Daily Current Affairs – 19-01-2026
International News
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Visits India for Bilateral Talks
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrived in New Delhi for a one-day official visit to hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This marks his third official visit to India since assuming office and fifth visit over the past decade. The discussions are focused on bilateral relations, strategic partnership opportunities, and regional and global issues. India and the UAE maintain close ties supported by the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), the Local Currency Settlement (LCS) system, and a Bilateral Investment Treaty. India–UAE trade exceeded $100 billion in FY 2024–25, making the UAE India’s third-largest trading partner and second-largest export destination. Key Indian exports include jewellery, refined petroleum, electronics, and agricultural products, while India imports crude oil, gold, and diamonds from the UAE. The visit takes place amid UAE–Saudi Arabia tensions in Yemen. The UAE has also recently welcomed the second phase of the Gaza peace plan and the “Board of Peace” announced by U.S. President Donald Trump.
India Flags Off First Export of Guided Pinaka Rockets to Armenia
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh flagged off the first export consignment of Guided Pinaka Rockets to Armenia from Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited (SDAL) at its Nagpur facility. Armenia had signed a ₹2,000-crore contract for four Pinaka batteries, which includes guided rockets for multi-barrel launcher systems and other defence equipment. The launcher system deliveries commenced in July 2023 and were completed by November 2024, with guided rockets to be shipped as they become ready. The Guided Pinaka rockets are also planned for induction into the Indian Army in the coming days. During the event, Rajnath Singh inaugurated SDAL’s state-of-the-art medium calibre ammunition manufacturing facility in Nagpur, aligned with the government’s initiative to reduce import dependence through private sector participation. The Nagastra-1 loitering munition, produced by the Solar Group, was noted for its role in Operation Sindoor.
Trump Launches ‘Board of Peace’ as Alternative to United Nations
U.S. President Donald Trump launched a new international organization called the “Board of Peace” as an alternative to the United Nations (UN). The new body has been proposed in the context of the Israel–Hamas conflict in Gaza (2023–2025) and the subsequent UN Security Council resolution passed in November 2024 for Gaza’s reconstruction. Donald Trump has assumed charge as the head of the Board of Peace, and countries have been invited to become permanent members by paying a membership fee of ₹9,000 crore each. Members appointed to the organization include U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Special Envoy Steve Biegun, Jared Kushner, former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, World Bank President Ajay Banga, and U.S. National Security Advisor Robert O’Brien. The Board of Peace is intended to oversee and participate in the reconstruction of Gaza, and reports indicate that India, Pakistan, and several other countries have received invitations to join the organization.
India Invited to Join Gaza Peace Board; UAE President Visit Announced
Donald Trump, President of the United States, invited India to join the Board of Peace for Gaza, with Sergio Gor, U.S. Ambassador, sharing on social media a letter addressed to Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India.
The Board of Peace for Gaza is envisaged as a group of countries invited by the United States to provide a governance structure for the Gaza Strip as part of a peace plan that seeks Hamas relinquishing its governance role, and it is expected to oversee funding for the redevelopment of Gaza until the Palestinian Authority completes a reform programme.
The Board is to be headed by Donald Trump and include other members and heads of state, with supervision over a temporary, technocratic and apolitical Palestinian committee administering Gaza, and with participation including Tony Blair.
While India has received the invitation, New Delhi has not yet responded, and officials indicated that India would not be part of the proposed International Stabilisation Force (ISF) as it is not a United Nations peacekeeping force.
It was also reported that Jordan, Greece, Cyprus, and Pakistan received similar invitations. Separately, India is set to host Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, who is scheduled to hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the context of the India–UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
National News
Anna University–Andhra Pradesh Partnership for Drone Ambulance
Andhra Pradesh Government partnered with Anna University, Chennai, through the Dr. Kalam Advanced UAV Research Centre (CASR), to develop the world’s first long-range human-carrying drone ambulance.
