Current Affairs Quiz - January 2026

Notes:
The red-eared slider turtle, spread through the pet trade, is threatening freshwater bodies in Coimbatore. It is among the world’s most widely introduced freshwater turtles, found on all continents except Antarctica. This predominantly aquatic species is identified by red stripes behind each ear. It is highly adaptable, survives harsh conditions, and thrives in non-native habitats. It lives 20–50 years in the wild and is listed as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Notes:
The release of silt-laden water from Pandoh Dam into the Sutlej River instead of the Beas River has caused objections from the Punjab Government. Pandoh Dam is an embankment and concrete gravity dam built on the Beas River in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh, about 10 km from Manali. It was completed in 1977 under the Beas Project mainly for hydroelectric power generation. The dam is about 76 metres high and 492 metres long and follows a run-of-the-river design. Beas River water is diverted through 38 km long canals and tunnels to the Dehar Power House and then released into the Sutlej River.

Notes:
For the first time, the Tamil Nadu Forest Department has started a study on the Madras Hedgehog in the Theri forests. Madras Hedgehog, locally called Mulleli, is a small mammal also known as the bare-bellied hedgehog, discovered in 1851. It has sharp spines on the back and soft white fur on the belly, using spines for protection from predators. It is nocturnal, curls into a ball for defence, and survives in dry and harsh landscapes. It inhabits dry scrublands, thorn forests, grasslands, and farmland edges. The species is endemic to peninsular India, found in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and parts of Karnataka.

Notes:
The U.S. has officially withdrawn from the World Health Organization (WHO), one year after President Donald Trump announced the exit. The WHO is the United Nations’ specialized health agency coordinating global responses to health threats like mpox, Ebola, and polio. The U.S. owes WHO about $280 million in unpaid dues and voluntary contributions. The U.S. no longer participates in WHO committees, governance, or technical working groups, including global flu monitoring.

Notes:
NITI Aayog recently released a report titled “Enhancing Circular Economy of End-of-Life Vehicles in India”, warning of a looming crisis with end-of-life vehicles (ELVs). ELVs in India are expected to rise to 50 million by 2030, from 23 million by 2025, posing safety risks and being a major source of pollution. Older vehicles emit up to 8 times more pollutants than BS-VI standard vehicles. The Vehicle Scrappage Policy (2021) aims to phase out old vehicles through Automated Testing Stations (ATS) and Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facilities (RVSF), offering incentives like scrap value, fee waivers, and tax rebates (up to 25% for non-transport, 15% for transport vehicles).

Notes:
Recently, the Union Minister of Jal Shakti inaugurated 25 JALAJ Livelihood Centres. JALAJ is a joint initiative of the Namami Gange Mission and the Wildlife Institute of India (WII). It aims to link Ganga river conservation with sustainable livelihoods in the Ganga river basin. The initiative follows a circular economy model by training local people in eco-friendly livelihood practices. It promotes community ownership of conservation with special focus on women’s participation. JALAJ creates a symbiotic relationship between rivers and local communities.

Notes:
India recently confirmed two Nipah virus cases in West Bengal, with authorities containing the situation through surveillance and airport screenings. Nipah virus (NiV) is a zoonotic virus, meaning it spreads from animals to humans and also through contaminated food or human-to-human contact. Fruit bats of the Pteropodidae family are the natural hosts of Nipah virus. It is listed by the World Health Organization (WHO) under the Research and Development (R&D) Blueprint due to its epidemic potential.

Notes:
Two paraglider pilots were rescued by the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) after falling into Tehri Lake during the Acro Festival and Simulation of Incidents in Flight (SIV) Championship Tehri 2026. Tehri Lake is an artificial reservoir located near Tehri Garhwal town in Uttarakhand. It was formed during the construction of the Tehri Dam by diverting the Bhagirathi River. The lake is situated at an altitude of about 1,700 metres above sea level. It has a depth of nearly 262 metres and a length of around 42 kilometres.

Notes:
The Vishwamitri River flows through Vadodara in Gujarat and is called India’s Crocodile River due to mugger crocodiles. It is a small, non-perennial river originating from the western and southern slopes of the Pavagadh Hills in eastern Gujarat. The river flows westward through Vadodara, joins tributaries Dhadar and Jambuva, and drains into the Arabian Sea via the Gulf of Khambhat. It hosts the protected mugger crocodile (Crocodylus palustris).

Notes:
A 29-year-old man in Karnataka died after contracting Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD), also called monkey fever. Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD) is a tick-borne viral haemorrhagic disease mostly found in southern India, first reported in 1957 from Kyasanur Forest, Karnataka. The virus belongs to the family Flaviviridae, genus Flavivirus, part of the tick-borne encephalitis complex. It is called monkey fever due to its association with monkey deaths.