Current Affairs Quiz — January 2026
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
In January 2026, the Kerala Cabinet fixed what annual family income ceiling for applicants under the Chief Minister's Connect to Work scheme?
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Correct answer: C — ₹5 lakh
The Hindu and Mathrubhumi: the revised guidelines approved on 14 January 2026 fix the annual family income ceiling at ₹5 lakh.
Consider the following statements about Kerala's Chief Minister's Connect to Work scheme, as revised in January 2026: 1. Applicants must be aged between 18 and 30 years. 2. It provides ₹1,000 a month for 12 months. 3. It is open only to candidates preparing for the Kerala PSC examinations. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
The Hindu and Mathrubhumi: statements 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is wrong: youth in skill training and those preparing for UPSC, PSC, bank, railway and other recruitment exams can apply.
On which National Highway corridors is NHAI's real-time stray cattle safety alert pilot (January 2026) being implemented?
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Correct answer: B — Jaipur–Agra and Jaipur–Rewari
PIB (Road Transport): the pilot is being implemented on the Jaipur–Agra and Jaipur–Rewari NH corridors.
Under NHAI's stray cattle alert pilot, approximately how far ahead of a high-risk stretch is the warning triggered?
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Correct answer: C — 10 km
PIB (Road Transport): location-based alerts give advance warning approximately 10 km before identified high-risk stretches.
Who co-chaired the 22nd ICG–JCG High-Level Meeting in January 2026 on behalf of the Japan Coast Guard?
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Correct answer: A — Admiral Yoshio Saguchi
PIB (Defence): the meeting was co-chaired by ICG DG Paramesh Sivamani and Admiral Yoshio Saguchi, Commandant, Japan Coast Guard.
Which multilateral forum's Presidency does India currently hold, as noted at the 22nd ICG–JCG meeting?
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Correct answer: D — Coast Guard Global Summit
PIB (Defence): India's current Presidency of the Coast Guard Global Summit (CGGS) and its upcoming hosting of the 5th CGGS featured in the talks.
How many labour laws have been codified into the four Labour Codes, as noted at the Jaipur regional conference in January 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 29
PIB (Labour): the MoS highlighted the codification of 29 labour laws into four Labour Codes.
The regional conference on Labour Code implementation held in Jaipur in January 2026 was which in the Labour Ministry's planned series of five?
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Correct answer: B — Second
PIB (Labour): the Jaipur conference was the second in a series of five regional conferences.
What record number of interchange trains did the Dedicated Freight Corridor network handle in a single day in January 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 892
PIB (Railways): 892 interchange trains were handled on 5 January 2026; the previous record was 865 on 4 January 2026.
What is the minimum initial and annual contribution under NPS Vatsalya, as per the guidelines issued in January 2026?
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Correct answer: A — ₹250
PIB (Finance): the minimum initial and annual contribution is ₹250, with no maximum limit.
Consider the following statements about NPS Vatsalya: 1. It is open to NRIs and OCIs below 18 years of age. 2. Partial withdrawal is allowed after three years, up to 25% of own contributions. 3. There is a maximum annual contribution limit of ₹1.5 lakh. 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. Statement 3 is wrong: there is no maximum limit on contribution.
On which date was NPS Vatsalya launched by the Union Finance Minister?
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Correct answer: C — 18 September 2024
PIB (Finance): NPS Vatsalya was announced in the Union Budget 2024-25 and launched on 18 September 2024.
Where is the BSL-4 Bio-Containment Facility of the Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre, whose foundation was laid in January 2026, being built?
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Correct answer: D — Gandhinagar
PIB (Home Affairs): Amit Shah laid the foundation stone of the facility in Gandhinagar.
According to Amit Shah, the Gandhinagar BSL-4 lab will be India's second such high-level laboratory after which institution?
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Correct answer: A — National Institute of Virology, Pune
PIB (Home Affairs): after the National Institute of Virology in Pune, this will be India's second high-level laboratory, and the first built by a state government.
What is the cost of the BSL-4 Bio-Containment Facility being built at GBRC, Gandhinagar?
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Correct answer: D — ₹362 crore
PIB (Home Affairs): the complex is being built at a cost of ₹362 crore over 11,000 square metres.
In which year was PRAGATI (Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation) launched?
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Correct answer: B — 2015
PIB Backgrounder: PRAGATI was launched in 2015 under PM Narendra Modi.
According to the PIB backgrounder of January 2026, projects worth more than how much have been fast-tracked through PRAGATI?
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Correct answer: C — ₹85 lakh crore
PIB Backgrounder: PRAGATI has fast-tracked projects worth more than ₹85 lakh crore.
Who chairs the PFRDA committee constituted in January 2026 to develop a framework for assured payouts under NPS?
