Current Affairs Quiz — January 2026
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Patna Bird Sanctuary, declared a Ramsar site in January 2026, is located in which district?
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Correct answer: B — Etah, Uttar Pradesh
PIB: Patna Bird Sanctuary is in Etah district of Uttar Pradesh (not Patna in Bihar).
Chhari-Dhand, added to the Ramsar list on 31 January 2026, is in which district of Gujarat?
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Correct answer: D — Kutch
Chhari-Dhand is in Kutch district of Gujarat, as announced by the Environment Minister on 31 January 2026.
After the two additions announced on 31 January 2026, how many Ramsar sites did India have?
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Correct answer: D — 98
PIB: India's Ramsar network grew from 26 sites in 2014 to 98 sites at present.
Consider the following statements about the Ramsar Convention: 1. It was signed at Ramsar, Iran, in 1971. 2. India became a signatory to it on 1 February 1982. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
PIB: The Convention on Wetlands was signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971, and India became a signatory on 1 February 1982.
In January 2026, who became the first woman Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra?
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Correct answer: C — Sunetra Pawar
Sunetra Pawar was sworn in on 31 January 2026 as the first woman Deputy CM of Maharashtra (PIB, Indian Express).
Who administered the oath of office to Sunetra Pawar as Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra on 31 January 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Governor Acharya Devvrat
The oath was administered by Governor Acharya Devvrat at Lok Bhavan, Mumbai.
Which of the following portfolios was NOT allotted to Sunetra Pawar on 31 January 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Finance and Planning
She got State Excise, Sports and Youth Welfare, and Minority Development and Auqaf; Finance and Planning went to CM Devendra Fadnavis.
Consider the following statements: 1. Ajit Pawar died in an air crash at Baramati on 28 January 2026. 2. Sunetra Pawar was a member of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly when she was sworn in as Deputy CM. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Ajit Pawar died in an air crash at Baramati on 28 January 2026. Sunetra Pawar was a Rajya Sabha MP, not a member of either House of the state legislature.
Which country co-chaired the 2nd India-Arab Foreign Ministers' Meeting held in New Delhi on 31 January 2026 along with India?
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Correct answer: C — United Arab Emirates
The meeting was co-chaired by India and the UAE (MEA via DD News).
Where was the first India-Arab Foreign Ministers' Meeting held in 2016?
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Correct answer: A — Manama, Bahrain
MEA: the first India-Arab Foreign Ministers' Meeting was held in 2016 in Bahrain; the 2026 meeting came after a gap of 10 years.
What was the outcome document of the 2nd India-Arab Foreign Ministers' Meeting (January 2026) called?
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Correct answer: D — Delhi Declaration
The meeting adopted the Delhi Declaration (MEA, UAE MoFA, Indian Express); the Manama Declaration was from the first meeting in 2016.
Consider the following statements about the League of Arab States: 1. It has 22 member states. 2. India is a full member of the League. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
MEA: India is an Observer to the League of Arab States, a pan-Arab body with 22 member states.
Which country was the partner country of the 39th Surajkund International Atmanirbhar Crafts Mela (2026)?
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Correct answer: A — Egypt
PIB: The Vice-President welcomed Egypt, the partner country for this year's Mela.
Which two states were the theme states of the 39th Surajkund Crafts Mela inaugurated on 31 January 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Uttar Pradesh and Meghalaya
PIB: The theme states were Uttar Pradesh and Meghalaya.
The Surajkund International Crafts Mela is held in which district?
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Correct answer: D — Faridabad
PIB: The 39th Mela was inaugurated at Faridabad, Haryana.
Who won the women's singles title at the Australian Open 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Elena Rybakina
Elena Rybakina beat Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 in the final on 31 January 2026.
Elena Rybakina, the Australian Open 2026 women's champion, represents which country?
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Correct answer: C — Kazakhstan
Rybakina is from Kazakhstan; the runner-up Sabalenka is from Belarus.
With the Australian Open 2026, Elena Rybakina won her second Grand Slam title. Which was her first?
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Correct answer: A — Wimbledon 2022
AP/BBC: Rybakina's first major was Wimbledon 2022; she lost the 2023 Australian Open final to Sabalenka.
