Current Affairs Quiz — January 2026
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
How many trains were speeded up under Indian Railways' Timetable of Trains (TAG) 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 549
PIB (Railways): 549 trains were speeded up under TAG 2026.
Consider the following statements about TAG 2026 of Indian Railways: 1. 122 new trains were introduced. 2. The new trains include 28 Vande Bharat trains. 3. 26 Amrit Bharat trains were introduced. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
PIB (Railways): all three are correct.
Where was the Sports Governance Conclave addressed by Mansukh Mandaviya on 9 January 2026 held?
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Correct answer: A — Veer Savarkar Sports Complex, Ahmedabad
PIB (Youth Affairs and Sports): the conclave was held at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex in Ahmedabad.
Consider the following statements about the Sports Governance Conclave of January 2026: 1. It was organised with the Government of Gujarat and the Indian Olympic Association. 2. The Sports Minister called a top-10 finish in the Olympic medal tally a non-negotiable goal. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
PIB (Youth Affairs and Sports): both are correct.
Who inaugurated the Third International Conference on Indian Languages in New Delhi on 9 January 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan
PIB (Vice-President's Secretariat): Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan inaugurated the conference.
Who chairs the Search-cum-Selection Committee for the National Sports Board under the rules notified in January 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Cabinet Secretary
PIB (Youth Affairs and Sports): the committee is chaired by the Cabinet Secretary.
Under which law were the National Sports Board (Search-cum-Selection Committee) Rules, 2026 notified?
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Correct answer: D — National Sports Governance Act, 2025
PIB (Youth Affairs and Sports): the rules were notified under the National Sports Governance Act, 2025.
Consider the following statements about the National Sports Board, as described in January 2026: 1. Its Search-cum-Selection Committee includes two recipients of national sports awards. 2. The committee recommends names for the Board's Chairperson and two Members. 3. The Board will grant recognition to National Sports Bodies. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
PIB (Youth Affairs and Sports): all three are correct.
PANKHUDI, launched in January 2026, is a portal of which ministry?
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Correct answer: A — Ministry of Women and Child Development
PIB (WCD): the Ministry of Women and Child Development launched PANKHUDI.
What is the main purpose of the PANKHUDI portal?
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Correct answer: D — CSR and partnership facilitation for women and child development
PIB (WCD): PANKHUDI is an integrated CSR and partnership facilitation portal for initiatives on women and child development.
What is the name of the Aadhaar mascot launched by UIDAI in January 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Udai
PIB (MeitY): UIDAI launched the Aadhaar mascot named Udai (उदय).
In which city did UIDAI Chairman Neelkanth Mishra unveil the Aadhaar mascot 'Udai' on 8 January 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Thiruvananthapuram
PIB (MeitY): the mascot was unveiled at a UIDAI function in Thiruvananthapuram.
Consider the following statements about the Aadhaar mascot 'Udai': 1. It was selected through national design and name competitions on the MyGov platform. 2. The competitions received 875 entries. 3. The design competition was won by a participant from Bhopal. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
PIB (MeitY): statements 1 and 2 are correct; the design contest was won by Arun Gokul of Thrissur, Kerala — Riya Jain of Bhopal won the name contest.
How many students took part in Project Veer Gatha 5.0, as reported in January 2026?
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Correct answer: C — About 1.92 crore
PIB (Defence): approximately 1.92 crore students from around 1.90 lakh schools participated.
Consider the following statements about Project Veer Gatha: 1. It is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Education. 2. It began in 2021. 3. Students from CBSE-affiliated schools abroad took part in Veer Gatha 5.0 for the first time. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
PIB (Defence): all three are correct — over 28,000 students from 91 CBSE schools in 18 countries took part for the first time.
The ₹68 lakh released by the National Biodiversity Authority to Maharashtra in January 2026 arose from commercial use of which biological resource?
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Correct answer: A — Bacillus soil bacteria
PIB (MoEFCC): the disbursement stems from the commercial use of soil bacteria of the Bacillus genus for probiotic products.
Consider the following statements about the NBA's ABS disbursement of January 2026: 1. The money went to Biodiversity Management Committees in Wada tehsil of Palghar and to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation. 2. About 15% of ABS applications involve microorganisms. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
PIB (MoEFCC): both are correct.
Which port's Northern Breakwater Head, rehabilitated after cyclone damage at a cost of ₹105 crore, was inaugurated in January 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Kamarajar Port
PIB (Ports, Shipping and Waterways): the rehabilitated Northern Breakwater Head of Kamarajar Port was inaugurated at an investment of ₹105 crore.
What was the total value of port projects rolled out by Sarbananda Sonowal in Tamil Nadu on 8 January 2026?
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Correct answer: A — ₹235 crore
PIB (Ports, Shipping and Waterways): projects worth ₹235 crore were rolled out at Chennai Port Authority and Kamarajar Port.
