Current Affairs 15 January 2026

In Current Affairs for 15 January 2026, we will see the latest national and international current affairs news. These important current affairs will be beneficial...

In Current Affairs for 15 January 2026, we will see the latest national and international current affairs news.  These important current affairs will be beneficial for your upcoming NDA, CDS, CDS OTA, AFCAT, TA, Agniveer Army, Agniveer Navy, Agniveer Air Force, Women Military Police, INET, MNS, ACC exams, SCO, PCSL, CAPF, and SSB interviews, and direct entries for Army, Navy, and Air Force like SSC Tech, TGC, JAG, NCC, TES, 10+2 Cadet. Download a PDF file about current events at the end of this article. Let us now see the Current Affairs.

Current Affairs 15 January 2026

Israel Withdraws from Multiple UN Agencies

Israel has announced its decision to disengage from seven United Nations agencies and affiliated bodies, marking a significant shift in its multilateral engagement. The decision was confirmed by Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, who stated that the move followed an extensive internal assessment of Israel’s participation in international organisations.

According to Israeli officials, the review was initiated in the aftermath of the United States withdrawing from several global institutions and was aimed at evaluating whether continued association with certain UN bodies aligned with Israel’s national interests. The foreign ministry concluded that some agencies had repeatedly adopted positions perceived as hostile to Israel or failed to operate in an impartial and efficient manner.

Authorities also clarified that in some cases, disengagement had already begun prior to the formal announcement. Israel had earlier ended cooperation with the UN office dealing with Children in Armed Conflict after the Israel Defense Forces were included on a UN list in 2024. Additionally, Israel has withdrawn from the UN Conference on Trade and Development and the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia, citing consistently critical and adversarial reporting by these organisations.

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India Records $51 Billion in Foreign Direct Investment

India has attracted foreign direct investment worth $51 billion over the past six months, reflecting sustained global confidence in the country’s economic prospects. Data released by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade highlights the growing appeal of India as a major investment destination, particularly in manufacturing and innovation-driven sectors.

Manufacturing has emerged as a key beneficiary of these inflows, supported by advancements in technology, policy reforms, and increased private sector participation. These investments are expected to contribute significantly to employment generation, technology transfer, and the expansion of industrial capacity.

As part of its continued emphasis on entrepreneurship, the government will observe National Startup Day on January 16, 2026. During the event, 75 Grand Challenges will be unveiled to encourage innovative solutions across manufacturing, technology, and services. The initiative has already drawn strong interest, with more than 3,000 participation requests. In recognition of entrepreneurial excellence, 20 National Startup Awards will also be conferred on outstanding startups contributing to India’s innovation ecosystem.

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Finance Ministry Introduces ‘Paripoorna Mediclaim Ayush Bima’

The Ministry of Finance has launched a new health insurance product titled Paripoorna Mediclaim Ayush Bima, aimed exclusively at beneficiaries of the Central Government Health Scheme. The policy offers coverage of up to ₹20 lakh and is designed to supplement existing CGHS benefits.

This optional retail health insurance policy provides indemnity-based coverage for in-patient hospitalisation within India. Beneficiaries can select a sum insured of either ₹10 lakh or ₹20 lakh, allowing flexibility based on individual healthcare requirements.

The scheme introduces innovative co-payment options, enabling subscribers to choose cost-sharing models of 70:30 or 50:50 between the insurer and the insured. In exchange, policyholders receive premium discounts of 28% and 42%, respectively. Offered by New India Assurance, the policy also specifies room rent limits and providess caps, along with a cumulative bonus of 10% for every claim-free year, up to a maximum of 100% of the sum insured.

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Rakesh Aggarwal Appointed Director General of NIA

The Union government has appointed senior IPS officer Rakesh Aggarwal as the Director General of the National Investigation Agency, reinforcing leadership continuity at India’s premier counter-terrorism institution. A 1994-batch officer from the Himachal Pradesh cadre, Aggarwal had been serving as Special Director General and was holding additional charge as DG prior to his formal appointment.

The decision was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet. As per official orders, Aggarwal will serve as DG, NIA until August 31, 2028, coinciding with his retirement. Established in 2008 following the Mumbai terror attacks, the NIA plays a central role in investigating terrorism-related offences across states, with the DG responsible for overseeing investigations, inter-agency coordination, and strengthening national security mechanisms.

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New Leadership Appointed for ITBP and BSF

The Centre has announced new leadership appointments for two key paramilitary forces under the Ministry of Home Affairs. Shatrujeet Singh Kapoor, a 1990-batch IPS officer currently serving in Haryana, has been appointed as the Director General of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police. He will assume office until October 31, 2026, upon reaching superannuation.

Kapoor is set to succeed Praveen Kumar, who has now been appointed as the Director General of the Border Security Force. The ITBP, raised in 1962 after the India-China conflict, is responsible for guarding India’s high-altitude Himalayan borders, while the BSF, established in 1965, is the country’s largest border guarding force. Together, these organisations form a crucial component of India’s internal and border security framework.

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Review Questions

Q1. Why did Israel decide to withdraw from several UN agencies?

A. Financial constraints
B. Security threats from member nations
C. Alleged bias and lack of neutrality
D. Change in UN funding rules

Answer: C


Q2. The internal review that led to Israel’s withdrawal was initiated after which country exited multiple international organisations?

A. United Kingdom
B. Russia
C. United States
D. France

Answer: C


Q3. Which UN office did Israel stop cooperating with after the IDF was placed on a UN blacklist in 2024?

A. UN Human Rights Council
B. Office of the Special Representative for Children in Armed Conflict
C. UN Peacekeeping Operations
D. UNESCO

Answer: B


Q4. According to DPIIT, how much foreign direct investment did India receive in the last six months?

A. $38 billion
B. $45 billion
C. $51 billion
D. $60 billion

Answer: C


Q5. Which sector has gained significant momentum due to innovation-led investment in India?

A. Agriculture
B. Manufacturing
C. Mining
D. Tourism

Answer: B


Q6. National Startup Day 2026 will be observed on which date?

A. January 12
B. January 14
C. January 16
D. January 18

Answer: C


Q7. ‘Paripoorna Mediclaim Ayush Bima’ is exclusively designed for beneficiaries of which scheme?

A. Ayushman Bharat
B. Employees’ State Insurance Scheme
C. Central Government Health Scheme
D. National Health Mission

Answer: C


Q8. What is the maximum insurance coverage offered under Paripoorna Mediclaim Ayush Bima?

A. ₹10 lakh
B. ₹15 lakh
C. ₹20 lakh
D. ₹25 lakh

Answer: C


Q9. Who has been appointed as the new Director General of the National Investigation Agency?

A. Praveen Kumar
B. Shatrujeet Singh Kapoor
C. Rakesh Aggarwal
D. Ajit Doval

Answer: C


Q10. The Indo-Tibetan Border Police was raised in which year?

A. 1958
B. 1962
C. 1965
D. 1971

Answer: B

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Divyanshu Pandey

Senior Lecturer General Studies, SSBCrackExams, Cleared CDS 4 times, NDA 2 times, Ex- N.C.C. cadet, SSB Expert. Passionate Teacher, Trained defence aspirants for their SSB Interview, BSc in PCM expertise in Geography, Indian Polity, Current Affairs and Defence affairs. Writing Article and Travelling solo.