Dear Readers, Daily Current Affairs Questions Quiz for SBI, IBPS, RBI, RRB, SSC Exam 2026 of 06th January 2026. Daily GK quiz online for bank & competitive exam. Here we have given the Daily Current Affairs Quiz based on the previous days Daily Current Affairs updates. Candidates preparing for IBPS, SBI, RBI, RRB, SSC Exam 2026 & other competitive exams can make use of these Current Affairs Quiz.

 

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1) Which bank launched the Capital Gains Account Scheme (CGAS), 1988 effective from 1 January 2026 to help taxpayers deposit un-invested long-term capital gains and claim tax exemptions?

(a) State Bank of India

(b) HDFC Bank

(c) Axis Bank

(d) ICICI Bank Limited

(e) Punjab National Bank

2) Who has been appointed as the Chairperson of the Board of NPS Trust following the reforms approved by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA)?

(a) Swati Anil Kulkarni

(b) Arvind Gupta

(c) Dinesh Kumar Khara

(d) Urjit Patel

(e) Shaktikanta Das

3) According to NPCI data, how many transactions did India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) record in December 2025?

(a) 18.45 billion

(b) 19.92 billion

(c) 20.47 billion

(d) 22.80 billion

(e) 21.63 billion

4) From which date will 100% of Australian tariff lines become zero-duty for Indian exports, as announced by Union Minister Piyush Goyal?

(a) 1 January 2026

(b) 29 December 2025

(c) 31 January 2026

(d) 1 July 2026

(e) 1 April 2026

5) Which type of crude oil did Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) purchase for the first time from Colombia under an optional supply agreement with Ecopetrol?

(a) Maya crude

(b) Brent crude

(c) Castilla crude

(d) Bonny Light crude

(e) Arab Light crude

6) Which Union Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of multiple development projects of the Andaman and Nicobar Administration at Sri Vijaya Puram?

(a) Rajnath Singh

(b) Amit Shah

(c) Piyush Goyal

(d) Nitin Gadkari

(e) Dharmendra Pradhan

7) Who inaugurated the 9th Siddha Day celebrations at Kalaivanar Arangam in Chennai, Tamil Nadu?

(a) Prataprao Jadhav

(b) Ma. Subramanian

(c) Jagdeep Dhankhar

(d) Droupadi Murmu

(e) C. P. Radhakrishnan

8) Where will the inaugural ceremony of the 72nd National Volleyball Tournament be held?

(a) Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, New Delhi

(b) Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai

(c) Dr. Sampoorna­nand Sports Stadium, Varanasi

(d) Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar

(e) Lal Bahadur Shastri Stadium, Hyderabad

9) Which species is being farmed at India’s first commercial-scale tropical RAS-based aquaculture farm established by Smart Green Aquaculture Limited in Telangana?

(a) Rohu

(b) Catla

(c) Tilapia

(d) Rainbow Trout

(e) Pangasius

10) The Rajasthan Regional AI Impact Conference 2026, held as part of India’s preparatory engagements for the India AI Impact Summit 2026, will take place in which city?

(a) Jaipur

(b) Udaipur

(c) Kota

(d) Jodhpur

(e) Ajmer

11) Who is the Chair of the Human Capital Working Group for the meeting organized by IndiaAI at IIT Guwahati?

(a) Ashwini Vaishnaw

(b) T. G. Sitharam

(c) M. Jagadesh Kumar

(d) K. Radhakrishnan

(e) Anil Sahasrabudhe

12) Which organization did NTPC Limited – Western Region–I Headquarters, Mumbai sign an MoA with for upgrading radiotherapy services under its CSR initiative?

(a) Tata Memorial Hospital

(b) All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)

(c) Gujarat Cancer & Research Institute (GCRI)

(d) Christian Medical College (CMC) Vellore

(e) Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology

13) Who has been appointed as the Chief Justice of the Jharkhand High Court, effective after 8 January 2026?

(a) Mahesh Sharadchandra Sonak

(b) Tarlok Singh Chauhan

(c) Dinesh Kumar Singh

(d) N. V. Ramana

(e) Ashok Bhushan

14) Who has been given the additional charge of Director General (DG) of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) following the early repatriation of Sadanand Vasant Date?

