Geopolitics & World News Involving India (Questions 1-12)
Q1. On 13 January 2026, India unveiled the logo and website for which upcoming international grouping presidency?
A) G20
B) SCO
C) BRICS
D) ASEAN
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar launched the lotus-inspired logo and official website for India’s BRICS Presidency in 2026, marking the grouping’s 20th anniversary.
Q2. Which country ended the value-added tax (VAT) exemption on birth control drugs and devices on 13 January 2026?
A) India
B) China
C) Iran
D) Russia
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: China imposed a 13% VAT on these items as part of measures to address declining birth rates.
Q3. Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, on 13 January 2026, stated that India considers which 1963 agreement illegal?
A) Indo-China Border Agreement
B) Pakistan-China agreement on Shaksgam Valley
C) Shimla Agreement
D) Tashkent Agreement
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: India does not approve of any activities in the Shaksgam Valley, viewing the 1963 Pakistan-China cession as illegal.
Q4. On 13 January 2026, which state notified rules under the PESA Act, extending tribal self-governance to Fifth Schedule areas?
A) Odisha
B) Chhattisgarh
C) Jharkhand
D) Madhya Pradesh
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Jharkhand notified PESA Rules in January 2026, 25 years after state formation, empowering Gram Sabhas in tribal areas.
Q5. Which festival was celebrated across North India on 13 January 2026?
A) Lohri
B) Pongal
C) Makar Sankranti
D) Bihu
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Lohri, the Punjabi harvest festival marking the end of winter, was observed on 13 January 2026, a day before Makar Sankranti.
Q6. Intense protests and crackdown in which country were highlighted in global news on 13 January 2026?
A) Ukraine
B) Iran
C) Venezuela
D) Myanmar
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Reports indicated thousands killed in Iranian protests, with U.S. President Trump commenting on potential support.
Q7. Russia launched its most intense wave of airstrikes on which country around 13 January 2026?
A) Poland
B) Georgia
C) Ukraine
D) Finland
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Russian forces targeted Ukrainian infrastructure, causing power cuts in Kyiv.
Q8. Which international cricket board refused to shift T20 World Cup matches out of India on 13 January 2026, despite ICC’s request?
A) Pakistan
B) Bangladesh
C) Sri Lanka
D) Afghanistan
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Bangladesh Cricket Board cited security concerns but stood firm after ICC’s reconsideration request.
Q9. The Central Empowered Committee recommended restoring the original ESZ around which national park in January 2026?
A) Bannerghatta
B) Jim Corbett
C) Kaziranga
D) Sundarbans
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: CEC suggested reverting to the 2016 Ecologically Sensitive Zone notification for Bannerghatta National Park.
Q10. U.S. President Trump, around 13 January 2026, threatened 25% tariffs on countries doing business with which nation?
A) Russia
B) China
C) Iran
D) North Korea
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: This was part of escalating tensions amid Iranian protests.
Q11. India and which country signed an agreement for defence industrial cooperation focusing on co-production on 12-13 January 2026?
A) Germany
B) France
C) USA
D) Russia
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: During German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s visit, emphasis was on co-development in defence trade.
Q12. Which celestial event involving the Moon and Mars was noted for 13 January 2026?
A) Lunar Eclipse
B) Moon Occults Mars
C) Super Moon
D) Meteor Shower
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: The Moon appeared to pass in front of Mars on 13 January 2026.
Indian Polity & Governance (Questions 13-18)
Q13. The Supreme Court of India, on 13 January 2026, flagged concerns over lack of implementation of norms on which issue?
A) Electoral Reforms
B) Stray Animals and Dog Bites
C) Tribunal Reforms
D) Uniform Civil Code
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: SC indicated heavy compensation for dog-bite incidents due to poor enforcement over five years.
Q14. Maharashtra Navnirman Sena Chief Raj Thackeray, on 13 January 2026, criticised the monopoly of which group in projects?
A) Tata
B) Reliance
C) Adani
D) Ambani
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: He highlighted disproportionate allocation to the Adani Group across sectors.
Q15.The Centre proposed mandating smartphone manufacturers to share source code for what purpose in January 2026?
