Geopolitics & World News Involving India (Questions 1-10)
Q1. On 19 January 2026, heavy fighting was reported in northeastern Syria despite a ceasefire. Which forces were primarily involved in capturing towns like Ayn Issa and Sarrin?
A) Islamic State militants
B) Syrian Army
C) Turkish-backed forces
D) US-led coalition
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Syrian government forces advanced against the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), capturing key towns amid ongoing clashes.
Q2. Reports on 19 January 2026 indicated a potential prison break involving Islamic State fighters in Syria. In which governorate was the affected prison located?
A) Al-Hasakah
B) Aleppo
C) Deir ez-Zor
D) Idlib
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: The SDF reported loss of control over a prison in Al-Hasakah Governorate holding thousands of IS militants.
Q3. Which international body warned on 19 January 2026 that renewed trade tensions, including US tariffs, could trigger a ‘spiral of escalation’ in the global economy?
A) World Bank
B) OECD
C) WTO
D) IMF
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: The International Monetary Fund highlighted risks from geopolitical tensions and tariff threats impacting growth and markets.
Q4. On 19 January 2026, the President of which country visited India, leading to agreements on trade, energy, and defence cooperation?
A) Saudi Arabia
B) United Arab Emirates
C) Qatar
D) Oman
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s visit resulted in deals including a $3 billion LNG agreement and a target of $200 billion bilateral trade by 2032.
Q5. During the India-UAE talks on 19 January 2026, which sector was highlighted for expanded strategic partnership alongside energy and AI?
A) Defence
B) Agriculture
C) Textiles
D) Tourism
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: The leaders agreed to move towards a strategic defence partnership.
Q6. India was invited by US President Trump to join which initiative for Gaza reconstruction, as reported around 19 January 2026?
A) Abraham Accords Expansion
B) Board of Peace for Gaza
C) Middle East Peace Forum
D) Gaza Reconstruction Fund
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Trump invited India to participate in the “Board of Peace” aimed at long-term stability and governance in Gaza.
Q7. Which armed group re-entered Uvira in the Democratic Republic of Congo, as per conflict updates on 19 January 2026?
A) M23 Movement
B) ISIS affiliates
C) Congolese troops and Wazalendo militia
D) Rwandan Army
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Congolese forces recaptured the town previously held by the Rwanda-backed M23.
Q8. European leaders responded to US tariff threats over Greenland by planning an emergency meeting. Which institution’s president announced this on 19 January 2026?
A) NATO Secretary General
B) French President
C) EU Commission President
D) European Council President
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: European Council President Antonio Costa announced the extraordinary meeting.
Q9. India dispatched humanitarian aid to which country following a super typhoon, as announced around 19 January 2026?
A) Indonesia
B) Philippines
C) Vietnam
D) Bangladesh
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: 30 tonnes of aid were sent post-Super Typhoon Uwan (Fung-wong).
Q10. The High Seas Treaty (BBNJ Agreement) entered into force recently before 19 January 2026. What does BBNJ stand for?
A) Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction
B) Baltic-Nordic Joint Biodiversity
C) Bilateral Naval Jurisdiction Boundary
D) Beyond National Jurisdiction Biodiversity
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: The treaty addresses conservation of marine biodiversity in international waters.
Indian Polity & Governance (Questions 11-17)
Q11. 19 January 2026 marked the 21st Raising Day of which organisation?
A) National Security Guard
B) National Disaster Response Force (NDRF)
C) Central Industrial Security Force
D) Border Security Force
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: NDRF completed 20 years since its establishment.
Q12. Discussions in the 2026 Budget cycle focused on rationalising which subsidies, potentially merging them into PM-Kisan?
A) Food and fertiliser
B) Education and health
C) Fuel and electricity
D) Housing and transport
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Food subsidy projected at Rs 2.25 trillion and fertiliser at Rs 2 trillion.
Q13. The Supreme Court recently upheld the Lok Sabha Speaker’s unilateral action in constituting an inquiry committee under which Act?
