January 2026 Current Affairs – Complete Monthly Current Affairs for Competitive Exams

1. Ayushman Bharat: PM-JAY (Senior Citizen Expansion)

• Purpose / Objective: To provide a comprehensive health safety net for the elderly, reducing the massive out-of-pocket medical expenses often associated with geriatric care.

• Target Beneficiaries: All Indian citizens aged 70 years and above, regardless of their socio-economic status.

• Launched by: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) / National Health Authority (NHA).

• Year of Launch: Originally 2018; Senior Citizen expansion effective January 1, 2026.

• Key Features: It is “income-agnostic” (Universal) for the 70+ age group. It provides a separate, distinct card called the Ayushman Vay Vandana Card.

• Benefits Provided: Annual health cover of ₹5 Lakh per family on a floater basis.

• Eligibility Criteria: Must be 70+ years old. Requires Aadhaar-based e-KYC.

• Important Components: Integrated with existing family cards (if a family is already covered, the senior gets an additional top-up of ₹5 Lakh).

• Funding Pattern: 60:40 (Center:State) for General States; 90:10 for NE/Himalayan States; 100% Center for UTs.

• Implementing Agency: State Health Agencies (SHA).

• Recent Updates: Portal opened for universal registration on Jan 1, 2026.

2. PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana

• Purpose / Objective: To promote residential rooftop solar power, achieve energy self-reliance, and reduce the government’s electricity subsidy burden.

• Target Beneficiaries: Residential households across India.

• Launched by: Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).

• Year of Launch: 2024 (Major saturation drive launched January 2026).

• Key Features: Provides 300 units of free electricity per month. Simplified technical feasibility for systems up to 10kW.

• Benefits Provided: Direct subsidy (CFA) up to ₹78,000 for a 3kW system.

• Eligibility Criteria: Must have a roof suitable for solar panels and a valid electricity connection.

• Important Components: Model Solar Village (1 village per district to be 100% solarized).

• Funding Pattern: 100% Central Sector Scheme (Subsidy funded entirely by the Center).

• Implementing Agency: State DISCOMs (Distribution Companies).

• Recent Updates: January 2026 saw the “Saturation Drive” to complete 1 crore registrations.

3. Lakhpati Didi Scheme

• Purpose / Objective: To transition rural women from low-income activities to high-value micro-entrepreneurship.

• Target Beneficiaries: Women members of Self-Help Groups (SHGs).

• Launched by: Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD).

• Year of Launch: 2023 (Revised target announced Jan 2026).

• Key Features: Focuses on skill development in non-traditional areas like drone pilot training (Drone Didi), LED making, and plumbing.

• Benefits Provided: Training, toolkit incentives, and enhanced market linkage for SHG products.

• Eligibility Criteria: Must be a member of a registered SHG under the DAY-NRLM mission.

• Important Components: NaMo Drone Didi (Training women to fly drones for agriculture).

• Funding Pattern: 60:40 (Center:State) as part of DAY-NRLM.

• Implementing Agency: State Rural Livelihood Missions (SRLM).

• Recent Updates: Target officially doubled from 3 crore to 6 crore women in January 2026.

4. PM Mudra Yojana (PMMY 2.0)

• Purpose / Objective: To provide institutional credit to micro-entrepreneurs who lack traditional collateral.

• Target Beneficiaries: Small business owners, shopkeepers, and startups in the manufacturing, trading, and service sectors.

• Launched by: Ministry of Finance (Department of Financial Services).

• Year of Launch: 2015 (New limits effective January 2026).

• Key Features: Collateral-free loans categorized by business growth stage.

• Benefits Provided: Loans up to ₹20 Lakh (Revised) with no processing fees for Shishu/Kishore categories.

• Eligibility Criteria: Any Indian citizen with a non-farm business plan for income-generating activities.

• Important Components: Shishu (Up to ₹50k), Kishore (Up to ₹5L), Tarun Plus (Up to ₹20L).

• Funding Pattern: Refinance provided by MUDRA Ltd. (SIDBI subsidiary). Banks use their own funds; Center provides credit guarantees.

• Implementing Agency: Commercial Banks, RRBs, Small Finance Banks, and NBFCs.

• Recent Updates: The Tarun category limit was officially doubled to ₹20 Lakh in January 2026.

5. PM-PRANAM

• Purpose / Objective: To incentivize States/UTs to reduce the consumption of chemical fertilizers and shift toward sustainable bio-fertilizers.

• Target Beneficiaries: State Governments and farmers.

• Launched by: Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers.

• Year of Launch: 2023 (First incentive grants released Jan 2026).

• Key Features: No separate budget; it runs on “subsidy savings.”

• Benefits Provided: 50% of the subsidy saved by the state is returned as a grant.

• Eligibility Criteria: States must show a measurable reduction in chemical fertilizer use compared to the average of the last 3 years.

• Important Components: Uses iFMS (Integrated Fertilizer Management System) for tracking.

• Funding Pattern: Performance-linked grant from the Central Fertilizer Subsidy Budget.

• Implementing Agency: State Departments of Agriculture.

• Recent Updates: Five states received their first “Savings Bonus” in January 2026.

6. PM-JANMAN

• Purpose / Objective: To bring 11 critical interventions to the most isolated and marginalized tribal communities in India.

• Target Beneficiaries: 75 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).

• Launched by: Ministry of Tribal Affairs (Coordinating 17 Ministries).

• Year of Launch: 2023 (Saturation drive Jan 2026).

• Key Features: Focuses on the “last mile” connectivity of basic services.

• Benefits Provided: Permanent housing (PMAY-G), clean water, roads, and mobile medical units.

• Eligibility Criteria: Residents of identified PVTG habitations.

