Daily Current Affairs- 22nd January 2026

Daily Current Affairs- 22nd January 2026

Punjab Launches First Dog Sanctuary in Ludhiana to Tackle Stray Dog Menace

In the News: Punjab's Local Bodies Minister Sanjeev Arora inaugurated the state's first-ever Dog Sanctuary at the Haibowal Dairy Complex in Ludhiana. This pioneering initiative aims to address the city's growing stray dog menace through humane management while ensuring public safety. Ludhiana recorded 13,728 dog bite cases in 2025, the highest in the last five years.

Key Points:

• Facility Inauguration: Punjab's first Dog Sanctuary was opened in Ludhiana at the Haibowal Dairy Complex with a capacity to house 500 dogs. The facility aims to provide medical care and shelter for stray dogs while reducing dog bite incidents in the city.
• Stray Dog Crisis: Ludhiana recorded 13,728 dog bite cases in 2025, marking the highest number in five years. A survey conducted five years ago estimated the city's stray dog population at around 25,000, highlighting the urgent need for intervention.
• Supreme Court Compliance: The sanctuary will operate strictly following Supreme Court guidelines on stray dog management. The facility emphasizes humane handling, sterilization, vaccination, and release back to the same locality after sterilisation/vaccination, except aggressive/rabid dogs which may be kept separately in alignment with Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules.
• Pilot Project Model: Launched as a pilot initiative, the sanctuary's performance will guide the establishment of similar facilities across Punjab. The Municipal Corporation (MC) has been tasked with expediting sterilization drives for long-term population control.
• Community Participation: Local councillors will identify aggressive or sick dogs in their wards. Residents can report cases to councillors who will coordinate with MC teams. A dedicated helpline number is expected to be launched soon for quicker response.

Republic Day 2026: Is India Celebrating the 77th or 78th Year of the Republic?

In the News: India will celebrate its 77th Republic Day at Kartavya Path in New Delhi. The celebration commemorates the adoption of the Constitution of India on 26 November 1949. It came into force on 26 January 1950, which established India as a sovereign democratic republic.

Key Points:

• 77th Republic Day: India will celebrate its 77th Republic Day on January 26, 2026, marking 76 years since the Constitution came into force on January 26, 1950. The country celebrated its first Republic Day on January 26, 1950, making 2026 the 77th celebration.
• Historical Significance: While India gained independence on August 15, 1947, it adopted its own Constitution on January 26, 1950, transforming into the world's largest democracy. Republic Day honors the nation's sovereignty, democratic values, and constitutional framework.
• Celebration Theme: The 2026 Republic Day theme centers on 'Vande Mataram' and 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' (Self-Reliant India). The parade will commemorate 150 years of the national song 'Vande Mataram', reflecting patriotic spirit and focus on self-reliance.
• Republic Day Parade: The main event will be held at Kartavya Path near India Gate in New Delhi, showcasing India's military strength, impressive formations, and vibrant cultural tableaux representing the country's diverse heritage. Rehearsals are currently underway.
• Event Schedule: The Republic Day Parade will take place on January 26, 2026. The Beating the Retreat Full Dress Rehearsal is scheduled for January 28, followed by the Beating the Retreat ceremony on January 29. January 26 is observed as a national holiday across India.

India, Namibia Agree to Deepen Cooperation in Defense and Critical Minerals

In the News:  India and Namibia held the fifth round of Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) in New Delhi, where both nations agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation across multiple strategic sectors.

Key Points:

• Foreign Office Consultations: The fifth round of FOC was co-chaired by Janesh Kain, Joint Secretary (East & Southern Africa) from India's Ministry of External Affairs, and Ambassador Charles Josob, Acting Head of Department for Bilateral Relations and Cooperation from Namibia's Ministry of International Relations and Trade.
• Defense and Critical Minerals Cooperation: A major highlight was the decision to strengthen collaboration in defense and critical minerals.
• Digital Public Infrastructure: Both countries agreed to expand collaboration in Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), an area where India has gained global recognition. India will share its experience in digital platforms for governance, payments, and service delivery to support Namibia's development goals and inclusive growth.
• Development Partnership Approach: Cooperation in health, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and capacity building was reaffirmed with emphasis on sustainable development. These initiatives reflect India's development partnership approach, focusing on local needs and long-term capacity creation in the spirit of South-South Cooperation.
• Historical Ties and Future Engagement: India and Namibia share warm relations, with Namibia regarding India as a dependable friend. Indian support during Namibia's liberation struggle is fondly remembered by Namibian leaders. Both sides agreed to hold the next round of consultations in Windhoek, Namibia, at a mutually convenient date.