A) Data Privacy
B) Cybersecurity Overhaul
C) Digital Payments
D) AI Regulation
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Part of stricter cybersecurity rules for smartphones.
Q16. India fell to third place among buyers of which country’s fossil fuels in December 2025, as reported on 13 January 2026?
A) Saudi Arabia
B) Iran
C) UAE
D) Russia
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: Due to reduced imports by Reliance and state refiners.
Q17. The CBI questioned which political leader in connection with a stampede case, with further summons around 13 January 2026?
A) Actor Vijay (TVK President)
B) Rahul Gandhi
C) Arvind Kejriwal
D) Mamata Banerjee
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Related to the Karur stampede probe.
Q18. Which exam’s provisional answer keys were scheduled for release around mid-January 2026?
A) UPSC CSE
B) UGC NET December 2025
C) JEE Main
D) NEET
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: NTA to release UGC NET December 2025 keys by 15 January 2026.
Sports (Questions 19-24)
Q19. Which team won the Spanish Super Cup on 12-13 January 2026?
A) FC Barcelona
B) Real Madrid
C) Atletico Madrid
D) Athletic Bilbao
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: FC Barcelona defeated Real Madrid 3-2 in the Clasico final.
Q20. In NBA news around 13 January 2026, which player was ruled out due to foot injury maintenance?
A) Giannis Antetokounmpo
B) Anthony Edwards
C) LeBron James
D) Victor Wembanyama
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Minnesota Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards missed a game against Milwaukee Bucks.
Q21. Which former Indian hockey Olympian passed away in January 2026?
A) Dhanraj Pillay
B) Jugraj Singh
C) Pargat Singh
D) Davinder Singh Garcha
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: Davinder Singh Garcha, aged 73, passed away in Jalandhar.
Q22. NFL coaching changes included which coach stepping down on 13 January 2026 reports?
A) Andy Reid
B) Mike Tomlin (Steelers)
C) Sean McVay
D) Bill Belichick
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Mike Tomlin stepped down as Pittsburgh Steelers coach.
Q23. In cricket, a Pakistan-born USA pacer was denied visa for which event in India?
A) T20 World Cup
B) IPL
C) Bilateral series
D) Champions Trophy
Correct Answer: A.
Q24. Which NBA star was confirmed playing without restrictions on 13 January 2026?
A) Nikola Jokic
B) Victor Wembanyama
C) Draymond Green
D) Stephen Curry
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: San Antonio Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama cleared fully.
Arts, Literature, Education & Other Current Affairs (Questions 25-30)
Q25. Which major literature festival’s 2026 edition was highlighted with focus on poetry and visual storytelling?
A) Jaipur Literature Festival
B) Kolkata Literary Meet
C) Hyderabad Literary Festival
D) Chennai Lit Fest
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Jaipur Literature Festival 2026 expands to performance and graphic narratives.
Q26. A national AI literacy program highlighted on National Youth Day (12 January 2026) is called?
A) Digital India AI
B) YUVA AI for All
C) Bharat AI Mission
D) AI for Youth
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Flagship course under National AI Literacy Program.
Q27. Indusfood 2026, Asia’s premier F&B trade show, was inaugurated in which city?
A) Delhi
B) Mumbai
C) Greater Noida
D) Hyderabad
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: By Union Minister Chirag Paswan.
Q28. Headstone placed for which Palestinian poet killed in 2023, reported around 13 January 2026?
A) Mahmoud Darwish
B) Refaat Alareer
C) Fadwa Tuqan
D) Samih al-Qasim
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: More than two years after an Israeli airstrike.
Q29. Which exam’s hall ticket was expected soon as of 13 January 2026?
A) UPSC Prelims
B) JEE Main 2026
C) CAT
D) GATE
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: JEE Main January session admit cards.
Q30. A PSLV mission failure was reported involving which satellite in January 2026?
A) EOS-N1
B) Chandrayaan-4
C) Gaganyaan
D) Aditya-L2
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: PSLV-C62 failed to orbit EOS-N1 due to third-stage anomaly.