A) Representation of the People Act
B) Commissions of Inquiry Act
C) Prevention of Corruption Act
D) Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Related to judicial impeachment processes.
Q14. A new optional health insurance scheme ‘Paripoorna Mediclaim Ayush Bima’ was launched for beneficiaries of which scheme?
A) Ayushman Bharat
B) Employees’ State Insurance
C) Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS)
D) Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana
Correct Answer: C.
Q15. The Arbitration Council of India (ACI), proposed in 2019 amendments, aims to promote what type of arbitration?
A) International commercial
B) Institutional
C) Ad-hoc
D) Labour
Correct Answer: B.
Q16. Supreme Court directions were issued to address crisis in higher education institutions related to:
A) Fee hikes
B) Faculty shortages
C) Reservation implementation
D) Student suicides
Correct Answer: D.
Q17. National Startup Day (observed around 16 January 2026) marked how many years of the Startup India initiative?
A) 5
B) 8
C) 10
D) 12
Correct Answer: C.
Environment, Science & Other Current Affairs (Questions 18-22)
Q18. A robust increase in Indian bison (gaur) population was recorded in which wildlife sanctuary?
A) Kaziranga
B) Debrigarh
C) Periyar
D) Mudumalai
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Population jumped to 848 individuals.
Q19. Brandt’s Hedgehog, a new species for India, was discovered in:
A) Jammu and Kashmir
B) Western Ghats
C) Northeast India
D) Rajasthan
Correct Answer: A.
Q20. Aaryan Varshney became India’s ___ Chess Grandmaster in January 2026.
A) 90th
B) 92nd
C) 95th
D) 100th
Correct Answer: B.
Q21. The Sammakka-Saralamma Jatara, a major tribal festival, is held biennially in which state?
A) Odisha
B) Jharkhand
C) Chhattisgarh
D) Telangana
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: In Medaram, Mulugu district; one of the largest tribal gatherings.
Q22. PM Modi laid the foundation for Kaziranga Elevated Corridor in which state?
A) Assam
B) Arunachal Pradesh
C) Meghalaya
D) Nagaland
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Costing ?6,957 crore.
Sports (Questions 23-26)
Q23. In college football news around 19 January 2026, which team was aiming for its first national championship?
A) Miami Hurricanes
B) Indiana Hoosiers
C) Ohio State
D) Alabama
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Indiana faced Miami in the CFP National Championship.
Q24. Which Indian athlete won the Elite Men’s race in the Tata Mumbai Marathon 2026?
A) Kartik Karkera
B) Srinivas Gowda
C) Gopi Thonakal
D) Nitendra Singh Rawat
Correct Answer: A.
Q25. James Harden scored 36 points in an NBA game on 19 January 2026 for which team?
A) Brooklyn Nets
B) Los Angeles Clippers
C) Philadelphia 76ers
D) Houston Rockets
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Against the Washington Wizards.
Q26. In Premier League highlights from 19 January 2026, which match featured Brighton vs Bournemouth?
A) Matchweek 20
B) Matchweek 21
C) Matchweek 22
D) Matchweek 26
Correct Answer: C.
Arts, Culture & Literature (Questions 27-29)
Q27. Tamil Nadu government announced a new literary award for works in seven Indian languages called:
A) Bharatiya Bhasha Puraskar
B) Semmozhi Literary Award
C) Dravidian Literature Award
D) Kalaignar Award
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: For Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Odia, Bengali, and Marathi initially.
Q28. The New Delhi World Book Fair 2026 concluded with participation from how many countries?
A) 35
B) 40
C) 50
D) 60
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Highlighted India’s reading culture with over two million visitors.
Q29. Chennai Book Fair in January 2026 evolved to include elements of:
A) Only classical literature
B) Pop culture, arts, and performances
C) Digital books exclusively
D) Foreign languages only
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Featured music, silambam performances, and discussions to attract younger audiences.
