State PCS Exams Current Affairs – January 2026

National

5 one-liners

5 National — 14 Jan.

• The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) reviewed the annual air pollution control action plans (AAP) of Rajasthan districts that fall in the National Capital Region. CAQM is a statutory body set up under the CAQM Act, 2021.
• CAQM told NCR districts of Rajasthan to improve coordination, take preventive steps and strengthen real-time monitoring and reporting. The review also aligns with the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).
• 14 Jan — A Regional Labour and Employment Conference was held in Jaipur on 14–15 January 2026. It was one of six regional consultations across the country, attended by labour and industry secretaries of north-western states and Union Territories.
• 14 Jan — The Jaipur labour conference discussed smooth implementation of the four new Labour Codes, web-based inspections and social security for all. The four codes merge 29 old labour laws.
• 14 Jan — Linking the e-Shram portal with other government databases was also discussed in Jaipur, so that unorganised-sector workers can receive benefits without a break.

Economy & Banking

11 one-liners

11 Economy & Banking — State PCS Exams Current Affairs – January 2026.

• It was noted at the Jodhpur convention that India is now the fourth-largest economy in the world, up from fifth, and is preparing to reach the third position.
• Nagauri Ashwagandha, grown in Nagaur district of the Marwar region, received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag. The GI shows its special quality and its link with the area.
• GI tags are granted by the Government of India through the Geographical Indications Registry of the Commerce Ministry, which works under the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks (CGPDTM).
• The GI tag protects the name and guarantees quality, so Nagaur farmers can link directly with Ayurvedic and pharmaceutical companies. Only consignments with the GI certificate can be sold abroad as Nagauri Ashwagandha, which should boost exports.
• With Nagauri Ashwagandha, Rajasthan now has 22 GI-tagged products. The list includes Bikaneri Bhujia, Makrana Marble and Kota Doria.
• Bamanwas Kankar panchayat in Kotputli-Behror district became the first fully organic-certified panchayat in Rajasthan and in north-western India. It was certified under the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP).
• The organic shift in Bamanwas Kankar was started by local people, especially women farmers, worried about poor soil, falling groundwater and the health effects of chemical farming. The organisation COFED gave technical and market support.
• Farmers of Bamanwas Kankar pledged to give up synthetic fertilisers and chemical pesticides. The panchayat joins organic farming, animal husbandry and environmental care and is a model for other villages.
• A Chintan Shivir (brainstorming camp) on the Indian wool sector was held at Avikanagar, Tonk, by the Central Wool Development Board under the Textiles Ministry, with ICAR's Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute (CSWRI).
• The wool camp aimed to cut India's dependence on imported fine wool. It discussed strengthening the wool value chain, sustainable sheep rearing, research, marketing, branding, exports and more Common Facility Centres (CFCs).
• Key suggestions at Avikanagar were centres of excellence for wool branding and quality, better processing facilities and technology, and closer links among farmers, small industries and big industries. An exhibition of sheep breeds, woollen clothes and technical textiles was held.

Science & Technology

4 one-liners

4 Science & Technology — 2 Jan.

• The Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) announced that Jaipur will host a regional AI Impact Conference in January 2026, as a preparatory forum before the India AI Impact Summit 2026.
• The AI Impact Conference in Jaipur is built on three themes, People, Planet and Progress, and on the seven pillars of the IndiaAI Mission. Its aim is to encourage the adoption of AI and new ideas.
• The Jaipur AI conference will focus on AI in government services, ethical rules for AI use, and digital twin technology in city planning. It also aims to make Rajasthan a regional hub of AI innovation.
• 2 Jan — The earth-observation satellite EOS-N1 was launched on PSLV-C62 from Sriharikota but failed to reach orbit because of a fault in the end of the third stage (PS3). It was the 64th PSLV mission, and ISRO is probing the cause.

Defence & Security

1 one-liners

1 Defence & Security — 26 Jan.

• 26 Jan — The public saw the LR-AShM for the first time at the Republic Day parade. This indigenous long-range anti-ship hypersonic glide missile, made by DRDO in Hyderabad, has a range of about 500 km and speed up to Mach 10.

