20 January 2026 Current Affairs

Digital, Telecom & International Cooperation

India–Germany JDI on Telecom

• Focus on 5G/6G, digital infrastructure, trusted connectivity .

• Shows convergence of technology diplomacy & strategic partnerships .

ASEAN–India Digital Ministers’ Meeting

• Hosted by Vietnam (virtual).

• Theme: “Adaptive ASEAN: From Connectivity to Connected Intelligence.”

• Relevant for Act East Policy, digital public infrastructure cooperation .

Banking, Finance & Regulation

RB-Integrated Ombudsman Scheme (RB-IOS) 2026

• Unified grievance redressal for banks & financial institutions.

• Enhances consumer protection & regulatory efficiency .

Draft NBFC & ARC Capital Norms

• Clarifies Owned Fund / Tier-1 Capital calculation.

• Ensures compliance with credit & investment concentration limits .

Reopening Licensing Window for UCBs

• RBI proposed reopening after 22 years (last closed in 2004) .

• Indicates renewed confidence in co-operative banking reforms .

Piramal Finance – USD 350 Million DFI Funding

• First multilateral borrowing by PFL.

• Signals global institutional confidence in India’s NBFC sector .

Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare

Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (MISS) Continued

• For short-term crop & allied loans via Kisan Credit Cards (KCC) .

• Key for agricultural credit affordability & farm income stability .

Blue Economy & Fisheries

India–Israel Cooperation in Fisheries

• Joint Ministerial Declaration of Intent.

• Focus on aquaculture technology, marine productivity, food security .

India’s First Open-Sea Marine Fish Farming

• Launched in Andaman Sea (North Bay) .

• Strategic for Blue Economy, coastal livelihoods & sustainable fisheries .

Defence, Research & Strategic Outreach