The project aims to strengthen emergency healthcare delivery in remote and underserved areas using advanced unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology.
The proposed drone ambulance will have a payload capacity of 150 kg and a flight endurance of up to 90 minutes, with an initial operational range of 50 km, flying at 50–60 kmph at an altitude of 1,000–1,200 feet.
Besides patient transport, it will enable rapid delivery of medical supplies, blood samples, diagnostic samples, and emergency equipment.
The system will include Unified Traffic Management (UTM), real-time tracking, geo-fencing, redundant flight systems, fail-safe mechanisms, and autonomous emergency landing features.
The initiative is a key project of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, with Anna University as the technology implementation partner.
The first prototype is scheduled to fly in the first week of May, and a drone port and hub are planned at Vijayawada.
PM Launches ₹830-Crore Projects and Flags Off Amrit Bharat Trains in West Bengal
Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, launched development projects worth over ₹830 crore in West Bengal and flagged off three Amrit Bharat trains connecting Kolkata with other parts of the country.
At a programme held at Singur in Hooghly district, he also inaugurated the Jayrambati–Barogopinathpur–Maynapur rail line and flagged off a train service between Maynapur and Jayrambati.
During the visit, the Prime Minister highlighted the importance of waterway transport in the state and noted that the Centre has made significant investments over the last 11 years to expand capacity at the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Port under the Sagarmala Scheme. He also referred to the government’s focus on multi-modal connectivity linking ports, rivers, waterways, highways and airports, and mentioned the use of hybrid electric boats on the Hooghly River to support green transport and river-based tourism.
India Emerges as Global Leader in Cooperative Sector
India’s cooperative sector has expanded rapidly over the last three years, emerging as one of the largest organised economic networks globally, with about 8.5 lakh registered cooperatives and nearly 32 crore members, as per official and sectoral data.
According to the National Cooperative Database, India had around 7.94 lakh cooperatives and 29.08 crore members by the end of 2023, while by December 2024, the number of functional cooperatives was estimated at 6.21 lakh with about 28.7 crore members, and further registrations and improved data mapping up to 2025 increased membership by nearly three crore.
This growth is attributed to renewed policy focus on agriculture, credit, dairy, fisheries, housing, and small services, and the consolidation of previously fragmented records into a single national database.
Globally, India accounts for about 27% of cooperatives, which support nearly 10% of global employment, and around 15 Indian cooperatives feature in the Global Top 300 rankings.
In the financial sector, as of March 2025, India had 1,457 urban cooperative banks holding assets worth about ₹7.38 trillion and deposits of around ₹5.84 trillion.
Top 5 States (Cooperatives | Members):
Maharashtra – 2,21,269 | 5,79,73,552,
Gujarat – 80,478 | 3,35,01,183,
Telangana – 60,112 | 2,73,25,326,
Madhya Pradesh – 51,787 | 2,39,34,636,
Karnataka – 43,854 | 1,93,11,868.
New Batch of Garud Commandos Inducted into Indian Air Force
A new batch of Garud commandos of the Indian Air Force (IAF) was formally inducted into service after successfully completing training, marked by the Maroon Beret Ceremonial Parade held at the Garud Regimental Training Centre (GRTC) in Chandigarh. The parade was reviewed by the Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Operations – Air Defence) as the Chief Guest. On this occasion, the trained commandos were awarded the Maroon Beret, Garud Proficiency Badge, and Special Forces Tabs. The Maroon Beret signifies qualification of airborne and special forces personnel after completion of rigorous training and probation. During the passing-out ceremony, the Garud commandos demonstrated capabilities including combat firing, hostage rescue, assault operations, explosives handling, obstacle crossing, wall climbing, rappelling, and military martial arts, reflecting the enhancement of the combat capability of the Indian Air Force.
India’s First Open Sea Fish Farming Project Launched in Andaman
India’s first open sea fish farming project was launched in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands at Srivijayapuram, and the project was inaugurated by Jitendra Singh, Union Minister for Science, Technology and Earth Sciences.
