4.5/5
Current Affairs 13th January 2026
IMP HQ'S
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RBI→ Mumbai(1935)
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SBI→ Mumbai(1955)
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NABARD→ Mumbai (1982)
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SEBI→ Mumbai (1988)
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World Bank→ Washington, D.C., USA (1944)
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ADB→ Manila, Philippines (1966)
1. RBI Issues FEMA Regulations, 2026
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Shift to the "Automatic Route": The new regulations significantly expand the scope of guarantees that can be issued without prior RBI approval. A person resident in India can now act as a surety or principal debtor automatically, provided the underlying transaction (such as a loan or trade) is not prohibited under FEMA and complies with borrowing/lending eligibility rules.
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Unified Quarterly Reporting: To streamline oversight, the RBI introduced a standardized reporting framework. All guarantees—including their issuance, modification, and invocation—must now be reported to Authorised Dealer (AD) banks using the new Form GRN.
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Strict Penalties and LSF: The regulations introduce a clear penalty structure for delayed reporting to discourage non-compliance. The Late Submission Fee (LSF) is calculated using a fixed base of ₹7,500 plus 0.025% of the amount involved for every year of delay (pro-rated monthly).
Footnotes: RBI's Governor: IAS Sanjay Malhotra, HQ: Mumbai, Estd: 1935
2. India Unveils Logo & Website for BRICS Presidency 2026
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Lotus-Inspired Design: The official logo features a lotus shape with a central "Namaste" gesture, incorporating the colors of member nations to symbolize "unity in diversity" and mutual respect.
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Strategic Theme: India’s chairmanship is guided by the theme "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation, and Sustainability," focusing on a people-centric and "humanity-first" approach.
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Digital Hub: The newly launched official website (brics2026.gov.in) serves as the primary digital platform for real-time updates on meetings, initiatives, and documents throughout the presidency.
Footnotes:
Members:Brazil,China,Egypt,Ethiopia,India,Indonesia,Iran,Russia,South Africa,UAE
3. Maharashtra secured Best State award
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First Rank Nationally: Maharashtra was adjudged the "Best State" for its exemplary efforts in water conservation and management, surpassing Gujarat and Haryana who secured the second and third positions respectively.
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Recognition of Excellence: The award, conferred by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, recognizes the state's successful implementation of innovative water-saving techniques and large-scale community participation in irrigation projects.
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Presidential Honor: President Droupadi Murmu presented the award at a ceremony in New Delhi, highlighting the state's role in advancing the national vision of "Jal Samridh Bharat" (Water Prosperous India).
Footnotes: Maharashtra's CM: Devendra Fadnavis, Governor: Acharya Devvrat, Capital: Mumbai
4. Indian Army Conducts MCF Exercise ‘Sanjha Shakti’
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Military-Civil Fusion (MCF): The exercise served as a first-of-its-kind "Military-Civil Fusion" drill, involving the Indian Army and 16 civilian agencies—including the Maharashtra Police, Force One, and Fire Services—to bridge operational gaps between the forces and the state administration.
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Focus on Hinterland Security: Conducted at the Dighi Hills Range (Khadki Military Station), the drill focused on "Rear Area Security" and humanitarian assistance, ensuring both sectors can act as a single unit during terror threats or natural disasters.
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Operational Validation: Over 350 personnel tested real-time communication protocols and rapid response mechanisms through mission-oriented simulations, validating the "Sanjha Shakti" (Joint Power) framework for swifter decision-making in crises.
5. Jing Quan named China’s ambassador to Philippines
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Official Appointment: President Xi Jinping formally appointed Jing Quan as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Philippines on January 12, 2026, following his arrival in Manila in late 2025 to succeed Huang Xilian.
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Strategic Expertise: A seasoned "America hand," Jing Quan previously served as the Deputy Chief of Mission at the Chinese Embassy in Washington D.C., suggesting China intends to navigate the complex trilateral relationship between Beijing, Manila, and the United States.
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Diplomatic Focus: Upon his arrival, he emphasized a policy of "constructive engagement," advocating for a move away from "zero-sum" mentalities and focusing on managing maritime differences while expanding cooperation in energy, trade, and technology.
6. Justice Soumen Sen Sworn in as Chief Justice Kerala
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Oath of Office: Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar administered the oath to Justice Sen at a ceremony held at Lok Bhavan, Thiruvananthapuram, in the presence of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
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Judicial Succession: He succeeds Justice Nitin Madhukar Jamdar, who retired on January 9, 2026, after serving as the Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court.
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Strategic Transfer: Prior to this appointment, Justice Sen served as the Chief Justice of the Meghalaya High Court and was transferred to Kerala following a notification by the Union Ministry of Law and Justice.
Footnotes: Kerala's Governor: Rajendra Arlekar, Capital: Thiruvananthapuram, Estd: 1956
7. Hungarian-British David Szalay won 2025 Booker Prize
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Winning Work: Szalay won the prestigious £50,000 award for his sixth novel, "Flesh," a "brilliantly spare" and propulsive story that follows a man named István from his youth in Hungary to his life among London's elite.
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Historic "First": With this victory, Szalay became the first Hungarian-British author to win the Booker Prize, following a unanimous decision by a judging panel chaired by Irish novelist Roddy Doyle.
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Notable Competition: Szalay emerged as the winner from a highly competitive shortlist that included acclaimed authors such as Kiran Desai (The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny) and Andrew Miller (The Land in Winter).
8. BSE Wins Asia Best Employer Brand Award 2026
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Regional Recognition: The award was presented at the 16th Asia’s Best Employer Brand Awards in Singapore, recognizing BSE's excellence in human resources and its commitment to fostering a world-class workplace environment across the Asian continent.
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Excellence in HR Practices: BSE was selected for its innovative talent acquisition strategies, robust employee engagement programs, and its focus on digital transformation within its organizational culture.
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Leadership in Financial Services: This accolade highlights BSE's success in balancing its role as a critical market infrastructure provider with a modern, employee-centric approach that attracts top-tier financial and tech talent.
Footnotes: BSE's Chairman: Subhasis Chaudhuri, HQ: Mumbai, Estd: 1875
KEY POINTS
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National Geographic Society Founded (1888): The American scientific and educational organization was established on this day.
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World History: First public radio (1910), Battle of Chillianwala (1849).
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Science & Tech: First ejection seat use (1942).
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