The 12 AI start-ups at the PM's roundtable on 8 January 2026 had qualified under which pillar of the India AI Impact Summit 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Foundation Model Pillar
PIB (PMO): the 12 start-ups had qualified under the Foundation Model Pillar of the India AI Impact Summit 2026.
How many Indian AI start-ups presented their work at the PM's roundtable on 8 January 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 12
PIB (PMO): 12 Indian AI start-ups presented their ideas and work.
Under the District-Led Textiles Transformation (DLTT) plan unveiled in January 2026, how many high-potential districts are to become Global Export Champions?
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Correct answer: C — 100
PIB (Textiles): DLTT aims to transform 100 high-potential districts into Global Export Champions and elevate 100 Aspirational Districts.
Which three parameters were used to score districts under the District-Led Textiles Transformation (DLTT) plan?
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Correct answer: B — Export performance, MSME ecosystem and workforce presence
PIB (Textiles): districts were scored on export performance, MSME ecosystem and workforce presence.
In which year was the Swadesh Darshan scheme for theme-based tourist circuits launched?
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Correct answer: B — 2015
PIB (Tourism): the Ministry of Tourism launched the Swadesh Darshan Scheme in January 2015.
How many international tourist arrivals did India record in 2024, according to the Tourism Ministry's year-end review?
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Correct answer: C — 20.57 million
PIB (Tourism): International Tourist Arrivals in India during 2024 were 20.57 million.
Consider the following statements based on the Tourism Ministry's year-end review (January 2026): 1. Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD) is a sub-scheme of Swadesh Darshan 2.0. 2. The ministry will develop 1,000 tribal homestays under PM-JUGA. 3. All 76 projects sanctioned under the original Swadesh Darshan scheme have been completed. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
PIB (Tourism): statements 1 and 2 are correct; 75 of the 76 sanctioned projects have been completed, so statement 3 is wrong.
What is the purpose of the SWAMIH Investment Fund?
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Correct answer: A — Last-mile financing for stalled housing projects
PIB (Finance): SWAMIH provides last-mile financing to stalled housing projects.
When was the SWAMIH Investment Fund launched?
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Correct answer: D — November 2019
PIB (Finance): the SWAMIH Investment Fund was launched in November 2019 after Union Cabinet approval.
Consider the following statements about the SWAMIH Fund, as of January 2026: 1. About 61,000 homes had been delivered across 110 projects as of 15 December 2025. 2. Its portfolio has more than 145 projects across 30 cities. 3. Its investment period was extended to December 2030. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
PIB (Finance): statements 1 and 2 are correct; the fund committed its whole corpus before its investment period ended on 5 December 2025.
Where will SECL and the Sri Sathya Sai Health & Education Trust set up a ₹35.04 crore Healthcare Skill Development Centre?
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Correct answer: B — Nava Raipur
PIB (Coal): the centre will be set up at Nava Raipur, Chhattisgarh.
Consider the following statements about the SECL healthcare skill centre announced in January 2026: 1. It is funded under SECL's Corporate Social Responsibility programme. 2. At least 20% of the annual intake will be reserved for SECL's operational districts for 25 years. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
PIB (Coal): both are correct.
What real GDP growth rate for 2025-26 did the NSO's First Advance Estimates (January 2026) project?
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Correct answer: C — 7.4%
PIB (MoSPI): real GDP is estimated to grow by 7.4% in 2025-26 against 6.5% in 2024-25.
Which base year is used for the constant-price GDP figures in the First Advance Estimates for 2025-26?
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Correct answer: B — 2011-12
PIB (MoSPI): the estimates are given at constant (2011-12) and current prices.
What is the estimated level of real GDP (constant prices) for 2025-26 in the First Advance Estimates?
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Correct answer: D — ₹201.90 lakh crore
PIB (MoSPI): real GDP is estimated at ₹201.90 lakh crore in 2025-26, against ₹187.97 lakh crore in 2024-25.
Consider the following statements based on the First Advance Estimates of GDP for 2025-26: 1. Nominal GDP is estimated to grow at 8.0%. 2. Real GVA is estimated to grow at 7.3%. 3. Agriculture and allied sector is estimated to grow faster than manufacturing and construction. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 and 2 only
PIB (MoSPI): statements 1 and 2 are correct; agriculture is estimated at 3.1% against 7.0% for manufacturing and construction, so statement 3 is wrong.
Which two CSIR laboratories developed the bio-bitumen technology transferred in January 2026?
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Correct answer: A — CSIR-CRRI and CSIR-IIP
PIB (Science & Technology): the technology was developed by CSIR-Central Road Research Institute, New Delhi, and CSIR-Indian Institute of Petroleum, Dehradun.
