Current Affairs for 19 January 2026: Today's National and International News for Competitive Exams
Staying updated with today's current affairs is essential for competitive exam preparation. The 18 January 2026 current affairs cover major developments in national governance, international diplomacy, economy, sports, and technology that are frequently asked in SSC, UPSC, banking, railway, and other government exams. This comprehensive guide provides exam-focused coverage of all major events.
India – National Current Affairs
1. PM Modi Launches Major Infrastructure Projects in Assam
Prime Minister Narendra Modi performed the Bhoomi Pujan for the Kaziranga Elevated Corridor Project worth over ₹6,950 crore on January 18, 2026, in Kaliabor, Assam. The 86-km elevated corridor along NH-715 (Kaliabor-Numaligarh section) aims to reduce wildlife-vehicle conflicts while ensuring smooth traffic flow. Additionally, PM Modi flagged off two new Amrit Bharat Express trains: Guwahati (Kamakhya)-Rohtak and Dibrugarh-Lucknow (Gomti Nagar). This is important for questions on infrastructure development and wildlife conservation initiatives in Northeast India.
2. US President Trump Invites India to Gaza Peace Board
According to sources on January 18, 2026, US President Donald Trump has invited India to join the "Gaza Peace Board," a newly formed initiative requiring member nations to contribute $1 billion for permanent seats. This development highlights India's growing diplomatic influence in Middle Eastern affairs and is crucial for questions on India's foreign policy and international peacekeeping efforts.
3. DGCA Imposes Record ₹22.20 Crore Fine on IndiGo
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) imposed a historic penalty of ₹22.20 crore on IndiGo airline on January 17-18, 2026, for massive flight disruptions in December 2025. The airline cancelled 2,507 flights and delayed 1,852 flights between December 3-5, affecting over 3 lakh passengers. Additionally, DGCA ordered IndiGo to deposit a ₹50 crore bank guarantee and issued warnings to CEO Pieter Elbers and senior management for violations of Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) norms. This is important for aviation sector and regulatory authority questions.
4. India Post Enters E-Commerce as ONDC Logistics Partner
The Department of Posts achieved a milestone by delivering its first online order through the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) on January 15, 2026. The first order was booked on January 13 by UdyamWell, an initiative supporting rural entrepreneurs. Operating under the "Click & Book" model, India Post now offers nationwide logistics services to ONDC sellers, strengthening digital commerce for MSMEs and small businesses. Relevant for questions on digital India initiatives and public sector modernization.
5. BJP Announces 'One District, One Product' for West Bengal
Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar, on January 18, 2026, announced that BJP would implement the 'One District, One Product' policy if voted to power in West Bengal elections 2026. This mirrors the successful UP model and is important for state election developments and economic policy questions.
6. New Delhi IGI Airport Flight Disruptions for Republic Day
Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport issued warnings about flight disruptions from January 21-26, 2026, due to Republic Day rehearsals and airspace restrictions. Flights will be suspended daily from 10:20 AM to 12:45 PM during this period. This is relevant for current events and Republic Day 2026 preparation questions.
7. Railway Refund Rules Tightened for Vande Bharat and Amrit Bharat
Indian Railways announced stricter refund rules for Vande Bharat Sleeper and Amrit Bharat trains in January 2026, making cancellation policies more stringent for passengers. This is important for questions on railway operations and passenger services.
8. Delhi-NCR Schools Under GRAP Stage 4 Review
Due to severe air quality under GRAP (Graded Response Action Plan) Stage 4 restrictions, authorities are reviewing whether to shift schools in Noida, Delhi, and Gurugram to online mode for January 19, 2026. This highlights environmental challenges and policy responses relevant for exam questions.
9. Doon Medical College Hostel Ragging Incident
Two senior students of Doon Medical College, Dehradun – Pragyansh Pawar (MBBS 2024) and Mohd. Shakib (MBBS 2023) – were expelled from the hostel on January 18, 2026, following a ragging complaint. This underscores anti-ragging measures in educational institutions.
