Dear Readers, Daily Current Affairs Questions Quiz for SBI, IBPS, RBI, RRB, SSC Exam 2026 of 23rd 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) The Union Cabinet approved the continuation of the Atal Pension Yojana (APY) up to which financial year to strengthen old-age income security for unorganised sector workers?

(a) FY 2027–28

(b) FY 2028–29

(c) FY 2029–30

(d) FY 2030–31

(e) FY 2032–33

2) The Union Cabinet approved equity support of ₹5,000 crore to which institution to expand credit access and employment generation in the MSME sector?

(a) National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD)

(b) Export-Import Bank of India (EXIM Bank)

(c) National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC)

(d) Industrial Finance Corporation of India (IFCI)

(e) Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI)

3) According to Moody’s Ratings, India is projected to record a GDP growth rate of 7.3% in FY26. This economic expansion is expected to primarily support which of the following?

(a) Reduction in fiscal deficit

(b) Increase in foreign exchange reserves

(c) Boost in insurance demand due to higher household incomes

(d) Decline in inflationary pressures

(e) Expansion of agricultural exports

4) As of 2026, Punjab’s first Dog Sanctuary, inaugurated as a pilot project to manage stray dog populations humanely, has been opened in which city?

(a) Ludhiana

(b) Jalandhar

(c) Patiala

(d) Amritsar

(e) Bathinda

5) As of 2026, India will host the India AI Impact Summit 2026 from 16–20 February at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The India AI Impact Summit 2026 is anchored on which three core pillars?

(a) Policy, Technology, and Security

(b) People, Planet, and Progress

(c) Ethics, Regulation, and Governance

(d) Growth, Equity, and Innovation

(e) Data, Infrastructure, and Skills

6) In 2026, Bharat Future City, for which Telangana and the UAE discussed cooperation at the World Economic Forum 2026, is envisioned as India’s first ______.

(a) Coastal industrial corridor city

(b) Digital-only smart city

(c) Carbon-neutral retrofitted urban zone

(d) Net-zero greenfield smart city

(e) Financial free-trade urban hub

7) As of 2026, Andhra Pradesh’s proposed new spaceport announced under the Space City initiative will be located at which place?

(a) Sriharikota

(b) Kulasekharapatnam

(c) Machilipatnam

(d) Visakhapatnam

(e) Hope Island

8) The SAMPANN (System for Accounting and Management of Pension)pension portal, recently integrated with the UMANG  (Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance)platform, is associated with pensioners of which department?

(a) Department of Telecommunications

(b) Ministry of Labour and Employment

(c) Department of Expenditure

(d) Department of Posts

(e) Ministry of Electronics and IT

9) Which bank won the ‘Best Fintech & DPI Adoption’ award at the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) Banking Technology Awards 2026?

(a) State Bank of India

(b) HDFC Bank

(c) ICICI Bank

(d) Axis Bank

(e) Karnataka Bank

10) According to the ILO report “Employment and Social Trends 2026: World of Work Series”, what is the projected global unemployment rate for 2026?

(a) 4.5%

(b) 4.7%

(c) 4.8%

(d) 4.9%

(e) 5.2%

11) The Reserve Bank of India approved the re-appointment of which senior executive as Whole-time Director of HDFC Bank for a three-year term starting April 19, 2026?

(a) Sashidhar Jagdishan

(b) Keki Mistry

(c) Sunil Garg

(d) Kaizad Bharucha

(e) Renu Sud Karnad

12) The Competition Commission of India (CCI) approved the acquisition of a controlling stake in RBL Bank Limited by which foreign bank?

(a) Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank

(b) Qatar National Bank

(c) First Abu Dhabi Bank

(d) Mashreq Bank

(e) Emirates NBD Bank (P.J.S.C.)

13) The Competition Commission of India approved Tata Steel Limited’s acquisition of 50.01% equity in which company?

