Daily Current Affairs Quiz: January 7, 2026

Notes:
Scientists discovered a new species of reed snake in Mizoram and named it Calamaria mizoramensis after the state. It is a non-venomous snake, meaning it does not produce poison harmful to humans. The species is nocturnal, active mainly at night, and semi-fossorial, meaning it partly lives underground. It inhabits humid, forested hill regions at elevations of 670 to 1,295 metres above sea level, even near human settlements. The snake is small, with a dark brown to blackish body, faint stripes, and a yellow underside.

Notes:
A three-year-old tiger cub identified as PKT7CP1, rescued three years ago after losing its mother, has been moved to Dnyanganga Wildlife Sanctuary for rewilding. Dnyanganga Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Buldhana district of Maharashtra near the Dnyanganga River. It forms part of the Melghat Tiger Reserve, supporting tiger conservation and rewilding efforts. The sanctuary covers about 205 square kilometres and contains two lakes. It is surrounded by scenic hills of the Western Ghats, a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Site.

Notes:
Recently, the government announced relaxation for deep-tech startups to get recognition under the Industrial Research and Development Promotion Program (IRDPP). It is a Research and Development (R&D) programme of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), Government of India. The programme supports research in Engineering Science, Environmental Science, Natural and Applied Sciences, Agricultural, Medical, and Social Sciences. Funding and recognition are provided by DSIR.

Notes:
Recently, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) developed a portable desalination device named Sea Water Desalination System (SWaDeS). It is designed to meet drinking water needs of soldiers in remote and field conditions. The system can be manually operated or engine-driven and was developed by Defence Laboratory, Jodhpur for Tri-command services. The manual version can be carried by one person and supports 10–12 personnel during emergencies. It is suitable for naval operations, coastal areas, and inland saline regions like Pangong Tso in Ladakh.

Notes:
National Siddha Day is observed every year in India on January 6 to mark the birth anniversary of Sage Agathiyar, regarded as the father of the Siddha system of medicine. The day coincides with the Ayilyam star in the Tamil month of Margazhi. The first National Siddha Day was observed on 4 January 2018. The 9th National Siddha Day falls on 6 January 2026.