Current Affairs 30 January 2026

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NATIONAL AFFAIRS

Overview of EU Commission’s President Ursula von der Leyen’s Visit to IndiaUrsula von der Leyen, President of the European Union (EU)Commission and Antonio Luis Santos da Costa, President of the EU Council were on an official visit to India from January 25 to January 27, 2026, as the Chief Guests for the 77th Republic Day of India, at the invitation of Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi.

• Both leaders were accompanied by a high-level delegation including Kaja Kallas, Vice-President(VP) of the EU Commission, which marked her first official visit to India.

Key Highlights:
16th India-EU Summit: PM Narendra Modi along with the  President of EU Council Costa and President of EU Commission Ursula von der Leyen co-chaired the summit held in New Delhi. The last India-EU summit was conducted virtually in July 2020.
Joint India-EU Comprehensive Strategic Agenda: Both India and the EU endorsed the “2030 Joint India-EU Comprehensive Strategic Agenda” for the next 5 years,  which aims to further bolster the strategic partnership by widening, deepening and better co-ordinating EU-India cooperation.

• This newly adopted strategic agenda covers key areas of bilateral cooperation such as: prosperity and sustainability, technology and innovation, security and defence, connectivity and global issues.

India-EU FTA Negotiations: The key highlight of the summit was the announcement of the conclusion of India-EU Free Trade Agreement(FTA) negotiations which is described as ‘Mother of All Deals’. This marks  a major milestone in bilateral relations of two of the world’s largest economies.

• Following this announcement, India-EU FTA has now become India’s 22nd FTA partner.

PFRDA Launches ‘NPS Swasthya Pension Scheme’ under Regulatory SandboxIn January 2026, the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) introduced a new health-linked pension offering, ‘NPS(National Pension System) Swasthya Pension Scheme’, through a circular issued in exercise of powers given under the provisions of PFRDA Act, 2013.

• The scheme was launched as a Proof of Concept (PoC) under its Regulatory Sandbox framework, aimed to integrate health-related benefits within the NPS.

About ‘NPS Swasthya Pension Scheme’ :
Operate as: This newly launched pension scheme will operate as a specific sector scheme under the Multiple Scheme Framework (MSF).
Pilot Project: Under the pilot, the scheme will be launched by Pension Funds (PFs) for a limited time period, with prior approval from PFRDA.
Other Key Entities: In order to administer the scheme, PFs may collaborate with Central Recordkeeping Agencies (CRAs), fintech firms and Health Benefit Administrators (HBAs) or Third-Party Administrators (TPAs).
Key Features of Scheme:
Eligibility Criteria: Any Indian citizen is eligible to enrol under the new scheme provided he/she must have a Common Scheme Account(CSA), if not already available.
Partial Withdrawals: Under the new scheme, eligible subscribers will be permitted to make partial withdrawals for medical expenses, up to 25% of their own contributions, with no restrictions on the number of withdrawals, after a minimum corpus of Rs 50,000 is accumulated.
Premature Exit: In cases of critical inpatient treatment where expenses exceed 70% of the available corpus, then in such cases, eligible subscribers will be allowed to make a premature exit with a 100% lump-sum withdrawal solely for meeting the medical expenses.

NITI Aayog Launches ‘Sampoornata Abhiyan 2.0’ To Boost Development in Aspirational AreasIn January 2026, the National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog launched ‘Sampoornata Abhiyan 2.0’ campaign to ensure essential services reach the most remote and underserved populations.
About Sampoornata Abhiyan 2.0:
Aim: The initiative aims to fast-track development and achieve 100% saturation of key development indicators across India’s Aspirational Districts and Aspirational Blocks.
Tenure: The 3 months campaign will run from January 28 to April 14, 2026. 
Launched by: The campaign was launched by B.V.R Subrahmanyam, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), NITI Aayog in the presence of Rohit Kumar, Additional Secretary and Mission Director, Aspirational Districts and Blocks Programme (AD&BP), NITI Aayog and all planning Secretaries.
Programme Expansion: The campaign expands the Sampoorna Abhiyan 2024 across 112 Aspirational Districts and 513 Aspirational Blocks under the AD&BP.
Implementation: NITI Aayog, along with concerned Central Ministries and Departments and the Governments of States and Union Territories(UTs), will jointly drive the swift and effective development of the identified Aspirational Districts and Blocks.
About National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog:
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – B.V.R Subrahmanyam
Headquarters – New Delhi, Delhi
Established – 2015

