Current Affairs for 23 January 2026

Current Affairs - 23 January 2026: Today's National and International News for Competitive Exams

Staying updated with today's current affairs is essential for competitive exam aspirants preparing for SSC, UPSC, Banking, Railway, and State exams. This daily current affairs update for 22 January 2026 covers major national developments, international events, economy updates, science and technology news, and sports highlights with important facts for MCQ preparation.

India – National Current Affairs (23 January 2026)

1. Cabinet Approves ₹5,000 Crore Equity Infusion for SIDBI

The Union Cabinet approved a ₹5,000 crore equity infusion into the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) to strengthen its capital base. The phased support from FY26 to FY28 aims to benefit nearly 1.02 crore MSMEs, improve access to affordable finance, and is expected to generate approximately 1.12 crore jobs while ensuring capital adequacy and financial stability.

2. India-Namibia Strengthen Bilateral Cooperation

During the fifth round of Foreign Office Consultations held on 19-20 January 2026, India and Namibia agreed to deepen cooperation in defense, critical minerals, health, agriculture, and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI). The talks emphasized securing critical mineral supply chains and sharing India's expertise in digital governance under a strong South-South cooperation framework. The next consultations will be held in Windhoek, Namibia.

3. Odisha-Meghalaya MoU on Early Childhood Development

Odisha and Meghalaya signed an MoU to collaborate on Early Childhood Care, Education, and Development (ECCED), focusing on health, nutrition, early learning, and caregiving for young children. The partnership will combine Odisha's expertise in community-based programs with Meghalaya's innovative approaches in tribal and remote areas through knowledge sharing, capacity building, and joint research.

4. Atal Pension Yojana Extended Until 2030-31

The Union Cabinet approved the continuation of Atal Pension Yojana (APY) up to 2030-31, along with extended funding for outreach, development, and gap funding. APY, launched in May 2015, targets workers in the unorganized sector and offers defined pension benefits ranging from ₹1,000 to ₹5,000 per month. The scheme is administered by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA).

5. RBI to Manage Delhi Government's Banking Operations

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will oversee the Delhi government's banking operations and rupee public debt management from January 9, 2026, following an agreement under Section 21A of the RBI Act, 1934. This arrangement, similar to those with several other state governments, will handle the government's routine banking activities and cash balances management.

6. SAMPANN Pension Portal Integrated with UMANG

India strengthened digital governance by integrating the SAMPANN pension system with the UMANG platform, enabling around 4 lakh Department of Telecommunications pensioners to access their PPO details and Life Certificate validity online. This move enhances transparency and convenience, reducing the need for physical visits for senior citizens.

7. Actor Vijay's TVK Allotted 'Whistle' Symbol

The Election Commission allotted actor-politician Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) the 'whistle' (sīṭṭi) election symbol ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. TVK's Joint General Secretary CTR Nirmal Kumar confirmed that 'whistle' was the party's first choice, marking a significant political milestone.

8. Operation Trashi-I Enters Fourth Day in Kishtwar

Operation Trashi-I continued in its fourth day in January 2026 as security forces intensified counter-terrorism operations in the dense forests of Kishtwar, Jammu & Kashmir. The multi-day operation, conducted jointly by the Indian Army, J&K Police (including SOG), and CRPF, aims at tracking and neutralizing terrorist groups in the Chatroo region based on specific intelligence inputs.

9. Supreme Court Split Verdict on Prevention of Corruption Act

The Supreme Court delivered a split verdict on the constitutional validity of Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, which mandates prior government approval before investigating certain corruption allegations against public servants. The case highlights ongoing debates about anti-corruption measures and administrative safeguards.

10. IndiGo Flight Receives Bomb Threat in Delhi-Pune Route

IndiGo flight 6E 2608 from Delhi to Pune received a bomb threat via a handwritten note in the lavatory on January 22, 2026. The flight landed safely at Pune airport around 9:24 PM, about 44 minutes behind schedule. After thorough inspection, officials declared it a hoax. This is the second such threat against the carrier within a week, following a similar incident on January 18.

