Current Affairs Quiz - January 2026

Notes:
An exhibition showcasing over 40 rare pre-Partition textiles highlights how phulkari was deeply woven into women’s daily lives and social traditions. Phulkari, meaning “flower work,” is a traditional embroidery of undivided Punjab, covering present-day Punjab, Haryana, and Pakistan. The term appeared in 18th-century Punjabi literature and is linked to the Iranian art of gulkari.

Notes:
India celebrated its 77th Republic Day on January 26, 2026, at Kartavya Path, New Delhi. The day commemorates the adoption of the Constitution of India in 1950, replacing the Government of India Act, 1935, and establishing India as a sovereign republic. Republic Day is marked by ceremonial parades, military displays, and cultural showcases in the national capital. Chief guests for 2026 were António Costa, head of the European Council, and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, highlighting India-EU engagement. The theme for Republic Day 2026 was “150 Years of Vande Mataram”.

Notes:
The Supreme Court refused to hear a petition against ‘VIP darshan’ at Shri Mahakaleshwar Temple, saying courts should not act as gatekeepers for temple entry. Shri Mahakaleshwar Temple is a Hindu temple located on the banks of the Shipra River in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas (sacred Shiva shrines) in India. The temple is mentioned in ancient Hindu scriptures, Puranas, and works of poet Kalidas.

Notes:
India and the European Union (EU) agreed to strengthen cooperation on peaceful uses of nuclear energy under the India–Euratom agreement. The European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) was established in 1957 under the Treaty of Rome. Its objective is to develop a common market for the peaceful use of atomic energy across Europe. Euratom promotes nuclear energy development at a European level, excluding military nuclear materials.

Notes:
Amid controversy over reducing its boundary, the Forest Minister recently visited Shettihalli Wildlife Sanctuary to assess the situation. The sanctuary is located in Shimoga (Shivamogga) district of Karnataka and covers about 395.6 square kilometres. The Tunga Anicut Dam lies within the sanctuary and supports otters and several water bird species. Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary is part of Shettihalli and is a major bird nesting site on an island in the Tunga River. The area has tropical evergreen, semi-evergreen, dry deciduous, and moist deciduous forests.

Notes:
Captain Hansja Sharma became the Indian Army’s first woman pilot qualified to fly the Rudra Armed Helicopter. She led the 251 Army Aviation Squadron during the Army Day Parade 2026 in Rajasthan. She topped training at the Combat Army Aviation Training School (CAATS), Nashik. She is the first woman officer to receive the Silver Cheetah Trophy for best combat aviator. She also secured First in Order of Merit in the 107th Air Traffic Management and Air Laws course. Rudra, also called Advanced Light Helicopter–Weapon System Integrated (ALH-WSI), is an indigenous armed helicopter by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

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:
Dhamtari district became the first in India to launch online tax collection through the SAMARTH Panchayat portal. The initiative was rolled out at Sankara Gram Panchayat in Nagri block, Chhattisgarh. A resident successfully paid property tax using a Unified Payments Interface (UPI)–linked online gateway. The system allows rural citizens to pay taxes from home, reducing arrears and easing administration. It will cover nearly 400 gram panchayats in the district. Sankara became India’s first gram panchayat with end-to-end digital tax payment.

Notes:
22 states and Union Territories have requested the Centre to increase honorarium for cooks and helpers under the PM-POSHAN scheme. PM-POSHAN, formerly Mid-Day Meal Scheme, is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme run by the Ministry of Education. It provides one hot cooked meal per school day to children in Balvatikas (pre-primary) and Classes 1 to 8 in government and government-aided schools.

Notes:
The Cities of Care Conference was inaugurated at IIT Madras Research Park by the University of Toronto India Foundation (UTIF), IIT Madras School of Sustainability, and University of Toronto School of Cities. The conference brings together global universities, research institutions, policymakers, and practitioners to advance climate action and sustainable urban development in India. The Sustainable India 2025 report, released during the conference with REVOLVE, highlights India’s progress and challenges in energy transition, waste management, urban resilience, and decarbonising industries.