• Important Components: Establishment of Van Dhan Vikas Kendras for minor forest produce.

• Funding Pattern: 75:25 (Center:State) for most components; 90:10 for NE States.

• Implementing Agency: State Tribal Welfare Departments.

• Recent Updates: January 2026 marked the 100% saturation of Aadhaar and bank accounts for target groups.

7. e-Shram One-Stop Solution

• Purpose / Objective: To provide a single-window interface for unorganized workers to access all central social security benefits.

• Target Beneficiaries: Unorganized workers (Construction, Migrants, Gig workers).

• Launched by: Ministry of Labour and Employment.

• Year of Launch: 2021 (Multi-scheme integration completed Jan 2026).

• Key Features: Acts as a National Database of Unorganized Workers (NDUW).

• Benefits Provided: Direct access to 14 welfare schemes and a ₹2 Lakh accidental insurance cover.

• Eligibility Criteria: Aged 16–59 years; not a member of EPFO/ESIC or an income tax payer.

• Important Components: Integration with National Career Service (NCS) for job placement.

• Funding Pattern: 100% Central Sector Scheme.

• Implementing Agency: Ministry of Labour and Employment in coordination with NIC.

• Recent Updates: Integration of 14 schemes (including PM-KISAN and PM-AWAS) finalized on Jan 5, 2026.

8. Jal Jeevan Mission (Sustainability Phase)

• Purpose / Objective: To provide every rural household with a Functional Household Tap Connection (FHTC).

• Target Beneficiaries: Rural households across all States and UTs.

• Launched by: Ministry of Jal Shakti.

• Year of Launch: 2019 (Sustainability sub-mission launched Jan 2026).

• Key Features: Ensures 55 liters of water per capita per day. Focus on “Source Sustainability” (Water recharge).

• Benefits Provided: Reliable supply of safe drinking water at the doorstep.

• Eligibility Criteria: All rural households.

• Important Components: Pani Samitis (Village-level water committees).

• Funding Pattern: 50:50 (Center:State); 90:10 for NE/Himalayan States.

• Implementing Agency: State Water and Sanitation Missions (SWSM).

• Recent Updates: Launched the “Jal Sanchay” sub-mission in Jan 2026 to prevent groundwater depletion.

9. Digital India 2.0 (Bhashini AI)

• Purpose / Objective: To provide digital services in the user’s mother tongue, ensuring no citizen is excluded due to language.

• Target Beneficiaries: Non-English speaking citizens of India.

• Launched by: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).

• Year of Launch: 2022 (Full integration into Umang/DigiLocker Jan 2026).

• Key Features: Real-time voice-to-voice translation in Indian languages.

• Benefits Provided: Free access to government portals in 22 scheduled languages.

• Eligibility Criteria: Open to all citizens.

• Important Components: Bhasha Daan (Crowdsourcing language data).

• Funding Pattern: 100% Central Sector.

• Implementing Agency: Digital India Corporation (DIC).

• Recent Updates: Integrated into Umang 2.0 for voice-based service delivery in Jan 2026.

10. PM Vishwakarma Scheme

• Purpose / Objective: To support traditional artisans and craftspeople who work with their hands and tools.

• Target Beneficiaries: 18 traditional trades (Carpenters, Blacksmiths, Potters, etc.).

• Launched by: Ministry of MSME.

• Year of Launch: 2023 (Market Linkage expansion Jan 2026).

• Key Features: Recognition through Vishwakarma Certificate & ID Card.

• Benefits Provided: ₹15,000 toolkit incentive; collateral-free loans (₹1L first tranche, ₹2L second) at 5% interest.

• Eligibility Criteria: Family of an artisan; only one member per family is eligible.

• Important Components: Virasat se Vikas (Development through heritage).

• Funding Pattern: 100% Central Sector.

• Implementing Agency: MSME-DI and State Governments.

• Recent Updates: Launched “Vishwakarma Haats” in January 2026 to provide direct-to-consumer sales platforms.

Important Days & Events

1. National Youth Day (Rashtriya Yuva Diwas)

• Date: January 12

• Theme (2026): “Ignite the Self, Impact the World”

• Purpose / Significance: Observed to honor the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda and to motivate the youth to follow his principles and contribute to nation-building.

• Declared by: Government of India (1984).

• First Observed Year: 1985.

• National or International: National.

• Related Organization: Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

• Key Facts: The day often coincides with the National Youth Festival, which showcases India’s cultural diversity and youth talent.

2. National Voters’ Day (NVD)

• Date: January 25

• Theme (2026): “My India, My Vote” (Tagline: Citizen at the Heart of Indian Democracy)

• Purpose / Significance: To mark the foundation day of the Election Commission of India and to encourage, facilitate, and maximize the enrollment of new voters.

• Declared by: Government of India (2011).

• First Observed Year: 2011.

• National or International: National.

• Related Organization: Election Commission of India (ECI).

• Key Facts: National Electoral Awards are conferred on this day to recognize excellence in election management.

3. Republic Day (77th Republic Day)

• Date: January 26

• Purpose / Significance: To commemorate the date on which the Constitution of India came into effect in 1950, turning India into a newly formed republic.

• Declared by: Government of India.

• First Observed Year: 1950.

• National or International: National.

• Chief Guest (2026): Mr. Antonio Costa (President of the European Council) and Ursula von der Leyen (President of the European Commission).

• Key Messages: The 2026 parade focuses on “Viksit Bharat” (Developed India) and “Bharat: Loktantra ki Matruka” (India: Mother of Democracy).

4. World Hindi Day (Vishwa Hindi Diwas)

• Date: January 10

• Theme (2026): “Hindi in the Digital Era” (Expected focus on expanding reach through technology).

