Current Affairs Quiz — 19 January 2026
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
During the UAE President's visit in January 2026, India and the UAE set what bilateral trade target for 2032?
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Correct answer: D — US$200 billion
PIB (PMO): bilateral trade reached US$100 billion in FY 2024-25, and the leaders decided to double it to US$200 billion by 2032.
Under the agreement signed during the UAE President's January 2026 visit, HPCL will buy LNG from ADNOC Gas on what terms?
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Correct answer: A — 0.5 MMTPA for 10 years from 2028
PIB (PMO, list of outcomes): the long-term agreement provides for purchase of 0.5 MMTPA LNG by HPCL from ADNOC Gas over 10 years starting 2028.
A Letter of Intent signed during the UAE President's January 2026 visit covers UAE partnership in developing which Special Investment Region?
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Correct answer: A — Dholera, Gujarat
PIB (PMO): the LoI between the Government of Gujarat and the UAE Ministry of Investment is for development of the Dholera Special Investment Region.
Consider the following statements about the UAE President's visit to India on 19 January 2026: 1. It was his fifth visit to India in the last ten years. 2. C-DAC and the UAE's G42 agreed in principle to set up a supercomputing cluster in India. 3. India and the UAE signed their Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement during this visit. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
PIB (PMO): it was his fifth visit in ten years, and C-DAC–G42 agreed in principle on a supercomputing cluster; the CEPA was signed in 2022, not during this visit.
Which Indian agency signed a Letter of Intent with the UAE Space Agency during the UAE President's January 2026 visit?
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Correct answer: D — IN-SPACe
PIB (PMO, list of outcomes): the LoI on space industry development and commercial collaboration was between IN-SPACe and the UAE Space Agency.
Where was the 86th All India Presiding Officers' Conference inaugurated on 19 January 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Lucknow
PIB (Lok Sabha Secretariat): the 86th AIPOC commenced in Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh.
Who inaugurated the 86th All India Presiding Officers' Conference?
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Correct answer: A — UP Governor Anandiben Patel
PIB (Lok Sabha Secretariat): the conference was inaugurated by UP Governor Anandiben Patel; Om Birla gave the keynote and Satish Mahana read the PM's message.
Between 1 April and 31 December 2025, public sector banks sanctioned MSME loans worth more than how much under their digital Credit Assessment Model?
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Correct answer: C — ₹52,300 crore
PIB (Finance): over 3.96 lakh MSME loan applications amounting to more than ₹52,300 crore were sanctioned.
The public sector banks' Credit Assessment Model for MSMEs is primarily based on:
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Correct answer: D — Digital footprints such as GST, bank statement and ITR data
PIB (Finance): the CAM uses digital footprints — KYC, GST data, account aggregator bank statements, ITR verification and CIC data — for automated appraisal.
How many proposals did the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife consider at its 88th meeting in January 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 70
PIB (MoEFCC): the Standing Committee considered 70 proposals, including 17 defence-related ones.
The 17 defence-related proposals considered at the 88th NBWL Standing Committee meeting were located mainly in:
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Correct answer: D — Ladakh and Sikkim
PIB (MoEFCC): the 17 defence proposals were primarily located in the UT of Ladakh and the State of Sikkim.
Proposals in and around protected areas are considered by the NBWL Standing Committee under which Act?
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Correct answer: C — Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972
PIB (MoEFCC): the proposals were considered in accordance with the provisions of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
Which two bodies were approved as the first Second-Level Fund Managers under the RDI Fund?
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Correct answer: A — TDB and BIRAC
PIB (Science & Technology): the Technology Development Board and BIRAC were approved as the first Second-Level Fund Managers under the RDI Fund.
What is the size of the Research Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund meant to catalyse private sector-led research?
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Correct answer: C — ₹1 lakh crore
PIB (Science & Technology): the RDI Fund is a ₹1 lakh crore initiative to catalyse private sector-led research and innovation.
Consider the following statements about the RDI Fund scheme: 1. It was approved by the Union Cabinet on 1 July 2025. 2. It was formally rolled out by the Prime Minister on 3 November 2025. 3. Funding of industry-backed projects had begun before the end of 2025. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
PIB (Science & Technology): the Cabinet approved the scheme on 1 July 2025 and the PM rolled it out on 3 November 2025; funding of industry-backed projects was to start by the end of January 2026.
The Centre of Excellence for Regulatory Affairs in the Power Sector, launched in January 2026, was set up at which institution?
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Correct answer: A — IIT Delhi
PIB (Power): Power Minister Manohar Lal inaugurated the Centre at IIT Delhi.
Which of the following jointly established the Centre of Excellence for Regulatory Affairs in the Power Sector?
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Correct answer: A — IIT Delhi, CERC and Grid India
PIB (Power): the Centre is jointly established by IIT Delhi, the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission and Grid Controller of India Ltd.
The Raising Day of which force is observed on 19 January?
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Correct answer: B — National Disaster Response Force
PIB (MHA, PMO): greetings were extended to NDRF personnel on the force's Raising Day, 19 January 2026.
In January 2026 the Indian Navy contracted an MSME shipyard in Thane to build what?
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Correct answer: B — Three 200-tonne Bottom Opening Non-Propelled Barges
PIB (Defence): the contract with Suryadipta Projects Pvt Ltd, Thane, is for 3 × 200T Bottom Opening Non-Propelled Barges.
What overhead traction power system will the OHE masts on the Mumbai–Ahmedabad bullet train corridor support?
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Correct answer: B — 2×25 kV
PIB (Railways): the masts will support the complete 2×25 kV overhead traction power system.
Roughly how many OHE masts will be installed along the Mumbai–Ahmedabad bullet train corridor?
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Correct answer: C — More than 20,000
PIB (Railways): in total, more than 20,000 masts ranging from 9.5 to 14.5 metres will be installed.
Approximately how many special guests were invited to witness the 77th Republic Day Parade at Kartavya Path?
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Correct answer: C — 10,000
PIB (Defence): approximately 10,000 special guests (including spouses) were invited to the 77th Republic Day Parade.
Companies receiving incentives under the SIGHT programme were among the special guests at the 2026 Republic Day Parade. SIGHT is part of which mission?
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Correct answer: B — National Green Hydrogen Mission
PIB (Defence): the list includes heads of companies incentivised for hydrogen production and electrolyser manufacturing under the SIGHT programme in the National Green Hydrogen Mission.
How many special trains did Indian Railways run for the Mauni Amavasya period from 3 January 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 244
PIB (Railways): 244 special trains were operated since 3 January 2026, serving about 4.5 lakh passengers.
Which railway zone ran the largest number of the 244 Mauni Amavasya special trains in January 2026?
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Correct answer: D — North Central Railway
PIB (Railways): North Central Railway ran 158 trains, Northern Railway 31 and North Eastern Railway 55.
C-DOT received the SKOCH Award 2025 for which solution?
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Correct answer: B — Cell Broadcast Solution
PIB (Communications): C-DOT was conferred the SKOCH Award 2025 for its Cell Broadcast Solution, a disaster and emergency alerting platform.