Current Affairs Quiz — 18 January 2026
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
The Kaziranga Elevated Corridor Project, whose Bhoomi Pujan was performed in January 2026, involves 4-laning of a section of which National Highway?
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Correct answer: A — NH-715
PIB (PMO): the project is the 4-laning of the Kaliabor–Numaligarh section of NH-715.
What is the approximate cost of the Kaziranga Elevated Corridor Project?
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Correct answer: A — Over ₹6,950 crore
PIB (PMO): the project is worth over ₹6,950 crore.
At the Kaziranga corridor event, the PM recalled that which warrior strategised from Kaliabor to drive out the Mughal army?
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Correct answer: A — Lachit Borphukan
PIB (Ports, Shipping and Waterways): the PM recalled that it was from Kaliabor that Lachit Borphukan strategised to drive out the Mughal invaders.
To which country did India flag off the first tranche of Guided Pinaka rockets on 18 January 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Armenia
PIB (Defence): Rajnath Singh flagged off the first tranche of Guided Pinaka rockets to Armenia from Nagpur.
The Medium Caliber Ammunition Manufacturing Facility inaugurated at Solar Defence & Aerospace Ltd, Nagpur, manufactures which ammunition?
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Correct answer: B — 30mm
PIB (Defence): the fully automated plant manufactures 30mm ammunition used extensively by the Indian Army and Navy.
At Nagpur in January 2026, the Defence Minister said the government aims to raise the private sector's share in defence manufacturing to what level soon?
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Correct answer: C — 50% or more
PIB (Defence): Rajnath Singh said the aim is to increase the private sector's role in defence manufacturing to 50% or more soon.
In which district of West Bengal is Singur, where the PM launched projects worth over ₹830 crore on 18 January 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Hooghly
PIB (PMO): the projects were launched at Singur in Hooghly district, West Bengal.
How many hybrid electric catamarans did the PM launch for passenger transport on Kolkata's waterways in January 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Six
PIB (Ports, Shipping and Waterways): PM Modi launched six hybrid electric catamarans to boost green passenger transport on Kolkata waterways.
At Singur, the PM said an Extended Port Gate System being built at which place would open new opportunities for Hooghly?
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Correct answer: A — Balagarh
PIB (PMO): the PM said the Extended Port Gate System being built in Balagarh will open new opportunities for Hooghly and surrounding areas.
Which vessel was flagged off from Kochi in January 2026 for the fifth edition of the Sagar Maitri initiative?
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Correct answer: B — INS Sagardhwani
PIB (Defence): INS Sagardhwani, NPOL's oceanographic research vessel, was flagged off for Sagar Maitri V on 17 January 2026.
INS Sagardhwani operates under which DRDO laboratory?
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Correct answer: B — Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory
PIB (Defence): INS Sagardhwani is India's oceanographic research vessel under the Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL) of DRDO.
In the context of the Sagar Maitri programme, MAITRI stands for:
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Correct answer: B — Marine & Allied Interdisciplinary Training and Research Initiative
PIB (Defence): DRDO initiated a scientific component titled MAITRI — Marine & Allied Interdisciplinary Training and Research Initiative — under Sagar Maitri.
Where was India's first open-sea marine fish farming project launched in January 2026?
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Correct answer: D — North Bay, Sri Vijaya Puram
PIB (Earth Sciences): the project was launched on site at North Bay, Sri Vijaya Puram, in the Andaman Sea.
Which institute brought the open-sea cage technology used in India's first open-sea marine fish farming project?
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Correct answer: A — NIOT
PIB (Earth Sciences): NIOT brought advanced open-sea cage technology for cage-based marine fish farming in the Andaman Sea.
What combined Profit After Tax did India's power distribution utilities record in FY 2024-25?
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Correct answer: D — Profit of ₹2,701 crore
PIB (Power): distribution utilities recorded a positive PAT of ₹2,701 crore in FY 2024-25.
What was the combined loss of India's power distribution utilities in FY 2013-14, as cited by the Power Ministry in January 2026?
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Correct answer: D — ₹67,962 crore
PIB (Power): the utilities lost ₹67,962 crore in FY 2013-14 and ₹25,553 crore in FY 2023-24.
Consider the following statements about power distribution utilities' finances as reported in January 2026: 1. They returned a positive PAT in FY 2024-25 after several years of losses. 2. Their loss in FY 2023-24 was ₹25,553 crore. 3. The Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme was cited as one of the reforms behind the turnaround. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
PIB (Power): PAT turned positive at ₹2,701 crore in FY 2024-25 after years of losses, the FY 2023-24 loss was ₹25,553 crore, and RDSS is listed among the transformative initiatives.
Where was PM Vishwakarma Haat 2026 inaugurated in January 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Dilli Haat, INA, New Delhi
PIB (MSME): Jitan Ram Manjhi inaugurated PM Vishwakarma Haat 2026 at Dilli Haat, INA, New Delhi.
Which ministry organised PM Vishwakarma Haat 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Ministry of MSME
PIB (MSME): PM Vishwakarma Haat 2026 was organised by the Ministry of MSME.
The first dedicated IndiaSkills regional competition for the North Eastern Region (IndiaSkills 2025-26) was scheduled to be held at:
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Correct answer: B — Gauhati University
PIB (MSDE): the North East Regional Competition of IndiaSkills 2025-26 was to be organised at Gauhati University from 19 to 22 January 2026.
In how many skill categories were youth to compete at the IndiaSkills 2025-26 North East Regional Competition?
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Correct answer: C — 26
PIB (MSDE): youth from all eight North Eastern states were to compete across 26 skill categories.
How many patients availed consultations at the Joint Services Multi-Speciality Medical Camp in Lakshadweep in January 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 4,719
PIB (Defence): 4,719 patients availed specialist and super-specialist consultations.
Which of the following islands was NOT among the venues of the Joint Services medical camp in Lakshadweep in January 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Bangaram
PIB (Defence): the camp was held at Kavaratti, Agatti, Amini, Androth and Minicoy.
According to Indian Railways in January 2026, the length of track capable of 110 km/h or more has grown from 31,445 km in 2014 to:
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Correct answer: C — 84,244 km
PIB (Railways): high-speed-capable track length grew from 31,445 km in 2014 to 84,244 km, about 80% of the network.
How many track kilometres of track renewal did Indian Railways complete in 2024-25?
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Correct answer: B — 6,851
PIB (Railways): track renewal was carried out over 6,851 track km in 2024-25; 7,900 track km is planned for 2026-27.