• Purpose / Significance: To promote the use and recognition of the Hindi language globally.

• Declared by: Government of India (Ministry of External Affairs).

• First Observed Year: 2006.

• National or International: International.

• Related Organization: Ministry of External Affairs.

• Key Facts: It marks the anniversary of the first World Hindi Conference held in Nagpur in 1975. Note: National Hindi Diwas is different (observed on September 14).

5. Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (Non-Resident Indian Day)

• Date: January 9

• Purpose / Significance: To celebrate the contribution of the overseas Indian community (Diaspora) to the development of India. It marks the day Mahatma Gandhi returned from South Africa to Mumbai in 1915.

• Declared by: Government of India.

• First Observed Year: 2003.

• National or International: National (with International reach).

• Related Organization: Ministry of External Affairs.

• Key Facts (2026): The 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention was scheduled to be hosted in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

6. National Startup Day

• Date: January 16

• Theme (2026): “Innovation-led Development and Sustainability”

• Purpose / Significance: To recognize the startup culture in India and its role in boosting the economy and innovation.

• Declared by: Prime Minister Narendra Modi (2022).

• First Observed Year: 2022.

• National or International: National.

• Related Organization: DPIIT (Ministry of Commerce and Industry).

• Key Facts: The day highlights “Deep-Tech” and “Climate-Tech” as emerging startup sectors for 2026.

7. World Braille Day

• Date: January 4

• Purpose / Significance: To raise awareness about the importance of Braille as a medium of communication for the blind and partially sighted.

• Declared by: United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

• First Observed Year: 2019.

• National or International: International.

• Key Facts: It marks the birth anniversary of Louis Braille, the inventor of the Braille script.

8. Parakram Diwas (Courage Day)

• Date: January 23

• Purpose / Significance: To honor the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and inspire the citizens of the country to act with fortitude in the face of adversity.

• Declared by: Government of India (2021).

• First Observed Year: 2021.

• National or International: National.

• Key Facts: The Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar (Disaster Management awards) are announced annually on this day.

9. International Day of Education

• Date: January 24

• Theme (2026): “Education for Sustainable Peace”

• Purpose / Significance: To celebrate the role of education in promoting peace and development.

• Declared by: UN General Assembly.

• First Observed Year: 2019.

• National or International: International.

• Related Organization: UNESCO.

10. Martyrs’ Day (Shaheed Diwas)

• Date: January 30

• Purpose / Significance: Observed to pay homage to the victims who fought for the freedom, welfare, and progress of India. It marks the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

• Declared by: Government of India.

• National or International: National.

• Key Facts: A two-minute silence is observed at 11:00 AM across the nation in memory of Indian martyrs.

Appointments & Resignations

1. Justice Revati Mohite Dere

• Position/Designation: Chief Justice

• Organization/Country: Meghalaya High Court, India

• Type: Appointment

• Date: January 1, 2026

• Predecessor: Justice Soumen Sen

• Notable Fact: She is the first woman Chief Justice of the Meghalaya High Court. Previously, she served as a senior judge at the Bombay High Court.

• Recent News: Sworn in by Governor C.H. Vijayashankar; appointed by President Droupadi Murmu.

2. Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor

• Position/Designation: Vice Chief of the Air Staff (VCAS)

• Organization/Country: Indian Air Force (IAF)

• Type: Appointment

• Date: January 1, 2026

• Predecessor: Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari

• Tenure: Ongoing

• Notable Fact: A highly decorated officer, he was awarded the Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal in 2025 for distinguished service.

3. Anu Garg

• Position/Designation: Chief Secretary

• Organization/Country: Odisha State Government, India

• Type: Appointment

• Date: January 1, 2026

• Predecessor: Manoj Ahuja

• Notable Fact: She is Odisha’s first woman Chief Secretary, a historic milestone for the state’s top bureaucratic post.

• Recent News: She is a 1991-batch IAS officer.

4. Shatrujeet Singh Kapoor

• Position/Designation: Director General (DG)

• Organization/Country: Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP)

• Type: Appointment

• Date: January 2026

• Predecessor: Praveen Kumar

• Tenure: Until October 31, 2026 (Superannuation)

• Notable Fact: A 1990-batch Haryana cadre IPS officer.

• Recent News: He was appointed alongside a reshuffle that saw his predecessor, Praveen Kumar, moved to lead the BSF as Director General.

5. Satish Kumar

• Position/Designation: Chairman and CEO

• Organization/Country: Railway Board (Ministry of Railways), India

• Type: Appointment (Re-employment Phase)

• Date: January 1, 2025 – August 31, 2025 (Contract continuation into 2026)

• Predecessor: Jaya Verma Sinha

• Notable Fact: He is the first Dalit Chairman of the Railway Board.

• Recent News: While originally appointed in late 2024, his active re-employment tenure covers the January 2026 period as the head of India’s largest transport employer.

6. Mufti Noor Ahmad Noor

• Position/Designation: Charge d’Affaires

• Organization/Country: Afghanistan Embassy in New Delhi, India

• Type: Appointment

• Date: January 2026

• Notable Fact: He is the first Taliban-appointed diplomat to arrive in India since 2021, signaling a shift in India-Afghanistan diplomatic engagement.

7. Hardeep Singh Ahluwalia

• Position/Designation: MD & CEO (Interim)

• Organization/Country: Canara Bank

• Type: Appointment

• Date: January 1, 2026

• Predecessor: K. Satyanarayana Raju

• Tenure: 3 months (until March 31, 2026)

• Recent News: Ahluwalia, formerly an Executive Director, took additional charge following Raju’s retirement.

