Weekly Current Affairs (15–21 January 2026) for Government Exams: UPSC, SSC, Banking & More

1️⃣ Introduction | Why This Week Matters

The third week of January 2026 witnessed major developments in India’s global diplomacy (BRICS, Germany, Japan, EU), financial sector reforms (RBI, PFRDA, World Bank, IMF), infrastructure & green energy, and defence & science initiatives.
Such topics are frequently asked in UPSC, SSC, Banking, RBI Grade B, Insurance, Railways, Defence & State PSC exams.

2️⃣ Explanation / Main Content (Week-wise Consolidation)

🇮🇳 National Affairs

India–Germany Strategic Engagement

• German Chancellor Friedrich Merz paid his first official visit to India.
• Reviewed 25 years of India–Germany Strategic Partnership.
• Key Outcomes:
  • 19 MoUs signed
  • Visa-free transit for Indian passport holders
  • Cooperation in green hydrogen, semiconductors, skilling & digital tech
• Exam Angle: Strategic partnerships, technology diplomacy.

India’s BRICS Chairship 2026

• Announced by S. Jaishankar.
• Theme: Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation & Sustainability.
• India assumes chairship from Jan–Dec 2026, coinciding with 20 years of BRICS.
• Static Link: BRICS members, expansion, Global South leadership.

Major National Initiatives

• Second Nationwide Dolphin Survey launched under Project Dolphin.
• India Post delivered its first ONDC order, entering logistics services.
• Startup India completed 10 years (National Startup Day – 16 Jan).
• 9th International Spice Conference 2026 to be held in Kochi, Kerala.

🌍 International Affairs

Global Diplomacy & Summits

• EU leaders Ursula von der Leyen and António Costa to attend India’s 77th Republic Day.
• Japan FM Toshimitsu Motegi visited India; AI Dialogue & Critical Minerals JWG launched.
• DOSTI-17 trilateral Coast Guard exercise held with Sri Lanka & Maldives.
• Uganda Election: Yoweri Museveni re-elected for 7th term.

Rankings & Indices

• Henley Passport Index 2026:
  • India ranked 80th (improved from 85th).
• Responsible Nations Index 2026:
  • India ranked 16th globally.

🏦 Banking & Finance

RBI & Financial Sector Reforms

• Reserve Bank of India recognised FEDAI as Forex Self-Regulatory Organisation (SRO).
• RBI approved SMBC (Japan) to set up a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary (WOS) in India.
• Banks & NBFCs mandated to adopt Automated Complaint Management System.

Pension & Insurance

• PFRDA constituted expert committee on assured NPS payouts, chaired by M. S. Sahoo.
• Composite Salary Account Package launched for Central Govt employees.
• Paripoorna Mediclaim Ayush Bima introduced for CGHS beneficiaries.

Banking Innovations

• Canara Bank adopted plugin-based UPI via NPCI BHIM Services Ltd.
• Karnataka Bank enabled Khajane-2 e-Receipts for state taxes.
• SBI revised ATM & IMPS charges (effective Feb 2026).

📉 Economy & Business

Global & Domestic Outlook

• World Bank projected India’s GDP growth:
  • FY26: 7.2%
  • FY27: 6.5%
• International Monetary Fund raised FY26 growth to 7.3%.
• WPI Inflation (Dec 2025) turned positive at 0.83%.

Major Projects

• World’s largest Green Ammonia Project announced at Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh.
• Adani–Embraer to set up India’s first commercial aircraft Final Assembly Line (FAL).

🛡 Defence & Security

• Indian Army Day 2026 (15 Jan): 78th Army Day parade held in Jaipur.
• Ammunition Manufacturing Facility inaugurated in Nagpur.
• INS Sagardhwani flagged off for Sagar Maitri-V mission.
• INSV Kaundinya completed historic voyage to Muscat, Oman.

🔬 Science & Technology

• Tamil Nadu–Sarvam AI MoU for India’s first Sovereign AI Park (₹10,000 crore).
• UNSW (Australia) to open Bengaluru campus by August 2026.
• Global Ice Vault launched in Antarctica for climate research.
• DST–NIDHI Centre of Excellence launched at IIM Ahmedabad.

🏛 State News

• Rajasthan notified its first fully organic village body.
• Kerala topped personal four-wheeler EV adoption.
• Karnataka launched Gruha Lakshmi Digital Marketing Portal.
• MSME Technology Centres approved in Himachal Pradesh.

🏅 Awards, Books & Sports

• UN Secretary-General’s Award 2025 won by Major Swathi Shantha Kumar.
• Toby Kiers won Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement.
• Mitchell Starc & Laura Wolvaardt named ICC Players of the Month.
• Hindi edition of “Palanivelu GUTS” released.

👤 Appointments

3️⃣ Important Tables (Exam-Friendly)

📊 Economic Projections

🌍 Key Rankings

4️⃣ Key Highlights (Quick Scan)

• India assumed BRICS Chairship 2026.
• RBI recognised FEDAI as Forex SRO.
• World Bank & IMF upgraded India’s growth outlook.
• Andhra Pradesh to host world’s largest green ammonia project.
• Tamil Nadu to build India’s first Sovereign AI Park.
• Indian Army celebrated 78th Army Day.

📌 One-Liner Points for Weekly Revision

1. India chairs BRICS from Jan–Dec 2026.
2. World Bank projects India’s FY26 growth at 7.2%.
3. RBI recognised FEDAI as Forex SRO.
4. PFRDA formed committee on assured NPS payouts.
5. India ranked 80th in Henley Passport Index 2026.
6. Kakinada to host world’s largest green ammonia project.
7. Startup India completed 10 years.
8. Canara Bank adopted plugin-based UPI model.
9. Kerala leads personal EV four-wheeler adoption.
10. Indian Army Day observed on 15 January.

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