Current Affairs Today

We are here for you to provide the important Recent and Latest Current Affairs January 7 2026, which have unique updates of Latest Current Affairs 2026 events from all newspapers such as The Hindu, The Economic Times, PIB, Times of India, PTI, Indian Express, Business Standard and all Government official websites.

Our Current Affairs January 2026 events will help you to get more marks in Banking, Insurance, SSC, Railways, UPSC, CLAT and all State Government Exams. Also, try our Latest Current Affairs Quiz and Monthly Current Affairs 2026 PDF which will be a pedestrian to crack your exams.

Read Current Affairs in CareersCloud APP, Course Name – Learn Current Affairs – Free Course –Click Here to Download the APP

We are Hiring – Subject Matter Expert – English | CA Video Creator | Content Developers(Pondicherry)

Click here for Current Affairs 6 January 2026

Click here for Affairscloud Hindu Free Vocabs telegram channel

NATIONAL AFFAIRS

GoI Approves Nutrient-Based Subsidy Rates for Rabi 2025–26 SeasonIn January 2025, the Government of India (GoI) approved the Nutrient-Based Subsidy (NBS) rates for the Rabi 2025–26 season, effective from October 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026, for Phosphatic and Potassic (P&K) fertilizers, including Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP) and NPKS(Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, and Sulphur) grades.
About Nutrient-Based Subsidy (NBS) Scheme – Rabi 2025–26:
Features: The policy has a fixed subsidy, a decontrolled P&K sector with company-set Maximum Retail Price (MRP) under GoI oversight, and subsidies passed directly to farmers.
Budget: The government has estimated a tentative budgetary requirement of Rs. 37,952.29 crore for the Rabi 2025–26 season, which is approximately Rs.736 crore higher than the allocation for the Kharif 2025 season.
NBS Rates: For Rabi 2025–26, the NBS rates are Rs. 43.02 per kg (kilogram) for Nitrogen (N), Rs. 47.96 per kg for Phosphorus (P), Rs. 2.38 per kg for Potassium (K), and Rs. 2.87 per kg for Sulphur (S).
DAP Subsidy: GoI has raised the DAP subsidy to Rs 29,805 per metric tonne (MT) from Rs 21,911 in Rabi 2024-25 to protect farmers from international price volatility.
Fertilizer Subsidies: Subsidized fertilizers include DAP (18-46-0-0) at Rs 29,805/MT, Muriate of Potash (MOP 0-0-60-0) at Rs 1,428/MT, and Single Super Phosphate (SSP 0-16-0-11) at Rs 7,408/MT.
Production and Productivity: 

• Fertilizer Production: Domestic production of P&K fertilizers (DAP and NPKS) increased by over 50%, rising from 112.19 Lakh Metric Tonnes (LMT) in 2014 to 168.55 LMT by 30th December 2025.
• Foodgrain Yield: Foodgrain productivity grew from 1,930 kg per hectare in 2010–11 to 2,578 kg per hectare in 2024–25.

Fortification Incentives: Fertilizers fortified or coated with Boron (B) or Zinc (Zn) are eligible for additional incentives of Rs 300 and Rs 500 per MT respectively, as per the Fertilizer Control Order.
>>Read Full News