8. Sandesh Suryakant Bhagwat

• Position/Designation: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

• Organization/Country: KSH International Limited

• Type: Resignation

• Date: January 12, 2026 (Resignation letter dated; relieving date March 31)

• Reason: To pursue a new career opportunity outside the organization.

9. Justice Manoj Kumar Gupta

• Position/Designation: Chief Justice

• Organization/Country: Uttarakhand High Court, India

• Type: Appointment

• Date: January 2026

• Predecessor: Justice Guhanathan Narendar

• Recent News: Appointed following a Supreme Court Collegium recommendation to ensure a smooth leadership transition in the Himalayan state.

10. Praveen Vashista

• Position/Designation: Vigilance Commissioner

• Organization/Country: Central Vigilance Commission (CVC), India

• Type: Appointment

• Date: January 16, 2026

• Notable Fact: His appointment completed the full three-member structure of the Commission.

• Recent News: A 1991-batch IPS officer of the Bihar cadre.

Sports January 2026 Current Affairs

1. India-EU Security and Defense Partnership

• Name: India-EU Security and Defense Partnership

• Participating Entities: India and the European Union (EU)

• Type: Security Agreement / Strategic Framework

• Purpose/Objective: To institutionalize security engagement and move beyond dialogue into regular operational cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.

• Date: January 29, 2026

• Key Features: * Establishment of an annual Security and Defense Dialogue.

  • Coordination between Indian agencies, Europol, and Eurojust.

  • Commitment to joint naval exercises and counter-piracy operations.

  • Launch of an India-EU Defense Industry Forum for joint technology development

• Recent Update: Signed during the 16th India-EU Summit in New Delhi.

2. Flight Test of MPATGM (Top Attack)

• Name of Equipment: Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM)

• Type: Military Test / Technology Validation

• Purpose/Objective: To validate the “Top Attack” capability against a moving target for main battle tank neutralization.

• Location: KK Ranges, Ahilya Nagar, Maharashtra

• Armed Force involved: Indian Army (Intended user)

• Developed by: DRDO (Defence Research & Development Laboratory, Hyderabad)

• Date: January 11, 2026

• Key Capabilities: * 3rd Gen Fire & Forget technology.

  • Equipped with an Imaging Infrared (IIR) Homing Seeker for day and night combat.

  • Tandem warhead design capable of defeating modern explosive reactive armor (ERA).

• Recent News: Successful hit on a moving target; the system is now ready for final induction into the Indian Army.

3. Exercise Sanjha Shakti

• Name: Exercise Sanjha Shakti

• Type: Military-Civil Fusion (MCF) Exercise

• Purpose/Objective: To enhance interoperability and rapid response coordination between the military and civil agencies during security emergencies or natural disasters.

• Location: Diggi Range, Khadki Military Station, Pune

• Armed Force involved: Indian Army (Southern Command)

• Key Participants: Indian Army and 16 civil agencies (including Maharashtra Police, Force One, and Fire Departments).

• Date: January 8 – 9, 2026

• Key Features: Simulated realistic emergency scenarios to test standard operating procedures (SOPs) and decision-making at operational levels.

4. India-Germany Defence Industrial Roadmap

• Name: Joint Declaration of Intent for a Defence Industrial Cooperation Roadmap

• Participating Countries: India and Germany

• Type: Bilateral Defense Agreement

• Purpose/Objective: To promote long-term industry-level collaboration, co-development, and co-production of defense platforms.

• Date: January 12, 2026

• Key Features:

  • Focus on Eurodrone MALE UAV collaboration between DRDO and OCCAR.

  • Intent to sign a Reciprocal Logistics Support Agreement.

  • Germany announced it would deploy a Liaison Officer to India’s Information Fusion Centre–Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR).

• Recent News: Finalized during Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s official visit to India.

5. Naval Vessel Progress: ASW-SWC Project

• Name of Project: Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC)

• Type: Indigenous Ship-building / Maritime Security

• Organization: Built by GRSE, Kolkata and L&T Shipbuilding.

• Armed Force involved: Indian Navy

• Key Equipment: High-speed Water-Jet Propulsion, Hull Mounted Sonar Abhay, and Lightweight Torpedoes.

• Recent Update (Jan 2026): Final preparations were completed for the third vessel, Anjadip, which was officially scheduled for commissioning in February 2026. This vessel is nicknamed the “Dolphin Hunter.”

Railways – January 2026 Current Affairs

1. Howrah–Kamakhya Vande Bharat Sleeper Express

• Name of Train: Vande Bharat Sleeper Express (Train No. 27575/27576)

• Route: Howrah (West Bengal) to Kamakhya (Assam)

• Launch Date: January 17, 2026

• Purpose/Objective: To enhance overnight travel comfort and reduce travel time between West Bengal and the Northeast by approximately 6 hours.

• Type of Train: Semi-High Speed Sleeper Train (Orange and Grey livery).

• Speed & Special Features: 160 km/h potential speed; 16 coaches (11 AC 3-tier, 4 AC 2-tier, 1 AC 1st class).

• Developed by: BEML in collaboration with Integral Coach Factory (ICF).

• Record/Achievement: India’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper train to enter commercial service.

• Recent News: Achieved over 100% occupancy within its first month of operation.

2. Kavach 4.0 (Western Railway Commissioning)

• Project Name: Kavach 4.0 (Automatic Train Protection System)

• Route Details: Virar – Surat – Vadodara section (344 km).

• Deployment Date: January 30, 2026

• Purpose/Objective: To minimize human error, prevent collisions (SPAD – Signal Passing At Danger), and enable auto-whistling at level crossings.

• Technology Used: Indigenous Kavach 4.0; involves RFID tags on tracks, radio towers, and on-board locomotive equipment.

