Current Affairs - January 24, 2026 Current Affairs

National Girl Child Day is observed on January 24 every year to highlight the importance of girls’ rights, education, health, and empowerment in Indian society. The date holds special historical significance as it marks the day when Indira Gandhi became India’s first woman Prime Minister in 1966, symbolising women’s leadership and potential. The observance aims to raise awareness about issues such as gender discrimination, child marriage, unequal access to education, and healthcare challenges faced by girls. Through awareness programmes and campaigns, the day encourages society to promote gender equality and create equal opportunities for every girl.

Telangana has emerged as a key player in global urban development through its partnership with the United Arab Emirates to develop Bharat Future City. The collaboration, discussed at the World Economic Forum 2026, focuses on creating India’s first net-zero greenfield smart city with an emphasis on sustainability, smart infrastructure, and innovation. The project aligns with the Telangana Rising 2047 vision, which aims to transform the state into a $3 trillion economy. By attracting international investments and forming strategic partnerships, the initiative positions the state as a future-ready global economic and urban centre.

Goa has taken a significant step toward digital transformation by signing an MoU with Starlink Satellite Communications to strengthen internet connectivity across the state. The partnership focuses on expanding high-speed satellite-based internet access, especially in remote and underserved areas, while also improving disaster preparedness and emergency response systems. By leveraging advanced communication technology, the initiative aims to modernise governance, bridge the digital divide, support tourism and investment, and enhance public service delivery. The collaboration reflects Goa’s vision of becoming a digitally empowered and resilient state with smart governance and inclusive digital growth.

C-DOT has been recognised with the SKOCH Award 2025 for its indigenous Cell Broadcast Solution, a unified national platform designed to deliver real-time disaster and emergency alerts directly to mobile phones. The system enables geo-targeted, multilingual warnings even during network congestion, ensuring timely communication in critical situations. By integrating multiple alert-generating agencies and following global standards such as the Common Alerting Protocol, the platform strengthens India’s disaster preparedness and resilience. This achievement highlights the organisation’s contribution to public safety, digital infrastructure, and the vision of self-reliant, citizen-centric technology.

Bharat Rang Mahotsav 2026 is recognised as the world’s largest international theatre festival because of its massive scale and nationwide reach. The festival will take place across 40 locations in India, covering metropolitan cities as well as remote and culturally significant regions. This extensive spread allows the theatre to reach diverse audiences and promotes cultural inclusivity. By bringing performances to multiple regions simultaneously, the festival strengthens artistic exchange, supports regional theatre, and highlights India’s rich theatrical heritage on a global platform.

Gujarat has marked a major milestone in India’s space and aerospace journey with the launch of the country’s first integrated private satellite manufacturing unit at Sanand. The facility, established by Azista Space, will enable end-to-end satellite manufacturing under one roof, reducing dependence on imports and promoting indigenous innovation. The project supports the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and reflects strong state government backing for advanced technologies. It is expected to generate high-skilled employment, attract advanced investments, and position the state as a growing hub for space technology and high-tech manufacturing in India.

Uttarakhand has partnered with the Indo-Tibetan Border Police to strengthen healthcare delivery in remote and strategically important border areas through the Swasth Seema Abhiyan. The initiative focuses on providing integrated primary healthcare services to 108 border villages across Pithoragarh, Chamoli and Uttarkashi districts. Under the agreement, ITBP will deploy trained medical and paramedical staff, use telemedicine facilities, and manage medical supplies, while the state government will ensure equipment support and emergency evacuation. The programme aims to improve health outcomes, build trust among border communities, and support long-term development and stability in frontier regions.

The United Arab Emirates has strengthened its strategic partnership with India by agreeing to double bilateral trade to $200 billion by 2032. This decision reflects the growing economic interdependence between the two countries and builds on their expanding cooperation across defence, space, energy, infrastructure, finance and technology. The partnership also includes collaboration in nuclear energy, supercomputing, and major investment projects in India. Alongside economic ties, cultural initiatives, and people-to-people exchanges further deepen relations, highlighting the UAE’s role as one of India’s most important partners in West Asia.

Razorpay has achieved an important regulatory milestone with its POS division receiving approval from the Reserve Bank of India to function as an Offline Payment Aggregator. This authorisation allows the company to facilitate in-store digital transactions, onboard offline merchants, and manage settlement processes in compliance with RBI norms. With this approval, the company now holds licences for online, cross-border, and offline payment aggregation, giving it a comprehensive presence across the digital payments value chain. The move strengthens its ability to support retailers, SMEs, and service providers as India rapidly adopts cashless and contactless payment solutions.

Punjab has taken a major step towards strengthening its public healthcare system by introducing the Mukhya Mantri Sehat Yojana. The scheme provides free and cashless medical treatment of up to ₹10 lakh per family every year across government and empanelled private hospitals. It is designed to remove financial barriers to healthcare and ensure that residents receive timely and quality medical services. With no income limit, the initiative covers all families and includes treatment for critical illnesses such as cancer, heart diseases, kidney disorders, and neurological conditions, promoting inclusive and universal healthcare access.