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Daily Current Affairs 19th January 2026 Daily GK Update
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National News
NITI Aayog Releases Export Preparedness Index 2024
- NITI Aayog released the Export Preparedness Index (EPI) 2024, the 4th edition of the index, which assesses export readiness across India’s States and Union Territories; the first edition was published in August 2020.
- The EPI 2024 aligns with India’s goals of achieving USD 1 trillion in merchandise exports by 2030 and the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047, providing an evidence-based framework for strengthening subnational export ecosystems.
- The Index evaluates the strength, resilience, and inclusiveness of export systems at the State and district levels, while identifying structural challenges, growth drivers, and policy opportunities.
- The EPI 2024 framework is based on 4 pillars, 13 sub-pillars, and 70 indicators, enabling a granular and policy-relevant assessment of export preparedness.
- The four pillars are Export Infrastructure, Business Ecosystem, Policy & Governance, and Export Performance, covering areas such as logistics, finance, MSMEs, human capital, and trade facilitation.
- States and UTs are categorised into Large States, Small States, North Eastern States, and UTs, and further classified as Leaders, Challengers, and Aspirers to encourage peer learning.
- Top performers in EPI 2024 include Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and Andhra Pradesh among Large States, and Uttarakhand, Jammu & Kashmir, Nagaland, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu, and Goa among Small States, North Eastern States, and UTs.
Makaravilakku Festival Celebrations Commence at Sabarimala Temple in Kerala
- The annual Makaravilakku festival celebrations have begun at the Sabarimala temple in Kerala, attracting thousands of devotees of Lord Ayyappa.
- The festival is observed on Makara Sankrama night, considered one of the most sacred occasions in the Sabarimala pilgrimage calendar.
- The highlight of the festival is the Makarajyothi, a divine celestial light that appears in the evening at Ponnambalamedu, witnessed by lakhs of pilgrims.
Government and Netflix Conclude ‘Inspiring Innovators – Naye Bharat Ki Nayi Pehchaan’ Initiative
- The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser, in collaboration with Netflix Fund for Creative Equity, concluded the ‘Inspiring Innovators – Naye Bharat Ki Nayi Pehchaan’ initiative.
- The programme aimed to promote social innovation through impactful storytelling while training young creative talent across India.
- The initiative was implemented with the support of Graphiti Studios, focusing on nurturing innovation-driven narratives.
IPA Launches Pharmaceutical Academy for Global Excellence (PAGE) in Ahmedabad to Bridge Industry Skill Gap
- The Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA) has launched the Pharmaceutical Academy for Global Excellence (PAGE) in Ahmedabad, Gujarat to address the gap between academic output and industry-ready skills in India’s pharmaceutical sector.
- The initiative was inaugurated in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and the Gujarat Chief Minister, with IPA committing USD 50 million to establish and operate the programme.
Kochi to Host 9th International Spice Conference (ISC 2026) in February
- Kochi, Kerala, will host the 9th International Spice Conference (ISC 2026) from February 23 to 26, bringing global focus to India’s role in the international spice economy.
- Organised by the All India Spices Exporters Forum (AISEF), the four-day conference themed “Spice 360 – Getting Future Ready” will address challenges like changing trade dynamics, climate change and evolving consumer preferences.
- The conference will be inaugurated by Amitabh Kant, former G20 Sherpa and ex-CEO of NITI Aayog, with Martin Sonntag, CEO of Oterra, attending as Guest of Honour.
About Kerala
- Capital – Thiruvananthapuram
- Chief Minister – Pinarayi Vijayan
- Governor – Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar
Centre Launches ‘Paripoorna Mediclaim Ayush Bima’ for CGHS Beneficiaries
- The Department of Financial Services launched Paripoorna Mediclaim Ayush Bima for Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) beneficiaries, offering cashless treatment, modern medical procedures, and access to a wide hospital network.
- The policy is exclusively for CGHS beneficiaries, covering up to six family members per policy, and provides indemnity-based in-patient hospitalisation coverage within India.
- Beneficiaries can choose a sum insured of ₹10 lakh or ₹20 lakh, with an optional co-payment structure of 70:30 or 50:50 between the insurer and the subscriber.
- The insurance will be available as a retail product without GST to ensure affordability and can be purchased through New India Assurance Company Limited’s offices and online platform.
Banking & Financial News
DFS Launches Composite Salary Account Package for Central Government Employees with Banking and Insurance Benefits
- The Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance, launched a composite ‘Salary Account Package’ for Central Government employees to provide integrated banking and insurance benefits, supporting the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 and Insurance for All by 2047.
- Banking features include zero-balance salary account, free RTGS/NEFT/UPI, concessional loans for housing, education, vehicles, personal needs, locker fee waivers, and family banking benefits.
- Insurance coverage includes Personal Accident Insurance up to ₹1.5 crore, Air Accident Insurance up to ₹2 crore, Disability cover up to ₹1.5 crore, Term Life Insurance up to ₹20 lakh, and comprehensive health insurance with top-up options.
- Digital and card benefits offer enhanced debit/credit card perks, including airport lounge access, reward programs, cashback offers, unlimited transactions, and nil maintenance charges.
- DFS has advised Public Sector Banks to publicize the scheme, organize awareness camps, guide employees, and facilitate migration of existing salary accounts with employees’ consent.
World Bank Raises India’s GDP Growth Forecast to 7.2% for FY 2025–26
- The World Bank has revised India’s GDP growth forecast upward to 7.2% for FY 2025–26, citing strong domestic demand, supportive tax reforms, and resilient exports despite global trade uncertainties.
