Current Affairs - January 29, 2026 Current Affairs

Madhya Pradesh has announced 2026 as the ‘Year of Agriculture’ as part of a long-term strategy to strengthen its agricultural sector and improve farmer livelihoods. The state has increased its agriculture budget to ₹27,000 crore, marking a substantial rise compared to allocations made two decades earlier. The initiative focuses on technology transfer, income enhancement, promotion of natural farming practices, innovation, and wider access to e-Mandi platforms for nearly 40 lakh farmers. Guided by the theme ‘prosperous farmers–prosperous state’, the policy also aims to boost agricultural productivity and exports, reinforcing agriculture as a key driver of economic growth.

Gujarat has launched the Namo Laxmi Scheme as a major social welfare initiative focused on promoting girls’ education and well-being. Under this scheme, the state government has allocated ₹1,250 crore to provide financial assistance to more than 12 lakh girls studying in secondary and higher secondary classes. Eligible students from Classes 9 to 12 will receive a total of ₹50,000 spread over four years. The program is designed to reduce financial constraints, encourage school retention, support adolescent health, and ensure that girls can continue their education without economic hurdles.

Jharkhand has entered into a five-year collaboration with the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) to enhance conservation efforts for the critically endangered vulture species. The initiative focuses on the Oriental White-backed and Long-billed Vultures and includes the establishment of a new Vulture Conservation Breeding Centre at Muta. With technical support from BNHS, the programme emphasizes scientific breeding methods, capacity building, and long-term species recovery. This partnership contributes to India’s broader vulture conservation and recovery strategy, addressing population decline and strengthening ecological balance through sustained conservation action.

The World Bank has approved substantial technical and financial assistance amounting to ₹5,700 crore to support the Jal Sanrakshit Haryana Project. This initiative is aimed at achieving water self-reliance through large-scale restoration and modernisation of canal infrastructure across the state. The funding will be released in phases between 2026 and 2032 and will contribute to upgrading hundreds of canals. Along with support from state funds and NABARD, the World Bank’s involvement highlights its role in strengthening water resource management, improving irrigation efficiency, and promoting sustainable agricultural and water practices in the region.

Suryoday Small Finance Bank has strengthened its digital banking capabilities by adopting an AI-powered Video KYC solution developed by HyperVerge. This advanced technology enables faster and more efficient customer onboarding while ensuring adherence to regulatory requirements. By leveraging artificial intelligence, the bank has been able to significantly improve agent productivity, allowing more verification calls to be completed each day without increasing operational costs. The initiative supports scalable growth, maintains high verification quality, and enhances customer experience, reflecting the bank’s focus on innovation and technology-driven transformation in the financial services sector.

Canada has partnered with India by signing a joint statement at India Energy Week 2026 to deepen collaboration in both conventional and clean energy sectors. This agreement strengthens the India–Canada Ministerial Energy Dialogue, with key focus areas including energy security, diversification of supply chains, and enhancement of trade and investment relations. The renewed cooperation builds on earlier discussions held at the 2025 G7 Summit and marks a revival of senior-level engagement between the two countries. The initiative reflects shared priorities in sustainable energy development and long-term strategic cooperation in the global energy landscape.

Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd is undertaking a strategic initiative to expand its footprint in the civil aviation sector by planning the rollout of semi knock-down SuperJet 100 aircraft within the next three years. This move is part of a collaboration with Russia’s PJSC-UAC and reflects a long-term vision to significantly increase the share of civil aviation revenue. By focusing on domestic production and diversification of the aviation market, the company aims to raise its civil aviation contribution from the current low single-digit percentage to about one-fourth of its total revenue over the coming decade.

Telangana has taken a proactive role in strengthening India’s media and creative entrepreneurship ecosystem by collaborating with MEESCHOOL to launch the Cine Startup Incubator at T-Hub in Hyderabad. The initiative focuses on supporting cinepreneurs through structured skilling programs, mentorship, and venture support, while aligning with national and state-level bodies such as DPIIT and TGIC. In addition, the launch of SHE NARRATES reflects the state’s emphasis on inclusive growth by empowering women through drone cinematography and storytelling, aiming to benefit thousands of women and enhance their participation in the creative economy.

Maharashtra has taken a pioneering step in women’s healthcare by launching India’s first government menopause clinics. These clinics are set up in hospitals and urban health centres to provide comprehensive support for women experiencing menopause, a stage often overlooked in public health systems. The facilities offer medical consultations, screenings for bone health, heart conditions and hormonal changes, along with medicines and psychological counseling under one roof. By addressing issues such as sleep disturbances, bone loss and mental stress, the initiative aims to improve the quality of life and promote holistic health care for middle-aged women.

Canada has entered into a renewed energy partnership with India through the signing of a joint statement at India Energy Week 2026. The agreement strengthens collaboration in both conventional and clean energy sectors and revives the India–Canada Ministerial Energy Dialogue. Key focus areas include enhancing energy security, diversifying supply chains, and boosting trade and investment links between the two countries. The cooperation builds on discussions held at the 2025 G7 Summit and reflects a shared commitment to deeper senior-level engagement in energy policy, sustainable development, and long-term strategic cooperation.