MoA&FW Constitutes High-Level Committee to Strengthen FPOs in TNIn January 2026, the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW) had formed a high-level Committee to review and strengthen the functioning of Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) in Tamil Nadu(TN).
About High-Level Committee :
Members: The Committee includes representatives from National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd (NAFED), Small Farmers’ Agribusiness Consortium (SFAC)–TN, Indian Council of Agricultural Research –National Research Centre for Banana (ICAR–NRCB), FPOs,Non-Governmental Organisations(NGOs) and officials from the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DoA&FW) under MoA&FW.
Assessment: The Committee will evaluate governance, business sustainability, technical support, value addition, marketing, and capacity-building aspects of FPO operations.
Recommendations: The Committee will recommend measures to strengthen operations, technical support, institutional coordination, and market linkages, with special focus on key crops in TN.
Timeline: The committee is expected to deliver its final report to the DoA&FW within two months.
Institutional Support: ICAR–National Research Centre for Banana (NRCB), Tiruchirappalli, TN along with Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) through ICAR– Agricultural Technology Application Research Institutes (ATARI), Hyderabad, Telangana will act as the host institution and provide necessary logistical and secretarial support.
About Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs):
FPOs: A Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO) is a legal entity formed by farmers to collectively improve their production, marketing, and income by aggregating resources, enhancing bargaining power, and gaining better market access for inputs (seeds, fertilizer) and outputs (produce).
Legal Registration: A Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO) is registered either under the Companies Act, 2013 or under the Co-operative Societies Act, 1912 of the respective State.
Milestone: The Government of India(GoI) achieved its target of establishing 10,000 FPOs under the ‘Formation and Promotion of 10,000 FPOs Scheme’, with the 10,000th FPO inaugurated in Khagaria, Bihar, on February 24, 2025.
SFAC: It is an Autonomous Society promoted by the MoA&FW to focus on the FPO formation.
About Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW):
Union Minister– Shivraj Singh Chouhan (Constituency- Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh, MP)
Minister of State (MoS) – Ram Nath Thakur (Rajya Sabha- Bihar); Bhagirath Choudhary (Constituency- Ajmer, Rajasthan)

AIIA New Delhi Signed Landmark  MoU with CAYEITIn January 2026, the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), the apex body under the Ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga, & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy),  signed a Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU) with the Centre for Ayurveda Education, Innovation & Technology (CAYEIT), marking a major milestone in digital health.

• It outlines key focus areas such as: cutting-edge research, technology transfer, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Language (ML)-enabled analysis of Ayurvedic data, innovative educational frameworks within the Ayurvedic sector.
• Apart from this Mou, The Ayush Export Promotion Council (AYUSHEXCIL) under the Ministry of AYUSH signed  an MoU with Zepto Limited in New Delhi (Delhi), to facilitate online access to Ayush medicines and wellness products nationwide.

About Ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga, & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy):
Minister of State (MoS) (Independent Charge, IC)- Jadhav Prataprao Ganpatrao (Constituency- Buldhana, Maharashtra)

