Current Affairs Quiz January 2026

Notes:
A powerful winter storm rapidly intensified into a bomb cyclone named Winter Storm Ezra across the United States of America (USA). More than 58 million people were under winter storm warnings, with blizzards, strong winds, and power outages. A bomb cyclone forms when atmospheric pressure drops sharply within 24 hours, causing extreme weather. Authorities warned against travel as hazardous conditions continue moving eastward.

Notes:
On New Year, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) launched Voice over WiFi (VoWiFi), also called Wi-Fi Calling, across all telecom circles in India. VoWiFi allows voice calls and messages over a Wi-Fi network using the same mobile number and dialer. It works well in weak mobile signal areas like homes, basements, offices, and remote regions. The service is Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS)-based, supporting smooth Wi-Fi to mobile handover. VoWiFi is free of cost, reduces network congestion, and supports rural connectivity with broadband access.

Notes:
Exercise DESERT CYCLONE–II concluded at Al-Hamra Training City, Abu Dhabi, from 18–30 December. It was a joint military exercise between the Indian Army and UAE Land Forces, strengthening defence partnership and regional security. Training combined classroom instruction and field exercises, focusing on urban operations and sub-conventional operations under a United Nations mandate. Troops practiced urban combat, building clearance, IED awareness, casualty evacuation, first aid, heliborne operations, air assault missions, and platoon-level assaults. The exercise enhanced interoperability, operational synergy, and standardisation of tactics for future multinational operations.

Notes:
The first Yarn Processing Plant of Purvanchal will be set up in Mirzapur district, Uttar Pradesh. The plant will provide locally processed yarn to the carpet industry, reducing dependence on other states. The Mirzapur–Bhadohi belt is a major hub for handmade carpet production and export. The project is being developed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model with an estimated investment of ₹8 crore. Local weavers and carpet manufacturers will benefit from lower raw material costs and timely yarn supply. The plant is expected to be completed by April 2026 and is supported by the Uttar Pradesh Textile & Garmenting Policy 2022.

Notes:
Puri city in Odisha has been officially upgraded from a municipality to a Municipal Corporation, becoming the 6th city in the state with this status. The upgrade was notified by the Housing and Urban Development Department. Other municipal corporations in Odisha are Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Berhampur, Sambalpur, and Rourkela. The move aims to improve civic amenities, infrastructure, and services for residents, pilgrims, and visitors. It will also allow access to central schemes for pilgrim centres and major urban areas. Four towns—Loisingha, Chandikhol, Jashipur, and Basta—were declared Notified Area Councils (NACs), and Berhampur Municipal Corporation jurisdiction was expanded.

Notes:
The 44th Junior National Kho Kho Championship began at Atal Bihari Vajpayee Stadium, Gunjur, Bengaluru. Around 1,000 young athletes from states and union territories are competing in boys’ and girls’ categories. Nearly 40 matches were played on the opening day. The tournament follows a league-cum-knockout format, with semifinals on 3 January and finals on 4 January 2026. 58th Senior National Kho Kho will be in Kazipet, Telangana (11–15 January), and 35th Sub-Junior Nationals in Kurukshetra, Haryana (31 Jan–4 Feb).

Notes:
The Albert Ekka Brigade celebrated its 56th Raising Day at Agartala Military Station with solemn ceremonies. The brigade fought in the 1971 India-Pakistan war from the Tripura sector, including Operation Cactus Lily. The brigade has earned highest gallantry awards in war and peacetime, including the Param Vir Chakra. Lance Naik Albert Ekka of 14th Guards was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra for bravery in the Battle of Gangasagar. The 1971 war included Operations Cactus Lily and Nut Cracker, leading to Pakistan’s surrender on 16 December 1971 and the creation of Bangladesh.

Notes:
The Tamil Nadu government has approved the first Jallikattu event of 2026 on 3 January at Thatchankurichi village, Pudukkottai district. Approval was issued by the Animal Husbandry, Dairying, Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare Department under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, as amended in 2017. The event must follow the state-prescribed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for animal welfare, public safety, and crowd management. Jallikattu is a traditional bull-taming sport celebrated primarily in Tamil Nadu.

Notes:
The Indian government has asked the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to study a request from Maldives for help in managing Hanimaadhoo International Airport (HAQ). Hanimaadhoo International Airport is located on Hanimaadhoo Island, Haa Dhaalu Atoll, northern Maldives. The airport was originally developed as a domestic airport in 1986 and upgraded to international status in 2012. India supported its redevelopment and expansion with an $800 million line of credit from EXIM Bank of India.

Notes:
In 2025, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) achieved more than 92% conviction rate and key operational successes. The NIA arrested several terrorists and associates linked to the Pahalgam and Delhi attacks and filed charge sheets against seven accused, including Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and The Resistance Front (TRF). Across 55 cases, 276 arrests were made: 67 jihadi, 74 Left-Wing Extremism (LWE), 37 Northeast insurgency, 28 pro-Khalistan, 11 gangster-related, 59 others.The National Investigation Agency (NIA) was established in 2008 after the Mumbai terror attacks to combat terrorism. The agency operates under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, with its headquarters in New Delhi, led by the Director-General.