Test your knowledge with 25+ objective MCQs based on major events and current affairs from January 2, 2026.
Geopolitics & World News Involving India (7 Questions)
1. On January 2, 2026, India urged which neighboring country to expedite the release of 167 Indian fishermen and civilian prisoners?
A) Bangladesh
B) Sri Lanka
C) Pakistan
D) Maldives
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: The Ministry of External Affairs requested Pakistan to release those who had completed their sentences and provide consular access to others believed to be Indian.
2. A devastating fire and explosion at a bar in which Swiss resort on January 1, 2026, killed at least 46 people?
A) Zermatt
B) Crans-Montana
C) St. Moritz
D) Davos
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: The incident in Crans-Montana, suspected to be caused by pyrotechnics during New Year’s celebrations, drew international attention.
3. Reports on January 2, 2026, highlighted that India surpassed which country to become the world’s 4th-largest economy?
A) Germany
B) Japan
C) United Kingdom
D) France
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: This milestone reflects India’s rapid economic growth and shifting global rankings.
4. The EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) began imposing full tariffs on certain imports starting January 1, 2026, affecting India’s exports in which sectors?
A) Textiles and pharmaceuticals
B) Software and services
C) Steel, aluminium, and cement
D) Agriculture and dairy
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: CBAM aims to prevent carbon leakage, impacting Indian metal and related exports significantly.
5. President Trump threatened intervention in which country on January 2, 2026, amid protests over economic turmoil?
A) Venezuela
B) North Korea
C) Cuba
D) Iran
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: The threat was conditional on the regime’s response to protests.
6. Which upcoming badminton tournament in January 2026 is a BWF Super 750 event to be held in New Delhi?
A) India Open
B) Syed Modi International
C) Yonex Sunrise India
D) Gujarat Open
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: The India Open features top players like PV Sindhu and is scheduled from January 13-18, 2026.
7. On January 2, 2026, U.S. stocks opened the year mixed, with concerns raised over which leader’s health and transparency?
A) Joe Biden
B) Donald Trump
C) Kamala Harris
D) Vladimir Putin
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Scrutiny focused on Trump’s age, fitness, and medical information amid his presidency.
Indian Polity & Governance (8 Questions)
8. The Central Excise (Amendment) Act, 2025, notified around January 2, 2026, introduces changes effective February 1, 2026, primarily for which products?
A) Tobacco and pan masala
B) Electronics
C) Automobiles
D) Pharmaceuticals
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: It replaces excise duty with a cess to discourage consumption and improve public health.
9. A diarrhoea outbreak due to contaminated water in which Indian city was reported on January 2, 2026, leading to deaths and government ex gratia announcements?
A) Bhopal
B) Surat
C) Indore
D) Lucknow
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: The outbreak in Bhagirathpura area prompted health alerts and compensation of ?2 lakh per deceased family.
10. The Election Commission noted lower collection of enumeration forms in urban areas during the Special Intensive Revision of voters’ list, as reported on January 2, 2026, in how many states and UTs?
A) Five
B) Nine
C) Twelve
D) Fifteen
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: The ongoing SIR covers nine states and three UTs.
11. Delhi Police registered an FIR on January 2, 2026, regarding misinformation on social media about a circular related to which issue?
A) Stray dogs
B) Traffic rules
C) Voter ID
D) Aadhaar linking
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: The complaint was from the Directorate of Education about appointing nodal officers for stray dog matters.
12. The Commission for Air Quality Management revoked which stage of GRAP in NCR on January 2, 2026, due to improved AQI?
A) Stage 1
B) Stage 2
C) Stage 3
D) Stage 4
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Delhi’s AQI improved from 380 to 236, leading to relaxation of curbs.
13. India approved electronic component manufacturing projects worth approximately how much on January 2, 2026?
A) $2 billion
B) $3 billion
C) $4 billion
D) $4.6 billion
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: Projects worth ?418.63 billion aim to boost domestic production under an incentive scheme.
14. Banks in India updated minimum balance requirements from January 2026, with penalties for non-maintenance varying by which factor?
A) Account type and location
B) Customer age
C) Digital usage
D) Loan status
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Urban branches typically have higher limits than rural ones.
15. The IMD warned of dense fog, cold wave, and snowfall across large parts of India, as reported on January 2, 2026, affecting which regions prominently?
A) Southern peninsula
B) North, east, and central India
C) Western coast
D) Northeast only
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Severe winter conditions impacted transportation and daily life in these areas.
Sports (4 Questions)
16. The Mumbai Marathon, a premier running event, is scheduled for which month in 2026?
A) January
B) February
C) March
D) April
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: It attracts elite athletes and promotes health awareness.
17. Indian Grandmasters R Praggnanandhaa and which player’s team clinched the Global Chess League 2025 title?
A) Magnus Carlsen
B) Anish Giri
C) Viswanathan Anand
D) Fabiano Caruana
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Alpine SG Pipers defeated Triveni Continental Kings.
18. The 11th India International Youth Sailing Championship 2026 is scheduled in which city from January 4-10?
A) Mumbai
B) Goa
C) Chennai
D) Visakhapatnam
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: It features sailors from 13 nations at Chennai Port.
19. Upcoming major sporting events in 2026 include the Winter Olympics in which location?
A) Paris
B) Glasgow
C) Los Angeles
D) Milano Cortina
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: The 25th Winter Olympics will feature new events like ski mountaineering.
Arts, Culture, Education & Literature (7 Questions)
20. The Kala Ghoda Arts Festival 2026 in Mumbai is scheduled from which dates?
A) January 10-18
B) January 31 – February 8
C) February 15-23
D) March 1-9
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: It celebrates visual arts, theatre, music, dance, literature, and more in South Mumbai.
21. The Hindu Lit For Life festival 2026 is set for which dates in Chennai?
A) January 10-11
B) February 1-2
C) January 17-18
D) March 15-16
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: The 14th edition features dialogues on literature and culture.
22. Surat Literature Festival 2026, focusing on national ideas beyond metros, is scheduled from which dates?
A) January 9-11
B) February 5-7
C) March 10-12
D) April 1-3
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: It includes theatrical productions and folk showcases.
23. Vasant Panchami, dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, falls in January 2026 and symbolizes what?
A) Harvest
B) Arrival of spring
C) New year
D) Monsoon end
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Celebrated with yellow attire and prayers for knowledge.
24. National Science Fiction Day is celebrated on January 2 in honor of which author’s birth?
A) H.G. Wells
B) Arthur C. Clarke
C) Isaac Asimov
D) Ray Bradbury
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: January 2 marks Asimov’s birthday, recognized globally.
25. World Introvert Day, observed on January 2, 2026, recognizes what?
A) Extrovert achievements
B) Strengths of introverts
C) Social media influence
D) Public speaking
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: It highlights psychological research on introvert qualities.
26. Upcoming literary works in 2026 include a novel by which author after a long hiatus?
A) Daniyal Mueenuddin
B) Haruki Murakami
C) Yann Martel
D) George Saunders
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Known for his debut short story collection, his new novel is highly anticipated.
