Test your knowledge with 25+ objective MCQs based on major events and current affairs from January 1, 2026.
Geopolitics and World News Involving India (10 Questions)
1. On January 1, 2026, India and Pakistan exchanged lists of their nuclear installations under which bilateral agreement?
A) Shimla Agreement
B) Lahore Declaration
C) Agreement on the Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear Installations and Facilities
D) Tashkent Agreement
Answer: C.
Explanation: This annual exchange on New Year’s Day is a confidence-building measure under the 1988 agreement, prohibiting attacks on each other’s nuclear facilities.
2. Which country officially adopted the euro on January 1, 2026, becoming the 21st member of the eurozone?
A) Croatia
B) Bulgaria
C) Romania
D) Sweden
Answer: B.
Explanation: Bulgaria replaced the lev with the euro, marking a significant step in its EU integration.
3. Israeli President Isaac Herzog offered assistance to which country following a deadly fire at a ski resort bar on January 1, 2026?
A) France
B) Austria
C) Switzerland
D) Italy
Answer: C.
Explanation: The fire in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, killed at least 46 people, suspected to be caused by pyrotechnics during New Year celebrations.
4. On January 1, 2026, Zohran Mamdani was inaugurated as the Mayor of which major city?
A) New York City
B) Los Angeles
C) Chicago
D) Washington D.C.
Answer: A.
Explanation: Mamdani became New York City’s mayor, marking a notable political shift in the city’s leadership.
5. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attended a New Year’s Eve party at Mar-a-Lago hosted by whom on December 31, 2025 (into January 1, 2026)?
A) Joe Biden
B) Elon Musk
C) Kamala Harris
D) Donald Trump
Answer: D.
Explanation: Netanyahu rang in 2026 with US President Donald Trump, highlighting ongoing geopolitical ties.
6.Which Pacific island nation was the first to welcome 2026 due to its time zone?
A) Fiji
B) Kiribati
C) Samoa
D) Tonga
Answer: B.
Explanation: Kiribati’s Line Islands (including Kiritimati/Christmas Island) crossed into 2026 first.
7.Vodafone Idea received a GST penalty order of approximately what amount on January 1, 2026?
A) ?638 crore
B) ?800 crore
C) ?1,000 crore
D) ?2,000 crore
Answer: A.
Explanation: The penalty was issued by the Office of Additional Commissioner, Central Goods and Service Tax, Ahmedabad; the company plans to challenge it.
8. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that India’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper Train will soon be flagged off between which cities?
A) Delhi-Mumbai
B) Chennai-Bengaluru
C) Kolkata-Guwahati
D) Ahmedabad-Jaipur
Answer: C.
Explanation: The train between Howrah (Kolkata) and Guwahati will have fares lower than air travel.
9. On January 1, 2026, food delivery platforms like Swiggy and Zomato reported a surge in orders despite a strike by gig workers from which union?
A) IFAT
B) CITU
C) Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh
D) GIPSWU
Answer: D.
Explanation: The Gig & Platform Service Workers Union (GIPSWU) strike had negligible impact on operations.
10. Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended New Year greetings on January 1, 2026, praying for what in society?
A) Unity and strength
B) Peace and happiness
C) Progress and innovation
D) Health and wealth
Answer: B.
Explanation: In his message, Modi wished for good health, prosperity, and peace and happiness in society.
Indian Polity and Governance (8 Questions)
11. The Government of India launched which intervention on January 1, 2026, to support exporters, especially MSMEs?
A) Market Access Support (MAS)
B) Export Incentive Scheme
C) Atmanirbhar Bharat Export Boost
D) GEM Portal Expansion
Answer: A.
Explanation: MAS under the Export Promotion Mission provides financial and institutional aid for global market access.
12. Gujarat approved the establishment of IAIRO, India’s first national AI research organization under PPP model, to start operations from when?
A) January 1, 2026
B) April 1, 2026
C) July 1, 2026
D) December 31, 2026
Answer: A.
Explanation: The Indian Artificial Intelligence Research Organization (IAIRO) in GIFT City is a non-profit under Section 8.
13. DRDO conducted a salvo launch of which missiles off the Odisha coast as part of user trials on or around January 1, 2026?
