Geopolitics (Questions 1-10)
Q1. On January 20, 2026, President Donald Trump intensified demands for control over Greenland, linking it to which personal grievance?
A) Losing the 2024 election
B) Not winning the Nobel Peace Prize
C) Trade imbalances with China
D) NATO funding disputes
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Trump texted Norway’s PM, associating his Greenland push with frustration over not receiving the Nobel Peace Prize.
Q2. Which European leader criticized Trump’s tariff threats over Greenland as “unacceptable” during the Davos WEF on January 20, 2026?
A) Ursula von der Leyen
B) Olaf Scholz
C) Emmanuel Macron
D) Mark Carney
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: French President Macron warned against “strongman politics” and directly addressed Trump’s coercive tactics.
Q3. Trump’s threats on January 20, 2026, involved potential tariffs on how many European countries opposing his Greenland acquisition?
A) Five
B) Eight
C) Ten
D) All NATO members
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Reports highlighted threats against eight European allies, escalating tensions within NATO.
Q4. The UK approved plans for a new Chinese embassy in London on January 20, 2026, at which site?
A) Buckingham Palace grounds
B) Canary Wharf
C) Tower of London
D) Royal Mint Court
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: This decision amid strained China-UK relations highlights ongoing diplomatic engagements.
Q5.On January 20, 2026, tensions escalated in the Middle East with the USS Abraham Lincoln moving closer to which country?
A) Iran
B) Syria
C) Israel
D) Yemen
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: The carrier’s repositioning fueled speculation of potential U.S. action against Iran.
Q6. Which African leader was re-elected for a seventh term on January 20, 2026, amid protests?
A) Mamady Doumbouya (Guinea)
B) Paul Kagame (Rwanda)
C) Yoweri Museveni (Uganda)
D) Cyril Ramaphosa (South Africa)
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Museveni secured 71.65% in Uganda’s election, with opposition rejecting results.
Q7. A train derailment killing the driver and injuring 37 occurred on January 20, 2026, in which location?
A) Gelida, Spain
B) Monastir, Tunisia
C) Adamuz, Spain
D) Jakarta, Indonesia
Correct Answer: A.
Q8. Explanation: The 2026 Gelida train derailment in Catalonia was a major disaster reported that day.
Trump’s proposed “Board of Peace” initiative, discussed on January 20, 2026, primarily focuses on which conflict?
A) Ukraine-Russia
B) Gaza/Hamas disarmament
C) Syria-ISIS
D) Yemen civil war
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: The board aims at Gaza resolution, sparking divisions in Israel.
Q9. Severe flooding killing at least four people was reported on January 20, 2026, in which region?
A) Catalonia, Spain
B) California, USA
C) Minas Gerais, Brazil
D) Monastir Governorate, Tunisia
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Described as Tunisia’s worst floods since 1950.
Q10. Which report released around January 20, 2026, described humanity entering an era of “Global Water Bankruptcy”?
A) WHO Health Report
B) UN Global Water Report
C) IPCC Climate Assessment
D) World Bank Economic Outlook
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: UN researchers highlighted irreversible overspending of water resources.
World News Involving India (Questions 11-14)
Q11. India’s passport rank in the Henley Passport Index 2026, released around January 20, improved to which position?
A) 75th
B) 80th
C) 85th
D) 90th
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: It gained rank but lost visa-free access to two countries (Iran and Bolivia), totaling 55 destinations.
Q12. During talks on January 19-20, 2026, India and Poland sparred over which issues?
A) Pakistan and Russia
B) Trade tariffs
C) Climate commitments
D) Migration policies
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: EAM Jaishankar and Polish FM Sikorski aired differences on regional rivals.
Q13. PM Modi met which leader around January 20, 2026, boosting bilateral ties?
A) UAE President
B) Polish President
C) Norwegian PM
D) Danish PM
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Discussions focused on trade and strategic partnerships.
Q14. Amid global tariff fears from Trump, which bloc is accelerating trade deal with India as per January 20 reports?
