School Assembly News Headlines: 15 January 2026

National News

1. NITI Aayog releases Export Preparedness Index 2024 to assess export readiness of states and Union Territories

2. India’s wholesale price inflation turns positive at 0.83 percent in December after months of deflation

3. Indian diplomat DB Venkatesh Varma nominated to chair UN Advisory Board on Disarmament Matters

4. RBI recognises FEDAI as self-regulatory organisation for authorised foreign exchange dealers

International News

1. Japan PM Sanae Takaichi plans snap election to seek mandate for spending amid market diplomatic pressures concerns ahead

2. 2. Radio outage at Greece airports exposes outdated systems, forces airspace closure and triggers senior official resignation after investigation

Sports News 

1. Mixed results for India as Sindhu exits early while Srikanth advances at India Open Super 750

2. Kidambi Srikanth and H S Prannoy register wins as P V Sindhu suffers early exit at India Open

Business News

1. Indian rupee weakens against United States dollar as dollar index strengthens in forex markets during global currency trading

2. India’s wholesale inflation rises to eight-month high in December as food prices stabilise, ending deflation phase nationwide trend

1. NITI Aayog releases Export Preparedness Index 2024 to assess states’ export readiness and competitiveness nationwide
The Export Preparedness Index 2024 evaluates export ecosystems across Indian states and UTs. It supports India’s USD 1 trillion export target by identifying strengths, gaps, and policy opportunities at the subnational level.

2. India wholesale price inflation turns positive in December at 0.83 percent beating estimates after months of deflation phase
Wholesale inflation rose to 0.83 percent in December from negative levels in November. Higher food and global commodity prices, along with base effects, pushed prices up faster than market expectations.

3. India’s exports to China rise despite record trade deficit as bilateral trade hits historic high
India’s exports to China increased by USD 5.5 billion. However, the trade deficit reached a record USD 116.12 billion. Bilateral trade touched an all-time high of USD 155.62 billion in 2025.

4. Reserve Bank of India recognises Foreign Exchange Dealers’ Association of India as self-regulatory organisation for authorised dealers
The RBI has granted SRO status to FEDAI under its Omnibus framework. FEDAI must align governance rules within one year and expand membership to all authorised foreign exchange dealers

5. Indian diplomat DB Venkatesh Varma nominated to chair UN Advisory Board on Disarmament Matters for 2026–27 term historic
United Nations Secretary General nominated Indian diplomat DB Venkatesh Varma as chair of Advisory Board on Disarmament Matters. This marks first time an Indian will lead the board for 2026–27 term.

1. Union MoS Shobha Karandlaje inaugurates regional labour conference in Jaipur to implement new labour codes
A two-day regional conference began in Jaipur to support implementation of four new labour codes. The event discusses issues related to ESIC, EPFO, and PMVBRY. It is the second of six planned meetings.

2. Calcutta High Court dismisses All India Trinamool Congress plea on alleged data seizure by ED
The Enforcement Directorate told the court no data was taken from I-PAC premises. After this clarification, the Calcutta High Court rejected the Trinamool Congress petition seeking protection of political data.

3. Vice President C P Radhakrishnan and Union Ministers attend Pongal celebrations at Dr L Murugan’s residence
Vice President C P Radhakrishnan and senior Union Ministers joined Pongal celebrations in New Delhi. Leaders highlighted the festival’s cultural significance, unity, and gratitude to nature, calling it a time of joy and renewed national spirit.

1. Japan PM Sanae Takaichi plans snap election seeking mandate for spending amid market and diplomatic pressures concerns ahead
Japan’s first female prime minister wants public approval for spending plans. Parliament may dissolve next week. Election likely February 8. Support has risen since October, despite tensions with China recently.

2. Radio outage at Greece airports exposes outdated systems, forces airspace closure and triggers official resignation
An eight-hour radio failure disrupted flights across Greece. Air traffic controllers lost contact with planes. Investigators blamed outdated communication systems. The incident revealed infrastructure gaps and led to a senior official’s resignation.

1. P V Sindhu suffers first-round exit while Kidambi Srikanth advances at India Open Super 750 in New Delhi
India endured mixed results as Sindhu lost her opening match to Vietnam’s Nguyen Thuy Linh, despite winning first game, while Srikanth progressed smoothly into second round at IG Stadium.

2. Kidambi Srikanth and H S Prannoy win as P V Sindhu exits India Open badminton tournament
At the India Open Badminton Tournament, Kidambi Srikanth and HS Prannoy won tough men’s singles matches. PV Sindhu, however, suffered a first-round loss in women’s singles competition.

1. Indian rupee weakens against United States dollar as dollar index strengthens in forex markets
The rupee depreciated by 10 paise to close at 90.29 against the US dollar. The dollar index stood at 99.08, reflecting stronger dollar performance against major global currencies.

2. India’s wholesale inflation rises to eight-month high in December as food prices stabilise, ending deflation phase
India’s wholesale inflation reached 0.83 percent in December, data from the Ministry of Commerce showed. Food prices stopped falling, pushing inflation higher. Retail inflation also increased to a three-month high.

3. Reserve Bank of India approves Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation plan to set up wholly owned subsidiary in India
The RBI has given in-principle approval to Japan’s SMBC. The bank will expand operations in India through a wholly owned subsidiary. SMBC currently operates via branches in four major Indian cities.