Stay updated with Daily Current Affairs 22 January 2026 MCQs, designed to help aspirants revise the most important national and international news of the day. These multiple-choice questions are especially useful for competitive exams like SSC, Banking, UPSC, Railways, Defence, and State-level exams, making your daily revision quick, effective, and exam-oriented.
Current Affairs Today – Jan 22, 2026 | Important for UPSC, SSC, Banking & Railways
🌏 Major Headlines – January 22, 2026
National News
- India-UAE Strategic Leap: Following the visit of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, India and UAE officially committed to doubling bilateral trade to $200 billion by 2032. A landmark 10-year LNG deal was also operationalized today between HPCL and ADNOC Gas.
- Safety Infrastructure: The Union Cabinet approved a ₹5,000 crore equity infusion into SIDBI to specifically target the credit needs of MSMEs.
- Environmental Conservation: The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) declared a 1 km Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) around the Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary in the Aravalli Range, Rajasthan, effectively banning mining and new industrial units in 94 villages.
International News
- Greenland Geopolitics: US President Donald Trump stated he would seek negotiations to acquire Greenland, though he clarified he would not use force. In response, the European Parliament suspended work on a major EU-US trade deal.
- Interstellar Retirement: NASA’s Sunita Williams officially retired after 27 years. She holds the record for the most cumulative spacewalk time by a woman (62 hours and 6 minutes).
- Gaza Peace Efforts: Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu officially accepted President Trump’s invitation to join the newly proposed “Gaza Board of Peace.”
Sports & Economy
- Cricket Ranking Shift: New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell surpassed Virat Kohli to become the ICC World No. 1 ODI Batter after a stellar performance in the India-NZ series.
- IPL Coaching: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) appointed former domestic star Dishant Yagnik as the fielding coach for the 2026 season.
- Global IT Brand Value: Brand Finance 2026 report ranked Accenture as the world’s most valuable IT brand ($42.2B), followed by India’s TCS ($21.2B) and Infosys ($16.4B).
Also Read: Important Days in January 2026: Complete List
Daily Current Affairs – 22 January 2026 (MCQs)
Q1. The Union Cabinet, chaired by PM Modi on late January 21, approved a ₹5,000 crore equity infusion into which financial institution to boost MSME credit?
a) NABARD
b) SIDBI
c) EXIM Bank
d) NHB
Answer. b) SIDBI
Explanation: The Cabinet approved ₹5,000 crore for the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI). The funds will be infused in three tranches (FY26 to FY28) to help SIDBI leverage more lending for the MSME sector.
Q2. NASA veteran Sunita Williams officially retired on January 22, 2026. What is her record for the most total time spent on spacewalks by a female astronaut?
a) 42 hours 10 minutes
b) 50 hours 40 minutes
c) 62 hours 06 minutes
d) 75 hours 15 minutes
Answer. c) 62 hours 06 minutes
Explanation: Sunita Williams retired after a 27-year career. She holds the record for the most cumulative spacewalk time for a woman (62h 6m) and ranks 4th overall in NASA history. Her final mission lasted 9 months due to the Starliner extension.
Q3. Which country’s state television issued the first official death toll (3,117) from massive internal protests on January 21-22, 2026?
a) Myanmar
b) Iran
c) Bangladesh
d) Sudan
Answer. b) Iran
Explanation: Amidst severe civil unrest, the Iranian Interior Ministry confirmed that 3,117 people have been killed in protests since late December. This announcement came as a US carrier group moved toward the region.
Q4. During the WEF at Davos, the Jharkhand government signed an MoU with which company for a ₹11,000 crore investment in “Green Steel”?
a) JSW Steel
b) Tata Steel
c) ArcelorMittal
d) Vedanta
Answer. b) Tata Steel
Explanation: The Jharkhand delegation at Davos secured a major deal with Tata Steel to establish a green steel manufacturing facility, focusing on low-carbon technology.
Q5. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar announced the “AI Impact Summit 2026” on January 22. Which country will be India’s partner for the “Dual Year” initiative?
a) Germany
b) Spain
c) France
d) Japan
Answer. b) Spain
Explanation: During talks in New Delhi, India and Spain agreed to strengthen cooperation against terrorism and launched the “India-Spain Dual Year” (2025-2026) to promote cultural and technological exchange.
Q6. Which cricketer surpassed Virat Kohli to regain the ICC World No. 1 ODI ranking on January 22, 2026?
a) Shubman Gill
b) Daryl Mitchell
c) Babar Azam
d) Travis Head
Answer. b) Daryl Mitchell
Explanation: New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell moved to the top of the ICC ODI Batting Rankings after scoring two centuries in the series against India, ending Kohli’s brief stint at the top.