(a) Sadanand Vasant Date

(b) Rajesh Ranjan

(c) Dinesh Kumar Singh

(d) Alok Verma

(e) Rakesh Aggarwal

15) Who has been appointed as the Executive Director of RBL Bank, effective 21 February 2026?

(a) Rajeev Ahuja

(b) Jaideep Iyer

(c) Deepak Ruiya

(d) Uday Kotak

(e) Aditya Puri

16) What is the name of the first community radio station launched by the Indian Army along the Line of Control (LoC) in Rajouri district, J&K?

(a) Radio Sangam

(b) Radio LoC

(c) Radio Jammu

(d) Radio Rajouri

(e) Radio Himalaya

17) Which year has the Indian Army declared as the ‘Year of Networking & Data Centricity’ under Chief of the Army Staff (COAS)General Upendra Dwivedi?

(a) 2029

(b) 2025

(c) 2026

(d) 2027

(e) 2028

18) Which company launched the COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation–Flight Model 3 (CSG-FM3) Earth Observation Satellite in 2026?

(a) Blue Origin

(b) SpaceX

(c) ISRO

(d) Arianespace

(e) Roscosmos

19) Which initiative did External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar launch to position IIT Madras as the world’s first multinational university?

(a) IITM International Exchange Program

(b) IITM Innovation Hub

(c) IITM Startup Incubator

(d) IITM Global Research Foundation

(e) IITM Overseas Scholarship Scheme

20) Which gene-editing therapy was used to administer the first gene-therapy injection for hemoglobinopathies in the UAE?

(a) Zolgensma

(b) CASGEVY

(c) Luxturna

(d) Strimvelis

(e) Spinraza

21) Under which agreement do India and Pakistan annually exchange lists of nuclear installations to maintain strategic transparency?

(a) Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)

(b) Indo-Pakistan Nuclear Safety Agreement

(c) Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear Installations and Facilities

(d) Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT)

(e) Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT)

22) When is the World Day of War Orphans observed annually?

(a) 4th January

(b) 5th January

(c) 7th January

(d) 6th January

(e) 8th January

23) Under Capital Gains Account Scheme (CGAS), what is the minimum deposit required for a Type B Account (fixed-tenure term deposit)?

(a) ₹1,000

(b) ₹5,000

(c) ₹10,000

(d) ₹50,000

(e) ₹1,00,000

24) From which date will the revised Investment Management Fee (IMF) structure for non-government subscribers be applied?

(a) 1 January 2026

(b) 1 February 2026

(c) 1 March 2026

(d) 1 April 2026

(e) 1 May 2026

25) In which Indian state is the Banas Dairy Bio-CNG and Fertilizer Plant, inaugurated by Amit Shah, located?

(a) Gujarat

(b) Maharashtra

(c) Rajasthan

(d) Haryana

(e) Madhya Pradesh

 

Answers :

1) Answer: D

Short Explanation:

ICICI Bank Limited launched the Capital Gains Account Scheme (CGAS), 1988 under the Income Tax (IT) Act, 1961, effective from 1 January 2026, to help taxpayers deposit un-invested long-term capital gains and claim tax exemptions.

Detailed Explanation:

ICICI Bank Limited launched the Capital Gains Account Scheme (CGAS), 1988 under the Income Tax (IT) Act, 1961, effective from 1 January 2026, to help taxpayers deposit un-invested long-term capital gains and claim tax exemptions.

Under CGAS, long-term capital gains or sale proceeds from specified assets can be deposited before the Income Tax Return (ITR) due date to remain eligible for capital gains tax exemption.

The deposited funds can be parked for up to three years, during which they earn interest at rates similar to savings accounts or term deposits, depending on the account type.

The proceeds can be reinvested in residential or commercial property, agricultural land, or new capital assets of industrial undertakings located in non-urban areas or Special Economic Zones (SEZs), as per the applicable account category.

2) Answer: C

Short Explanation:

The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) approved major policy reforms to strengthen governance, increase competition, and ensure sustainable growth of the National Pension System (NPS).