Which institute was ranked first in the Times B-School Ranking 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Indian Institute of Foreign Trade
PIB (31 Jan 2026): IIFT has been ranked first in the Times B-School Ranking 2026.
The UN Commission for Social Development (CSocD), whose 64th session India attended in 2026, is a functional commission of which UN body?
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Correct answer: B — UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
PIB: The Commission for Social Development is a functional commission of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
Bharat Parv, held every year at the Red Fort lawns during Republic Day celebrations, is organised by which ministry?
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Correct answer: D — Ministry of Tourism
PIB: Bharat Parv is organised by the Ministry of Tourism annually since 2016.
'Vande Mataram', whose 150th anniversary was the theme of Bharat Parv 2026, was first published in which journal?
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Correct answer: B — Bangadarshan
PIB: Vande Mataram was first published in the literary journal 'Bangadarshan' on 7 November 1875; it was later included in the novel 'Anandamath' (1882).
In January 2026 the Tamil Nadu CM inaugurated a new Government Law College at Kazhanivasal in which town?
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Correct answer: A — Karaikudi
The Hindu/TOI: The Government Law College is at Kazhanivasal in Karaikudi, Sivaganga district.
The auditorium of the Chettinad Agriculture College and Research Institute, opened in January 2026, was named after which Bharat Ratna awardee?
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Correct answer: C — C. Subramaniam
The new auditorium was named after Bharat Ratna C. Subramaniam, architect of India's Green Revolution (The Hindu, TOI).
In the first three phases of Himachal Pradesh's BPL identification survey (as of January 2026), which district had the highest number of families added?
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Correct answer: D — Chamba
Chamba had 13,786 families, ahead of Mandi (12,045) and Kangra (10,807), out of 59,829 in total (TOI, NewsMill).
From which date did Himachal Pradesh order the fourth phase of its BPL identification survey to begin?
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Correct answer: B — 1 February 2026
On 31 January 2026 CM Sukhu directed that the fourth phase begin from 1 February 2026.
Consider the following statements about Nagaland's birth and death registration (January 2026): 1. CM Neiphiu Rio launched the digitisation of old manual birth and death certificates in Kohima. 2. Online registration of births and deaths in Nagaland began in April 2022 on the directive of the Registrar General of India. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
DIPR Nagaland: Rio launched the digitisation on 31 January 2026 in Kohima; online registration began in April 2022 following the ORGI directive.
Under a January 2026 MoU with CCRAS, rare Ayurvedic palm-leaf manuscripts of which university's South Odisha Cultural Study Centre will be digitised?
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Correct answer: B — Berhampur University
PIB: CCRAS and Berhampur University, Odisha, agreed to digitise manuscripts preserved at the South Odisha Cultural Study Centre (SOCSC).
In January 2026 which state included IVF and other assisted reproductive technology procedures under its AB-PMJAY-linked health scheme on a pilot basis?
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Correct answer: D — Karnataka
Karnataka's order dated 30 January 2026 added ART procedures to the AB-PMJAY–CM's Arogya Karnataka scheme (The Hindu, New Indian Express).
Under Karnataka's ART pilot (January 2026), both partners must be within which age range, as per the ART (Regulation) Act, 2021?
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Correct answer: C — 21 to 55 years
The Hindu: both partners must be above 21 and below 55 years, in line with the ART (Regulation) Act, 2021.
In January 2026 the foundation stone of a new Assam Legislative Assembly building was laid in which city, being developed as Assam's second capital?
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Correct answer: C — Dibrugarh
PIB: Amit Shah laid the foundation stone at Dibrugarh, which CM Himanta Biswa Sarma announced in 2025 would be Assam's second capital.
The projects for which Amit Shah laid foundation stones / inaugurated in Dibrugarh on 30 January 2026 were worth approximately how much?
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Correct answer: B — ₹1,715 crore
PIB: Five projects at a total cost of about ₹1,715 crore; ₹692 crore was the MHA spend on 15 wetlands for flood control.
How many route kilometres of Kavach 4.0 did Indian Railways commission on 30 January 2026, the highest in a single day?
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Correct answer: B — 472.3 km
PIB: 472.3 route km were commissioned on 30 January 2026; 324 km (Kota–Mathura) was the previous record and 1,306.3 km is the new total.
