Dear Readers, Daily Current Affairs Questions Quiz for SBI, IBPS, RBI, RRB, SSC Exam 2026 of 29th 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 of the following institutions will the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) primarily rely on for regulatory and supervisory oversight of Indian clearing houses under the new MoU?

(a) Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)

(b) Ministry of Finance, Government of India

(c) Reserve Bank of India (RBI)

(d) Clearing Corporation of India Limited (CCIL)

(e) International Monetary Fund (IMF)

2) According to the SEBI household survey, what percentage of Indian households invested in securities markets such as equities, mutual funds, and corporate bonds?

(a) 6.7%

(b) 9.5%

(c) 15%

(d) 21%

(e) 53%

3) Which insurance company has launched the non-linked, non-participating deferred annuity plan called “Swabhimaan Retirement”?

(a) LIC of India

(b) HDFC Life Insurance

(c) SBI Life Insurance

(d) ICICI Prudential Life Insurance

(e) Bharti AXA Life Insurance

4) Under the RBI’s Priority Sector Lending (PSL) (Targets and Classification) Amendment Directions, 2026, what is the revised PSL target for Small Finance Banks (SFBs)?

(a) 40% of ANBC or CEOBSE

(b) 50% of ANBC or CEOBSE

(c) 60% of ANBC or CEOBSE

(d) 75% of ANBC or CEOBSE

(e) 90% of ANBC or CEOBSE

5) As of 2026, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued the revised Integrated Ombudsman Scheme which will come into effect from which date?

(a) 1 April 2025

(b) 1 January 2026

(c) 19 January 2026

(d) 1 July 2026

(e) 26 January 2026

6) Which company has partnered with Google Pay to offer collateral-free personal loans to users across India?

(a) Bajaj Finserv

(b) Tata Capital

(c) HDFC Life

(d) SMFG India Credit

(e) Paytm Payments Bank

7) From which date will the Foreign Exchange Management (Export and Import of Goods and Services) Regulations, 2026 replacing the 2015 regulations notified by RBI come into effect?

(a) 1 April 2026

(b) 1 July 2026

(c) 1 October 2026

(d) 31 December 2026

(e) 26 January 2027

8) Under the RBI’s proposed framework for foreign exchange (FX) risk, what is the minimum capital charge that banks must maintain on their net open FX positions?

(a) 9%

(b) 7.5%

(c) 8%

(d) 11%

(e) 15%

9) As of 2026, Researchers from which institution developed a new framework to predict glacial hazards in the Eastern Himalayan region?

(a) IIT Delhi

(b) IIT Guwahati

(c) IIT Bombay

(d) Jawaharlal Nehru University

(e) Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology

10) Under which Article of the Constitution of India was the Uniform Civil Code (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026 promulgated in Uttarakhand?

(a) Article 123

(b) Article 200

(c) Article 210

(d) Article 213

(e) Article 368

11) The Namo Laxmi Scheme, which provides ₹1,250 crore financial assistance for girl students in Classes 9 to 12, has been launched by which state government?

(a) Gujarat

(b) Madhya Pradesh

(c) Maharashtra

(d) Rajasthan

(e) Haryana

12) Which microorganism has been declared as the State Microbe of Kerala, making it the first Indian state to recognize a microorganism officially?

(a) Lactobacillus acidophilus

(b) Escherichia coli

(c) Rhizobium leguminosarum

(d) Bacillus subtilis

(e) Streptomyces griseus

13) According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report “State of Finances for Nature: Nature in the Red”, what is the imbalance ratio between spending on nature-negative activities and investment in protecting nature?

(a) 5 : 1

(b) 10 : 1

(c) 20 : 1

(d) 25 : 1

(e) 30 : 1

14) Who has been elected as the new President of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) after the resignation of Randhir Singh?

(a) Thomas Bach

(b) Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani

(c) Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah

(d) Imran Khwaja

(e) Sunil Gavaskar

15) Who has been appointed as the Head Coach of the Indian Senior Women’s National Football Team ahead of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026?

(a) Thomas Dennerby

(b) Amelia Valverde

(c) Pia Sundhage

(d) Maymol Rocky

(e) Vera Pauw

16) Which artist will become the second-youngest songwriter to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2026?

(a) Alanis Morissette

(b) Kenny Loggins

(c) Taylor Swift

(d) Paul Stanley

(e) Gene Simmons

17) As of 2026, India and the European Union signed their first comprehensive Defence and Security Partnership during which event?

