Current Affairs 22 January 2026

International Relations

Overview of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s Visit to India on January 19, 2026 • On January 19, 2026, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan undertook a one-day visit to India at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marking his third visit as UAE President and fifth visit overall to India. • During the bilateral meeting, PM Modi and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed focused on trade expansion and strengthened the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, announcing initiatives in trade, technology, energy, digital cooperation, culture, and people-to-people ties. • Both nations agreed to expand their Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), aiming to double bilateral trade to over USD 200 billion by 2032, and announced collaboration between C-DAC and G-42 to establish a supercomputing cluster. • Key agreements signed include a Letter of Intent for the development of Dholera Special Investment Region in Gujarat, another LoI between IN-SPACe and UAE Space Agency for joint space infrastructure, a Defence LoI for Strategic Defence Partnership, and a 10-year Sales & Purchase Agreement enabling HPCL to import 0.5 MTPA of LNG from ADNOC Gas starting 2028.

Environment and Ecology

BNHS and NMCG Launches Project to Protect Indian Skimmer in the Ganga Basin • In January 2026, the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) and the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) jointly launched a conservation project titled ‘Safeguarding breeding habitats of Indian Skimmer and sympatric birds through monitoring and community participation in the Ganga Basin’. • The project was formally inaugurated by Union Minister C.R. Patil, Ministry of Jal Shakti at Dehradun, Uttarakhand, with the main objective of protecting river sandbars which are crucial nesting sites for the Endangered Indian Skimmer (Scientific name: Rynchops albicollis). • The project extends the successful conservation model from National Chambal Sanctuary to key river stretches including the Chambal River, Upper Ganga near Bijnor and Narora, Ganga-Yamuna confluence at Prayagraj, and Lower Ganga near Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary in Bihar. • Local people will be trained as ‘Nest Guardians’ and ‘River Guardians’ to protect nesting sites, monitor birds and assist in data collection, while the project will also conserve other declining riverine species like Black-bellied Tern, River Tern, River Lapwing, Great Thick-knee, Little Tern and Little Pratincole. • India is home to almost 90% of the world’s population of Indian Skimmer, making its conservation crucial for this distinctive river bird classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.

Energy & Power

Union Minister Manohar Lal Inaugurates CoE for Regulatory Affairs at IIT Delhi • On 20th January 2026, Union Minister Manohar Lal, Ministry of Power and Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs, inaugurated the Centre of Excellence for Regulatory Affairs in the Power Sector at IIT Delhi, New Delhi. • The CoE has been jointly established by IIT Delhi, the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC), and Grid Controller of India Limited (Grid India) to strengthen India’s regulatory capacity amid rapid changes in the electricity sector. • The CoE will function as a national hub for regulatory research, capacity building, advisory support, and knowledge dissemination, integrating policy, regulation, system operations, and academic research within a single institutional framework. • The Centre will undertake multidisciplinary research on power sector regulation, market design, grid operations, energy transition challenges, decarbonisation pathways, digitalisation, and emerging technologies. • It provides evidence-based analytical support to regulators and system operators, builds long-term regulatory capacity through structured training programmes, and offers policymakers analytical models to evaluate regulatory proposals on consumer welfare, system reliability, and investment signals.

Environment

MoEFCC declared Kumbhalgarh WLS as Eco-Sensitive Zone • In January 2026, Union Minister Bhupender Yadav, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change announced through official notification declaring an area ranging from zero to one kilometre around the Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary located in the Aravalli Mountain Range, Rajasthan, as an Eco-Sensitive Zone. • As per MoEFCC directions, activities like mining, large industrial units, brick kilns and the construction of new hotels and resorts will be restricted in 94 villages spread across nearly 243 kms adjoining the sanctuary boundary. • The Kumbhalgarh WLS spans across the Rajsamand, Pali and Udaipur districts of Rajasthan and is considered one of the most fragile ecosystems of the Aravalli range, serving as a significant catchment area for the Banas and Luni river systems. • It is a natural habitat for a wide range of wildlife species including leopard, striped hyena, jungle cat, Indian pangolin, blue bill and chinkara, as well as several bird species such as the painted francolin. • This declaration will help in the conservation of rich biodiversity as well as support indigenous communities living in and around the WLS.

