Daily current affairs: 22 January 2026

Long Description : During a meeting with Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares in New Delhi, Minister Jaishankar highlighted the progress of the TATA-Airbus partnership. The C-295 project is the first instance of a private company manufacturing a military aircraft in India, significantly boosting the "Aatmanirbhar Bharat" initiative in the defense sector. The project includes the delivery of 16 aircraft in fly-away condition from Spain and the manufacturing of 40 aircraft within India. The leaders also unveiled a special logo to commemorate 2026 as the "India-Spain Dual Year" for culture and tourism, marking 70 years of diplomatic ties.

Long Description : The RBI Bulletin highlights that despite global geopolitical uncertainties and volatile commodity prices, India's real GDP growth remains robust. High-frequency indicators for December 2025 showed continued momentum in the services and manufacturing sectors. The report notes that headline inflation has stayed within the central bank's tolerance band, while financial resource flows to the commercial sector have improved. Furthermore, the RBI underscored that the country is currently negotiating trade deals with 14 countries or groups, including the EU and GCC, to further diversify its export basket and mitigate external risks.

Long Description : The iTEH hub is designed to bridge the gap between laboratory research and market-ready commercial solutions. It will focus on life sciences, traditional Ayurveda integrated with modern biotech, and sustainable packaging. This initiative aims to foster a startup ecosystem in Kerala while promoting "Green Hydrogen" technologies. Additionally, the PM will launch the PM SVANidhi Credit Card and flag off three new Amrit Bharat Express trains. The hub serves as a strategic move to decentralize high-tech innovation and provide localized support for scientific entrepreneurship in South India.

Long Description : The National Sports Awards selection committee, including Gagan Narang and Aparna Popat, finalized the list of recommendations. Hardik Singh, the vice-captain of the Indian Men's Hockey team, was recognized for his pivotal roles in the Tokyo and Paris Olympic medal wins. Notably, Aarti Pal is set to become the first Yogasan athlete to receive the Arjuna Award. Other nominees include chess grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi and decathlete Tejaswin Shankar. The Khel Ratna carries a cash prize of ₹25 lakh, while the Arjuna Award includes ₹15 lakh and a bronze statuette.

Long Description : Following a dip in the Air Quality Index (AQI) to 332, the CAQM decided to relax the stringent bans on non-essential construction and the plying of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers. The decision was based on meteorological forecasts predicting further improvement in dispersion conditions. While the 'Very Poor' category still poses health risks, the lifting of Stage 3 provides relief to the construction sector and transport services. However, restrictions under Stage 1 and Stage 2 remain in force to prevent a rebound in pollution levels during the winter months.

Long Description : The strategic partnership between India and the UAE has entered a new phase with a focus on food security, energy, and digital payments. During the high-level discussions, both sides reviewed the progress of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) and the integration of UPI with the UAE's Instant Payment Platform (AANI). The commitment to double bilateral trade emphasizes the growing importance of the UAE as India’s third-largest trading partner. Investment in India's strategic petroleum reserves and renewable energy projects by UAE sovereign wealth funds were also key talking points.

Long Description : The project, inaugurated by Union Minister C.R. Patil, focuses on the conservation of river sandbars, which are critical nesting sites for the Indian Skimmer (*Rynchops albicollis*). The species is currently listed as 'Endangered' on the IUCN Red List due to habitat loss and river pollution. The initiative involves community-based monitoring and the restoration of sympatric bird habitats along the Ganga. This effort is part of the larger 'Arth Ganga' concept, which aims to link biodiversity conservation with the sustainable livelihoods of local communities residing along the river.

Long Description : Organized by MeitY, the summit highlighted the "IndiaAI Mission" which aims to democratize AI compute and datasets for startups and researchers. The seven pillars include Human Capital, Inclusion, Safe & Trusted AI, Resilience, Science, Democratizing Resources, and AI for Social Good. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw emphasized that AI-enabled telemedicine and regional-language educational tools are now being scaled up to reach the "last mile." The summit also discussed the implementation of the "Safe and Trusted AI" guidelines to ensure transparency and accountability in algorithmic decision-making.