(a) G20 Summit 2026

(b) 77th Republic Day celebrations

(c) BRICS Summit 2026

(d) India–EU Economic Forum

(e) SCO Summit 2026

18) Which company retained its position as the world’s most valuable Information Technology services brand in 2026, according to Brand Finance?

(a) IBM

(b) TCS

(c) Infosys

(d) Capgemini

(e) Accenture

19) Which country returned its last two giant panda cubs, leaving it without pandas for the first time since 1972?

(a) South Korea

(b) Malaysia

(c) Thailand

(d) Vietnam

(e) Japan

20) Which company has received BIS certification to commercially launch its residential Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in India?

(a) Tata Power

(b) Reliance Energy

(c) Ola Electric

(d) Bosch India

(e) Hero Electric

21) Which aerospace company has partnered with Adani Defence& Aerospace to develop a made-in-India Regional Transport Aircraft (RTA)?

(a) Embraer

(b) Airbus

(c) Boeing

(d) Lockheed Martin

(e) Dassault Aviation

22) Which bank regained its position as the second-most valuable bank in India by market capitalization, surpassing ICICI Bank?

(a) HDFC Bank

(b) Axis Bank

(c) Kotak Mahindra Bank

(d) State Bank of India (SBI)

(e) Punjab National Bank

23) On which date is International Data Privacy Day observed annually?

(a) 24 January

(b) 28 January

(c) 27 January

(d) 30 January

(e) 1 February

24) How much budget allocation did the Government of India provide in Union Budget 2025–26 specifically for cybersecurity strengthening?

(a) ₹500 crore

(b) ₹650 crore

(c) ₹782 crore

(d) ₹850 crore

(e) ₹1,000 crore

25) Which Indian state reported the highest household participationwith 21% in securities markets according to the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) survey?

(a) Maharashtra

(b) Goa

(c) Gujarat

(d) Delhi

(e) Karnataka

Answers :

1) Answer: C

Short Explanation:

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on January 27, 2026, for cooperation and information exchange related to Central Counterparties (CCPs) regulated by RBI.

This MoU replaces the earlier agreement signed on 28 February 2017, which had lapsed, updating the framework for supervisory cooperation between the two authorities.

Detailed Explanation:

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on January 27, 2026, for cooperation and information exchange related to Central Counterparties (CCPs) regulated by RBI.

This MoU replaces the earlier agreement signed on 28 February 2017, which had lapsed, updating the framework for supervisory cooperation between the two authorities.

The agreement enables RBI and ESMA to cooperate on oversight of CCPs in accordance with their respective legal and regulatory frameworks, resolving a long-standing impasse.

The MoU establishes a framework for ESMA to rely on RBI’s regulatory and supervisory activities for Indian clearing houses (like CCIL), while safeguarding EU financial stability.

The agreement strengthens India–EU financial market linkages and reinforces global coordination in the regulation of critical financial market infrastructures.

The MoU was signed by Vivek Deep, Executive Director of RBI, and Verena Ross, Chair of ESMA.

2) Answer: B

Short Explanation:

A survey by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) revealed that out of 33.72 crore Indian households, only 3.21 crore households (9.5%) invested in securities markets such as equities, mutual funds, and corporate bonds.

Detailed Explanation:

A survey by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) revealed that out of 33.72 crore Indian households, only 3.21 crore households (9.5%) invested in securities markets such as equities, mutual funds, and corporate bonds.

Household awareness was highest for mutual funds (53%) and ETFs (49%), while participation in complex instruments like corporate bonds, derivatives, REITs, InvITs, and AIFs remained extremely limited.

About 6.7% of households reported holding mutual funds or ETFs, while only 5.3% held direct equities, showing restricted participation even in market-linked products.

Geographic disparities were evident, with urban households reporting 74% awareness of at least one securities product, compared to 56% in rural areas.

Among states and regions, Delhi led with 21% participation, followed by Maharashtra (17%), Goa (16%), and Gujarat (15%), while Nagaland (3%), Uttarakhand, and Meghalaya (4.5%) recorded the lowest participation.

3) Answer: E

Short Explanation:

Bharti AXA Life Insurance has launched a non-linked, non-participating individual deferred annuity plan named “Swabhimaan Retirement” to help customers lock in current annuity rates and secure guaranteed lifelong income.

The plan offers lifetime annuity payouts on a monthly, quarterly, half-yearly, or annual basis, with a joint-life option to ensure continued income for the surviving spouse.

