postPublished Jan 29, 2026

Daily Current Affairs – 29 January 2026 for Government Exams

The Daily Current Affairs of 29 January 2026 covers crucial updates from banking, economy, national & international affairs, science & technology, defence, awards, and important days. This exam-oriented compilation is essential for UPSC, SSC, Banking, Insurance, Railways, Defence, and State PSC aspirants.

📘 Introduction

Current Affairs play a decisive role in clearing competitive examinations such as UPSC Civil Services, SSC CGL, IBPS PO/Clerk, RBI Grade B, RRB NTPC, Defence exams, and State PSCs.
The Daily Current Affairs – 29 January 2026 focuses on major developments in banking regulations, financial inclusion, science & technology, national reforms, international diplomacy, defence cooperation, and global indices.

📰 Explanation / Main Content

🏦 Banking, Finance & Business

RBI–ESMA MoU on Central Counterparties (CCPs)

Why in News?
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to regulate and supervise Central Counterparties (CCPs).

Key Highlights

Signed on 27 January 2026
Replaces the 2017 MoU
Enables EU regulators to rely on RBI’s supervision of Indian CCPs like CCIL
Improves India–EU financial market integration
May reduce capital charges for European banks operating in India

SEBI Household Investment Survey

Why in News?
A survey by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) showed low participation of Indian households in capital markets.

Key Findings

Only 9.5% households invest in securities markets
Awareness highest for Mutual Funds (53%)
Urban participation higher than rural
Delhi tops with 21% participation

Bharti AXA Life – Swabhimaan Retirement Plan

Non-linked, non-participating Deferred Annuity Plan
Offers guaranteed lifelong income
Joint-life option for spouse
Premium Payment Term: 2, 3 & 5 years
Supports early retirement planning

Priority Sector Lending (PSL) Amendment Directions, 2026

Issued by: RBI

Category	Revised PSL Target
Domestic Commercial Banks	40%
Small Finance Banks (SFBs)	60% (reduced from 75%)
Regional Rural Banks (RRBs)	75%

Important Additions

NCDC added as eligible on-lending entity
Health infrastructure loans up to ₹12 crore
Four types of PSL Certificates (PSLCs)

Revised Integrated Ombudsman Scheme (Effective 1 July 2026)

Covers banks, NBFCs, PPIs, Credit Information Companies
No monetary cap on complaints
Compensation up to ₹30 lakh
Online & centralised complaint handling

🇮🇳 National & State Affairs

IIT Guwahati Predicts Glacial Hazards

Identified 492 potential glacial lake sites
Focus on Eastern Himalayas
Uses Bayesian Neural Networks
Helps disaster preparedness & climate planning

Uttarakhand Uniform Civil Code (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026

Issued under Article 213
Improves enforcement & penalties
Focus on women empowerment & digital governance
Nearly 100% online marriage registrations

Gujarat – Namo Laxmi Scheme

Feature	Details
Beneficiaries	12 lakh girls
Classes	9 to 12
Total Aid	₹50,000 over 4 years
Budget	₹1,250 crore

Kerala Declares Bacillus subtilis as State Microbe

First Indian state to recognise a microorganism
Highlights microbiome research & sustainability

🌍 International Affairs

UNEP ‘State of Finances for Nature’ Report 2026

30:1 imbalance between harmful spending & conservation
Nature-negative finance: USD 7.3 trillion
Introduced Nature Transition X-Curve
Asia leads in Nature-based Solutions (NbS) spending

India–European Union Defence & Security Partnership

First-ever comprehensive defence agreement
Includes maritime security, defence technology, space security
Linked with FTA conclusion
Enhances Indo-Pacific cooperation

🏅 Appointments & Awards

Randhir Singh Resigns as OCA President

First Indian OCA President
Resigned due to health reasons
Successor: Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani

Amelia Valverde Appointed India Women’s Football Coach

Former Costa Rica Women’s Team Coach
Preparing team for AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026

Taylor Swift – Songwriters Hall of Fame

Second-youngest inductee
Ceremony on 11 June 2026
14-time Grammy winner

🔬 Science & Technology

Japan returns last giant pandas to China
Ola Electric gets BIS certification for residential Battery Energy Storage System
Embraer–Adani Defence partnership for Made-in-India Regional Transport Aircraft

📊 Ranking & Index

Global IT Services Brand Valuation 2026

Rank	Company	Brand Value
1	Accenture	USD 42.3 bn
2	TCS	USD 21.2 bn
3	Infosys	USD 16.4 bn

📅 Important Day

International Data Privacy Day – 28 January 2026

Focus: Data protection, cybersecurity & digital governance
Linked with Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023

📌 One-Liner Points for Quick Revision

RBI–ESMA signed MoU on CCP regulation on 27 Jan 2026.
Only 9.5% Indian households invest in securities markets.
SFB PSL target reduced to 60%.
IIT Guwahati identified 492 glacial hazard sites.
Uttarakhand amended UCC via ordinance in 2026.
Gujarat’s Namo Laxmi Scheme targets girl education.
Kerala declared Bacillus subtilis as State Microbe.
UNEP report shows 30:1 nature-negative investment gap.
India–EU signed first defence & security partnership.
Taylor Swift to join Songwriters Hall of Fame.

❓ FAQs (Exam-Oriented)

Q1. Who regulates India’s securities market?
SEBI – Securities and Exchange Board of India.

Q2. What is the new PSL target for Small Finance Banks?
60% of ANBC or CEOBSE.

Q3. Which state first implemented Uniform Civil Code in India?
Uttarakhand.

Q4. What is International Data Privacy Day observed for?
Promoting awareness about data protection and privacy.

Q5. Which organism is Kerala’s State Microbe?
Bacillus subtilis.

🔗 Useful Resources for Aspirants

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