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Correct answer: A — Dr M.S. Sahoo
PIB (Finance): the committee is chaired by Dr M.S. Sahoo, former Chairperson of the IBBI.
How many members are on the PFRDA committee on assured payouts under NPS, constituted in January 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 15
PIB (Finance): it is a 15-member panel of experts.
Which framework has traditionally been used to compile India's Index of Industrial Production (IIP)?
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Correct answer: D — Fixed-base Laspeyres framework
PIB (MoSPI): the IIP has traditionally been compiled using a fixed-base Laspeyres framework.
What is the main advantage of the chain-based IIP proposed in MoSPI's Discussion Paper 2.0 (January 2026)?
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Correct answer: B — It updates weights annually to reflect the current production structure
PIB (MoSPI): the chain-based method allows weights to change annually, correctly reflecting a more recent production structure.
Who led the Task Force on a Unified Framework for Development of the Coaching Ecosystem in India, which submitted its report in January 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Pullela Gopichand
PIB (Sports): the task force was led by Indian badminton national head coach Pullela Gopichand.
Which apex body did the Gopichand-led task force recommend for coach education, accreditation and governance?
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Correct answer: D — National Coach Accreditation Board
PIB (Sports): the task force called for a National Coach Accreditation Board (NCAB) as the apex national body.
In the Tiered National Coaching Pathway proposed by the Gopichand-led task force, what is the universal entry stage?
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Correct answer: A — Level 0
PIB (Sports): the pathway has Grassroots, Intermediate, Elite and National Team Coach levels, with Level 0 as the universal entry stage.
Which country co-chairs the 16th ADMM-Plus Experts' Working Group on Counter Terrorism with India?
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Correct answer: C — Malaysia
PIB (Defence): India and Malaysia co-chair the 16th EWG on CT.
Under the current ADMM-Plus EWG on Counter Terrorism cycle, which country will hold the Field Training Exercise in 2027?
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Correct answer: D — India
PIB (Defence): Malaysia will host the Table Top Exercise in 2026 and India will hold the Field Training Exercise in 2027.
How many dialogue partners of ASEAN take part in the ADMM-Plus EWG on Counter Terrorism meeting held in New Delhi in January 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Seven
PIB (Defence): seven dialogue partners — Australia, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Japan, China, USA and Russia — participate along with 11 ASEAN members.
In January 2026, DRI seized a record 270 kg of mephedrone concealed in a consignment of what?
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Correct answer: D — Chicken feed
PIB (Finance): the mephedrone was concealed in a consignment of chicken feed used as cover cargo.
In which state did DRI intercept the truck carrying 270 kg of mephedrone in January 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Rajasthan
PIB (Finance): DRI officers intercepted the truck in Rajasthan; follow-up searches were in Haryana.
How many Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminals had Indian Railways approved, as per the PIB backgrounder of January 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 306
PIB Backgrounder: 306 GCTs have been approved, with a combined capacity of 192 MTPA; 118 are commissioned.
According to the PIB backgrounder on Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals (January 2026), India's logistics costs have been reduced to what share of GDP?
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Correct answer: B — 7.97%
PIB Backgrounder: logistics costs have been reduced to 7.97% of GDP.
In TRAI's Independent Drive Test across Mumbai (November 2025), which operator recorded a call setup success rate of only 28.52%?
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Correct answer: B — MTNL
PIB (Communications): MTNL had a 28.52% call setup success rate, against 99.62% (Airtel), 99.81% (RJIL) and 96.07% (VIL).
Which TRAI regional office supervised the Independent Drive Test in Mumbai whose results were released in January 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Bengaluru
PIB (Communications): the drive tests were conducted under the supervision of the TRAI Regional Office, Bengaluru.
The skilling initiative 'Inspiring Innovators – Naye Bharat Ki Nayi Pehchaan', concluded in January 2026, was developed by the I&B Ministry and the Office of the PSA in collaboration with which fund?
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Correct answer: B — Netflix Fund for Creative Equity
PIB (I&B): the initiative was developed in collaboration with the Netflix Fund for Creative Equity.
Which agency busted a clandestine MD manufacturing lab at Village Amla Agar, seizing 31.250 kg of MD powder, in January 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Central Bureau of Narcotics
PIB (Finance): officers of the Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN), Madhya Pradesh Unit, carried out the operation.
In which city did PM Narendra Modi hold talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on 12 January 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Ahmedabad
PIB (PMO): PM Modi welcomed Chancellor Merz in Ahmedabad, and the two held restricted and delegation-level talks there on 12 January 2026.
