Current Affairs Quiz — January 2026
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Under the proposed Seed Act 2026, what will every seed packet carry so that farmers can trace the seed's origin?
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Correct answer: D — A QR code
PIB (Agriculture): every seed packet will carry a QR code which, when scanned, shows complete information about its origin.
What maximum penalty has been proposed under the new Seed Act for selling substandard seeds?
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Correct answer: A — ₹30 lakh
PIB (Agriculture): a penalty of up to ₹30 lakh and stringent punishment have been proposed for selling substandard seeds.
Consider the following statements about the proposed Seed Act 2026, as explained by the Agriculture Minister: 1. Registration of seed companies will be mandatory. 2. Farmers will be barred from sharing their own seeds with other farmers. 3. A nationwide seed traceability system will be set up. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 3 only
PIB (Agriculture): statements 1 and 3 are correct. Statement 2 is wrong: farmers can sow their own seeds and share them with other farmers.
According to the PM's address on National Startup Day 2026, where does India rank among the world's startup ecosystems?
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Correct answer: D — Third
PIB (PMO): the PM said India is today the world's third-largest startup ecosystem.
How many startups does India have now, according to the PM at the Startup India decade programme?
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Correct answer: D — More than 2 lakh
PIB (PMO): fewer than 500 startups ten years ago have grown to more than 2 lakh today.
According to the PM, India had only four unicorns in 2014. About how many active unicorns does it have now?
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Correct answer: C — 125
PIB (PMO): India had only four unicorns in 2014; today there are nearly 125 active unicorns.
Where was the programme marking a decade of Startup India held on 16 January 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Bharat Mandapam
PIB (PMO): the programme was held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
Ponduru Khadi, which received a GI tag in January 2026, comes from which district of Andhra Pradesh?
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Correct answer: A — Srikakulam
PIB (MSME): Ponduru Khadi is produced in Ponduru village of Srikakulam district.
By what local name is Ponduru Khadi known?
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Correct answer: A — Patnulu
PIB (MSME): Ponduru Khadi is locally known as Patnulu.
In whose favour was the GI registration for Ponduru Khadi awarded?
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Correct answer: D — Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC)
PIB (MSME): the registration was awarded by the GI Registry in favour of KVIC.
What was the theme of the 6th ASEAN–India Digital Ministers' (ADGMIN) Meeting held in January 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Adaptive ASEAN: From Connectivity to Connected Intelligence
PIB (Communications): the theme was 'Adaptive ASEAN: From Connectivity to Connected Intelligence'.
India co-chaired the 6th ADGMIN Meeting (January 2026) with a minister from which ASEAN country?
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Correct answer: D — Viet Nam
PIB (Communications): the meeting was co-chaired by Telecom Secretary Amit Agrawal and Nguyen Manh Hung, Minister of Science and Technology of Viet Nam.
With effect from 15 January 2026, CBIC extended which export benefits to exports made through the postal mode in electronic form?
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Correct answer: A — Duty Drawback, RoDTEP and RoSCTL
PIB (Finance): CBIC extended Duty Drawback, RoDTEP and RoSCTL benefits to postal exports in electronic form from 15 January 2026.
To let postal exporters claim Drawback, RoDTEP and RoSCTL benefits, CBIC amended which regulations in January 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Postal Export (Electronic Declaration and Processing) Regulations, 2022
PIB (Finance): CBIC approved amendments to the Postal Export (Electronic Declaration and Processing) Regulations, 2022 via Notification No. 07/2026–Customs (N.T.).
During whose visit to India in January 2026 did India and Germany sign a Joint Declaration of Intent on Telecommunications Cooperation?
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Correct answer: C — Friedrich Merz
PIB (Communications): the JDI was signed during the official visit of Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz to India on 12–13 January 2026.
The India–Germany JDI on Telecommunications Cooperation (January 2026) was concluded between India's Department of Telecommunications and which German ministry?
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Correct answer: B — Federal Ministry for Digital Transformation and Government Modernisation
PIB (Communications): the JDI was concluded between DoT and Germany's Federal Ministry for Digital Transformation and Government Modernisation (BMDS).
Praveen Vashista, who took oath as Vigilance Commissioner in the CVC on 16 January 2026, belongs to which service and cadre?
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Correct answer: A — IPS, Bihar cadre
PIB (DoPT): Praveen Vashista is an IPS officer of the Bihar cadre, 1991 batch.
Under which section of the Central Vigilance Commission Act, 2003 does the President appoint a Vigilance Commissioner?
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Correct answer: B — Section 4(1)
PIB (DoPT): the President appointed Praveen Vashista under Section 4(1) of the CVC Act, 2003. Section 5(3) relates to the oath before the Central Vigilance Commissioner.
