
We are here for you to provide the important Recent and Latest Current Affairs January 22 2026, which have unique updates of Latest Current Affairs 2026 events from all newspapers such as The Hindu, The Economic Times, PIB, Times of India, PTI, Indian Express, Business Standard and all Government official websites.
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NATIONAL AFFAIRS
Overview of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s Visit to India on January 19, 2026
On January 19, 2026, the President of United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan undertook a one-day visit to India at the invitation of Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi.
- The visit marks his third visit as UAE President and fifth visit overall to India.
Highlights of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s Visit to India:
Bilateral Meeting: PM Narendra Modi and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed held bilateral meetings, with a focus on trade expansion, and reviewed and strengthened the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP).
Key Outcomes:
During UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s visit, India and the UAE announced several initiatives in trade, technology, energy, digital cooperation, culture, and people-to-people ties to strengthen long-term bilateral relations and economic integration.
- India and the UAE agreed to expand their Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), aiming to double bilateral trade to over USD 200 billion by 2032.
- They also announced a collaboration between Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) and G-42 to establish a supercomputing cluster, agreed to partner in advanced nuclear technologies including large reactors and Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), and planned to promote trade and investment with the First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) and DP World operating from GIFT City, Gujarat.
Key Agreements Signed:
- A Letter of Intent (LoI) was signed for the development of Dholera Special Investment Region (SIR) in Gujarat.
- Another LoI between Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) and the UAE Space Agency aims to develop joint space infrastructure, including launch facilities, tech zones, start-up incubation, training institutes.
- A Defence LoI was signed to create a Strategic Defence Partnership focusing on industry, technology, training, education, special operations, cybersecurity, and counterterrorism.
- In energy, a 10-year Sales & Purchase Agreement (SPA) enables HPCL to import 0.5 million tonnes per annum(MTPA) of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) from ADNOC Gas starting 2028.
- Additionally, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between APEDA (MoC&I) and the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment seeks to enhance food sector trade.
>>Read Full News
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) have jointly launched a new conservation project ‘Safeguarding breeding habitats of Indian Skimmer and sympatric birds through monitoring and community participation in the Ganga Basin’ to protect the Endangered (EN) Indian Skimmer (Scientific name: Rynchops albicollis).
- The project was formally inaugurated by Union Minister C.R. Patil, Ministry of Jal Shakti (MoJS) at Dehradun (Uttarakhand)
Exam Hints:
- What? Launch of conservation project for Indian Skimmer in the Ganga Basin
- Launched by: BNHS under NMCG
- Inaugurated by: Union Minister C.R. Patil, MoJS
- Objective: To protect river sandbars (nesting site for Indian Skimmer)
- Scientific Name: Rynchops albicollis
- IUCN Status : Endangered (EN)
Key Details of Project:
Key Objective: The project will be implemented by BNHS with the main objective of protecting river sandbars which are crucial nesting sites for the Indian Skimmer and many other river birds.
Expansion: The project is built on the success of BNHS’s conservation model in the National Chambal Sanctuary, where local community support helped improve bird nesting success.
- Now, this same approach will be extended to key river stretches of Ganga Basin such as: the Chambal River, the Upper Ganga near Bijnor and Narora, the Ganga-Yamuna confluence at Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh, UP), and the Lower Ganga near the Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary in Bihar.
Support from Local Communities: Under this project, local people will be trained as ‘Nest Guardians’ and ‘River Guardians’ to protect nesting sites of Indian Skimmer, monitor birds and assist in data collection.
Other Species Covered: Apart from Indian Skimmer, the project will conserve the other declining riverine species like: the Black-bellied Tern, River Tern, River Lapwing, Great Thick-knee, Little Tern and Little Pratincole.
About Indian Skimmer :
Overview: The Indian Skimmer (Rynchops albicollis) is a distinctive river bird famous for its surface‑skimming feeding style.
IUCN Status: Classified as Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature(IUCN) Red List, it relies on sandbars in large, slow-flowing rivers for nesting and breeding.
- India is home to almost 90% of the world’s population of this species, making its conservation crucial.
