21 January 2026 Current Affairs

Manufacturing, Exports & Industrial Policy

Electronics Exports Cross $47 Billion

• Smartphone exports contributed ~66% under the PLI scheme .

• Indicates success of Make in India + Global Value Chain integration .

• Exam angle: Industrial policy outcomes, export diversification, electronics as sunrise sector .

​​​​​​​ Asia Manufacturing Index (AMI) 2026 – India Rank 6/11

• Reflects steady manufacturing growth , but gaps in logistics, technology depth, and cost competitiveness .

• Relevant for manufacturing competitiveness, China+1 strategy, industrial reforms .

Agriculture, Water Resources & Rural Economy

Bembla River Irrigation Project (₹4,775 crore, Maharashtra)

• Enhances drought resilience in Yavatmal (Vidarbha region).

• Exam relevance: Irrigation-led agricultural productivity, regional imbalance correction .

Open-Sea Marine Fish Farming (Andaman Sea)

• Shift from coastal aquaculture → open-ocean farming .

• Strategic for Blue Economy, sustainable fisheries, protein security .

Environment, Mining & Resource Security

India’s First Tailings Policy

• Enables recovery of critical & strategic minerals from mining waste.

• Reduces environmental damage + supports circular economy .

• High relevance for resource security, critical minerals, green mining .

Banking, Insurance & Financial Sector

SBI – Tamil Nadu MoU (Corporate Salary Package)

• Improves financial services for State PSUs .

• Example of bank–state partnership for financial inclusion & employee welfare .

IREDA IFSC Subsidiary – First International Green Loan

• Strengthens India’s role in global green finance .

• Important for IFSCs, climate finance, renewable energy funding .

SBI Life – Smart Platina Advantage

• Non-linked, guaranteed savings product.

• Reflects demand for low-risk, long-term financial instruments amid market volatility.

ICICI Bank – Reappointment of Sandeep Bakshi