Union MoS Dr. Jitendra Singh Inaugurates Two World-Class Laboratories at CISR-NPL in New DelhiOn January 5, 2026, Union Minister of State(MoS) Independent Charge (IC) Dr. Jitendra Singh, Ministry of Science and Technology (MoS&T), inaugurated National Environmental Standard Laboratory (NSEL), second-of-its-kind in the world, and National Primary Standard Facility for Solar Cell Calibration, world’s fifth-of-its-kind, at Council of Scientific and Industrial Research – National Physical Laboratory (CSIR-NPL) campus in New Delhi(Delhi), during its 80th Foundation Day celebrations.
About National Environmental Standard Laboratory(NSEL): 
Certification:  The facility is Asia’s first and the world’s second pollution monitoring facility after the United Kingdom(UK). It is designed to test, calibrate, and certify air pollution monitoring devices, strengthening domestic capabilities and reducing reliance on foreign certification agencies.
Data Accuracy: It supports accurate and transparent environmental data for programmes, including National Clean Air Programme(NCAP) and helps regulators, industries and startups improve compliance and enforcement.
About National Primary Standard Facility for Solar Cell Calibration: 
Collaboration: It was developed in collaboration with Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), Germany and uses a Laser-based Differential Spectral Responsivity (L-DSR) system.
Performance: It achieves the world’s lowest calibration uncertainty (0.35%, k=2) and reduces dependence on foreign certification, saves foreign exchange and boosts investor confidence in India’s solar sector.
Other 4 Laboratories : Four international laboratories are recognized under the World Photovoltaic Scale (WPV) for high-precision solar cell calibration. These include the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in the United States of America(USA), PTB in Germany, AIST in Japan, and the Tianjin Institute of Power Sources (TIPS) in China.
>>Read Full News

IA Creates Modern Warfare Force ‘Bhairav’ with over 1 Lakh Drone OperativesIn January 2026, the Indian Army (IA) announced the creation of a modern warfare force named ‘Bhairav’, aimed at enhancing India’s combat capabilities by integrating drone technology and establishing a pool of over 1 lakh trained drone operatives.

• Currently, Bhairav is being trained to tackle the complexities of modern warfare with its advanced drone operations capabilities.

About Bhairav Battalions:
Overview: The Bhairav unit is prepared for modern warfare, with all operatives trained to use drones for targeting enemy bases and formations in real operations.
Key Functions: The Bhairav battalions, raised by IA, have been specifically created to provide a dedicated force for high-speed, offensive operations, carrying out Special Forces tasking at various levels as per requirements.
Aim: To bridge the gap between the Para Special Forces(SF) and regular Infantry battalions, carrying out special operations at tactical to operational depth.
Current Status: So far, the IA has raised approximately 15 Bhairav battalions, which have been deployed across various formations along both borders.

• In addition to that, IA is already planning to raise around 25 such battalions in the near future.

Army Day Parade: The new battalions will make their 1st appearance at Indian Army Day Parade at Jaipur, Rajasthan on January 15, 2026.
Other Modern Warfare: Considering the operation requirements of the force, IA has also created ‘Rudra Brigades’ which are all-arms formations that combine infantry, mechanised units, tanks, artillery, special forces and Unmanned Aerial Systems (UASs).
About Indian Army (IA):
The IA is the land-based branch and the largest component of the Indian Armed Forces.
Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) – General Upendra Dwivedi
Headquarters- New Delhi, Delhi
Established- 1895
Motto – Seva Paramo Dharma (Service Before Self)

Indian Army Signs Rs.293 crore Contract with NIBE Limited for ‘Suryastra Rocket Launch System’On January 4, 2026, Indian Army (IA), under the Ministry of Defence (MoD), signed an Emergency Procurement (EP) contract worth Rs.293 Crores with NIBE Limited  for the procurement of the Suryastra rocket launcher system.

• The procurement aims to enhance the IA’s long-range precision strike capability and bolster its artillery modernization program.

