Daily current affairs: 31 January 2026

Long Description : In a strategic move to secure India's steel industry, the Ministry of Mines has officially notified Coking Coal as a 'critical mineral.' Currently, India imports nearly 95% of its coking coal requirements, leading to significant foreign exchange outflow. By including it in Part D of the First Schedule of the MMDR Act, the government aims to fast-track domestic exploration and auctioning of blocks. This reclassification is expected to boost self-reliance (Aatmanirbhar Bharat) and provide the necessary raw material security for the growing domestic steel sector, which saw imports rise to 57.8 million tonnes in recent years.

Long Description : On January 31, 2026, a high-level delegation from the National Productivity Council (NPC) met with the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA) to explore strategic convergence. The partnership focuses on training, research, and advisory services tailored to meet evolving industry demands. By combining IICA’s expertise in corporate governance and NPC’s historical role in productivity since 1958, the collaboration aims to support the national vision of "Viksit Bharat." Key focus areas include ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) compliance, digital transformation, and capacity building for both public and private sector professionals.

Long Description : The Ministry of Ayush, through CCRAS, concluded a specialized internship program on January 30–31, 2026, aimed at integrating modern AI with traditional Ayurveda. Selected engineering students worked on diverse projects, including medicinal plant identification using medical imaging, posture detection for Yoga, and Optical Character Recognition (OCR) for ancient manuscripts. This initiative marks a significant step toward "Evidence-based Ayush," utilizing data-driven approaches to validate traditional knowledge. By bridging the gap between ancient wisdom and modern computational tools, the program seeks to create a robust research ecosystem for global acceptance of Indian traditional medicine.

Long Description : Despite global economic volatility and the depreciation of the rupee against the US dollar, India’s external buffers have strengthened significantly. As of late January 2026, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) reported forex reserves at $701.4 billion. These reserves cover approximately 94% of the country's external debt, providing a substantial cushion against external shocks. Economists note that while the rupee faces pressure due to shifting US trade policies, the record reserve level and strong remittance inflows (reaching $135.4 billion in the previous fiscal) maintain India's position as a resilient emerging market.

Long Description : To transform India into a global shipbuilding hub, the Centre and the Tamil Nadu government established NSHIP at Thoothukudi on January 29-31, 2026. This mega-cluster is designed to house shipyards, ancillary units, and heavy engineering facilities. The project aligns with the Maritime India Vision 2030, aiming to increase India's share in global shipbuilding from less than 1% to significant double digits. By creating a dedicated ecosystem in Thoothukudi, the government hopes to lower logistics costs, generate massive local employment, and support the "Make in India" initiative in the strategic maritime sector.

Long Description : Kerala Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal presented a "people-focused" budget for the Financial Year 2026-27. A major highlight is the introduction of the Assured Pension Scheme (APS), which aims to provide more financial security to state employees than the market-linked NPS. The budget also announced a free education scheme for students in Arts and Science colleges to boost higher education enrollment. This move reflects a growing trend among Indian states to revisit pension structures while managing fiscal deficits, which Kerala aims to stabilize despite the increased social welfare spending.

Long Description : In a major boost to defense indigenization, the Indian Army has entered an agreement with Shield AI for the procurement and domestic manufacturing of V-BAT Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). These drones are unique for their "long-endurance" and "zero-footprint" VTOL capabilities, meaning they do not require runways. The deal includes the license for 'Hivemind' autonomy software, allowing the Indian military to develop mission-specific applications. This partnership signifies a deepening of India-US defense tech cooperation and strengthens the surveillance capabilities of the Indian Army in rugged border terrains.

Long Description : The Project Assessment, Infrastructure Monitoring & Analytics for Nation-building (PAIMANA) portal was officially launched in late January 2026. Replacing the older Online Computerized Monitoring System (OCMS), PAIMANA uses advanced analytics to track the real-time progress of 1,800+ central sector projects. The portal is designed to identify bottlenecks, prevent cost overruns, and ensure timely completion of infrastructure works. For aspirants, this represents a shift toward data-driven governance and "Gati Shakti" principles, ensuring transparency in projects related to railways, roads, and power across the country.