PFRDA appointed three new Trustees to the Board of NPS Trust:

Dinesh Kumar Khara, former Chairman of State Bank of India, designated Chairperson of the Board.

Swati Anil Kulkarni, former Executive Vice President of UTI AMC.

Arvind Gupta, Co-Founder and Head of Digital India Foundation and Member of the National Venture Capital Investment Committee under SIDBI’s Fund of Funds Scheme.

Detailed Explanation:

The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) approved major policy reforms to strengthen governance, increase competition, and ensure sustainable growth of the National Pension System (NPS).

The reforms will be implemented in phases and aim to expand NPS coverage across corporate, retail, and gig-economy workers, while protecting subscriber interests.

Scheduled Commercial Banks (SCBs) will now be allowed to independently sponsor and manage Pension Funds, subject to eligibility criteria such as net worth, market capitalisation, and prudential norms aligned with Reserve Bank of India (RBI) guidelines.

PFRDA appointed three new Trustees to the Board of NPS Trust:

Dinesh Kumar Khara, former Chairman of State Bank of India, designated Chairperson of the Board.

Swati Anil Kulkarni, former Executive Vice President of UTI AMC.

Arvind Gupta, Co-Founder and Head of Digital India Foundation and Member of the National Venture Capital Investment Committee under SIDBI’s Fund of Funds Scheme.

3) Answer: E

Short Explanation:

India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) recorded an all-time high of 21.63 billion transactions in December 2025, according to National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) data.

Detailed Explanation:

India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) recorded an all-time high of 21.63 billion transactions in December 2025, according to National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) data.

The total transaction value in December 2025 stood at ₹27.97 lakh crore, compared to 20.47 billion transactions worth ₹26.32 lakh crore in November 2025, showing month-on-month growth.

On average, about 698 million UPI transactions were processed daily during December, indicating deep penetration of digital payments in India.

For the calendar year 2025, UPI handled around 228 billion transactions worth nearly ₹300 lakh crore, up from 172 billion transactions worth ₹246.82 lakh crore in 2024, reflecting rapid growth in digital financial adoption.

4) Answer: A

Short Explanation:

Union Minister Piyush Goyal announced that 100% of Australian tariff lines will become zero-duty for Indian exports from 1 January 2026, providing a major boost to India’s export competitiveness.

Detailed Explanation:

Union Minister Piyush Goyal announced that 100% of Australian tariff lines will become zero-duty for Indian exports from 1 January 2026, providing a major boost to India’s export competitiveness.

The move is expected to create new market opportunities for labour-intensive sectors, significantly benefiting Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), farmers, and workers.

The announcement coincided with the third anniversary of the India–Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA), which came into force on 29 December 2022.

Over the past three years, ECTA has contributed to sustained export growth, enhanced market access, and stronger supply-chain resilience, supporting Indian exporters, MSMEs, farmers, and workers.

5) Answer: C

Short Explanation:

Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) purchased its first-ever crude oil cargo from Colombia under an optional supply agreement with Ecopetrol, marking a strategic move to diversify crude oil imports away from Russia.

The cargo consists of 2 million barrels of Colombian Castilla crude, with delivery scheduled for late February, highlighting India’s efforts to expand sourcing from South America.

Detailed Explanation:

Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) purchased its first-ever crude oil cargo from Colombia under an optional supply agreement with Ecopetrol, marking a strategic move to diversify crude oil imports away from Russia.

The cargo consists of 2 million barrels of Colombian Castilla crude, with delivery scheduled for late February, highlighting India’s efforts to expand sourcing from South America.

The decision comes amid disruptions in Russian oil supplies caused by United States (US) and European Union (EU) sanctions, prompting Indian refiners to seek alternative crude suppliers.

As a result of this shift, India’s imports of Russian crude oil are expected to decline to a three-year low of around 1.2 million barrels per day (bpd) in December, compared to 1.84 million bpd in November.

6) Answer: B

Short Explanation:

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of multiple development projects of the Andaman and Nicobar Administration at Sri Vijaya Puram.

Detailed Explanation:

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of multiple development projects of the Andaman and Nicobar Administration at Sri Vijaya Puram.