About Suryastra:
Overview: Suryastra is India’s first indigenously developed, multi-calibre, long-range, precision-guided rocket launcher system, inducted by the IA to significantly enhance its deep-strike artillery capabilities.
Developer: The systems are being produced in collaboration with Israel’s Elbit Systems, under a technology partnership, adapted from Israeli Precise & Universal Launching System (PULS) technology.
Launcher: It is a universal, multi-caliber, long-range precision rocket system that can fire different types of guided rockets and loitering munitions from a single wheeled launcher.
Features: It strikes targets at ranges of about 150-300 kilometer (km) with very high accuracy Circular Error Probable (CEP) < 5 meters (m) and uses high-mobility ‘shoot-and-scoot’ tactics to deliver flexible, deep-strike firepower while minimizing vulnerability to enemy counter-battery fire.
Munition Versatility: The launcher, based on the Precise and Universal Launching System(PULS), is compatible with short- and long-range guided rockets, large-caliber precision rockets, and functions as a multi-role firepower platform.
Launch Platform: Mounted on a BEML High Mobility Vehicle (HMV) 6×6 truck, the Suryastra launcher offers high tactical mobility, rapid deployment, and effective shoot-and-scoot capability, with strong off-road performance and payload capacity for operations across diverse terrains.
Alignment: The initiative aligns with the Government of India (GoI)’s vision of Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
About Emergency Procurement Contract: 
Contract: It enables the Indian Armed Forces to quickly buy critical equipment to meet urgent operational needs. It bypasses lengthy procedures, has a cost limit of around Rs.300 crores, and requires fast delivery, usually within 6-12 months.
Aim: It aims to rapidly fill capability gaps during security emergencies while maintaining basic oversight.
About Ministry of Defence (MoD):
Union Minister – Rajnath Singh (Constituency – Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, UP)
Minister of State (MoS) – Sanjay Seth (Constituency – Ranchi, Jharkhand)

ONGC Signs MoU with MoTA to Empower Tribal Students of EMRS
On January 5, 2026, The Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), a Maharatna Public Sector Undertaking (PSU), under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSTFDC), under Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) in New Delhi(Delhi) to strengthen Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) through Rs 28 crore Corporate Social Responsibility(CSR) funding.

Key Details of MoU:
Career Mentorship: The MoU aims to empower tribal students enrolled in EMRS by supporting Digital learning infrastructure, career mentorship and counselling, capacity building of teachers, health and hygiene facilities, and entrepreneurship training.
About ONGC CSR Project: ONGC has committed Rs.28 crores for the project. The initiative will be implemented across 144 EMRS situated in 11 states and Union Territories (UTs).
About EMRS: It is a central government scheme, launched in Financial Year 1997-98 (FY 98) under MoTA designed to provide quality, holistic education to tribal children, helping bridge educational gaps and open future opportunities.

IAF Commemorates 25th Anniversary of Tejas First Flight
On January 4, 2026, the Indian Air Force (IAF) marked the 25th anniversary of the historic maiden flight of the indigenously developed Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA).

About Tejas LCA Journey:
Background: In 1983, the Government of India (GoI) established the LCA programme with the initial goal of developing indigenously built LCA to replace the obsolete fleet of the IAF.
Maiden Flight Test: The Tejas LCA made its historic maiden flight on 4 January 2001, flown by Wing Commander Rajiv Kothiyal in the Technology Demonstrator-1 (TD-1) from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) airport in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
Induction: The flight test initiated Tejas’ evaluation, leading to its induction into the IAF and the development of advanced variants like Tejas Mk-1A.
Key Agreement: In late 2025,  HAL secured a major order for 97 more Mk-1A jets in a deal worth more than Rs 62,370 crore.

• In May 2025, VEM Technologies handed over the 1st centre fuselage assembly for LCA Tejas Mk 1A to HAL, in Hyderabad, Telangana, and the 2nd such centre was received by HAL in September 2025.

MIB Sets Up LEDC to Boost India’s Concert & Live Entertainment Economy
In January 2026, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) set up a Live Events Development Cell (LEDC) to boost India’s concert and live entertainment economy.

About Live Events Development Cell(LEDC):
Formation: Constituted in July 2025 under Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, MIB, the LEDC includes officials from the Centre, states, industry bodies, and major event companies to coordinate policy and promote sector growth.
Support System: The LEDC will streamline approvals, permissions, and coordination with government departments for large-scale live events, and position India as a leading global destination for live events by 2030.
Growth: India’s organised live events market, valued at approximately Rs.20,861 crore in 2024, is projected to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of around 18% through 2030.
Concert Economy: The live entertainment economy covers all concert-related activities, including tickets, merchandise, and food & beverage, driving broader economic impact.

