Current Affairs Quiz - January 2026

Notes:
India will debut its Long-Range Anti-Ship Hypersonic Glide Missile (LR-AShM) at the 77th Republic Day parade, marking entry into the hypersonic anti-ship weapons club. LR-AShM is an indigenous missile developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for the Indian Navy. It is designed to destroy high-value naval targets like aircraft carrier battle groups at very long ranges. The missile enhances maritime deterrence in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and strengthens Anti-Access/Area Denial (A2/AD) capability.

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The central government has announced India’s first tailings policy to guide recovery of critical minerals from both primary sources and secondary sources like mine dumps and tailings. Tailings are leftover materials produced after processing mined ore. They contain finely ground rock, unrecoverable or uneconomic metals, chemicals, organic matter, and liquid waste from extraction processes. Tailings usually exist as a liquid slurry formed during crushing, grinding, and processing of ore.

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The Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD) has been named a finalist for the 2026 Franz Edelman Award for its Anna Chakra initiative. Anna Chakra is a supply chain optimisation tool developed under India’s Public Distribution System (PDS). It is an operations research–based decision support system that optimises state-wise food grain logistics. The initiative was created through a Government–United Nations–Academia partnership involving DFPD, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) in India, and Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi. It uses advanced algorithms to identify optimal transport routes and ensure smooth movement of food grains across the supply chain.

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Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla was conferred the Ashoka Chakra, India’s highest peacetime gallantry award, by President Droupadi Murmu during the 77th Republic Day celebrations at Kartavya Path. Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair will be awarded the Kirti Chakra. Shubhanshu Shukla travelled to the International Space Station (ISS) in 2025 as part of the Axiom-4 mission, becoming the second Indian in space after Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma. The award recognises his exceptional courage, leadership, presence of mind and swift decision-making under demanding space mission conditions.

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The Gujarat government announced that under the Namo Laxmi Scheme, it will provide Rs 1,250 crore in the 2025-26 academic year to over 12 lakh girls in secondary and higher secondary education. The scheme aims to ensure financial constraints do not prevent girls from continuing education after primary school. It was launched by Gujarat government. The initiative is inspired by earlier Gujarat programs promoting girl education, including Shala Praveshotsav, and aims to empower girls through education and health support.

Notes:
Researchers discovered a new wildflower species named Lepidagathis konkanensis in the Konkan region of Maharashtra. It was found in Ratnagiri district during a floristic survey of lateritic plateaus, which are iron-rich and harsh habitats. The species is currently known from a very small area of less than 65 square kilometres. The name honours the Konkan region, which is isolated by the Arabian Sea and Sahyadri Mountains. Scientists recommend its status as Data Deficient under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Notes:
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi launched the Samikshya portal for real-time monitoring of development projects. It tracks works funded under the State Finance Commission (SFC) and Central Finance Commission (CFC) grants. Citizens, officials, and elected representatives can monitor projects like roads, drinking water, sanitation, street lights, parks, and public utilities. It emphasizes equity, regional balance, and the needs of rural and urban bodies. The portal aims to improve transparency, accountability, and timely execution of grassroots projects.

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The Indian Army has officially selected the US-based firm Shield AI to supply its advanced V-BAT autonomous drones under an emergency procurement deal, marking a major step in adopting AI-driven warfare systems. This procurement is significant as it enables India to integrate Hivemind AI software, allowing sovereign development and control of autonomous military capabilities. The V-BAT autonomous unmanned aerial system (UAS) is developed and manufactured by Shield AI, a US-based defense technology company. The V-BAT is classified as a Group 3 Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) designed for long-endurance and high-risk missions.

Notes:
India launched its first pilot for an Artificial Intelligence (AI)–enabled university at Chaudhary Charan Singh University (CCSU), Meerut. The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) partnered with Google Cloud and CCSU for this initiative. The project was announced at Google’s AI for Learning Forum in Delhi. Google Cloud’s Gemini platform will support teaching, learning, and university administration. Students will get personalised AI tutors, skill-gap analysis, and career-linked learning support.

Notes:
Uttarakhand won the national award for ‘Best State for Promotion of Aviation and Ecosystem’ at WINGS INDIA 2026. The event was held from 29–31 January at Begumpet Airport, Hyderabad. The award was received by Uttarakhand’s Additional Secretary Ashish Chauhan from the Union Civil Aviation Minister. Recognition came for expanding air connectivity and managing a safe, smooth Char Dham Yatra. The state strengthened helicopter services to Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri, developing heliports and helipads.