Long Description : Speaking at the 56th Annual Meeting of the WEF in Davos, the SBI Chairman stated that the bank is prioritizing the adoption of Generative AI to enhance customer experience and operational efficiency. Amidst rising global cyber threats, SBI is investing heavily in "Cybersecurity Resilience" to protect digital transactions. He also noted that India's banking sector remains resilient with strong capital buffers. The theme of WEF 2026, "A Spirit of Dialogue," allowed Indian financial leaders to showcase the nation's Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) successes like UPI to a global audience.

Long Description : The contract involves the supply of high-end Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) drones, specifically the 'Omega One' and 'Omega Nine' platforms, to the Indian Army and Navy. Additionally, the deal includes the delivery of loitering munitions named 'Bayonet' and 'Cleaver'. This procurement highlights the Ministry of Defence's shift toward domestic private players for cutting-edge technology. These systems are designed for high-altitude operations and maritime surveillance, enhancing the tactical capabilities of the armed forces along the northern borders and the Indian Ocean Region.

Long Description : Union Minister Bhupender Yadav announced the notification to protect the fragile ecosystem of the Aravalli Mountain Range. The ESZ status restricts highly polluting industrial activities and unregulated construction while promoting eco-tourism and sustainable development. Kumbhalgarh is home to rare species like the Indian wolf and leopards. The move follows Supreme Court guidelines to maintain a buffer zone around protected areas to minimize human-wildlife conflict and preserve biodiversity. This regulation will impact mining activities that were previously encroaching upon the sanctuary’s boundaries.

Long Description : Ant flies, belonging to the family Microdontinae, are unique because their larvae live inside ant nests as scavengers or predators. The discovery of these two species adds to India's rich but under-documented insect biodiversity. *Metadon ghorpadei* is named after renowned Indian entomologist Dr. Kumar Ghorpade. These discoveries are significant for ecological studies, as they help scientists understand the complex symbiotic relationships between flies and ants. Such findings emphasize the need for continued taxonomic research in the Western Ghats and other biodiversity hotspots in the country.

Long Description : Saina Nehwal, the first Indian badminton player to win an Olympic medal (London 2012), cited recurring injuries as the reason for her departure. Over her illustrious career, she won over 24 international titles, including 10 Superseries titles. She was instrumental in popularizing badminton in India, paving the way for future stars. Saina is a recipient of the Padma Bhushan, Padma Shri, and the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna. Her retirement marks the conclusion of a career that saw her reach the pinnacle of the BWF rankings in 2015.

Long Description : The draft policy emphasizes the modernization of the national grid through "Smart Metering" and the adoption of "Pumped Storage Projects" to handle the intermittency of solar and wind power. It also introduces stricter guidelines for Discoms (Distribution Companies) to reduce technical and commercial losses. A key feature is the promotion of "Micro-grids" in rural areas to ensure 24/7 power supply. The policy aligns with India's COP26 commitments to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070, prioritizing green energy corridors and the phase-out of older, inefficient thermal power plants.

Long Description : The Vijay Hazare Trophy, India’s premier List-A domestic cricket tournament, saw Vidarbha emerge as champions for the first time in history. The team’s victory was powered by a disciplined bowling attack and a century from their opening batsman. This win adds to Vidarbha’s recent domestic successes, including their previous Ranji Trophy titles. The tournament is a crucial scouting ground for the national team and the IPL, with several young players from Vidarbha now expected to be in the spotlight for the upcoming auctions.

Long Description : The book provides a historical and legal perspective on the Ram Janmabhoomi movement and the subsequent construction of the temple in Ayodhya. During the release event, the Vice President emphasized the importance of documenting cultural history for future generations. The author, a former civil servant, has detailed the decades-long legal battle and the eventual resolution by the Supreme Court. The publication aims to serve as a comprehensive record of the social and political challenges faced during the movement and its impact on India’s contemporary socio-cultural landscape.