Daily Current Affairs- 13th January 2026

Daily Current Affairs- 13th January 2026

India Unveils Logo and Website for BRICS Presidency 2026

In the News: India has officially unveiled the logo and dedicated website for its BRICS Presidency in 2026. As the rotating chair of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa), India will lead the grouping's activities and host the annual summit, showcasing its diplomatic priorities and vision for multilateral cooperation among emerging economies.

Key Points:

• BRICS Presidency 2026: India assumes the rotating presidency of BRICS for 2026, following the established sequence among member nations. The presidency provides India with a platform to shape the bloc's agenda and strengthen cooperation on economic, political, and cultural fronts.
• Official Logo Launch: India unveiled the official logo for its BRICS Presidency 2026, representing the nation's cultural heritage and vision for collective growth. The logo design typically incorporates elements symbolizing unity, diversity, and partnership among BRICS nations.
• BRICS Expansion Context: India's presidency follows the bloc's historic expansion in 2024, when new members including Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and UAE were invited to join, transforming BRICS into a larger geopolitical entity representing a significant portion of global GDP and population.
• Annual Summit Planning: As the host nation, India will organize the BRICS Summit 2026, bringing together heads of state and government from member countries to discuss global challenges and opportunities for mutual benefit.

Jio to Launch People-First AI Platform for India and the World

In the News: Reliance Jio has announced plans to launch a "people-first" artificial intelligence platform designed to serve India and global markets. This initiative represents Jio's strategic entry into the AI ecosystem, aiming to democratize AI technology and make it accessible to millions of users across diverse sectors and demographics.

Key Points:

• People-First AI Approach: Jio's AI platform is being developed with a focus on inclusivity, accessibility, and user-centricity. The "people-first" philosophy emphasizes creating AI solutions that address real-world challenges faced by ordinary citizens, businesses, and communities.
• India-Centric Development: The platform is being designed with India's unique linguistic, cultural, and socio-economic diversity in mind. It aims to support multiple Indian languages and cater to the specific needs of India's digital population while maintaining global scalability.
• Democratization of AI: Jio intends to make advanced AI capabilities accessible to the masses, following its successful model of democratizing telecom and digital services in India. The platform will likely offer AI tools and services at affordable price points to maximize adoption.
• Integration with Jio Ecosystem: The AI platform is expected to integrate seamlessly with Jio's existing suite of services, including telecommunications, JioMart, JioFinance, and other digital offerings, creating a comprehensive AI-powered ecosystem.

Meta Names Former Trump Adviser Dina Powell McCormick as President and Vice Chairman

In the News: Meta announced the appointment of Dina Powell McCormick, a former Trump administration adviser and veteran finance executive, as president and vice chairman of the company. This move strengthens Meta's ties with the Trump administration and signals the company's focus on AI expansion and global strategy.

Key Points:

• Responsibilities: In her new management role, Powell McCormick will guide Meta's overall strategy, including the execution of multi-billion-dollar investments and accelerating the company's artificial intelligence initiatives across platforms.
• Political Background: Powell McCormick served as a deputy national security adviser during Trump's first term and held roles in the White House and Secretary of State's office under President George W. Bush. She is married to U.S. Senator David McCormick.
• Finance Expertise: She brings extensive financial experience, having spent 16 years in senior leadership at Goldman Sachs and most recently serving as vice chair, president, and head of global client services at BDT & MSD Partners.
• Presidential Endorsement: President Donald Trump praised the appointment on Truth Social, calling it a "great choice" by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and noting Powell McCormick's service to his administration "with strength and distinction."
• Meta-Trump Relations: The appointment is part of broader efforts by Meta to strengthen ties with the Trump administration. Other recent moves include CEO Mark Zuckerberg dining with Trump at the White House, announcing massive U.S. investment promises, and appointing UFC CEO Dana White to Meta's board.

