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India Pulse | January 19, 2026: Your Daily Digest of India's Governance, Progress, and Vision.
Harrdiip Bedii
The India Pulse Newsletter for January 19, 2026 covers IMF raising India's growth forecast to 7.3%, Jaishankar meeting Polish FM Sikorski in New Delhi, over 3 lakh MSME loan applications sanctioned by public sector banks, Sonowal terming Assam BJP rift letter fake and lodging FIR, DISCOMs recording over ₹2700 crore profit in 2024-25 per Manohar Lal, Shivraj Singh Chouhan briefing media on VB-G RAM G Act, Defence Ministry inviting 10,000 special guests for 77th Republic Day Parade, Bhupender Yadav chairing 88th National Board for Wildlife meeting, Election Commission hosting IICDEM 2026, and Indian Railways running 244 special trains for Mauni Amavasya.
IMF Raises India Growth Forecast to 7.3%
The International Monetary Fund raised its forecast for India’s economic growth in fiscal 2026 by 0.7 percentage points to 7.3%, citing strong momentum.
The upgrade follows a revision earlier this month by India’s National Statistics Office, which raised its estimate for growth to 7.4% in the year ending March 31, above the government’s initial projection of 6.3% to 6.8%.
In its World Economic Outlook report released on Monday, the IMF said the upward revision for fiscal 2026 reflected “better-than-expected outturn in the third quarter of the year and strong momentum in the fourth quarter.”
The Fund had previously estimated growth for fiscal 2026 at 6.6% in its Article IV staff report. The IMF further said that global growth is expected to remain steady, with momentum in high-tech sectors set to slow but still partly offsetting the weakness in other sectors.
Jaishankar Meets Polish FM Sikorski in New Delhi
Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski met External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar in New Delhi on Monday. The two leaders discussed the India–Poland Strategic Partnership.
During his opening remarks, India’s External Affairs Minister said that bilateral relations have progressed over the past few years and stated that both sides would review the Action Plan 2024–28 and seek to realise the full potential of strategic relations between India and Poland.
Polish Deputy Prime Minister reiterated Poland’s support for India in its fight against cross-border terrorism.
Over 3 Lakh MSME Loan Applications Sanctioned by Public Sector Banks: Govt
The government has said that over three lakh Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) loan applications amounting to more than 52 thousand 300 crore rupees have been sanctioned by the Public Sector Banks.
The Finance Ministry said that these loan applications were sanctioned between April to December last year.
The Public Sector Banks had launched the Credit Assessment Model last year based on digital footprints for MSMEs.
The Ministry said, this credit assessment model leverages the digitally fetched and verifiable data available in the ecosystem and devise automated journeys for MSME loan appraisal.
The digital footprints are used by the model for KYC authentications, mobile and email verifications, GST data analysis, bank statement analysis, ITR verification among others.
Sonowal Terms Assam BJP Rift Letter Fake, Lodges FIR
The Office of Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Monday categorically clarified that reports of internal Assam BJP conflict based on a letter to party National President are baseless as the document is completely fake, fabricated and forged.
“The Office categorically clarifies that the said letter, which alleges demands for a leadership change in Assam and makes claims against the current Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, is completely fake, fabricated, and forged. The letter bears a forged official letterhead and a fake signature of Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal,” the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways said in a statement.
It added that “the circulation of such fraudulent material constitutes a serious criminal offence involving forgery, impersonation, and misuse of official government identity, apparently aimed at spreading misinformation and discrediting a constitutional authority”.
An FIR has been lodged in the matter, and law enforcement agencies have been requested to investigate the case on priority and take strict legal action against those responsible.
The Office of the Union Minister strongly rejected the claims made in the circulated reports and clarified that there is no truth whatsoever in the allegations of internal rivalry or correspondence attributed to Sarbananda Sonowal.