International Current Affairs (23 January 2026)

1. Trump Launches 'Board of Peace' at Davos

US President Donald Trump formally announced the charter of his Board of Peace at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on January 22, 2026. The body, designed for resolving international conflicts, has a $1 billion price tag for permanent membership. While originally conceived to oversee Gaza's rebuilding, the 11-page charter does not mention Gaza and appears to extend to other global crises, potentially challenging the UN's traditional role.

2. Putin Pledges $1 Billion for Palestine Through Board of Peace

Russian President Vladimir Putin indicated readiness to donate $1 billion to the Board of Peace to support the Palestinian people, with discussions about using frozen Russian assets to fund the contribution. Putin hosted Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas for talks in Moscow on January 22, while consulting with strategic partners before finalizing the commitment.

3. Trump Backs Down on Greenland Threats

President Trump backed down on threats to take Greenland from Denmark after meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at Davos. Trump announced a "framework of a future deal" for Greenland and the Arctic region involving US mineral rights and use of Greenland for his proposed "Golden Dome" missile defense system, though details remain unpublished.

4. European Union Emergency Summit on Transatlantic Tensions

European Union heads of state and government held an extraordinary meeting of the European Council in Brussels on January 22 to discuss a joint response to US attempts to take control of Greenland. European leaders called for respect for international law principles, territorial integrity, national sovereignty, and expressed full support and solidarity with Denmark and Greenland.

5. Israeli Strikes Kill Three Journalists in Gaza

Israeli attacks on Gaza killed at least 11 Palestinians on January 21-22, including three journalists working with the Egyptian Committee for Gaza Relief: Mohammad Qeshta, Abdul Ra'ouf Shaath, and Anas Ghunaim. According to the International Federation of Journalists, at least 258 journalists and media workers have been killed in Gaza since 2023.

6. Bangladesh Cricket Board Boycotts T20 World Cup 2026

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced a boycott of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, citing concerns over playing in India. The ICC rejected BCB's request to shift fixtures to Sri Lanka and is expected to announce Scotland as Bangladesh's replacement. The ICC stated there is no credible threat to the safety of Bangladesh players and that matches will proceed as scheduled.

7. Bangladesh Court Frames Charges Against ISKCON Monk

A Bangladesh court framed charges against ISKCON monk Chinmoy Krishna Das and 38 others over a lawyer's murder. The case has drawn international attention amid concerns about religious freedom and minority rights in Bangladesh.

8. House Committee Holds Clintons in Contempt

The US House Oversight Committee voted to hold former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in contempt of Congress for refusing to comply with subpoenas as part of a congressional probe into Jeffrey Epstein. Nine Democrats joined Republicans in voting to hold Bill Clinton in contempt. The committee also announced it will depose Ghislaine Maxwell on February 9.

Economy & Banking (23 January 2026)

1. RBI Financial Stability Report Highlights Strong Growth

The RBI's December 2025 Financial Stability Report assessed India's economy as continuing to grow strongly despite global uncertainties. Real GDP growth registered 7.8% in Q1 and 8.2% in Q2 of FY 2025-26, supported by strong private consumption and public investment. The National Statistics Office's first advance estimate projected real GDP growth at 7.4% for 2025-26, up from 6.5% in the previous year.

2. Banking Sector Shows Robust Health

Scheduled Commercial Banks' Gross Non-Performing Assets (GNPA) ratio declined to a multi-decadal low of 2.1-2.2% as of September 2025. Capital buffers remain adequate with the capital to risk-weighted assets ratio (CRAR) at 16% for public sector banks and 18.1% for private sector banks. Banks show strong capital and liquidity buffers, improved asset quality, and robust profitability.

3. Inflation Trends and RBI Monetary Policy

India's consumer price index (CPI) inflation rose to 1.33% in December 2025, driven by a lower rate of deflation in the food group and an increase in the core index. The RBI reduced the repo rate by 25 basis points to 5.25% in its final 2025 policy review, signaling a shift from rigid inflation targeting toward supporting growth amid structural economic changes.

