen (President of the European Commission) and António Costa (President of the European Council). Their joint presence is without precedent in the history of Republic Day celebrations and signals the highest-ever level of India-EU diplomatic engagement. The EU leaders were on an official India visit from 25 to 27 January 2026, during which they also co-chaired the 16th India-EU Summit on 27 January — focusing on the India-EU Free Trade Agreement, technology, green energy, and global security.

Theme, parade highlights and DRDO’s hypersonic missile debut

The main theme was “150 Years of Vande Mataram”, honouring the national song composed by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay. The sub-theme was Aatmanirbhar Bharat, with the cultural theme being Vividata Mein Ekta (Unity in Diversity). The parade ran approximately 90 minutes. Seventeen tableaux from states and Union Territories were showcased. Enclosures at the venue were creatively named after major Indian rivers (Ganga, Yamuna, Brahmaputra, Narmada, Kaveri etc.), while the Beating Retreat ceremony enclosures were named after classical Indian instruments (Sitar, Tabla, Sarod, Bansuri, Shehnai etc.).

The DRDO unveiled the Long Range Anti-Ship Hypersonic Missile (LR-AShM) — a fully indigenous weapon system capable of striking both stationary and moving naval targets at speeds up to Mach 10 (average cruise: Mach 5). It follows a low-altitude, highly manoeuvrable flight path difficult for enemy radar to detect. Other weapons on display included BrahMos cruise missile, S-400 air defence system, Rafale jets with SCALP missiles, and HAROP loitering munitions.

Padma Awards 2026: 131 civilians honoured; Ashoka Chakra to Shubhanshu Shukla

The Government of India announced 131 Padma Awards on the eve of Republic Day — 5 Padma Vibhushan (India’s 2nd-highest civilian honour), 13 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri. Gallantry awards were conferred on 70 Armed Forces personnel, with the Ashoka Chakra — India’s highest peacetime military honour — awarded to Shubhanshu Shukla for extraordinary bravery. The President conferred a total of 301 defence service decorations, including Param Vishisht Seva Medals, Uttam Yudh Seva Medals, and Vishisht Seva Medals.

India remains world’s fastest-growing major economy — January 2026 forecasts

Multiple leading international financial institutions confirmed India’s strong economic trajectory in January 2026. The World Bank projected GDP growth of 6.5% for 2026. The IMF forecast 6.6% for 2025 and 6.2% for 2026. The OECD estimated 6.7% for 2025 and 6.2% for 2026. Moody’s projected 6.4%, S&P Global estimated 6.5% for FY26, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) projected 7.2% for 2025, and Fitch Ratings forecasted a robust 7.4% for FY26. India’s growth is driven by strong domestic consumption, rising infrastructure investment, and increasing FDI inflows.

Bank of Baroda gets RBI approval for Standalone Primary Dealer subsidiary

Bank of Baroda (BoB), one of India’s leading public sector banks, received in-principle approval from the RBI in January 2026 to convert its existing Bank Primary Dealer (PD) business into a separate, wholly-owned Standalone Primary Dealer (SPD) subsidiary. This strategic restructuring will create a more focused entity for Government Securities (G-Sec) market operations. The RBI also increased the aggregate limit available to SPDs under the Standing Liquidity Facility from ₹10,000 crore to ₹15,000 crore, effective April 2025. The Primary Dealer system was originally introduced by the RBI in 1995 to strengthen the G-Sec market infrastructure.

RBI releases Banking Trend and Progress Report 2024-25

The Reserve Bank of India released the “Report on Trend and Progress of Banking in India 2024-25” under Section 36(2) of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949. The report analysed banking sector performance through FY25 and early FY26. India’s commercial banking system at end-FY25 comprised: 12 Public Sector Banks, 21 Private Sector Banks, 44 Foreign Banks, 11 Small Finance Banks, 6 Payments Banks, 43 Regional Rural Banks, and 2 Local Area Banks.

