Current Affairs - January 13, 2026 Current Affairs

India has officially launched the logo and dedicated website for its BRICS Presidency 2026, marking the beginning of preparations for assuming the chairship. The announcement was made by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, who highlighted the presidency’s focus on resilience, innovation, cooperation, and sustainability. The initiative reflects a people-centric and inclusive vision aimed at strengthening collaboration among emerging economies. With BRICS completing 20 years in 2026, India’s leadership seeks to promote shared development, enhance digital engagement through a central platform, and position the grouping as a key forum for addressing global challenges faced by the Global South.

The National Highways Authority of India achieved a major milestone by setting four Guinness World Records for bituminous paving on the NH-544G economic corridor connecting Bengaluru, Kadapa, and Vijayawada. The records included laying 28.89 lane-kilometres of pavement and using 10,655 metric tonnes of bitumen within 24 hours near Puttaparthi in Andhra Pradesh on January 6, 2026. A second record followed on January 11, 2026, with 57,500 metric tonnes of bitumen and 156 lane-kilometres of paving completed, surpassing previous global benchmarks and highlighting India’s growing infrastructure execution capabilities.

India and Germany reinforced their long-standing strategic partnership through the India–Germany Joint Statement 2026 issued during the official visit of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. The visit focused on expanding cooperation across defence, trade, technology, climate action, and global security. Germany committed to deeper defence collaboration, participation in major military exercises, and enhanced defence manufacturing partnerships. Economic ties were further strengthened with growing bilateral trade and investment, while cooperation in green development, digital technologies, and critical emerging sectors such as semiconductors and space research was emphasised. The partnership reflects shared democratic values and a joint commitment to a rules-based global order.

India will host the 28th CSPOC in New Delhi from 15–16 January 2026, bringing together Speakers and Presiding Officers from over 60 Commonwealth nations. The conference aims to promote knowledge-sharing, strengthen parliamentary institutions, and enhance understanding of diverse democratic practices. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the event at the historic Samvidhan Sadan, reflecting India’s constitutional legacy. Chaired by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, the sessions will focus on contemporary issues such as the use of AI in Parliament, social media impact, and legislative efficiency. Hosting CSPOC reinforces India’s position as the world’s largest democracy and a leader in parliamentary values.

The 5th Tri-Services Veterans Day parade was organised at Marine Drive and witnessed the participation of over 500 veterans, including gallantry award recipients. The event was flagged off by Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan and attended by senior officers from the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Mumbai is notable for being the only city in India to host a city-level Veterans Day parade. The parade commemorates the retirement of Field Marshal K. M. Cariappa in 1953, honouring the contributions and sacrifices of veterans across the three services.

Ola Electric has expanded its operations beyond electric vehicles by launching the ‘Shakti’ home battery energy storage system (BESS), manufactured at its Krishnagiri Gigafactory in Tamil Nadu. The system provides reliable power backup for homes, farms, and small businesses, supports fast charging, and comes in multiple configurations to meet varied energy needs. With IP67-rated batteries and support for appliances like air conditioners and farm pumps, Shakti addresses India’s growing demand for decentralised and clean energy solutions. This launch positions Ola as a key player in India’s residential energy storage market and contributes to the country’s clean energy transition.

Kerala has launched the ERONET system to simplify the voter verification process for Non-Resident Indians under the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Through this digital platform, NRI voters can submit necessary documents online without attending hearings in person, making the process more accessible and efficient. Kerala’s Chief Electoral Officer highlighted that the initiative reduces procedural barriers, speeds up electoral roll corrections, and encourages greater participation of overseas voters. This move reflects Kerala’s continued focus on leveraging technology to strengthen democratic processes and improve the overall efficiency of election administration.

The 5th LG Cup Ice Hockey Tournament commenced at the Biamathang rink in Kargil, marking an important sporting event in the Ladakh region. The opening match featured Drass Warriors competing against the Indian Army team. The tournament includes participation from ten men’s teams and five women’s teams drawn from different parts of Ladakh, highlighting the growing popularity of ice hockey in the region. Organised by the Department of Youth Services and Sports, UT Ladakh, the event is also being live-streamed through Akashvani Kargil’s YouTube channel, ensuring wider public engagement and visibility.

The Uttar Pradesh Regional AI Impact Conference 2026 is scheduled to be organised in Lucknow, the capital city of Uttar Pradesh. The event is being jointly hosted by IndiaAI, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), and the Government of Uttar Pradesh. It is part of a national series of eight Regional AI Impact Conferences conducted under the IndiaAI framework. The conference will serve as an official precursor to the IndiaAI Impact Summit 2026, which will take place later in New Delhi, highlighting Lucknow’s importance in India’s growing artificial intelligence ecosystem.

Jio has announced plans to launch a people-first artificial intelligence platform designed to make AI accessible, affordable, and inclusive for citizens. The platform will be built in India with the objective of enabling users to access AI services in their own languages and on their personal devices. To support this initiative, Jio is developing India’s largest AI-ready data centre in Jamnagar, Gujarat, which will provide the necessary infrastructure for large-scale deployment. The initiative reflects a broader vision of digital inclusion, productivity enhancement, and positioning India as a global leader in artificial intelligence innovation.

The Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM), developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), was successfully flight-tested at the KK Ranges located in Maharashtra. This advanced third-generation missile features a fire-and-forget capability, an Imaging Infrared (IIR) seeker, and a tandem warhead designed to defeat modern armored battle tanks. The test validated its performance against moving targets during both day and night conditions. With Bharat Dynamics Limited and Bharat Electronics Limited as production partners, the missile system has now been cleared for induction into the Indian Army, strengthening India’s indigenous defence capabilities.