Union Minister Manohar Lal Inaugurates CoE for Regulatory Affairs at IIT Delhi
On 20th January 2026, Union Minister Manohar Lal, Ministry of Power (MoP) and Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA), inaugurated the Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Regulatory Affairs in the Power Sector at the Indian Institute of Technolog (IIT) Delhi, in New Delhi(Delhi) to strengthen India’s regulatory capacity amid rapid changes in the electricity sector.
- The CoE has been jointly established by IIT Delhi, the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC), and Grid Controller of India Limited (Grid India).
Exam Hints:
- What? Launch of CoE for Regulatory Affairs in Power Sector
- By Whom? Union Minister Manohar Lal, MoP
- Where? IIT Delhi, New Delhi
- Collaborators: IIT Delhi, CERC, Grid India
- Objective: Strengthen India’s regulatory capabilities, support evidence-based decision-making
- Focus Areas: Regulatory research, capacity building, advisory support, knowledge dissemination
About Centre of Excellence (CoE):
Purpose:The CoE will function as a national hub for regulatory research, capacity building, advisory support, and knowledge dissemination,
Framework: Integrating policy, regulation, system operations, and academic research within a single institutional framework.
Policy Support: Evidence-based tools provides policymakers with analytical models to evaluate regulatory proposals on consumer welfare, system reliability, and investment signals.
Focus:The CoE will undertake multidisciplinary research on power sector regulation, market design, grid operations, energy transition challenges, decarbonisation pathways, digitalisation, and emerging technologies.
Capacity Building: Provides evidence-based analytical support to regulators and system operators and builds long-term regulatory capacity through structured training programmes.
MoEFCC declared Kumbhalgarh WLS as Eco-Sensitive Zone
In January 2026, the Union Minister Bhupender Yadav, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) announced through its official notification declared an area ranging from zero to one kilometre (km) around the Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary (WLS) which is located in the Aravalli Mountain Range, Rajasthan, as an Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ).
- This declaration will help in the conservation of rich biodiversity as well as support indigenous communities living in and around the WLS.
Exam Hints:
- What? Declaration of Kumbhalgarh WLS as ESZ
- Announced by? Bhupender Yadav
- Ministry: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC)
- Location of WLS: Aravalli Mountain Range (Rajasthan)
- Area declared as ESZ: Zero to One km around the WLS boundary
Key Provisions:
Key Restrictions: 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.
Significance of WLS: As per MoEFCC official notification, the Kumbhalgarh WLS spans across the Rajsamand, Pali and Udaipur districts (of Rajasthan), is considered as one of the most fragile ecosystems of the Aravalli range.
- It is significantly important as a catchment area for the Banas and Luni river systems.
Biodiversity: It is 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.
Bharat Forge Secured Rs 300 Crore Contracts under EP-VI Norms for IA, IN
In January 2026, Bharat Forge Limited (BFL)’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 (IA) and Indian Navy (IN).
- 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.
Exam Hints:
- What? Securing Contracts worth Rs 300 crore under EP-VI
- By Whom? Aerospace division of BFL
- Purpose: Supply of indigenous unmanned systems (ISR and loitering munitions)
- Supply To: IA and IN
- ISR Platforms: Omega One, Omega Nine ISR drones
- Loitering Munitions: Bayonet and Cleaver
Key Details:
Key Platforms: The contracts cover a range of indigenous unmanned systems: Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platforms, including Omega One, Omega Nine ISR drones; and loitering munitions named Bayonet and Cleaver.
- These systems are developed to meet the urgent operational requirements of India across diverse terrains, and mission profiles.
Significance of Platforms: As per BFL, Omega One was displayed during the Army Day (on January 15, 2026) in Jaipur, Rajasthan, mounted on an upgraded BMP-2 infantry combat vehicle, providing short to medium-range battlefield surveillance.
- Omega Nine is a high-endurance variant, designed specifically for longer missions to detect enemy presence, identify targets and enhance situational awareness.
- Loitering Munitions such as Bayonet and Cleaver are described as ‘kamikaze drones’, hovering over a target, identifying assets and striking with precision.
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
ILO’s Employment and Social Trends 2026 Projects Global Unemployment Rate Unchanged at 4.9% in 2026
In January 2026, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) released its latest report titled ‘Employment and Social Trends 2026: World of Work Series’ in Geneva, Switzerland. As per the report, the global unemployment rate is projected to remain unchanged at 4.9% in 2026 which is equivalent to 186 million people/workers worldwide still lacking access to quality jobs and also, this global unemployment rate will continue to be the same till 2027.