Defence & Security

Bharat Forge Secured Rs 300 Crore Contracts under EP-VI Norms for IA, IN • In January 2026, Bharat Forge Limited’s aerospace division secured contracts worth nearly Rs 300 crore under the current Emergency Procurement-VI (EP-VI) framework for the supply of indigenously built Unmanned systems to the Indian Army and Indian Navy. • Under the EP-VI framework, the total value of each contract is capped at Rs 300 crore, with equipment to be delivered within one year of signing. • The contracts cover a range of indigenous unmanned systems including Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platforms like Omega One and Omega Nine ISR drones, and loitering munitions named Bayonet and Cleaver. • Omega One was displayed during Army Day on January 15, 2026 in Jaipur, Rajasthan, mounted on an upgraded BMP-2 infantry combat vehicle for short to medium-range battlefield surveillance, while Omega Nine is a high-endurance variant designed for longer missions. • Loitering munitions such as Bayonet and Cleaver are described as ‘kamikaze drones’ that hover over a target, identify assets and strike with precision, developed to meet urgent operational requirements across diverse terrains and mission profiles.

Labour and Employment

ILO’s Employment and Social Trends 2026 Projects Global Unemployment Rate Unchanged at 4.9% in 2026 • In January 2026, the International Labour Organisation released its report titled ‘Employment and Social Trends 2026: World of Work Series’ in Geneva, Switzerland, projecting that the global unemployment rate will remain unchanged at 4.9% in 2026, equivalent to 186 million people worldwide lacking access to quality jobs. • The report highlighted that the wider global jobs gap, capturing people who want paid work but cannot access it, is expected to reach 408 million in 2026, and the global unemployment rate will continue at 4.9% till 2027. • The share of workers living in extreme poverty declined by 3.1 percentage points to 7.9% between 2015 and 2025, however nearly 300 million workers continue to live in extreme working poverty, earning less than USD 3 per day. • Between 2015 and 2025, the global rate of informality increased by 0.3 percentage points, with 2.1 billion workers projected to be informally employed in 2026, and the global Labour Force Participation Rate is projected to decline by nearly 0.2 percentage points each year, reaching 60.5% in 2027. • Global employment growth rate is estimated at 1.0% in 2026, slightly below the previous decade’s average, with job growth projected at 0.5% in upper middle-income countries compared to 1.8% in lower middle-income countries and 3.1% in low-income countries.

National News

Numbeo Safety Index 2026: Mangaluru Ranked Safest City in India; Qingdao Tops Globally • In January 2026, according to Numbeo Safety Index 2026 rankings, Mangaluru (Karnataka) emerged as the safest city in India, securing the 46th rank globally with a safety score of 74.4. • Qingdao (Shandong, China) topped the global list with an exceptional safety score of 89.2, followed by Abu Dhabi (UAE) in second place with 88.9, and Doha (Qatar) in third place with 84.5. • Other top Indian cities include Ahmedabad (Gujarat) at 87th globally with a score of 68.5 and Jaipur (Rajasthan) at 106th with 65.3, while Pretoria (South Africa) was ranked at the bottom (304th) with a score of 18.2. • The top 10 safest countries globally are led by UAE with a safety index of 86.0, followed by Qatar and Andorra at 84.8 each, Taiwan at 83.0, Macao (China) at 81.8, Oman at 81.6, Isle of Man at 79.1, Hong Kong (China) at 78.6, Armenia at 77.9, and Bahrain at 77.7. • According to Numbeo’s 2026 safety index, Papua New Guinea, Venezuela and Haiti were among the least safe countries globally with safety scores of 19.1, 19.6 and 19.9 respectively.