The event was attended by Shri Nityanand Rai, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs; Shri Bandi Sanjay Kumar; Admiral D. K. Joshi (Retd.), Lieutenant Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands; Shri Govind Mohan, Union Home Secretary; and other dignitaries.

Shri Amit Shah also inaugurated an exhibition on the three new criminal laws at Sri Vijaya Puram.

7) Answer: E

Short Explanation:

Vice President of India Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan inaugurated the 9th Siddha Day celebrations at Kalaivanar Arangam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

He emphasized Siddha medicine as a comprehensive, preventive, holistic, and sustainable healthcare system, highlighting its relevance in the contemporary world.

Detailed Explanation:

Vice President of India Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan inaugurated the 9th Siddha Day celebrations at Kalaivanar Arangam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

He emphasized Siddha medicine as a comprehensive, preventive, holistic, and sustainable healthcare system, highlighting its relevance in the contemporary world.

The event was attended by Shri Prataprao Jadhav, Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Ayush and Minister of State, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Shri Ma. Subramanian, Minister for Health, Medical Education and Family Welfare, Government of Tamil Nadu, senior officials, and heads of Siddha institutions.

8) Answer: C

Short Explanation:

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will inaugurate the 72nd National Volleyball Tournament through video conferencing.

The inaugural ceremony will be held at Dr. Sampoorna­nand Sports Stadium, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.

Detailed Explanation:

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will inaugurate the 72nd National Volleyball Tournament through video conferencing.

The inaugural ceremony will be held at Dr. Sampoorna­nand Sports Stadium, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.

The tournament will be conducted from 4th to 11th January 2026.

More than 1,000 players will participate in the tournament.

A total of 58 teams representing various States and institutions across India will compete in the event.

The tournament is expected to display high standards of competition, sportsmanship, and emerging talent in Indian volleyball.

Hosting the 72nd National Volleyball Tournament in Varanasi highlights the increasing focus on sports infrastructure development and promotion of athletics in the city.

9) Answer: D

Short Explanation:

Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh (Lalan Singh), Union Minister for the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying and the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, will inaugurate the Smart Green Aquaculture Farm and Research Institute along with a state-of-the-art Recirculatory Aquaculture System (RAS) Facility.

The inauguration will take place in Hyderabad, Telangana, following the General Body Meeting.

Smart Green Aquaculture Limited has established India’s first commercial-scale tropical RAS-based Rainbow Trout Aquaculture Farm and Research Institute at Kandukur Mandal, Ranga Reddy District, Telangana.

Detailed Explanation:

Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh (Lalan Singh), Union Minister for the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying and the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, will inaugurate the Smart Green Aquaculture Farm and Research Institute along with a state-of-the-art Recirculatory Aquaculture System (RAS) Facility.

The inauguration will take place in Hyderabad, Telangana, following the General Body Meeting.

Smart Green Aquaculture Limited has established India’s first commercial-scale tropical RAS-based Rainbow Trout Aquaculture Farm and Research Institute at Kandukur Mandal, Ranga Reddy District, Telangana.

The project demonstrates that high-value cold-water species such as Rainbow Trout can be farmed year-round in tropical climates using precision engineering, controlled biological systems, and advanced water recirculation technologies.

Uttarakhand has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) under the Vibrant Village Scheme for the supply of trout fish.

10) Answer: A

Short Explanation:

As part of India’s preparatory engagements for the India AI Impact Summit 2026, the Rajasthan Regional AI Impact Conference 2026 will held in Jaipur, Rajasthan.

The Conference will act as a regional platform to deliberate on how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can support governance reforms, economic growth, innovation, and inclusive development.

Detailed Explanation:

As part of India’s preparatory engagements for the India AI Impact Summit 2026, the Rajasthan Regional AI Impact Conference 2026 will held in Jaipur, Rajasthan.

The Conference will act as a regional platform to deliberate on how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can support governance reforms, economic growth, innovation, and inclusive development.

Senior leadership from the Government of India and the Government of Rajasthan will participate, including Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister for Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India.