Consider the following statements about the Central Vigilance Commission under the CVC Act, 2003: 1. It consists of a Central Vigilance Commissioner and two Vigilance Commissioners. 2. A Vigilance Commissioner holds office for four years or until the age of 65 years. 3. A Vigilance Commissioner takes oath before the Chief Justice of India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
PIB (DoPT): statements 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is wrong: Praveen Vashista took oath before the Central Vigilance Commissioner, authorised by the President under Section 5(3).
How many eligible Village Councils of Mizoram will benefit from the XV Finance Commission grants released in January 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 808
PIB (Panchayati Raj): the ₹15.20 crore will benefit all 808 eligible Village Councils of the state.
XV Finance Commission untied grants to rural local bodies can be used for location-specific needs under the subjects listed in which Schedule of the Constitution?
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Correct answer: C — Eleventh Schedule
PIB (Panchayati Raj): untied grants are used under the twenty-nine subjects in the Eleventh Schedule of the Constitution, except salaries and other establishment costs.
GRAP Stage III, invoked across Delhi-NCR on 16 January 2026, corresponds to which AQI range?
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Correct answer: C — 401–450
PIB (Environment): Stage III of GRAP is 'Severe' air quality, AQI range 401–450.
In which AQI category was Delhi's AQI of 354, recorded at 4 PM on 16 January 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Very Poor
PIB (Environment): an AQI of 354 falls in the 'Very Poor' category (301–400).
On which occasion will the Sukhatme National Award in Statistics 2026 be presented?
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Correct answer: A — National Statistics Day, 29 June 2026
PIB (MoSPI): the award will be presented during the Statistics Day function on 29 June 2026.
The Sukhatme National Award in Statistics is given in alternate years to eminent Indian statisticians of what minimum age?
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Correct answer: C — 45 years
PIB (MoSPI): the award is given in alternate years since 2000 to eminent Indian statisticians aged 45 years and above.
On Thiruvalluvar Day 2026, the PM urged everyone to read which work, saying it gives a glimpse of Thiruvalluvar's outstanding intellect?
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Correct answer: B — Tirukkural
PIB (PMO): the PM urged all to read the Tirukkural, which gives a glimpse of the outstanding intellect of Thiruvalluvar.
In which city was the 78th Army Day parade held on 15 January 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Jaipur
PIB (Defence): the Indian Army celebrated its 78th Army Day at Jaipur, Rajasthan. Bengaluru, Lucknow and Pune hosted earlier editions.
Which Army command hosted the Army Day Parade for the first time in 2026?
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Correct answer: D — South Western Command
PIB (Defence): South Western Command hosted the parade for the first time.
Consider the following statements about the 78th Army Day Parade (2026): 1. It was the first time the parade was held outside an army cantonment. 2. It was the first time the parade was held outside Delhi. 3. Bhairav Battalion contingents took part for the first time. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 3 only
PIB (Defence): statements 1 and 3 are correct. Statement 2 is wrong: it was the fourth time the parade was held outside Delhi.
Where was the 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC) inaugurated in January 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Central Hall, Samvidhan Sadan, New Delhi
PIB (PMO): the PM inaugurated the 28th CSPOC in the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan, Parliament House Complex, New Delhi.
What is the main theme of the 28th CSPOC hosted by India in January 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Effective Delivery of Parliamentary Democracy
PIB (PMO): the PM said the main theme of the conference is 'Effective Delivery of Parliamentary Democracy'.
According to the PM, how many times has India hosted the CSPOC, counting the 2026 edition?
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Correct answer: D — Fourth time
PIB (PMO): the PM said this is the fourth occasion when the conference is being held in India.
Under the MoU signed at the Madhya Pradesh Regional AI Impact Conference 2026, how many Data and AI Labs will the IndiaAI Mission support in Madhya Pradesh?
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Correct answer: B — 30
PIB (MeitY): IndiaAI Mission will support 30 Data and AI Labs in Madhya Pradesh as part of a national initiative for 570 such labs.
Which state policy was launched at the Madhya Pradesh Regional AI Impact Conference in Bhopal in January 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Madhya Pradesh SpaceTech Policy 2026
PIB (MeitY): Chief Minister Mohan Yadav launched the Madhya Pradesh SpaceTech Policy 2026.
The regional AI Impact Conferences, including the one in Bhopal, are precursors to the India AI Impact Summit 2026. When is that summit scheduled?
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Correct answer: B — 16–20 February 2026
PIB (MeitY): the India AI Impact Summit 2026 is set for 16–20 February 2026 in New Delhi.
In which Israeli city was the Second Global Summit on 'Blue Food Security: Sea the Future 2026' held, attended by an Indian delegation in January 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Eilat
PIB (Fisheries): the summit was held in Eilat, Israel.
