Current Affairs 14 January 2026

International Kite Festival 2026 Inaugurated

Prime Minister Modi and Chancellor Merz inaugurated the International Kite Festival 2026 at the Sabarmati Riverfront, Ahmedabad, where Germany was represented at the highest level.. India and Germany have signed an agreement to strengthen bilateral defence industrial cooperation, with a focus on co-production and co-development of defence equipment. The agreement was signed during the visit of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to India.

DRDO successfully flight-tests MPATGM

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully conducted a flight test of the indigenously developed Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM) at the K.K. Ranges in Ahilya Nagar, Maharashtra.

Rajasthan’s First Fully Organic Panchayat

Bamanwas Kankar panchayat in Kotputli–Behror district of Rajasthan has become the first village body in the State to be certified as fully organic. The panchayat, comprising seven hamlets, has completely eliminated the use of chemical pesticides and synthetic fertilisers in agriculture, while adopting eco-friendly animal husbandry practices.

Two Consecutive PSLV Failures and Implications for ISRO

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) faced an unusual setback with two consecutive failures of its Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) — PSLV-C61 (May 18, 2025) and PSLV-C62 (January 12, 2025). This is significant because PSLV has long been regarded as ISRO’s most reliable “workhorse” launch vehicle.

Reason for PSLV-C62 Failure

ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan stated that the mission failed due to a “roll rate disturbance”, where the rocket began spinning uncontrollably. Since the PS3 stage lacks independent roll-control thrusters, any asymmetrical thrust could overpower stabilisation from the fourth stage.

YUVA AI FOR ALL

On National Youth Day (January 12, 2026), the Government of India highlighted the National AI Literacy Program and its flagship course YUVA AI FOR ALL, reinforcing its commitment to youth empowerment in an AI-driven era. The program was launched on January 6, 2026, at the Rajasthan Regional AI Impact Summit in Jaipur.

Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation (PRAGATI)

The PRAGATI (Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation) platform, launched in 2015, has completed a decade as a flagship governance mechanism under the direct supervision of the Prime Minister of India. It leverages digital data, video conferencing, and GIS technology to fast-track projects, resolve inter-ministerial and Centre–State bottlenecks, and address citizen grievances in real time.

Key highlights:

• Projects worth ₹85 lakh crore+ fast-tracked.
• 382 major national projects reviewed.
• 2,958 out of 3,187 issues resolved, reducing delays and cost overruns.
• Strengthened cooperative federalism with real-time Centre–State coordination.
• Integrated with platforms like PM GatiShakti, PARIVESH, PM Ref Portal.
• Recognised globally, including as a case study by Oxford’s Said Business School.

PRAGATI has unlocked long-pending projects such as Bogibeel Bridge, Navi Mumbai International Airport, AIIMS institutions, major power plants, highways, rail links, and gas pipelines, making it a global benchmark for technology-driven, accountable governance.

Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminals (GCTs)

India is rapidly transforming its logistics ecosystem through Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminals (GCTs) under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan. As per PIB (January 2026), Indian Railways has approved 306 GCTs, of which 118 have already been commissioned, with a combined handling capacity of 192 million tonnes per annum.

Introduced under the GCT Policy, 2021 by the Ministry of Railways, these terminals integrate rail with road, ports, and airports, enabling seamless multimodal freight movement. Since 2014, the shift of freight from road to rail has resulted in savings of 143.3 million tonnes of CO₂, highlighting the environmental benefits.

Disclaimer: This article is prepared for competitive exam preparation using publicly available information.