(a) Thriveni Pellets Private Limited

(b) Brahmani River Pellets Limited

(c) Tata Metaliks Limited

(d) Thriveni Earthmovers Private Limited

(e) Tata Sponge Iron Limited

14) The CCI-approved restructuring involving Bhushan Power and Steel Limited will result in a joint venture with what equity structure between JFE Steel Corporation and JSW Steel Limited?

(a) 60 : 40

(b) 51 : 49

(c) 55 : 45

(d) 50 : 50

(e) 75 : 25

15) Which two new rare ant fly species were recently discovered by researchers in India?

(a) Metadon indicus and Metadon delhii

(b) Metadon ghorpadei and Metadon reemeri

(c) Metadon bharati and Metadon keralae

(d) Metadon ghatsii and Metadon siruvanii

(e) Metadon himalayensis and Metadon malabarensis

16) As of 2026, Sunita Lyn Williams, who retired from NASA in December 2025, received which Indian civilian award in 2008 for her contributions to Science and Engineering?

(a) Padma Shri

(b) Padma Bhushan

(c) Padma Vibhushan

(d) Bharat Ratna

(e) Arjuna Award

17) In 2026, Bharat Forge Limited’s aerospace division secured contracts under the Emergency Procurement-VI (EP-VI) framework for supplying which type of systems to the Indian Army and Navy?

(a) Fighter jets and helicopters

(b) Naval warships and submarines

(c) Indigenously built unmanned systems

(d) Armoured tanks and artillery guns

(e) Missile defence systems

18) The Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Regulatory Affairs in the Power Sector was inaugurated at which institution to strengthen India’s regulatory capacity amid rapid changes in the electricity sector?

(a) IIT Bombay

(b) IIT Kanpur

(c) IIT Kharagpur

(d) IIT Madras

(e) IIT Delhi

19) During the 5th round of India–Namibia Foreign Office Consultations, both countries agreed to strengthen cooperation in which key strategic areas?

(a) Space technology and renewable energy

(b) Tourism and cultural exchanges

(c) Defence and critical minerals

(d) Banking and financial services

(e) Textiles and handicrafts

20) According to the Numbeo Safety Index 2026, which city was ranked as the safest city in India?

(a) Bengaluru

(b) Kochi

(c) Pune

(d) Mangaluru

(e) Jaipur

21) Which Indian badminton player, who recently retired after nearly two years of inactivity due to knee injuries, became World No.1 in 2015?

(a) P. V. Sindhu

(b) Saina Nehwal

(c) Jwala Gutta

(d) Ashwini Ponnappa

(e) Aparna Popat

22) Which state hosted the National Paralympic Powerlifting Championship in January 2026?

(a) Uttarakhand

(b) Punjab

(c) Himachal Pradesh

(d) Haryana

(e) Rajasthan

23) As per the report, Atal Pension Yojana (APY), launched on 9th May 2015, provides a guaranteed minimum pension ranging from:

(a) ₹500 – ₹2,500 per month

(b) ₹750 – ₹4,000 per month

(c) ₹800 – ₹4,500 per month

(d) ₹1,000 – ₹5,000 per month

(e) ₹1,500 – ₹6,000 per month

24) Who is the Chairman & Managing Director of the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI)?

(a) Rajiv Kumar

(b) Shaktikanta Das

(c) Shri Manoj Mittal

(d) Arvind Subramanian

(e) Uday Kotak

25) Which Punjabi singer launched the mobile application Friendo to enhance women’s safety in India?

(a) Diljit Dosanjh

(b) Sidhu Moosewala

(c) Jazzy B

(d) Gippy Grewal

(e) Kaka

Answers :

1) Answer: D

Short Explanation:

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, approved the continuation of Atal Pension Yojana (APY) up to FY 2030-31.

Detailed Explanation:

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, approved the continuation of Atal Pension Yojana (APY) up to FY 2030-31.

The scheme will receive government support for promotional and developmental activities to expand outreach among unorganised workers.

Gap funding will be provided to meet viability requirements and ensure the sustainability of APY.

APY ensures old-age income security for millions of low-income and unorganised sector workers.

The scheme enhances financial inclusion and supports India’s transition to a pensioned society.

