Current Affairs Quiz - January 2026

Notes:
NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope discovered a new astronomical object named Cloud-9. Cloud-9 is a starless, gas-rich, dark-matter-dominated cloud, classified as a Reionization-Limited H I Cloud (RELHIC). It is located 14 million light-years from Earth, near the spiral galaxy Messier 94 (M94). The cloud is made of neutral hydrogen (H I) spanning about 4,900 light-years, with a mass approx 1 million times the Sun. Cloud-9’s dark matter mass is estimated at 5 billion solar masses. It is a relic of early galaxy formation, a “failed galaxy” that did not form stars.

Notes:
India’s indigenous Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRAShM) will be showcased at the Republic Day parade on 26 January. LRAShM is a hypersonic glide missile developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Hypersonic glide vehicles (HGVs) like LRAShM glide unpredictably after rocket launch, unlike traditional ballistic missiles. The missile combines extreme speed and maneuverability, making it hard to intercept with current air defenses.

Notes:
World Hindi Day is observed on January 10 every year. The date marks the anniversary of the first World Hindi Conference, held in Nagpur in 1975. The day is officially observed by the Government of India, primarily through Indian embassies and missions abroad. The day highlights how Hindi connects people across borders, especially Indian communities living abroad.

Notes:
Seventy-eight-year-old Congress leader Siddaramaiah became the longest-serving Chief Minister of Karnataka on January 7, 2026, surpassing the record of his role model and social justice icon D. Devaraj Urs. D. Devaraj Urs served as Chief Minister for seven years and 239 days across two terms (1972–1977 and 1978–1980), while Siddaramaiah has served since May 2023, after completing a full earlier term from 2013 to 2018. Urs is remembered for land reforms, while Siddaramaiah earned the image of “champion of the poor” through Bhagya schemes and later five guarantee schemes.

Notes:
The Ministry of Textiles launched the District-Led Textiles Transformation initiative at the National Textile Ministers Conference in Guwahati. It is a strategic programme to promote inclusive and sustainable growth in India’s textile sector. The aim is to develop 100 high-potential districts as Global Export Champions and transform 100 Aspirational Districts into self-reliant textile hubs. Districts are classified based on export performance, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises ecosystem, and workforce availability.

Notes:
National Youth Day (Yuva Diwas) is observed across India on January 12. The day honours the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, a philosopher, spiritual leader, and inspiration for India’s youth. Swami Vivekananda’s teachings focus on self-confidence, discipline, and service to the nation, guiding generations even today. The Government of India declared 12 January as National Youth Day in 1984 to motivate youth and encourage their active participation in nation-building.

Notes:
The Kerala government has renamed Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary as Aralam Butterfly Sanctuary, making it the first butterfly sanctuary in the state. The sanctuary is located in Kerala and shares boundaries with Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary in Karnataka, Kottiyoor Wildlife Sanctuary, and the North Wayanad forest division. It consists mainly of evergreen and semi-evergreen forest vegetation. The Cheenkanni River, originating from the Brahmagiri ranges, flows through the dense forests of the sanctuary.

Notes:
India’s largest oilseed crop, mustard, is under threat from the parasitic weed Orobanche aegyptiaca in Rajasthan and Haryana. Orobanche aegyptiaca, locally called Margoja, is a root-parasitic flowering weed that extracts water, carbon, and nutrients from crops, causing severe yield loss. It is native to the Mediterranean–West Asian region and has spread to South Asia, North Africa, and parts of Europe. The weed thrives in north-western India and its seeds remain viable in soil for up to 20 years. It spreads via wind, irrigation, farm tools, and contaminated soil.

Notes:
The Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy delivered India’s national statement at the 16th Assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The International Renewable Energy Agency is an intergovernmental organisation founded in 2009 to support countries in transitioning to a sustainable energy future. It serves as a global platform for cooperation and as a knowledge hub for renewable energy policy, technology, resources, and finance. Its headquarters is located in Abu Dhabi.

Notes:
The Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) stated in its Annual Ground Water Quality Report-2025 that Andhra Pradesh faces widespread groundwater contamination as per Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) is a multidisciplinary scientific organization under the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti. It is the national apex agency responsible for scientific management, exploration, monitoring, assessment, augmentation, and regulation of groundwater in India.