- The report has further highlighted the wider global jobs gap (i.e. capturing people who want paid work but cannot access it) is expected to reach 408 million in 2026.
Key Findings:
Extreme Poverty: As per the report, the share of workers living in extreme poverty declined by 3.1 percentage points to 7.9% between 2015 and 2025.
- Nearly 300 million workers continue to live in extreme working poverty, earning less than USD 3 per day.
Global Informality Rate: Between 2015 and 2025, the global rate of informality increased by 0.3 percentage points, after having declined in the previous decade (2005-2015).
- Globally, 2.1 billion workers are projected to be informally employed in 2026.
Global LFPR: The report has projected that the global Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR)will decline by nearly 0.2 percentage points each year, reaching 60.5% in 2027.
Demographic Shifts: The Global employment growth rate is estimated at 1.0% in 2026, which is slightly below the average of the previous decade.
- It also projected job growth will be 0.5% in upper middle-income countries compared to 1.8% in lower middle-income countries, and 3.1% in low-income countries.
>>Read Full News
Numbeo Safety Index 2026: Mangaluru Ranked Safest City in India; Qingdao Tops Globally
In January 2026, according to Numbeo Safety Index 2026 rankings by Numbeo, a crowd-sourced global database, 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 (United Arab Emirates, UAE) in second place with 88.9, and Doha (Qatar) in third place with 84.5.
Performance of the Cities:
Other Top 10 Cities Globally: Sharjah(United Arab Emirates (UAE) ranked 4th globally with a score of 84.5, followed by Dubai in 5th place with 83.9.
- Taipei (Taiwan) ranked 6th with a score of 83.5, followed by Manama (Bahrain) at 7th (82.0). Muscat (Oman) secured the 8th position with 81.3, while the Netherlands featured prominently with The Hague (9th, 80.0) and Eindhoven (10th, 79.1) completing the global top ten.
Top 3 Safest Cities in India: According to global safety rankings, Mangaluru(Karnataka) is the safest city in India, ranking 46th globally with a safety score of 74.4. It is followed by Ahmedabad (Gujarat) at 87th globally (68.5) and Jaipur (Rajasthan) at 106th (65.3).
Most Unsafe City Globally: Pretoria (South Africa) was ranked at the bottom (304th) with a score of 18.2, preceded by Caracas (Venezuela) at 303rd (18.6) and Johannesburg(South Africa) at 302nd(19.2).
Top Safest and Least Safe Countries:
Top 10 Safest Countries Globally: The UAE tops the list with a safety index of 86.0, followed by Qatar and Andorra at 84.8 each. Taiwan ranks 4th (83.0), Macao (China) 5th (81.8), Oman 6th (81.6), Isle of Man 7th (79.1), Hong Kong (China) 8th (78.6), Armenia 9th (77.9), and Bahrain 10th (77.7).
Least Safe Countries: According to Numbeo’s 2026 safety index, Papua New Guinea had a safety score of 19.1, Venezuela scored 19.6, and Haiti scored 19.9, placing all three among the least safe countries globally.
>>Read Full News
Indian-Origin NASA Astronaut Sunita Williams Retires After 27 Years of Service
On January 21, 2026, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (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.
- In 2008, she was conferred with the Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian award, in the field of Science and Engineering.
About Sunita Williams:
Profile: She was born on September 19, 1965, in Ohio, the United States of America (USA). She is a former Navy officer of the USA, who became one of NASA’s most experienced and accomplished space explorers.
Space Career: In 1998, She was selected by NASA as an astronaut candidate. She trained in spacecraft systems, robotics, T-38 jet flight, survival training, and Russian space operations, preparing for long-duration missions to the International Space Station (ISS). She trained in Russia on the ISS program and worked on the station’s robotic arms.
Space Expeditions: She completed three space missions during her 27-year career: Expedition 14/15, Expedition 32/33 aboard the International Space Station (ISS), and the Boeing Starliner Crew Flight Test mission.
Achievements & Records:
Time in Space: She has logged 608 days in space across her three missions, making her second on NASA’s list for cumulative time in orbit.
