Current Affairs - January 16, 2026 Current Affairs

Malaysia Airlines partnered with the Mumbai Indians as their Associate Sponsor and Official Global Airline Partner to strengthen its brand presence in India and international markets. The collaboration was launched with a symbolic release of 100 Wau Bulan kites in Mumbai during Makar Sankranti. By partnering with a franchise that has over 55 million fans, Malaysia Airlines aims to enhance its hospitality offerings, engage diverse audiences, and leverage the global appeal of the Indian Premier League to boost its brand visibility and market reach.

The World Bank has revised India’s GDP growth projection upward to 7.2% for FY26, up from an earlier estimate of 6.3% in June 2025. This revision reflects strong domestic demand, robust private consumption, and the positive impact of tax reforms that have improved disposable incomes, particularly in rural areas. Despite global uncertainties, including US tariffs on imports, India is expected to remain the fastest-growing major economy in FY26. The growth moderation to 6.5% is projected only for FY27, making 7.2% the accurate forecast for the current fiscal year.

Similipal National Park, located in Odisha, recorded an increase in its crocodile population from 81 to 84 during the census conducted from January 5 to 8. The survey covered 20 locations across eight major water bodies, with the Deo River alone accounting for 60 crocodiles. This growth is attributed to sustained conservation efforts, including hatchling releases from the Ramatirtha breeding centre. The rise reflects the effectiveness of targeted wildlife management strategies and highlights Odisha’s commitment to preserving and enhancing biodiversity in its protected areas.

The 28th CSPOC Conference, bringing together Speakers and Presiding Officers from over 60 Commonwealth countries, was held in New Delhi. Chaired by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, the conference focused on strengthening parliamentary democracy and institutional development. Key sessions addressed the use of artificial intelligence in parliamentary processes, the impact of social media on governance, public engagement strategies, and the well-being of MPs. Hosting the event in India’s capital underscored the country’s role in fostering international parliamentary collaboration and showcased its commitment to democratic practices and legislative innovation.

Mount Aconcagua, the highest peak outside Asia at 6,967 metres, is located in Argentina. HAL-sponsored mountaineer Aritra Roy achieved a significant milestone by summiting this peak on January 7, 2026, after completing a challenging 44-km solo climb in extreme conditions, including −40°C temperatures, blizzards, and snowstorms. This ascent is part of Roy’s ongoing Seven Summits challenge, which follows his earlier climb of Mount Everest. His accomplishment highlights extraordinary endurance, technical skill, and resilience, reinforcing India’s presence in global mountaineering achievements.

National Startup Day 2026 is observed on January 16, marking a decade of the Startup India Initiative launched in 2016. This day celebrates India’s transformation into one of the world’s largest startup ecosystems, highlighting innovation, entrepreneurship, and inclusive economic growth. Over the last ten years, startups have significantly contributed to employment, technological advancement, and regional development, with increasing participation from women and Tier II/III cities. The celebration reflects the government’s continued support for innovation-led growth, including flagship schemes like the Fund of Funds for Startups, Startup India Seed Fund, and mentorship platforms that strengthen India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Senior IPS officer Rakesh Aggarwal, a 1994-batch officer of the Himachal Pradesh cadre, has been appointed as the Director General of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) with tenure approved until his retirement on August 31, 2028. Prior to this, he served as Special Director General in the NIA and was holding additional charge as DG. His appointment, approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, ensures continuity in leadership at India’s premier counter-terrorism body. Aggarwal’s extensive experience in counter-terrorism will strengthen operational efficiency, inter-agency coordination, and the prosecution of terror-related cases nationwide.

Odisha is preparing to roll out India’s first state-wide CKD patient registry by March 31. This initiative aims to systematically track chronic kidney disease prevalence and enable targeted healthcare interventions. A dedicated task force, supported by AIIMS, ICMR, and NIC, will ensure reporting across health facilities, from primary health centres to medical colleges. The move is critical given that the state recorded nearly 19,900 CKD cases and 4,718 deaths over three years, with diabetes and hypertension contributing to 60% of cases. The registry will strengthen disease monitoring, policy planning, and preventive care strategies in the region.

Karnataka Bank won the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) Banking Technology Award 2026 in the category of Best Fintech & DPI Adoption. The award recognizes the bank’s strong integration of digital public infrastructure (DPI) platforms, fintech innovations, and customer-centric digital banking solutions. In addition to this main award, Karnataka Bank received runner-up status in the Best Tech Talent category and special mentions for digital banking, financial inclusion, and technology-driven innovation. This achievement highlights the bank’s ability to leverage technology to enhance efficiency, broaden financial access, and strengthen its position in India’s evolving digital banking ecosystem.

The Centre appointed senior IPS officer Shatrujeet Singh Kapoor as the Director General of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) on January 14, 2026. Kapoor, a 1990-batch officer from Haryana cadre, succeeds Praveen Kumar, who has been reassigned as DG of the Border Security Force (BSF). The appointment ensures experienced leadership for ITBP, responsible for guarding India’s Himalayan borders, and strengthens internal security management. Such high-level postings are approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) and are crucial for continuity, operational efficiency, and strategic oversight of India’s border forces.