Union Minister Jayant Chaudhary Announces India’s First AI-Enabled State University Pilot in Meerut, UP
In January 2026, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge, IC),  Jayant Chaudhary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), and MoS, Ministry of Education (MoE), announced India’s first Artificial Intelligence (AI)-enabled university pilot at Chaudhary Charan Singh University (CCSU) in Meerut(Uttar Pradesh, UP).
About AI-Enabled Pilot at CCSU: 
Transforming Higher Education: Developed in collaboration with Google Cloud, the initiative integrates advanced AI tools across teaching, learning, administration, and employability, serving as a scalable model for AI adoption in Indian universities.
Transformation: Under the pilot, CCSU Meerut will act as a living lab, implementing personalised AI tutors, AI-driven skill-gap analysis, and intelligent automation.
Role of CCSU: CCSU will act as a “living laboratory”, using AI for personalized tutoring, skill-gap analysis, and streamlined administrative tasks.
Google Grants Rs.85 Crores: Google pledged a grant worth Rs.85 crore (approximately USD 10 million) to Wadhwani AI to support integration of AI tools into national platforms such as Study Webs of Active-Learning for Young Aspiring Minds (SWAYAM) and Prime Minister’s Overarching Scheme for Holistic Nutrition (POSHAN) Tracker.

MoEFCC Notifies Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026
On January 28, 2026, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) notified the Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules, 2026 under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, which will come into force on April 1, 2026, superseding the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016.

• The revised framework integrates Circular Economy and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) with mandatory 4-stream segregation at source.

Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026:
Segregation: Mandatory four-stream source segregation (wet, dry, sanitary, and special care) with scientifically authorised processing through composting, bio-methanation, recycling, secure handling, or approved collection.
Responsibility: Bulk Waste Generators (BWGs), as defined by prescribed thresholds, must comply with Extended Bulk Waste Generator Responsibility (EBWGR) by processing wet waste on-site or securing an EBWGR certificate where on-site processing is not feasible.
Compensation: Environmental Compensation based on the Polluter Pays Principle applies for non-compliance such as improper management or false reporting.
Enforcement: The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) shall prepare guidelines, while State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) and Pollution Control Committees (PCCs) shall levy the compensation.
RDF: Mandatory Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) use by cement and waste-to-energy plants will rise from 5% to 15% over six years.
Committees: Central and State-level Committees chaired by the Chief Secretary will oversee and strengthen implementation.

Union MoS Jitin Prasada Launches ‘Aadhaar App’ to Strengthen Digital Identity ecosystem
On January 28, 2026, Union Minister of State (MoS) Jitin Prasada, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoC&I), launched a new Aadhaar Application(App), on the occasion of Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) Day.

• Developed by UIDAI, the app is a next-generation mobile application that provides Aadhaar Number Holders (ANH), a secure, convenient, and privacy-focused way to carry, share, display, and verify their digital identity.

Key Features :
Applications: The App enables a variety of real-world applications such as hotel check-ins via Offline Verification Seeking Entity’s (OVSE) Quick Response (QR) code scanning, optional face verification, age verification for cinema tickets, hospital admissions for visitors and attendants, and verification of gig workers and service partners, among others.
Advanced Features: The app also offers advanced features including face verification for proof of presence, one-click biometric lock/unlock, viewing authentication history.
Additional Functionalities: It also includes a QR-based contact card for sharing contact details, view authentication history, managing up to 5 Aadhaar profiles on one phone (One Family One App), and updating address and mobile number through the app.

BISAG-N Signs MoU with QNu Labs to Deploy Quantum-Resilient Cybersecurity Solutions
On January 28, 2026, the Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geo-Informatics (BISAG-N), under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with QNu Labs Private Limited to collaborate on developing and deploying quantum-resilient cybersecurity solutions.
Key Details of MoU:
Purpose: The MoU focuses on building India-centric, quantum-resilient cybersecurity capabilities to address the growing risk posed by future quantum computing advancements to classical encryption systems.
Framework: The MoU sets a framework for technology transfer and deployment, enabling hardware‑backed, quantum‑resilient cybersecurity solutions across government, defence, and critical infrastructure systems in line with policy guidelines.
Technology Integration: Under the MoU, ‘Vedic Kavach’, an indigenous cryptographic software of BISAG-N, will be integrated with quantum hardware and secure infrastructure platforms from QNu Labs.

• Vedic Kavach has already been used in early government implementations such as quantum-resilient web servers and a secure web browser that incorporates Quantum Random Number Generation (QRNG).