- She is jointly ranked sixth for the longest single spaceflight by an American, alongside NASA astronaut Butch Wilmore, with both spending 286 days in space during the Boeing Starliner and SpaceX Crew-9 missions.
Spacewalks: She performed nine spacewalks totaling 62 hours and 6 minutes, the most spacewalk time by a woman and fourth overall in NASA history.
First Marathon 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 (kms).
>>Read Full News
ECONOMY & BUSINESS
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 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate of 7.3% in Financial Year 2025-26 (FY26), higher than 6.5% growth rate registered in FY25.
- It further highlighted that the robust economic expansion of the country is expected to support average household incomes and boost demand for insurance protection.
Exam Hints:
- What? Moody’s Ratings Projected India’s GDP for FY26
- FY26 : 7.3%, up from 6.5% in FY25
- Impact: To support average household incomes; support demand for insurance
- GDP per capita: USD 11,176 in FY25, 8.2% YoY growth
- Insurance Sector Performance (Apr–Nov FY26):
- Total premiums: Rs 10.9 lakh crore
- Health premiums: +14%
- Life new business premiums: +20%
Key Findings:
Income Growth: India’s GDP per capita rose 8.2% year-on-year (Y-o-Y) to reach USD 11,176 in FY25.
India’s Insurance sector: Moody’s in its report on India’s insurance sector highlighted that the sector is expected to benefit from sustained premium growth which is supported by strong economic expansion, increased digitisation, tax reforms,and a planned reform of the dominant state-owned insurance sector.
Insurance Sector Growth: 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.
- Health insurance premiums grew by 14%, while life new business premiums surged 20%.
- This represents an acceleration compared to FY25, when total premiums had grown 7%, reaching Rs 11.9 lakh crore.
Reforms in Insurance Sector: The firm highlighted certain measures taken by the Government of India (GoI) such as: selling a minority stake in Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) and re-capitalizing some state-owned companies to improve their performance. These measures aim to enhance the profitability of state-owned insurers
- In addition to these measures, the GoI has increased the limit on foreign investment in Indian insurance companies from 74% to 100%, and is expected to provide additional financial flexibility.
About Moody’s Ratings:
President- Michael West
Headquarters- New York, the United States of America (USA)
Founded- 1909
AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
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.
Exam Hints:
- What? Tyler Prize 2026 Announced
- Who? American Biologist Dr.Toby Kiers
- Received Award for: Shedding Light on Hidden Fungal Network
- Cash Prize: USD 250,000
About Tyler Prize:
Background: It is one of the 1st international premier environmental awards established in 1973 by the late John and Alice Tyler.
- The award recognises ‘exceptional’ scientific work in environmental science, health and energy that benefits humanity.
Administered by: The award is administered by The University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles, the United States of America (USA).
Monetary Prize: The recipient of the award (i.e. any individual or organisation from any part of the world) receives a cash prize of USD 250,000.
Total Recipients: Since 1974, the Tyler Prize has honored 88 laureates from 18 countries .
Previous Winner: In 2025, Brazilian Eduardo Bronizio and Argentinian Sandra Diaz were honoured with Tyler Prize.
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”. As per the report , Infosys ranked the world’s third most valuable Information Technology (IT) Services Brand, valued at USD 16.4 billion, with a Brand Strength Index (BSI) score of 86.8 out of 100, achieving a 15% Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) over the last six years.
- Accenture’s top spot in the IT services category reflects its continued investments in technology, consulting and digital services.
Exam Hints:
- What? Brand Finance released Global 500 2026 Report for IT services brand
- First: Accenture (USD 42.2 billion)
- Second: TCS (USD 21.2 billion)
- Third: Infosys (USD 16.4 billion)
- Top 25 Brand Value: 167.2 billion
Key Highlights of the Report:
Other Top 3 IT services Brands: Accenture remains the world’s first IT services brand, valued at USD 42.2 billion with a BSI score of 90.7. Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), 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, indicating extremely strong brand.
Top 25 Brand Value: The combined brand value of the world’s top 25 IT services brands stood at USD 167.2 billion in 2026.
Other Indian IT Companies in the List: Indian IT Companies such as HCLTech, Wipro, Tech Mahindra, LTIMindtree, Persistent Systems, and Hexaware have secured place among the top 25.
ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS
CCI Approvals on January 20, 2026
On January 20, 2026, the Competition Commission of India (CCI), under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), approved two major acquisition proposals in the banking and steel sectors.
- Acquisition of up to 74% (minimum 51%) shareholding in RBL Bank Limited by Emirates NBD Bank (P.J.S.C.)
- Acquisition of 50.01% equity share capital of Thriveni Pellets Private Limited by Tata Steel Limited (TSL)
- CCI also approved the proposed combination involving Bhushan Power and Steel Limited (BPSL), JSW Sambalpur Steel Limited (JSW Sambalpur), JFE Steel Corporation (JFE) and JSW Kalinga Steel Limited (JSW Kalinga).
- The deal involves a major restructuring to establish a 50:50 Joint Venture (JV) between JFE and JSW Steel Limited.
About Competition Commission of India (CCI):
Chairperson – Ravneet Kaur
Headquarters – New Delhi, Delhi
Established – 2003
>>Read Full News
ENVIRONMENT
Two New Rare Ant Fly Species Discovered in Delhi and Western Ghats
In January 2026, researchers from Kerala and Tamil Nadu (TN) 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.
- Findings were published in international journal Zootaxa after morphological and Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) analysis.
Exam Hints:
- What? Two new ant fly species discovered in India
- Species Name: Metadon ghorpadei & Metadon reemeri
- Where? Delhi (Northern Ridge forest) & TN (Siruvani hills, Western Ghats)
- Research Published In: International journal Zootaxa.
- Sub Family: Microdontinae (Syrphidae)
- Special Feature: Myrmecophily – larvae live inside ant nests
About the Discovery of Two New Ant Fly Species:
Classification: Both species belong to Microdontinae, a subfamily of Syrphidae (hoverflies).
Behavior: Larvae are myrmecophilous, living in ant nests and feeding on ant brood; adults are rare and hard to detect.
Species: India now has eight Metadon species, up from six; globally, 454 Microdontinae species exist, 27 in India.
Habitat: Metadon ghorpadei – Delhi Ridge, a disturbed urban forest; Metadon reemeri – Siruvani hills, Western Ghats, a biodiversity hotspot.
Significance: 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.
- She was honored with Padma Shri in 2010 and Padma Bhushan in 2016 for her contribution in the field of Sports.
Exam Hints:
- What? Retirement from competitive badminton
- By Whom? Saina Nehwal, Olympic bronze medallist, former world No.1
- Last Competitive Match: Singapore Open 2023
- Awards: Padma Bhushan (2016), Padma Shri (2010), Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna (2009–10), Arjuna Award (2009)
Achievements:
Olympics: She clinched the bronze medal in women’s singles at the 2012 London Olympics in London, United Kingdom(UK), becoming the first Indian badminton player to win an Olympic medal.
World Ranking: Became the first Indian woman to achieve World No. 1 ranking in singles in 2015.
BWF Superseries: Won her first Badminton World Federation (BWF) Superseries title at the Indonesia Open in 2009 (Jakarta, Indonesia), the first for an Indian, and accumulated 10 Superseries titles including Singapore, Hong Kong, Denmark, Australia, China, and India Opens.
Junior Titles: Won the World Junior Badminton Championships in 2008 and the Commonwealth Youth Games girls’ singles gold in 2008 in Pune, Maharashtra.
Commonwealth Games: Secured gold in women’s singles at the 2010 New Delhi (Delhi) and 2018 Gold Coast editions in Australia.
BWF GP Titles: Claimed 10 BWF Grand Prix (GP) titles including Philippines, Chinese Taipei, India, Swiss, Thailand, Syed Modi, and Malaysia Masters.
Awards:
Padma Bhushan (2016): Awarded March 28, 2016, by President Pranab Mukherjee at Rashtrapati Bhavan for her 2015 World No. 1 ranking, China Open Superseries Premier win
Padma Shri (2010): Conferred April 2010 (age 20) as first badminton player with this honor, recognizing 2009 Indonesia Open gold (first Indian Super Series win) and Commonwealth Games success.
Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna (2009): India’s highest sporting honor, awarded 2009 (age 19) for historic rise from world rank 100+ to top 10, Indonesia Open victory. First badminton player; only second woman after Karnam Malleswari.