Israel Joins Trump’s Board of Peace to Oversee Gaza Ceasefire Plan

In the News: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accepted US President Donald Trump's invitation to join the "Board of Peace. The board was unveiled as part of phase two of the ceasefire agreement to oversee Gaza's governance, reconstruction, and regional relations, with a blueprint presented at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

Key Points:

• Netanyahu's Controversial Acceptance: Benjamin Netanyahu joined Trump's Board of Peace despite the International Criminal Court issuing a warrant in 2024 for his arrest on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. His participation raises concerns about the board's objectivity and credibility among Palestinians who view him as an obstacle to peace.
• Board of Peace Structure: The board will be led by President Trump and will oversee governance capacity-building, regional relations, reconstruction, investment attraction, and capital mobilization in Gaza. Executive board members include US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, former British PM Tony Blair, World Bank President Ajay Banga, and Apollo Global Management CEO Marc Rowan.
• Gaza Administration Plan: The blueprint presented by Jared Kushner in Davos envisions a unified Palestinian-run Gaza administered by the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), a panel of non-partisan Palestinian technocrats. Ali Shaath, an engineer and former Palestinian Authority deputy transport minister, chairs the committee as "chief commissioner."
• Disarmament Requirements: The plan operates under the principle of "one authority, one law, and one weapon," meaning only NCAG-sanctioned personnel may carry weapons. Hamas has reportedly agreed in principle to hand over heavy weapons (rockets and artillery) to the Palestinian administration.
• 100-Day Goals and Vision: The administration committed to achieving short-term goals within 100 days, including restoring water, sewage, electric systems, hospitals, and bakeries, and increasing goods flow into Gaza.

Mangaluru Tops India, Qingdao Ranks First Worldwide in Numbeo Safety Index 2026

In the News: The Numbeo Safety Index 2026 rankings were released, covering cities worldwide. Qingdao, China emerged as the world's safest city with a safety score of 89.2, while Mangaluru in Karnataka was ranked as India's safest city, securing the 46th position globally with a safety score of 74.4. India ranked 70th among countries with an overall safety score of 55.8.

Key Points:

• Numbeo Safety Index Overview: The Numbeo Safety Index is an annual global ranking established in 2009 by Numbeo (headquartered in Belgrade, Serbia, CEO: Mladen Adamovic) that measures perceived safety and crime levels in cities and countries.
• Ranking Methodology: Data is collected through surveys where responses are scored between -2 (very negative) and +2 (very positive), then statistically processed to generate safety scores ranging from 0 to 100. Cities are classified into categories: Very Low (below 20), Low (20-40), Moderate (40-60), High (60-80), and Very High (above 80) safety levels.
• Global Top Performers: Qingdao, Shandong (China) topped the 2026 rankings with a safety score of 89.2.
• India's Top 5 Safest Cities: Mangaluru, Karnataka ranked 46th globally with a safety score of 74.4, making it India's safest city. Following were Ahmedabad, Gujarat (87th globally, 68.5 score), Jaipur, Rajasthan (106th globally, 65.3 score), Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu (123rd globally, 62.0 score), and Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala (132nd globally, 61.0 score).
• India's Safety Challenges: India ranked 70th globally among countries with an overall safety score of 55.8, placing it in the moderate safety category.
• Country-Level Rankings: The United Arab Emirates topped the safest countries list with a score of 86.0, followed by Qatar and Andorra (both at 84.8). Other high-ranking countries included Taiwan, Macao (China), and Oman. Papua New Guinea, Venezuela, and Haiti ranked among the least safe countries, reflecting persistent governance and law-and-order challenges.

India Ranks Sixth in Asia Manufacturing Index 2026

In the News: India ranked sixth among 11 Asian countries in the Asia Manufacturing Index (AMI) 2026, released by Dezan Shira & Associates. The index, now in its third year, evaluates manufacturing competitiveness across eight key pillars and 43 sub-parameters, highlighting the need for India to accelerate reforms and strengthen its position amid intensifying regional competition.

Key Points:

• About Asia Manufacturing Index: The Asia Manufacturing Index is an annual assessment released by Dezan Shira & Associates, a pan-Asian market entry advisory firm headquartered in Hong Kong. The AMI evaluates manufacturing competitiveness across eight broad pillars: economy, political risk, business environment, international trade, tax policy, infrastructure, workforce, and innovation, which are further broken into 43 sub-parameters.
• India's Sixth Position: India placed sixth in the 2026 rankings, positioning it in the middle of Asia's manufacturing landscape.
• Regional Competition Dynamics: China retained the top position, reflecting its scale, infrastructure strength, and integrated supply chains. Malaysia achieved a significant milestone by moving up to second place for the first time in 2026, replacing Vietnam, which slipped to third position.
• Future Competitiveness Outlook: The AMI 2026 highlights intensifying competition across Asia as economies position themselves within global supply chains. With Southeast Asian nations improving rapidly and developed economies refining high-value manufacturing, India must scale up execution to secure a stronger position in Asia's manufacturing hierarchy and attract greater global manufacturing investment.