BANKING & FINANCE

FSS Becomes First Payments Company in India, ME, APAC, SA to Receive  ISO/IEC 42001 Certification
On January 6, 2026, Financial Software and Systems (FSS), a payment solutions and transaction processing company, has become the first payments company in India, the Middle East (ME), Asia-Pacific (APAC), and South Africa (SA) to earn the International Organization for Standardization (ISO)/ International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 42001 (ISO/IEC 42001) Certification.

• The certification highlights FSS’s strong commitment to the responsible and trustworthy use of Artificial Intelligence(AI) across its digital payments platforms.

About ISO/IEC 42001: 
Overview: It is the world’s first international standard for Artificial Intelligence Management Systems (AIMS), and recognizes organizations that demonstrate responsible, ethical, and trustworthy use of AI.
Objective: It is aimed at ensuring responsible and ethical use of AI, establishing a structured governance framework, and ensuring AI systems are transparent, accountable, and explainable.

• It also includes mitigating risks such as bias, unintended outcomes, and regulatory non-compliance.

IDFC FIRST Bank Launches ‘Zero-Forex Diamond Reserve Credit Card’
In January 2026, IDFC FIRST Bank, an Indian private sector bank, launched the ‘Zero-Forex Diamond Reserve Credit Card’, a premium offering for frequent international travelers that provides zero foreign exchange(Forex) markup along with travel and lifestyle rewards.

About Zero-Forex Diamond Reserve Credit Card:
Application: Apply digitally via website/applications(app); Rs 500 gift voucher on spending Rs 5,000 within 30 days of activation.
Travel Insurance: Domestic and international lounge access with Rs 20,000 monthly spend, with airport meet-and-greet on USD 1,000 annual spend, along with travel insurance including Rs 25,000 trip cancellation, lost baggage and flight delay cover, Rs 1 crore air accident, and Rs 10 lakh personal accident cover.
Fees & Interest: Rs.3,000 + Goods and Services Tax(GST ) joining and annual fee (waived on Rs.6 lakh annual spend), dynamic interest from 8.5% per annum (p.a)., 0% interest on global Automated Teller Machine (ATM) withdrawals till due date (Rs.199 fee), and fuel surcharge waiver at select outlets.
Rewards: Earn up to 60 reward points per Rs.150 on hotels, 40 on flights, and 10 on other spends; each point is worth Rs.0.25, with lifetime validity, no cap, and online redemption.

ECONOMY & BUSINESS

ONGC Partners with MOL to Establish Two JVs in Ethane Shipping Business
On January 5, 2026, The Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG), partnered with Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL), a Japanese Shipping Company, to establish two Joint Ventures (JVs) to enter the ethane shipping business.

• The project has been undertaken with the backing of the MoPNG and the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) under the Ministry of Finance(MoF).

Key Details of JVs:
New Two Joint Ventures: Two JVs include Bharat Ethane One International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) Private Limited and Bharat Ethane Two IFSC Private Limited, registered in Gujarat International Finance Tec (GIFT)-City, Gandhinagar (Gujarat).
VLECs: Each JV will own one Very Large Ethane Carrier (VLEC), specialized ships designed for transporting ethane safely and efficiently.
Ownership Structure: Under this partnership, ONGC will hold a 50% stake in each JV and MOL will hold the remaining 50% in each.
Purpose: The VLECs will transport ethane from the United States of America (USA) to India. Ethane will help meet the feedstock requirements of ONGC Petro Additions Limited (OPaL), a petrochemical arm of ONGC.
Alignment: The initiative aligns with the Government of India (GOI)’s vision of Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision (MAKV) 2047.

Ind-Ra Projects Indian Economy to Grow 6.9% in FY27 Amid Global HeadwindsIn January 2026, India Ratings and Research (Ind-Ra), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fitch Group, projected India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate at 6.9% for Financial Year 2026-27(FY27), lower than the estimated 7.4% growth rate for current financial year (FY26).

