Current Affairs Quiz - January 2026

Notes:
Gujarat Government led by Chief Minister (CM) Bhupendra Patel approved the Indian Artificial Intelligence Research Organization (IAIRO) at Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City), Gandhinagar. Gujarat became the first state in India to establish a national Artificial Intelligence (AI) research institution under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. IAIRO will start operations on 1 January 2026 as a non-profit under Section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013. It will follow a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model via State Government, Central Government and Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA).

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The Institute of Kidney Diseases and Research Centre (IKDRC-ITS) at Ahmedabad Civil Medical College completed 500 kidney transplants in 2025, setting a national record for a public hospital. Institute of Kidney Diseases and Research Centre (IKDRC-ITS) is the only government-run hospital in India to perform 500 kidney transplants in a single year, reinforcing its leadership in kidney transplantation. The institute operates under Gujarat government’s Health Department and provides advanced medical care to economically weaker patients.

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The European Union has started implementing the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), affecting steel and aluminium exporters. This adds pressure on Indian metal exporters already facing a 50% duty on exports to the United States. Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) was introduced by the European Union. It is an import duty on goods produced outside Europe, based on carbon emissions during production. CBAM targets products made using carbon-intensive processes compared to EU climate standards. CBAM is in a transitional phase from 2023 to 2025 and will be fully implemented in 2026. It currently covers steel, aluminium, cement, electricity, fertilisers and selected other products.

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Fourteen-year-old Amieyra Khoslla won the Gold Medal in Youth Girls (Under-17) at the 29th National Sport Climbing Championship (NSCC) 2025 held in Bengaluru from 26–29 December. She competed in the bouldering discipline, showing excellent strength, technique, and calm mindset. In the qualification round on 27 December, she scored a perfect 100.0, topping all four bouldering problems. The championship was organised by the Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF) with the General Thimayya National Academy of Adventure (GETHNAA).

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Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) completed nine years on 1 January 2026. It was launched on 1 January 2017. It provides financial support to pregnant women and lactating mothers. It is a centrally sponsored scheme under Mission Shakti’s sub-scheme ‘Samarthya’, offering benefits through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). It aims to support women from socially and economically disadvantaged sections, improve health-seeking behaviour, and ensure better maternal and child health outcomes. Beneficiaries receive ₹5,000 for the first child and ₹6,000 for the second girl child in two instalments.

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Denmark has ended letter delivery after 401 years, becoming the first country to fully phase out traditional mail. The decision comes as digital communication and a 90% drop in mail volumes since 2000 made letter delivery uneconomical. PostNord, the state-owned postal service, delivered its final letters and will now focus on parcels and e-commerce. Around 1,500 public mailboxes were removed and auctioned for charity; citizens must now drop letters at shop kiosks for DAO, a private delivery service. While reflecting Denmark’s high digital integration, the change may disadvantage older people and those without reliable internet.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 72nd National Volleyball Tournament via video conferencing. The inaugural ceremony took place at Dr. Sampoorna­nand Sports Stadium in Varanasi. The tournament takes place from January 4 to January 11, 2026. More than 1,000 players are participating across 58 teams representing various states and institutions. The event aims to showcase high-level competition, sportsmanship, and emerging talent in Indian volleyball. Hosting the tournament in Varanasi highlights the city’s growing sports infrastructure and focus on athletic development. T

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Delhi government plans to declare rabies a notifiable disease to strengthen disease surveillance and early outbreak detection. A notifiable disease is legally required to be reported to government health authorities. Timely notification helps monitor disease trends and provides early warning of outbreaks. The Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 gives the legal basis for notifying diseases in India. Diseases are notified based on incidence, severity, communicability, outbreak potential, and risk of international spread.

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Ladakh’s double-humped Bactrian camels will debut at the 77th Republic Day parade, highlighting their unique heritage. Scientifically known as Camelus bactrianus, they are large even-toed ungulates called Ladakh’s “silent warriors”. They are native to Central Asia, ranging from Afghanistan to China, mainly in the Mongolian steppes and Gobi Desert. In India, small populations survive in the high-altitude cold desert of Nubra Valley, Ladakh. They are mainly herbivores and are listed as Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

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The Indian Army has declared 2026 as the ‘Year of Networking & Data Centricity’ to build a future-ready force. The focus is on stronger connectivity, real-time decision-making, and higher combat effectiveness. Jointness, self-reliance, and innovation are the core pillars of military power. Data centricity treats data as a key combat asset shared across platforms instantly. This enables faster targeting, efficient troop movement, and better resource use. It shifts the Army from platform-centric to network-centric warfare. The initiative supports indigenisation, defence modernisation, and seamless Army–Navy–Air Force operations.