Current Affairs 20 January 2026

India launches first open-sea fish farming project in Andaman Sea.

• India launched its first open-sea marine fish farming project in the Andaman Sea, marking a major step in the Blue Economy drive.
• Inaugurated by Dr Jitendra Singh, the pilot uses NIOT-developed cages for finfish and promotes open-sea seaweed cultivation.
• Implemented with Andaman & Nicobar administration, the project aims to unlock ocean resources and boost livelihoods of fishing communities.

CSIR skill drive trains 1.9 lakh people under national mission.

• Council of Scientific & Industrial Research’s Integrated Skill Initiative has trained over 1.9 lakh individuals through 5200 programs.
• It covers 18 key sectors, offering hands-on training, internships & certifications using CSIR’s nationwide lab network.
• Phase III, launched in June 2025, has already trained 14,000+ people via 425 programmes, strengthening industry-ready skills & employability.

Defence Minister inaugurates Nagpur ammo unit in Nagpur.

• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated a fully automated 30 mm ammunition facility at Solar Defence & Aerospace in Nagpur.
• He said the government aims for over 50% private sector participation to make India self-reliant and a global defence manufacturing hub.
• Singh also flagged off Pinaka rocket exports to Armenia, highlighting India’s shift from arms importer to emerging exporter.

Odisha launches "Aame Padhiba Aama Bhasare" scheme.

• Odisha launched the 5-year Aame Padhiba Aama Bhasare scheme to provide early education in mother tongues for children aged 3–6.
• The first phase will cover tribal languages across six districts, with trained anganwadi workers and audio-visual learning tools.
• The state also rolled out a 100-day drive against child marriage and a pilot to prevent teenage pregnancy and support young mothers.

IIM Rohtak director wins global governance leadership award.

• IIM Rohtak Director Prof Dheeraj Sharma received the Exemplary Governance Leadership Award at the 46th World Management Congress in New Delhi.
• Chosen from 1,400 global nominations, he was recognised for institution-building & securing AMBA & BGA accreditations for IIM Rohtak.
• Under his leadership, the institute shifted to its permanent campus, launched integrated management & law programmes.