APY strengthens the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047 by providing sustainable social security.

2) Answer: E

Short Explanation:

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, approved equity support of Rs 5,000 crore to the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI).

The Rs 5,000 crore equity will be infused by the Department of Financial Services (DFS) in three tranches: Rs 3,000 crore in FY 2025-26 at a book value of Rs 568.65 and Rs 1,000 crore each in FY 2026-27 and FY 2027-28 at the book value as on 31st March of the respective previous FY.

Detailed Explanation:

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, approved equity support of Rs 5,000 crore to the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI).

The Rs 5,000 crore equity will be infused by the Department of Financial Services (DFS) in three tranches: Rs 3,000 crore in FY 2025-26 at a book value of Rs 568.65 and Rs 1,000 crore each in FY 2026-27 and FY 2027-28 at the book value as on 31st March of the respective previous FY.

Post infusion, the number of MSMEs receiving financial assistance is expected to rise from 76.26 lakh (FY 2025) to 102 lakh (FY 2028), adding approximately 25.74 lakh new MSME beneficiaries.

As per official data (30.09.2025), 6.90 crore MSMEs generate 30.16 crore employment, averaging 4.37 persons per MSME. The expected addition of 25.74 lakh MSMEs is estimated to generate 1.12 crore new jobs by FY 2027-28.

3) Answer: C

Global credit rating agency Moody’s Ratings projected that India will record a GDP growth rate of 7.3% in FY26, higher than 6.5% in FY25.

The report highlighted that robust economic expansion is expected to support average household incomes and boost demand for insurance protection.

Income Growth: India’s GDP per capita rose 8.2% Y-o-Y to reach USD 11,176 in FY25.

4) Answer: A

Short Explanation:

Punjab has opened its first Dog Sanctuary in Ludhiana as a pilot project to manage stray dog populations humanely and reduce dog bite cases in urban areas.

Detailed Explanation:

Punjab has opened its first Dog Sanctuary in Ludhiana as a pilot project to manage stray dog populations humanely and reduce dog bite cases in urban areas.

The sanctuary will house and care for stray dogs, aiming to balance public safety with animal welfare.

The initiative was inaugurated by Sanjeev Arora, Punjab Cabinet Minister for Local Government, highlighting the government’s commitment to responsible urban governance and humane treatment of animals.

The facility will operate in strict compliance with Supreme Court guidelines and Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, focusing on sterilisation, vaccination, and controlled relocation.

5) Answer: B

Short Explanation:

India will host the India AI Impact Summit 2026 from 16–20 February at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, as the first global AI summit in the Global South.

The summit is anchored on People, Planet, and Progress, focusing on responsible AI, governance, innovation, global collaboration, and AI-driven development aligned with Viksit Bharat 2047.

Detailed Explanation:

India will host the India AI Impact Summit 2026 from 16–20 February at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, as the first global AI summit in the Global South.

The summit is anchored on People, Planet, and Progress, focusing on responsible AI, governance, innovation, global collaboration, and AI-driven development aligned with Viksit Bharat 2047.

It will bring together policymakers, researchers, industry leaders, startups, and civil society, positioning India as a key voice on inclusive, ethical, and people-centric AI.

The summit is structured around seven Chakras operationalizing the three Sutras:

Human Capital – AI reskilling and workforce readiness.

Inclusion for Social Empowerment – Citizen-centric AI solutions.

Safe and Trusted AI – Responsible AI governance frameworks.

Resilience, Innovation, and Efficiency – Sustainable and equitable AI adoption.

Science – Promoting research and innovation, addressing data inequities.

Democratizing AI Resources – Equitable access to AI infrastructure.

AI for Economic Growth & Social Good – AI applications with societal and economic impact.

6) Answer: D

Short Explanation:

Telangana and the UAE agreed to explore cooperation for Bharat Future City during the World Economic Forum 2026.

Bharat Future City is planned as India’s first net-zero greenfield smart city, designed to be a global urban and economic centre with a focus on sustainability, smart infrastructure, and innovation.

