Monthly Current Affairs & Key Questions for NDA & Competitive Exams – January 2026
Staying updated with monthly current affairs is vital for NDA aspirants tackling the GAT section and SSB interviews. This blog distills key events from national, international, defence, economy, science, and sports domains during January 2026, sharpening your GK edge for MCQs and officer-like awareness.
Key Monthly Current Affairs Highlights
Politics & Governance
Republic Day Governance Highlights
The Republic Day parade emphasized ‘Viksit Bharat’ themes, with tableaux from Odisha (winning for UAV corridor) and others showcasing governance initiatives like digital India and women empowerment. PM Modi’s address focused on self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat) and anti-corruption drives, reinforcing policy continuity post-2024 elections.
International Political Developments
Venezuela’s interim leader Delcy Rodriguez proposed amnesty laws for political reconciliation after Maduro’s exit, amid Latin American realignments. Azerbaijan released four Armenian prisoners as a peace gesture, advancing Caucasus stability talks. These reflect global governance trends, vital for SSB discussions on diplomacy and conflict resolution.
Other Key Appointments and Policies
- Union Cabinet approved extensions for key panels like the National Health Mission, aligning with budget previews.
- India’s push for UNSC permanent seat gained traction in QUAD+ summits, with FM Jaishankar’s visits to UAE and Japan.
Such events test aspirants on appointments, MoUs, and India’s foreign policy stance.
Master these for NDA’s dynamic GK—Padma recipients and Republic Day facts recur in 20% of current affairs questions.
Defence & International Relations
Defence Budget Surge and Reforms
India’s Union Budget 2026 allocated Rs 7.85 lakh crore to defence—a 15% jump from FY25-26’s Rs 6.81 lakh crore—prioritizing post-Operation Sindoor capabilities against Pakistan and China threats. Funds target AI warfare, cyber defence, and supply chain fixes; the Army declared 2026 the “Year of Networking and Data Centricity” with AI surveillance rollout. This shift to ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ now sees 91% indigenous ammunition, vital for questions on defence economics and reforms.
Key Indigenous Inductions and Deals
- Four Project 17A stealth frigates (Taragiri, Mahendragiri, Dunagiri, Vindhyagiri) joined the Navy by late January, equipped with DRDO’s Uttam AESA radars for Indo-Pacific ops.
- IAF advanced LCA Tejas Mk-1A deliveries despite engine delays, plus C-295 transports from Tata-Airbus; Army inducted Akash-NG missiles (50km range), V-BAT drones, and loitering munitions.
- Major contracts eyed: 210 Tejas Mk-2 jets, 12 hypersonic missiles, R-37M air-to-air missiles as IAF stop-gaps, and Project 75(I) submarines—India’s largest deal surpassing Rafale.
DRDO showcased these at Republic Day 2026 parades, including NETRA AEW&CS clearance and swarm drone controls.
International Relations and Exports
- India renewed UAE defence MoU for joint exercises and tech transfer, amid QUAD+ momentum; FM Jaishankar’s visits boosted UNSC bid talks.
- Southeast Asia ties strengthened with BrahMos missile sales and MRO hubs; Indrajaal’s Rs 100 crore counter-drone systems deployed at Army-Navy sites against eastern border threats.
- US completed Al-Asad Airbase handover to Iraq, signaling Middle East shifts; South Sudan clashes drew UN warnings, relevant for conflict analysis.
Strategic Tech Advances
Budget emphasized AI from labs to battlefield: autonomous drones, image ISR, predictive maintenance. HAL eyes 30 Tejas Mk-2 annually post-2033; Army plans 30,000 drones with unified swarm tech. These high-tech leaps position India as a defence export hub, recurring in NDA’s defence tech MCQs.
For NDA aspirants, these facts fuel 25-30% of defence-related questions—master procurement lists, budgets, and pacts for SSB edge on operational readiness.