Who led the Indian delegation that signed the India–Israel Joint Ministerial Declaration of Intent on fisheries and aquaculture in January 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Rajiv Ranjan Singh
PIB (Fisheries): the delegation was led by Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Rajiv Ranjan Singh.
According to the PLFS Monthly Bulletin for December 2025, what was the female labour force participation rate (age 15+)?
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Correct answer: C — 35.3%
PIB (MoSPI): female LFPR (15+) stood at 35.3% in December 2025, the highest of the year. 38.6% is rural female WPR.
What was India's overall unemployment rate (age 15+) in December 2025 as per the PLFS Monthly Bulletin?
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Correct answer: B — 4.8%
PIB (MoSPI): the unemployment rate was 4.8% in December 2025, compared with 4.7% in November 2025. 9.1% is urban female unemployment.
PLFS monthly estimates of LFPR, WPR and unemployment rate at the all-India level are based on which approach?
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Correct answer: A — Current Weekly Status (CWS)
PIB (MoSPI): the Monthly Bulletins present LFPR, WPR and UR following the Current Weekly Status (CWS) approach.
With which organisation did the Ministry of Coal sign CMDPAs for the Dhulia North, Mandakini B and Pirpainti Barahat blocks in January 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Damodar Valley Corporation
PIB (Coal): the agreements were executed with Damodar Valley Corporation.
What is the combined Peak Rated Capacity of the three coal blocks allotted to DVC in January 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 49 MTPA
PIB (Coal): the three blocks together have a cumulative Peak Rated Capacity of 49 MTPA.
Which of the following cities is NOT among the four metros where IMD will install 50 Automatic Weather Stations each in 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Kolkata
PIB (Earth Sciences): the four cities are Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Pune. Kolkata is not among them.
Which Foundation Day did the India Meteorological Department celebrate on 15 January 2026?
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Correct answer: D — 151st
PIB (Earth Sciences): IMD celebrated its 151st Foundation Day.
Kondagai Lake, from which a 4,500-year climate record was reconstructed in a study released in January 2026, lies near which archaeological site?
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Correct answer: A — Keeladi
PIB (Science & Technology): Kondagai Lake lies close to Keeladi, near Sivaganga, Tamil Nadu.
Which institute carried out the Kondagai Lake palaeoclimate study?
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Correct answer: D — Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences, Lucknow
PIB (Science & Technology): researchers from the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP), Lucknow, an autonomous institution of DST, carried out the study.
Which of the following climatic phases was identified in the Kondagai Lake study published in the journal Holocene?
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Correct answer: C — Roman Warm Period
PIB (Science & Technology): the study documented the 4.2 ka arid event, the 3.2 ka dry phase and the Roman Warm Period.
Which body released the report 'Achieving Efficiencies in MSME Sector through Convergence of Schemes' in January 2026?
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Correct answer: C — NITI Aayog
PIB (NITI Aayog): NITI Aayog released the report on 15 January 2026.
According to NITI Aayog's MSME convergence report, how many schemes does the Ministry of MSME currently administer?
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Correct answer: C — 18
PIB (NITI Aayog): the Ministry of MSME currently administers 18 schemes.
What were India's estimated total exports (merchandise and services) for April–December 2025?
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Correct answer: A — US$634.26 billion
PIB (Commerce): total exports for April–December 2025 are estimated at US$634.26 billion, against US$607.93 billion in April–December 2024. US$330.29 billion is merchandise alone.
By how much did India's merchandise exports grow in April–December 2025 compared with April–December 2024?
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Correct answer: B — 2.44%
PIB (Commerce): merchandise exports grew 2.44% to US$330.29 billion. 4.33% is total exports and 5.51% is non-petroleum exports.
Which merchandise export category grew by 16.78% in December 2025, to US$4.17 billion?
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Correct answer: C — Electronic goods
PIB (Commerce): electronic goods exports rose 16.78% from US$3.57 billion in December 2024 to US$4.17 billion in December 2025.
How many Gram Panchayats in Sikkim are to benefit from the first instalment of XV Finance Commission untied grants for 2025-26, released in January 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 199
PIB (Panchayati Raj): the funds are for 5 eligible District Panchayats and all 199 eligible Gram Panchayats.
What amount was released as the first instalment of XV Finance Commission untied grants for 2025-26 to Sikkim's rural local bodies?
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Correct answer: D — ₹643.50 lakh
PIB (Panchayati Raj): ₹643.50 lakh was released as the first instalment; ₹17.50 lakh was a separate withheld 2024-25 portion.
The Export Preparedness Index 2024, released in January 2026, is which edition of the index?