Detailed Explanation:

Telangana and the UAE agreed to explore cooperation for Bharat Future City during the World Economic Forum 2026.

Bharat Future City is planned as India’s first net-zero greenfield smart city, designed to be a global urban and economic centre with a focus on sustainability, smart infrastructure, and innovation.

The UAE-Telangana discussions were held between Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism, and A Revanth Reddy, Telangana CM, highlighting strategic investment and partnership opportunities.

7) Answer: E

Short Explanation:

Andhra Pradesh CM N. Chandrababu Naidu announced a new spaceport at Hope Island under the Space City initiative to support private and commercial launch missions.

Detailed Explanation:

Andhra Pradesh CM N. Chandrababu Naidu announced a new spaceport at Hope Island under the Space City initiative to support private and commercial launch missions.

The facility will focus on small and medium-lift launch vehicles and complement existing national launch centres.

With this, India’s spaceport network will include Satish Dhawan Space Centre (Sriharikota), Kulasekharapatnam SSLV Launch Complex, and Hope Island for different mission profiles.

The project diversifies launch capabilities, reduces dependence on a single site, and enhances efficiency for multiple types of missions.

It encourages private sector participation, supporting startups and companies in space technology and catering to the rising demand for small satellite launches.

Hope Island’s location on India’s eastern coastline provides an advantage for eastward launches, leveraging Earth’s rotation for fuel efficiency.

8) Answer: A

Short Explanation:

The SAMPANN pension portal has been integrated with the UMANG (Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance) platform, enabling nearly 4 lakh pensioners of the Department of Telecommunications to access Pension Payment Order (PPO) details and Life Certificate validity online.

SAMPANN (System for Accounting and Management of Pension) is a flagship digital platform developed by the Office of the Controller General of Communication Accounts and was dedicated to the nation in December 2018.

Detailed Explanation:

The SAMPANN pension portal has been integrated with the UMANG (Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance) platform, enabling nearly 4 lakh pensioners of the Department of Telecommunications to access Pension Payment Order (PPO) details and Life Certificate validity online.

SAMPANN (System for Accounting and Management of Pension) is a flagship digital platform developed by the Office of the Controller General of Communication Accounts and was dedicated to the nation in December 2018.

The system manages the entire pension lifecycle, including pension processing, disbursement, and grievance redressal, marking a shift from system-centric to pensioner-centric governance.

The platform enables pensioners to receive pensions directly into their bank accounts and access services digitally, significantly reducing the need for physical visits to offices or banks, which is especially beneficial for senior citizens.

9) Answer: E

Short Explanation:

Karnataka Bank won the ‘Best Fintech & DPI Adoption’ award at the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) Banking Technology Awards 2026, recognising its excellence in digital banking and technology adoption.

The award highlights the bank’s strong integration of fintech solutions and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), including digital payments, online banking services, and backend system efficiency.

Detailed Explanation:

Karnataka Bank won the ‘Best Fintech & DPI Adoption’ award at the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) Banking Technology Awards 2026, recognising its excellence in digital banking and technology adoption.

The award highlights the bank’s strong integration of fintech solutions and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), including digital payments, online banking services, and backend system efficiency.

The bank was also runner-up in the ‘Best Tech Talent’ category, reflecting its focus on building skilled IT and digital teams.

Karnataka Bank received Special Mentions in categories such as Best Technology Bank, Best Digital Financial Inclusion, and Best Digital Sales, showing consistent performance across innovation, inclusion, and customer outreach.

10) Answer: D

Short Explanation:

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) released the report titled ‘Employment and Social Trends 2026: World of Work Series’ from Geneva, Switzerland.

The global unemployment rate is projected to remain at 4.9% in 2026, equivalent to 186 million people still lacking access to quality jobs, and this rate will remain unchanged until 2027.

Detailed Explanation:

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) released the report titled ‘Employment and Social Trends 2026: World of Work Series’ from Geneva, Switzerland.

The global unemployment rate is projected to remain at 4.9% in 2026, equivalent to 186 million people still lacking access to quality jobs, and this rate will remain unchanged until 2027.