10. Kolkata Police 'Safe Drive Save Life' Marathon
Kolkata Police flagged off the 'Safe Drive Save Life' Half Marathon 2026 on January 18 to promote road safety awareness. The 21-km event saw enthusiastic participation to highlight traffic safety initiatives.
International Current Affairs
1. Trump's Greenland Tariff Threats Escalate NATO Tensions
US President Donald Trump threatened to impose 10% tariffs on European countries, including Denmark, unless they agree to sell Greenland to the United States. On January 18, 2026, European ambassadors held an emergency meeting to address these threats. British PM Keir Starmer held calls with Denmark's PM Mette Frederiksen, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte to coordinate responses. Eight European nations warned of a "dangerous downward spiral." This is critical for international relations and NATO questions.
2. World Economic Forum Davos 2026 Begins
The World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting commenced in Davos, Switzerland, in mid-January 2026, with US President Donald Trump scheduled to address the forum on January 20 (Wednesday). Key participants include EU President Ursula von der Leyen, Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng, and French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday. The forum focuses on global economic challenges, geopolitical tensions, and climate action.
3. Iran Protests Escalate with High Casualties
According to Reuters reports on January 18, 2026, at least 5,000 people have died during ongoing protests in Iran, including approximately 500 security personnel. The unrest reflects significant political instability in the Middle East region, important for international affairs questions.
4. Minneapolis Mayor Opposes Federal Troop Deployment
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey criticized the Trump administration on January 18, 2026, after more than 1,500 active-duty soldiers were ordered to prepare for possible deployment to Minnesota for immigration enforcement. Frey called it an attempt to "intimidate" the city and described the action as "unconstitutional," highlighting federal-state tensions in the United States.
5. Trump Proposes $1 Billion 'Peace Council' for Gaza
President Trump announced a Gaza "Peace Council" where countries can purchase permanent seats for $1 billion, with all funds directed toward Gaza reconstruction. Members who don't pay get three-year terms. Leaders from multiple nations, including India, have been invited. The board includes former British PM Tony Blair and Canadian PM Mark Carney, but notably excludes Palestinian Authority representatives.
6. Russia Announces Satellite Internet Network by 2027
Russia's Roscosmos announced on January 18, 2026, plans to launch "Zorky," a domestic satellite internet network similar to Starlink, with serial production beginning in 2026 and full deployment by 2027. Over 300 satellites will be placed in orbit, marking Russia's push for technological independence.
7. Germany Records 20-Year High in Corporate Insolvencies
Germany reported 17,604 corporate insolvencies in 2025, the highest in 20 years, surpassing even the 2009 financial crisis levels. This economic indicator reflects challenges in Europe's largest economy and is relevant for global economic analysis questions.
8. African Cup of Nations Concludes in Morocco
The African Cup of Nations (AFCON) football tournament, hosted by Morocco from December 21, 2025, concluded on January 18, 2026. This is important for international sports events and African affairs questions.
Economy & Banking
1. RBI Financial Stability Report Highlights Banking Health
The Reserve Bank of India's December 2025 Financial Stability Report (FSR) assessed that India's economy registered strong GDP growth of 7.8% in Q1 FY 2025-26 and 8.2% in Q2, supported by robust private consumption and public investment. The Gross Non-Performing Assets (GNPA) ratio of Scheduled Commercial Banks declined to a multi-decadal low of 2.1-2.2% as of September 2025. Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets Ratio (CRAR) remained strong at 16% for public sector banks and 18.1% for private banks.
2. RBI Warns on Unsecured Loans and Fintech Risks
The FSR flagged that unsecured loans contributed nearly 76% of slippages for private banks versus 15.9% for public sector banks. Fintech lending grew 36.1% but shows elevated impairment among borrowers with loans from five or more lenders. Over 70% of fintech portfolios consist of unsecured loans, posing systemic risks.
3. RBI Cautions on Stablecoins Threat to Monetary Sovereignty
The RBI warned that widespread adoption of foreign-currency-denominated stablecoins could undermine India's monetary sovereignty, weaken policy transmission, and facilitate money laundering. This is crucial for questions on digital currency and financial stability.
