CURRENT AFFAIRS 17 January, 2026

CURRENT AFFAIRS 17 January, 2026

1. PRIME MINISTER’S INTERNSHIP SCHEME –

• Data from the Controller General of Accounts show severe underutilisation of funds under the Prime Minister’s Internship Scheme (PMIS), pointing to weaknesses in the scheme’s design, demand, and implementation barely a year after its launch.

What is the Prime Minister’s Internship Scheme (PMIS)?

• About: The PMIS, under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, announced in the Union Budget 2024–25, aims to provide one crore internship opportunities over five years in top 500 companies to enhance the employability of youth aged 21–24 years.
• Benefits: The scheme offers a Minimum Stipend of Rs 5,000 per month, a One-Time Grant of Rs 6,000, and Insurance Coverage under PM Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and PM Suraksha Bima Yojana, along with exposure to diverse sectors and leading companies.
• Internship Duration: The internship lasts 12 months, with at least half of the period spent in real workplace or job-based experience, not classroom training.
• Eligibility: Candidates must be 21–24 years old, possess Minimum Class 10 Qualification or above (ITI, Polytechnic, Graduation etc.), and should not be engaged in Full-Time Employment or Regular Education (distance or online education allowed).
• Ineligible Candidates: Graduates from IITs, IIMs, NLUs, IISERs, holders of professional or postgraduate degrees (CA, CMA, CS, MBA, MBBS, etc.), candidates trained under National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS)/ National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS).
• Income of any family member exceeds Rs 8 lakh for FY 2023-24 , families with regular government employees, and applicants already in any government skill, apprenticeship, or internship programme are ineligible.
• Significance: PMIS aims to enhance employability by providing structured, real-world industry exposure to youth.
• Bridge the education–industry gap through hands-on training in top companies.
• Expand access to internships beyond elite institutions and urban centres.
• Support youth from low-income households with financial assistance during internships.
• Build a skilled workforce aligned with industry needs and national economic growth.

2. UN FLAGS UNADDRESSED VIOLENCE IN SRI LANKA’S CIVIL WAR –

• The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UN Human Rights) has released a report titled “We lost everything – even hope for justice”, highlighting conflict-related sexual violence, primarily by security forces, against Tamil civilians during Sri Lanka’s decades-long civil war.

What are the Key Highlights of the UN Human Rights Report on Violence in Sri Lanka?

• Violence During the Civil War: Sexual violence was systematically used during Sri Lanka’s civil war, primarily by State security forces, as a method of intimidation, punishment, and control.
• The violence largely targeted Tamil civilians, including actual or perceived supporters of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).
• Lack of Accountability and Justice: Even years after the war ended in 2009, survivors continue to be denied justice.
• The absence of investigations, prosecutions, and reparations has created a deep-rooted culture of impunity.
• Impact on Survivors: Victims continue to suffer chronic physical injuries, infertility, psychological trauma, and suicidal tendencies. Persistent surveillance, stigma, and intimidation have led to widespread under-reporting.
• UN Recommendations: The UN states that conflict-related sexual violence may amount to war crimes or crimes against humanity.
• It calls on Sri Lanka to acknowledge past abuses, issue a formal apology, implement survivor-centred reforms, establish an independent prosecution mechanism, and ensure psychological and social support for survivors.

3. FINKE RIVER RECOGNISED AS THE WORLD’S OLDEST FLOWING RIVER –

• Rivers have shaped human civilization for thousands of years, but some rivers tell stories far older than humanity itself. Scientists now believe that the Finke River, flowing through the arid heart of Australia, is the oldest river system still surviving on Earth. Geological evidence suggests it has been following the same course for hundreds of millions of years.

Why in News?

• Recent geological studies have reaffirmed that the Finke River of Australia is likely the world’s oldest continuously surviving river system, with origins dating back 300-400 million years, far earlier than most known rivers on Earth.

Ancient Origins in Central Australia

• The Finke River, known as Larapinta to the Indigenous Arrernte people, began flowing long before dinosaurs appeared on Earth.
• It stretches for about 640 kilometres, traversing the Northern Territory and parts of South Australia.
• Its course cuts across some of the oldest rock formations on the planet, making it a natural archive of Earth’s geological evolution and climate history.

