Daily Current Affairs and GK | 23 January 2026

Topic: Reports and Indices

1. Abu Dhabi has been named the world’s safest city in the 2026 Numbeo Global Safety Index.

• This marks the 10th consecutive year the city has topped the global safety rankings.
• The 2026 index evaluated around 400 cities worldwide spread across more than 150 countries.
• Abu Dhabi secured the highest overall safety score in the 2026 safety report.
• Abu Dhabi ranked first for overall public safety, including walking alone safely during the daytime and at night as well.
• The ranking consolidates the city’s status as leader in urban security and quality of life.
• Abu Dhabi relies on advanced technologies to enhance public safety and on proactive and well-coordinated policing.
• Community engagement initiatives further strengthen safety across the city.
• Abu Dhabi has held the top safety rank continuously since 2017.
• Numbeo is a crowdsourced database. It is widely used in global cost of living and quality-of-life comparisons.
• Abu Dhabi is the capital of the United Arab Emirates.

Topic: Miscellaneous

2. A 233-year-old manuscript of the Valmiki Ramayana handed over for display at the Ayodhya Ram Temple.

• A rare 233-year-old manuscript of the Valmiki Ramayana was formally handed over by the Vice Chancellor of the Central Sanskrit University, Professor Shrinivasa Varakhedi, to Nripendra Misra for public display at Ayodhya.
• Mr Misra is Chairman of the Executive Council of the Prime Ministers Museum and Library and Chairman of the Ram Mandir Construction Committee.
• It has been stated that, after due authentication, the manuscript will be placed within the Ram Temple premises for viewing by devotees.
• The Ram Mandir Construction Committee has planned to curate authenticated versions of the Ramayana in different languages at a designated level near the Garbha Griha (sanctum sanctorum).
• Individuals possessing rare and authentic Ramayana manuscripts are to be invited soon to contribute to this growing collection at Ayodhya.
• The donated manuscript, sent to Ayodhya, was described as a landmark acquisition for the Ram Katha Sangrahalaya.
• The manuscript was originally composed by Adi Kavi Valmiki, with a classical Sanskrit commentary by Maheshvara Tirtha, and is written in the Devanagari script.
• It dates back to Vikrama Samvat 1849 (1792 CE) and represents a rare preserved textual tradition of the Ramayana.
• The collection comprises five principal kaṇḍas (chapters) of the epic: Balakaṇḍa (Childhood), Araṇyakaṇḍa (Ram’s exile in the forest), Kiṣkindhakaṇḍa (Ram’s alliance with Sugriva), Sundarakaṇḍa (the journey of Lord Hanuman to Lanka to find Sita), and Yuddhakaṇḍa (the war with Ravana).
• According to the Ministry of Culture, the manuscript, earlier loaned to Rashtrapati Bhavan, has now been permanently gifted to the Antarrashtriya Ram Katha Sangrahalaya (International Ram Katha Museum), Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh.
• In 1988, the museum was originally established to collect and preserve artefacts related to Ram Katha (the story of Lord Ram).

Topic: State News/Uttar Pradesh

3. Lucknow declared Uttar Pradesh’s first Zero Fresh Waste Dump City.

• Lucknow has been declared Uttar Pradesh’s first city to achieve zero fresh waste dumping under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban.
• This milestone has been achieved with the commissioning of the Shivari Solid Waste Management Plant.
• One hundred percent scientific processing of municipal solid waste is now being carried out in the city.
• The Lucknow Municipal Corporation has adopted a scientific and sustainable waste management strategy.
• The newly inaugurated Shivari plant has a processing capacity of 700 metric tonnes per day.
• With three operational plants, over 2,100 metric tonnes of daily waste is now processed scientifically.
• Waste is segregated into organic and inorganic fractions for composting, biogas generation, recycling and RDF production.
• Around 12.86 lakh metric tonnes of legacy waste have already been scientifically processed.
• More than 25 acres of land has been reclaimed and developed into a complete waste processing ecosystem.
• The city’s model reflects circular economy principles and is being viewed as an example for other urban bodies.

Topic: MoUs/Agreements

4. An MoU signed between Digital India BHASHINI and Survey of India for Toponymic Data Digitisation.

• On 20 January 2026, an MoU has been signed between Digital India BHASHINI Division (DIBD), Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the Survey of India (SoI).
• The collaboration aims support the digitisation, transcription and standardisation of geographical place names (toponyms) using AI-based speech and language technologies.
• This collaboration will strengthen the creation of accurate, multilingual, and standardized toponymic datasets in accordance with the National Geospatial Policy, 2022.
• BHASHINI’s speech-to-text capabilities will be used to convert audio recordings into digital text.
• The project will support the creation of a validated Toponymy Database covering over 16 lakh locations.
• This collaboration between the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and the Bhashini division will help in developing a National Geographic Naming Information System.
• Under this system, audio data collected from the field will be processed in local language scripts, Devanagari, Roman, and other formats, ensuring uniformity in national maps, digital platforms, and governance systems.
• Accurate multilingual representation of place names will be ensured across maps and governance platforms.
• Audio documentation will help preserve correct pronunciation and local linguistic variations.
• The MoU reinforces the role of indigenous language AI in strengthening India’s geospatial ecosystem.