4. Concerns Over Unsecured Loans and Fintech Lending

The RBI flagged elevated impairment among borrowers who have taken unsecured loans from five or more lenders. Unsecured loans contributed nearly 76% of slippages for private banks. Fintech lending grew by 36.1%, with over 70% of fintech loan portfolios consisting of unsecured loans, raising concerns about credit risk.

5. Stablecoins Pose Risks to Monetary Sovereignty

The RBI reiterated concerns that stablecoins, especially those denominated in foreign currencies, could undermine central banks' ability to regulate money supply and financial stability, potentially eroding monetary sovereignty and weakening monetary policy transmission while facilitating money laundering.

6. RBI Liquidity Infusion Measures

The RBI announced measures to infuse approximately $22.30 billion of liquidity into the banking system through Open Market Operations (OMOs) and conducted a USD/INR Buy/Sell Swap auction of $10 billion with a tenor of three years on January 13, 2026, to strengthen liquidity and support credit flows during seasonal cash outflows.

7. New RBI Digital Banking Guidelines from January 2026

From January 1, 2026, only banks approved under new RBI digital banking guidelines can provide internet, mobile, USSD, and SMS services. From April 2026, banks must implement a revised digital payment framework requiring 2-factor or risk-based authentication with enhanced fraud detection capabilities.

Science, Technology & Environment (22 January 2026)

1. ISRO's PSLV-C62 Mission Scheduled for January 12

ISRO successfully launched the PSLV-C62 mission on January 12, 2026, carrying the EOS-N1 Anvesha earth observation satellite along with 14 other commercial payloads. This marked ISRO's first launch of 2026 and the 64th flight of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle. The 44.4-meter-tall rocket placed satellites into Sun Synchronous Orbit at an altitude of about 511 km.

2. ISRO-ESA Heliophysics Workshop Underway

A five-day ISRO-ESA Heliophysics Workshop focusing on the scientific potential of the Aditya-L1, Solar Orbiter, and Proba-3 missions is underway from January 19-23, 2026, in Thiruvananthapuram. The workshop aims to advance understanding of the Sun and its influence on the heliosphere through integrated observations and coordinated campaigns.

3. ISRO RESPOND Basket 2025 Released

ISRO released the RESPOND Basket 2025, comprising 125 research topics covering space science, satellite technology, launch vehicles, remote sensing, advanced materials, propulsion systems, AI applications, and quantum technologies. Academic researchers can submit proposals through the I-GRASP portal by January 31, 2026, for funding and collaboration with ISRO.

4. Discovery of Two Rare Ant-Fly Species in India

Researchers discovered two rare ant-fly species in India: Metadon ghorpadei in Delhi's Northern Ridge Forest and Metadon reemeri in the Siruvani Hills of Western Ghats. These insects belong to the Microdontinae subfamily of hoverflies and are known for their unique association with ants. Of 454 species reported worldwide, only 27 are known from the Indian subcontinent.

5. Gaganyaan Mission Preparations Continue

ISRO continues preparations for the Gaganyaan human spaceflight program with four missions scheduled by 2026. Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla is currently aboard the International Space Station as part of Axiom Mission 4, gaining crucial operational experience in microgravity adaptation and spaceflight operations.

6. Health Concerns Over Borax Consumption

In a tragic incident from Tamil Nadu, a 19-year-old college girl died after consuming borax (sodium tetraborate decahydrate) for weight loss. Borax is a powdery white mineral used in ceramics, metallurgy, and cleaning products but is toxic for human consumption and can cause severe health complications.

Sports & Important Days (23 January 2026)

Sports Updates:

1. India Defeats New Zealand in First T20I

India defeated New Zealand by 48 runs in the first T20I of the five-match series at Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur on January 21, 2026. Chasing a target of 239 runs, New Zealand fell short, giving India a 1-0 lead. Arshdeep Singh created an all-time T20 record by surpassing Shaheen Afridi's wicket tally.