Science and Technology

Indian-Origin NASA Astronaut Sunita Williams Retires After 27 Years of Service • On January 21, 2026, NASA announced that Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Lyn Williams retired from service effective December 27, 2025, marking the end of a 27-year illustrious career in human space exploration, and in 2008, she was conferred with the Padma Bhushan. • She was born on September 19, 1965, in Ohio, USA, and was selected by NASA as an astronaut candidate in 1998, where she trained in spacecraft systems, robotics, T-38 jet flight, survival training, and Russian space operations. • She completed three space missions during her career: Expedition 14/15, Expedition 32/33 aboard the International Space Station, and the Boeing Starliner Crew Flight Test mission, logging 608 days in space across all missions, making her second on NASA’s list for cumulative time in orbit. • She performed nine spacewalks totaling 62 hours and 6 minutes, the most spacewalk time by a woman and fourth overall in NASA history, and is jointly ranked sixth for the longest single spaceflight by an American alongside NASA astronaut Butch Wilmore with 286 days in space. • During her first mission, she ran the first marathon ever in space on a treadmill aboard the ISS, completing the Boston Marathon distance of 42.195 kilometers.

Finance

Moody’s Projects India’s FY26 GDP Growth at 7.3%, Supporting Rise in Household Incomes • In January 2026, global credit rating agency Moody’s Ratings projected that India will record a robust GDP growth rate of 7.3% in Financial Year 2025-26 (FY26), higher than 6.5% growth rate registered in FY25. • The robust economic expansion is expected to support average household incomes and boost demand for insurance protection, with India’s GDP per capita rising 8.2% year-on-year to reach USD 11,176 in FY25. • India’s strong economic expansion drove a 17% rise in total insurance premium revenue, reaching Rs 10.9 lakh crore during April–November 2025-26, with health insurance premiums growing by 14% and life new business premiums surging 20%. • Moody’s highlighted measures taken by the Government of India such as selling a minority stake in Life Insurance Corporation of India and re-capitalizing some state-owned companies to improve their performance and enhance profitability. • The Government has increased the limit on foreign investment in Indian insurance companies from 74% to 100%, which is expected to provide additional financial flexibility to the insurance sector.

Science and Technology

American Biologist Toby Kiers Won 2026 Tyler Prize for Shedding Light on Hidden Fungal Network • In January 2026, renowned American biologist Dr. Toby Kiers was named the winner of 2026 Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement, also known as ‘Nobel for the Environment’, in recognition of her groundbreaking research revealing the important role of mycorrhizal fungal networks in carbon cycling and nutrient exchange. • She will officially receive the award at a ceremony scheduled for 23 April 2026 in Amsterdam, Netherlands, along with a cash prize of USD 250,000. • The Tyler Prize is one of the first international premier environmental awards established in 1973 by the late John and Alice Tyler, recognising exceptional scientific work in environmental science, health and energy that benefits humanity. • The award is administered by The University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles, USA, and since 1974, the Tyler Prize has honored 88 laureates from 18 countries. • In 2025, Brazilian Eduardo Bronizio and Argentinian Sandra Diaz were honoured with Tyler Prize.

Business

Brand Finance Global 500 2026 Report: India’s Infosys Ranks Third; Accenture Topped • On January 20, 2026, Brand Finance released a report titled “Brand Finance Global 500 2026”, according to which Infosys ranked the world’s third most valuable Information Technology Services Brand, valued at USD 16.4 billion, with a Brand Strength Index score of 86.8 out of 100. • Accenture remains the world’s first IT services brand, valued at USD 42.2 billion with a BSI score of 90.7, while Tata Consultancy Services, valued at USD 21.2 billion (84.6) secured the second place for the fifth consecutive year and achieves AAA rating for the first time. • The combined brand value of the world’s top 25 IT services brands stood at USD 167.2 billion in 2026, with Infosys achieving a 15% Compound Annual Growth Rate over the last six years. • Indian IT Companies such as HCLTech, Wipro, Tech Mahindra, LTIMindtree, Persistent Systems, and Hexaware have secured place among the top 25 IT services brands globally.

Mergers & Acquisitions

CCI Approvals on January 20, 2026 • On January 20, 2026, the Competition Commission of India, under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, approved two major acquisition proposals in the banking and steel sectors. • CCI approved the acquisition of up to 74% (minimum 51%) shareholding in RBL Bank Limited by Emirates NBD Bank (P.J.S.C.) and the acquisition of 50.01% equity share capital of Thriveni Pellets Private Limited by Tata Steel Limited. • CCI also approved the proposed combination involving Bhushan Power and Steel Limited, JSW Sambalpur Steel Limited, JFE Steel Corporation and JSW Kalinga Steel Limited. • The deal involves a major restructuring to establish a 50:50 Joint Venture between JFE and JSW Steel Limited.

