Daily Current Affairs: 15 & 16 January 2026 for Government Exams (UPSC, SSC, Banking & More)
The 15 & 16 January 2026 Current Affairs cover high-value topics such as India–Germany relations, BRICS Chairship 2026, Export Preparedness Index 2024, major banking reforms, economy projections, international rankings, awards, and important days. These updates are highly relevant for UPSC, SSC, Banking, IBPS, RBI, Railways, Defence, PSU, Insurance, CLAT, and State PSC exams.
📘 Introduction: Why in News?
Current Affairs play a decisive role in Prelims, Mains, Banking Awareness, GA sections, and Interviews.
The 15 & 16 January 2026 Daily Current Affairs include crucial national developments, international diplomacy, banking & finance reforms, economy forecasts, science & innovation, awards, state initiatives, and important days.
JobsMe Current Affairs Today simplifies preparation for UPSC, SSC, Banking, Insurance, Railways, and other competitive exams by providing Daily, Weekly, and Monthly Current Affairs PDFs, quizzes, and static GK resources, helping aspirants stay updated without distraction.
👉 Read more at Daily Current Affairs
🇮🇳 NATIONAL AFFAIRS
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s Official Visit to India (12–13 Jan 2026)
The Federal Chancellor of Germany, Friedrich Merz, visited India at the invitation of Narendra Modi, marking his first official visit to India and Asia.
🔹 Key Highlights
- Sabarmati Ashram, Gujarat: Paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi
- International Kite Festival 2026: Inaugurated at Sabarmati Riverfront
- India–Germany Strategic Partnership: Reviewed 25 years of cooperation
- India–Germany CEO Forum: Strengthened economic & corporate ties
- Karnataka Visit: IISc (CeNSE) & Bosch Campus, Bengaluru
- MoUs Signed: 19 agreements & joint declarations
🔹 Major Announcements
- Visa-free transit for Indian passport holders from Germany
- Track 1.5 Foreign Policy & Security Dialogue
- India–Germany Digital Dialogue Work Plan (2025–2027)
Significance:
Strengthens India–Germany cooperation in technology, innovation, mobility, research, and diplomacy.
NITI Aayog’s 4th Export Preparedness Index (EPI) 2024
Released by NITI Aayog CEO B. V. R. Subrahmanyam in New Delhi.
🧾 Top Rankings
| Category | Rank 1 | Rank 2 | Rank 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Large States | Maharashtra | Tamil Nadu | Gujarat |
| Small States | Uttarakhand | J&K | Nagaland |
📌 Key Facts
- Edition: 4th (first launched in 2020)
- Coverage: FY 2021-22 to FY 2023-24
- Structure: 4 pillars, 13 sub-pillars, 70 indicators
- Objective: Support India’s USD 1 trillion exports target by 2030
India’s BRICS Chairship 2026
Union Minister S. Jaishankar launched the logo, theme, and website of BRICS India Chairship 2026.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Chairship Period | Jan–Dec 2026 |
| Theme | Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation & Sustainability |
| Logo | Lotus with “Namaste” symbolism |
| Website | brics2026.gov.in |
Significance:
India’s 4th BRICS Chairship, coinciding with 20 years of BRICS, reinforces India’s leadership in Global South cooperation.
Amit Shah Launches ₹629 Cr Projects in Gujarat
Union Home Minister Amit Shah unveiled multiple projects in Mansa & Ahmedabad.
Key Projects
- ₹267 Cr sports complex (2036 Olympics vision)
- Underground sewerage & fire station
- PAGE – Pharma Academy for Global Excellence
- India’s first BSL-4 Bio-Containment Lab at GBRC
- Malav Lake redevelopment
UNSW (Australia) to Open Campus in Bengaluru
- University: University of New South Wales (UNSW)
- Location: Manyata Tech Park, Bengaluru
- Operational by: August 2026
Courses Offered
- UG: Commerce, Media, Computer Science, Data Science
- PG: Cyber Security
Aligned with India–Australia Education & Research Cooperation (2025–2030).