Alignment: The MoU aligns with Government of India (GoI)’s vision of National Quantum Mission (NQM), Digital India, Atmanirbhar Bharat, Viksit Bharat @2047.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

Overview of 56th Annual Meeting of World Economic Forum Held in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland -Part IIThe 56th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) was held with the theme “A Spirit of Dialogue”, from January 19 to 23, 2026, in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland.

• The five-day meeting served as a neutral platform for dialogue on global cooperation, innovation, growth, and inclusive prosperity amid evolving geopolitical and technological challenges in 2026.

Outcomes of WEF Annual Meeting 2026:
Key MoUs Signed:
MSDE: The Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Government of India (GoI), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the WEF, with an aim to establish a Skills Accelerator in India.
Maharashtra Government: Government of Maharashtra signed 19 MoUs worth approximately Rs.14.50 lakh crores (approximately USD 175 billion).

• During the event, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis announced the establishment of India’s first Innovation City near the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport in Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, with an investment of Rs.91,000 crores (USD 11 billion) by Tata Sons.

UP Government :  Government of Uttar Pradesh (UP) signed MoUs worth Rs.9,750 crores, focusing on areas such as clean energy and RE projects, AI and digital infrastructure, and defence manufacturing and technology partnerships.
Assam: The Government of Assam secured investment commitments worth Rs.1 lakh crores across sectors such as green energy, semiconductors, electronics, and hydrocarbons.

• Assam participated for the first time in the WEF Annual meeting.

Kerala: The Government of Kerala secured investment commitments and Expressions of Interest (EoIs) worth USD 14 billion (approximately Rs.1.17 lakh crores) across sectors, including RE, Global Capacity Centres (GCCs), skill development, financial services, tourism, wellness, medical infrastructure and manufacturing.
Jharkhand: An MoU was signed by the Government of Jharkhand and Tata Steel Limited (TSL) for an investment of Rs.11,000 crores focused on green steel and industrial growth.
Jharkhand: An MoU was signed by the Government of Jharkhand and Tata Steel Limited (TSL) for an investment of Rs.11,000 crores focused on green steel and industrial growth.
Gujarat: The Government of Gujarat showcased its plans to be India’s first to generate nuclear power using small nuclear reactors under the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI Bill).
Madhya Pradesh(MP): The Government of MP signed an MoU with DP World, a leading UAE-based global logistics and supply chain company, to promote investment and collaboration in developing the state’s logistics infrastructure and integrating it with global supply chains.
Other Launches:
WULF: During the meeting, O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU) launched the World University Leaders Forum (WULF), a global platform for university-led solutions and collaboration.
LINK Energy: It is a new integrated clean-energy platform launched with an investment plan of about Rs.10,000 crores (approximately USD 1.2 billion) to be deployed over the next five years in RE projects.

ECONOMY & BUSINESS

Reliance Industries and ONGC Signed Agreement for Offshore Energy Operations
In January 2026, Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) and Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) signed a resource-sharing agreement on the sidelines of India Energy Week (IEW) 2026 (27-30 January 2026) in Goa, aimed at improving operational efficiency and strengthening India’s energy security.
About the Agreement between RIL and ONGC:
Services: Delivers specialized logging, well services, subsea equipment, and emergency response by jointly leveraging offshore assets to optimize performance.
Regions: Applies to Krishna Godavari (KG) Basin and Andaman offshore blocks.
Assets: Includes Offshore Supply Vessels (OSVs), Multipurpose Support Vessels (MSVs), tugs, drilling rigs, platforms, pipelines, processing facilities, and power systems.
Regulation: Governed by Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Amendment Act, 2025 (ORDA Act 2025); foreign-flagged OSVs require approvals from Ministry of Defence (MoD), Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), and Director General of Shipping (DGS), with shared-use allowing seamless movement.
Benefits: Reduces duplication, lowers Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) and Operating Expenditure (OPEX), improves asset utilization, accelerates project execution, enhances safety, and strengthens domestic energy security.