The agenda includes high-level sessions on AI for Public Service Delivery and Governance, Ethical and Responsible AI, AI and the Future of Employment and Skills, and the growth of Rajasthan’s AI startup and innovation ecosystem.

Discussions will also cover advanced applications such as Digital Twins, AI-driven infrastructure planning, and strategic deliberations on whether AI can enable India to move from an outsourcing-based model to global intellectual property creation.

11) Answer: B

Short Explanation:

IndiaAI, under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India, in collaboration with the Government of Assam and Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT Guwahati), will organize the Human Capital Working Group Meeting at the IIT Guwahati campus.

The Human Capital Working Group is chaired by Prof. T. G. Sitharam, Chair of the Human Capital Working Group and former Chairman of the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), Government of India.

Detailed Explanation:

IndiaAI, under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India, in collaboration with the Government of Assam and Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT Guwahati), will organize the Human Capital Working Group Meeting at the IIT Guwahati campus.

The Human Capital Working Group is chaired by Prof. T. G. Sitharam, Chair of the Human Capital Working Group and former Chairman of the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), Government of India.

The two-day meeting will bring together senior policymakers, academic leaders, industry experts, and practitioners to deliberate on the future of education, skilling, and workforce readiness in the era of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

12) Answer: C

Short Explanation:

NTPC Limited – Western Region–I Headquarters, Mumbai signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the Gujarat Cancer & Research Institute (GCRI) for the upgradation of radiotherapy services.

Under this Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, NTPC has sanctioned ₹23.16 crore for upgrading radiotherapy facilities at the Siddhpur Satellite Centre of GCRI, Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

Detailed Explanation:

NTPC Limited – Western Region–I Headquarters, Mumbai signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the Gujarat Cancer & Research Institute (GCRI) for the upgradation of radiotherapy services.

Under this Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, NTPC has sanctioned ₹23.16 crore for upgrading radiotherapy facilities at the Siddhpur Satellite Centre of GCRI, Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

The financial support will be utilized for the procurement and installation of a high-energy Linear Accelerator (LINAC).

The installation of the LINAC will significantly enhance advanced cancer treatment capabilities and improve access to quality radiotherapy services for patients in the region.

13) Answer: A

Short Explanation:

The Department of Justice (DoJ) under the Ministry of Law and Justice (MoL&J) announced that the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, approved the appointment of Justice Mahesh Sharadchandra Sonak, a Judge of the Bombay High Court (HC), as the Chief Justice (CJ) of the Jharkhand High Court, under Article 217(1) of the Constitution of India (CoI), in consultation with the Chief Justice of India (CJI).

Detailed Explanation:

The Department of Justice (DoJ) under the Ministry of Law and Justice (MoL&J) announced that the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, approved the appointment of Justice Mahesh Sharadchandra Sonak, a Judge of the Bombay High Court (HC), as the Chief Justice (CJ) of the Jharkhand High Court, under Article 217(1) of the Constitution of India (CoI), in consultation with the Chief Justice of India (CJI).

He will assume office after the retirement of the incumbent Chief Justice Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan on 8 January 2026.

Justice Mahesh Sharadchandra Sonak was enrolled as an Advocate with the Bar Council of Maharashtra & Goa in October 1988.

14) Answer: E

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) assigned Rakesh Aggarwal, a 1994-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer from the Himachal Pradesh cadre, the additional charge of Director General (DG) of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) following the early repatriation of Sadanand Vasant Date.

Rakesh Aggarwal, who is currently serving as Special DG of the NIA, will act as the interim chief to ensure continuity and stability in India’s premier counter-terrorism agency, while overseeing ongoing sensitive investigations.

15) Answer: B

Short Explanation:

RBL Bank announced key senior management changes, appointing Jaideep Iyer as Executive Director and Deepak Ruiya as interim Chief Financial Officer (CFO) as part of a planned leadership transition.

Detailed Explanation:

RBL Bank announced key senior management changes, appointing Jaideep Iyer as Executive Director and Deepak Ruiya as interim Chief Financial Officer (CFO) as part of a planned leadership transition.

As per a stock exchange filing, Jaideep Iyer, currently Head of Strategy, will assume charge as Executive Director for a three-year term starting 21 February 2026.