Indian Army signs ₹293 crore emergency deal for Suryastra rocket system

The Indian Army signed an emergency procurement contract worth ₹293 crore with NIBE Ltd., in collaboration with Israeli defence company Elbit Systems, for the induction of the Suryastra rocket system. Suryastra is India’s first indigenous universal multi-calibre long-range rocket launcher system, capable of conducting precision surface-to-surface strikes at ranges of both 150 km and 300 km. The emergency classification underscores the urgency of augmenting India’s long-range precision strike capability, particularly along sensitive northern and western borders.

L&T signs contract to upgrade Pinaka MLRS; GULF SHIELD 2026 exercise

On 8 January 2026, Larsen and Toubro (L&T) signed a defence contract with the Indian Army, awarded by the Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers (EME), to overhaul, upgrade obsolete components, modernise, and provide long-term support for the Pinaka Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS). The Pinaka MLRS is India’s flagship indigenous artillery rocket system, developed by DRDO and in service since 1999. Separately, Saudi Arabia hosted the GULF SHIELD 2026 multilateral defence exercise, bringing together all six member nations of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) — Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman — for joint military drills and maritime security operations.

Indian Army Day — 15 January 2026

Indian Army Day was observed on 15 January 2026, commemorating the historic handover of command on 15 January 1949, when General K.M. Cariappa (later elevated to Field Marshal) became the first Indian Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army, succeeding the last British CinC, General Sir Francis Butcher. Army Day 2026 celebrations featured a military parade and exhibition of indigenous weapons systems, with special emphasis on digital warfare and Aatmanirbhar Bharat defence manufacturing achievements.

China sets maglev world record — 700 km/h in just 2 seconds

China achieved a spectacular transportation engineering world record in early January 2026, when its superconducting electric maglev train was accelerated to 700 km/h in just 2 seconds — the fastest maglev acceleration test ever recorded. Magnetic levitation (maglev) technology uses powerful superconducting electromagnets to lift trains above the track, eliminating all mechanical friction. Without surface friction, the only resistance is air drag, enabling extraordinary speeds. China’s record is part of its national strategy to lead global next-generation high-speed rail development.

NASA Artemis crewed Moon mission confirmed for February 2026; IIT Madras defence research

NASA confirmed in January 2026 that its first crewed Artemis mission would launch in February 2026, sending four astronauts (3 male + 1 female) to the Moon — humanity’s first lunar landing since Apollo 17 in December 1972. The Artemis programme aims to establish a sustainable human presence on the Moon as a stepping stone toward crewed Mars missions. Separately, a new strategic partnership announced in January 2026 formalised IIT Madras’ expanding role in India’s defence research — covering artificial intelligence, aerospace engineering, communication systems, and cybersecurity — contributing to India’s defence industrial base under the Aatmanirbhar framework.

M-STrIPES app deployed for new tiger census from Annamalai Tiger Reserve

The M-STrIPES (Monitoring System for Tigers’ Intensive Protection and Ecological Status) mobile application was deployed for the new national tiger census in January 2026, with fieldwork starting at the Annamalai Tiger Reserve near the Nilgiri Hills, Tamil Nadu. M-STrIPES is used by forest guards and wildlife officers across India’s tiger reserves to record geo-referenced, real-time field data — including tiger pugmarks, prey sightings, and human intrusion signs — enabling evidence-based conservation decisions. Separately, the government announced that the Radhapani Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh, would be renamed after archaeologist Vishnu Shridhar Wakankar, who discovered the prehistoric cave paintings at Bhimbetka (UNESCO World Heritage Site).

US forces capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro — Monroe Doctrine invoked

One of the most dramatic geopolitical events of January 2026 was the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by US forces. President Donald Trump described the operation as a modern application of the Monroe Doctrine — the 19th-century foreign policy principle articulated by President James Monroe in 1823, asserting American dominance over the Western Hemisphere. Washington cited Venezuela’s internal instability, erosion of democratic institutions, and the presence of rival global powers as justification. The US announced plans to oversee a political transition and revive Venezuela’s oil infrastructure.