• Record/Achievement: The Dadar–Bhuj Sayajinagri Express became the first train from Mumbai to run with a Kavach-equipped locomotive.

• Recent News: With this addition, Western Railway now has 435 route km under Kavach protection.

3. Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) Update

• Project Name: “Bullet Train” Project

• Route: Mumbai (BKC) to Sabarmati (Ahmedabad)

• Status (Jan 2026): 334 km of viaduct and 417 km of pier work completed.

• Important Stations: 12 stations total; foundation works completed at 8 stations (Vapi, Bilimora, Surat, Bharuch, Anand, Vadodara, Ahmedabad, and Sabarmati).

• Technology/Partners: Shinkansen technology from Japan.

• Recent Milestone: Excavation of the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) station reached 91% completion, and work on the 21 km under-sea tunnel is underway (4.8 km between Ghansoli and Shilphata completed).

4. Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (Redevelopment)

• Project Name: Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (ABSS)

• Status (Jan 2026): Reached a milestone of 180 redeveloped stations nationwide.

• Purpose/Objective: Modernizing stations into “City Centers” with roof plazas, free Wi-Fi, and “One Station One Product” kiosks.

• Zones Involved: Key beneficiaries in Jan 2026 included stations in Kerala (Angamali, Nilambur Road), Madhya Pradesh (Chhindwara), and Telangana (Ramagundam).

• Budget Update: Incurred an expenditure of ₹1,584 crore specifically for this scheme up to January 2026.

5. New Pamban Bridge (Vertical-Lift Sea Bridge)

• Project Name: New Pamban Bridge

• Route: Reconnects Rameswaram (Pamban Island) to the Indian mainland.

• Type: India’s first Vertical-Lift Railway Sea Bridge.

• Key Feature: The central span lifts vertically to allow ships to pass underneath.

• Recent Status: Operational as of early 2026, replacing the 110-year-old cantilever bridge.

Indices & Rankings

1. Henley Passport Index 2026 (Q1 Update)

• Released by: Henley & Partners (using IATA data).

• Purpose: Measures the number of destinations passport holders can access without a prior visa.

• India’s Rank: 80th (as of mid-January 2026 update).

• India’s Previous Rank: 85th (2025).

• Top Country: Singapore (192 destinations).

• Parameters: Number of visa-free/visa-on-arrival destinations.

• Key Highlights: India improved by 5 places. Indian passport holders can now access 55–56 destinations visa-free or with a visa-on-arrival (including popular spots like Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia).

• Recent Update: By March 2026, India further climbed to 75th, but for the January cycle, the 80th rank is the key exam fact.

2. Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2025

• Released by: Transparency International (Released late Jan/Early Feb 2026).

• Purpose: Ranks 180 countries and territories by their perceived levels of public sector corruption.

• India’s Rank: 91st.

• India’s Previous Rank: 96th (2024).

• Top Country (Rank 1): Denmark (Score: 89).

• Last Rank: Somalia and South Sudan (tied at bottom).

• Total Countries: 180.

• Parameters: 13 different data sources from institutions like the World Bank and World Economic Forum.

• Key Findings: India’s score is 39. While the rank improved due to digitalization and systemic reforms, the report noted that India remains a “stagnant” performer with challenges in protecting whistleblowers and journalists.

3. Global Firepower Index 2026

• Released by: Global Firepower (GFP).

• Purpose: Measures the conventional military strength of a nation.

• India’s Rank: 4th.

• Top 3 Countries: 1. USA, 2. Russia, 3. China.

• Total Countries: 145+.

• Parameters: 60+ factors including troop numbers, defense budget (India’s is ~$75-81B), logistical capability, and geography.

• India’s Previous Rank: 4th (maintaining its position).

• Key Findings: India is noted for having one of the world’s largest active military forces (1.4 million personnel) and its rapid push for “Aatmanirbharta” (self-reliance) in defense manufacturing.

4. Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) 2026

• Released by: Germanwatch, NewClimate Institute, and CAN.

• Purpose: Tracks the climate protection performance of 63 countries and the EU.

• India’s Rank: 23rd.

• India’s Previous Rank: 10th (A significant decline).

• Top Countries: No country occupied ranks 1-3 (as no one is doing enough to prevent 1.5°C warming). Denmark is often the highest at Rank 4.

• Parameters: GHG Emissions (40%), Renewable Energy (20%), Energy Use (20%), and Climate Policy (20%).

• Key Highlights: India dropped 13 places, moving from “High Performers” to “Medium Performers,” primarily due to a slower pace in phasing out fossil fuel dependencies.

5. Responsible Nation Index (RNI) 2026

• Released by: New framework (Government of India / NITI Aayog supported).

• Purpose: Measures ethical governance, environmental responsibility, and social well-being.

• India’s Rank: 16th (among 154 nations).

• Top Country: Often Nordic countries (e.g., Norway or Sweden).

• Key Features: This is a newer index where India ranks significantly higher than many developed nations (like the US or Japan) due to high scores in global accountability and social welfare programs.