Detailed Explanation:

Bharti AXA Life Insurance has launched a non-linked, non-participating individual deferred annuity plan named “Swabhimaan Retirement” to help customers lock in current annuity rates and secure guaranteed lifelong income.

The plan offers lifetime annuity payouts on a monthly, quarterly, half-yearly, or annual basis, with a joint-life option to ensure continued income for the surviving spouse.

The plan provides Premium Payment Term (PPT) options of 2, 3, and 5 years, with deferment periods of up to 7 years under select annuity options.

The plan allows partial withdrawal of surrender value after completion of premium payments, subject to policy terms and conditions.

The plan includes an Atmanirbhar option, allowing customers to withdraw funds in case of emergency.

4) Answer: C

Short Explanation:

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued the Priority Sector Lending (PSL) (Targets and Classification) Amendment Directions, 2026, to align the Priority Sector Lending (PSL) framework with updated capital adequacy, credit risk transfer, securitisation, and regulatory norms notified in 2025.

PSL targets remain unchanged for most banks, with Domestic Commercial Banks and Foreign Banks (20+ branches) required to lend 40% of ANBC/CEOBSE, Foreign Banks with fewer than 20 branches also at 40% (with export credit capped at 32%), and Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) at 75%, subject to a 15% cap for Medium Enterprises, Social Infrastructure, and Renewable Energy.

Detailed Explanation:

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued the Priority Sector Lending (PSL) (Targets and Classification) Amendment Directions, 2026, to align the Priority Sector Lending (PSL) framework with updated capital adequacy, credit risk transfer, securitisation, and regulatory norms notified in 2025.

PSL targets remain unchanged for most banks, with Domestic Commercial Banks and Foreign Banks (20+ branches) required to lend 40% of ANBC/CEOBSE, Foreign Banks with fewer than 20 branches also at 40% (with export credit capped at 32%), and Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) at 75%, subject to a 15% cap for Medium Enterprises, Social Infrastructure, and Renewable Energy.

Small Finance Banks (SFBs) PSL target has been revised to 60% of ANBC or CEOBSE (whichever is higher), replacing the earlier 75% requirement.

The National Co-operative Development Corporation (NCDC) has been included as an eligible on-lending entity for PSL, subject to quarterly certification by a CAG-empanelled auditor, applicable to loans sanctioned after 19 January 2026.

5) Answer: D

Short Explanation:

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued the revised Integrated Ombudsman Scheme, which will come into effect from 1 July 2026, to strengthen the RBI Ombudsman framework and improve efficiency in complaint resolution.

Detailed Explanation:

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued the revised Integrated Ombudsman Scheme, which will come into effect from 1 July 2026, to strengthen the RBI Ombudsman framework and improve efficiency in complaint resolution.

The Scheme is issued under Section 35A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, Section 45L of the RBI Act, 1934, Section 18 of the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007, and Section 11 of the Credit Information Companies (Regulation) Act, 2005.

The Scheme applies to all Commercial Banks, Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), State Co-operative Banks, Central Co-operative Banks, and Scheduled/Non-Scheduled Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks with a deposit size of ₹50 crore or more, as per the last audited balance sheet.

6) Answer: D

Short Explanation:

SMFG India Credit (SMICC) has partnered with Google Pay to offer collateral-free personal loans to users across India.

Eligible Google Pay users can now apply for personal loans directly within the app, enabling quick and seamless digital loan disbursement (often within minutes).

Detailed Explanation:

SMFG India Credit (SMICC) has partnered with Google Pay to offer collateral-free personal loans to users across India.

Eligible Google Pay users can now apply for personal loans directly within the app, enabling quick and seamless digital loan disbursement (often within minutes).

The collaboration aims to expand access to formal credit, especially for underserved and emerging customer segments, supporting the vision of a digitally inclusive economy.

The digital lending process is designed to be fast, safe, and flexible, catering to India’s increasingly digital-savvy population.

The initiative promotes financial inclusion by providing formal credit facilities to individuals who may have previously lacked access to traditional banking.

The partnership strengthens SMICC’s position in the digital ecosystem, leveraging innovative technology to increase social impact.

7) Answer: C

Short Explanation:

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has notified the Foreign Exchange Management (Export and Import of Goods and Services) Regulations, 2026, replacing the 2015 regulations, effective from 1 October 2026.

Detailed Explanation:

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has notified the Foreign Exchange Management (Export and Import of Goods and Services) Regulations, 2026, replacing the 2015 regulations, effective from 1 October 2026.

