Current Affairs 23/01/2026
1. 79th National Football Championship Santosh Trophy was started in which state?
Answer : Assam
79th National Football Championship for Santosh Trophy Begins in Assam
The 79th National Football Championship for the Santosh Trophy, one of India’s most prestigious domestic football tournaments, was inaugurated in the state of Assam, highlighting the growing prominence of the North-Eastern region in Indian football.
Organised by the All India Football Federation (AIFF), the Santosh Trophy is an annual inter-state football competition that provides a vital platform for emerging talent across the country. The decision to host the championship in Assam reflects the region’s rich football culture, passionate fan base, and improving sports infrastructure.
Assam, along with other North-Eastern states, has consistently contributed skilled players to the national football ecosystem. Hosting the tournament not only boosts local enthusiasm for the sport but also strengthens grassroots development and encourages youth participation.
The 79th edition features teams from various states and services, competing in a structured league and knockout format. The championship serves as an important pathway for identifying future national-level players while promoting unity and sporting excellence across India.
Overall, the successful commencement of the Santosh Trophy in Assam marks another significant step in decentralising major sporting events and reinforcing football’s reach beyond traditional centres in the country.
2. What is the new name of the Governor’s residence in Uttar Pradesh?
Answer : Jan Bhavan
Governor’s Official Residence in Uttar Pradesh Renamed Jan Bhavan
The Government of Uttar Pradesh has officially renamed the Governor’s residence in Lucknow from Raj Bhavan to Jan Bhavan. The decision reflects an effort to align official institutions with people-centric governance and democratic values.
The term “Jan” signifies the people, and the new name is intended to convey greater public orientation, inclusiveness, and accessibility of constitutional offices. By adopting the name Jan Bhavan, the state underscores the idea that constitutional authorities function in service of the citizens rather than as symbols of colonial or elitist legacy.
The renaming has come into effect for all official, administrative, and statutory purposes. Accordingly, government records, official correspondence, and references will now use the updated nomenclature. While the name has changed, the administrative role, constitutional significance, and architectural structure of the Governor’s residence remain unchanged.
The Governor’s residence in Lucknow has long been an important landmark and a center of constitutional functioning in Uttar Pradesh. The renaming to Jan Bhavan represents a symbolic reform, reflecting contemporary governance philosophy and the emphasis on public engagement within democratic institutions.
3. Muanpui Saiawi has been appointed as India’s next High Commissioner to which country?
Answer : New Zealand
Muanpui Saiawi Appointed as India’s Next High Commissioner to New Zealand
The Government of India has appointed Muanpui Saiawi as the next High Commissioner of India to New Zealand, marking an important diplomatic development in India’s engagement with the Pacific region. The appointment was announced by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), and she is expected to assume charge in Wellington in due course.
Muanpui Saiawi is a senior Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer with extensive experience in diplomacy and international affairs. Prior to this appointment, she has served in key positions within the Ministry of External Affairs and in Indian missions abroad, gaining expertise in bilateral relations, policy formulation, and multilateral cooperation.
India and New Zealand share friendly and steadily expanding bilateral relations, encompassing areas such as trade, education, agriculture, renewable energy, defence cooperation, and people-to-people contacts. The Indian diaspora in New Zealand also plays a vital role in strengthening cultural and economic ties between the two nations.
Ms. Saiawi’s appointment is expected to further strengthen diplomatic engagement, enhance cooperation across priority sectors, and promote closer strategic and economic collaboration between India and New Zealand. Her tenure is anticipated to contribute positively to advancing India’s interests in the Indo-Pacific region and reinforcing long-standing bilateral partnerships.
4. Where has India’s first Intensive Reproductive Knowledge Centre been opened?
Answer : Mumbai
India’s First Intensive Reproductive Knowledge Centre Opened in Mumbai
India has taken an important step toward strengthening reproductive health awareness with the opening of its first Intensive Reproductive Knowledge Centre in Mumbai. The centre has been established to provide structured, scientific, and patient-friendly information related to fertility and assisted reproductive technologies, including In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF).
Located in Andheri East, the centre has been developed by Aksigen IVF and is named the Bharat Daftary Knowledge Centre. It is designed as an immersive and interactive learning space where individuals and couples can gain a clear understanding of reproductive health, fertility challenges, and available treatment options.
