Geopolitics & World News Involving India (Questions 1-11)
Q1. On 16 January 2026, India began preparations to evacuate its nationals from which country amid ongoing protests and airspace closure?
A) Venezuela
B) Iran
C) Myanmar
D) Ukraine
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Due to nationwide protests in Iran and closure of its airspace, affecting flights like Air India and IndiGo, India initiated evacuation efforts for its citizens.
Q2. Which country’s Foreign Minister visited India on 16 January 2026 to discuss strengthening bilateral ties in the Indo-Pacific amid concerns over China?
A) USA
B) Australia
C) China
D) France
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks to bolster India-China relations.
Q3. India is set to host top leaders from which bloc as chief guests for Republic Day 2026 celebrations?
A) ASEAN
B) European Union
C) BRICS
D) QUAD
Correct Answer: B.
Q4. On 16 January 2026, the World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report 2026 identified what as the top short-term global risk?
A) Armed conflict
B) Cyber attacks
C) Extreme weather
D) Geoeconomic confrontation
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: The report highlighted rising trade wars, sanctions, and economic weaponization overtaking armed conflict.
Q5. Which international court opened hearings in January 2026 on allegations of genocide against Myanmar’s Rohingya minority?
A) ICC
B) ICJ
C) ECHR
D) ITLOS
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: The International Court of Justice (ICJ) began landmark proceedings.
Q6. US President Donald Trump threatened military action against which country in mid-January 2026, while also renewing threats to annex Greenland?
A) Venezuela
B) Russia
C) Iran
D) China
Correct Answer: C.
Q7. Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado met US officials in January 2026 to push for what?
A) Economic sanctions relief
B) Democratic government transition
C) Military intervention
D) Oil sector nationalization
Correct Answer: B.
Q8. India and which country signed a Joint Declaration in January 2026 to deepen cooperation in fisheries and aquaculture?
A) Japan
B) Israel
C) Australia
D) USA
Correct Answer: B.
Q9. The US approved sale of naval assets worth up to $1.5 billion to which region in January 2026 reports?
A) Peru
B) India
C) Philippines
D) Greenland
Correct Answer: A.
Q10. New Zealand temporarily closed its embassy in which city in January 2026 due to unrest?
A) Kyiv
B) Tehran
C) Caracas
D) Yangon
Correct Answer: B.
Q11. Taiwan and the US reached a trade agreement in January 2026 reducing US tariffs on Taiwanese goods to what percentage?
A) 10%
B) 12%
C) 15%
D) 5%
Correct Answer: C.
Indian Polity (Questions 12-19)
Q12. The Mahayuti alliance, led by BJP, achieved a major victory in Maharashtra municipal corporation elections results announced around 16 January 2026. How many posts did it reportedly win?
A) 150
B) 200
C) 207
D) All 288
Correct Answer: C.
Q13. In the BMC (Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation) polls held on 15 January 2026, what was the reported voter turnout?
A) 45.12%
B) 52.94%
C) 60.23%
D) 55.53%
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: It was lower than the previous elections.
Q14. The Supreme Court on 16 January 2026 stayed a High Court order disqualifying which politician for defection?
A) Mukul Roy
B) Ajit Pawar
C) Eknath Shinde
D) Hemant Soren
Correct Answer: A.
Q15. National Startup Day was observed on 16 January 2026 to mark a decade of which flagship programme?
A) Make in India
B) Startup India
C) Digital India
D) Skill India
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: PM Modi highlighted its revolutionary impact.
Q16. NITI Aayog released a report in January 2026 proposing convergence of schemes for which sector?
A) Agriculture
B) Education
C) MSMEs
D) Health
Correct Answer: C.
Q17. The Ministry of Environment amended guidelines in January 2026 to allow non-government participation in restoring degraded land under which Act?
A) Forest Conservation Act
B) Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980
C) Wildlife Protection Act
D) Environment Protection Act
Correct Answer: B.
Q18. An indelible ink controversy arose in Maharashtra civic polls around January 2026. Indelible ink is applied to prevent what?
A) Voter impersonation
B) Booth capturing
C) EVM tampering
D) Fake ballots
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: It marks voters to prevent multiple voting.
Q19.Thiruvalluvar Day was observed on 16 January 2026 as part of Pongal festivities, honouring the author of which classical text?
A) Silappatikaram
B) Tirukkural
C) Manimekalai
D) Ramayana
Correct Answer: B.
Sports (Questions 20-22)
Q20. In the India Open Super 750 badminton tournament around 15-16 January 2026, who remained the lone Indian in the singles quarterfinals?
A) PV Sindhu
B) HS Prannoy
C) Lakshya Sen
D) Kidambi Srikanth
Correct Answer: C.
Q21. MS Dhoni was appointed Goodwill Ambassador for which event in January 2026?
A) IPL 2026
B) Pune Grand Tour 2026 (cycling)
C) India Open Badminton
D) Pro Kabaddi League
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: India’s first UCI-recognised professional road cycling event.
Q22. Bangladesh cricketers resolved a boycott issue with BCB ahead of which league in January 2026?
A) BPL T20
B) IPL
C) PSL
D) Big Bash
Correct Answer: A.
Other Current Affairs (Questions 23-25)
Q23. A new Vande Bharat Sleeper Express was inaugurated in January 2026 on which route?
A) Delhi-Mumbai
B) Malda Town-Kamakhya
C) Chennai-Bengaluru
D) Howrah-Patna
Correct Answer: B.
Q24. Schools in Gautam Buddh Nagar were closed on 16-17 January 2026 due to what?
A) Pollution
B) Elections
C) Dense fog and cold wave
D) Festival
Correct Answer: C.
Q25. An accused in the 2017 Gauri Lankesh murder case won as a corporator in which Maharashtra municipal election in January 2026?
A) Mumbai
B) Pune
C) Nagpur
D) Jalna
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: Shrikant Pangarkar contested as Independent.