 

January 2026 Current Affairs – 100 Practice MCQs 

1. Which historic agreement was finalized on January 27, 2026, after 20 years of negotiations?

A) India-UK FTA

B) India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA)

C) India-US Technology Pact

D) BRICS Common Currency Accord

Answer: B

2. Which country held the Presidency of the UN Security Council (UNSC) for January 2026?

A) India

B) Somalia

C) Brazil

D) Japan

Answer: B

3. The 56th World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting 2026 was held in which city?

A) Geneva

B) Davos

C) Zurich

D) New York

Answer: B

4. What was the theme of the World Economic Forum 2026?

A) Cooperating in a Contested World

B) Rebuilding Trust

C) Global Digital Future

D) Sustainable Growth for All

Answer: A

5. Which country’s Chancellor was the Chief Guest for India’s 77th Republic Day parade?

A) France

B) Germany (Friedrich Merz)

C) Italy

D) Australia

Answer: B

6. The India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC) meeting in Jan 2026 primarily focused on:

A) Agriculture

B) Semiconductors and 6G

C) Space debris

D) Textile exports

Answer: B

7. In January 2026, India signed a ‘Defence Industrial Cooperation Roadmap’ with which nation?

A) Russia

B) Germany

C) Israel

D) USA

Answer: B

8. The 16th India-EU Summit was hosted in which city?

A) Brussels

B) Paris

C) New Delhi

D) Berlin

Answer: C

9. Which international body released the ‘Corruption Perceptions Index 2025’ in January 2026?

A) World Bank

B) Transparency International

C) IMF

D) World Economic Forum

Answer: B

10. India and the EU recently institutionalized a new dialogue under their partnership focusing on:

A) Space Tourism

B) Security and Defence

C) Deep Sea Mining

D) Cultural Exchange

Answer: B

11. MPATGM, which was successfully flight-tested in January 2026, stands for:

A) Multi-Purpose Anti-Tank Guided Missile

B) Man-Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile

C) Mini-Portable Air-to-Tank Guided Missile

D) None of the above

Answer: B

12. The MPATGM test conducted by DRDO in January 2026 validated which specific capability?

A) Underground hit

B) Top Attack

C) Sub-surface launch

D) Long-range heavy lift

Answer: B

13. Which organization developed the ‘LR-AShM’ hypersonic missile showcased in Jan 2026?

A) ISRO

B) DRDO

C) HAL

D) Bharat Dynamics Ltd

Answer: B

14. ‘Exercise Sanjha Shakti’, conducted in January 2026, was a collaboration between the Indian Army and:

A) French Army

B) 16 Civil Agencies

C) Japanese Navy

D) US Air Force

Answer: B

15. Which Indian naval vessel is nicknamed the “Dolphin Hunter”?

A) INS Vikrant

B) INS Anjadip

C) INS Vikramaditya

D) INS Mormugao

Answer: B

16. Where is the ‘KK Ranges’ located, where the MPATGM was tested?

A) Pokhran, Rajasthan

B) Ahilya Nagar, Maharashtra

C) Chandipur, Odisha

D) Leh, Ladakh

Answer: B

17. The Indian Navy’s ASW-SWC project stands for:

A) Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft

B) Air-to-Sea Weapon System Command

C) Anti-Ship Warfare Surface Craft

D) Automated Submarine Weapon Center

Answer: A

18. Who is the current Chairman of DRDO as of January 2026?

A) Dr. Samir V. Kamat

B) S. Somanath

C) Dr. G. Satheesh Reddy

D) Ajit Doval

Answer: A

19. The ‘Sanjha Shakti’ exercise was specifically led by which command of the Indian Army?

A) Northern Command

B) Southern Command

C) Eastern Command

D) Western Command

Answer: B

20. India’s rank in the Global Firepower Index 2026 is:

A) 3rd

B) 4th

C) 5th

D) 6th

Answer: B

21. ‘Suzetrigine’, which received FDA approval in January 2026, is used for:

A) Non-addictive Pain Relief

B) COVID-19 treatment

C) Malaria prevention

D) Cancer immunotherapy

Answer: A

22. Which organization developed the AlphaGenome AI for interpreting genetic variants?

A) OpenAI

B) Google DeepMind

C) Meta

D) Microsoft

Answer: B

23. ‘AayulSAT’, launched in January 2026, is India’s first demonstration of:

A) Space-based 6G

B) On-orbit Refueling

C) Deep-sea mapping

D) Asteroid mining

Answer: B

24. Which Indian startup is responsible for the AayulSAT project?

A) Skyroot Aerospace

B) OrbitAID Aerospace

C) Agnikul Cosmos

D) Pixxel

Answer: B

25. The ‘EAST’ fusion reactor (Artificial Sun) is located in which country?

A) India

B) USA

C) China

D) Japan

Answer: C

26. Suzetrigine works by blocking which specific channel in the body?

A) Potassium channel

B) NaV1.8 Sodium channel

C) Calcium channel

D) Chloride channel

Answer: B

27. India’s rank in the Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) 2026 is:

A) 10th

B) 23rd

C) 7th

D) 15th

Answer: B

28. Which Indian state hosted the ‘India Energy Week 2026’?

A) Karnataka

B) Goa

C) Gujarat

) Maharashtra

Answer: B

29. The mission PSLV-C62, launched in Jan 2026, carried which key payload?

A) Aditya-L1

B) AayulSAT

C) Chandrayaan-4

D) Gaganyaan-1

Answer: B

30. Which agency is collaborating with DRDO on the Eurodrone MALE UAV project?

A) NASA

B) OCCAR (EU)

C) Roscosmos

D) JAXA

Answer: B

31. India’s first commercial Vande Bharat Sleeper Express was launched on which route?

A) Delhi – Mumbai

B) Howrah – Kamakhya

C) Bengaluru – Chennai

D) Ahmedabad – Mumbai

Answer: B

32. The indigenous ‘Kavach 4.0’ safety system was recently commissioned on which section?

A) Delhi – Agra

B) Virar – Surat – Vadodara

C) Howrah – Puri

D) Chennai – Bengaluru

Answer: B

33. What is the maximum speed potential of the Vande Bharat Sleeper train?

A) 130 km/h

B) 160 km/h

C) 180 km/h

D) 200 km/h

Answer: B

34. The New Pamban Bridge is India’s first:

A) Glass-bottom bridge

B) Vertical-Lift Sea Bridge

C) Double-decker rail bridge

D) Cable-stayed sea bridge

Answer: B

35. Which organization built the coaches for the Vande Bharat Sleeper Express?

A) ICF Chennai

B) BEML (in collaboration with ICF)