Environment & Ecology

8 one-liners

8 Environment & Ecology — State PCS Exams Current Affairs – January 2026.

• The Union Environment Ministry (MoEFCC) declared an Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) around Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary, covering about 243 sq km and around 94 villages in Udaipur, Pali and Rajsamand districts of the Aravalli range.
• The Kumbhalgarh ESZ notification was issued under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. It creates a buffer between the forest and people living around it, to protect biodiversity and wildlife habitat.
• In the Kumbhalgarh ESZ, big mining projects, polluting industries, brick kilns and large resorts or hotels are banned or allowed only under strict conditions. Farming, horticulture, rainwater harvesting and eco-friendly tourism may be allowed.
• Kumbhalgarh Sanctuary is home to wildlife such as nilgai, chinkara, Indian pangolin and jungle cat, which adds to the importance of the eco-sensitive zone.
• NITI Aayog released three reports on the circular economy, covering end-of-life vehicles (ELVs), used tyres, and e-waste with lithium-ion batteries, at the IMRC 2026 (International Material Recycling Conference) in Jaipur.
• IMRC 2026 was organised by the Material Recycling Association of India (MRAI), India's largest recycling industry body. The reports stress stronger Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) rules and better use of resources in large waste sectors.
• The reports note that rising sales of electric vehicles are increasing demand for lithium-ion batteries, so proper disposal at end of life is vital. This links to the Viksit Bharat 2047 goal of low-waste, low-carbon growth.
• The CAQM review aims to reduce PM2.5 (particles up to 2.5 micrometres) and PM10 (up to 10 micrometres). It looks at vehicle smoke, industry, construction and road dust, and burning of crop residue or waste.

Summits, Agreements & Exercises

2 one-liners

2 Summits, Agreements & Exercises — State PCS Exams Current Affairs – January 2026.

• UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan made his third official visit to India. The two sides agreed to cooperate on large and small modular nuclear reactors, investment in Dholera SIR in Gujarat, space, and a strategic defence partnership.
• First Abu Dhabi Bank and DP World will open offices in GIFT City, Gujarat, and a digital/data embassy will be set up. A 'House of India' will be built in Abu Dhabi to showcase Indian culture and heritage.

Art, Culture & Tourism

5 one-liners

5 Art, Culture & Tourism — State PCS Exams Current Affairs – January 2026.

• The first Kota-Hadoti Travel Mart 2026 was held on the banks of the Chambal river and was inaugurated by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. It showed Hadoti's wildlife sanctuaries, Chambal river trips, old forts and cultural heritage to tourism businesses across India.
• The Hadoti Travel Mart was organised by the Hotel Federation of Rajasthan, with support from the state Tourism Department and the Union Tourism Ministry. It was the first big effort to present Hadoti as one shared tourism brand.
• Hadoti has four districts: Kota, Bundi, Jhalawar and Baran. The Travel Mart was centred on these four districts.
• The Maheshwari Global Convention and Expo 2026 was held in Jodhpur and addressed by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. He praised the community's role in the freedom struggle, trade, industry and job creation.
• At the Maheshwari convention in Jodhpur, the message was to adopt swadeshi goods and promote one's own language (swabhasha), in the spirit of a self-reliant India. It also stressed how organised communities help national unity.

International

5 one-liners

5 International — 1 Jan – 7 Jan.

• 1 Jan — Bulgaria adopted the euro on 1 January 2026 and became the 21st member of the eurozone (a monetary union under the Maastricht Treaty, 1992). Euro users now exceed 350 million, and Bulgaria joins the ECB Governing Council.
• 3 Jan — In Operation Absolute Resolve, the USA carried out a military action in Caracas and detained Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro with his wife. About 50 US fighter aircraft struck several sites in Venezuela.
• 3 Jan — Maduro was taken to New York to face charges of drug trafficking, narco-terrorism, illegal weapons and corruption. The USA aims to restore its dominance in the Western Hemisphere, limit Chinese and Russian influence, and gain control of Venezuelan oil.
• 3 Jan — Venezuela lies on the northern edge of South America, with Caracas as its capital. It has the largest proven oil reserves in the world, mostly in the Orinoco Belt.
• 7 Jan — US President Donald Trump signed a memorandum on 7 January 2026 to withdraw the USA from 66 international organisations (31 UN bodies and 35 non-UN groups), saying they work against American interests and sovereignty.