4. AARYAN VARSHNEY BECOMES INDIA’S 92ND CHESS GRANDMASTER –

• India’s rise in world chess continues as a young talent adds his name to the elite list of Grandmasters. Delhi-based Aaryan Varshney achieved a major career milestone by earning the prestigious GM title at an international tournament in Armenia. His achievement reflects India’s growing dominance in global chess and the steady emergence of young champions.

Why in News?

• Indian chess player Aaryan Varshney became India’s 92nd Grandmaster after securing his final GM norm at the Andranik Margaryan Memorial Tournament in Armenia.

Historic Achievement in Armenia

• Aaryan Varshney sealed his Grandmaster title by winning the Andranik Margaryan Memorial with a round to spare.
• The 21-year-old secured his third and final GM norm after holding a crucial draw against FM Tyhran Ambartsumian in the eighth round.
• Achieving the norm before the final round underlined his consistency and composure at the international level.
• This victory not only earned him the title but also placed him among India’s elite chess players.

5. INDIA’S FOREX RESERVES RISE BY $392 MILLION TO $687.19 BILLION –

• India’s external sector showed stability in mid-January 2026 as the country’s foreign exchange reserves registered a modest increase. According to the latest weekly data released by the central bank, the overall reserves rose despite a decline in foreign currency assets, supported mainly by a strong jump in gold reserves.

Why in News?

• India’s foreign exchange reserves increased by $392 million to $687.19 billion for the week ended January 9, 2026, as per data released by the Reserve Bank of India.

Overall Trend in Forex Reserves

• The rise in reserves comes after a sharp decline in the previous reporting week, when the total reserves had fallen by $9.809 billion to $686.80 billion.
• The latest increase indicates partial recovery and reflects week-to-week volatility influenced by currency movements, valuation changes, and changes in gold prices.
• India continues to maintain one of the largest forex reserve buffers globally, strengthening its ability to manage external shocks.

MCQ QUIZ

Q1.   Which state is home to India’s first full-stack Sovereign Artificial Intelligence (AI) Park ?

1. a) Tamil Nadu
2. b) Andhra Pradesh
3. c) Karnataka
4. d) Kerala

Q2.   Voyager 1 is a space probe launched by which space organization ?

1. a) European Space Agency (ESA)
2. b) Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
3. c) National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
4. d) China National Space Administration (CNSA)

Q3.   The Finke River, that was recently seen in news, is located in which country ?

1. a) Russia
2. b) Australia
3. c) New Zealand
4. d) France

Q4.   With reference to India’s startup ecosystem, consider the following statements:

1. India is the third-largest startup ecosystem globally as of early 2026.
2. India ranks ahead of both the United States and China in the number of unicorns.
3. A unicorn is defined as a privately held startup valued at $1 billion or more.

          Which of the statements given above are correct ?

1. a) 1 and 2 only
2. b) 1 and 3 only
3. c) 2 and 3 only
4. d) 1, 2, and 3

Explanation-

• Statement 1: Correct – India ranks third, after the US and China.
• Statement 2: Incorrect – The US and China lead India.
• Statement 3: Correct – A unicorn is defined as a privately held startup valued at $1 billion or more.

Q5.   With reference to the joint report by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) and SaveLIFE Foundation, consider the following statements:

1. India ranks first globally in annual road accident fatalities.
2. The report identifies the top 100 districts with the highest accident severity.
3. Nashik Rural recorded the highest number of crashes among all districts.

          Which of the statements given above are correct ?

1. a) 1 and 2 only
2. b) 2 only
3. c) 2 and 3 only
4. d) 1, 2, and 3

Explanation-

• Statement 1: Correct – India ranks first globally in road accident deaths.
• Statement 2: Correct – The report focuses on the top 100 high-severity districts.
• Statement 3: Incorrect – Pune Rural recorded more crashes, while Nashik Rural tops in fatalities severity.

Answer Key