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 (BCCI) Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
Exam Hints:
- What? Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025–26 Champions
- Won by: Vidarbha cricket team
- Where? BCCI CoE in Bengaluru (Karnataka)
- Opponent: Saurashtra (by 38 runs)
Key Performances:
Match Score: 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.
Key Performances: Atharva Taide scored 128 runs off 118 balls and received the Player of the Match award. 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.
About Vijay Hazare Trophy: It is India’s premier domestic 50-over One-Day cricket tournament, named after legendary Indian cricketer Vijay Hazare. The tournament, started in 2002-03, features state and regional teams competing in List A matches.
BOOKS & AUTHORS
Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan Releases Book ‘Chalice of Ambrosia: Ram Janmabhoomi- Challenge and Response’
On 20 January 2026, Vice President (VP) 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 (GoI), at the VP’s Enclave in New Delhi, Delhi.
- The book was published by Har-Anand Publications.
Exam Hints:
- What? Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan released a book
- Name of Book: ‘Chalice of Ambrosia: Ram Janmabhoomi- Challenge and Response’
- Name of Author: Dr. Surendra Kumar Pachauri
- Publisher: Har-Anand Publications
Key Details:
Book Overview: It chronicles the long and complex Ram Janmabhoomi movement, a campaign to reclaim and build a temple at the birthplace of Lord Ram, a Hindu god, in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh (UP).
- It blends historical context with legal developments, cultural context and contemporary politics to provide a comprehensive narrative in modern Indian history.
About Surendra Kumar Pachauri: He is a retired 1968-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer from Andhra Pradesh (AP) cadre. He served as the Secretary of the Liberhan Ayodhya Commission of Inquiry, which examined the events surrounding the Babar Masjid demolition and its consequences.
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Current Affairs Today (AffairsCloud Today)
| Current Affairs 22 January 2026 |
|---|
| Overview of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s Visit to India on January 19, 2026 |
| BNHS and NMCG Launches Project to Protect Indian Skimmer in the Ganga Basin |
| Union Minister Manohar Lal Inaugurates CoE for Regulatory Affairs at IIT Delhi |
| MoEFCC declared Kumbhalgarh WLS as Eco-Sensitive Zone |
| Bharat Forge Secured Rs 300 Crore Contracts under EP-VI Norms for IA, IN |
| ILO’s Employment and Social Trends 2026 Projects Global Unemployment Rate Unchanged at 4.9% in 2026 |
| Numbeo Safety Index 2026: Mangaluru Ranked Safest City in India; Qingdao Tops Globally |
| Indian-Origin NASA Astronaut Sunita Williams Retires After 27 Years of Service |
| Moody’s Projects India’s FY26 GDP Growth at 7.3%, Supporting Rise in Household Incomes |
| American Biologist Toby Kiers Won 2026 Tyler Prize for Shedding Light on Hidden Fungal Network |
| Brand Finance Global 500 2026 Report: India’s Infosys Ranks Third; Accenture Topped; |
| CCI Approvals on January 20, 2026 |
| Two New Rare Ant Fly Species Discovered in Delhi and Western Ghats |
| Padma Awardee Saina Nehwal Announced Retirement from Competitive Badminton |
| Vidarbha Clinches its Maiden Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025–26 Champions |
| Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan Releases Book ‘Chalice of Ambrosia: Ram Janmabhoomi- Challenge and Response’ |
Aspirant: Does Affairscloud covers all the Current affairs topics related to examinations?
Affairscloud: We Guaranteed All the Important topics related to examination are covered in Our Daily CA content and Daily CA Quizzes.
Aspirant: Why is there a delayal in news?
Affairscloud: As some of the major news sites doesn’t provide the required data on the exact day, we take extra time for important data to be presented to the aspirants on the examination basis to ensure nothing is missed.
Example: In ‘Important Days’ topics the International Organisations publish their reports and Rankings in the evenings, to make sure every data is covered, we delay the topics to the next day.
| Candidates appearing for Competitive Exams. Kindly Share the General Awareness questions,which asked in their respective exams to “[email protected]” |
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| Dear Aspirants,We would like to inform you that, starting January 2025,all Current Affairs Hindi Content will be accessible only through the CareersCloud app and CareersCloud.in website. Make sure to download the app or visit the website to continue accessing the content seamlessly.Thank you for your understanding and continued support! |
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