This is the current affairs of 23 & 24 January 2026. Here are questions and answers of daily current affairs for better preparation of competitive exams for government jobs.
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1. Name the person who founded the ‘Board of Peace’ and became its founding chairman?
a. Vladimir Putin
b. Donald Trump
c. Benjamin Netanyahu
d. All of the above
Answer: b. Donald Trump
– In January 2026, the term “Board of Peace” came into discussion in international political discourse.
– U.S. President Donald Trump launched the “Board of Peace” at the World Economic Forum in Davos on January 22.
– He said that the initial objective of this board is to strengthen the ceasefire in Gaza, but in the future it could also play a role in other global disputes.
– The White House sent invitations to 60 countries to join this board, but only 20 countries were present.
What is the Board of Peace?
– The “Board of Peace” is not an official international body.
– Nor is it an institution recognized by the United Nations (UN).
– And it is not a legal or statutory body established by the American Congress (Parliament).
– Basically, it is developing as an international organization established by Donald Trump.
Donald Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’
– The Board of Peace will be led by an Executive Council, whose founding chairman is Trump. Its founding members include:
– Tony Blair – Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
– Jared Kushner – Trump’s son-in-law
– Marco Rubio – U.S. Secretary of State
– Steve Witkoff – U.S. Special Envoy for the Middle East
– Marc Rowan – CEO of the financial firm Apollo Global Management
– Ajay Banga – President, World Bank Group
– Robert Gabriel – U.S. Deputy National Security Advisor
Invitation sent to 60 countries
– The United States sent invitations to 60 countries to join the board, but only 20 countries were present.
Initial countries joining the Board of Peace:
– Israel
– Saudi Arabia
– United Arab Emirates
– Qatar
– Bahrain
– Jordan
– Egypt
– Morocco
– Hungary
– Albania
– Belarus
– Belgium
– Bulgaria
– Kosovo
– Turkey
– Pakistan
– Indonesia
– Vietnam
– Kazakhstan
– Uzbekistan
– Mongolia
– Armenia
– Azerbaijan
– Argentina
– Paraguay
– United States of America
Countries that refused to join:
– France
– Germany
– Norway
– Sweden
– Denmark
– Slovenia
– Italy
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Situation in the context of the United Nations
The United Nations already has a strong institutional framework for peace and security:
– UN Security Council – International peace and security
– UN Peacekeeping Operations – Peacekeeping
– UN Peacebuilding Commission – Post-conflict reconstruction
In such a scenario, the idea of the “Board of Peace”:
– Appears parallel to existing UN bodies
– Indicates a move toward unilateral leadership rather than a multilateral system
Trump’s foreign policy and the Board of Peace
– Some core features of Donald Trump’s foreign policy have been: America First, skepticism toward multilateral institutions, distancing from the UN and international organizations, and greater focus on bilateral deals.
– In this background, concepts like the “Board of Peace” are seen as an alternative to the UN-centric global order.
What Trump says
– U.S. President Donald Trump has said that working with the Peace Board would be a “good thing” for the United Nations, which has “failed” to perform up to its potential.
– “…It will work very well with Gaza, and perhaps other things as well, you know, beyond Gaza, and we will work together with the United Nations. I have always said that the United Nations has tremendous potential, tremendous potential, but they have not been able to fully utilize that potential.”
Impact on global governance
– If such concepts are implemented at a practical level, then:
– The central role of the UN may weaken
– The global peace order may become power-centric
– The voice and participation of small and developing countries may decline
– This further intensifies the debate of unilateralism versus multilateralism
Basis of India’s foreign policy:
– Reform of the United Nations (UN reforms)
– Support for multilateralism
– A rules-based international order
– For India: ideas like the “Board of Peace” may divert the debate on UN reforms.
– India wants reform within the UN framework, not as a replacement for the UN.
– India’s policy: wait and watch
Positive side (theoretical):
– Beginning of new thinking in peace architecture
Negative side:
– Lack of legal and institutional validity
– No democratic representation
– Dominance of powerful countries
– Risk of weakening the UN
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Announcement of the formation of NCAG for Gaza
– Trump has announced the formation of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG) for the administration and reconstruction of Gaza.
