Current Affairs Quiz — 03 January 2026
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
The Grand International Exposition of the sacred Piprahwa relics, inaugurated by PM Modi on 3 January 2026, was held at which venue?
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Correct answer: A — Rai Pithora Cultural Complex, New Delhi
PIB (PMO and Ministry of Culture): the exposition was inaugurated at the Rai Pithora Cultural Complex, New Delhi.
The Piprahwa relics of the Buddha were first unearthed in 1898 by whom, at a stupa site identified with ancient Kapilavastu?
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Correct answer: C — William Claxton Peppé
PIB (Ministry of Culture): the Piprahwa relics were unearthed in 1898 by William Claxton Peppé at the stupa site identified with Kapilavastu.
What is the title of the Piprahwa relics exposition inaugurated in New Delhi in January 2026?
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Correct answer: A — The Light & the Lotus: Relics of the Awakened One
PIB (Ministry of Culture): the exposition is titled 'The Light & the Lotus: Relics of the Awakened One'.
Consider the following statements about the Piprahwa relics exposition of January 2026: 1. It includes the Peppé family collection repatriated to India in July 2025 after its auction abroad was halted. 2. It includes relics preserved at the Indian Museum, Kolkata. 3. It was organised by the Archaeological Survey of India under the Ministry of External Affairs. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1 and 2 only
PIB (Ministry of Culture): the exposition brings together the Peppé collection repatriated in July 2025 and treasures from the Indian Museum, Kolkata. It was organised by the Ministry of Culture, so statement 3 is wrong.
Where is the birthplace of Savitribai Phule, at which a ₹143 crore memorial's foundation was laid on 3 January 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Naigaon, Satara
Times of India and PTI: Fadnavis laid the foundation of the memorial at Savitribai Phule's birthplace, Naigaon in Satara district.
Which birth anniversary of Savitribai Phule was observed on 3 January 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 195th
Times of India and PTI: Saturday (3 January 2026) was the 195th birth anniversary of Savitribai Phule.
Consider the following statements about the Savitribai Phule memorial project announced on 3 January 2026: 1. It includes a women's training centre. 2. Its estimated cost is ₹143 crore. 3. It is being built at Phulewada in Pune. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
Times of India and PTI: the memorial with a women's training centre is at Naigaon, Satara, at a cost of ₹143 crore. It is not in Pune, so statement 3 is wrong.
In which city did Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurate an exhibition on the three new criminal laws on 3 January 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Sri Vijaya Puram
PIB (MHA): Amit Shah inaugurated an exhibition based on the three new laws in Sri Vijaya Puram, Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
What was the total value of the development projects inaugurated or whose foundation stones were laid by Amit Shah in Andaman and Nicobar on 3 January 2026?
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Correct answer: C — ₹373 crore
PIB (MHA): nine projects were inaugurated and two foundation stones laid, worth ₹373 crore.
Consider the following statements based on Amit Shah's visit to Andaman and Nicobar on 3 January 2026: 1. Nine projects were inaugurated and foundation stones were laid for two. 2. The Sri Vijaya Puram Municipal Council collects waste from 98% of houses. 3. Amit Shah said the islands named Shaheed and Swaraj honour Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
PIB (MHA): nine projects inaugurated and two foundation stones laid; 98% household waste collection; and Shah said PM Modi named the islands Shaheed and Swaraj in honour of Netaji. All three are correct.
Between which two places will India's first Vande Bharat Sleeper train run, as announced during its inspection in January 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Guwahati – Howrah
PIB (Railways): the first Vande Bharat Sleeper will operate between Guwahati in Assam and Howrah in West Bengal.
Which indigenous automatic train protection system is fitted on the first Vande Bharat Sleeper train inspected in January 2026?
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Correct answer: C — KAVACH
PIB (Railways): the train is equipped with the KAVACH safety system, automatic doors, improved fire safety and CCTV in all coaches.