Science & Environment

Two New Rare Ant Fly Species Discovered in Delhi and Western Ghats • In January 2026, researchers from Kerala and Tamil Nadu reported the discovery of two new rare ant fly species, ‘Metadon ghorpadei’ and ‘Metadon reemeri’, found in Delhi’s Northern Ridge forest and the Siruvani Hills of the Western Ghats, respectively. • This is the first discovery in over 100 years and shows the importance of protecting urban forest areas, with findings published in international journal Zootaxa after morphological and DNA analysis. • Both species belong to Microdontinae, a subfamily of Syrphidae (hoverflies), and larvae are myrmecophilous, living in ant nests and feeding on ant brood, while adults are rare and hard to detect. • India now has eight Metadon species, up from six, while globally, 454 Microdontinae species exist, with 27 in India, and Metadon ghorpadei was found in Delhi Ridge, a disturbed urban forest, while Metadon reemeri was found in Siruvani hills, Western Ghats. • The discovery reveals hidden biodiversity and calls for surveys, habitat protection, invasive species control, and studies on species divergence.

Sports

Padma Awardee Saina Nehwal Announced Retirement from Competitive Badminton • In January 2026, Indian Olympic medallist, Padma Awardee and former world No. 1 Badminton player Saina Nehwal announced her retirement from competitive badminton, concluding a 21-year career, with her last competitive match being at Singapore Open 2023. • She clinched the bronze medal in women’s singles at the 2012 London Olympics, becoming the first Indian badminton player to win an Olympic medal, and became the first Indian woman to achieve World No. 1 ranking in singles in 2015. • She won her first Badminton World Federation Superseries title at the Indonesia Open in 2009, the first for an Indian, and accumulated 10 Superseries titles including Singapore, Hong Kong, Denmark, Australia, China, and India Opens. • She secured gold in women’s singles at the 2010 New Delhi and 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games editions, won the World Junior Badminton Championships in 2008 and claimed 10 BWF Grand Prix titles. • She was honored with Padma Shri in 2010 and Padma Bhushan in 2016 for her contribution in the field of Sports, and received Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna in 2009-10 and Arjuna Award in 2009.

Sports

Vidarbha Clinches its Maiden Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025–26 Champions • In January 2026, the Vidarbha cricket team won its maiden Vijay Hazare Trophy (2025–26 season) title after defeating Saurashtra by 38 runs in the final held at the Board of Control for Cricket in India Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, Karnataka. • Vidarbha scored 317 runs for 8 wickets in 50 overs and then bowled out Saurashtra for 279 runs in 48.5 overs to secure the win. • Atharva Taide scored 128 runs off 118 balls and received the Player of the Match award, while Yash Thakur secured 4 wickets for 50 runs. • Aman Mokhade of Vidarbha received the Player of the Tournament award, scoring 814 runs in the series. • Vijay Hazare Trophy is India’s premier domestic 50-over One-Day cricket tournament, named after legendary Indian cricketer Vijay Hazare, started in 2002-03, featuring state and regional teams competing in List A matches.

Books and Literature

Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan Releases Book ‘Chalice of Ambrosia: Ram Janmabhoomi- Challenge and Response’ • On 20 January 2026, Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan released a book titled ‘Chalice of Ambrosia: Ram Janmabhoomi- Challenge and Response’, authored by Dr. Surendra Kumar Pachauri, former Secretary to the Government of India, at the VP’s Enclave in New Delhi. • The book was published by Har-Anand Publications and chronicles the long and complex Ram Janmabhoomi movement, a campaign to reclaim and build a temple at the birthplace of Lord Ram in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. • It blends historical context with legal developments, cultural context and contemporary politics to provide a comprehensive narrative in modern Indian history. • Dr. Surendra Kumar Pachauri is a retired 1968-batch Indian Administrative Service officer from Andhra Pradesh cadre who served as the Secretary of the Liberhan Ayodhya Commission of Inquiry, which examined the events surrounding the Babar Masjid demolition and its consequences.