Which was the longest of the three sections where Kavach 4.0 was commissioned on 30 January 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Vadodara–Virar
PIB: Vadodara–Virar (344 km) on Western Railway; the others were Tuglakabad–Palwal (35 km) and Manpur–Sarmatanr (93.3 km).
Consider the following statements about Kavach 4.0 (as of 30 January 2026): 1. It is an indigenous Automatic Train Protection system. 2. It had been commissioned in all zones of Indian Railways. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
PIB: Kavach is indigenous Automatic Train Protection; Kavach 4.0 had been commissioned across five zones (1,306.3 route km), not all zones.
Up to December 2025, the Government of India's total receipts were what share of the Budget Estimates 2025-26?
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Correct answer: C — 72.2%
PIB: Total receipts of ₹25,25,156 crore were 72.2% of BE 2025-26; 66.7% was the expenditure share.
How much was transferred to State Governments as devolution of share of taxes up to December 2025 (FY 2025-26)?
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Correct answer: C — ₹10,38,164 crore
PIB: ₹10,38,164 crore was devolved to states, ₹1,37,014 crore more than the previous year. (₹7,87,935 crore = capex; ₹9,11,059 crore = interest; ₹19,39,254 crore = net tax revenue.)
Consider the following about the Union accounts up to December 2025: 1. Interest payments were more than capital expenditure. 2. Total expenditure was below 70% of the Budget Estimates. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
PIB: Interest ₹9,11,059 crore > capital expenditure ₹7,87,935 crore; total expenditure was 66.7% of BE.
Which state's tableau was judged the best among States/UTs at the Republic Day Parade 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Maharashtra
PIB: The top state/UT tableau (judges) was Maharashtra's 'Ganeshotsav: A Symbol of Aatmanirbharta', followed by J&K and Kerala.
Which contingent was adjudged the best marching contingent among the three Services at the Republic Day Parade 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Indian Navy
PIB: Judges chose the Indian Navy as the best marching contingent among the three Services; the Assam Regiment won the Popular Choice poll.
Match the Republic Day Parade 2026 award with the winner: 1. Best CAPF/auxiliary contingent (judges) 2. Best ministry tableau (judges) 3. Best state tableau (Popular Choice) Winners: a. Ministry of Culture b. Delhi Police c. Gujarat
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Correct answer: A — 1-b, 2-a, 3-c
PIB: Delhi Police (best CAPF contingent), Ministry of Culture (best ministry tableau), Gujarat (Popular Choice state tableau).
Where was India Energy Week 2026 held (27–30 January 2026)?
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Correct answer: B — Goa
PIB: IEW 2026 was organised in Goa from 27 to 30 January 2026.
At the close of India Energy Week 2026, the Petroleum Minister described India as the world's ___ largest energy consumer and ___ largest refiner.
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Correct answer: A — third; fourth
PIB: India is the world's third-largest energy consumer and fourth-largest refiner.
On 30 January 2026, Mahatma Gandhi's death anniversary, PM Modi attended a prayer meeting at which place in New Delhi, besides paying tributes at Rajghat?
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Correct answer: D — Gandhi Smriti
PIB: The PM paid tributes at Rajghat and attended a prayer meeting at Gandhi Smriti.
On which date is National Leprosy Day observed in India, as marked by the Health Ministry in 2026?
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Correct answer: A — 30 January
PIB: The Central Leprosy Division observed National Leprosy Day on 30 January 2026 with an outreach at Dilli Haat.
Which team won the 72nd Women's Senior National Kabaddi Championship in January 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Haryana
Haryana beat defending champions Indian Railways 39-37 in the final at Hyderabad on 30 January 2026 (The Bridge, Khel Khiladis).
On 30 January 2026, PM Narendra Modi received a phone call from Delcy Rodríguez, Acting President of which country?
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Correct answer: B — Venezuela
PIB: Delcy Eloína Rodríguez Gómez is the Acting President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
What was the theme of the National Commission for Women's 34th Foundation Day (30 January 2026)?
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Correct answer: A — Swasthya hi Sashaktikaran
PIB: The programme was organised around the theme 'Swasthya hi Sashaktikaran'.
In January 2026 a ₹32-crore shore-based regional centre of CSIR–National Institute of Oceanography was inaugurated in which city?