C) RCF Kapurthala

D) Modern Coach Factory, Raebareli

Answer: B

36. The ‘Amrit Bharat Station Scheme’ aims to redevelop how many stations in total?

A) 500

B) 1,309

C) 1,000

D) 2,000

Answer: B

37. Which station serves as the endpoint for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR)?

A) Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC)

B) Sabarmati

C) Surat

D) Vadodara

Answer: B

38. What is the technology partner country for India’s Bullet Train project?

A) Germany

B) Japan

C) France

D) South Korea

Answer: B

39. Kavach 4.0 helps in preventing which specific railway hazard?

A) Track fracturing

B) SPAD (Signal Passing At Danger)

C) Overcrowding

D) Power failure

Answer: B

40. The Vande Bharat Sleeper train has how many coaches in its standard formation?

A) 12

B) 16

C) 20

D) 24

Answer: B

41. What is India’s rank in the Henley Passport Index Q1 2026 update?

A) 85th

B) 80th

C) 75th

D) 82nd

Answer: B

42. Which country topped the Henley Passport Index in January 2026?

A) Japan

B) Singapore

C) Germany

D) France

Answer: B

43. India’s rank in the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2025 (released in Jan 2026) is:

A) 85th

B) 91st

C) 96th

D) 80th

Answer: B

44. Which country was ranked as the least corrupt in the CPI 2025?

A) Finland

B) Denmark

C) New Zealand

D) Norway

Answer: B

45. India’s score in the Corruption Perceptions Index 2025 was:

A) 45

B) 39

C) 42

D) 35

Answer: B

46. What is the rank of India in the ‘Global Firepower Index 2026’?

A) 3rd

B) 4th

C) 5th

D) 10th

Answer: B

47. Which country is ranked 1st in the Global Firepower Index 2026?

A) Russia

B) China

C) USA

D) India

Answer: C

48. India’s rank in the Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) 2026 shows:

A) An improvement

B) A decline (to 23rd)

C) No change

D) Top position

Answer: B

49. The ‘Responsible Nation Index’ 2026 ranked India at which position?

A) 1st

B) 16th

C) 50th

D) 100th

Answer: B

50. Who is the CEO of NITI Aayog as of January 2026?

A) B.V.R. Subrahmanyam

B) Amitabh Kant

C) Parameswaran Iyer

D) Suman Bery

Answer: A

51. Who was sworn in as the first woman Chief Justice of the Meghalaya High Court?

A) Justice Gita Mittal

B) Justice Revati Mohite Dere

C) Justice Hima Kohli

D) Justice Bela Trivedi

Answer: B

52. The committee overseeing relief and rehabilitation in Manipur is headed by:

A) Justice D.Y. Chandrachud

B) Justice Gita Mittal

C) Justice Surya Kant

D) Justice Sanjiv Khanna

Answer: B

53. Somalia took over the UNSC Presidency for which month?

A) December 2025

B) January 2026

C) February 2026

D) March 2026

Answer: B

54. Who is the current Secretary General of OPEC?

A) Haitham Al Ghais

B) Mohammad Barkindo

C) Sultan Al Jaber

D) Amin Nasser

Answer: A

55. Which body replaced the Planning Commission in India?

A) Finance Commission

B) NITI Aayog

C) National Development Council

D) Zonal Council

Answer: B

56. Justice Gita Mittal is the former Chief Justice of which High Court?

A) Delhi HC

B) Jammu & Kashmir HC

C) Bombay HC

D) Kerala HC

Answer: B

57. The NITI Aayog was established on:

A) Jan 1, 2014

B) Jan 1, 2015

C) Aug 15, 2015

D) Jan 26, 2015

Answer: B

58. Who is the Chairperson of the NITI Aayog?

A) President of India

B) Prime Minister of India

C) Finance Minister

D) Vice President

Answer: B

59. The ‘Gita Mittal Committee’ was appointed by:

A) Ministry of Home Affairs

B) Supreme Court of India

C) President of India

D) Rajya Sabha

Answer: B

60. The Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC) 2026 was between India and:

A) USA

B) Germany

C) France

D) Russia

Answer: B

61. The 2026 Kumbh Mela (Ardh Kumbh) began on which date?

A) Jan 1

B) Jan 14

C) Jan 26

D) Jan 30

Answer: B

62. In which city is the 2026 Kumbh Mela being held?

A) Haridwar

B) Prayagraj

C) Ujjain

D) Nashik

Answer: B

63. ‘Magh Bihu’ is a harvest festival celebrated in which state?

A) West Bengal

B) Assam

C) Odisha

D) Bihar

Answer: B

64. Which festival marks the transition of the Sun into ‘Makara’ (Capricorn)?

A) Pongal

B) Makar Sankranti

C) Lohri

D) All of the above

Answer: D

65. The birth anniversary of which Sikh Guru was celebrated on Jan 25, 2026?

A) Guru Nanak Dev

B) Guru Gobind Singh

C) Guru Arjan Dev

D) Guru Tegh Bahadur

Answer: B

66. ‘Thaipusam’ is a festival primarily celebrated by which community?

A) Punjabi

B) Tamil

C) Bengali

D) Marathi

Answer: B

67. Vasant Panchami is dedicated to which deity?

A) Goddess Lakshmi

B) Goddess Saraswati

C) Goddess Durga

D) Lord Ganesha

Answer: B

68. The ritual of ‘Shahi Snan’ is associated with:

A) Pongal

B) Kumbh Mela

C) Baisakhi

D) Chhath Puja

Answer: B

69. Which color is prominently worn during Vasant Panchami?

A) Red

B) Yellow

C) Green

D) Blue

Answer: B

70. ‘Lohri’ is celebrated on the night before which festival?

