Daily Current Affairs – 24-01-2026
Tamil Nadu News
Tamil Medium Priority in Government Jobs – Amendment Bill Passed
An amendment bill providing priority in government jobs only to new applicants who have completed their education in the Tamil medium has been tabled and passed in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly. The bill was introduced by Minister for Tamil Official Language and Tamil Culture Thangam Thennarasu after the Question Hour. As per the explanatory statement, a law enacted in 2010 provided 20% priority to candidates educated in the Tamil medium for all direct recruitment vacancies in government jobs. Subsequently, the High Court ruled that persons already in government service, even if they pursue education in the Tamil medium, are not eligible for priority under this category. The amendment clarifies this position and stipulates that only newly applying candidates for direct recruitment will be eligible for Tamil medium priority in the future. It also states that appointments made under Tamil medium priority from 2010 till date will remain valid, and that serving government employees can apply only for specific vacancies in higher-paying posts as already stipulated.
Tamil Nadu Renewable Energy Land Portal and RTSE Launched
Tamil Nadu Electricity Minister S. S. Sivasankar launched the Tamil Nadu Renewable Energy Land Portal and the Rooftop Solar Explorer (RTSE) to support solar and renewable energy projects across the State. The land portal enables investors and developers to identify and access land required for renewable energy projects, simplify procedures, reduce delays, and accelerate project implementation, while allowing farmers and landowners to lease barren land for up to 30 years. Through this dedicated online platform, farmers and landowners can register land available for lease, and developers can search and select land based on project needs, supporting the State’s renewable purchase obligation targets. The RTSE, developed by Tamil Nadu Green Energy Corporation Limited (TNGECL) in association with the Centre for Study of Science, Technology and Policy and ASAR Social Impact Advisors, promotes rooftop solar power by issuing feasibility approvals without delay using consumer data and drone images of buildings in the Chennai Corporation area. Tamil Nadu currently ranks fourth in India in renewable energy capacity addition and aims to meet 50% of its total energy consumption from renewable sources by 2030.
National News
Prime Minister Launches Development Projects in Thiruvananthapuram
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid foundation stones for multiple development projects at an event held in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. He laid the foundation stone for the CSIR–National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (CSIR-NIIST) New Discovery, Technology and Entrepreneurship Centre and for a modern radiation therapy centre at the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology. The Prime Minister also inaugurated the Poovar main boat terminal and flagged off three Amrit Bharat trains along with the Thrissur–Guruvayur passenger train service, aimed at strengthening rail connectivity for Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. During the event, the PM-SVANidhi scheme was launched in Kerala, under which loans and loan cards were provided to street vendors, with over 10,000 beneficiaries in Kerala receiving loan cards. The projects were highlighted as part of initiatives to promote urban development, rail connectivity, scientific research and healthcare infrastructure in the State.
Govt Approves Wage and Pension Revision for RBI, PSGICs and NABARD
The Union Government has approved pension revision for Reserve Bank of India (RBI) pensioners and wage revisions for employees of Public Sector General Insurance Companies (PSGICs) and NABARD, benefiting around 47,000 pensioners and their families and over 46,000 employees. For RBI, the pension and family pension have been enhanced by 10% of basic pension plus dearness relief with effect from November 1, 2022, resulting in an effective increase of 1.43 times in basic pension, covering 30,769 beneficiaries, with a total financial implication of ₹2,696.82 crore. For PSGIC employees, wage revision will be effective from August 1, 2022, with an overall 12.41% increase in wage bill, including a 14% hike in basic pay and dearness allowance, benefiting 43,247 employees, along with enhancement of NPS contribution from 10% to 14% for employees who joined after April 1, 2010. The family pension in PSGICs has been revised to a uniform 30%, benefiting 14,615 family pensioners, with a total financial outgo of ₹8,170.30 crore, covering National Insurance Company Ltd, New India Assurance Company Ltd, Oriental Insurance Company, United India Insurance Company, General Insurance Corporation of India, and Agricultural Insurance Company Ltd. For NABARD, pay revision effective from November 1, 2022 provides a 20% hike in pay and allowances for Group A, B and C employees, benefiting about 3,800 employees, while pension revision aligns eligible NABARD retirees with ex-RBI NABARD retirees, with additional arrears and recurring pension expenditure as approved.