The Knowledge Centre uses modern educational tools such as interactive displays, digital content, and guided walkthroughs to simplify complex medical concepts. A key objective of the initiative is to bridge the information gap surrounding fertility treatments and to address misconceptions that often lead to fear, stigma, or delayed medical consultation.
By focusing on patient education and informed decision-making, the centre aims to improve communication between patients and healthcare professionals. It also supports a more transparent and empathetic approach to reproductive care, which is essential as the demand for fertility services continues to grow in India.
Overall, the establishment of India’s first Intensive Reproductive Knowledge Centre in Mumbai marks a significant milestone in reproductive healthcare education and sets a model for similar initiatives across the country.
5. Which state launched its first dog sanctuary to tackle stray dog issues?
Answer : Punjab
Punjab Launches Its First Dog Sanctuary to Address Stray Dog Issue
In a major step toward humane animal welfare and public safety, the Punjab government has launched the state’s first dog sanctuary to tackle the growing problem of stray dogs. The facility has been established in Ludhiana, marking a pioneering initiative in organised and compassionate stray animal management in the state.
The dog sanctuary has been developed as a pilot project with the capacity to shelter several hundred stray dogs. Its primary objective is to reduce incidents of dog bites, improve urban safety, and ensure proper care and rehabilitation of abandoned and homeless dogs. The initiative aligns with national animal welfare guidelines that emphasise ethical treatment, sterilisation, and vaccination rather than culling.
The sanctuary provides essential facilities such as medical care, vaccination, sterilisation, proper nutrition, and safe shelter. Veterinary professionals and trained staff have been deployed to ensure the health and wellbeing of the animals housed at the centre. Special focus is also placed on controlling the stray dog population through systematic Animal Birth Control (ABC) programmes.
By launching this sanctuary, Punjab has set an example for other states in addressing stray animal challenges through sustainable and humane solutions. The government has indicated that, based on the success of this initiative, similar dog sanctuaries may be established in other districts in the future.
Overall, the launch of Punjab’s first dog sanctuary represents a balanced approach that prioritises public safety, animal welfare, and responsible urban governance, contributing to a more compassionate and orderly management of stray dogs across the state.
6. Till which year has the Atal Pension Yojana been extended?
Answer : 2030–31
Atal Pension Yojana Extended Till 2030–31
The Government of India has extended the Atal Pension Yojana (APY) till the financial year 2030–31, reinforcing its commitment to strengthening social security for workers in the unorganised sector. The extension ensures continued access to a structured pension scheme for millions of citizens who lack formal retirement benefits.
Launched in 2015, the Atal Pension Yojana is aimed at providing income security during old age by guaranteeing a fixed monthly pension ranging from ₹1,000 to ₹5,000 after the age of 60, depending on the subscriber’s contribution. The scheme is particularly targeted at low-income groups, including daily wage workers, domestic workers, and self-employed individuals.
By extending the scheme till 2030–31, the government seeks to expand coverage, encourage long-term savings, and promote financial inclusion. Subscribers continue to receive the benefit of government co-contribution (where applicable) and a transparent, bank-linked contribution system regulated by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA).
The extension of the Atal Pension Yojana reflects the government’s broader vision of creating a robust and inclusive pension ecosystem, ensuring dignity and financial stability for citizens in their post-retirement years.
7. Where will the India–European Union Summit (January 2026) be held?
Answer : New Delhi
India–European Union Summit (January 2026) to Be Held in New Delhi
The India–European Union (EU) Summit scheduled for January 2026 will be held in New Delhi, reaffirming India’s role as a key strategic partner of the European Union. Hosting the summit in the national capital underscores the importance both sides place on deepening political, economic, and strategic engagement.
The summit is expected to bring together top leadership from India and the EU to review progress across multiple areas of cooperation, including trade and investment, climate action, clean energy, digital transformation, technology, connectivity, and global security. It will also provide a platform to advance discussions on the proposed India–EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and other bilateral frameworks.
New Delhi, as the venue, offers an appropriate diplomatic setting for high-level deliberations and reflects India’s central role in shaping regional and global responses to contemporary challenges. The summit will further strengthen institutional dialogue and coordination between India and the EU on international issues of mutual concern.
Overall, the India–EU Summit 2026 in New Delhi is expected to mark a significant step forward in enhancing the strategic partnership, fostering closer collaboration, and promoting shared values of democracy, sustainability, and rule-based global order.