Sunday, Jan 11
Daily current affairs for 11 January 2026 with exam-focused key facts, connected news context, and revision notes for UPSC, SSC, banking and government exams.
Today at a glance
[Reserve Bank of India (RBI)]
Key Updates:
India's Foreign Exchange Reserves increased to $696,610 Million for the week ending December 26 from $693,320 Million in the previous week. The reserves reached an all-time high of $704,890.00 Million in September 2024…
India’s foreign exchange reserves fell by $4.472 billion to $688.104 billion in the week ended November 21. Foreign currency assets declined by $1.69 billion to $560.6 billion.
India’s foreign exchange reserves fell by $5.6 billion in the week ended October 31, 2025. The total foreign exchange reserves stood at $689.73 billion as of October 31, 2025, according to the Reserve Bank of India…
India’s foreign exchange reserves increased by $1.03 billion to $687.26 billion for the week ending on December 12, 2025. In the previous reporting week, India's forex reserves had dropped by $1.877 billion to $686.227…
Key Updates:
Gen Z has now become the leading force in India's crypto investments, surpassing millennials for the first time. A CoinSwitch report reveals that investors aged 18-25 now constitute 37.6% of the platform's user base.
The Reserve Bank of India has expanded its alert list of unauthorised online forex trading platforms by adding seven more names, bringing the total count to 95. The newly added platforms are Starnet FX, CapPlace, Mirrox…
Consumer affairs department has proposed that every e-commerce company selling imported products must provide a 'searchable and sortable filter' for 'country of origin' with their product listings. The proposed change in…
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) grants approval to State Bank of India (SBI) and Bank of Baroda (BoB) to set up Indian Digital Payment Intelligence Corporation (IDPIC). IDPIC will be formed as a Section 8 company under the…
Key Updates:
Vice-President Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan delivered the inaugural address at the Bharat Climate Forum 2026, stating that climate action can accelerate inclusive growth, strengthen energy security, and power a future-ready…
COP30 took place in Belém, Brazil, from 10–21 November 2025. Countries agreed on a sweeping package to scale up climate finance and accelerate implementation of the Paris Agreement.
The 16th edition of 'The Emissions Gap Report (EGR) 2025' was released by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Global Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions reached a record high of 57.7 Gigatonnes of Carbon Dioxide…
COP30 Presidency introduced 'Global Mutirão' as the summit’s call for collective climate action Expected adoption of ~100 indicators under the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) to track resilience progress
[United States]
Key Updates:
India, Australia and Canada agreed to form a new trilateral technology and innovation alliance called the Australia-Canada-India Technology and Innovation (ACITI) Partnership. The three sides agreed to strengthen their…
The event was an ‘International conference on critical metals’. The conference was held in Jamshedpur.
PM Modi proposed a G20 initiative to enhance clean energy transitions by boosting recycling, easing supply chain pressures, and advancing joint research on critical minerals. He suggested forging a partnership to make…
India expressed 'strong support' to Brazil for the inclusive leadership at CoP30. India welcomed progress under the Global Goal on Adaptation, noting it reflects recognition of the overwhelming need for adaptation in…
[Syria]
Key Updates:
Thailand and Cambodia signed a ceasefire agreement that took effect at noon local time, calling for a halt in military movements and airspace violations for military purposes. The agreement was signed by Cambodia's…
Syria published the first print issue of the official Al Thawra Al Souriya newspaper for the first time in five years. Al Thawra Al Souriya means 'the Syrian revolution' in Arabic.
Palestinian militants handed over remains of two hostages to the Red Cross in Gaza. The International Committee of the Red Cross confirmed it had facilitated the transfer of the remains as a 'neutral intermediary.'
The U.S. military launched retaliatory strikes on Friday against dozens of ISIS targets in Syria. More than 70 ISIS targets were struck using over 100 munitions from fighter jets, attack helicopters and rocket artillery.
[Chile, United Nations]
Key Updates:
Stefan Priesner of Austria assumed the post of United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator in India on 1 December 2025. He previously served as UN Resident Coordinator in Iran from 2021 to 2025.
Brazil hosted the 17th BRICS Summit earlier this year. India will assume the BRICS chair for 2026.
India reaffirmed its commitment to the ideals of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam and religious harmony at the 11th United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) forum. The Indian delegation was led by P Kumaran, Secretary…
Thailand has formally expressed its ambition to join the BRICS grouping. Thailand is seeking India’s backing ahead of New Delhi’s chairmanship of BRICS in 2026.