Long Description : In line with the National Green Hydrogen Mission, Assam Petro-Chemicals Limited (APL) signed an MoU with Deendayal Port Authority (Kandla) in January 2026. The proposed 150 TPD plant will focus on producing "e-Methanol," a green fuel created using captured carbon dioxide and green hydrogen. This project is a cornerstone for India’s "Methanol Economy" and aims to establish green bunkering facilities at major ports. By reducing the carbon footprint of the shipping industry, this initiative supports India’s global commitment to achieving Net-Zero emissions by 2070.

Long Description : A major engineering milestone was achieved in late January 2026 with the completion of a 100-meter-long steel bridge on the Kalupur-Shahpur stretch in Ahmedabad. This bridge is unique because it spans directly over a functional underground metro tunnel, requiring extreme precision. Fabricated under the 'Make in India' initiative, the bridge is part of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train corridor. This success demonstrates India's growing capability in heavy steel structural engineering and moves the country closer to its first high-speed rail operations.

Long Description : On the occasion of Republic Day 2026, the Government of India conferred Padma Awards on several sporting icons. Vijay Amritraj received the Padma Bhushan for his lifetime contribution to Indian tennis. Indian captains Rohit Sharma and Harmanpreet Kaur were awarded the Padma Shri following their historic World Cup victories. Other notable recipients include hockey goalkeeper Savita Punia and, in a first for a foreign coach, the late Vladimir Mestvirishvili (posthumously) for his role in shaping India's wrestling success. These awards recognize the "golden era" of Indian sports and their impact on national pride.

Long Description : Scheduled for February 16–20 at Bharat Mandapam, the India–AI Impact Summit 2026 was officially detailed in government briefings on January 31. The summit is built on three 'Sutras': People, Planet, and Progress. It aims to position India as a leader in "Responsible AI" for development. Unlike previous global summits focused on safety and regulation, this summit will emphasize practical AI applications for social empowerment, agriculture, and healthcare. It will feature over 300 exhibitors and delegates from 30+ countries, marking a significant milestone in India's "IndiaAI" mission.

Long Description : According to the latest data released on January 31, 2026, the PM-DevINE scheme has sanctioned projects worth ₹6,044.36 crore since its inception. These projects focus on basic infrastructure, social development, and livelihood activities for youth and women in the North-Eastern States. The initiative aims to fill gaps in various sectors that are not covered by existing central or state schemes. This update highlights the government’s continued "Act East" focus and its commitment to reducing regional developmental disparities through targeted public investment.

Long Description : In a major policy shift finalized in January 2026, the Ayushman Bharat Yojana (PM-JAY) now offers health coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family specifically for senior citizens aged 70+. Unlike the original scheme which was based on socio-economic deprivation, this expansion is universal for the elderly. This move addresses the growing geriatric healthcare needs in India, providing a safety net for nearly 6 crore seniors. It signifies a transition toward universal health coverage (UHC) and helps families avoid catastrophic health expenditures for their elderly members.

Long Description : The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released updated FI-Index figures on January 31, 2026, showing a steady climb to 67.0. The index captures data on three parameters: Access (35%), Usage (45%), and Quality (20%). The rise is attributed to the deep penetration of Jan Dhan accounts, the expansion of the digital payment ecosystem (UPI), and increased insurance and pension enrollment. This growth indicates that more Indians in rural and semi-urban areas are moving beyond just "opening an account" to actually "using" diverse financial products like micro-credit and insurance.

Long Description : As part of a series of global academic events held across India today, Bangalore hosted the International Conference on Curriculum Design in Vocational Education (ICCDVE). The event brought together experts from 15 countries to discuss how to integrate AI, green skills, and digital literacy into vocational training. The conference is part of India’s broader strategy to become the "Skill Capital of the World." By redesigning curricula to match the needs of emerging economies, the initiative aims to enhance the employability of the Indian youth in the global job market.