India to Host 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth

In the News: India is set to host the 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC), bringing together parliamentary leaders from Commonwealth nations. This prestigious conference provides a platform for sharing best practices in parliamentary democracy, legislative procedures, and governance among member countries, reinforcing India's commitment to democratic values and its leadership role within the Commonwealth.

Key Points:

• Conference Overview: The 28th CSPOC will convene Speakers and Presiding Officers from parliaments and legislatures across the 56 Commonwealth member nations. The conference serves as a premier forum for exchanging experiences, discussing contemporary parliamentary challenges, and strengthening democratic institutions across the Commonwealth.
• Host Responsibilities: India's Parliament, through the Lok Sabha Secretariat and Rajya Sabha Secretariat, will organize the conference. The event will likely be hosted in New Delhi, showcasing India's parliamentary traditions and institutional infrastructure to international delegates.
• Thematic Focus Areas: Expected discussion topics include digital transformation of parliaments, ensuring gender balance in legislative bodies, youth participation in democracy, climate change legislation, cybersecurity and data protection laws, parliamentary oversight mechanisms, and adapting parliamentary procedures to contemporary challenges.
• Commonwealth Parliamentary Association: The conference operates under the aegis of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), an organization that connects parliamentarians across the Commonwealth. India has been an active CPA member since its inception and has contributed significantly to Commonwealth parliamentary traditions.
• Diplomatic Significance: The conference strengthens India's diplomatic engagement with Commonwealth nations, many of which are strategic partners in Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific.

RBI Notifies New Foreign Exchange Management (Guarantees) Regulations, 2026

In the News: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has notified the Foreign Exchange Management (Guarantees) Regulations, 2026, introducing a comprehensive regulatory framework governing guarantees issued by Indian entities in favor of foreign parties and vice versa.

Key Points:

• New Regulatory Framework: The Foreign Exchange Management (Guarantees) Regulations, 2026 replace earlier provisions governing guarantees under FEMA, providing a consolidated and updated framework. The regulations clearly define permissible guarantee transactions, reporting requirements, and compliance procedures for both residents and non-residents.
• Authorized Dealer Banks' Role: Authorized Dealer (AD) Category-I banks continue to play a central role in facilitating guarantee transactions. The regulations specify procedures for banks to follow when issuing or confirming guarantees, including due diligence requirements, documentation standards, and reporting obligations to the RBI.
• Risk Management Provisions: The regulations emphasize prudent risk management practices, requiring entities to assess counterparty risk, maintain adequate collateral or financial backing, and ensure guarantees are issued only for legitimate underlying transactions.
• Permitted and Prohibited Transactions: The regulations clearly delineate permissible guarantee transactions, such as those supporting trade, investment, and legitimate business operations. Prohibited guarantees include those for speculative transactions, unauthorized capital account transactions, or purposes that circumvent existing FEMA provisions.
• Alignment with Ease of Doing Business: The new regulations reflect the RBI's ongoing efforts to liberalize foreign exchange management while maintaining macroeconomic stability.

Why Himachal’s first satellite mountain township is being opposed by residents

In the News: The proposed Jathiya Devi Township Project near Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, has triggered widespread opposition from local residents fearing displacement and loss of livelihoods. On January 10, 2026, Gram Panchayat Bagi passed an unopposed resolution rejecting land acquisition for the project, which was first conceptualized in 2014 but has faced repeated delays due to funding constraints.