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

President Approves 2026 Gallantry and Distinguished Service Awards for ICG Personnel on 77th Republic DayIn January 2026, the President of India Droupadi Murmu, approved 2026 Gallantry and Distinguished Service awards for personnel of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) on the eve of the 77th Republic Day, in recognition of conspicuous gallantry, distinguished service and meritorious service in safeguarding India’s maritime interests.

• The awards honour ICG personnel for courage, professionalism, and dedication in safeguarding maritime borders, responding to sea emergencies, and strengthening maritime security.

About 2026 Gallantry and Distinguished Service awards for ICG personnel:
Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM): It has been awarded to Additional Director General (ADG) Donny Michael, a recipient of the President’s Tatrakshak Medal (PTM) and Tatrakshak Medal (TM).
Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM): Deputy Inspector General (DIG) K. S. Sitaram.
PTM (Distinguished Service): Inspector General (IG) Iqbal Singh Chauhan, TM; and IG Datwinder Singh Saini, TM.
Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padak: Pradhan Navik (Mechanical Engineering – ME) Saumyaranjan Behera.
Tatrakshak Medal (Gallantry)-Posthumous: It was awarded posthumously to Late Commandant Rakesh Kumar Rana, Late Commandant (Junior Grade – JG) Vipin Babu, and Late Pradhan Navik (Rashtra Prashikshit, RP) Karan Singh.
Tatrakshak Medal (Gallantry): Awarded to Commandant (Junior Grade – JG) Shailendra Singh Bisht, Pradhan Navik (RP) Gautam Yadav, and Pradhan Navik (RP) Banti Kumar.
Tatrakshak Medal (Meritorious Service): Awarded to Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Vinod Kumar Parmar, DIG Arun Kumar Bhardwaj, DIG Sudhakar Patil, Commandant Indu P, and Pradhan Adhikari (Radio Operator – P/Adh RO) Tapas Kumar Banerjee.
2026 President’s Medal for Distinguished and Meritorious Service Awarded to RPF/RPSF Personnel
On the occasion of 77th Republic Day 2026, President Droupadi Murmu also awarded the 2026 President’s Medal for Distinguished Service (PSM) and the 2026 Medal for Meritorious Service (MSM) to officers and personnel of the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Railway Protection Special Force (RPSF) in recognition of their dedicated service, professionalism, and exemplary contribution to railway security.

MoD Announces Winners of the 77th Republic Day Parade : IN Tops Marching Contingent; Maharashtra Wins Best TableauOn 28th January 2026, Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced the winners of the Best Marching Contingents and Best Tableaux of the 77th Republic Day Parade 2026, held at Kartavya Path, New Delhi (Delhi), based on a dual evaluation process comprising assessments by three expert judging panels and an online public vote through the MyGov portal for the Popular Choice category.

• The Indian Navy(IN) was adjudged the Best Marching Contingent, while Maharashtra secured the top spot in the state/Union Territories(UTs) tableaux category for its tableau “Ganeshotsav: A Symbol of Aatmanirbharta.”

Highlight of 77th Republic Day Parade 2026 Awards:
Judging Panels: Three separate judging panels were constituted to evaluate marching contingents of the three Armed Forces (AFs), Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and other auxiliary forces, and tableaux presented by States, Union Territories (UTs), and Central Ministries/Departments (CMDs).
Online Poll: An online poll was conducted on the MyGov portal, allowing citizens to vote for their favourite Marching Contingents and Tableaux under the ‘Popular Choice’ category.
Central Ministries/Departments Tableau Awards: The Ministry of Culture won the Best Tableau Award in the Central Ministries/Departments category for its impactful tableau “Vande Mataram – The Soul Cry of a Nation,” marking 150 years of the iconic patriotic song.