4. RBI Repo Rate Cut to 5.25%
In early January 2026, the Reserve Bank of India reduced the repo rate by 25 basis points to 5.25% despite GDP growth of 8.2% and headline inflation at 1.7%. This shift reflects a move from rigid inflation targeting toward supporting credit-constrained sectors, particularly the informal economy.
5. RBI to Manage Delhi Government Banking Operations
From January 9, 2026, the RBI took over general banking operations and rupee public debt management of the Government of NCT Delhi under Section 21A of the RBI Act, 1934. This arrangement mirrors similar agreements with other state governments.
6. RBI Liquidity Support Measures
The RBI announced plans to inject nearly ₹3 trillion into the banking system through Open Market Operations (OMOs) of ₹2 trillion and a $10 billion (approximately ₹83,000 crore) three-year USD/INR swap auction conducted on January 13, 2026. These measures address temporary liquidity deficits caused by advance tax and GST payments.
7. New Digital Banking and Compliance Rules Effective 2026
From January 1, 2026, only banks approved under new RBI digital banking guidelines can provide internet, mobile, USSD, and SMS services. Stricter Know Your Customer (KYC) compliance and enhanced cybersecurity protocols are now mandatory. Banks must also implement revised digital payment framework with 2-factor or risk-based authentication from April 1, 2026.
8. Gold and Silver Price Trends
Gold and silver prices showed fluctuations in mid-January 2026 across major Indian cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata, reflecting global market volatility and domestic demand patterns. Regular monitoring is important for commodity pricing questions.
Science, Technology & Environment
1. ISRO's PSLV-C62 Mission Failure
ISRO's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle PSLV-C62 mission, launched on January 12, 2026, from Sriharikota, failed due to a technical anomaly in the third stage (PS-3). The rocket was carrying the EOS-N1 (Anvesha) earth observation satellite and 15 co-passenger satellites. The third-stage instability caused insufficient velocity, preventing orbit insertion. All 16 satellites re-entered Earth's atmosphere and likely burned up. This marks only the fourth failure in PSLV's 64-mission history and the second involving the third stage. ISRO constituted a failure analysis committee to investigate.
2. ISRO's Upcoming Gaganyaan Uncrewed Mission
ISRO is preparing for the Gaganyaan program's first uncrewed mission (HLVM3-G1/OM1) scheduled for early 2026, featuring a humanoid to demonstrate end-to-end mission capabilities. Following three successful uncrewed tests, India aims to launch astronauts in 2027, with the LVM3 rocket being "human-rated" for higher reliability.
3. India's Space Mission Calendar for Q1 2026
ISRO has scheduled multiple missions for Q1 2026 including PSLV-C63/TDS-01 to demonstrate high-thrust electric propulsion and quantum key distribution; PSLV-N1/EOS-10 (Oceansat-3A) for oceanographic studies; and commercial Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) missions through NewSpace India Limited.
4. Shubhanshu Shukla's ISS Mission Underway
Indian astronaut (Gaganyatri) Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla launched aboard SpaceX's Dragon crew module on Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-04) to the International Space Station. ISRO conducted student interactions with Shukla from ISS, and he acknowledged the ISRO team's support. This represents India's growing human spaceflight capabilities.
5. ISRO's SpaDeX Docking Success
On January 16, 2025, ISRO successfully completed the docking of two SpaDeX satellites (SDX-01 & SDX-02), demonstrating India's autonomous docking technology crucial for future space station operations and lunar missions.
6. Cabinet Approves Third Launch Pad
The Union Cabinet approved establishment of India's third launch pad to expand launch capacity and support increased commercial space activity, reflecting India's growing space economy ambitions.
7. ISRO Successfully Tests Gaganyaan Service Module
ISRO conducted successful hot tests of the Gaganyaan Service Module Propulsion System, advancing preparations for India's first crewed space mission. The tests validated critical propulsion technologies for orbital maneuvers.
8. Climate and Environmental Concerns
Delhi and NCR regions continued experiencing severe air quality issues under GRAP Stage 4 restrictions in mid-January 2026, with authorities considering school closures and vehicle restrictions. Weather forecasts for January 18 indicated variable conditions across Tamil Nadu and other regions.