Exporters of goods must submit an Export Declaration Form (EDF) at the time of export, while exporters of services must submit the EDF within 30 days from the end of the month of invoicing, with flexibility for consolidated or delayed submissions subject to Authorised Dealer approval.

Export proceeds must generally be realised and repatriated within 15 months, extended to 18 months for INR-invoiced exports, with Authorised Dealer banks empowered to grant extensions on valid grounds.

8) Answer: A

Short Explanation:

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has proposed changes to the framework for calculating banks’ net foreign exchange (FX) exposure and the capital requirements for FX risk.

Under the proposed framework, banks must maintain a minimum capital charge of 9% on their net open foreign exchange positions.

Detailed Explanation:

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has proposed changes to the framework for calculating banks’ net foreign exchange (FX) exposure and the capital requirements for FX risk.

The objective of the proposals is to align India’s FX risk norms with global standards (Basel Committee) and ensure uniform implementation across all regulated entities.

Under the proposed framework, banks must maintain a minimum capital charge of 9% on their net open foreign exchange positions.

The revised rules mandate that FX risk capital be maintained at the close of each business day, thereby strengthening daily risk management.

The RBI has invited public feedback on the proposals, which are proposed to come into effect from 1 April 2027.

9) Answer: B

Short Explanation:

Researchers from Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati have developed a new scientific framework to predict glacial hazards in the Eastern Himalayan region.

Detailed Explanation:

Researchers from Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati have developed a new scientific framework to predict glacial hazards in the Eastern Himalayan region.

The study has identified 492 potential future glacial lake formation sites, which may pose risks of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods.

The findings were published in the international journal Scientific Reports, highlighting emerging climate-related risks in fragile mountain ecosystems.

Glacial hazards mainly arise due to the formation and sudden bursting of glacial lakes, known as Glacial Lake Outburst Floods.

10) Answer: D

The Government of Uttarakhand has implemented the Uniform Civil Code (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026 after receiving approval from the Governor of Uttarakhand, giving the ordinance immediate legal effect.

The ordinance has been promulgated under Article 213 of the Constitution of India, which empowers the Governor to issue ordinances when the State Legislature is not in session.

The Uniform Civil Code (UCC) was originally implemented in Uttarakhand on 27 January 2025, making it the first state in India to enforce a comprehensive Uniform Civil Code.

11) Answer: A

Short Explanation:

The Government of Gujarat has announced Indian Rupees 1,250 crore financial assistance under the Namo Laxmi Scheme for the 2025–26 academic year.

The initiative will benefit more than 12 lakh girl students studying in Classes 9 to 12.

Detailed Explanation:

The Government of Gujarat has announced Indian Rupees 1,250 crore financial assistance under the Namo Laxmi Scheme for the 2025–26 academic year.

The initiative will benefit more than 12 lakh girl students studying in Classes 9 to 12.

The scheme aims to prevent school dropouts, improve nutrition and health, and promote secondary and higher secondary education among girls.

The Namo Laxmi Scheme is a state-sponsored initiative to support the education of girls at the secondary and higher secondary levels.

Launched under the guidance of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, the scheme ensures that financial constraints do not interrupt education after primary schooling.

12) Answer: D

Short Explanation:

Kerala has officially declared Bacillus subtilis as its State Microbe, becoming the first Indian state to accord formal recognition to a microorganism.

The move highlights the importance of microorganisms in human health, agriculture, and environmental sustainability, marking a science-driven initiative in governance.

Detailed Explanation:

Kerala has officially declared Bacillus subtilis as its State Microbe, becoming the first Indian state to accord formal recognition to a microorganism.

The move highlights the importance of microorganisms in human health, agriculture, and environmental sustainability, marking a science-driven initiative in governance.

Bacillus subtilis is a beneficial probiotic bacterium commonly found in soil, fermented foods, and the human gut.

It is widely studied for its role in improving gut health, boosting immunity, enhancing soil fertility, and controlling plant diseases.

Due to its spore-forming ability and resilience, it is extensively used in pharmaceuticals, food processing, and sustainable agriculture.

13) Answer: E

Short Explanation:

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) released the 4th edition of the report titled “State of Finances for Nature: Nature in the Red – Powering the Trillion Dollar Nature Transition Economy”, based on global financial data of 2023.

The report highlights that for every USD 1 invested in protecting nature, nearly USD 30 is spent on nature-negative activities, indicating a 30:1 imbalance.