Q7. The Union Cabinet has extended which social security scheme for another five years (until 2030-31) as per the announcement on January 21 night?
a) PM-Kisan
b) Atal Pension Yojana (APY)
c) PM-Jan Dhan Yojana
d) PM-Awas Yojana
Answer. b) Atal Pension Yojana (APY)
Explanation: The government extended APY to ensure continued pension coverage for the unorganized sector, aiming to add millions more subscribers over the next five years.
Q8. Which Indian city was ranked the “Safest City in India” in the Numbeo Safety Index 2026 released this week?
a) Mangaluru
b) Pune
c) Ahmedabad
d) Navi Mumbai
Answer. a) Mangaluru
Explanation: Mangaluru retained its position as the safest city in India according to the 2026 index, while Qingdao (China) topped the global rankings.
Q9. Who was appointed as the Head Coach of the Indian Women’s Football Team on January 22, 2026?
a) Thomas Dennerby
b) Amelia Valverde
c) Maymol Rocky
d) Ashalata Devi
Answer. b) Amelia Valverde
Explanation: The AIFF appointed Costa Rican coach Amelia Valverde to lead the “Blue Tigresses” ahead of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026.
Q10. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a $1 billion donation to which Trump-promoted initiative on January 22, 2026?
a) Global Trade Council
b) Board of Peace
c) Arctic Development Fund
d) Space Exploration Pact
Answer. b) Board of Peace
Explanation: Putin expressed readiness to use frozen assets for reconstruction and pledged $1 billion to the “Board of Peace,” an initiative by President Trump to oversee Gaza and Ukraine peace efforts.
Daily Current Affairs Notable Days – January 22, 2026
1. Special Awareness & Fun Days
- Celebration of Life Day: A day primarily focused on honoring children and grandchildren, reminding us that every life is a precious gift.
- National Sanctity of Human Life Day: A day recognized in the U.S. to emphasize the value of human life.
- National Hot Sauce Day: A favorite for foodies to celebrate the spicy condiment and try new varieties.
- National Answer Your Cat’s Questions Day: One of the quirkier “fun” holidays encouraging pet owners to “interact” more with their feline friends.
- National Polka Dot Day: Inspired by Minnie Mouse, this day encourages people to wear their favorite polka-dot patterns.
- National Blonde Brownie Day: A day to bake and enjoy “blondies” (vanilla-based brownies).
2. Scientific & Historical Anniversaries
- NASA Day of Remembrance: While NASA has a floating date for this, January 22 is often associated with the memory of the Apollo 1, Challenger, and Columbia crews.
- Roe v. Wade Anniversary: Commemorating the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision (though later overturned in 2022, it remains a major historical milestone for legal and social studies).
- Library Shelfie Day: Observed on the fourth Wednesday of January (which falls on January 21 in 2026, but the celebrations often carry over the week).
This Day in History (January 22)
- 1666: The death of Shah Jahan, the 5th Mughal Emperor who built the Taj Mahal.
- 1901: The death of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom, ending a 63-year reign that defined the “Victorian Era.”
- 1905: “Bloody Sunday” in Russia, where unarmed demonstrators were fired upon by soldiers in St. Petersburg, sparking the 1905 Revolution.
- 1970: The first commercial flight of the Boeing 747 (the “Jumbo Jet”) took off from New York to London.
- 2006: Evo Morales was inaugurated as the first indigenous President of Bolivia.
Famous Birthdays (January 22)
| Personality | Profession | Notable For |
| Francis Bacon (1561) | Philosopher | Pioneer of the scientific method. |
| Lord Byron (1788) | Poet | Leading figure in the Romantic movement. |
| Sam Cooke (1931) | Singer | The “King of Soul.” |
| Guy Fieri (1968) | Chef/TV Host | Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. |
| Logic (1990) | Rapper | Global hit “1-800-273-8255.” |
Conclusion
Staying updated with daily current affairs is more than just a requirement for competitive exams; it is about understanding the shifting dynamics of our world. From the strategic trade milestones between India and the UAE to the historic retirement of space icon Sunita Williams, today’s news highlights a world driven by innovation and diplomacy.
We hope this daily dose of knowledge helps you in your preparation. Consistency is the key to success—make sure to revisit these points and attempt the MCQs to solidify your learning.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: How can I best prepare for Current Affairs for competitive exams?
A: The best strategy is a “Daily-Weekly-Monthly” approach. Read daily updates, revise them at the end of the week, and go through a monthly compilation for long-term retention.
Q2: Are these daily updates sufficient for UPSC and SSC exams?
A: While these updates cover major headlines, we recommend supplementing them with an editorial analysis from a standard newspaper like The Hindu or Indian Express for deeper conceptual clarity.
Q3: Where can I find the sources for these news items?
A: Our content is curated from reliable sources including the Press Information Bureau (PIB), official government handles, and leading international news agencies.
Q4: How many months of current affairs are usually asked in exams?
A: Most national-level exams (like SSC, Banking, and UPSC) focus on the last 10 to 12 months of events preceding the exam date.
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