– To oversee this committee and raise funds, Trump has formed the “Board of Peace.”
– Trump himself is chairing it.
– In addition, a Gaza Executive Board has also been formed.
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2. Which countries refused to join the ‘Board of Peace’?
a. France, Germany, Norway
b. Sweden, Denmark
c. Slovenia, Italy
d. All of the above
Answer: d. All of the above
– Most European countries considered allies of the United States were absent from this event.
– Among the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), no country other than the United States confirmed joining the board.
– Russia has said that it is considering the proposal.
– France has refused to join it.
– The United Kingdom has said that for the time being it will not join the board.
– China has not yet stated whether it will join or not.
Israel’s displeasure with Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’
– Israel has expressed displeasure over Trump’s Peace Board.
– According to Netanyahu’s office, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar will raise this issue with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
– However, it has not been specified which part of the board Israel finds objectionable.
– According to media reports, the main problem is the inclusion of Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.
– Turkey is considered a supporter of Hamas, and its relations with Israel are tense.
– Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has strongly criticized Israel’s actions in Gaza.
– Israel says that such countries should not be included in the administration of Gaza.
– Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, supporting Netanyahu’s statement, said that Gaza does not need an “Executive Board,” but rather the elimination of Hamas and large-scale self-driven migration.
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3. How much money would one have to contribute to join the “Board of Peace” created by the United States?
a. 1 billion US dollars
b. 2 billion US dollars
c. 4 billion US dollars
d. 7 billion US dollars
Answer: a. 1 billion US dollars (approximately ₹9.2 trillion / ₹9,200 billion)
– The charter sent to world leaders last week states that countries wishing to remain members of this board for more than three years would have to contribute 1 billion US dollars.
– Russia has offered to give 1 billion US dollars to the Gaza Peace Board.
– President Putin said that even though a final decision on Russia’s formal participation in the board has not been made, he could consider contributing 1 billion US dollars.
– In fact, Putin has said that Russia would join only if the hefty 1 billion US dollar membership fee required for the “Board of Peace” is paid from Russian assets seized in the United States.
– He said that this amount could be taken from Russian assets that were frozen by the United States during the previous administration.
Economic sanctions imposed on Russia in 2022
– After the Ukraine war began in 2022, the United States and European countries imposed economic sanctions on Russia.
– Under these sanctions, billions of dollars’ worth of assets linked to Russia’s central bank and government funds in the United States and Europe were frozen.
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4. Who has been selected for the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development 2025?
a. Graca Machel
b. Daniel
c. Michelle Bachelet
d. Wangari Maathai
Answer: a. Graca Machel
– Graca Machel is a well-known Mozambican politician, social activist, and human rights campaigner.
– The announcement that she would be awarded the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development 2025 was made on January 21, 2026.
– The international jury, chaired by former National Security Advisor Shivshankar Menon, announced her name.
– Graca Machel was selected for her “extraordinary work” carried out under difficult circumstances in the fields of education, health and nutrition, economic empowerment, and humanitarian work.
Life of Graca Machel
– Graca Machel was born on October 17, 1945, in a rural area of Mozambique as Graça Simbine.
– She has worked with several institutions for women’s empowerment, child development, and social change.
– In 1973, she joined the Mozambique Liberation Front and participated in the independence movement. She also worked as a teacher.
– After the country gained independence in 1975, Graça Machel became Mozambique’s first Minister of Education and Culture.
Married to two presidents
– In 1975, Machel married Mozambique’s first president, Samora Machel.
– In 1988, Machel married South Africa’s then president Nelson Mandela.
– She is the only woman to have been First Lady of two different countries.
– In the 1990s, Machel led an important United Nations study on the impact of armed conflict on children.
– Since then, she has served in several international bodies.
– She has founded institutions that promote women’s empowerment, child development, and social transformation.
Indira Gandhi Prize
– This award was established in 1986 by the Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust in memory of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
– It includes a cash award of ₹10 million (1 crore rupees), along with a citation and a trophy.
