Daily Current Affairs — 20 January 2026
6 articles • UPSC Prelims & Mains
RBI Strengthens Priority Sector Lending (PSL) Oversight
In News The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued a comprehensive set of amendments to the Priority Sector Lending (PSL) – Targets and Classification Directions, 2025. About Priority Sector Lending It is an RBI-mandated policy that requires banks to direct a portion of their lending to key development sectors such as agriculture, education, housing, and small industries to support national growth. The latest revision enhances credit flow to key sectors such as Renewable Energy, Social Infrastructur
RBI Proposes Linking BRICS Digital Currencies to Ease Cross-Border Trade
Context Recently, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has recommended that the linkage of BRICS Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) be placed on the agenda of the 2026 BRICS Summit to simplify cross-border trade, tourism, and payment settlements, which India will host later this year. Background: Linking CBDCs to BRICS Nations Rio de Janeiro BRICS Declaration (2025): It emphasized interoperability among member nations’ payment systems. India has long advocated for digital payment integration thr
Child Trafficking in India
Context Child trafficking continues to be a grave human rights challenge in India, despite a robust constitutional framework and multiple statutory protections. What is Child Trafficking? The Palermo Protocol (UN Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children), 2000 defines child trafficking as ‘the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring, or receipt of a child for the purpose of exploitation.’ Section 143 of Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)
President of UAE Visit to India
Context President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan paid an official visit to India. Major Outcomes Defence: Letter of Intent between India and the United Arab Emirates on the Strategic Defence Partnership. Energy: India signed a $3 billion deal to buy liquefied natural gas from the United Arab Emirates, making it the UAEs top customer.
Supreme Court Directions on Student Suicides and HEI Functioning
In News The Supreme Court of India has issued directions to Central and State governments under Article 142 on Student Suicides and Higher Education Institutions (HEI) Functioning. Major Issues Highlighted by Supreme Court Rapid massification and privatization of higher education: India now ranks second globally in student enrolment, has led to student distress, deaths, chronic faculty vacancies, and exploitation. Student mental health: The Supreme Court noted an epidemic of student suicides, wi
IMEC’s Relevance to India and its Chokepoints
Context The current reciprocal tariff policies and protectionism by the US is a bad sign for the development of a multi-state, multimodal transport and trade corridor like the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). About For almost all the participating nations except the US, IMEC does not represent a geopolitical contest. Instead, it serves as economic insurance to future-proof global trade in an era marked by supply-chain shocks, geopolitical fragmentation, and climate stress.