‘Granth Kutir’ Library Inaugurated at Rashtrapati Bhavan
President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated ‘Granth Kutir’, a library of classical Indian books and manuscripts, at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, housing about 2,300 books and manuscripts in 11 classical languages. The collection includes Hindu scriptures such as the Puranas, Vedas and Upanishads, along with works on Indian epics, philosophy, linguistics, history, governance, science and devotional literature, and also features the Constitution of India in classical languages. The languages represented include Tamil, Sanskrit, Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam, Odia, Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese and Bengali. Around 50 manuscripts, many handwritten on palm leaf, paper, bark and cloth, form part of the collection. As part of efforts to shed colonial legacy, earlier colonial-era books and materials were relocated within the Rashtrapati Bhavan estate and digitised for online access. The initiative aligns with the Union government’s Gyan Bharatam Mission, which focuses on preservation, digitisation and dissemination of India’s manuscript heritage, and the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) is providing professional expertise for conservation, documentation and display.
Humanoid Robot ‘ASC Arjun’ at Visakhapatnam Railway Station
Indian Railways has introduced its first humanoid robot named ‘ASC Arjun’ at Visakhapatnam Railway Station under the East Coast Railway and the Railway Protection Force (RPF). The humanoid robot has been designed and developed in Visakhapatnam and will operate along fixed paths on platforms, avoid obstacles, and conduct continuous surveillance within the station premises. Using face recognition technology and instant alert systems, it will help identify intruders and promptly inform RPF personnel, thereby reducing response time. During peak hours, the robot will monitor crowd movement, identify congestion-prone areas, and assist in managing passenger flow. It will also make safety and travel announcements in English, Hindi, and Telugu, monitor cleanliness, guide passengers, send live updates to control rooms, and detect fire and smoke, triggering alerts when required.
100 ‘Vande Mataram Karaoke’ Booths Initiative
The Government of India has launched a national initiative to encourage public participation in commemorating Vande Mataram, under which the Ministry of Culture will set up 100 ‘Vande Mataram Karaoke’ booths across the country. Citizens can record and upload their renditions of Vande Mataram, written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, through a dedicated campaign portal. The song was adopted as the National Song in 1950. The number of booths in each State and Union Territory has been decided based on population, with Uttar Pradesh allotted 17 booths, and Bihar and Maharashtra receiving nine booths each. In September, the Union Cabinet approved a year-long nationwide celebration to mark the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram, following which the “Karaoke with Vande Mataram” campaign was launched and the portal vandemataram150.in
PLI Scheme for White Goods – Fourth Round Approvals
The Government of India has approved five companies in the fourth round of the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for White Goods, with a committed investment of ₹863 crore. According to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, 13 applications were received in this round, all related to the manufacturing of air conditioner (AC) components. The approved companies are expected to achieve a total production of ₹8,337.24 crore and generate 1,799 additional direct jobs by FY28. Overall, 85 companies selected under the PLI Scheme for White Goods (Air Conditioners and LED Lights) are projected to make investments of ₹11,198 crore, resulting in cumulative production of ₹1,90,050 crore over the scheme period. The selected companies include Kirloskar Pneumatic Company with a committed investment of ₹320 crore, Indo Asia Copper Limited with ₹258.97 crore, Godrej & Boyce Manufacturing Company Ltd with ₹58.69 crore, Kryon Technology with ₹175 crore, and Pranav Vikas (India) with ₹50 crore. The PLI Scheme for White Goods (AC and LED Lights) was approved on April 7, 2021, with a total outlay of ₹6,238 crore, to be implemented from FY22 to FY29, and was notified by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) on April 16, 2021.