2. Bangladesh T20 World Cup Participation Uncertain

The ICC has given an ultimatum to the Bangladesh Cricket Board regarding their participation in the T20 World Cup 2026. The ICC rejected BCB's request to shift matches to Sri Lanka and is considering Scotland as a replacement if Bangladesh withdraws. A final decision is expected soon.

3. Hockey India League Underway

The Hockey India League is currently being held in Chennai, Ranchi, and Bhubaneswar with multiple teams competing. The tournament is part of India's preparations for upcoming international hockey events and domestic league development.

4. Lakshya Sen to Face Ayush Shetty at India Open 2026

Indian badminton star Lakshya Sen will face compatriot Ayush Shetty in the first round of the India Open 2026, a BWF Super 750 tournament being held in New Delhi. The event features top international shuttlers competing in various categories.

5. Khelo India Winter Games 2026 Begins in Leh

The Sixth Edition of Khelo India Winter Games 2026 kicked off at NDS Stadium, Leh. Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Kavinder Gupta graced the opening ceremony, marking another significant milestone in Ladakh's emergence as a premier winter sports destination.

Important Days:

1. Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Jayanti (January 23, 2026)

January 23 is celebrated as Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Jayanti, an official holiday in Indian states of Assam, Odisha, Tripura, and West Bengal. It commemorates the birth anniversary of the prominent Indian nationalist and freedom fighter who played a crucial role in India's independence movement.

2. Basant Panchami/Vasant Panchami (January 23, 2026)

Basant Panchami falls on January 23, 2026, with Panchami Tithi beginning at 02:28 AM. The festival marks the arrival of spring and is dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, the deity of knowledge, wisdom, learning, arts, and creativity. Devotees worship the goddess seeking blessings for education and new beginnings.

3. National Handwriting Day (International - January 23)

National Handwriting Day is observed internationally on January 23 to remind people about the importance of handwriting in the digital era. The day was launched by the Writing Instrument Manufacturers Association (WIMA).

Quick Revision Points for MCQ Preparation

1. Cabinet approved ₹5,000 crore equity infusion for SIDBI to benefit 1.02 crore MSMEs and generate 1.12 crore jobs (FY26-FY28).

2. India-Namibia Foreign Office Consultations held on 19-20 January 2026 focused on defense, critical minerals, and Digital Public Infrastructure.

3. Atal Pension Yojana extended until 2030-31 by Union Cabinet; offers pension between ₹1,000-₹5,000 per month; administered by PFRDA.

4. Trump's Board of Peace launched at Davos on January 22, 2026, with $1 billion membership fee; Putin pledged $1 billion for Palestine.

5. RBI to manage Delhi government banking operations from January 9, 2026 under Section 21A of RBI Act, 1934.

6. India's GDP growth registered 7.8% in Q1 and 8.2% in Q2 of FY 2025-26; NSO projects 7.4% growth for full year.

7. Banks' GNPA ratio declined to multi-decadal low of 2.1-2.2% as of September 2025; CRAR at 16% (PSBs) and 18.1% (private banks).

8. RBI reduced repo rate by 25 basis points to 5.25% in final 2025 policy review; CPI inflation at 1.33% in December 2025.

9. ISRO's PSLV-C62 launched on January 12, 2026 - the 64th PSLV flight carrying EOS-N1 Anvesha satellite and 14 commercial payloads.

10. Bangladesh Cricket Board boycotted T20 World Cup 2026; ICC considering Scotland as replacement; final decision expected soon.

11. Basant Panchami on January 23, 2026 - dedicated to Goddess Saraswati; Panchami Tithi begins at 02:28 AM.

12. Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Jayanti on January 23 - official holiday in Assam, Odisha, Tripura, and West Bengal.

Stay updated with FreeJobAlert.com for daily current affairs coverage and competitive exam preparation resources. Bookmark this page for the latest national and international news updates crucial for your exam success.