Detailed Explanation:

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) released the 4th edition of the report titled “State of Finances for Nature: Nature in the Red – Powering the Trillion Dollar Nature Transition Economy”, based on global financial data of 2023.

The report highlights that for every USD 1 invested in protecting nature, nearly USD 30 is spent on nature-negative activities, indicating a 30:1 imbalance.

The report focuses on fast-tracking the transition away from nature-negative finance while scaling up investment in Nature-based Solutions (NbS).

In 2023, global spending on activities harmful to nature amounted to around USD 7.3 trillion.

Out of this amount, the private sector contributed USD 4.9 trillion, mainly from energy, utilities, industrial manufacturing, and basic materials sectors.

In 2024, private sector nature-negative spending increased to USD 5.5 trillion, registering a 12% rise.

14) Answer: B

Short Explanation:

Veteran Indian sports administrator and 5-time Olympic shooter Randhir Singh announced his premature resignation as President of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) due to health reasons.

After his resignation, Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC), was elected as the new OCA President during the OCA General Assembly held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

Detailed Explanation:

Veteran Indian sports administrator and 5-time Olympic shooter Randhir Singh announced his premature resignation as President of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) due to health reasons.

After his resignation, Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC), was elected as the new OCA President during the OCA General Assembly held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

In September 2024, Randhir Singh became the first Indian to be elected President of OCA, securing a 4-year term (till 2028) at the 44th OCA General Assembly in New Delhi, India.

15) Answer: B

Short Explanation:

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has officially appointed Amelia Valverde as the Head Coach of the Indian Senior Women’s National Football Team.

Detailed Explanation:

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has officially appointed Amelia Valverde as the Head Coach of the Indian Senior Women’s National Football Team.

Amelia Valverde, aged 39 years, joined the Indian training camp in Antalya, Turkey, where the Blue Tigresses are preparing for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026, scheduled in March 2026.

She is the longest-serving head coach in the history of the Costa Rican Women’s National Team, leading Las Ticas from 2015 to 2023.

16) Answer: C

Short Explanation:

Taylor Swift (aged 36) will become the second-youngest songwriter to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

She joins Stevie Wonder, who was inducted at the age of 33 in 1983, as the youngest inductees in the Hall of Fame’s history.

Detailed Explanation:

Taylor Swift (aged 36) will become the second-youngest songwriter to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

She joins Stevie Wonder, who was inducted at the age of 33 in 1983, as the youngest inductees in the Hall of Fame’s history.

The announcement was made by the Songwriters Hall of Fame and confirmed on CBS Mornings.

Taylor Swift will be inducted alongside:

Alanis Morissette

Kenny Loggins

Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons (members of the band Kiss)

The induction ceremony is scheduled to be held on 11 June 2026 at the Marriott Marquis Hotel, New York City.

17) Answer: B

Short Explanation:

India and the European Union signed their first comprehensive Defence and Security Partnership, alongside the conclusion of the India–European Union Free Trade Agreement.

The agreement was signed during the visit of European Union leaders to India for the 77th Republic Day celebrations, marking a historic expansion of bilateral ties beyond trade.

Detailed Explanation:

India and the European Union signed their first comprehensive Defence and Security Partnership, alongside the conclusion of the India–European Union Free Trade Agreement.

The agreement was signed during the visit of European Union leaders to India for the 77th Republic Day celebrations, marking a historic expansion of bilateral ties beyond trade.

This is the first-ever overarching defence and security agreement between India and the European Union, reflecting a major strategic milestone in bilateral relations.

The partnership establishes a formal and comprehensive framework for cooperation in maritime security, defence industry, defence technology, and space security.

The agreement signals that India and the European Union now view each other as reliable and long-term security partners in a volatile global security environment.

18) Answer: E

Short Explanation:

As per the Brand Finance report, the total brand value of the world’s top 25 Information Technology services brands reached United States Dollar 167.2 billion in 2026, recording a modest growth of 2 per cent compared to 2025.

Accenture retained its position as the world’s most valuable Information Technology services brand for the eighth consecutive year.

Detailed Explanation:

As per the Brand Finance report, the total brand value of the world’s top 25 Information Technology services brands reached United States Dollar 167.2 billion in 2026, recording a modest growth of 2 per cent compared to 2025.

Continued uncertainty in global technology spending has impacted the brand valuation growth of the Information Technology services sector.