The operation drew fierce international condemnation. Latin American governments, international legal bodies, and global institutions described it as a violation of national sovereignty, drawing parallels to past US interventions in Cuba, Nicaragua, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic.

Israel withdraws from 7 UN agencies; G7 Critical Minerals meeting: India invited

Israel took the unprecedented step of withdrawing membership from seven United Nations agencies in January 2026, in response to sustained international criticism of its military operations. The move strained Israel’s global diplomatic standing and drew sharp responses from the UN Secretary-General and major world powers. Separately, the United States announced it would host a dedicated G7 meeting on Critical Minerals in 2026. India and Australia — both outside the G7 grouping — received special invitations to participate, reflecting their growing strategic importance in critical mineral supply chains (lithium, cobalt, nickel, rare earths) essential for the global clean energy and semiconductor transition.

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2026 — hosted by India, chaired by Om Birla

The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention 2026 was hosted by India, with the conference chaired by Om Birla, Speaker of the Lok Sabha. PBD is observed on 9 January every year to honour the contributions of the Indian diaspora — a date that commemorates Mahatma Gandhi’s return from South Africa to India on 9 January 1915. The Commonwealth currently has 56 member countries. The Indian diaspora is estimated at over 32 million people worldwide, making it the largest diaspora globally.

Nipah virus outbreak detected in Barasat, West Bengal

An outbreak of the Nipah virus was reported in West Bengal in January 2026, with at least two confirmed cases in Barasat district. Health authorities activated surveillance, contact tracing, and isolation protocols immediately. Nipah is classified as a Priority Pathogen by the World Health Organisation (WHO) due to its epidemic potential and the absence of approved vaccines or specific antiviral treatments. Its natural reservoir is the fruit bat (Pteropus species). The case fatality rate ranges between 40–75%, making it significantly more lethal than most known viral pathogens. Previous outbreaks in India occurred in Siliguri, West Bengal (2001) and multiple times in Kerala (2018, 2019, 2021, 2023).

Wild elephant kills 20 people in Jharkhand’s West Singhbhum district

A rogue wild elephant on a rampage since 1 January 2026 in West Singhbhum district, Jharkhand, killed at least 20 people in one of the worst human-elephant conflict incidents in recent years. The Jharkhand forest department launched special tracking and tranquilisation operations. The incident placed sharp focus on India’s worsening human-wildlife conflict, driven by shrinking forest corridors, increasing agricultural encroachment into forest buffer zones, and poor early-warning infrastructure for communities living on forest fringes. Calls intensified for better elephant corridor management and enhanced compensation for affected families.

2nd National Beach Games held in Diu — Karnataka overall champions

The second edition of the National Beach Games was hosted in Diu in January 2026. Karnataka emerged as the overall champion, excelling across multiple beach sports disciplines. The event’s official mascot was Pearl, represented by a dolphin — reflecting India’s coastal identity. The National Beach Games edition history: 1st edition — Goa; 2nd edition — Diu (2026); 3rd edition — Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh). The event is part of India’s broader effort to develop beach and aquatic sports at the national level, aligned with the goal of strengthening coastal sporting infrastructure.

Kantara and Tanvi shortlisted for Oscar nominations; India ranks 80th globally

Two Indian films were selected for Oscar nomination consideration in January 2026 — Kantara, the acclaimed Kannada-language film directed by Rishab Shetty, and Tanvi. Kantara had earlier achieved massive critical and commercial success for its authentic portrayal of the mythological folk traditions of coastal Karnataka’s Tulu community. Separately, India secured the 80th position in a global competitiveness index released in January 2026, with Singapore topping the overall rankings. The index evaluates nations on economic performance, government efficiency, business efficiency, and infrastructure quality.