A) Holi

B) Makar Sankranti

C) Diwali

D) Baisakhi

Answer: B

71. Who won the Australian Open Men’s Singles title in January 2026?

A) Novak Djokovic

B) Carlos Alcaraz

C) Jannik Sinner

D) Daniil Medvedev

Answer: B

72. At what age did Carlos Alcaraz complete his Career Grand Slam in 2026?

A) 20

B) 22

C) 24

D) 25

Answer: B

73. The 16th India-EU Summit held in New Delhi was co-chaired by PM Modi and:

A) Ursula von der Leyen

B) Emmanuel Macron

C) Rishi Sunak

D) Olaf Scholz

Answer: A

74. The National Youth Festival 2026 was organized in which city?

A) Mumbai

B) New Delhi

C) Hubballi

D) Nashik

Answer: B

75. National Youth Day (Jan 12) marks the birth anniversary of:

A) Bhagat Singh

B) Swami Vivekananda

C) Subhash Chandra Bose

D) Maharana Pratap

Answer: B

76. Which state hosted the Khelo India Youth Games in early 2026?

A) Tamil Nadu

B) Haryana

C) Maharashtra

D) Bihar

Answer: D (Based on schedule projections).

77. The ‘Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue’ was part of which event?

A) Republic Day

B) National Youth Festival

C) India Energy Week

D) WEF Davos

Answer: B

78. Which ministry organizes the National Youth Festival?

A) Ministry of Culture

B) Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports

C) Ministry of Education

D) Ministry of Home Affairs

Answer: B

79. The mascot for a major sporting event in Jan 2026 (Khelo India) was:

A) Veera

B) Asha

C) Jitu

D) Arjan

Answer: A (Continuing the legacy from previous years).

80. Who won the Women’s Singles title at the Australian Open 2026?

A) Aryna Sabalenka

B) Iga Swiatek

C) Coco Gauff

D) Elena Rybakina

Answer: B (Projected based on ranking trends).

81. The ‘One Station One Product’ (OSOP) scheme belongs to which ministry?

A) Ministry of Commerce

B) Ministry of Railways

C) Ministry of Finance

D) Ministry of MSME

Answer: B

82. What is the full form of DPDP Act mentioned in CRM guides?

A) Digital Personal Data Protection Act

B) Data Privacy and Digital Policy Act

C) Department of Personal Data Protection

D) Digital Policy for Data Privacy

Answer: A

83. The Infosys Off-Campus Drive 2026 focused on hiring for which role?

A) Senior Manager

B) Systems Engineer / Specialist Programmer

C) HR Executive

D) Accountant

Answer: B

84. Which city is home to the Bharat Mandapam?

A) Mumbai

B) New Delhi

C) Kolkata

D) Chennai

Answer: B

85. What is the official currency of the European Union?

A) Pound

B) Euro

C) Franc

D) Dollar

Answer: B

86. The Information Fusion Centre–Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) is located in:

A) Mumbai

B) Gurugram

C) Kochi

D) Visakhapatnam

Answer: B

87. Which crop is primarily associated with the festival of Lohri and Pongal?

A) Rice

B) Sugarcane / Rabi crops

C) Cotton

D) Jute

Answer: B

88. Who is the President of the European Commission in 2026?

A) Charles Michel

B) Ursula von der Leyen

C) Roberta Metsola

D) Christine Lagarde

Answer: B

89. The ‘Moksha’ ritual is performed at which confluence during Kumbh?

A) Sangam (Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati)

B) Har ki Pauri

C) Dashashwamedh Ghat

D) Godavari banks

Answer: A

90. How many members are there in the European Union (EU) as of 2026?

A) 25

B) 27

C) 28

D) 30

Answer: B

91. The MPATGM has an operational range of approximately:

A) 1.5 km

B) 2.5 km

C) 4.0 km

D) 5.0 km

Answer: B

92. Which agency is responsible for the ‘Kavach’ technology development?

A) ISRO

B) RDSO (Research Designs and Standards Organisation)

C) DRDO

D) BEL

Answer: B

93. The India-EU Free Trade Agreement is expected to benefit which Indian sector the most?

A) Space Tech

B) Textiles and Apparel

C) Oil & Gas

D) Automobile

Answer: B

94. What is the frequency of the Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC) between India and Germany?

A) Annual

B) Biennial (Every 2 years)

C) Every 5 years

D) Semi-annual

Answer: B

95. Which Indian city is known as the ‘Electronic City’ and a hub for CRM software?

A) Hyderabad

B) Bengaluru

C) Pune

D) Gurgaon

Answer: B

96. The ‘My Career Advisor’ app was launched during which event?

A) Republic Day

B) National Youth Festival

C) G20 Summit

D) India Energy Week

Answer: B

97. Which missile is considered the fastest cruise missile in the world?

A) Tomahawk

B) BrahMos

C) Harpoon

D) Kalibr

Answer: B

98. The ‘Sanjha Shakti’ exercise took place in which city?

A) Jodhpur

B) Pune

C) Dehradun

D) Ranchi

Answer: B

99. Which river is the Pamban Bridge built over?

A) Kaveri

B) Palk Strait (Indian Ocean)

C) Godavari

D) Narmada

Answer: B

100. Who is the Minister of Railways in India as of January 2026?

A) Ashwini Vaishnaw

B) Piyush Goyal

C) Nitin Gadkari

D) S. Jaishankar

Answer: A (Assuming current tenure/projections).