Awards & Honours

4 one-liners

4 Awards & Honours — 25 Jan.

Summits, Agreements & Exercises

16 one-liners

16 Summits, Agreements & Exercises — 1 Jan – 31 Jan.

• C-DAC and the UAE's G42 reached an early understanding to build a supercomputing cluster in India. Both countries set a target of taking bilateral trade above $200 billion by 2032.
• 1 Jan — India formally took over the BRICS chair from Brazil on 1 January 2026. It is the fourth time India holds the chair, after 2012, 2016 and 2021.
• 2 Jan — Qatar joined Pax Silica on 2 January 2026. This US-led alliance secures supply chains of critical minerals, silicon and AI; members include Australia, Israel, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, the UK, the Netherlands and the UAE.
• 2 Jan — German Chancellor Friedrich Merz made his first official visit to India on 2–3 January 2026. He joined Prime Minister Modi at the International Kite Festival on the Sabarmati Riverfront, and 9 agreements and joint declarations were signed.
• 2 Jan — India–Germany outcomes covered defence-industrial cooperation, a semiconductor partnership, critical minerals and telecom. AM Green also signed a green ammonia purchase deal with Germany's Uniper, and Lothal's maritime heritage complex tied up with a Bremerhaven institute.
• 2 Jan — India and Germany also announced visa-free transit through Germany for Indian passport holders, a new Track 1.5 foreign and security policy dialogue, and an action plan for the India–Germany Digital Dialogue (2025–2027).
• 3 Jan — External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar launched the logo and website of India's BRICS Chairship 2026. The logo is based on a lotus with a Namaste gesture, designed by Sudeep Subhash Gandhi, and uses the colours of all members.
• 3 Jan — The theme of India's BRICS chairship in 2026 is 'Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability'.
• 10 Jan — The 16th Assembly of IRENA (International Renewable Energy Agency) met in Abu Dhabi on 10–12 January 2026 on the theme 'Empowering Humanity: Renewable Energy for Shared Prosperity'. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi represented India.
• 19 Jan — The 56th World Economic Forum annual meeting was held at Davos, Switzerland, on 19–23 January 2026 with the theme 'Spirit of Dialogue'. More than 3,000 leaders, policymakers and business heads attended.
• 22 Jan — The charter of the US-led Board of Peace for Gaza was signed at Davos on 22 January 2026. The body was set up under UNSC Resolution 2803 (2025) and is not directly controlled by the UN.
• 22 Jan — Donald Trump is the lifetime chair of the Board of Peace; its executive board includes Tony Blair, Marco Rubio, Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner and Ajay Banga. A five-member Palestinian technocrat committee (NCAG) works alongside it.
• 22 Jan — The Board of Peace will demilitarise and rebuild Gaza and oversee interim governance, initially until December 2027. It has 22 full members; India, the EU, Germany and Italy are among about 11 observers, and India has not yet decided to join fully.
• 24 Jan — The second Global Buddhist Summit was held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, on 24–25 January 2026 by the Ministry of Culture and the International Buddhist Confederation. Its theme was 'Collective Wisdom, United Voice and Mutual Coexistence'.
• 27 Jan — India and the European Union announced a Free Trade Agreement on 27 January 2026 at the 6th India–EU Summit in New Delhi. The EU became India's 22nd FTA partner, with a market of about 2 billion people.
• 31 Jan — The second India–Arab Foreign Ministers' Meeting was held in New Delhi on 31 January 2026, co-chaired by India and the UAE. All 22 Arab League members attended; the first meeting was held in Bahrain in 2016.

Important Days

1 one-liners

1 Important Days — State PCS Exams Current Affairs – January 2026.

• The United Nations declared 2026 the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, to be led by the FAO on a proposal from Mongolia. The same year is also marked for women farmers and for volunteers for sustainable development.