ICAR–NDDB MoU for Dairy Sector
- Entities: Indian Council of Agricultural Research & National Dairy Development Board
- Purpose: Boost research, innovation & productivity in dairy sector
‘Inspiring Innovators – Naye Bharat Ki Nayi Pehchaan’
Launched by Ministry of Information & Broadcasting with Office of PSA and Netflix Fund for Creative Equity.
- Implemented by: Graphiti Studios
- Participants: 26 students (50% women)
- Focus: Innovation storytelling & creative skilling
Tamil Nadu Partners with Sarvam AI
- Project: India’s First Sovereign AI Park
- Location: Chennai
- Investment: ₹10,000 crore
- Focus: AI governance, public services, Tamil-first AI models
Galgotias University Inaugurates IIT-Mandi Catalyst Centre
- Location: Greater Noida, UP
- Purpose: Startup incubation, deep-tech innovation
- MoUs: NIT Jamshedpur & Jharkhand University of Technology
🌍 INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
Henley Passport Index 2026
Released by Henley & Partners.
| Rank | Country | Visa-Free Destinations |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Singapore | 192 |
| 2 | Japan, South Korea | 188 |
| 80 | India | 55 |
India improved from 85th (2025) to 80th (2026).
🏦 BANKING & FINANCE
PFRDA Forms Committee on Assured NPS Payouts
- Chair: M. S. Sahoo (former IBBI Chairperson)
- Members: 15 experts
- Purpose: Frame assured payout framework under NPS
Karnataka Bank Enables Khajane-2 e-Receipts
- Platform: Net Banking
- Integration: RBI e-Kuber & Khajane-2
- Benefit: Online payment of state taxes & fees
📉 ECONOMY & BUSINESS
World Bank Global Economic Prospects – Jan 2026
Released by World Bank
| Year | India GDP Growth |
|---|---|
| FY26 | 7.2% |
| FY27 | 6.5% |
| FY28 | 6.6% |
🏅 AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
UN Secretary-General’s Award 2025
- Awardee: Major Swathi Shantha Kumar (Indian Army)
- Category: Gender
- Mission: UNMISS (South Sudan)
- Project: Equal Partners, Lasting Peace
📅 IMPORTANT DAYS
Armed Forces Veterans’ Day – 14 January 2026
- Edition: 10th
- Venue: Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi
- Significance: Retirement of Field Marshal K. M. Cariappa
🏛️ STATE NEWS
Karnataka Launches Gruha Lakshmi Digital Marketing Portal
- Launched by: DWCD, Govt of Karnataka
- Objective: Promote women entrepreneurship & digital inclusion
- Linked Scheme: Gruha Lakshmi (₹2,000/month)
📌 Key Highlights for Exams
- Germany–India Strategic Partnership completes 25 years
- Maharashtra tops EPI 2024
- India assumes BRICS Chairship 2026
- India climbs to 80th in Henley Passport Index
- World Bank projects India’s FY26 GDP at 7.2%
🧠 One-Liners for Quick Revision
- Friedrich Merz made his first official visit to India in Jan 2026.
- Maharashtra topped NITI Aayog’s Export Preparedness Index 2024.
- India assumed BRICS Chairship from Jan–Dec 2026.
- UNSW will open a campus in Bengaluru by August 2026.
- Tamil Nadu will host India’s first Sovereign AI Park.
- India ranked 80th in Henley Passport Index 2026.
- PFRDA formed a committee on assured NPS payouts.
- World Bank raised India’s FY26 GDP growth to 7.2%.
- Major Swathi Shantha Kumar won UN SG Award 2025.
- Armed Forces Veterans’ Day is observed on 14 January.
❓ Exam-Oriented FAQs
Q1. Who topped the Export Preparedness Index 2024?
👉 Maharashtra
Q2. What is the theme of BRICS India Chairship 2026?
👉 Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation & Sustainability
Q3. Which country topped Henley Passport Index 2026?
👉 Singapore
Q4. Who chaired PFRDA’s NPS assured payout committee?
👉 M. S. Sahoo
Q5. When is Armed Forces Veterans’ Day observed?
👉 14 January
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