- On 21 January 2026, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) de-licensed the lower 6 GHz band (5925–6425 MHz) for Wi-Fi services. This enables Wi-Fi 6E (Extended) and Wi-Fi 7 (IEEE 802.11be) with speeds up to 9.6 Gbps and ultra-low latency. The move frees 500 MHz spectrum, aligning India with global standards and allowing devices like the Sony PlayStation 5 Pro.
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- Pixxel, a Bengaluru-based space-tech startup, has signed a landmark agreement with IN-SPACe on January 21, 2026, to build India’s first privately-led national Earth Observation (EO) satellite constellation. The consortium, including Dhruva Space, PierSight, and SatSure, will deploy 12 satellites over five years with an investment of ₹1,200 crore.
- Gujarat has set up a satellite manufacturing plant at Khoraj in Sanand, marking a major private space sector step. The facility was inaugurated on January 22, 2026, strengthening India’s push for indigenous satellite production. Developed under the public–private space reforms, it will boost local employment and attract investments.
- On January 23, 2026, PM Narendra Modi flagged off rail and development projects in Thiruvananthapuram. New Amrit Bharat trains and upgraded stations aim to boost regional connectivity. An Innovation Hub was launched to position Kerala as a startup and innovation capital. Healthcare and civic projects, including a radiosurgery centre and new Head Post Office, were also inaugurated.
- On January 23, 2026, President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated Granth Kutir at Rashtrapati Bhavan, a dedicated repository for India's intellectual heritage. It houses over 2,300 books and 50 rare manuscripts across all 11 recognized classical languages of India. This initiative replaces colonial-era literature with indigenous knowledge, promoting the national Gyan Bharatam mission.
- On January 23, 2026, Andhra Pradesh CM Nara Chandrababu Naidu launched the PM SVANidhi Credit Card in Amaravati. Loans worth ₹206 crore were distributed to street vendors across all Urban Local Bodies. The scheme, Pradhan Mantri Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi, provides affordable working capital support.
- On 22 January 2026, Razorpay POS secured the RBI’s Payment Aggregator – Physical (PA-P) licence. This authorises it to process offline, in-store transactions across India. Razorpay now holds all three RBI licences – online, offline, and cross-border payments. The move strengthens its role as a full-spectrum payments provider in India’s fintech ecosystem.
- On 22 January 2026, the Receivables Exchange of India Ltd (RXIL) became the first TReDS platform in India to declare and pay an interim dividend of 21.6%. This marks a milestone in the financial maturity and profitability of the digital MSME financing ecosystem, which earlier depended heavily on policy support. Since its inception in 2016, RXIL has facilitated over ₹2.6 lakh crore in invoice financing, benefiting more than 57,000 MSMEs.
- On January 20, 2026, HDFC Bank received formal approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for the re-appointment of Kaizad Bharucha as a Whole-time Director. Bharucha, who also serves as the Deputy Managing Director, is one of the longest-serving leaders at India’s largest private sector bank.
- On 21 January 2026, the Goa Government signed an MoU with Starlink in Panaji. The aim is to provide satellite-powered digital connectivity and strengthen disaster resilience. Highlights include broadband for schools, healthcare centers, and emergency hubs, ensuring reliable communication in remote areas. The move supports Digital India and Atmanirbhar Bharat, making Goa a model for satellite inclusion.
- The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) discovered a rare blind caecilian species named Gegeneophis valmiki. It was found in the Valmiki Plateau, Satara district, Maharashtra, in the Northern Western Ghats. Caecilians are worm-like, limbless amphibians that live underground and help maintain soil health. This marks the first new species in the genus in over a decade, highlighting hidden biodiversity.
- On 22 January 2026, the Indian Army and HAL laid the foundation stone for a Helicopter MRO Hub at Missamari, Assam. The hub will provide state-of-the-art maintenance and repair for military helicopters in the Northeast. Its strategic location near the Indo-China border ensures faster turnaround and operational readiness.
- On 24 January 2026, Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia laid the foundation stone of the ₹80 crore Agarwood Value Chain Development Scheme in Tripura. The scheme aims to strengthen the entire agarwood ecosystem from cultivation to processing and exports. Highlights include setting up Central Processing Centres, GI tagging, branding support, and farmer empowerment.
- Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY), launched on January 22, 2015 under Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao, has completed 11 years. It is a small savings scheme for girl children, offering high interest rates and tax benefits. Accounts can be opened for girls below 10 years, with maturity after 21 years or marriage after 18. The scheme has ensured financial security and empowerment for millions of families across India.
- On 24 January 2026, the world observed the International Day of Education declared by the UN in 2018. The 2026 theme was “The Power of Youth in Co‑Creating Education”, highlighting youth-led innovation and inclusion. UNESCO events focused on digital literacy, equitable learning, and advancing SDG4 for quality education.
- On January 23, 2026, Vietnam’s Communist Party reappointed To Lam as its General Secretary. This makes him the most powerful political leader in Vietnam for the next five years. To Lam, a former Minister of Public Security, is known for consolidating state power and pushing reforms.
- Former Indian football team defender Ilyas Pasha passed away on January 22, 2026, aged 61. He represented India in the Nehru Cup, SAF Games, and Asian Cup qualifiers. At club level, he was an East Bengal legend, winning 28 trophies in nine years. Remembered as a disciplined, calm, and committed defender, his loss is deeply mourned.
Questions:
Q.1 Which Bengaluru-based startup signed an agreement with IN-SPACe to build India’s first privately-led national Earth Observation satellite constellation?a) Agnikul
b) Skyroot Aerospace
c) Pixxel
d) Bellatrix Aerospace
Answer: c) Pixxel signed a landmark agreement with IN-SPACe to deploy 12 EO satellites over five years with an investment of ₹1,200 crore, marking a major step in private participation in India’s space sector.
Q.2 Who was re-appointed as Whole-time Director and Deputy Managing Director of HDFC Bank in January 2026?
a) Sashidhar Jagdishan
b) Kaizad Bharucha
c) Aditya Puri
d) Suresh Kumar
Answer: b) The RBI approved the re-appointment of Kaizad Bharucha, one of the longest-serving leaders at India’s largest private sector bank.