Jaideep Iyer will succeed Rajeev Ahuja, who is scheduled to retire on 20 February 2026.

16) Answer: A

Short Explanation:

The Indian Army (IA), in collaboration with the civil administration and local residents, launched “Radio Sangam”, a Community Radio Station, at Keri village in Doongi block, Rajouri district, Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), located near the Line of Control (LoC).

Detailed Explanation:

The Indian Army (IA), in collaboration with the civil administration and local residents, launched “Radio Sangam”, a Community Radio Station, at Keri village in Doongi block, Rajouri district, Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), located near the Line of Control (LoC).

Radio Sangam is the first community radio station established along the LoC, aimed at enhancing communication and information outreach for border-area communities.

The radio station broadcasts on 88.8 Frequency Modulation (FM) from Keri Village, strengthening local-level connectivity and awareness.

Radio Sangam functions as a trusted source of verified information, promotes local culture, music, and entertainment, and helps build trust and cooperation among the Indian Army, civil administration, and villagers.

17) Answer: C

Short Explanation:

The Indian Army (IA), under the leadership of Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Upendra Dwivedi, declared 2026 as the ‘Year of Networking & Data Centricity’, aligning with the Indian Army’s 2026 vision to build a future-ready and technology-driven force.

The initiative focuses on digital integration and enhanced connectivity to support real-time decision-making, faster response, and greater combat effectiveness across the force.

Detailed Explanation:

The Indian Army (IA), under the leadership of Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Upendra Dwivedi, declared 2026 as the ‘Year of Networking & Data Centricity’, aligning with the Indian Army’s 2026 vision to build a future-ready and technology-driven force.

The initiative focuses on digital integration and enhanced connectivity to support real-time decision-making, faster response, and greater combat effectiveness across the force.

The core objective is to treat data as a critical operational asset, improving situational awareness, speed of command, and battlefield efficiency.

It forms part of the Indian Army’s decade-long transformation, driven by military reforms, jointness among services, innovation, and self-reliance.

Under the networking component, seamless digital connectivity is being created among soldiers, command and control centres, sensors, weapon systems, intelligence units, and logistics networks.

18) Answer: B

Short Explanation:

SpaceX launched the COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation–Flight Model 3 (CSG-FM3), an Earth Observation Satellite (EOS), for the Italian Space Agency (ASI) and the Italian Ministry of Defence, aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, USA.

The launch marked the third satellite in the COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation series, the first SpaceX mission of 2026, and the first orbital rocket launch globally in 2026.

Detailed Explanation:

SpaceX launched the COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation–Flight Model 3 (CSG-FM3), an Earth Observation Satellite (EOS), for the Italian Space Agency (ASI) and the Italian Ministry of Defence, aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, USA.

The launch marked the third satellite in the COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation series, the first SpaceX mission of 2026, and the first orbital rocket launch globally in 2026.

The Falcon 9 is a reusable first-stage launch vehicle capable of carrying payloads to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and beyond, supporting commercial, scientific, and government missions.

The satellite was successfully deployed into a sun-synchronous Low Earth Orbit at an altitude of about 620 kilometres (km).

CSG-FM3 is part of the COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation constellation, developed by Italy to enhance global radar imaging and Earth observation capabilities.

19) Answer: D

Short Explanation:

Union Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar Subrahmanyam, from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), launched the IITM Global Research Foundation at the Indian Institute of Technology–Madras (IIT-M) campus in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, highlighting IIT-M’s vision to become the world’s first multinational university.

Detailed Explanation:

Union Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar Subrahmanyam, from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), launched the IITM Global Research Foundation at the Indian Institute of Technology–Madras (IIT-M) campus in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, highlighting IIT-M’s vision to become the world’s first multinational university.

The IITM Global initiative is designed as a plug-and-play global framework to enable deep-tech innovators, researchers, startups, and industry partners to access international markets, capital, and advanced research opportunities.

IITM Global is structured around four core pillars, namely technology transfer to global markets, joint international research projects, overseas business opportunities for IIT-M startups, and attracting foreign investment into IIT-M’s innovation ecosystem.