– The trophy is made of a square hematite jasper stone, the same stone used at Indira Gandhi’s memorial at Shakti Sthal in New Delhi.
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5. Who did the All India Football Federation (AIFF) appoint as the senior coach of the Indian women’s football team?
a. Mohita Awasthi
b. Amelia Valverde
c. Sjord Marijne
d. Ravindra Bashunte
Answer: b. Amelia Valverde
– AIFF announced her appointment on January 20, 2026.
– Amelia Valverde is from the Central American country of Costa Rica.
– The 39-year-old Amelia Valverde began her coaching career in 2011.
– She coached the Costa Rica team in the 2015 and 2023 Women’s World Cups.
Awards received
– CONCACAF Female Coach of the Year in 2016 for outstanding coaching.
– Mexican Ballon d’Or award for Best Coach in Liga MX Femenil for the 2023–24 season by the Mexican Football Federation.
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6. Which country completely separated itself from the World Health Organization (WHO) in January 2026 and removed its flag from the headquarters?
a. China
b. France
c. Germany
d. USA
Answer: d. USA
– U.S. President Donald Trump decided to withdraw from the WHO on the very first day of becoming President in 2025.
– After the completion of a one-year notice period, in January 2026 the United States completely separated itself from the WHO.
– Following this, the U.S. flag was removed from the headquarters.
– The United States will now work directly with countries on disease surveillance and other priorities.
– Experts say that this decision could affect not only the U.S. but also the global health system.
Why did the U.S. withdraw?
– An official from the U.S. State Department said that the WHO failed to prevent, manage, and share information about diseases.
– It is also being considered against U.S. law.
– The United States was the largest donor to the WHO, contributing about 18% of the organization’s total budget.
– The WHO has said that by mid-year it may have to reduce its workforce by nearly one-fourth.
WHO dues of ₹2,380 crore pending
– The United States owes the WHO more than approximately ₹2,380 crore in dues.
– However, the Trump administration has said it will not make any payment because the WHO has already been given more than necessary.
– According to U.S. law, withdrawing from an international organization requires giving one year’s notice and paying all outstanding dues.
– However, a U.S. State Department official denied that there is any such legal requirement that payments must be made before withdrawal.
– The WHO has stated that the United States has not paid its dues for 2024 and 2025.
U.S. aid stopped
– The President has halted all future U.S. government assistance and resources to the WHO.
– In January 2026, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that he hoped the United States would rejoin the WHO.
– Its withdrawal is harmful for both the United States and the world.
How the WHO receives funding
– Funds are provided by member countries and private institutions.
– Countries contribute funds based on their wealth and population.
– After the United States, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is the largest contributor.
– Among contributing countries, the U.S., Germany, and the UK are at the top.
WHO
– It is a major international public health agency established on April 7, 1948.
– Its main function is to coordinate global health matters and implement health policies.
– Headquarters are located in Geneva, Switzerland.
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7. According to a World Bank report, how many lakhs of people die every year in India due to pollution, as mentioned by former IMF economist Gita Gopinath to the media during the World Economic Forum in Davos?
a. 10 lakhs
b. 15 lakhs
c. 17 lakhs
d. 20 lakhs
Answer: c. 17 lakhs (about 18% of total deaths)
– According to a 2022 World Bank report, about 17 lakh people die every year in India due to pollution.
– Former IMF Chief Economist and Harvard University professor Gita Gopinath said that according to the 2022 World Bank report, this accounts for about 18% of total deaths in the country.
– Gita Gopinath attended the World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting in Davos on January 21, 2026.
– While speaking to Indian media in Davos, she described pollution as a bigger threat to India than tariffs.
– She said that when discussions focus on new businesses and economic growth, they are mostly limited to trade, tariffs, and regulations, while pollution does not receive the same importance.
Foreign investors also consider the environment
– Gita Gopinath said that when international investors plan to start businesses and live in India, they also consider the environment.
– Poor air quality and poor living conditions, especially health-related risks, can deter investors.