Sports & Important Days
1. New Zealand Wins First-Ever ODI Series in India
On January 18, 2026, New Zealand defeated India by 41 runs in the 3rd ODI at Indore to clinch their first-ever bilateral ODI series victory in India, winning 2-1. Daryl Mitchell scored 137 and Glenn Phillips made 106 in New Zealand's 337/8. Despite Virat Kohli's 124, India was bowled out for 296. Mitchell's fourth ODI century against India and fourth in India further strengthened his No. 1 ICC ODI batting ranking push against Kohli.
2. ICC Women's T20 World Cup Qualifier 2026 Begins
The ICC Women's T20 World Cup Qualifier 2026 commenced on January 18, 2026, in Nepal (Kathmandu/Kirtipur). Ten teams are competing for four qualification spots to the ICC Women's T20 World Cup in England and Wales. Group A includes Bangladesh, Ireland, Namibia, Papua New Guinea, and USA; Group B comprises Nepal, Netherlands, Scotland, Thailand, and Zimbabwe. The tournament follows a round-robin group stage and Super Six format.
3. ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2026 Underway
The ICC Under-19 Men's Cricket World Cup 2026 (15 January-6 February) is being held across Zimbabwe and Namibia. On January 18, three matches were scheduled: England U19 vs Zimbabwe U19 (Harare), New Zealand U19 vs USA U19 (Bulawayo), and West Indies U19 vs Afghanistan U19 (Windhoek). India U19 defeated Bangladesh U19 and USA U19 in their opening matches.
4. Australian Open 2026 Tennis Grand Slam
The Australian Open 2026 began on January 18, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia, running until February 1. Top players including Novak Djokovic and Iga Świątek started their campaigns. This is the first Grand Slam of 2026.
5. Women's Premier League (WPL) 2026 Ongoing
The Women's Premier League continued with exciting matches on January 17-18. UP Warriorz defeated Mumbai Indians in consecutive victories, while Smriti Mandhana scored 98 to power RCB to an emphatic win over DC. The tournament runs from January 9 to February 5, 2026.
6. SA20 2025 T20 League
South Africa's SA20 T20 league continued through January 2026, with matches including Sunrisers Eastern Cape vs MI Cape Town and Pretoria Capitals vs Joburg Super Kings. The tournament runs until January 25, 2026.
7. Mauni Amavasya – Important Religious Day
January 18, 2026, marked Mauni Amavasya, observed in the Krishna Paksha of Magha month. The Amavasya tithi lasted until 1:22 AM on January 19. This day is considered highly auspicious for holy baths in sacred rivers, Shraddha ceremonies, charitable acts, and observing silence (Maun Vrat). Millions across India participated in religious observances.
8. National Reunification Day (Russia)
January 18 is observed as the Day of Reunification of Russia, commemorating the Pereyaslav Rada of 1654 when Ukrainian Cossacks pledged allegiance to Russia. This historical event is significant in Russian-Ukrainian historical narratives.
Quick Revision Points for MCQ Preparation
- PM Modi launched Kaziranga Elevated Corridor worth over ₹6,950 crore on January 18, 2026, in Assam.
- DGCA fined IndiGo ₹22.20 crore for December 2025 flight disruptions affecting 3 lakh passengers.
- India Post delivered first ONDC order on January 15, 2026, as a Logistics Service Provider.
- RBI's GNPA ratio declined to 2.1-2.2% as of September 2025, a multi-decadal low.
- ISRO's PSLV-C62 mission failed on January 12, 2026, due to third-stage technical issues.
- New Zealand won first-ever ODI series in India on January 18, 2026, defeating India 2-1.
- ICC Women's T20 World Cup Qualifier 2026 started on January 18 in Nepal with 10 teams competing.
- Trump invited India to Gaza Peace Board requiring $1 billion contribution for permanent membership.
- Australian Open 2026 began on January 18 in Melbourne, the first Grand Slam of 2026.
- Mauni Amavasya observed on January 18, 2026, in Magha month's Krishna Paksha.
- RBI reduced repo rate to 5.25% in early January 2026, down 25 basis points.
- US President Trump threatened 10% tariffs on European nations over Greenland dispute.
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