[China, Pakistan]
Key Updates:
Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya inaugurated Sanskaar Shaala, a programme for children aged 4 to 14, at Lohia Lions Auditorium in Guwahati. The Governor emphasised that value-based education is essential to shape…
**Project Name:** Gondola cable car project. **Location:** "proposed 1.4km gondola project in Pahalgam" connecting "Yatri Niwas to Baisaran".
The Centre asserted that "90 percent of the Aravalli region will remain 'protected'" under a framework approved by the Supreme Court to prevent large-scale mining. A freeze on new mining leases is in place until a…
The Supreme Court accepted a criterion that a landform with a rise of 100 metres from the surrounding ground qualifies as a hill or mountain. The Aravalli range acts as a natural barrier against desertification, slows…
[Poland]
Key Updates:
United States (U.S.) president Donald Trump warned on January 4 that Washington could raise tariffs on Indian goods if New Delhi does not stop buying Russian oil. At present, Indian shipments face a cumulative 50% import…
Imports of sunflower oil from Russia have shot up twelvefold in the last four years, making it India’s largest supplier, displacing Ukraine. The share of Russian oil in India’s total sunflower oil imports was around 10%…
The Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) outlined a three-step plan for India to protect its trade interests under the ongoing bilateral trade agreement negotiation with America. On October 24, government officials…
Imports of Russian pipeline gas and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) will be prohibited from six weeks after the regulation's entry into force, with a transition period for existing contracts. Russian gas accounts for an…
[Odisha]
Key Updates:
A study conducted between October 2021 and July 2024 detected Uranium (U238) in all breast milk samples analysed from 40 mothers aged 17-35 in Bhojpur, Samastipur, Begusarai, Khagaria, Katihar and Nalanda. Uranium…
The manual version of SWaDeS can be carried by a single person and can meet the emergency requirements of a group of 10-12 personnel. The engine operated system has the capability of purifying sea water having a salinity…
Indore health administration declared the Bhagirathpura waterborne outbreak an epidemic. Specialised teams from ICMR-NIRBI and NCDC were called in to contain the spread and identify contamination sources.
NITI Aayog today released a report on 'Water Budgeting in Aspirational Blocks'. The report marks a significant effort to take forward local water budgeting for effective water management and aligns with the Prime…
[Odisha, Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited (TPREL)]
Key Updates:
Gujarat has installed over 5 lakh rooftop solar systems under PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojna, achieving 1,879 MW aggregate capacity. Residential consumers have availed subsidies worth Rs 3,778 crore under the scheme.
NLC India Limited (NLCIL) has received the Letter of Acceptance (LoA) for the development of its 110MW grid-connected solar photovoltaic power project. The solar power project is located in Uttar Pradesh.
Tata Power plans to set up the country's largest solar wafers and ingots manufacturing plant with a capacity of 10 gigawatts The facility will complete Tata Power's presence across the manufacturing chain; the company…
The Global Energy Leaders’ Summit (GELS) 2025 is set to convene in Puri, Odisha, from December 5 to 7. Positioned as 'a COP for India’s energy sector,' the Summit will bring together policymakers, international experts…
[National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)]
Key Updates:
A U.S.-Russian crew of three began a mission on the International Space Station after being launched there on a Russian spacecraft. A Soyuz booster rocket lifted off from the Russia-leased Baikonur launch facility in…
China has deployed a replacement return capsule to its space station, marking the first emergency launch in its crewed space programme. The Shenzhou-22 spacecraft, loaded with 600 kg of supplies, including food and…
Shenzhou-21 spacecraft docked at the forward port of Tiangong’s Tianhe core module at 3:22 p.m. Eastern (1922 UTC) Oct. 31, according to CMSEO. The mission carries commander Zhang Lu and crewmates Zhang Hongzhang and Wu…
The 14th International Day of Radiology (IDoR 2025) is celebrated worldwide on November 8. The day aims to enhance awareness of the value radiology contributes to safe patient care and to improve public understanding of…
Key Updates:
IIT Madras launched the IITM Global Research Foundation aimed at positioning the institute as the world’s first multinational university. The initiative will operate through four pillars: technology transfer to global…
IIT Delhi is the top-ranked Indian institution in the QS Sustainability Rankings 2026, slipping to rank 205 from last year’s 171. No Indian institute entered the global top 200 in the 2026 rankings.
NITI Aayog proposes allowing foreign higher education institutions to set up campuses in Indian institutions under the ‘campus within a campus’ model with a sunset clause of 10 years. It calls for easing regulations for…
QS World University Rankings: Asia 2026 is published by global higher-education analyst Quacquarelli Symonds. The University of Hong Kong is ranked Asia’s best university in the 2026 edition.