Accenture retained its position as the world’s most valuable Information Technology services brand for the eighth consecutive year.

Accenture’s brand value increased by 2 per cent to United States Dollar 42.3 billion in 2026.

Tata Consultancy Services and Infosys retained their positions as the second and third most valuable Information Technology services brands globally.

Eight Indian Information Technology services companies together account for 36 per cent of total brand value, amounting to United States Dollar 60.4 billion among the top 25 brands.

19) Answer: E

Short Explanation:

Japan decided to return its last two giant panda cubs to China, leaving the country without any pandas for the first time since 1972.

Thousands of people gathered at Ueno Zoo to see the pandas for the last time, with some waiting over three and a half hours during the final viewing days in January 2026.

Detailed Explanation:

Japan decided to return its last two giant panda cubs to China, leaving the country without any pandas for the first time since 1972.

Thousands of people gathered at Ueno Zoo to see the pandas for the last time, with some waiting over three and a half hours during the final viewing days in January 2026.

The panda twins, Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, were born in 2021 and were in Japan under a breeding research loan agreement.

Under China’s panda diplomacy policy, China retains ownership of all pandas loaned abroad, with host countries typically paying around USD 1 million per pair annually.

The departure of the pandas comes amid tense Japan-China relations, which deteriorated after Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi warned of military involvement if China attacked Taiwan.

20) Answer: C

Short Explanation:

Ola Electric has received Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification to commercially launch its residential Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), marking its entry into the clean energy storage segment.

Detailed Explanation:

Ola Electric has received Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification to commercially launch its residential Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), marking its entry into the clean energy storage segment.

The approval covers the Ola Shakti 6kW/9.1kWh system, powered by indigenously developed 4680 Bharat Cells, with deliveries scheduled to begin by end-January 2026.

Ola Electric claims this is India’s first fully designed, engineered, and manufactured residential BESS, supporting the country’s goal of energy self-reliance.

21) Answer: A

Short Explanation:

Brazilian aerospace major Embraer has partnered with Adani Defence & Aerospace to develop a made-in-India Regional Transport Aircraft (RTA).

The proposed RTA is designed to seat around 90 passengers with an operational range of 500–900 km, catering to India’s regional and commuter aviation needs.

Detailed Explanation:

Brazilian aerospace major Embraer has partnered with Adani Defence & Aerospace to develop a made-in-India Regional Transport Aircraft (RTA).

The proposed RTA is designed to seat around 90 passengers with an operational range of 500–900 km, catering to India’s regional and commuter aviation needs.

The MoU focuses on local assembly and deeper indigenisation, aiming to establish India’s own Final Assembly Line (FAL) for regional aircraft.

In aviation, the Final Assembly Line (FAL) is the last stage of aircraft manufacturing, where major components like the fuselage, wings, engines, landing gear, avionics, and interiors are assembled to build a complete aircraft.

22) Answer: D

State Bank of India (SBI) surpassed ICICI Bank to regain its position as the second-most valuable bank by market capitalization after a gap of more than six years.

SBI’s market capitalisation rose to ₹9.60 trillion, slightly higher than ICICI Bank’s ₹9.57 trillion, while HDFC Bank remained the most valuable bank with a market cap of ₹14.16 trillion.

23) Answer: B

Short Explanation:

International Data Privacy Day is observed annually on 28 January to promote awareness about personal data protection and privacy in the digital age.

Detailed Explanation:

International Data Privacy Day is observed annually on 28 January to promote awareness about personal data protection and privacy in the digital age.

The day was initiated in 2006 by the Council of Europe to commemorate the signing of Convention 108, the world’s first legally binding international treaty on data protection.

The Government of India has highlighted key reforms, including the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025, and a ₹782 crore cybersecurity allocation in the Union Budget 2025–26.

24) Answer: C

The Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025, notified in November 2025, operationalise the Act by defining procedures, timelines, and compliance mechanisms.

In the Union Budget 2025–26, the Government allocated ₹782 crore specifically for cybersecurity strengthening.

25) Answer: D

About 6.7% of households reported holding mutual funds or ETFs, while only 5.3% held direct equities, showing restricted participation even in market-linked products.

Geographic disparities were evident, with urban households reporting 74% awareness of at least one securities product, compared to 56% in rural areas.

Among states and regions, Delhi led with 21% participation, followed by Maharashtra (17%), Goa (16%), and Gujarat (15%), while Nagaland (3%), Uttarakhand, and Meghalaya (4.5%) recorded the lowest participation.