Current Affairs Quiz - January 2026

Notes:
India did not attend the ceremonial launch of the Board of Peace, even though it had received a formal invitation from U.S. President Donald Trump. The Board of Peace is a United States–led intergovernmental initiative announced by President Donald Trump during the World Economic Forum (WEF) held in Davos, Switzerland. The primary mandate of the Board is to oversee post-war reconstruction and governance of the Gaza Strip through a technocratic administrative framework rather than traditional political mechanisms. Its long-term vision includes expanding its role to address and resolve global conflicts in situations where existing international institutions are perceived to have failed.

Notes:
World’s oldest known rock art discovered in Liang Metanduno cave, Muna Island, Indonesia. The artwork is a hand stencil with fingers deliberately narrowed to resemble a claw or animal feature. Uranium-series dating shows the calcium carbonate layer covering the artwork is at least 67,800 years old. This surpasses the previous record of 51,200 years for a wild pig painting in Leang Karampuang cave, South Sulawesi.

Notes:
India’s first indigenous and privately manufactured C-295 aircraft will roll out from Vadodara, Gujarat. It was built by Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) in partnership with Airbus Defence and Space. It marks a shift from public-sector to private-sector defence manufacturing, advancing Make in India (Defence) initiative. Vadodara facility (opened 2024) is India’s first private-sector final assembly line (FAL) for military aircraft.

Notes:
The Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar is an annual award instituted by the Government of India to recognize individuals and institutions for outstanding contribution in the field of disaster management. The award is announced every year on 23rd January, the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. Lieutenant Colonel Seeta Ashok Shelke of the Indian Army received the award in the Individual Category for her exceptional leadership during disaster response operations. She led large-scale Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) efforts in Wayanad, Kerala, during the 2024 floods and landslides. The Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA) was awarded in the Institutional Category for its outstanding institutional approach to disaster preparedness and response.

Notes:
The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) has constituted the Strategic Asset Allocation and Risk Governance (SAARG) Committee to modernise the investment framework of the National Pension System (NPS). It is a high-level committee of investment experts tasked with reviewing and recommending reforms for both government and non-government NPS sectors. The objective is to strengthen the long-term investment architecture of NPS through better diversification, improved risk management, and expanded investment choices for subscribers.

Notes:
In January 2026, Sikkim Police has been conferred the President’s Police Colour Award (Nishaan). The award recognises outstanding service, professionalism, bravery, discipline, and dedication. Nishaan is worn with pride on the left sleeve of the uniform. Since Independence, only 14 states have received this prestigious award. Sikkim becomes the 15th state overall and 3rd in the North East to receive it.

Notes:
PESA (Panchayats Extension to Scheduled Areas) State Rankings for 2024–25 were released. Maharashtra secured 1st position, Madhya Pradesh 2nd, and Himachal Pradesh 3rd among the 10 States with Fifth Schedule Areas. The rankings assess implementation of the PESA Act, which strengthens Gram Sabhas and Panchayats in Scheduled Areas. The rankings aim to promote Gram Sabha-centric self-governance, evidence-based policy interventions, and identify areas needing focused support. The initiative reflects a collective commitment of the Centre and States for outcome-oriented PESA implementation.

Notes:
India’s first flat rolled products (FRP) aluminium unit was inaugurated at Hindalco’s Aditya Aluminium plant in Lapanga, Sambalpur, Odisha. A Rs 834-crore specialised battery foil unit was also inaugurated, and foundation laid for a Rs 21,162-crore smelter plant expansion. The projects are expected to create over 5,000 jobs, boost downstream manufacturing, and generate new livelihood opportunities.

Notes:
Kheechna (Bhagoria) Festival is a tribal festival celebrated by the Bhil and Garasia communities. It is observed mainly in western Madhya Pradesh and southern Rajasthan, annually for about seven days in March (Phalguna), before Holi. The festival traditionally allows young men and women to choose partners freely for informal unions. These unions are without formal marriage rituals, priests, dowry, or written documentation. Recent reports highlight adverse impacts on underage girls in rural areas due to the practice.

Notes:
Recently, North Korea fired a ballistic missile towards the Sea of Japan, raising regional security concerns. The Sea of Japan, also called the East Sea, is a marginal sea of the western Pacific Ocean. It lies between Japan and Sakhalin Island on the eastern side and Russia, North Korea, and South Korea on the western side. It connects to the East China Sea through the Tsushima Strait and the Korea Strait. In the north, it links with the Sea of Okhotsk through the La Perouse Strait and the Tatar Strait.