Current Affairs - January 17, 2026 Current Affairs

Tamil Nadu will host India’s first full-stack Sovereign AI Park, established through an MoU with Sarvam AI. The project involves a ₹10,000 crore investment over five years and aims to develop a secure AI ecosystem with dedicated government data centres, innovation clusters, and an institute for AI in governance. The initiative is expected to generate 1,000 high-skilled jobs and promote inclusive growth in the AI sector. By integrating research, innovation, and governance, the AI Park will position Tamil Nadu as a leading hub for advanced AI development and strengthen India’s technological capabilities.

IIT Madras, through its Research Park, partnered with Coromandel International Ltd to set up a Corporate Research Centre. The Centre will serve as a hub for collaborative research programs, technology incubation, talent development, and international partnerships. This initiative aims to accelerate innovation, drive technological advancements, and strengthen the agricultural sector. By leveraging IIT Madras’ research expertise and Coromandel’s industry experience, the partnership is expected to promote applied research, develop cutting-edge solutions for farming, and support sustainable practices in agriculture, ultimately contributing to sectoral growth and knowledge exchange.

Dina Powell McCormick, a former Meta board member, has been appointed as President and Vice Chairman of Meta. In this role, she will join the management team to guide the company’s overall strategy, collaborate with infrastructure teams, and align major investments with long-term objectives. Additionally, she will focus on building strategic capital partnerships and expanding Meta’s investment capacity globally. Her appointment underscores the company’s emphasis on strong leadership to drive innovation, scale operations, and address global technological and financial opportunities while maintaining alignment with Meta’s strategic goals.

Madhya Pradesh hosted the Regional AI Impact Conference 2026, organized by the IndiaAI Mission, MeitY, and the state government in Bhopal. During the event, an MoU was signed to establish 30 Data and AI Labs within the state, contributing to education, skilling, and innovation as part of a larger national rollout of 570 labs. The conference showcased practical AI use cases, recognized contest winners, and highlighted the key pillars of the IndiaAI Mission. This initiative reflects Madhya Pradesh’s growing role in promoting AI-driven development and strengthening India’s technological ecosystem.

Sikkim received the first instalment of XV Finance Commission Untied Grants totaling ₹643.50 lakh for FY 2025‑26, allocated to 5 District Panchayats and 199 Gram Panchayats. Additionally, ₹17.50 lakh from the withheld portion of FY 2024‑25 was released to one eligible District Panchayat. These grants are intended to empower local bodies to address their priority needs, excluding salaries and establishment costs. The funding strengthens decentralized governance, enabling Panchayats to plan and execute development projects based on local requirements, thereby enhancing grassroots democracy and ensuring efficient use of resources in rural areas.

The Karan Fries cow breed is a synthetic breed developed by the National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Karnal, by crossbreeding Holstein Friesian and Tharparkar cattle. This breed is notable for its high milk yield, producing approximately 3,550 kg per lactation, or 11–19 kg daily, with peaks up to 46.5 kg. Karan Fries combines the high productivity of Holstein Friesian with the adaptability and resilience of Indian zebu cattle, making it particularly suited for sustainable dairying in India. Its development represents a significant step toward improving the efficiency and sustainability of the dairy sector in the country.

Garuda Aerospace partnered with Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) to supply indigenous Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) to India’s defence forces. Under this collaboration, BEL serves as the lead bidder, while Garuda Aerospace contributes its expertise in drone design, manufacturing, and deployment. The partnership aims to strengthen India’s self-reliance in defence technology (Aatmanirbhar Bharat) by delivering fully Indian, mission-ready UAS solutions for both defence and internal security applications. This collaboration highlights the growing role of private Indian companies in enhancing the country’s indigenous defence capabilities.

Menkes disease is a rare genetic disorder caused by a mutation that disrupts copper transport in the body, leading to severe developmental and physiological issues in affected children. Zycubo (copper histidinate) is the first FDA-approved treatment for this condition. Administered by injection, it bypasses the defective copper absorption mechanism and significantly improves survival, especially when started within four weeks of birth. Clinical trials showed that early-treated children had a 78% lower risk of death. Monitoring is important due to possible copper toxicity, emphasizing careful management during treatment.

India’s overall unemployment rate for individuals aged 15 and above stood at 4.8% in December 2025, slightly higher than November’s 4.7%. While rural unemployment remained steady at 3.9% and urban female joblessness decreased to 9.1%, the overall rate reflects the aggregate of rural and urban employment trends. The Labour Force Participation Rate increased to 56.1%, and the Worker Population Ratio reached a yearly high of 53.4%, indicating a marginal improvement in workforce engagement. These figures provide insights into employment dynamics, highlighting both stability and gradual changes in the Indian labour market.

Karnataka launched the Gruha Lakshmi Digital Marketing portal to empower women entrepreneurs, particularly rural artisans, by providing a platform to showcase and market their products. The portal features a diverse product range and a user-friendly interface, making it easier for women to reach wider audiences, including global markets. This initiative promotes inclusive economic growth by supporting women-led businesses and encouraging digital participation. By registering on the portal, women entrepreneurs can expand their visibility, enhance sales, and strengthen their contribution to the local and national economy.

Galgotias University inaugurated the IIT Mandi Catalyst Satellite Centre to foster innovation, support early-stage startups, and facilitate the translation of research into market-ready solutions. The centre aims to bridge the gap between research and commercialization, promoting deep-tech innovation and entrepreneurship. Additionally, Galgotias University signed two MoUs with NIT Jamshedpur and Jharkhand University of Technology to enable joint research initiatives, academic exchange, and shared incubation programs. This initiative highlights the university’s role in strengthening collaboration between academia and industry while nurturing the growth of technology-driven startups.