Early January (1–12)

1 January — Global Family Day (World Peace Day): Declared by the UN in 1997; promotes the concept that all of humanity belongs to one global family, regardless of nationality or ethnicity.

4 January — World Braille Day: Celebrates the birth anniversary of Louis Braille (born 1809); promotes literacy and digital accessibility for visually impaired persons worldwide.

9 January — Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (NRI Day): Marks Mahatma Gandhi’s return from South Africa on 9 January 1915; honours the contribution of the Indian diaspora. PBD 2026 was chaired by Om Birla.

10 January — World Hindi Day (Vishwa Hindi Diwas): Marks the first World Hindi Conference held in Nagpur in 1975 under PM Indira Gandhi. Note: National Hindi Day is observed on 14 September.

12 January — National Youth Day: Marks the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda (born 12 January 1863, Kolkata). Declared by the Government of India in 1984; observed since 1985.

Mid January (13–16)

13 January — Lohri: Major harvest and winter solstice festival of Punjab; celebrated with bonfires, folk dancing (Bhangra and Gidda), and traditional foods like revri and popcorn.

15 January — Indian Army Day + Makar Sankranti + Pongal: Army Day marks Gen. K.M. Cariappa becoming first Indian CinC (1949). Makar Sankranti was celebrated on 15 January in 2026 due to Ekadashi — marking the Sun’s transition into Capricorn (Makara). Pongal is the Tamil harvest festival; Maghi is the Sikh/Punjabi equivalent.

16 January — National Startup Day: Declared by PM Narendra Modi in 2022 to celebrate India’s startup ecosystem, which has grown to become the world’s third-largest.

Late January (23–30)

23 January — Parakram Diwas (Netaji Jayanti): Marks the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. 2026 = his 129th birth anniversary. Declared a national observance by the Government in 2021.

24 January — National Girl Child Day: Focuses on promoting the rights, education, health, and empowerment of the girl child in India. Started in 2008 by the Ministry of Women and Child Development.

25 January — National Voters’ Day + National Tourism Day: Voters’ Day marks the founding of the Election Commission of India on 25 January 1950.

26 January — Republic Day + International Day of Clean Energy + International Customs Day: Republic Day = 77th edition in 2026. WCO theme for 2026: “Customs protecting society through vigilance and commitment.”

28 January — International Data Privacy Day: Designated in 2006 by the Council of Europe; marks the signing of Convention 108 — the world’s first legally binding international data protection treaty. India enacted the DPDP Act 2023 as its domestic framework.

30 January — Martyrs’ Day (Shaheed Diwas): Marks the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi on 30 January 1948. 2026 = 78th death anniversary. The nation observes two minutes of silence at 11:00 AM.

Padma Awards 2026 — 131 honoured on Republic Day

The Padma Awards 2026 were announced on the eve of the 77th Republic Day. These are India’s highest civilian honours, awarded annually by the President on the recommendation of the Prime Minister. Total awards: 131 — comprising 5 Padma Vibhushan (2nd highest civilian honour, for exceptional and distinguished service), 13 Padma Bhushan (3rd highest, for distinguished service of high order), and 113 Padma Shri (4th highest, for distinguished service). The Ashoka Chakra — India’s highest peacetime gallantry award — was conferred upon Shubhanshu Shukla. A total of 982 personnel from police, fire services, home guard, and civil defence were also awarded gallantry and service medals.

Notable passings — January 2026

Sir Mark Tully (aged 90) — the iconic BBC journalist whose decades of reporting from India made him among the most respected foreign correspondents ever associated with the country. He was awarded India’s Padma Bhushan for his contribution to journalism. Jayashree Kabir (aged 73) — celebrated Bengali actress known for landmark films including Pratidwandi, Simana Periye, and Rupali Saikate. Bheemanna Khandre (aged 100) — veteran Karnataka MLA who served across two stints: 1962–72 and 1978–85. Ajit Pawar (aged 66) — senior Maharashtra politician who had been serving as the state’s Deputy Chief Minister since 2024.