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Correct answer: D — Fourth
PIB (NITI Aayog): the first edition of the EPI was published in August 2020 and EPI 2024 is the 4th edition.
Which of the following is NOT one of the four pillars of the Export Preparedness Index 2024?
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Correct answer: D — Research & Innovation
PIB (NITI Aayog): the four pillars are Export Infrastructure, Business Ecosystem, Policy & Governance and Export Performance.
Which of the following was NOT listed among the leading performers in the 'Large States' category of the Export Preparedness Index 2024?
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Correct answer: D — Karnataka
PIB (NITI Aayog): the leading large states were Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh. Karnataka was not in the list.
From which Indian port did INSV Kaundinya begin the maiden voyage that ended in Muscat in January 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Porbandar
PIB (Ports, Shipping and Waterways): INSV Kaundinya arrived in Muscat after completing its maiden voyage from Porbandar.
The design of INSV Kaundinya is inspired by a fifth-century CE vessel depicted in which artwork?
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Correct answer: A — Ajanta Cave paintings
PIB (Ports, Shipping and Waterways): INSV Kaundinya is inspired by a fifth-century CE vessel depicted in the Ajanta Cave paintings.
INSV Kaundinya's arrival in Muscat came as India and Oman commemorate how many years of diplomatic relations?
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Correct answer: C — 70 years
PIB (Ports, Shipping and Waterways): both countries are commemorating 70 years of diplomatic relations.
Paripoorna Mediclaim Ayush Bima, launched by the Department of Financial Services in January 2026, is available exclusively to which group?
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Correct answer: B — CGHS beneficiaries
PIB (Finance): the policy is exclusively available to CGHS beneficiaries, with up to six members per policy.
Under Paripoorna Mediclaim Ayush Bima, up to what share of the sum insured is covered for AYUSH in-patient treatment?
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Correct answer: D — 100%
PIB (Finance): AYUSH treatments are covered up to 100% of the sum insured; modern treatment is covered up to 25%.
Which edition of Defence Forces Veterans' Day was observed on 14 January 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 10th
PIB (Defence): the 10th Defence Forces Veterans' Day was observed on 14 January 2026.
On Veterans' Day 2026, the Raksha Mantri paid tribute to IPKF veterans of which operation, conducted in Sri Lanka 40 years ago?
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Correct answer: A — Operation Pawan
PIB (Defence): the RM paid tribute to ex-servicemen who were part of the IPKF during Operation Pawan in Sri Lanka 40 years ago.
Who presented his credentials to President Droupadi Murmu as Ambassador of the United States on 14 January 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Sergio Gor
PIB (President's Secretariat): Sergio Gor, Ambassador of the United States of America, presented his credentials on 14 January 2026.
Envoys of which three countries presented credentials to the President of India on 14 January 2026?
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Correct answer: A — USA, Austria, Trinidad and Tobago
PIB (President's Secretariat): the envoys were from Trinidad and Tobago, Austria and the United States of America.
What was India's annual WPI-based inflation rate (provisional) for December 2025?
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Correct answer: C — 0.83%
PIB (Commerce): WPI inflation was 0.83% (provisional) in December 2025. −0.32% was November; 1.82% is manufactured products.
Which major group carries the highest weight (64.23%) in India's Wholesale Price Index (base 2011-12)?
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Correct answer: C — Manufactured Products
PIB (Commerce): Manufactured Products have a weight of 64.23%, Primary Articles 22.62% and Fuel & Power 13.15%.
Under the Aravalli Green Wall Project, how much degraded land in the Aravalli region has been identified, as stated in January 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 6.45 million hectares
PIB (Environment): 6.45 million hectares has been identified, with greening started on 2.7 million hectares. 26 million hectares is India's overall UNCCD target.
India's commitment to restore 26 million hectares of degraded land, linked to the Aravalli Green Wall Project, is made under which international convention?
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Correct answer: C — UNCCD
PIB (Environment): the project is part of India's commitment under the UNCCD to restore 26 million hectares of degraded land.
About 97 sq km of degraded Aravalli revenue land declared a Protected Forest, as noted in January 2026, stretches from Naurangpur to which place?
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Correct answer: A — Nuh
PIB (Environment): around 97 sq km of Aravalli revenue land from Naurangpur to Nuh in Haryana has been declared a Protected Forest.
Where was the 'Aqua Life Conservation Monitoring Centre for Ganga and Other Rivers' inaugurated in January 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun
PIB (Jal Shakti): the centre was inaugurated at the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun.
Which rescue vehicle did the Jal Shakti Minister launch under the Namami Gange Mission at WII Dehradun on 14 January 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Dolphin Rescue Ambulance
PIB (Jal Shakti): a Dolphin Rescue Ambulance was launched along with the monitoring centre and conservation projects.