Consider the following statements about the CSIR bio-bitumen technology (January 2026): 1. It uses pyrolysis of post-harvest rice straw to produce bio-oil. 2. India imports about 80% of its bitumen requirement. 3. Laboratory validation shows 20–30% of conventional bitumen can be replaced. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — 1 and 3 only
PIB (Science & Technology): statements 1 and 3 are correct; India imports nearly 50% of its bitumen, not 80%.
Under the first phase of Odisha's Godabarish Mishra Model Primary School scheme, launched in January 2026, how many model primary schools are to be set up?
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Correct answer: B — 2,200
Times of India, OrissaPOST (PTI) and Sambad English (IANS): 2,200 model primary schools will be set up in the first phase at a cost of ₹12,000 crore; foundation stones were laid for 118 of them.
Odisha's Godabarish Mishra Model Primary School scheme was launched in January 2026 at Banpur, the birthplace of Pandit Godabarish Mishra. Banpur is in which district?
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Correct answer: D — Khurda
OrissaPOST (PTI) and Sambad English (IANS): the scheme was launched at Banpur in Khurda (Khordha) district, the birthplace of Pandit Godabarish Mishra.
Consider the following statements about Odisha's Godabarish Mishra Model Primary School scheme (January 2026): 1. The first phase has an outlay of ₹12,000 crore over four years. 2. A provision of ₹3,000 crore was made in the current year's budget. 3. The scheme aims to develop one model primary school in every block of the state. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
Times of India and Sambad English (IANS): ₹12,000 crore over four years in the first phase and ₹3,000 crore in this year's budget. The aim is one model school in every gram panchayat, not every block, so statement 3 is wrong.
Which of the following is NOT a member of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), India's partner in TEPA?
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Correct answer: D — Denmark
PIB (Commerce): EFTA comprises Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland; Denmark is not a member.
Who is the Prime Minister of Liechtenstein whom Piyush Goyal called on in January 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Brigitte Haas
PIB (Commerce): Goyal called on Prime Minister Brigitte Haas; Sabine Monauni is Deputy PM and Hereditary Prince Alois is the Hereditary Prince.
Consider the following statements about the India–EFTA TEPA, as described in January 2026: 1. It is India's first free trade agreement with a group of developed countries. 2. It carries an agreed ambition of USD 100 billion in investments into India. 3. It aims to support the creation of one million direct jobs. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
PIB (Commerce): all three are correct.
The draft Pesticides Management Bill, 2025 is intended to replace which law?
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Correct answer: B — Insecticides Act, 1968
PIB (Agriculture): the draft Bill will replace the Insecticides Act, 1968 and the Insecticides Rules, 1971.
By what date could stakeholders submit suggestions on the draft Pesticides Management Bill, 2025?
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Correct answer: C — 4 February 2026
PIB (Agriculture): stakeholders can submit suggestions by 4 February 2026.
Consider the following statements about the draft Pesticides Management Bill, 2025: 1. It provides for compounding of offences, with penalties to be defined by state-level authorities. 2. It seeks to decriminalise petty offences. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — Both 1 and 2
PIB (Agriculture): both are correct — the Bill aims to decriminalise petty offences and allows compounding with penalties defined by state-level authorities.
How many public health facilities were NQAS-certified as of 31 December 2025?
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Correct answer: A — 50,373
PIB (Health): a total of 50,373 public health facilities were certified under NQAS as of 31 December 2025.
Consider the following statements about the National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS): 1. Certification began in 2015 with 10 facilities. 2. It initially focused on District Hospitals. 3. The framework was established by NITI Aayog. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
PIB (Health): statements 1 and 2 are correct; NQAS was established by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, not NITI Aayog.
Which of the following countries was NOT on the port-call list of the Indian Navy's First Training Squadron deployment announced in January 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Vietnam
PIB (Defence): the squadron is scheduled to call at Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand.
Which Indian Coast Guard ship is part of the Navy's First Training Squadron on its January 2026 deployment?
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Correct answer: A — ICGS Sarathi
PIB (Defence): the squadron comprises INS Tir, Shardul, Sujata and ICGS Sarathi.
From which date have the four Labour Codes been in force, as stated by the Labour Ministry in January 2026?
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Correct answer: A — 21 November 2025
PIB (Labour): the Codes have been implemented with effect from 21 November 2025.
Consider the following statements about the Labour Ministry's regional conference in Goa (January 2026): 1. It was the first in a series of six regional conferences. 2. Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurated it in person in Goa. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
PIB (Labour): statement 1 is correct; Mandaviya inaugurated the conference virtually, through video conference.
Besides the four Labour Codes, which of the following was on the agenda of the Labour Ministry's regional conferences announced in January 2026?
