Current Affairs Quiz - January 2026

Notes:
SPREE 2025 (Scheme for Promotion of Registration of Employers and Employees) extended from 1 January 2026 to 31 January 2026. SPREE 2025 was launched by Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC). The scheme, approved during the 196th meeting of the ESI Corporation chaired by Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, aims to enhance social security coverage under the Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) Act. SPREE 2025 allows unregistered employers and employees to join the ESI framework without undergoing inspections, providing past contribution demands, or submitting prior records.

Notes:
A new study suggests ulcerative colitis may be triggered when a normally hidden protective layer of immune cells beneath the gut lining becomes thinner. Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) affecting the colon and rectum. It causes long-term inflammation and ulcers in the inner lining of the large intestine. Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an immune-mediated condition with cycles of flare-ups and remission.

Notes:
The Government of India launched the Export Promotion Mission with a total outlay of ₹25,060 crore for FY 2025–26 to FY 2030–31 to strengthen India’s export competitiveness. The Mission focuses on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), first-time exporters, labour-intensive sectors, market diversification, and value-added exports. It is jointly implemented by the Department of Commerce, Ministry of MSME, and Ministry of Finance. The Mission has two sub-schemes: NIRYAT PROTSAHAN (financial support) and NIRYAT DISHA (non-financial support). Under NIRYAT PROTSAHAN, interest subvention is provided on pre- and post-shipment rupee export credit to reduce export credit costs.

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Scientists recently used drones to detect a dangerous Cetacean morbillivirus (CeMV) among whales in the Arctic. Cetacean morbillivirus is a viral infection affecting marine mammals, especially cetaceans like whales, dolphins, and porpoises. CeMV has caused multiple outbreaks worldwide, particularly in the North Atlantic and the Mediterranean. Transmission occurs through respiratory routes and direct contact, with the virus shed via ocular and respiratory secretions, urine, feces, and sloughed skin. The virus affects the respiratory and neurological systems, leading to mass strandings and deaths of marine mammals.

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SARAS Mela 2026 is held in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, from 6–18 January 2026, marking the first time the national-level event is hosted there. The Mela brings together Women’s Self-Help Groups (SHGs) from all States and Union Territories, with around 300 women artisans and entrepreneurs participating. The objective of event is to promote economic empowerment of women SHG members through sustainable livelihoods and provide national-level exposure and market access.

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India inaugurated the world’s second National Environmental Standard Laboratory (NESL) and the world’s fifth National Primary Standard Facility for Solar Cell Calibration at CSIR–National Physical Laboratory (NPL), New Delhi. NESL will provide India-specific calibration and certification of air pollution monitoring systems, supporting regulatory bodies, industries, and startups, and improving policy enforcement under programmes like the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP).

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The Adani Group has started the 570 megawatt (MW) Wangchhu Hydro Electricity Project in Bhutan. It is a run-of-river hydropower project on the Wangchu River in Chukha district, Bhutan. The Wangchu River, called Raidāk River in India, is a tributary of the Brahmaputra River. The project is developed by Wangchhu Hydroelectric Power Limited (WHPL). WHPL is a joint venture of Adani Power Limited (APL) and Druk Green Power Corporation Limited (DGPC). DGPC holds 51% stake and APL holds 49%. The ₹6,000 crore project follows the Build, Own, Operate and Transfer (BOOT) model.

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Researchers discovered three new meadow katydid species in Jammu and Kashmir named Conocephalus usmanii, Conocephalus nagariensis, and Conocephalus ganderbali. Katydids are mainly nocturnal insects found on all continents except Antarctica. More than 8,000 species exist, belonging to the family Tettigoniidae. They are orthopterans, meaning straight-winged insects, related closely to crickets. Katydids are also called long-horned grasshoppers or bush crickets. They have long thread-like antennae and leaf-like bodies for camouflage. Most are herbivores with a lifespan of about one year.

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Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant launched the new edition of the book History That India Ignored by veteran journalist and Asian News International (ANI) Chairman Prem Prakash. The second edition details Veer Vinayak Damodar Savarkar’s life and wrongful arrest, correcting decades of misrepresentation. It highlights the battle of Imphal by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose’s Indian National Army. A chapter is dedicated to Goa’s liberation from Portuguese rule, recognizing local courage and sacrifice. Prem Prakash personally witnessed Goa’s liberation and the book revisits untold stories of India’s freedom struggle.

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The India International Conference on Democracy and Election Management (IICDEM 2026) unveiled its official logo ahead of the three-day conference at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, from January 21, 2026. The conference is organised by the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM) under the Election Commission of India (ECI). The theme of the conference is “Democracy for an inclusive, peaceful, resilient and sustainable world.” The logo features stylised human forms resembling protective hands, symbolising citizens as the foundation of democracy and the responsibility to safeguard democratic values.