The global jobs gap, capturing people wanting paid work but unable to access it, is expected to reach 408 million in 2026.

The share of workers living in extreme poverty declined by 3.1 percentage points to 7.9% between 2015–2025, yet nearly 300 million workers still earn less than USD 3 per day.

The global informality rate increased by 0.3 percentage points between 2015–2025, with 2.1 billion workers projected to be informally employed in 2026, mainly in Africa and Southern Asia.

11) Answer: D

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approved the continuation of senior leadership at HDFC Bank, ensuring stability at India’s largest private sector lender.

The approval covers the re-appointment of Kaizad Bharucha as Whole-time Director on HDFC Bank’s board for a fresh three-year term starting April 19, 2026.

RBI approval is mandatory for senior bank appointments under India’s banking regulations, highlighting regulatory oversight on governance and management continuity.

12) Answer: E

Short Explanation:

Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved the proposed acquisition of a significant stake in RBL Bank Limited by Emirates NBD Bank (P.J.S.C.) (ENBD).

The proposed acquisition involves ENBD acquiring 51% to 74% shareholding in RBL Bank, resulting in change of control.

Detailed Explanation:

Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved the proposed acquisition of a significant stake in RBL Bank Limited by Emirates NBD Bank (P.J.S.C.) (ENBD).

The proposed acquisition involves ENBD acquiring 51% to 74% shareholding in RBL Bank, resulting in change of control.

The transaction includes a mandatory open offer under SEBI (SAST) Regulations, 2011 for up to 26% of the expanded voting capital of RBL Bank.

It also includes a preferential allotment of equity shares amounting to up to 60% of the total paid-up equity share capital of RBL Bank.

13) Answer: A

Short Explanation:

Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved Tata Steel Limited’s (TSL) acquisition of 50.01% equity share capital of Thriveni Pellets Private Limited (TPPL) from Thriveni Earthmovers Private Limited.

The approval gives Tata Steel Limited (TSL)majority ownership and control (50.01%) in Thriveni Pellets Private Limited (TPPL).

Detailed Explanation:

Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved Tata Steel Limited’s (TSL) acquisition of 50.01% equity share capital of Thriveni Pellets Private Limited (TPPL) from Thriveni Earthmovers Private Limited.

The approval gives Tata Steel Limited (TSL)majority ownership and control (50.01%) in Thriveni Pellets Private Limited (TPPL).

TPPL is engaged in the production and sale of iron ore pellets in India, a key raw material for steel manufacturing.

Brahmani River Pellets Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of TPPL, is also involved in the production and sale of iron ore pellets in India.

Tata Steel Limited (TSL) is a listed public company engaged in integrated steel manufacturing, covering the entire value chain from mining to steelmaking and downstream processing.

14) Answer: D

Short Explanation:

Competition Commission of India (CCI) approved the proposed combination involving Bhushan Power and Steel Limited (BPSL), JSW Sambalpur Steel Limited, JFE Steel Corporation (Japan) and JSW Kalinga Steel Limited.

The transaction involves a major restructuring to establish a 50:50 Joint Venture (JV) between JFE Steel Corporation and JSW Steel Limited.

Detailed Explanation:

Competition Commission of India (CCI) approved the proposed combination involving Bhushan Power and Steel Limited (BPSL), JSW Sambalpur Steel Limited, JFE Steel Corporation (Japan) and JSW Kalinga Steel Limited.

The transaction involves a major restructuring to establish a 50:50 Joint Venture (JV) between JFE Steel Corporation and JSW Steel Limited.

The steel business undertaken byBPSL (Target Business) will be transferred to JSW Sambalpur Steel Limited through a slump sale route.

JFE Steel Corporation (JFE) will acquire a 50% direct equity stake in JSW Kalinga Steel Limited as part of the transaction.

15) Answer: B

Short Explanation:

Researchers from Kerala and Tamil Nadu (TN) discovered two new rare ant fly species named Metadon ghorpadei and Metadon reemeri.