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Correct answer: C — ESIC, EPFO and PM Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana
PIB (Labour): the conferences deliberate on issues concerning ESIC, EPFO and the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PMVBRY).
Where is the headquarters of the Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS), which marked its 125th Foundation Day in January 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Dhanbad
PIB (Labour): DGMS celebrated its 125th Foundation Day at its headquarters in Dhanbad, Jharkhand.
In which year was the Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS) established?
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Correct answer: B — 1902
PIB (Labour): DGMS was established in 1902.
The Farakka Barrage Project, reviewed by the Water Resources Secretary in January 2026, is located on which river?
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Correct answer: C — Ganga
PIB (Jal Shakti): the review covered works including an eroded embankment on the upstream left bank of the river Ganga.
What was the theme of the National Review Meeting of Metropolitan Surveillance Units held in Nagpur in January 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Proactive Surveillance, Protected Cities
PIB (Health): the meeting was held under the theme 'Proactive Surveillance, Protected Cities'.
The Metropolitan Surveillance Units review meeting in Nagpur (January 2026) covered how many cities?
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Correct answer: C — 20
PIB (Health): the meeting was held for 20 cities across the country.
The MoU signed on 7 January 2026 between the Ministry of Rural Development and the Department of Posts links India Post's network with which mission?
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Correct answer: A — DAY-NRLM
PIB (Rural Development): the MoU brings together the network of DAY-NRLM with India Post's rural post offices, IPPB and Dak Sevaks.
In January 2026, online ticket booking for over 170 ASI-protected monuments and museums was made available on which network?
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Correct answer: B — Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC)
PIB (Ministry of Culture): ASI enabled online ticket booking for over 170 monuments and museums on ONDC.
Which entity technically enabled the onboarding of ASI's monuments and museums onto the ONDC network in January 2026?
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Correct answer: C — NSDL Database Management Limited (NDML)
PIB (Ministry of Culture): the integration was technically enabled by NDML, which onboarded ASI's complete inventory onto ONDC.
Consider the following statements about online booking of ASI monument tickets through ONDC (January 2026): 1. Indian visitors get a ₹5 discount on online booking. 2. Foreign nationals get a ₹50 discount on online booking. 3. Tickets can be booked only through a single ASI-run app. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1 and 2 only
PIB: the ₹5 (Indians) and ₹50 (foreigners) discounts continue, and tickets can be booked through multiple ONDC apps such as Highway Delite, Pelocal and Abhee, so statement 3 is wrong.
The Rajasthan Regional AI Impact Conference (January 2026) launched a programme to train how many young people in AI skills?
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Correct answer: C — 10 lakh (1 million)
PIB (MeitY): a programme was launched to train one million young people in artificial intelligence skills.
The regional AI Impact Conferences such as the one held in Rajasthan in January 2026 were precursors to the India AI Impact Summit scheduled for:
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Correct answer: A — 15–20 February 2026
PIB (MeitY): the conference served as a precursor to the India AI Impact Summit to be held from 15–20 February 2026.
With reference to the Rajasthan Regional AI Impact Conference of 6 January 2026, consider the following statements: 1. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw attended the conference virtually. 2. MoUs were signed with Google, IIT Delhi and National Law University, Jodhpur, among others. 3. Col. Rajyavardhan Rathore attended as Union Minister of State for Electronics and IT. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1 and 2 only
PIB (MeitY): Vaishnaw attended virtually and the MoUs included Google, IIT Delhi, NLU Jodhpur and the Wadhwani Foundation. The Union MoS was Jitin Prasada; Rathore attended as Rajasthan's Cabinet Minister for IT & Communication, so statement 3 is wrong.
How many projects are included in the three-year PPP project pipeline released by the Department of Economic Affairs in January 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 852
PIB (Ministry of Finance): the pipeline comprises 852 projects with a combined cost of over ₹17 lakh crore.
Consider the following statements about the PPP project pipeline released in January 2026: 1. It was prepared by the Department of Economic Affairs in pursuance of a Union Budget 2025-26 announcement. 2. It covers only projects of central infrastructure ministries and excludes States/UTs. 3. Its combined project cost exceeds ₹17 lakh crore. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 and 3 only
PIB: the DEA made the pipeline under a Budget 2025-26 announcement, and it includes both central ministries and States/UTs, worth over ₹17 lakh crore. Statement 2 is wrong.
The fifth edition of NITI Aayog's 'Trade Watch Quarterly', released in January 2026, had a thematic focus on which sector?
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Correct answer: D — Automotive exports
PIB (NITI Aayog): the thematic section of this edition focuses on India's automotive exports.
Which period does the fifth edition of NITI Aayog's Trade Watch Quarterly (released January 2026) cover?
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Correct answer: A — April–June 2025
PIB (NITI Aayog): the edition covers Quarter I of FY 2025-26, i.e. April–June 2025.