Daily Current Affairs: 19 January 2026

Narendra Modi pledges global recognition for Assam's culture

[Assam]

Key Updates:

• Narendra Modi declared his commitment to ensuring Assam’s cultural heritage receives global recognition.
• Modi attended the Bagurumba Dwhou event in Guwahati and praised the Bagurumba dance as a living celebration of Bodo traditions.
• He accused previous Congress governments of neglecting Bodoland and encouraging illegal infiltration for vote bank politics.
• Modi highlighted the transformation of Assam under BJP governance, attributing peace to the Bodo Peace Accord.

Lt KM Sudha won gold medal at National Cadet Corps (NCC) event

Key Updates:

• Lt KM Sudha, an assistant professor in the history department and an associate NCC officer at Royal Global University under the 30 Assam Battalion NCC, became the first person from the northeast to win a gold medal at the NCC event.
• The event was held at the Officer Training Academy (OTA) in Gwalior.
• She was adjudged the best firer of the OTA after competing among 127 associate NCC officers from across the country.
• She was formally commissioned with the rank of lieutenant and secured an ‘A’ grade in the final merit list.

Keshav Poddar Sworn In as Jersey City Deputy Mayor for Housing and Economic Development

Key Updates:

• Indian-origin attorney Keshav Poddar was sworn in as the Deputy Mayor for Housing and Economic Development of Jersey City.
• He took the official oath of office on the Bhagwat Gita.
• He was selected for the position by Jersey City Mayor-elect James Solomon, after serving as the executive director of the transition team.
• He previously served as an advisor on economic policy in the Joe Biden-Kamala Harris administration, including roles at the National Security Council (NSC) and on the staff of Vice President Kamala Harris.
• He served as the economic policy manager for Kamala Harris during her presidential campaign.
• He held the position of counsel to former New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal, where he worked on the state’s Covid-19 response and criminal justice reform.
• He is a graduate of Yale Law School and holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Government from Dartmouth College.

Prof. Dheeraj Sharma Conferred With Exemplary Governance Leadership Award

Key Updates:

• Prof. Dheeraj Sharma, the Director of Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Rohtak, was conferred with the Exemplary Governance Leadership Award at the 46th World Management Congress.
• The award ceremony was held at the India International Centre in New Delhi following a selection process involving over 1,400 global nominations.
• He was one of only seven individuals shortlisted for the honor by the Congress’s Awards and Appreciation Committee.
• Under his leadership, IIM Rohtak secured international accreditations from the Association of MBAs (AMBA) and the Business Graduates Association (BGA).
• He spearheaded the launch of the Integrated Programme in Management and the Integrated Programme in Law, the latter being the first such law programme among IIMs.
• He was recognized in a 2023 Stanford University list as being among the world’s top 2% researchers.
• IIM Rohtak shifted to its permanent campus in 2018, with the project completed below estimated costs during his tenure.

International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Asian Development Bank (ADB) provide USD 350 million to Piramal Finance.

[International Finance Corporation (IFC), Asian Development Bank (ADB), Piramal Finance]

Key Updates:

• Piramal Finance secures USD 350 million in multilateral funding from IFC and ADB.
• IFC commits USD 200 million and ADB commits USD 150 million.
• Facilities have a five-year tenor and will be drawn in tranches through March 2026.
• Capital will be deployed to expand affordable housing, MSME, and women-focused lending in tier 2 and tier 3 cities.
• Piramal Finance targets an additional USD 150 million from development finance institutions, raising total pipeline to USD 500 million.
• In FY25, the NBFC raised USD 815 million via external commercial borrowings, with ECBs forming 9 percent of total borrowings.

Semmozhi Illakiya Virudhu Classical Language Literary Award carries Rs 5 lakh cash prize

Key Updates:

• The Tamil Nadu government will institute annual literary awards named 'Semmozhi Illakiya Virudhu Classical Language Literary Award' for best works in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Odiya, Bengali and Marathi.
• Each award carries a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh and will be given every year.
• Selection will be entrusted to independent experts through language-specific committees of reputed writers to ensure quality and transparency.

