CURRENT AFFAIRS – 22.01.2026

NATIONAL AFFAIRS (INDIA)

1. PM Modi – Bilateral Engagements with UAE

   • Prime Minister Narendra Modi held high-level bilateral meetings with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan focusing on strengthening trade, energy, technology, and people-to-people cooperation. Key initiatives aimed to expand the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

2. Security Alert Ahead of Republic Day

   • Security agencies in India issued a nationwide alert based on intercepted online chatter coded “26-26”, indicating potential terror threats around Republic Day (26 January 2026). Security has been heightened across key urban centers and sensitive installations.

3. Reliance Industries Faces Share Price Setback

   • Reliance Industries witnessed a significant share price decline of around 10% in January 2026, the company’s worst January performance since 2011. Weak quarterly results, reduced Russian crude imports, and competitive challenges in the retail segment impacted investor sentiment. Jio Platforms IPO planning continues with expected government-mandated minimum float of 2.5%.

4. World Economic Forum 2026 – Indian Participation

   • Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma departed for the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting in Davos (19–23 January 2026) to engage with global leaders on investment and economic cooperation opportunities for Assam.

5. Weather Advisory – Delhi-NCR & Northwestern India

   • Dense fog affected visibility in Delhi-NCR on 22 January 2026. The India Meteorological Department forecasted light rain and thunderstorms in northern plains, heavy rainfall and snowfall over western Himalayan states, and severe thunderstorm activity in Punjab and Haryana.

6. Railways – Vande Bharat Sleeper Express Launch

   • The Kamakhya-Howrah Vande Bharat Sleeper Express commenced operations, marking a key development in India’s rail transport expansion with enhanced connectivity across eastern and eastern-central India.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

1. World Economic Forum (WEF) – Davos 2026

   • The 56th WEF Annual Meeting continues in Davos, Switzerland (19–23 January 2026) under the theme “A Spirit of Dialogue”, with approximately 3,000 delegates including 400 political leaders and 65 heads of state, discussing global economic cooperation, technological transformation, equitable growth, and geopolitical stability.

2. Global Weather Impacts

   • Western disturbances strengthened over Northern India, causing widespread weather alerts including heavy snowfall in the Himalayas, thunderstorms, hail, and winds affecting travel and agriculture.

3. International Political & Conflict Updates

   • Major global news outlets indicated a significant escalation in the Russia-Ukraine conflict with reported missile and drone attacks on Kyiv, involving hundreds of projectiles and civilian casualties.

4. Science & Space

   • NASA astronaut Sunita Williams retired after a 27-year career, concluding one of the most distinguished human spaceflight tenures. Her retirement became effective on 27 December 2025.

ECONOMY & BUSINESS

1. Union Budget 2026 Expectations

   • With the Union Budget scheduled for 1 February 2026, key sectors including defence, education, urban logistics, manufacturing, MSMEs, and startups are voicing expectations for policy support, fiscal incentives, and reforms to boost investment, innovation, and inclusive growth.

2. Energy Sector Agreements

   • Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) signed a 10-year LNG sales and purchase agreement with Indian partners, reinforcing long-term energy cooperation and supply security.

3. Banking & Financial Markets

   • Markets responded to macroeconomic cues and corporate earnings while banking stocks remained focal points for traders. Analysts are monitoring credit growth, SARFAESI reforms, and financial inclusion indicators ahead of budget announcements.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

1. Astronomy

   • A rare near-opposition alignment of interstellar object 3I/ATLAS with the Earth-Sun line on 22 January 2026 presented unique observational opportunities for polarimetric and material composition studies of interstellar dust.

SPORTS UPDATES

1. Champions League Football

   • Key UEFA Champions League matches on 21–22 January 2026 saw:

     • Chelsea 1–0 Pafos

     • Newcastle 3–0 PSV

     • Juventus 2–0 Benfica

     • Barcelona 4–2 Slavia Prague

     • Liverpool 3–0 Marseille

     • Bayern Munich 2–0 Union Saint Gilloise

2. Golf – Hero Dubai Desert Classic 2026

   • The Hero Dubai Desert Classic began on 22 January 2026, featuring golf stars such as Rory McIlroy, Tyrell Hatton, Tommy Fleetwood, Shane Lowry, Viktor Hovland, and Dustin Johnson. The Rolex Series tournament features a $9 million prize pool and 8,000 Race to Dubai points.

3. Figure Skating – 2026 Four Continents Championships

   • The 2026 Four Continents Figure Skating Championships commenced in Beijing, China (21–25 January 2026) featuring men’s, women’s, pairs, and ice dance events, showcasing top skaters from Asia, Oceania, Africa, and the Americas.

APPOINTMENTS & RETIREMENTS

1. Sunita Williams Retires

   • Renowned NASA astronaut Sunita Williams retired after a historic 27-year career in human space exploration.

KEY FACTS & FIGURES (IMPORTANT FOR EXAMS)

• World Economic Forum – Davos 2026: 19–23 January 2026; ~3,000 delegates; 400 political leaders.

• Union Budget 2026 Presentation: 1 February 2026.

• Reliance Industries Share Decline: ~10% drop in January 2026.

• Hero Dubai Desert Classic Prize Pool: $9 million; 8,000 Race to Dubai points.

• 3I/ATLAS Alignment: Rare near-opposition event on 22 January 2026.

• NASA Career: Sunita Williams – 27 years.