– She also said that this concern is even greater for Indians who live and work daily in polluted cities.
– There is an urgent need to take policy-level steps on issues such as controlling pollution and easing regulations.
– As India presents itself as a global economic and manufacturing hub, these points make it clear that clean cities and better living conditions are essential.
Lancet Report 2025 also cites 17 lakh deaths
– The Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change confirmed 17 lakh deaths in its report released on October 29, 2025.
– This report was prepared by 128 experts from 71 academic institutions and UN agencies.
– In India, air pollution is no longer just an environmental issue but has become a major threat to both people’s lives and the country’s economy.
– According to the report, in 2022 more than 17 lakh people died in India due to fine pollutant particles known as PM2.5.
– This is 38% higher than in 2010.
– About 44% of these deaths were caused by the burning of fossil fuels such as coal and petroleum.
– The report stated that coal alone caused around 394,000 deaths.
– Most deaths were due to pollution emitted from thermal power plants.
– In addition, a large number of deaths are linked to petrol used in road vehicles.
₹30 lakh crore loss due to air pollution
– The report’s lead author, Marina Romanello, said that a separate report was prepared for India because the country is heavily affected by climate change and pollution.
– The report also stated that in 2022, the economic loss from deaths caused by outdoor air pollution (PM2.5, smoke, vehicle emissions, factories) was about 339 billion dollars (around ₹30 lakh crore).
– This amounts to about 9.5% of India’s total economy.
Government admits 40% pollution from the transport sector
– In December 2025, the central government admitted that about 40% of pollution in Delhi comes from vehicles.
– Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari said that petrol- and diesel-run vehicles are a major reason for this.
– He said there is now a need to adopt fuels that cause less pollution.
– Meanwhile, in Parliament the government said that there is currently no conclusive evidence proving that pollution directly causes lung diseases.
– However, the government did acknowledge that polluted air can increase respiratory diseases.
– According to Health Ministry data, more than 200,000 cases of respiratory diseases have been reported in Delhi over the past three years.
– Of these, about 30,000 people had to be hospitalized due to severe illness.
PM (Particulate Matter)
– PM is a complex mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets present in the air, also known as “particle pollution.”
– It is formed from dust, soot, smoke, and industrial emissions, which can enter the lungs and bloodstream through breathing and cause serious health problems.
– PM is categorized as PM10 (10 micrometers) and PM2.5 (2.5 micrometers).
– PM10 (coarse particles): Diameter less than 10 micrometers, originating from dust, pollen, and mold.
– PM2.5 (fine particles): Diameter less than 2.5 micrometers, released from fuel combustion, vehicle emissions, and industrial processes.
– There is no safe level of PM.
47 of the top 50 polluted cities are in India
– In December 2025, 47 Indian cities were included in the live list of the world’s 50 most polluted cities.
– The AQI of all areas in Delhi-NCR crossed 400.
– This falls under the hazardous category.
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8. When is National Tourism Day celebrated?
a. 24 January
b. 25 January
c. 27 January
d. 28 January
Answer: b. 25 January
Objective of National Tourism Day
– To spread awareness about the economic and social importance of tourism.
– To encourage citizens to travel within India and explore lesser-known destinations.
– To promote environmentally friendly and sustainable tourism practices.
– To support local communities dependent on tourism.
– To highlight India’s diverse cultural and natural attractions.
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9. When is National Voters’ Day celebrated?
a. 24 January
b. 25 January
c. 27 January
d. 28 January
Answer: b. 25 January
– This day marks the foundation day of the Election Commission of India (ECI), the constitutional body responsible for conducting free and fair elections in the country.
– The Election Commission was established on January 25, 1950.
Chief Election Commissioner: Gyanesh Kumar
– Election Commissioners: Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, Vivek Joshi
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10. When is International Education Day celebrated?
a. 24 January
b. 25 January
c. 27 January
d. 28 January
Answer: a. 24 January
Theme for 2026
– The power of youth in co-creating education
– The United Nations General Assembly declared January 24 as International Education Day in 2018.
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