NITI Aayog proposes convergence of MSME schemes to unlock efficiency

Key Updates:

• NITI Aayog released the report 'Achieving Efficiencies in MSME Sector through Convergence of Schemes' recommending convergence of 18 Ministry of MSME schemes.
• The report recommends an AI-powered central portal integrating schemes, compliance, finance and market intelligence.
• It proposes integrating the Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries (SFURTI) with the MSE–Cluster Development Programme under a unified governance structure.
• A dedicated Marketing Assistance Wing with domestic and international components is suggested to streamline market access.
• Skill development initiatives are to be rationalised into a three-tier structure covering entrepreneurship, technical skills and training for rural and women artisans.
• The report stresses safeguarding targeted initiatives such as the National SC/ST Hub and programmes for the North Eastern Region, while retaining flagship schemes like PMEGP and PM Vishwakarma.

Post Graduate Insolvency Programme (PGIP) registrations open for 8th batch; MoU signed with IIIPI–ICAI to strengthen insolvency talent pipeline

Key Updates:

• Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA) announced opening of registrations for the 8th Batch of Post Graduate Insolvency Programme (PGIP).
• IICA signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Indian Institute of Insolvency Professionals of ICAI (IIIPI–ICAI) to foster collaboration in insolvency education, training and research.
• The MoU aims to enhance academic exchange, curriculum development, training programmes and knowledge sharing in insolvency and bankruptcy.
• IIIPI–ICAI will offer specialised modules including preparation for the Limited Insolvency Examination and PREP-like assessments to PGIP students.

Composite Salary Account for Central Govt Staff Unveiled; Integrates Banking, Card & Insurance Benefits

Key Updates:

• The Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance, has launched a composite salary account package for central government employees.
• The scheme integrates banking facilities, insurance coverage, and card services under a single account.
• Banking features include zero-balance salary accounts, free fund transfers via RTGS, NEFT, and UPI, concessional loan rates, and waivers on locker rentals.
• Insurance coverage comprises personal accident insurance up to ₹1.50 crore, air accident insurance up to ₹2 crore, and term life insurance up to ₹20 lakh with top-up options.
• Card-related benefits include airport lounge access, rewards and cashback programmes, unlimited transactions, and no maintenance charges.

Indian Coast Guard and Japan Coast Guard hold 22nd high-level meeting in New Delhi

[Japan]

Key Updates:

• This was 22nd such high-level meeting between the two forces.
• Deliberations focused on enhancing collaboration in Maritime Search and Rescue (SAR), Marine Pollution Response (MPR), Maritime Law Enforcement (MLE) and capacity building.
• Discussions also covered cooperation in emerging areas, including the use of technology, information sharing, training initiatives, and personnel exchanges.
• A Japan Coast Guard National Strike Team (NST) is also visiting Mumbai and will conduct a joint exercise with the ICG pollution response team, focusing on Hazardous and Noxious Substances (HNS) spill response.

India to host second Global Buddhist Summit in New Delhi on 24 and 25 January

Key Updates:

• The second Global Buddhist Summit is scheduled to be held in New Delhi on 24 and 25 January.
• Organised by the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) in collaboration with India’s Ministry of Culture.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to inaugurate the summit as chief guest.
• The theme for this year’s gathering is ‘Collective Wisdom, United Voice, and Mutual Coexistence’.
• More than 200 delegates are expected, including heads of national Buddhist Sanghas, supreme patriarchs, and senior figures from various countries.
• A major highlight will be a live demonstration of NORBU, described as a ‘Neural Operator for Responsible Buddhist Understanding’.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to visit India on January 19, 2026, to boost strategic ties

[United Arab Emirates]

Key Updates:

• UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan will visit India on Monday, January 19, at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated the visit will allow both leaders to “chart new frontiers” for the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
• This marks Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed’s third official visit since assuming office as United Arab Emirates (UAE) president and his fifth in the past decade.
• Bilateral trade between the two nations touched an all-time high of $100.06 billion in FY 2024–25.
• The UAE is currently India’s third-largest trading partner and the second-largest export destination, with exports crossing $36.63 billion in FY 2024-25.
• Relations are bolstered by the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), the Local Currency Settlement (SCS) system, and the Bilateral Investment Treaty.
• Defence cooperation between the nations now spans joint exercises and maritime dialogues, following a recent visit by India’s army chief to the UAE.
• India is set to take over the BRICS presidency in 2026, a grouping the UAE joined in its recent expansion phase.
• Indians constitute the largest expatriate group in the UAE, numbering about 4.3 million people, or roughly 35% of the population.
• The visit coincides with the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting in Davos, scheduled for January 19-23.

India invited to join Donald Trump-led Board of Peace for global conflict resolution

[United States]

Key Updates:

• India was invited to join the Donald Trump-led Board of Peace, which is described as a new International Organization and Transitional Governing Administration meant to embark on a bold new approach to resolving Global Conflict!
• Donald J. Trump will serve as the inaugural Chairman of the Board of Peace and will remain in this position even when he is no longer the President of the United States.
• The organization offers a tenure of three years for members, but nations can become permanent members if they pay $ 1 billion in cash in the first year of membership.
• The Executive Board's founding members include US Secretary of State Marco Rubio; US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff; Trump’s son-in-law and businessman Jared Kushner; former UK prime minister Tony Blair; American businessman Marc Rowan; World Bank Group president Ajay Banga; and US national security adviser Robert Gabriel.
• The Board's charter allows it to work to secure enduring peace in areas not just affected by, but also threatened by conflict.
• The original mandate for the Board was approved by the UN in November 2025 to operate in Gaza until the end of 2027, though the new charter has expanded its scope significantly.
• Invitations for membership have been sent to several countries including Hungary, Albania, Greece, Canada, Turkey, Cyprus, Egypt, Jordan, Paraguay, and Argentina, with Pakistan also reporting an invitation.

ASEAN and India reaffirm shared commitment to strengthen regional digital cooperation

[Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)]

Key Updates:

• The 6th ASEAN-India Digital Ministers Meeting was held virtually under the theme Adaptive ASEAN: From Connectivity to Connected Intelligence.
• The meeting was co-chaired by Telecom Secretary Amit Agrawal and Vietnam’s Minister of Science and Technology Nguyen Manh Hung.
• The ASEAN-India Digital Work Plan 2026 was approved, covering ICT training, the India-ASEAN Regulators’ Conference and telecom ICT solutions deployment.
• A special ASEAN-India Fund for the Digital Future was operationalised.
• India highlighted its Digital Public Infrastructure such as Aadhaar, UPI and DigiLocker, and the Sanchar Saathi initiative for telecom user protection and fraud prevention.
• India underlined cooperation in Artificial Intelligence through the IndiaAI Mission, emphasising safe and trusted AI.

India and Israel sign Joint Ministerial Declaration to deepen fisheries and aquaculture cooperation

[Israel]

Key Updates:

• India and Israel signed a Joint Ministerial Declaration of Intent on 14 January 2026 to strengthen cooperation in fisheries and aquaculture.
• The Indian delegation was led by Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying; and Panchayati Raj, Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh.
• The Declaration was signed during the Second Global Summit on 'Blue Food Security: Sea the Future 2026' held in Eilat, Israel.
• Key cooperation areas include Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS), Biofloc systems, Cage culture, Aquaponics, and Aquarium systems.
• Both countries will explore the establishment of new Indo-Israel Centres of Excellence for Fisheries and Aquaculture.

India launches first open-sea marine fish farming project in Andaman Sea

[Andaman and Nicobar Islands]

Key Updates:

• The pilot project focuses on the open-sea cultivation of marine finfish and seaweed under natural ocean conditions, combining scientific innovation with livelihood generation.
• The project is being implemented through a collaborative effort involving the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India, its technical arm the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), and the Union Territory Administration of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
• Under the marine flora component, seaweed seeds were handed over to local fishing communities to encourage deep-water seaweed cultivation in the open sea.
• Under the marine fauna component, finfish seeds were provided for cage-based farming, using NIOT-developed open-sea cages specifically designed to operate in natural oceanic environments.