Key Projections:
Risks Factors for FY27: The agency outlined some of the major headwinds that may pose risks to FY27 growth include: the El Nino pattern from mid-2026; weak current due to weak investments, sluggish global trade growth;

• Base effect (change of base year for both GDP and Consumer Price Index (CPI) to 2022-23 and 2024 from 2011-12 and 2012, respectively in next months);

Consumption Demand: Ind-Ra observed that Private Financial Consumption Expenditure (PFCE), an indicator used to measure household demand, remained subdued at 5.6% in FY24, surged to 7.2% in FY25 and improved further to 7.5% in 1st Half (H1: April-September) of FY26.

• It has also projected that PFCE, which accounts for nearly 55.9% of GDP (Q2FY26) from the demand side, will grow at 7.6% Year-on-Year (Y-o-Y) in FY27.

Inflation Outlook: As per the agency, India’s  overall inflation outlook for the Q4 (January-March) of FY26 and FY27 is benign.
About India Ratings and Research (Ind-Ra):
Chairman and Managing Director (CMD)- Rohit Karan Sawhney
Headquarters- Mumbai, Maharashtra
Established- 1995

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

HSBC Private Bank Appoints Ida Liu as its CEO
In January 2026, HSBC Private Bank appointed Ida Liu as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective from January 05, 2026.

• She succeeds Gabriel Castello, who has been serving as interim CEO of the bank since December 2024.

About Ida Liu:
Experience: She has over 25 years of global experience across various business verticals including wealth management, strategic advisory and business transformation and advised Ultra-High-Net-Worth (UHNW) clients on their investment, liquidity and legacy needs.
Previous Role: Prior to her appointment to HSBC, she served as the Global Head of Citi Private Bank since 2007.

• During her tenure at Citi Bank, she held several senior positions, including Head of Citi Private Bank North America, Head of Citi Private Bank New York(the United States of America, USA) and Head of the Asian Clients Group.

ENVIRONMENT

New Reed Snake Species ‘Calamaria mizoramensis’ Discovered in Mizoram
In January 2026, Scientists from Mizoram University, in collaboration with researchers from Russia, Germany, and Vietnam, discovered a new reed snake species, named ‘Calamaria mizoramensis’, in Mizoram. The findings were published in the international scientific journal ‘Zootaxa’.

• The discovery adds a new species to India’s reptiles, brings the global Calamaria count to 70, and updates Mizoram’s herpetofauna to 169 species.

About Calamaria mizoramensis:
Identification: The species was identified by correcting a long-standing taxonomic misidentification of specimens first collected in 2008, confirming the Mizoram population as a distinct evolutionary lineage.
Characteristics: The snake is small, dark brown to blackish with faint stripes and a yellow underside, and is non-venomous, nocturnal, and semi-fossorial.
Habitat: It inhabits humid, forested hill regions at elevations between 670 and 1,295 metres (m) above sea level.

• The species is confirmed in several Mizoram locations: Aizawl, Reiek, Sihphir, Sawlêng, Mamit, and Kolasib.

Conservation: It is tentatively assessed as ‘Least Concern’ under International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) criteria due to its occurrence across multiple localities.

OBITUARY

Former Union Minister Suresh Kalmadi Passed AwayOn 6th January 2026, senior Indian National Congress (INC) leader and former Union Minister of State (MoS) Suresh Kalmadi, Ministry of Railways (MoR), passed away at the age of 81 in Pune, Maharashtra. He was born on May 1, 1944 in Madras, Madras Province, British India (now in Chennai, Tamil Nadu (TN)).

About Suresh Kalmadi:
Early Career: He served as a pilot in the Indian Air Force (IAF) from 1964 to 1974, before transitioning into public life and politics.
Political Career: He began his political career in 1977 as President of the Pune based Indian Youth Congress (IYC).
Parliamentary Career: In 1982, he became a member of the Rajya Sabha and went on to serve three additional terms in the Upper House.

• In 1996, he was elected to the Lok Sabha, represented the Pune constituency several times as a Member of Parliament(MP). He also served as MoS, for the Ministry of Railways from 1995 to 1996.