The project is jointly implemented by the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences, the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), and the Andaman and Nicobar Union Territory Administration, and involves setting up large cages in the open sea for fish cultivation.
Under the project, high-value marine fish varieties such as sea bass (koduva) will be farmed, and seaweed cultivation will also be undertaken on a trial basis.
The project site is located near the North Bay area, reached by boat from Port Blair, the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
As part of the same visit, the Union Minister also visited Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep.
Republic Day Tea Reception Invitation Reflects North-East Heritage
The invitation package for the tea reception hosted by President Droupadi Murmu on January 26, marking India’s 77th Republic Day, has been designed to showcase the traditional art and handicrafts of the North-Eastern states.
The invitation was designed by the National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad, Gujarat, and brings together the cultural identities and crafts of the ‘Ashta Lakshmi’ states of North-East India, namely Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura.
A team of 350 artisans contributed to the preparation of the invitation set, which is presented in a hand-woven box and includes region-specific craft items such as bamboo and cane products, textiles, embroidery, decorative items, and traditional designs representing the North-Eastern states.
The project is being implemented for the third consecutive year.
Sports News
Vidarbha Wins Maiden Vijay Hazare Trophy
Vidarbha won its first Vijay Hazare Trophy by defeating Saurashtra by 38 runs in the final held at the BCCI Centre of Excellence, Bengaluru. Batting first, Vidarbha scored 317/8 in 50 overs, led by Atharva Taide, who scored a match-winning 128 runs, while Yash Rathod contributed 54 runs.
In reply, Saurashtra were bowled out for 279 runs in 48.5 overs, with Prerak Mankad (88) and Chirag Jani (64) being the top scorers.
For Vidarbha, Yash Thakur claimed 4 wickets for 50 runs. Vidarbha, which had lost the final to Karnataka in the previous season, secured its maiden Vijay Hazare Trophy title, with Atharva Taide named Player of the Match and Aman Mokhade awarded Player of the Series.
Vijay Hazare Trophy Winners (2021–2025)
2020–21 – Mumbai
2021–22 – Himachal Pradesh
2022–23 – Saurashtra
2023–24 – Haryana
2024–25 – Vidarbha
An Se-young and Shi Yu Qi Win India Open Badminton Titles
The Yonex-Sunrise India Open Badminton Super 750 tournament, part of the BWF World Tour, concluded at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, New Delhi, where An Se-young won the women’s singles title and Shi Yu Qi won the men’s singles title.
In the women’s final, world number one An Se-young of South Korea defeated second seed Tai Tzu-ying of China with scores of 21–13, 21–11 to retain her title. In the men’s final, Shi Yu Qi of Chinese Taipei defeated third seed Jonatan Christie of Indonesia with scores of 21–10, 21–18 in 38 minutes.
In the mixed doubles, Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Sapsiree Taerattanachai of Thailand won the title, while Chinese pairs Liu Sheng–De Shing and Liang Wei–Wang Cheng emerged as champions in the men’s and women’s doubles events.
Tamil Nadu News
GCC to Install Digital Air Quality Display Boards in Chennai
The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has planned to install digital air quality display boards at 100 locations across Chennai at a cost of ₹6.3 crore to provide real-time air quality and climate data.
As a pilot, an IoT-based environmental sensor and display board has been installed at the entrance of the Ripon Buildings, the GCC headquarters, and the system will monitor 19 parameters including PM2.5, PM10, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide, ozone, and weather variables such as temperature, humidity, wind speed, wind direction, atmospheric pressure, rainfall, ambient light, dust and noise levels.
The data will be integrated with the Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) and shared with the public through display boards, a website and a mobile application.
Installations are proposed at locations including Marina Beach, Tiruvottiyur, Manali, Kathivakkam, Mint Street, Washermenpet, Villivakkam, Kolathur, Vadapalani, Koyambedu, Velachery, Semmancheri and Uthandi, as well as urban primary health centres, GCC schools, zonal offices and other government facilities in high-density areas.
