Here is a quick yet comprehensive roundup of the top 20 news stories of Tuesday, 13 January 2026, covering major developments from science and politics to weather, sports, and entertainment. From ISRO facing a rare setback in space missions to rising political tensions after ED raids on I-PAC, these are the headlines shaping the day.

1. ISRO’s PSLV-C62 Mission Fails After Third-Stage Glitch

India’s space agency ISRO suffered a setback as the PSLV-C62 mission failed during the third stage of flight. The rocket deviated from its planned trajectory in the final phase, preventing the deployment of 16 satellites, including EOS-N1. ISRO Chairman Dr. V. Narayanan confirmed a technical anomaly and announced a detailed failure analysis.

2. First Launch of the Year Ends in Failure for PSLV

Out of 64 PSLV missions, this marks only the fourth failure, making it a rare event. ISRO officials stated that all mission data is being analyzed, and a dedicated committee has been formed to identify the root cause.

3. ED Raids on I-PAC Escalate Political Clash in West Bengal

The Enforcement Directorate’s raid on I-PAC offices and residences of senior officials in Kolkata has intensified the political confrontation between the BJP and TMC. ED has moved the Supreme Court against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the state DGP, and Kolkata Police Commissioner, alleging obstruction during the raid.

4. Mamata Banerjee Writes Again to Election Commission Over AI Use

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee has raised concerns over the use of Artificial Intelligence in Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists, claiming it is causing difficulties for voters and demanding corrective action.

5. Weather Alert: Heavy Rain and Cold Wave Till January 18

The IMD has issued alerts for heavy rainfall in parts of South India and Jammu & Kashmir, while northern states like Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand continue to battle severe cold waves and dense fog.

6. Iran Protests: India Issues Advisory for Its Citizens

With over 500 reported deaths in ongoing violent protests across Iran, India has said it is closely monitoring the situation. The Ministry of External Affairs has issued advisories for Indian nationals in the region.

7. Baby Ariha’s Cross-Border Custody Case Back in Focus

The case of five-year-old Ariha, who has been in German foster care for nearly 40 months, resurfaced during the German Chancellor’s India visit. Her parents continue to seek diplomatic intervention from both governments.

8. High-Level Meeting Held to Tackle Delhi-NCR Pollution

Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav chaired a high-level review meeting to assess pollution control measures in Delhi-NCR and evaluate their on-ground implementation.

9. China’s Strategic Move Ahead of Bangladesh Elections

China’s ambassador meeting Jamaat-e-Islami leaders ahead of Bangladesh elections has raised eyebrows. Analysts see it as Beijing’s attempt to safeguard investments and counter India’s regional influence.

10. Pakistan Defends JF-17 Deal With Bangladesh

Pakistan has stated that India has no right to interfere in its defense cooperation with Bangladesh, including the JF-17 fighter jet deal. India has said it is closely watching developments.

11. Who Was Rubina Aminian? A Tragic Face of Iran Protests

Rubina Aminian, one of the identified victims of Iran’s protests, was reportedly shot at close range. Her family claims authorities forced them to bury her by the roadside, sparking global outrage.

12. WPL 2026 Drama: Three Balls, Three Wickets—But No Hat-Trick

In a thrilling RCB vs UP Warriors match, three wickets fell in three balls across two overs, denying a hat-trick. Strong performances by Deepti Sharma and Deandra Dottin rescued UP from collapse.

13. Patna Protests Over NEET Aspirant’s Death

Public anger erupted in Patna after a NEET student died under suspicious circumstances. Family members alleged rape and murder, carrying the body to Kargil Chowk in protest.

14. T20 World Cup 2026: ICC Rejects Bangladesh’s Safety Claims

The ICC dismissed Bangladesh’s concerns over player safety in India, stating that the T20 World Cup 2026 will be conducted in a secure environment.

15. Nitish Kumar’s Samriddhi Yatra Schedule Announced

Bihar CM Nitish Kumar will visit eight districts of North Bihar from January 16 to 24 to review development projects during the first phase of his Samriddhi Yatra.

16. Bihar to Get Five Modern Expressways

Minister Dilip Jaiswal announced a mega infrastructure plan, including five Mumbai-style expressways, district-level land banks, and road ambulance services.

17. Budget 2026 Buzz: First-Ever Sunday Presentation

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget 2026 on a Sunday for the first time. Expectations include tax relief for the middle class, job creation, MSME support, and investment in green energy and AI.

18. From Reels to IIT: Bareilly Girl’s Inspiring Journey

Indu Patel from Uttar Pradesh overcame distractions and discouragement to crack JEE Advanced, turning her life around and securing admission to IIT.

19. Shikhar Dhawan Gets Engaged to Sophie Shine

Former Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan announced his engagement to Ireland-based product consultant Sophie Shine through a social media post.

20. Subhash Ghai Praises ‘Dhurandhar’ Director Aditya Dhar

After the blockbuster success of ‘Dhurandhar’, filmmaker Subhash Ghai shared a heartfelt note praising director Aditya Dhar for redefining modern Bollywood storytelling.

These were the top 20 news highlights of 13 January 2026, capturing the most important national and international developments in one place. Stay informed and updated with the stories that matter most.