Metadon ghorpadei was found in Delhi’s Northern Ridge forest, while Metadon reemeri was discovered in the Siruvani Hills of the Western Ghats.

Detailed Explanation:

Researchers from Kerala and Tamil Nadu (TN) discovered two new rare ant fly species named Metadon ghorpadei and Metadon reemeri.

Metadon ghorpadei was found in Delhi’s Northern Ridge forest, while Metadon reemeri was discovered in the Siruvani Hills of the Western Ghats.

This marks the first discovery of ant fly species in over 100 years in India, highlighting the importance of conserving urban forest ecosystems.

The findings were published in the international journal Zootaxa after morphological and Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) analysis.

Both species belong to the Microdontinae subfamily under the Syrphidae (hoverflies) family.

16) Answer: B

Short Explanation:

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) announced the retirement of Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Lyn Williams from service effective 27th December 2025, ending her 27-year career in human space exploration.

In 2008, she was awarded the Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian award in India, for contributions in Science and Engineering.

Born on 19th September 1965 in Ohio, USA, Sunita Williams is a former US Navy officer and one of NASA’s most experienced astronauts.

Detailed Explanation:

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) announced the retirement of Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Lyn Williams from service effective 27th December 2025, ending her 27-year career in human space exploration.

In 2008, she was awarded the Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian award in India, for contributions in Science and Engineering.

Born on 19th September 1965 in Ohio, USA, Sunita Williams is a former US Navy officer and one of NASA’s most experienced astronauts.

She was commissioned in the US Navy in 1987, became a Naval Aviator in 1989, and flew helicopters on deployments to the Mediterranean, Red Sea, and Persian Gulf, including Hurricane Andrew relief.

She trained and served as a test pilot and instructor, flew over 30 aircraft, and logged over 3,000 flight hours.

In 1998, she was selected by NASA as an astronaut candidate and trained in spacecraft systems, robotics, T-38 jet flight, survival training, and Russian space operations.

17) Answer: C

Short Explanation:

Bharat Forge Limited (BFL)’s aerospace division secured contracts worth nearly Rs 300 crore under the Emergency Procurement-VI (EP-VI) framework for the supply of indigenously built unmanned systems to the Indian Army (IA) and Indian Navy (IN).

Detailed Explanation:

Bharat Forge Limited (BFL)’s aerospace division secured contracts worth nearly Rs 300 crore under the Emergency Procurement-VI (EP-VI) framework for the supply of indigenously built unmanned systems to the Indian Army (IA) and Indian Navy (IN).

Under the EP-VI framework, the total value of each contract is capped at Rs 300 crore, with equipment delivery required within one year of signing.

Key Platforms covered under the contracts include Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platforms, such as Omega One and Omega Nine ISR drones, and loitering munitions named Bayonet and Cleaver.

Omega One was displayed during Army Day (January 15, 2026) in Jaipur, Rajasthan, mounted on an upgraded BMP-2 infantry combat vehicle, providing short to medium-range battlefield surveillance.

18) Answer: E

Short Explanation:

Union Minister Manohar Lal of Ministry of Power (MoP) and Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA) inaugurated the Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Regulatory Affairs in the Power Sector at IIT Delhi, New Delhi.

Detailed Explanation:

Union Minister Manohar Lal of Ministry of Power (MoP) and Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA) inaugurated the Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Regulatory Affairs in the Power Sector at IIT Delhi, New Delhi.

The CoE is jointly established by IIT Delhi, Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC), and Grid Controller of India Limited (Grid India) to strengthen India’s regulatory capacity amid rapid changes in the electricity sector.

Purpose: The CoE will function as a national hub for regulatory research, capacity building, advisory support, and knowledge dissemination.

19) Answer: C

Short Explanation:

India and Namibia held the 5th round of Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) and agreed to deepen cooperation in defence, critical minerals, health, agriculture, and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), reaffirming commitment to South–South Cooperation.

Detailed Explanation:

India and Namibia held the 5th round of Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) and agreed to deepen cooperation in defence, critical minerals, health, agriculture, and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), reaffirming commitment to South–South Cooperation.

