Current Affairs Quiz — 20 January 2026
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
By how much did the combined Index of Eight Core Industries grow in December 2025 (provisional)?
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Correct answer: C — 3.7%
PIB (Commerce): the ICI increased by 3.7% (provisional) in December 2025 over December 2024.
The eight core industries together account for what share of the weight of items in the Index of Industrial Production?
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Correct answer: C — 40.27%
PIB (Commerce): the Eight Core Industries comprise 40.27% of the weight of items in the IIP.
Which of the following core industries recorded a decline in production in December 2025 compared with December 2024?
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Correct answer: A — Crude oil
PIB (Commerce): crude oil fell 5.6% (and natural gas 4.4%), while cement, steel, electricity, fertilizers and coal grew.
When had the CAQM sub-committee invoked GRAP Stage IV in Delhi-NCR before revoking it on 20 January 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 17 January 2026
PIB (MoEFCC): Stage IV was invoked on 17 January 2026 and revoked on 20 January 2026.
After CAQM revoked GRAP Stage IV on 20 January 2026, which stages remained in force across NCR?
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Correct answer: D — Stages I, II and III
PIB (MoEFCC): all actions under GRAP Stages I, II and III remained in force.
Which Indian Navy sail training ship set off on the Lokayan 26 expedition on 20 January 2026?
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Correct answer: A — INS Sudarshini
PIB (Defence): INS Sudarshini was flagged off from Kochi for Lokayan 26.
During Lokayan 26, INS Sudarshini is scheduled to visit how many ports in how many countries?
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Correct answer: C — 18 ports in 13 countries
PIB (Defence): the ship will traverse about 22,000 nautical miles, visiting 18 ports in 13 countries.
The Central Motor Vehicles (Second Amendment) Rules, 2026 amend which set of rules?
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Correct answer: A — Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989
PIB (MoRTH): the Second Amendment Rules, 2026 introduce changes to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989.
Under the January 2026 amendment to the motor vehicle rules, which of the following is NOT stated to be withheld for a vehicle with unpaid National Highway user fee?
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Correct answer: D — Renewal of the owner's driving licence
PIB (MoRTH): the rules bar the transfer NOC, fitness certificate renewal/generation and National Permit while user fee is unpaid; driving licence renewal is not mentioned.
Under the amended rules, an 'unpaid user fee' refers to a fee for a National Highway section where:
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Correct answer: B — The ETC system recorded the vehicle's passage but the fee was not received
PIB (MoRTH): 'unpaid user fee' is the fee for an NH section where the ETC system recorded the vehicle's passage but the fee was not received in accordance with the National Highways Act, 1956.
Which edition of the Khelo India Winter Games opened in Leh on 20 January 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Sixth
PIB (Sports): the curtains went up on the sixth edition of the Khelo India Winter Games at NDS Stadium, Leh.
Which event was added to the ice skating programme of the Khelo India Winter Games for the first time in 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Figure skating
PIB (Sports): figure skating has been added to the ice skating programme for the first time.
Consider the following statements about the Khelo India Winter Games 2026: 1. This is the third time Ladakh is hosting the Games. 2. The Ladakh leg was declared open by the Union Sports Minister. 3. The snow leg is to be held in Gulmarg. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 3 only
PIB (Sports): Ladakh is hosting KIWG for the third time and the snow leg will be in Gulmarg; the Games were declared open by Ladakh LG Kavinder Gupta, while Dr Mansukh Mandaviya sent a message.
In January 2026, the CCI approved the acquisition of a stake in which Indian bank by Emirates NBD?
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Correct answer: C — RBL Bank
PIB (CCI): the Commission approved Emirates NBD Bank's proposed acquisition of shareholding in RBL Bank Limited.
What range of shareholding in RBL Bank does Emirates NBD propose to acquire, as approved by the CCI?
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Correct answer: B — Not less than 51%, up to 74%
PIB (CCI): the combination envisages acquisition of up to 74% (and not less than 51%) of RBL Bank.
The 233-year-old Valmiki Ramayana manuscript gifted in January 2026 was given to which museum?
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Correct answer: A — International Ram Katha Museum, Ayodhya
PIB (Culture): the manuscript has been permanently gifted to the Antarrashtriya Ram Katha Sangrahalaya, Ayodhya.
The Valmiki Ramayana manuscript gifted to the Ram Katha Museum carries which classical commentary?
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Correct answer: A — Tattvadīpikā by Maheshvara Tīrtha
PIB (Culture): the manuscript is the Vālmīkirāmāyaṇam with the Tattvadīpikā ṭīkā by Maheshvara Tīrtha.
Consider the following statements about the Valmiki Ramayana manuscript gifted in January 2026: 1. It dates to Vikrama Samvat 1849 (1792 CE). 2. It contains all seven kandas, including the Uttarakanda. 3. It was earlier on loan to Rashtrapati Bhavan. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 3 only
PIB (Culture): the manuscript dates to VS 1849 (1792 CE) and was earlier loaned to Rashtrapati Bhavan; it comprises five kandas — Bāla, Araṇya, Kiṣkindhā, Sundara and Yuddha — so statement 2 is wrong.
Under which section of the Dam Safety Act, 2021 is the National Committee on Dam Safety constituted?
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Correct answer: D — Section 5
PIB (Jal Shakti): the NCDS is constituted under Section 5 of the Dam Safety Act, 2021; its functions are in the First Schedule.
Who chaired the 11th meeting of the National Committee on Dam Safety in January 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Chairman, Central Water Commission
PIB (Jal Shakti): the meeting was chaired by Anupam Prasad, Chairman of the Central Water Commission and Chairman of the NCDS.
ECOFIX, for which the Technology Development Board signed a commercialisation pact in January 2026, is:
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Correct answer: B — A ready-to-use pothole repair mix made from steel slag
PIB (Science & Technology): ECOFIX is a ready-to-use pothole repair mix capable of turning steel slag into a durable, instant repair option.
The industry partner that signed the ECOFIX agreement with the Technology Development Board is based in which city?
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Correct answer: B — Visakhapatnam
PIB (Science & Technology): the agreement was with Visakhapatnam-based Ramuka Global Eco Work Private Limited.
At which Indonesian port did the Indian Navy's First Training Squadron make a port call on 20 January 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Belawan
PIB (Defence): the First Training Squadron made a port call at Belawan, Indonesia, on 20 January 2026.
Which of the following was NOT among the ships of the First Training Squadron at Belawan in January 2026?
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Correct answer: A — INS Vikrant
PIB (Defence): the ships were INS Tir, INS Shardul, INS Sujata and ICGS Sarathi.
How many ATMs did the Department of Posts activate at post offices across India, as announced in January 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 887
PIB (Communications): the Department of Posts revamped its ATM infrastructure with the activation of 887 ATMs across India.
Where did APEDA organise an Organic Conclave-cum-Buyer Seller Meet with the Assam government in January 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Guwahati
PIB (Commerce): APEDA organised the Organic Conclave-cum-Buyer Seller Meet at Guwahati.
A session at APEDA's Guwahati organic conclave covered which edition of the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP)?
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Correct answer: D — 8th
PIB (Commerce): the conclave featured a sensitisation session on NPOP 8th Edition, including the regulatory framework and labelling requirements.