NCBS develops Disobind AI to predict binding of intrinsically disordered proteins

Key Updates:

• Researchers at the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) have developed an open-source deep-learning model named Disobind that predicts how intrinsically disordered proteins or regions bind to specific partners.
• Disobind uses protein language models trained on millions of known protein sequences and considers both proteins in an interaction, achieving higher accuracy than leading predictors including AlphaFold-based multimer models.
• The tool applies to immune signalling pathways and proteins involved in cancer and neurodegenerative disorders, aiding disease research, drug design and understanding of complex biological systems.

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Observes Massive Phytoplankton Bloom Near Chatham Islands

[United States]

Key Updates:

• The Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)-20 satellite captured images of a phytoplankton bloom encircling the Chatham Islands on January 10, 2026.
• The Chatham Islands are situated on the Chatham Rise, an underwater plateau that extends eastward from the South Island of New Zealand and separates areas of deeper water.
• Phytoplankton blooms are common in this region where cold, nutrient-rich currents from the Antarctic and warm, nutrient-poor water from the subtropics converge.
• The well-mixed water and long daylight hours in the austral summer boost phytoplankton populations, which serve as the base of the local food web.
• The waters around the islands support productive fisheries for species such as pāua, rock lobster, and blue cod, as well as five seal species and 25 whale and dolphin species.
• Despite the biological abundance, the Chatham Islands are a known hotspot for whale and dolphin strandings, where hundreds of animals are sometimes beached.

Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) discovers rare subterranean amphibian species Gegeneophis valmiki

Key Updates:

• Indian scientists have discovered a rare subterranean amphibian species in the northern Western Ghats of Maharashtra and named it Gegeneophis valmiki.
• The discovery, made by a multi-institutional research team led by the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), has been published in the international journal Phyllomedusa.
• The species was first collected in 2017 by K P Dinesh, senior scientist at ZSI, during surveys on the Valmiki Plateau in Maharashtra's Satara district.
• Members of the genus Gegeneophis, commonly called blind caecilians, live almost their entire lives underground with eyes hidden beneath bone.
• According to ZSI Director Dhriti Banerjee, 41 per cent of amphibians are threatened with extinction globally.

CSIR-CIMFR completes India’s first safety assessment of hydrogen compressor-dispenser

Key Updates:

• CSIR-CIMFR conducted the country’s first-ever comprehensive safety assessment of a hydrogen compressor-dispenser.
• The assessment covered the entire integrated system for safe operation in Gas Group IIC explosive environment.
• The hydrogen compressor-dispenser system uses flameproof and intrinsically safe electrical, instrumentation and mechanical components.
• The safety evaluation was performed on the unit installed at NTPC Ltd’s NETRA campus in Greater Noida.
• Successful assessment removes the need for equipment relocation and enables rollout of hydrogen fuel pumps across India.

Wikimedia Enterprise signs Microsoft, Meta, Amazon, Perplexity, and Mistral AI to paid high-volume API access deals

[Microsoft, Meta, Amazon]

Key Updates:

• Wikimedia Enterprise sells high-speed API access to Wikipedia’s 65 million articles at higher speeds and volumes than the free public APIs provide.
• Bandwidth used for downloading multimedia content had grown 50 percent since January 2024, with bots accounting for 65 percent of the most expensive requests to core infrastructure.
• Human traffic to Wikipedia had fallen approximately 8 percent year over year after the organization updated its bot-detection systems and discovered that much of what appeared to be human visitors were actually automated scrapers built to evade detection.

Chile Declares State of Catastrophe in Ñuble and Biobío Regions

[Chile]

Key Updates:

• Chilean President Gabriel Boric declared a state of catastrophe in the regions of Ñuble and Biobío.
• The wildfires have killed at least 16 people and forced the evacuation of nearly 20,000 residents.
• The fires have destroyed 250 homes and burned nearly 8,500 hectares (around 21,000 acres).