The consultations reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral relations, including trade and investment, health and pharmaceuticals, education, capacity building, agriculture, infrastructure development, consular matters, and cultural exchanges. Both sides expressed satisfaction over progress since previous high-level engagements.

A major outcome was the decision to strengthen cooperation in defence and critical minerals, which has gained strategic importance amid global supply chain disruptions and tightening export controls on rare earths and critical minerals, especially by China.

20) Answer: D

Short Explanation:

The Numbeo Safety Index 2026 was released in January 2026, covering 304 cities worldwide, and ranks cities based on public perception of safety and crime levels.

Qingdao (China) ranked as the world’s safest city with a safety score of 89.2, while Mangaluru (Karnataka) emerged as the safest city in India, ranking 46th globally with a score of 74.4.

Detailed Explanation:

The Numbeo Safety Index 2026 was released in January 2026, covering 304 cities worldwide, and ranks cities based on public perception of safety and crime levels.

Qingdao (China) ranked as the world’s safest city with a safety score of 89.2, while Mangaluru (Karnataka) emerged as the safest city in India, ranking 46th globally with a score of 74.4.

The index is released by Numbeo, a crowd-sourced global database, using user surveys on factors such as safety while walking alone at night, violent crime, property crime, and overall security.

Survey responses are scored from –2 to +2, statistically filtered and weighted, and converted into a safety score ranging from 0 to 100, where a higher score indicates greater perceived safety.

21) Answer: B

Short Explanation:

Saina Nehwal, one of India’s most celebrated badminton players, has officially retired after nearly two years of inactivity due to severe knee injuries, including cartilage degeneration and arthritis.

She revealed that elite-level badminton demands 8–9 hours of daily training, but her knees allowed only 1–2 hours, forcing her to step away from competitive play.

Detailed Explanation:

Saina Nehwal, one of India’s most celebrated badminton players, has officially retired after nearly two years of inactivity due to severe knee injuries, including cartilage degeneration and arthritis.

She revealed that elite-level badminton demands 8–9 hours of daily training, but her knees allowed only 1–2 hours, forcing her to step away from competitive play.

Olympic Achievement: Saina won bronze at the 2012 London Olympics, becoming the first Indian woman to win an Olympic medal in badminton, inspiring a new generation of players.

World No.1: In 2015, she became World No.1, only the second Indian after Prakash Padukone to reach the top ranking.

22) Answer: A

Short Explanation:

Uttarakhand hosted the National Paralympic Powerlifting Championship in January 2026, which was inaugurated by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami through a virtual ceremony from COER University, Roorkee.

Detailed Explanation:

Uttarakhand hosted the National Paralympic Powerlifting Championship in January 2026, which was inaugurated by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami through a virtual ceremony from COER University, Roorkee.

The event highlighted India’s commitment to inclusive sports and empowerment of persons with disabilities.

The championship is a prestigious national-level para-sports event focused on Paralympic powerlifting, a discipline that tests physical strength, mental resilience, discipline, and determination.

It provides competitive exposure to para-athletes and plays an important role in talent identification for future international events, including the Paralympic Games and World Championships.

23) Answer: D

About Atal Pension Yojana (APY) :

Launch Date: APY was launched on 9th May 2015 to provide old-age income security to unorganised sector workers.

Scheme Features: APY offers a guaranteed minimum pension of ₹1,000 to ₹5,000 per month starting at age 60, based on contributions.

Progress: As of 19th January 2026, over 8.66 crore subscribers have been enrolled under APY.

Need for Extension: Continuous government support is essential for awareness, capacity building, and bridging viability gaps to ensure scheme sustainability.

24) Answer: C

About Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI):

It is an All India Development Financial Institution (DFI) focused on financing and developing Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in India.

Headquarters: Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh

Founded: April 2, 1990, by the Government of India

Chairman & Managing Director: Shri Manoj Mittal

25) Answer: E

In a step beyond music, Punjabi singer Kaka has launched a new mobile application called Friendo to enhance women’s safety in India. The app focuses on providing quick emergency assistance and digital support tools for women and girls.