Consider the following statements about German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's visit to India in January 2026: 1. It was his first visit to Asia as Federal Chancellor. 2. 2026 marks 75 years of India–Germany diplomatic relations. 3. The visit followed the 7th India–Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations held in Berlin. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
PIB (PMO Joint Statement): statements 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is wrong: the 7th IGC was held in New Delhi on 25 October 2024.
Which travel facility for Indian passport holders was announced during German Chancellor Merz's visit to India in January 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Visa-free transit through Germany
PIB (PMO List of Outcomes): the announcements included visa-free transit for Indian passport holders transiting through Germany.
Where did DRDO flight-test the MPATGM with top-attack capability against a moving target on 11 January 2026?
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Correct answer: D — KK Ranges, Ahilya Nagar, Maharashtra
PIB (Defence): the test was conducted at KK Ranges, Ahilya Nagar, Maharashtra by DRDL, Hyderabad.
Which DRDO laboratory carried out the January 2026 flight test of the MPATGM?
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Correct answer: A — Defence Research & Development Laboratory, Hyderabad
PIB (Defence): the test was carried out by DRDO's Defence Research & Development Laboratory, Hyderabad; RCI Hyderabad and DL Jodhpur were among contributing labs.
Consider the following statements about the MPATGM tested in January 2026: 1. It uses an Imaging Infrared (IIR) homing seeker. 2. Bharat Dynamics Limited and Bharat Electronics Limited are its development-cum-production partners. 3. It can be launched only from a military vehicle. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
PIB (Defence): statements 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is wrong: it can be launched from a tripod or a military vehicle launcher.
During which stage did the anomaly occur that caused the PSLV-C62/EOS-N1 mission to fail on 12 January 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Third stage (PS3)
ISRO and NSIL: the first two stages performed nominally, but an anomaly near the end of the PS3 (third) stage meant the satellites could not be placed in orbit.
PSLV-C62, launched on 12 January 2026, was which flight of the PSLV?
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Correct answer: C — 64th
ISRO: the PSLV-C62 mission was the 64th flight of PSLV, using the PSLV-DL variant with two solid strap-on motors.
The PSLV-C62/EOS-N1 mission was the ninth dedicated commercial mission of which organisation?
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Correct answer: B — NewSpace India Limited
ISRO: PSLV-C62/EOS-N1 was the 9th dedicated commercial mission undertaken by NewSpace India Limited (NSIL).
Consider the following statements about the PSLV-C62 mission (January 2026): 1. It carried the EOS-N1 satellite and 15 co-passenger satellites. 2. Telemetry was received from the KID re-entry capsule of a Spanish start-up. 3. It was the first failure of a PSLV since 2017. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
ISRO and NSIL confirm statements 1 and 2. Statement 3 is wrong: the previous PSLV mission, PSLV-C61 in May 2025, had also failed (Rediff, Times of India).
What was India's year-on-year CPI (headline) inflation for December 2025, as released by MoSPI on 12 January 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 1.33%
PIB (MoSPI): headline CPI inflation for December 2025 was 1.33% (provisional), 62 basis points higher than November 2025.
What was the all-India food inflation (CFPI) for December 2025?
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Correct answer: B — −2.71%
PIB (MoSPI): CFPI inflation for December 2025 was −2.71% (provisional); rural −3.08% and urban −2.09%.
Consider the following statements about CPI data for December 2025: 1. Headline inflation stayed below the RBI's lower tolerance limit for the fourth consecutive month. 2. Food inflation was negative for the seventh consecutive month. 3. Headline inflation fell compared with November 2025. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
PIB (MoSPI): statements 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is wrong: headline inflation rose by 62 basis points over November 2025.
Consider the following statements about India's inflation target, relevant to the December 2025 CPI data: 1. The Central Government, in consultation with the RBI, determines the inflation target under Section 45ZA of the RBI Act, 1934. 2. The target is 4% CPI inflation with a lower tolerance limit of 2% and an upper tolerance limit of 6%. 3. The six-member Monetary Policy Committee is constituted under Section 45ZA. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
RBI (Monetary Policy overview): the target is set under Section 45ZA, at 4% CPI with 2% and 6% tolerance limits, retained for April 2021 to March 2026. Statement 3 is wrong: the MPC is constituted under Section 45ZB.
Under which Act were the National Sports Governance (National Sports Bodies) Rules, 2026 notified?
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Correct answer: A — National Sports Governance Act, 2025
PIB (Sports): the Rules were notified under the National Sports Governance Act, 2025.
Under the National Sports Governance (National Sports Bodies) Rules, 2026, what share of the Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit in a General Body must be women?
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Correct answer: C — Fifty per cent
PIB (Sports): the Rules provide for at least four SOMs in General Bodies and specifically provide for fifty per cent women SOMs.