Topic: Environment and Ecology

5. Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary declared Eco-Sensitive Zone by MoEFCC.

• Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary has been declared an Eco-Sensitive Zone by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
• The sanctuary is located in the Aravalli mountain range in the Rajsamand District of Rajasthan.
• The declaration aims to conserve biodiversity and protect fragile ecosystems.
• Support to indigenous communities living around the sanctuary has also been emphasised.
• An area extending from zero to one kilometre around the sanctuary has been covered under the zone.
• The region is home to species such as leopard, striped hyena, Indian pangolin and chinkara.
• Several bird species, including the painted francolin, are found in the area.
• Eco-friendly activities such as organic farming and agroforestry will be promoted.
• Skill development programmes will be encouraged to ensure sustainable livelihoods.

Topic: MoUs/Agreements

6. India-Namibia cooperation in the fields of defense and critical minerals will deepen further.

• The fifth round of Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) between India and Namibia was held on 19 and 20 January, during which an agreement was reached to deepen cooperation across key sectors.
• The consultations were co-chaired by Janesh Kain, Joint Secretary (East & Southern Africa), Ministry of External Affairs, and Ambassador Charles Josob of Namibia’s Ministry of International Relations and Trade.
• A comprehensive review of India–Namibia bilateral relations was undertaken, covering areas such as trade, investment, health, education and infrastructure development.
• Cooperation in health and pharmaceuticals, along with agriculture and capacity building, was discussed as part of strengthening development-oriented partnerships.
• Both sides agreed to enhance collaboration in Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), recognising its role in inclusive governance and service delivery.
• Defence cooperation and partnership in critical minerals were identified as important emerging areas for deepening strategic engagement.
• Regional and international issues of mutual interest, including cooperation at the United Nations, were also deliberated during the consultations.
• The meeting was held in a cordial and friendly atmosphere, allowing both sides to assess progress made after recent high-level exchanges.
• It was mutually agreed that the next round of Foreign Office Consultations will be held in Windhoek, Namibia, at a convenient date.
• India–Namibia relations were described as warm and trusted, with Indian support during Namibia’s liberation struggle continuing to be fondly remembered by Namibian leadership.

Topic: Important Days

7. Birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: 23 January

• 23rd January 2026 is the 129th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.
• Birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose is celebrated as Parakram Diwas.
• Parakram Diwas-2026 is being organised by the Ministry of Culture from 23rd January in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
• The celebrations are being held at 13 other locations across the country.
• These locations are associated with the life and legacy of freedom fighter Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. 
• As per the Ministry, celebration will feature a cultural programme, and exhibitions.
• A theatrical performance by the National School of Drama is also part of the celebration.
• The celebrations will continue till the 25th of January.
• In 2021, the Modi government announced that January 23rd would be celebrated as "Parakram Diwas."
• On this day in 1897, Netaji was born in Cuttack, Odisha. 
• In 1943, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose announced the establishment of the provisional government of Azad Hind.

Topic: Sports

8. Amelia Valverde has been appointed as coach of senior Indian Women’s Football Team.

• The All-India Football Federation has named Amelia Valverde as head coach of the senior Indian women’s football team.
• Valverde is from Costa Rica. She has already joined the Indian team’s training camp in Antalya, Türkiye.
• The Indian women’s team is preparing for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026. The competition is scheduled for March 2026.
• Valverde will work alongside the existing coaching staff to strengthen the Indian Senior Women’s Football Team.
• The current staff includes Crispin Chettri, Priya PV and Mario Aguiar.

Topic: Awards and Prizes

9. Taylor Swift has been inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

• She will become the second youngest songwriter to receive this honor.
• Stevie Wonder remains the youngest inductee. Swift has won 14 Grammy Awards.
• The induction ceremony will be held in June in New York City.
• Swift will be inducted alongside Alanis Morissette, Kenny Loggins and Kiss bandmates Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons.
• The Songwriters Hall of Fame was established in 1969. Artists become eligible 20 years after their first commercial release.
• Her Eras Tour achieved record-breaking success. Swift’s recent albums broke modern-era sales records.
• Her work continues to dominate the music industry. Her latest release is “The Life of a Showgirl”.
• Taylor Alison Swift is an American singer-songwriter. She is known for autobiographical songwriting and artistic reinventions.
• She is the highest-grossing live music artist, the wealthiest female musician.

Topic: MoUs/Agreements

10. Odisha and Meghalaya have signed a Memorandum of Understanding.

• The MoU is aimed at mutual learning, capacity building, and the exchange of best practices in Early Childhood Development (ECD).
• The MoU is a significant step towards strengthening Early Childhood Care, Education and Development (ECCED) through inter-state collaboration.
• MoU envisages collaboration between the two states to strengthen holistic Early Childhood Care, Education and Development interventions.
• It encompasses nutrition, health, early learning, responsive caregiving, community engagement, and institutional capacity building.
• Odisha will share its experience in community-based ECD programmes.
• Meghalaya will contribute its innovative social sector delivery models designed for tribal and geographically challenging regions.
• The MoU was formally signed by senior officials of both governments.