Key Points:

• Project Overview: The Jathiya Devi Township is an ambitious urban development project to be executed by the Himachal Pradesh Housing and Urban Development Authority (HIMUDA). It was conceived in 2014 with central government approval and is envisioned as a planned satellite mountain township to ease pressure on Shimla and promote sustainable, disaster-resilient urban growth.
• Strategic Location: The township is located about 14 km from Shimla city, along State Highway 16 and National Highway 5, approximately 3–4 km from Shimla Airport at Jubbarhatti and 20–22 km from ISBT Shimla. The terrain ranges between 1,300 and 1,500 metres above sea level.
• Project Scale: The township will span around 249 hectares (approximately 2,959 bighas), of which 35 hectares is government-owned land. The proposed development includes residential zones (55.16 ha) for HIG, MIG, LIG, and EWS categories; commercial areas (13.36 ha); non-polluting industrial zones (15.7 ha); recreational and green zones (16.42 ha); and river development areas (16.56 ha).
• Phase 1 Development: The first phase proposes 895 residential units across all income categories, along with commercial and industrial components over 84.22 hectares. Green and river development zones will cover another 33 hectares.
• Affected Villages: Eight villages have been identified for acquisition: Chanan (568 bighas), Panti (109 bighas), Aanji (396 bighas), Shilli Baghi (699 bighas), Majhola (78 bighas), Shilru (214 bighas), Dhanokari (270 bighas), and Kyaragi (303 bighas). Additionally, Manjiyari village (441 bighas) in Solan district has also been identified.

Conservation of Grasslands

In the News: The United Nations General Assembly has proclaimed 2026 as the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP), recognizing the essential role these landscapes and communities play in global sustainability, biodiversity, and food security. The Canadian Forage and Grassland Association (CFGA) has announced its commitment to celebrate and promote this initiative throughout the year.

Key Points:

• Global Significance: Rangelands – spanning grasslands, savannahs, deserts, and shrublands – support more than 500 million people worldwide and play a critical role in soil and water conservation, climate resilience, and cultural heritage preservation.
• Pastoralist Contributions: The IYRP highlights the essential contributions of pastoralists who raise animals on extensive rangelands using adaptive, knowledge-rich systems developed over generations. These systems are recognized as models of resilience in a changing climate.
• Canada's Grassland Ecosystem: Canada's grasslands are among the most threatened ecosystems in the country, yet they remain vital to agricultural productivity, wildlife habitat, and carbon storage. Canadian ranchers and forage producers manage landscapes that support biodiversity and ecological function.
• Alignment with Global Values: Canadian ranchers, graziers, and forage producers embody pastoralist principles including flexibility, mobility, and deep understanding of the land. They manage variability, adapt to drought, and steward landscapes sustainably.
• Call to Action: The IYRP serves not just as a celebration but as a call to action. As global attention turns to rangelands, Canada has an opportunity to showcase leadership in sustainable grazing and forage management.

One Satellite Survives PSLV-C62 Failure, Sends Data Briefly

In the News: The PSLV-C62 mission encountered a critical failure during its launch, resulting in satellites being deployed into incorrect orbits. Despite the setback, one satellite managed to survive and briefly transmitted data before contact was lost, providing valuable insights into the mission's final moments and demonstrating the resilience of satellite systems even under adverse conditions.

Key Points:

• PSLV-C62 Mission Failure: The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C62), operated by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), experienced a significant anomaly during its launch sequence. The failure prevented the satellites from reaching their intended orbital parameters.
• Incorrect Orbit Deployment: The satellites aboard PSLV-C62 were deployed into an incorrect orbit due to the launch vehicle malfunction. This resulted in the satellites being placed at altitudes or trajectories different from the planned mission profile, compromising their operational capabilities.
• Survivor Satellite: Among the payloads, one satellite managed to activate and establish brief communication with ground stations despite the orbital anomaly. This represented a partial success amid the overall mission failure, showcasing robust satellite design and autonomous systems.
• ISRO's Investigation: Following the mission failure, ISRO has initiated a comprehensive investigation to identify the root cause of the anomaly. Analysis of the available data, including telemetry from the launch vehicle and the brief satellite transmission, will be critical to understanding what went wrong.
• Impact on Payloads: The PSLV-C62 was carrying multiple satellites, likely including both ISRO payloads and commercial or international customer satellites. The mission failure represents a setback for these satellite programs and their intended applications.