A) ASEAN
B) European Union
C) BRICS
D) QUAD
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: EU seeks alternatives to U.S. amid Greenland-related tensions.
Indian Polity (Questions 15-19)
Q15. Who assumed charge as the new BJP national president on January 20, 2026?
A) JP Nadda
B) Amit Shah
C) Nitin Nabin
D) Rajnath Singh
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Nitin Nabin succeeded JP Nadda in a ceremony attended by PM Modi.
Q16. The Supreme Court on or around January 20, 2026, issued directions on preventing student suicides in which context?
A) Coaching centers
B) Higher Education Institutions
C) School exams
D) Competitive exams only
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Interim guidelines based on a task force report to address rising cases.
Q17. Tamil Nadu CM M.K. Stalin announced plans on January 20, 2026, to advocate for Constitutional amendment regarding:
A) Governor’s powers
B) Cooperative societies
C) State funding for elections
D) Customary Governor’s address to Assembly
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: To eliminate the practice of starting Assembly sessions with Governor’s address.
Q18. India’s cooperative sector was highlighted on January 20, 2026, as having how many cooperatives, making it a global leader?
A) 8.5 lakh
B) 9 lakh
C) 10 lakh
D) 15 lakh
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Rapid expansion post-97th Amendment.
Q19. A diplomatic row in Kerala Assembly on January 20, 2026, involved CM correcting which part of Governor’s policy address?
A) Economic policy
B) Specific paragraphs after Governor’s departure
C) Education reforms
D) Health initiatives
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Unusual scene with changes to paragraphs 12, 15, and 16.
Sports (Questions 20-23)
Q20. Which team won the College Football National Championship around January 20, 2026?
A) Indiana Hoosiers
B) Miami Hurricanes
C) Ohio State Buckeyes
D) Texas Longhorns
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Indiana Hoosiers defeated Miami 27-21 in a historic first title.
Q21. In NBA action highlighted on January 20, 2026, which teams played a featured game?
A) Lakers vs Celtics
B) Heat vs Nuggets
C) Warriors vs Knicks
D) Clippers vs Bulls
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: Full game highlights were prominently featured.
Q22. In NHL on January 20, 2026, Dallas Stars defeated Boston Bruins with key contributions from:
A) Connor McDavid
B) Sidney Crosby
C) Jason Robertson
D) Nathan MacKinnon
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Robertson scored twice in a 6-2 victory.
Q23. Another NBA matchup on January 20, 2026, involved:
A) Suns vs 76ers
B) Mavericks vs Thunder
C) Bucks vs Cavaliers
D) Spurs vs Rockets
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Phoenix Suns vs Philadelphia 76ers full highlights reported.
Other Current Affairs (Questions 24-28)
Q24. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem announced arrests of criminal aliens in which U.S. city on January 20, 2026?
A) New York
B) Minneapolis
C) Los Angeles
D) Chicago
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Over 10,000 arrests as part of immigration crackdown.
Q25. Indian shares and rupee reacted negatively on January 20-21, 2026, due to:
A) Global selloff from Trump tariffs/Greenland fears
B) Domestic inflation
C) Oil price spike
D) RBI policy change
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Rupee hit record low amid tariff concerns.
Q26. A geomagnetic storm on or around January 20, 2026, caused auroras visible globally; it was classified as:
A) G2 Moderate
B) G5 Extreme
C) G4 Severe
D) G1 Minor
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Powerful G4 storm lit up skies across continents.
Q27. India laid foundation for its first state-funded BSL-4 lab in which city around January 20, 2026?
A) Pune
B) Hyderabad
C) Gandhinagar
D) Bengaluru
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: By Union Home Minister Amit Shah, termed a “health shield.”
Q28. The Election Commission of India hosted an international conference on what theme around January 20, 2026?
A) Digital voting
B) Election management and democracy
C) Voter turnout
D) Campaign finance
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Focusing on global best practices in democratic elections.
