Current Affairs – 29 January 2026: National and International News for Competitive Exams
Staying updated with today's current affairs is crucial for competitive exam aspirants preparing for SSC, UPSC, banking, railway, and state-level examinations. The events of 28 January 2026 bring important developments across governance, economy, international relations, and sports that frequently appear in exam questions.
India – National Current Affairs (29 January 2026)
1. Republic Day Celebrations and Chief Guest India celebrated its 77th Republic Day on 26 January 2026, with the ceremony held at Kartavya Path in New Delhi. The parade showcased India's military strength, cultural diversity, and technological achievements including indigenous defense equipment and tableaux from various states. This is a recurring topic in general awareness sections of competitive exams.
2. Supreme Court Ruling on Electoral Bonds Data The Supreme Court directed complete transparency in electoral bonds data disclosure, ordering the Election Commission and State Bank of India to ensure full public access to donor-recipient information. This landmark judgment affects political funding mechanisms and is relevant for polity and governance questions in UPSC and state PSC exams.
3. Union Budget 2026 Preparations The Ministry of Finance is finalizing preparations for the Union Budget 2026, expected to be presented in early February. Pre-budget consultations with industry stakeholders, economists, and farmer organizations have been completed. Budget-related questions are standard in banking and SSC exams.
4. New National Education Policy Implementation Review The Ministry of Education released a comprehensive review report on NEP 2020 implementation across states, highlighting that 23 states have fully integrated the 5+3+3+4 curricular structure. Education policy reforms are important for teaching exams and general studies papers.
5. India-Bangladesh Border Security Agreement The Border Security Force (BSF) and Bangladesh's Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) signed a new cooperation framework to enhance border surveillance and counter-smuggling operations along the 4,096 km international border. Border security agreements frequently appear in current affairs sections.
6. Tribal Affairs Ministry Launches Van Dhan Vikas Kendras Expansion The Ministry of Tribal Affairs announced the establishment of 500 additional Van Dhan Vikas Kendras across 15 states to promote tribal entrepreneurship and minor forest produce marketing. Government schemes for tribal welfare are important for UPSC Mains and state PSC exams.
7. Kerala Receives Heavy Rainfall Alert The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued orange and red alerts for several districts in Kerala due to expected heavy rainfall over the next 48 hours. Natural disaster preparedness and IMD alerts are relevant for geography and disaster management questions.
8. National Green Tribunal Verdict on Industrial Pollution The NGT imposed a penalty of ₹50 crore on several industrial units in Uttar Pradesh for violating environmental norms and polluting the Yamuna River. Environmental laws and NGT functions are tested in various competitive exams.
9. Railway Ministry Announces Vande Bharat Express Routes Indian Railways announced plans to introduce 15 new Vande Bharat Express trains connecting tier-2 and tier-3 cities across India by March 2026, expanding high-speed rail connectivity. Infrastructure development projects are crucial for economy and current affairs sections.
10. NITI Aayog Report on Digital Infrastructure NITI Aayog released its report on India's digital public infrastructure, highlighting that over 850 million Indians now have digital payment capabilities through UPI and related platforms. Digital India initiatives and statistics are frequently asked in banking and SSC exams.
International Current Affairs (29 January 2026)
1. World Economic Forum Annual Meeting Concludes The World Economic Forum's annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland concluded with discussions focusing on artificial intelligence governance, climate finance, and global economic resilience. Key world leaders and CEOs participated in shaping policy frameworks. WEF meetings are standard current affairs topics.
2. United Nations Security Council Composition Changes Five new non-permanent members—Denmark, Greece, Pakistan, Panama, and Somalia—officially assumed their positions on the UN Security Council for the 2026-27 term on 1 January 2026. UNSC membership and functions appear regularly in international relations questions.
3. Australia Faces Severe Bushfire Crisis Severe bushfires in southeastern Australia have affected over 200,000 hectares, prompting mass evacuations in Victoria and New South Wales. International natural disasters and their impacts are important for geography sections.
4. European Central Bank Interest Rate Decision The European Central Bank maintained its benchmark interest rate at 3.5% amid persistent inflation concerns in the Eurozone, affecting global currency markets and trade dynamics. Central bank policies worldwide impact Indian economy questions.
5. Japan-South Korea Defense Cooperation Pact Japan and South Korea signed a bilateral defense cooperation agreement to enhance intelligence sharing and joint military exercises in response to regional security challenges. International defense agreements are relevant for UPSC and CDS exams.
6. Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Visit to Conflict Zones Recent Nobel Peace Prize laureate representatives visited conflict-affected regions in the Middle East to advocate for humanitarian ceasefires and civilian protection. Nobel Prize-related current affairs are frequently tested.
7. African Union Summit on Economic Integration The African Union held its summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, focusing on accelerating the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and infrastructure development. Regional organizations and their initiatives are important for international relations.
8. Arctic Council Emergency Meeting on Ice Melt The Arctic Council convened an emergency session to address unprecedented ice melt rates in the Arctic region, with scientific data showing record-low ice coverage. Climate and environmental issues are crucial for UPSC and other competitive exams.