What is the minimum age for a sportsperson applying to be designated a Sportsperson of Outstanding Merit (SOM) under the 2026 Rules?
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Correct answer: B — 25 years
PIB (Sports): SOM applicants must be at least 25, retired from active sport, and must not have played selection-linked competition for at least one year.
What was India's fish production in FY 2024-25, as per the Fisheries Ministry release of January 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 197.75 lakh tonnes
PIB (Fisheries): fish production rose to 197.75 lakh tonnes in FY 2024-25 from 95.79 lakh tonnes in FY 2013-14.
What is India's share of global fish output, according to the Fisheries Ministry release of January 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 8%
PIB (Fisheries): India is the world's second-largest fish producer, contributing 8% to global output.
National Youth Day, observed on 12 January, marks the birth anniversary of which personality?
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Correct answer: D — Swami Vivekananda
PIB (PMO): the PM said National Youth Day is celebrated every year on 12 January in memory of Swami Vivekananda, on his birth anniversary.
At the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2026, PM Modi described the 'Orange Economy' as one rooted in what?
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Correct answer: A — Culture, content and creativity
PIB (PMO): the PM said India is seeing remarkable growth in the Orange Economy, rooted in culture, content and creativity.
Raja Rani Lake, where BSIP scientists found pollen evidence of a stronger past monsoon (January 2026), is in which district?
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Correct answer: C — Korba, Chhattisgarh
PIB (Science & Technology): the lake is in Korba district, Chhattisgarh, in India's Core Monsoon Zone.
The BSIP study of Raja Rani Lake (January 2026) linked a strong Indian Summer Monsoon to which global warm phase?
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Correct answer: D — Medieval Climate Anomaly
PIB (Science & Technology): the scientists traced the strong monsoon to the Medieval Climate Anomaly, roughly 1,060–1,725 CE.
With which body did ICAR sign an MoU in January 2026 to strengthen research and extension across the dairy sector?
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Correct answer: C — National Dairy Development Board
PIB (Agriculture): ICAR entered into an MoU with the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB).
At which Integrated Check Post was the ICEGATE–LPMS integration inaugurated by CBIC on 12 January 2026?
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Correct answer: C — ICP Agartala
PIB (Finance): the ICEGATE–LPMS integration was inaugurated at ICP Agartala, Tripura.
In ICEGATE–LPMS, launched at ICP Agartala in January 2026, what does 'LPMS' stand for?
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Correct answer: A — Land Port Management System
PIB (Finance): ICEGATE–LPMS is the Indian Customs Electronic Gateway–Land Port Management System integration.
Which city hosted the Uttar Pradesh Regional AI Impact Conference 2026 on 12 January 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Lucknow
PIB (MeitY): Lucknow hosted the Uttar Pradesh Regional AI Impact Conference 2026.
Which global working group held its fourth meeting alongside the UP Regional AI Impact Conference in Lucknow in January 2026?
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Correct answer: C — AI for Economic Growth and Social Good Working Group
PIB (MeitY): the conference was held alongside the Fourth Meeting of the AI for Economic Growth and Social Good Working Group.
During which event was APEDA's Regional Office in Raipur inaugurated in January 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 2nd India International Rice Summit
PIB (Commerce): the APEDA Regional Office was inaugurated at Raipur during the 2nd India International Rice Summit held in Chhattisgarh.
Jeeraphool Rice and Nagri Dubraj Rice, cited by APEDA as GI-tagged export products in January 2026, belong to which state?
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Correct answer: D — Chhattisgarh
PIB (Commerce): the release lists Jeeraphool Rice and Nagri Dubraj Rice among Chhattisgarh's GI-tagged products.
Where was the 16th Assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) held in January 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Abu Dhabi
PIB (MNRE): Pralhad Joshi addressed the 16th IRENA Assembly in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
According to India's statement at the 16th IRENA Assembly, in which year did India reach 50% of installed electricity capacity from non-fossil sources?
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Correct answer: C — 2025
PIB (MNRE): India achieved 50% of its installed electricity capacity from non-fossil sources in 2025, five years ahead of its NDC target.
Which country assumed the Presidency of IRENA at its 16th Assembly in January 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Dominican Republic
PIB (MNRE): Joshi congratulated the Dominican Republic on assuming the IRENA Presidency; Kenya, Solomon Islands, Spain and Antigua and Barbuda are Vice Presidents.
Consider the following statements about the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), as stated in January 2026: 1. IRENA has 170 members, including the European Union. 2. India is one of the founder members of IRENA. 3. India's target is 500 GW of non-fossil installed capacity by 2030. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
PIB (MNRE): all three are correct — IRENA has 170 members (169 states and the EU), India is a founder member, and India's target is 500 GW of non-fossil capacity by 2030.