- In its flagship report “Global Economic Prospects”, the World Bank raised the estimate by 0.9 percentage points from its earlier 6.3% projection made in June.
- India is expected to remain the fastest-growing major economy, though growth is projected to moderate to 6.5% in 2026–27 and 6.6% in 2027–28.
GDP Projection List 2026
- NSO – 7.4% (FY26)
- UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) – 7.4% (FY26); 6.6% (FY27) and 6.8%(FY28)
- Goldman Sachs –3% (FY25); 6.8% (FY26)
- India Ratings & Research – 6.9% (FY27)
- ADB –7.2%(FY26)
- Fitch Rating – 7.4% (FY25)
- Ind-Ra – 7% (FY26)
- CRISIL – 7% (FY26)
Tripura Gramin Bank Launches India’s First Solar-Powered ATM Van to Boost Rural Banking
- Tripura Gramin Bank became the first Regional Rural Bank in India to introduce India’s first fully solar-powered mobile ATM van, named “TGB on Wheels.”
- The project was launched with the support of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development. NABARD
- The initiative earned the bank the SKOCH Group Silver Award, recognising excellence in governance, innovation, and public service delivery.
- The initiative was inaugurated on July 21, 2023, by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, and currently, three solar-powered ATM vans are operational, supporting basic banking transactions in hard-to-reach locations.
About Tripura
- Capital – Agartala
- Chief Minister – Manik Sarkar
- Governor – Indra Sena Reddy Nallu
Innoviti Technologies Receives RBI Authorization to Operate as Payment Aggregator
- Innoviti Technologies Private Limited has received a Certificate of Authorization from the Reserve Bank of India to operate as a Payment Aggregator.
- The authorization, granted under the Payments and Settlement Systems Act, 2007, allows Innoviti to manage both online and in-store payment transactions across India.
Wholesale Inflation Turns Positive at 0.83% in December 2025
- Wholesale Price Index (WPI)-based inflation rose to 83% in December 2025, marking the second consecutive monthly increase and a return to positive territory after deflation in October (-1.21%) and November (-0.32%).
- The rise in wholesale inflation was driven by higher prices of manufactured products, food and non-food articles, with manufactured goods inflation increasing to 1.82% and non-food articles inflation rising to 2.95%, while food deflation moderated sharply.
- DPIIT releases the data. Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) is a central government department under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Recent WPI-based Wholesale inflation in India
- August 2025 –52%
- September 2025 – 0.13%
- October 2025 – (-)1.21%
- November 2025 – (-) 0.32%
- December 2025 – 0.83%
RBI Approves Japan’s SMBC to Set Up Wholly-Owned Subsidiary in India
- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved Japan’s Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) to establish a wholly-owned subsidiary in India, marking its first step to expand operations locally.
- The move allows SMBC to provide full-fledged banking services in India under the subsidiary structure, strengthening its presence in the growing Indian market.
- At present, SMBC operates in India through four branches located in: New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Bengaluru.
RBI Recognises FEDAI as Self-Regulatory Organisation for All Authorised Dealers
- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has officially recognised the Foreign Exchange Dealers’ Association of India (FEDAI) as a Self-Regulatory Organisation (SRO) for all Authorised Dealers.
- FEDAI applied for recognition under the Omnibus Framework for SROs, and RBI noted that it has already been functioning like an SRO through its rules governing member conduct.
- FEDAI has one year to align its functioning and governance with the Omnibus SRO framework and extend membership to all categories of Authorised Dealers.
- Established in 1958 under Section 25 of the Companies Act, FEDAI governs inter-bank foreign exchange operations, liaises with RBI, and plays a key role in the development and reform of India’s forex market.
- SRO – An industry body that makes rules for its members and ensures they follow those rules.
Appointments
Praveen Kumar Named BSF Chief, Shatrujeet Singh Kapoor Appointed DG ITBP
- The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved the appointment of Shatrujeet Singh Kapoor, a 1990-batch IPS officer of the Haryana cadre and former Haryana DGP, as Director General (DG) of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) till October 31 or until further orders.
- Praveen Kumar, a 1993-batch IPS officer of the West Bengal cadre, currently serving as DG, ITBP, has been appointed as Director General of the Border Security Force (BSF), holding the post till September 30, 2030 or until further orders.
- Praveen Kumar is presently holding dual charge of DG, BSF and DG, ITBP following his new appointment.
- The ACC also cleared the appointment of Rakesh Aggarwal, a 1994-batch IPS officer, as Director General of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), with tenure up to July 31, 2028 or until further orders.
About Border Security Force (BSF)
- It is a central armed police force in India, under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
- Founded- 1 December 1965
- Founder- Khusro Faramurz Rustamji
- Constituting instrument – Border Security Force Act 1968
- Headquarters – New Delhi
- Director General- Praveen Kumar
About Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP)
- It is a central armed police force in India, under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
- Formed- 24 October 1962
- Headquarters- New Delhi
- Director Genaral – Shatrujeet Singh Kapoor
About National Investigation Agency (NIA)
- It is the principal counter-terrorism law enforcement agency in India.
- It was established under the National Investigation Agency Act, 2008.
- It operates under the administrative control of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
- Formed- 2009
- Headquarters- New Delhi
- Director General – Rakesh Aggarwal
Obituary
Senior Kerala Congress Leader Thomas Kuthiravattam Passes Away at 80
- Senior Kerala Congress leader Thomas Kuthiravattam passed away at the age of 80 after battling age-related ailments.
- A native of Kallissery, Chengannur, he had a long and notable career in Kerala politics, including serving as a Rajya Sabha member from 1985 to 1991.
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