A) Agni-V
B) Pralay
C) BrahMos
D) Akash
Answer: B.
Explanation: Two Pralay short-range ballistic missiles were launched successfully.
14. From January 1, 2026, which financial change requires lenders in co-lending frameworks to retain at least 10% of loans?
A) SEBI guideline
B) IRDAI rule
C) RBI updated framework
D) Finance Ministry directive
Answer: C.
Explanation: RBI’s updated co-lending rules ensure fair risk-sharing.
15. Potential implementation of which Pay Commission could affect government employees’ salaries from January 1, 2026?
A) 7th
B) 8th
C) 9th
D) 10th
Answer: B.
Explanation: The 8th Pay Commission is expected as the 7th’s term ends December 31, 2025.
16. The Delhi Cabinet approved which bill on January 1, 2026, to decriminalise minor offences?
A) Delhi Jan Kalyan Bill
B) Delhi Ease of Doing Business Bill
C) Delhi Jan Vishwas (Amendment) Bill
D) Delhi Governance Reform Bill
Answer: C.
Explanation: It aims to simplify compliance and reduce penalties for minor violations.
17. India is predicted to experience above-average cold-wave days in January 2026, particularly in which regions?
A) Southern and Western
B) Northern and Coastal
C) Central and Eastern
D) Himalayan and Northeastern
Answer: C.
Explanation: As per IMD Director-General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra.
18. Maruti Suzuki is considering revising prices upwards for small cars after a previous reduction due to what?
A) GST hike
B) GST benefit of 8.5%
C) Fuel price rise
D) Import duty changes
Answer: B.
Explanation: The company reduced prices beyond the GST benefit last year.
Sports (4 Questions)
19. The Premier League transfer window reopened on January 1, 2026, and closes on which date?
A) January 31
B) February 2
C) February 15
D) March 1
Answer: B.
Explanation: It closes earlier at 7pm on Monday, February 2, 2026.
20. College Football Playoff quarterfinal games were scheduled for which date in 2026?
A) January 1, 2026
B) January 3, 2026
C) January 4, 2026
D) January 10, 2026
Answer: A.
Explanation: Traditional New Year’s Day bowl games included CFP quarterfinals.
21. The Australian Open tennis tournament begins on which date in January?
A) January 1
B) January 12
C) January 18
D) January 20
Answer: C.
Explanation: Noted as starting on January 18 in cultural calendars.
22. Uzbekistan qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking a historic achievement in which region?
A) Europe
B) South America
C) Central Asia
D) Africa
Answer: C.
Explanation: Highlighted as part of Central Asia’s rising global presence.
Other Relevant Current Affairs (Arts, Education, Literature, Miscellaneous) (5 Questions)
23. World Literature Today’s January 2026 issue features which NSK Neustadt Prize laureate as headline?
A) Gabriel Garcia Marquez
B) Cherie Dimaline
C) Haruki Murakami
D) Salman Rushdie
Answer: B.
Explanation: Kicking off the magazine’s 100th year.
24. The Stafford Challenge, a year-long poetry writing journey starting January 17, 2026, is inspired by whom?
A) Robert Frost
B) Emily Dickinson
C) William Stafford
D) Pablo Neruda
Answer: C.
Explanation: Participants commit to writing a poem a day from Stafford’s birthday.
25. New laws effective January 1, 2026, in various US states include mandates for treatment of diseases caused by what?
A) Severe obesity
B) Diabetes
C) Hypertension
D) Asthma
Answer: A.
Explanation: Among several new health and policy changes.
26. India’s IMD forecasted below-average temperatures in January 2026, benefiting winter crops like which?
A) Rice and maize
B) Wheat, rapeseed, and chickpeas
C) Cotton and sugarcane
D) Tea and coffee
Answer: B.
Explanation: Higher yields expected due to cold conditions.
27. Gig workers’ strike on New Year’s Eve 2025 (into 2026) demanded better what?
A) Vehicle subsidies
B) Uniforms
C) Health insurance only
D) Payouts and working conditions
Answer: D.
Explanation: Over 1 lakh workers joined, demanding improved pay and conditions.