Consider the following statements about the first Vande Bharat Sleeper train, as described by the Railways Ministry on 3 January 2026: 1. Its full cycle of trials, testing and certification has been completed. 2. The train starting from Guwahati will serve Assamese cuisine. 3. It was flagged off by the Prime Minister on 3 January 2026. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — 1 and 2 only
PIB (Railways): trials, testing and certification are complete, and the Guwahati-origin train will serve authentic Assamese cuisine. The PM was to flag it off later in January; on 3 January the train was only inspected, so statement 3 is wrong.
What was the theme of the 9th Siddha Day celebrated in January 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Siddha for Global Health
PIB (Ayush): the event was themed 'Siddha for Global Health'.
Consider the following statements about the 9th Siddha Day celebrations (January 2026): 1. They were inaugurated by Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan. 2. They were held at Kalaivanar Arangam in Chennai. 3. They were the 10th edition of Siddha Day. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
PIB (Ayush): the Vice-President inaugurated the 9th Siddha Day at Kalaivanar Arangam, Chennai. It was the 9th edition, not the 10th, so statement 3 is wrong.
The Department of Fertilizers' Chintan Shivir held in New Delhi on 3 January 2026 focused mainly on:
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Correct answer: B — Balanced fertilizer use and sustainable agriculture
PIB (Department of Fertilizers): the Chintan Shivir focused on balanced fertilizer use and sustainable agriculture, along with timely availability and soil health.
Where was the Department of Fertilizers' one-day Chintan Shivir held on 3 January 2026?
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Correct answer: B — National Agricultural Science Complex, New Delhi
PIB (Department of Fertilizers): the one-day camp was held at the National Agricultural Science Complex, New Delhi, where 15 groups deliberated on 15 key topics.
As stated on its 65th Foundation Day in January 2026, Paradip Port is India's largest major port in terms of:
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Correct answer: A — Rated capacity
PIB (MoPSW): the PPA Chairman said Paradip is currently the largest major port in terms of rated capacity.
In which year was the foundation stone of Paradip Port laid, the anniversary marked on 3 January 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 1962
PIB (MoPSW): Paradip Port Authority's foundation stone was laid on 3 January 1962.
Who won the men's 10m air pistol gold at the 68th National Shooting Championship in January 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Ajay Kumar
Hindustan Times and PTI: Army's Ajay Kumar won gold with 241.1; Shubham Bisla took silver and Anmol Jain bronze.
At which venue was the 68th National Shooting Championship's men's 10m air pistol final held in January 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range, New Delhi
Hindustan Times and PTI: the final was held at the Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range in New Delhi.
Rani Velu Nachiyar, remembered on her birth anniversary on 3 January 2026, was the queen of which kingdom?
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Correct answer: D — Sivaganga
PIB (MHA): Amit Shah called her 'the queen of Sivaganga' who defeated the colonial rulers with her military prowess.
Under its January 2026 CSR agreement with the Gujarat Cancer & Research Institute, NTPC sanctioned funds mainly for which equipment?
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Correct answer: D — High-energy Linear Accelerator (LINAC)
PIB (Ministry of Power): NTPC sanctioned ₹23.16 crore for the procurement and installation of a high-energy LINAC at GCRI's Siddhpur Satellite Centre.
How much CSR funding did NTPC sanction in January 2026 for upgrading radiotherapy services at GCRI's Siddhpur Satellite Centre?
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Correct answer: D — ₹23.16 crore
PIB (Ministry of Power): NTPC sanctioned ₹23.16 crore for the upgradation of radiotherapy services at the Siddhpur Satellite Centre of GCRI, Ahmedabad.
According to ECI (January 2026), within how much time after the close of polls does the ECINet app enable publication of Index Cards?
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Correct answer: D — 72 hours
PIB (ECI): the trial versions of ECINet enable publication of Index Cards within 72 hours of the close of polls.
Consider the following statements about ECINet as described by the Election Commission in January 2026: 1. It was tried out during the Bihar Assembly Elections 2025. 2. Citizens could submit suggestions through the app until 10 January 2026. 3. It had already been officially launched in 2024. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 and 2 only
PIB (ECI): ECINet was tried in the Bihar Assembly Elections 2025 and suggestions were invited till 10 January 2026; the official launch was planned for January 2026, so statement 3 is wrong.