UPSC Current Affairs 17 January 2026 — The Hindu

• SC rejects Justice Varma’s challenge to formation of House inquiry committee
• Budget 2026-27 must keep the growth momentum
• HC seeks Centre’s reply on Iran’s detention of 16 Indian seafarers
• SC stays Mukul Roy’s disqualification from Bengal Assembly
• Democratic institutions need to be transparent: Om Birla
• Secretary-General of RS has administrative role only, says court
• Seeds Bill aimed at protecting rights of farmers, says Minister
• India-EU free trade pact will be ‘mother of all deals:’ Goyal
• ISMA suggests measures for the promotion of biofuel
• U.S., Taiwan reach trade deal focused on semiconductors
• Pak. appoints Achakzai as Leader of Opposition in National Assembly
• 44,000 new start-ups were registered in 2025, says PM
• Jharkhand HC stays action against ED officials by State police, orders Central security cover
• ‘1.03 crore new workers joined ESIC after reforms’
• Home Ministry calls Ladakhi leaders for talks on February 4
• Swiss India Chamber eyes WEF to woo investments
• Trump threatens tariffs on nations that don’t back plan on Greenland
• Union govt. panel asks T.N. to revise dugong centre plan
• Maruti Suzuki starts export of Victoris sport utility vehicle
• With Nepal’s largest party divided ahead of polls, EC decides on legitimacy dispute