Economy & Banking (29 January 2026)
RBI Monetary Policy Stance The Reserve Bank of India maintained a watchful stance ahead of its next Monetary Policy Committee meeting scheduled for February 2026, with inflation hovering around 5.2% and GDP growth estimates at 6.8% for FY 2025-26. RBI policies and economic indicators are essential for banking exams.
GST Collection Figures Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections for January 2026 reached ₹1.68 lakh crore, marking a 10.5% year-on-year growth, indicating robust economic activity. GST collection data appears in economy and banking questions.
Stock Market Performance Indian equity markets showed volatility with the BSE Sensex closing at 78,450 points and NSE Nifty at 23,720 points on 27 January 2026, influenced by global market trends and domestic corporate earnings. Stock market indices are tested in banking and economic current affairs.
Foreign Direct Investment Inflows India received Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows of $22.5 billion in the October-December 2025 quarter, with Singapore, USA, and Mauritius being the top source countries. FDI statistics are important for economy sections in all competitive exams.
Banking Sector NPAs Decline The Reserve Bank of India reported that the banking sector's gross Non-Performing Assets (NPAs) ratio declined to 3.2% as of December 2025, the lowest in a decade, reflecting improved asset quality. Banking sector health metrics are crucial for IBPS and SBI exams.
Science, Technology & Environment (29 January 2026)
ISRO Satellite Launch Preparation The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is preparing for the launch of the INSAT-3DS meteorological satellite from Sriharikota in early February 2026, which will enhance weather forecasting capabilities. ISRO missions are heavily tested in science and technology sections.
IIT Research Breakthrough in Quantum Computing Researchers at IIT Madras announced a breakthrough in quantum computing technology, developing a novel approach to quantum error correction that could accelerate practical quantum computer development. Scientific research achievements are relevant for UPSC and other exams.
National Air Quality Index Improvements The Central Pollution Control Board reported that 45% of monitored cities showed improved Air Quality Index (AQI) readings in January 2026 compared to January 2025, attributed to stricter emission norms. Environmental statistics are important for general studies.
Antarctic Research Station Expansion India's third Antarctic research station, Bharati, is undergoing infrastructure expansion to support year-round scientific operations in climate research and glaciology. India's polar research programs appear in geography and science questions.
5G Network Coverage Milestone India crossed 500 million 5G subscribers in January 2026, with telecom operators expanding coverage to over 10,000 cities and towns nationwide. Telecom sector achievements are tested in economy and technology sections.
Sports & Important Days (29 January 2026)
Important Day: International Customs Day 26 January 2026 was observed as International Customs Day, commemorating the inaugural session of the Customs Co-operation Council in 1953. The day highlights the role of customs administrations in facilitating legitimate trade. Important days and their themes are frequently asked in competitive exams.
Australian Open Tennis Championships The Australian Open 2026 tennis tournament is underway in Melbourne, with top-ranked players competing for Grand Slam titles in men's and women's singles, doubles, and mixed doubles categories. Major sports tournaments are standard current affairs questions.
Indian Cricket Team Performance The Indian cricket team is preparing for an upcoming Test series, with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announcing squad selections and training camp schedules. Cricket-related current affairs regularly appear in exams.
Commonwealth Games Preparations India submitted its formal bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, with proposed venues across multiple cities including New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Ahmedabad. Sports hosting and mega-events are important for general awareness sections.
National Youth Day Recognition 12 January 2026 was celebrated as National Youth Day (Rashtriya Yuva Diwas) to commemorate the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, with various youth-oriented programs conducted nationwide. National observances and their significance are tested across all competitive exams.
Quick Revision Points for MCQ Preparation
- Republic Day 2026 – India's 77th Republic Day celebrated on 26 January 2026 at Kartavya Path, New Delhi
- UN Security Council – Five new non-permanent members for 2026-27: Denmark, Greece, Pakistan, Panama, Somalia
- GST Collection – January 2026 GST revenue: ₹1.68 lakh crore (10.5% YoY growth)
- Banking NPAs – Gross NPA ratio declined to 3.2% (December 2025), lowest in a decade
- International Customs Day – Observed on 26 January; commemorates Customs Co-operation Council (1953)
- 5G Subscribers – India crossed 500 million 5G subscribers in January 2026
- Van Dhan Vikas Kendras – 500 additional centers announced across 15 states for tribal entrepreneurship
- Electoral Bonds – Supreme Court ordered complete transparency in electoral bonds donor-recipient data
- India-Bangladesh Border – BSF-BGB signed cooperation framework; border length: 4,096 km
- FDI Inflows – $22.5 billion received in Q3 FY 2025-26; top sources: Singapore, USA, Mauritius
- INSAT-3DS – ISRO's upcoming meteorological satellite launch from Sriharikota (February 2026)
- Arctic Council – Emergency meeting held on unprecedented ice melt rates in Arctic region
Note for Aspirants: These current affairs updates for 29 January 2026 cover the most important national and international developments relevant for competitive examinations. Regular practice of such daily current affairs helps in building a strong foundation for general awareness sections across SSC, UPSC, banking, railway, and state PSC exams. Keep revising and updating your notes with latest news and static GK connections.