• The Department of School Education and Literacy (DSEL), Ministry of Education (MoE), received the People’s Choice Award for Best Tableau among Central Ministries/Departments for its theme on National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

Beating Retreat Ceremony 2026:
The Beating Retreat Ceremony 2026 was held January 29, at Vijay Chowk, Delhi, marking the grand finale of the 77th Republic Day celebrations.
Performance: The event showcased a spectacular musical performance by the bands of the Indian Army (IA), Indian Navy (IN), Indian Air Force (IAF), Delhi Police, and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), all under the gaze of the President of India Droupadi Murmu.

SPORTS

6th Khelo India Winter Games 2026: Haryana Emerges Overall Champion in Ice Sports PhaseThe sixth edition of the Khelo India Winter Games (KIWG) 2026 was inaugurated on 20 January 2026 by Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta at the Nawang Dorjan Stobdan (NDS) Stadium in Leh, Union Territory (UT) Ladakh. The first phase of the Games, dedicated to ice sports, successfully concluded on 26 January 2026.

• In the medal tally, Haryana emerged on top with 5 Gold, 1 Silver, and 2 Bronze medals, followed by Ladakh with 2 Gold, 5 Silver, and 4 Bronze, while Maharashtra secured third place with 2 Gold, 3 Silver, and 2 Bronze medals.

About Khelo India Winter Games (KIWG) 2026:
Organisers: Organised by the Department of Youth Services & Sports, UT Ladakh under supervision of the Sports Authority of India (SAI); technical support by National Sports Federations (NSFs).
Structure: Two-leg format — Phase 1 (ice sports) in Leh; Phase 2 (snow sports) at Kangdoori Phase 1 and Gulmarg Golf Course Club, Jammu and Kashmir(J&K).
Disciplines: Phase 1 — Ice Hockey, Ice Skating (Figure Skating introduced first time); Phase 2 — Alpine Skiing, Nordic Skiing, Ski Mountaineering, Snowboarding.
Scheme: Part of the Khelo India Scheme, a Central Sector Scheme(CSS) of Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS).
Logo: Symbolises energy, resilience, and national spirit of winter sports.
Mascot: Sheen-E-She (Shan) — the Snow Leopard, representing resilience, agility, and the Himalayan legacy.
About Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports (MYAS):
Union Minister – Mansukh Mandaviya (Constituency-Porbandar, Gujarat)
Minister of State (MoS) – Raksha Khadse (Constituency- Raver, Maharashtra)

IMPORTANT DAYS

International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust 2026 – January 27The United Nations (UN’s) International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust (International Holocaust Remembrance Day) is observed annually on 27 January, commemorates the victims of the Holocaust (Shoah) worldwide.
Theme:
2026 Theme:  “Holocaust Remembrance for Dignity and Human Rights”
Focus: Highlights the importance of Holocaust remembrance alongside safeguarding human dignity and upholding universal human rights to prevent future atrocities.
Background:
UNGA Resolution: On 1 November 2005, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) adopted Resolution A/RES/60/7, designating 27 January as the annual International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust.

• The resolution also created the Holocaust and the UN Outreach Programme to spread awareness of the Holocaust’s lessons and advance peace and human rights.

First Observance: The first International Holocaust Remembrance Day was observed on 27 January 2006.
Significance: 27 January commemorates the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Nazi German Concentration and Extermination Camp by Soviet troops in 1945.

• 27 January 2026, the day marks the 81st anniversary of this historic event.

About Holocaust:
Terminology: The Holocaust is also known as the “Shoah,” a Hebrew term meaning “catastrophe.”
Overview: The Holocaust was a state-sponsored genocide by Nazi Germany and its allies that killed six million Jews in Europe between 1933 and 1945.
2026 Events:
UN Holocaust Memorial Observance: On 27 January 2026, the UN Holocaust Memorial Observance took place at the UN Headquarters in New York(the United States of America, USA), led by António Guterres, UN Secretary-General and hosted by Melissa Fleming, UN Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications.
Commemoration at UN Office: On 27 January 2026 a Holocaust commemoration was held at Palais des Nations, organized by the UN Office at Geneva, Switzerland.
About United Nations (UN):
Secretary-General (SG)– António Guterres
Headquarters- New York, the United States of America (USA)
Established – 1945

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