IOA Leadership: Served as President of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) from 1996 to 2012 and was appointed Life President in 2016.
Sports Administration: Played a key role in Indian athletics administration, including overseeing the selection trials for the 1980 Moscow Olympics as President of the Maharashtra Athletics Association (MAA).

• Served as Chairman of the Organising Committee (OC) for the 2010 Commonwealth Games (CWG) and as President of the Asian Athletics Association (AAA) from 2000 to 2013, later becoming its Life President.

Former World Billiards Champion Manoj Kothari Passed AwayIn January 2026, Former World Billiards Champion Manoj Kothari, a pioneering figure in Indian cue sports and current chief national coach passed away at the age of 67 in Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu(TN).

• In 2005, Kothari was honoured with Major Dhyan Chand Award, India’s highest lifetime achievement award in sports, by  the Government of India (GoI), in recognition of his exceptional contributions in sports specifically in billiards.

About Manoj Kothari:
Two-time World Champion: Kothari won his career’s maiden International Billiards & Snooker Federation. (IBSF) World Billiards Championship title in 1990 that placed him firmly among the elite of the sport.

• Later, he won the World Doubles Billiards Championship title in 1997 with Ian Williamson (England),which reflected both his longevity and versatility at the highest level.

National Coach: Post his retirement, Kothari served as the national coach of the Indian billiards team from 2011, a position held for more than a decade and a half.
Awards/Accolades:

• During his long career, Kothari won the State Champion title 16 times.
• He also received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the IBSF in 2025.
• In addition to these, he was honoured by the West Bengal (WB) with Kriraguru Samman and also the Calcutta Sports Journalists Club conferred him with a Lifetime Achievement award.

BOOKS & AUTHORS

Goa CM Pramod Sawant Launches New Edition of Book ‘History That India Ignored’
In January 2026, Goa Chief Minister (CM) Pramod Sawant launched the second edition of the book titled ‘History That India Ignored’, authored by Prem Prakash, a veteran journalist and the Chairman of Asian News International (ANI), in Panaji, Goa.

• The book was first published in April 2025 by Vitasta Publishing Private Limited.

About Book ‘History That India Ignored’:
Focus: The book revisits India’s freedom struggle from lesser-known angles.
Content: It highlights unsung heroes, revolutionary movements, the Indian National Army (INA), and overlooked uprisings like the Vellore Mutiny (1806) and the Battle of Imphal.
Perspective: The book challenges mainstream narratives, showing that independence was shaped not just by popular non-violent movements but also by revolutionary resistance and marginalized contributors.
Significance: Reinforces the responsibility to preserve and teach overlooked historical events to students and history enthusiasts.

STATE NEWS

TN CM M.K. Stalin Signs MoU with UN Women for Gender-Responsive Governance
In January 2026, the Chief Minister (CM) of Tamil Nadu (TN), Muthuvel Karunanidhi (M.K.) Stalin, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United Nations Programme for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) in Chennai, TN to strengthen institutional capacities for gender-responsive governance, improve women’s welfare, and promote inclusive development across TN.

Key Details of MoU:
Objective: The MoU strengthens gender-responsive governance, planning, and budgeting in TN while promoting women’s economic opportunities with technical and implementation support from UN Women.
SDG Focus: It supports the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Goal 5: Gender Equality.
Implementing Departments: The initiatives will be implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Women Empowerment (TN), Department of Home, Prohibition and Excise (TN) and Department of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (TN).
UNICEF Innovation Initiative: TN has been chosen as India’s first State to participate in a national-level innovation initiative of the United Nations Children’s Fund – Office of Innovation (UNICEF–OoI), headquartered in Sweden.

• As part of this, a six-month tripartite cooperation agreement was also signed between TN State Planning Commission (TNPSC); Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development–Observatory of Public Sector Innovation (OECD-OPSI); and UNICEF–OoI.

*******

Current Affairs Today (AffairsCloud Today)