Economy & Environment
Economic Growth and GDP Projections
India’s real GDP grew 7.4% in FY 2025–26 per first advance estimates, with nominal GDP at 8%, driven by services (9.1%), manufacturing/construction (7%), and agriculture (3.1%). Deloitte forecasts FY25-26 at 7.5%-7.8%, moderating to 6.6%-6.9% in FY26-27 due to high base effects; Economic Survey pegs medium-term potential at 7%. Private consumption hit 61.5% of GDP (highest since FY12), with investment (GFCF) at 7.8% and 30% GDP share, cementing India’s fastest-major-economy status.
Union Budget FY 2026-27 Highlights
Presented January 31, the budget emphasized investment-led growth: Rs 7.85 lakh crore capex (up 15%), schemes for container manufacturing (Rs 10,000 crore over 5 years), rejuvenating 200 legacy clusters, and City Economic Regions (Rs 5,000 crore/region). Focus on MSMEs, Tier II/III infra, energy security, and manufacturing in strategic sectors like construction equipment. Fiscal consolidation continues with deficit targets, tax cuts, and Viksit Bharat alignment.
RBI and Monetary Policy
RBI held repo rate at 5.25% through 2026 (80% economist consensus for Feb 4-6 MPC), balancing growth, rupee stability (hit 86.95 low), and liquidity injections ($23B via bonds/swaps). Export/Import Regulations 2026 issued for trade facilitation amid US tariff risks; new FTAs eyed with UK, NZ, Oman, EU.
World Bank Partnership
India-World Bank launched $8-10B annual Country Partnership Framework (CPF) till FY31, targeting jobs, private investment, reforms for Viksit Bharat 2047—largest such engagement.
Environment and Climate News
India faced hotter, drier February post-warm January (31.5% less rain), threatening wheat/rapeseed crops on record 33M+ ha sowing. Budget prioritizes climate tech, resource resilience; global outlook notes fiscal supports amid geo-risks.
These metrics fuel NDA’s economy section (e.g., GDP drivers, RBI tools)—track for 15-20% weightage in GAT.
Science & Technology
ISRO Space Milestones
ISRO kicked off 2026 with PSLV-C62 launch on January 12 from Sriharikota, deploying EOS-N1 (Anvesha)—a DRDO hyperspectral satellite (heavy payload) for border surveillance, asset detection, and environmental monitoring via advanced light spectrum imaging. Mission included 18 international co-passengers and OrbitAID’s AayulSAT, India’s first on-orbit refueling demo for sustainable ops. Plans ramp up to 50 annual launches with private sector, advancing semi-cryo engines, electric propulsion, quantum comms, and in-orbit servicing.
DRDO Achievements and Collaborations
DRDO celebrated 68th Foundation Day (Jan 1) with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh; secured record 22 AoN clearances worth Rs 1.30 lakh crore for indigenous systems—the highest ever. Tech Development Fund transferred 7 items like jammer power supplies and waterjet propulsion to forces. Signed pact with France’s DGA for AI, quantum, cyber, propulsion; aligns with SDG 9/16/17.
Key Scientific Innovations
- India Science Festival 2026 (Jan 10, Pune): Drew 25K+ students, focused AI ethics, space, radio astronomy; awards to Ashish Vaswani (Rising Diaspora Scientist), Arnab Bhattacharya (Science Comm); speakers incl. Nobel’s Venki Ramakrishnan, astronaut Shukla.
- Quantum/Chip Breakthroughs: QpiAI-Indus full-stack 25-qubit quantum computer launched (National Quantum Mission); DHRUV64 indigenous microprocessor.
- Biotech: BIRSA 101, CSIR-IGIB’s CRISPR gene therapy for sickle cell, targeting tribal areas.
Emerging Tech Trends
Shift to ‘Intelligent India’ via AI/cloud (Sarvam 2B Indic LLM, Shuka 1.0 audio model under IndiaAI Mission), edge computing, 5G for smart cities/healthcare. Startups build sovereign AI; domestic security tech cuts imports.
These advances position India in global tech elite—expect NDA MCQs on ISRO missions (e.g., Anvesha apps), DRDO AoNs, quantum milestones for 10-15% S&T score boost.