20) Answer: B

Short Explanation:

Yas Clinic – Khalifa City, in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Centre (ADSCC) and Vertex Pharmaceuticals, and under the support and oversight of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, successfully administered the first gene-therapy injection for hemoglobinopathies in the UAE using CASGEVY, a CRISPR-Cas9–based gene-editing therapy.

Detailed Explanation:

Yas Clinic – Khalifa City, in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Centre (ADSCC) and Vertex Pharmaceuticals, and under the support and oversight of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, successfully administered the first gene-therapy injection for hemoglobinopathies in the UAE using CASGEVY, a CRISPR-Cas9–based gene-editing therapy.

CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing technology allows highly precise modification of disease-causing genes by targeting and correcting specific DNA sequences, marking a major advancement in genomic medicine.

The CRISPR-Cas9 mechanism uses guide RNA to identify the defective gene, while the Cas9 enzyme acts as molecular scissors, cutting DNA at the targeted site to enable correction of genetic mutations.

CASGEVY is approved for patients aged 12 years and above suffering from sickle cell disease with recurrent vaso-occlusive crises or transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia.

21) Answer: C

Short Explanation:

India and Pakistan exchanged the list of nuclear installations and facilities through diplomatic channels to maintain strategic transparency and confidence-building.

This process is conducted under the Agreement on the Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear Installations and Facilities, which aims to protect nuclear sites from hostile attacks.

Detailed Explanation:

India and Pakistan exchanged the list of nuclear installations and facilities through diplomatic channels to maintain strategic transparency and confidence-building.

The exchange was carried out simultaneously in New Delhi and Islamabad, ensuring mutual compliance.

This process is conducted under the Agreement on the Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear Installations and Facilities, which aims to protect nuclear sites from hostile attacks.

The agreement was signed on 31 December 1988 and entered into force on 27 January 1991, establishing a formal protocol for nuclear safety and notification.

As per the agreement, both countries are required to inform each other of designated nuclear installations every year on 1 January.

22) Answer: D

Short Explanation:

World Day of War Orphans 2026 is observed annually on 6th January to highlight the hardships faced by children orphaned due to wars and conflicts.

Detailed Explanation:

World Day of War Orphans 2026 is observed annually on 6th January to highlight the hardships faced by children orphaned due to wars and conflicts.

The day draws attention to the physical neglect, mental trauma, emotional abuse, starvation, and disease suffered by millions of war-affected orphans worldwide.

Children who lose their parents in sudden and violent conflicts are often forced to live with relatives or within foster care systems, frequently under extremely poor living conditions.

23) Answer: C

Short Explanation:

Type B Account is a fixed-tenure term deposit (FD) available in cumulative and non-cumulative options, requires a minimum deposit of ₹10,000, and offers interest rates comparable to regular fixed deposits.

Detailed Explanation:

ICICI Bank Limited launched the Capital Gains Account Scheme (CGAS), 1988 under the Income Tax (IT) Act, 1961, effective from 1 January 2026, to help taxpayers deposit un-invested long-term capital gains and claim tax exemptions.

Type A Account under CGAS functions as a savings account, allows flexible withdrawals only for approved reinvestment purposes, and does not provide cheque book or debit card facilities.

Type B Account is a fixed-tenure term deposit (FD) available in cumulative and non-cumulative options, requires a minimum deposit of ₹10,000, and offers interest rates comparable to regular fixed deposits.

The scheme is currently available to resident individuals and Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs), with plans to extend access to Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and non-individual entities in the future.

24) Answer: D

A revised Investment Management Fee (IMF) structure will be applied from 1 April 2026, with slab-based rates for non-government subscribers:

Up to ₹25,000 crore AUM: 0.12%

₹25,000–50,000 crore AUM: 0.08%

₹50,000–1,50,000 crore AUM: 0.06%

Above ₹1,50,000 crore AUM: 0.04%

25) Answer: A

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah inaugurated the newly constructed Bio-CNG and Fertilizer Plant by Banas Dairy and laid the foundation stone for a 150-ton powder plant in Vav-Tharad district, Gujarat.