Current Affairs One - Liner : 22nd January 2026

National:

• On 19 January 2026, the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) and the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) launched a conservation project in Dehradun to protect the endangered Indian Skimmer (Rynchops albicollis) in the Ganga Basin. The initiative focuses on safeguarding sandbar habitats, monitoring populations, and involving local communities.

• On 19 Jan 2026, Union Power Minister Manohar Lal inaugurated the Centre of Excellence for Regulatory Affairs at IIT Delhi. It is a joint initiative of IIT Delhi, Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC), and Grid Controller of India Ltd. (Grid India). The centre aims to strengthen regulatory research, advisory, and capacity building in India’s power sector.
• MoEFCC declared Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary as an Eco‑Sensitive Zone on 2 January 2026. It covers 243 sq km across 94 villages in Udaipur, Rajsamand, and Pali districts. Mining, polluting industries, and hazardous activities are prohibited in this buffer zone. Aim: Protect Aravalli ecosystem, wildlife habitats, and promote eco‑friendly tourism & organic farming.
• The Maharashtra Cabinet approved ₹4,775 crore on January 17, 2026, to complete the long-delayed Bembla River Irrigation Project in Yavatmal. This major initiative aims to bring over 52,000 hectares of land under assured irrigation to mitigate agrarian distress in the Vidarbha region. The project, which languished for decades, was revived following reviews by the Prime Minister's PRAGATI platform.

Banking:

• On 20 January 2026, CCI approved Emirates NBD Bank’s acquisition of up to 74% stake in RBL Bank Limited. This includes merging Emirates NBD’s existing Indian branch operations into RBL Bank, strengthening foreign investment in Indian banking.
• On 21 Jan 2026, the Union Cabinet approved a ₹5,000 crore equity infusion into SIDBI, to be released in three tranches till FY28. The move will expand credit for over 1 crore MSMEs, create about 1.12 crore jobs, and strengthen SIDBI’s balance sheet to keep loans affordable.
• On 20 January 2026, CCI cleared Tata Steel’s acquisition of 50.01% equity in Thriveni Pellets Pvt. Ltd. from Thriveni Earthmovers. This move boosts Tata Steel’s position in the iron ore pellet market and secures raw material supply.
• On 20 January 2026, CCI approved a 50:50 joint venture between JSW Steel and Japan’s JFE Steel Corporation. The deal transfers Bhushan Power & Steel Ltd.’s steel business to a new entity, JSW Sambalpur Steel, strengthening Indo‑Japan steel collaboration.
• On 20 January 2026, CCI allowed Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd. to acquire an additional equity stake in Apollo Health and Lifestyle Ltd. This expands Apollo’s footprint in the healthcare and lifestyle services sector.

MoUs:

• On 21 January 2026, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and Konkan Railway Corporation Limited (KRCL) signed an MoU in New Delhi. The agreement aims at integrated road‑rail infrastructure development, especially in difficult terrains. Key highlights include rail‑cum‑road bridges, tunnels, logistics parks, grade separators, and smart mobility solutions.

Science & Technology:

• Two new rare ant fly species were discovered on 20 January 2026. Metadon ghorpadei was found in Delhi’s Northern Ridge urban forest. Metadon reemeri was identified in Siruvani Hills, Western Ghats (Tamil Nadu). Both are myrmecophilous, with larvae living inside ant nests and feeding on ant brood.

Sports:

• The India Open 2026 was held from 13–18 January in New Delhi as a BWF Super 750 event. Lin Chun-Yi (Chinese Taipei) won men’s singles, while An Se-Young (South Korea) defended her women’s singles crown. China dominated doubles with Liang Weikeng/Wang Chang and Liu Shengshu/Tan Ning winning men’s and women’s doubles. In mixed doubles, Yuta Watanabe/Arisa Higashino (Japan) clinched the title, reinforcing India’s global badminton stature.
• Saina Nehwal, Padma Bhushan awardee and former World No.1, retired on 19 January 2026. She won India’s first Olympic badminton medal – a bronze at London 2012. She became the first Indian woman to reach World No.1 in 2015. Her legacy inspires future stars like P.V. Sindhu, making badminton mainstream in India.

Govt.Schemes:

• On 21 Jan 2026, the Union Cabinet extended the Atal Pension Yojana till FY 2030‑31. It ensures funding support to keep the scheme viable for the unorganised sector. Over 8.66 crore subscribers are enrolled, aiming to build a “pensioned society.” The scheme offers ₹1,000–₹5,000 monthly pensions for citizens aged 60+.

Appointments:

• TVS Supply Chain Solutions appointed Vikas Chadha as its new Global CEO on 22 January 2026, marking a key leadership transition. He takes over as part of a succession plan, with Ravi Viswanathan, the current Managing Director, set to retire in FY 2026–27. The appointment was finalized after a comprehensive board-led process to ensure smooth continuity.

Obituaries:

• Karnataka-born environmentalist Kirtida Mekani, known as Singapore’s “Tree Lady”, passed away on January 19, 2026 at age 66. She pioneered the Plant-A-Tree Programme (2007) and championed community gardens and urban sustainability. Her contributions earned her the President’s Award for Environment Work and induction into the Singapore Women’s Hall of Fame (2024).

Questions:

Q.1 Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary was declared an Eco-Sensitive Zone mainly to protect which ecosystem?
a) Western Ghats
b) Vindhya Range
c) Eastern Himalayas
d) Aravalli ecosystem

Answer: d) The ESZ notification aims to protect the Aravalli ecosystem, along with wildlife habitats and eco-friendly livelihoods.

Q.2 The Atal Pension Yojana was extended by the Union Cabinet till which financial year on 21 January 2026?
a) FY 2027-28
b) FY 2028-29
c) FY 2030-31
d) FY 2032-33

Answer: c) The scheme was extended till FY 2030-31 to ensure continued funding support for unorganised sector workers.