The real-time data will be used to generate localised Air Quality Index (AQI) readings and to issue smog and heatwave alerts, with notifications to authorities when emergency measures are required.
CM M.K. Stalin Unveils Kalingarayan Bronze Statue in Erode
A full-size bronze statue of Kalingarayan was inaugurated at Vellode in Erode district, with Chief Minister M.K. Stalin unveiling it via video conference from the Chennai Secretariat.
Kalingarayan, regarded as a pioneer of river irrigation, began excavating the Kalingarayan Canal in 1270 at his own expense, with the work completed after about 12 years, creating a canal of 90 kilometres that provides irrigation to over 15,000 acres in Erode district.
The 7-foot-tall bronze statue has been installed near Rasakoil in Vellode, Chennimalai Union, and a library named after Kalingarayan containing books on his history has been set up at the base of the statue.
It was also announced that ₹86 crore has been allocated for the renovation of the Kalingarayan Canal, with the works scheduled to commence in March.
Nipah Virus Advisory in Tamil Nadu and Bird Flu Alert in Kerala
Tamil Nadu Public Health Department issued an advisory following the detection of Nipah virus infection in Nadia district of West Bengal, where two persons were infected and admitted for intensive care. As a precautionary measure, instructions were issued to all districts in Tamil Nadu to remain vigilant, although no Nipah cases have been reported in Tamil Nadu so far. The Director of Public Health, Dr. Selvanayagam, stated that Nipah virus is a zoonotic disease transmitted from fruit bats and pigs to humans, and advised the public to avoid consuming fruits bitten by birds or animals and to refrain from drinking toddy and palm wine. Common symptoms include fever, headache, vomiting, sore throat, body pain, and fatigue, which may appear within 21 days of infection, and individuals with travel history to affected areas or contact with infected persons were advised to seek treatment at government hospitals. On the same day, a bird flu alert was reported in Kannur district of Kerala, after the H5N1 virus was confirmed in a dead crow from Edakkad Taluk, where five crows were found dead, while tests confirmed no bird flu infection in poultry, eliminating the need for culling, and preventive measures including safe burial of dead birds using calcium carbonate were ordered by the district administration.
Semmozhi Ilakkiya Virudhu Announced by Tamil Nadu Government
M.K. Stalin, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, announced that the Tamil Nadu Government will institute a new national-level literary award titled Semmozhi Ilakkiya Virudhu for Indian language literary works, with a cash prize of ₹5 lakh for each selected work. The announcement followed reports that the 2025 Sahitya Akademi Awards were halted due to intervention by the Union Ministry of Culture. In the first phase, the award will be conferred on outstanding works published in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Odia, Bengali, and Marathi. The announcement was made during the closing ceremony of the Chennai Book Fair – 2026, where memorandums of understanding were also signed to promote the translation of Tamil books into other languages and books from other languages into Tamil.
States’ News
Guillain-Barré Syndrome Cases Reported in Madhya Pradesh On Janu
Cases of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), an autoimmune neurological disorder, were reported from Neemuch district of Madhya Pradesh, creating a health alert in the state.
A total of 14 persons were affected by the syndrome, of whom two died, while two others are undergoing treatment on life support, and more than 10 patients are receiving intensive care.
The Madhya Pradesh State Government intensified measures to identify and treat affected individuals, and medical teams from Indore, Jaipur, and Gujarat were deployed to the affected area.
GBS is a condition in which the body’s immune system attacks the nervous system, leading to sudden numbness, weakness, risk of falls, and breathing difficulties.
Possible causes under examination include consumption of contaminated drinking water, undercooked chicken, and processed dairy products.
Authorities were instructed to conduct door-to-door surveys and create public awareness in affected areas, while preliminary tests from the local water treatment plant showed no contamination, and blood samples and food samples from patients were sent for further investigation.