Current Affairs 19 January 2026

Karnataka Bank Enables Khajane‑2 e‑Receipt Payments Online.

• Karnataka Bank has enabled Khajane-2 e-receipt payments for Karnataka Govt via its Internet banking, after RBI and Treasury approvals.
• The integration allows customers to pay state taxes and fees securely through the Khajane-2 IFMS and RBI’s e-Kuber system.
• This initiative strengthens digital convenience and seamless service for Karnataka citizens needing to pay state government receipts.

Karnataka amends land law to modernise Coorg records.

• Karnataka amended its land revenue law to modernise Coorg’s unique Jamma Bane land record system in Kodagu district.
• Under Jamma tenure, land records retained names of original grantees, creating hurdles in sale, transfer and bank loans for current owners.
• The 2025 amendment updates records to reflect present ownership, ending a colonial-era anomaly while safeguarding Kodava land rights.

Jharkhand sand mining resumes after High Court lifts stay.

• Jharkhand High Court lifted its stay on sand ghat allocation after the state enforced PESA Rules, 2025.
• The ban imposed in September 2025 was removed after the government informed the court that PESA rules were approved by the cabinet.
• The ruling ends a long legal impasse, enabling sand mining while ensuring tribal rights in Scheduled Areas under the PESA Act.

INS Sagardhwani sails for 5th "Sagar Maitri" mission.

• DRDO-operated oceanographic vessel INS Sagardhwani was flagged off from Kochi for the fifth edition of the Sagar Maitri initiative.
• The Navy–DRDO programme promotes scientific cooperation and capacity-building among Indian Ocean Rim nations under MAHASAGAR.
• The mission will retrace historic routes and begin collaborative ocean research with eight IOR countries, starting with the Maldives.

NTPC named Top Employer in India for 2026.

• NTPC Limited was recognised as a Top Employer in India for 2026 by the Top Employers Institute for 4th straight year.
• The certification highlights NTPC’s people-centric HR practices across talent, learning, diversity & employee wellbeing domains.
• NTPC is an Indian Maharatna central Public Sector Undertaking owned by the Ministry of Power.