Sports
Khelo India Winter Games 2026
Hosted in Leh-Ladakh and Gulmarg (Jan 20 start), Haryana topped Phase 1 medal tally with 4 golds in ice hockey/skating; Indian Army defended men’s ice hockey title (3-2 vs Chandigarh). Ladakh’s Skarma Tsultim shone with 4 medals (incl. 500m track/relay), Maharashtra’s Ishaan Darvekar/Anvayee Deshpande grabbed 3 each, Telangana’s Nayana Sri Talluri 2 golds—figure skating debuted as Olympic prep.
Hockey India League (HIL)
Men’s HIL: Kalinga Lancers led early, Ranchi Royals notched first win; double-headers featured SG Pipers vs Hyderabad Toofans, HIL GC vs Tamil Nadu Dragons. Women’s: SG Pipers clinched maiden title vs Shrachi Bengal Tigers in shootout; Accord Tamil Nadu Dragons beat JSW Soorma HC 3-2.
Cricket Domestic/International
Women’s Premier League (WPL) ran Jan 9-Feb 5 across cities; Indian Street Premier League T10 (Jan 9-Feb 6). IND vs NZ tour (Nov-Jan): NZ won historic ODI series 2-1 (first on Indian soil), India led T20I 3-1 by month-end; Vijay Hazare Trophy: Vidarbha’s maiden win vs Saurashtra.
Badminton and Other Events
India Open Super 750 (Jan 13-18, New Delhi): PV Sindhu, Satwik-Chirag Rankireddy won openers at BWF Malaysia Open Super 1000. Cycling: Pune Grand Tour UCI 2.2 (Jan 19-23); Polo: KogniVera Cup (Jan 26-Feb 1, Jaipur). Athletics: India at World Cross Country Championships (Jan 10)—no medals.
Padma Awards Sports Honors
Republic Day (Jan 26): Vijay Amritraj (Padma Bhushan, Tennis), Rohit Sharma/Harmanpreet Kaur/Savita Punia (Padma Shri, Cricket/Hockey)—recognizing sustained excellence.
January primed India’s 2026 super-year (T20 WC, BWF Worlds)—track leagues/medals for NDA’s 10% sports GK weightage.
Importance for NDA and Other Aspirants
Monthly revision builds unshakeable static-dynamic GK fusion, powering 35-40% of GAT MCQs as seen in recent NDA exams. It hones SSB’s current events discussion, proving officer potential through informed opinions on defence deals or global tensions. Regular updates ensure 380+ safe scores.
Practice Question
Q1. Which satellite was deployed by ISRO’s PSLV-C62 on January 12, 2026, for hyperspectral imaging?
a) Gaganyaan
b) EOS-N1 (Anvesha)
c) NETRA
d) SSLV
Answer: b)
Q2. What record did DRDO achieve on its 68th Foundation Day in January 2026?
a) 22 AoN clearances worth Rs 1.30 lakh crore
b) First quantum computer launch
c) 50 missile tests
d) HAL merger
Answer: a)
Q3. India’s Union Budget 2026-27 allocated how much for capex, up 15%?
a) Rs 5 lakh crore
b) Rs 7.85 lakh crore
c) Rs 10 lakh crore
d) Rs 6.81 lakh crore
Answer: b)
Q4. RBI held repo rate steady at what level through 2026?
a) 6.5%
b) 5.25%
c) 4.75%
d) 7%
Answer: b)
Q5. Which state topped Khelo India Winter Games 2026 Phase 1 medal tally?
a) Ladakh
b) Maharashtra
c) Haryana
d) Jammu & Kashmir
Answer: c)
Q6. How many Padma Awards were announced on Republic Day 2026?
a) 113
b) 138
c) 139
d) 132
Answer: b)
Q7. Which team defended the men’s ice hockey title at Khelo India Winter Games 2026?
a) Chandigarh
b) Indian Army
c) Haryana
d) Maharashtra
Answer: b)
Q8. India’s FY 2025-26 real GDP growth estimate is?
a) 6.5%
b) 7.4%
c) 8%
d) 5.9%
Answer: b)
5. Closing Words & Coaching Mention
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