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Correct answer: D — Visakhapatnam
PIB: Dr Jitendra Singh inaugurated the CSIR-NIO Shore-Based Regional Centre at Visakhapatnam on 30 January 2026.
The CSIR-NIO Visakhapatnam centre opened in January 2026 is expected to boost research on which continental margin for oil, gas and seabed minerals?
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Correct answer: B — Eastern Continental Margin
PIB: Eastern Continental Margin research at the centre is to strengthen India's self-reliance in oil, gas and seabed minerals.
A January 2026 study on a 'stealth' coronal mass ejection that caused an intense geomagnetic storm was carried out by researchers of which institute?
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Correct answer: A — Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bengaluru
PIB: The stealth CME was investigated by researchers at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), an autonomous institution under DST; lead author P. Vemareddy.
The UMEED Central Portal, which got new Survey and Lease modules in January 2026, is meant for managing what?
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Correct answer: D — Waqf properties
PIB: UMEED is a centralised digital platform for uploading, verifying and monitoring Waqf properties.
When was the UMEED Central Portal originally inaugurated by Union Minister Kiren Rijiju?
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Correct answer: B — 6 June 2025
PIB: The UMEED Central Portal was inaugurated by Kiren Rijiju on 6 June 2025; the two new modules came on 30 January 2026.
A photo-rechargeable supercapacitor that captures and stores solar energy in a single device (reported January 2026) was developed by which institute?
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Correct answer: B — Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences, Bengaluru
PIB: The device was developed by CeNS, Bengaluru, an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology.
According to the Economic Survey 2025-26, India's real GDP growth for FY26 (First Advance Estimate) is estimated at:
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Correct answer: C — 7.4%
PIB: The Survey estimates FY26 real GDP growth at 7.4% (GVA 7.3%).
What real GDP growth range does the Economic Survey 2025-26 project for FY27?
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Correct answer: B — 6.8–7.2%
PIB: Real GDP growth for FY27 is projected at 6.8–7.2%, with potential growth around 7%.
As per the Economic Survey 2025-26, the gross NPA ratio of scheduled commercial banks fell to a multi-decade low of:
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Correct answer: A — 2.2%
PIB: Gross NPAs reached a multi-decadal low of 2.2% in September 2025.
Consider the following statements based on the Economic Survey 2025-26: 1. The share of private final consumption expenditure in GDP rose to 61.5% in FY26. 2. Domestic inflation averaged 1.7% during April–December 2025. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
PIB: PFCE share in GDP rose to 61.5% in FY26 and domestic inflation averaged 1.7% for April–December 2025.
According to the Economic Survey 2025-26, India's foreign exchange reserves as of 16 January 2026 stood at about:
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Correct answer: B — USD 701.4 billion
PIB: Forex reserves rose to USD 701.4 billion as of 16 January 2026, covering 11 months of imports. (USD 825.3 billion = total exports in FY25.)
How many weighted items does the basket of the new CPI 2024 series have, as per the Expert Group report released in January 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 358
PIB: The CPI 2024 item basket comprises 358 weighted items mapped to 12 divisions as per COICOP 2018.
Which survey provides the item weights for the new CPI 2024 series?
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Correct answer: D — Household Consumption Expenditure Survey 2023-24
PIB: The Expert Group recommended updating the CPI basket and weights using HCES 2023-24.
Under a January 2026 Bihar cabinet decision, women beneficiaries of the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rozgar Yojana can get additional assistance of up to:
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Correct answer: C — ₹2 lakh
The Hindu/TOI: The cabinet approved additional assistance of up to ₹2 lakh, in phases, for women who earlier got ₹10,000.
Under the Bihar Global Capability Centre (GCC) Policy 2026, what capex subsidy is offered?
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Correct answer: B — 30%, up to ₹50 crore
The Hindu/TOI: GCCs get a 30% capex subsidy, capped at ₹50 crore.
Under the Bihar Semiconductor Policy 2026, how is the state's capex support linked to the Centre's subsidy?
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Correct answer: B — State pays 60% of the Centre's 50% capex subsidy
The Hindu/TOI: The Centre gives 50% capex subsidy, and Bihar will pay 60% of that subsidy amount.