IndusInd Bank Chairman Change
Private sector lender IndusInd Bank announced that its non-executive chairman and director Sunil Mehta will step down on January 30 upon completion of his tenure. He will be succeeded by Arijit Basu, who will assume charge as additional director and part-time chairman for a three-year term from January 31, 2026 to January 30, 2029. The appointment was approved by the bank’s board based on the approval of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and recommendations of the Compensation and Nomination & Remuneration Committee. Arijit Basu was previously the chairman of HDB Financial Services, a non-bank subsidiary of HDFC Bank, which raised ₹12,500 crore through an IPO in June. He has also served as Managing Director of SBI and as CEO of SBI Life. IndusInd Bank reported a 90% decline in net profit to ₹127.98 crore in the December quarter, attributed to higher stress in the microfinance portfolio and a reduction in the loan book under the new management.
International News
United States Withdraws from World Health Organization
The United States of America has officially withdrawn from the World Health Organization (WHO), ending its 78-year association with the global health body. The WHO, an agency of the United Nations, is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, and coordinates international efforts on global public health with most countries as members. Following the withdrawal, the US has stopped collaboration with the WHO, including sharing health-related information and issuing disease outbreak alerts through the organisation. The WHO stated that the US has outstanding dues of $130 million for the years 2024 and 2025. The United States was a key initiator in the establishment of the WHO and has been its largest financial contributor, providing an average of $111 million annually. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the US had accused the WHO of delayed and inaccurate information, bias towards China, and spreading misinformation, which formed part of the background to the withdrawal decision.
WEF to Establish New Centres for Fourth Industrial Revolution
The World Economic Forum (WEF) has decided to establish five new Centres for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, including one in Andhra Pradesh, India. With this addition, India will have three such centres, as two centres are already operational in Mumbai and Telangana. The Fourth Industrial Revolution Network, launched by the WEF in 2017, functions as a multi-stakeholder collaboration platform that brings together the public and private sectors to ensure the responsible development and application of emerging and exponential technologies while minimising associated risks. The network comprises independent national and thematic centres across Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the Americas. Apart from Andhra Pradesh, the new centres will be set up in France, the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates, and each centre will work with governments and industry to develop practical policy frameworks and pilot initiatives addressing regional priorities.
EU Withdrawal of GSP and Impact on Indian Exports
The European Union (EU) has suspended the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) for India from January 1, and the Ministry of Commerce clarified that only 2.66% of India’s exports to the EU are likely to be impacted. While agricultural exports and leather products are exempted, 13 sectors including textiles, engineering goods, ceramics, glass and glassware, and pearls and precious metals will lose GSP benefits. In FY25, India’s total exports to the EU stood at $75.85 billion. Products where GSP benefits are suspended include organic chemicals ($5.07 billion), pearls and precious metals ($2.5 billion), and electrical machinery and equipment ($11.25 billion). Under the new regulation, €1.66 billion of trade is expected to graduate out of the GSP regime, leaving €11.24 billion of eligible GSP trade based on 2023 data. GSP is a unilateral trade arrangement under which developed economies provide customs duty concessions to select products from developing countries. From January 1, 2026, India’s exports to the EU will face higher tariffs, and exporters may have to pay up to 12% duty after the suspension of GSP benefits.
Economy News
RBI Advises States on Debt Reduction Path
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has called on State governments to frame a clear, transparent and time-bound glide path to reduce their debt levels, similar to the approach adopted by the Central Government, noting that high debt constrains investment and economic growth. In its study of States’ Budgets for 2025–26, the RBI observed that the combined debt of all States declined from 31% of GDP in March 2021 to 28.1% of GDP by March 2024, but is expected to rise again to 29.2% by the end of FY 2025–26. Disaggregated data for major States indicate that the debt-to-Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) ratio is projected to range between 17.8% and 46.3% by end-March 2026, with several States having debt levels above 30% of GSDP. The RBI referred to the recommendation of the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Review Committee, which prescribed 20% of GSDP as the upper limit for State debt. From 2026–27, the Centre will begin targeting its debt-to-GDP ratio instead of fiscal deficit, with the objective of reducing it from 56.1% in 2025–26 to 50% by 2030–31, and the RBI suggested that highly leveraged States may also adopt a similar debt consolidation framework.