DISCOMs Record Over 2700 Crore Profit in 2024-25: Manohar Lal
Union Minister for Power Manohar Lal on Monday said that power distribution utilities of the country (DISCOMs) have recorded a profit of over two thousand seven hundred crore rupees in 2024-25.
The Minister said this while inaugurating the Centre of Excellence for Power and Regulation at IIT Delhi Campus in New Delhi. He underlined that the government will introduce an amendment in the Electricity Act during the next budget session that will prevent losses in the sector.
Highlighting the Centre of Excellence for Power and Regulation, Mr Lal informed that it will bring important regulatory reforms in the power sector that will benefit the country. The Minister emphasised that instead of following the regulations and norms set by the world, India should constitute its own regulations and also set the regulations for other countries.
The inaugural ceremony was also attended by the Secretary of Power, Pankaj Agarwal. Director of IIT Professor Rangan Banerjee, among other dignitaries.
Shivraj Singh Chouhan Briefs Media on VB-G RAM G Act
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday addressed a press conference in New Delhi on The Viksit Bharat—Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Act.
The Minister discussed measures taken to strengthen rural employment and enhance the effectiveness of MGNREGA.
Mr. Chouhan stated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, 25 crore people have been lifted out of poverty.
He also targeted the Congress, alleging that the party is spreading false information through AI on social media and misleading the nation.
Speaking about the law, the Minister said that the Viksit Bharat-G RAM G Act will guarantee 125 days of work instead of 100 days.
He added that provisions have been made in the law and priorities have been set, with SC, ST, women, disabled, and the poor being the focus.
“Providing them employment is our commitment,” he said.
Defence Ministry Invites Around 10,000 Special Guests for 77th Republic Day Parade
The Defence Ministry has said that around 10 thousand special guests have been invited to witness the 77th Republic Day Parade at Kartavya Path in New Delhi this year. The guests include those who have carried out exemplary work in income and employment generation, best innovators, start-ups, self-help groups and best performers under various government initiatives.
The Ministry said that the guests have been invited with the objective of honouring their contributions to nation-building and increasing Jan Bhagidari in events of national importance. The special guests include the winners of World Athletic Para Championship, transgenders and beggars rehabilitated under PM SMILE scheme, farmers practicing natural farming among others.
Bhupender Yadav Chairs 88th National Board for Wildlife Standing Committee Meeting
Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav on Monday chaired the 88th meeting of the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife, in New Delhi.
During the meeting, the standing committee considered 70 proposals related to public utility services, defence requirements, and infrastructure development located in and around Protected Areas, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Tiger Reserves and Eco-Sensitive Zones. The standing committee also considered 17 defence-related proposals, related to strategic infrastructure in border and high-altitude areas.
Election Commission to Host IICDEM 2026
The Election Commission of India will host the India International Conference on Democracy and Election Management (IICDEM) 2026 from January 21, 2026, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
The three-day conference is poised to be the largest global conference of its kind hosted by India in the field of democracy and election management.
Nearly one hundred international delegates, representing over 70 countries from across the world, are expected to participate. The representatives of international organisations, foreign missions in India, and academic and practising experts in the electoral domain will also participate.
The Commission will hold over 40 bilateral meetings with the Election Management Bodies to further discussions and cooperation on various challenges confronting them around the world.
Indian Railways Runs 244 Special Trains for Mauni Amavasya
Indian Railways successfully managed rail traffic during Mauni Amavasya period, operating 244 special trains across the country since January 3, 2026 to ensure smooth travel for devotees.
The special services comprising 31 trains of Northern Railway, 158 trains of North Central Railway and 55 trains of North Eastern Railway served around 4.5 lakh passengers.
On January 18, Prayagraj saw peak festive travel with 40 special trains including 11 NR, 22 NCR and 7 NER carrying approximately 1 lakh passengers, the Ministry of Railways said in a statement.
It added that all regular trains ran as scheduled, demonstrating effective planning and operational efficiency.