Geopolitics (Questions 1-6)
Q1. Which country saw escalating violence resulting in the deaths of three journalists, including a CBS News contributor, due to Israeli airstrikes on January 23, 2026?
A) Ukraine
B) Lebanon
C) Iran
D) Syria
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: The incident intensified international focus on the conflict and press freedom in Gaza.
Q2. Which leader’s invitation to the Board of Peace was revoked by President Trump on January 23, 2026?
A) Indian PM Narendra Modi
B) Chinese President Xi Jinping
C) Russian President Vladimir Putin
D) Canadian PM Mark Carney
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: This action stirred discussions on shifting global alliances.
Q3. What was the key topic of trilateral talks involving Ukraine, Russia, and the US held in Abu Dhabi starting January 23, 2026?
A) Climate change agreements
B) Territorial concessions
C) Trade tariffs
D) Nuclear disarmament
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: The talks aimed at potential steps toward ending the ongoing conflict.
Q4. On January 23, 2026, President Trump retracted threats to impose tariffs on which region over the Greenland issue?
A) Asia
B) Africa
C) Europe
D) Latin America
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: This signaled a shift in US trade policy.
Q5. Which country was considering a complete withdrawal of US troops as reported on January 23, 2026?
A) Afghanistan
B) Iraq
C) Syria
D) Yemen
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: This was part of broader US foreign policy adjustments.
Q6. In which country did protests turn violent with reports of people being shot amid a militarized crackdown on January 23, 2026?
A) Iran
B) Peru
C) Ukraine
D) Uganda
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Official death tolls approached 5,000, escalating regional tensions.
World News India (Questions 7-12)
Q7. India and which entity were likely to conclude free trade talks on January 23, 2026, potentially cutting tariffs on cars and wine?
A) US
B) EU
C) China
D) Russia
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: The pact aids textiles and jewellery exports from India.
Q8.Where in India was a Nipah virus outbreak reported on January 23, 2026, prompting high alert?
A) Mumbai
B) Delhi
C) Near Kolkata
D) Chennai
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Led to containment efforts and international monitoring.
Q9. India was absent from the announcement of which US-led initiative on January 23, 2026?
A) Pax Silica
B) NATO Expansion
C) WHO Reform
D) Climate Pact
Correct Answer: A.
Q10. On January 23, 2026, US H-1B visa stamping appointments in India were pushed to which year due to backlog?
A) 2026
B) 2027
C) 2028
D) 2025
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: New social-media vetting rules slowed processing.
Q11. Which African Union official met with India’s Vice Minister for Economic Relations on January 23, 2026?
A) Mahmoud Ali Youssouf
B) Moussa Faki Mahamat
C) Paul Kagame
D) Cyril Ramaphosa
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: This strengthened India-AU ties.
Q12. In response to Trump’s trade pressures, how was India positioned on January 23, 2026?
A) Facing only risks
B) Turning it into opportunities
C) Imposing counter-tariffs
D) Withdrawing from talks
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: This reflected risks and rewards in global alliances.
Indian Polity (Questions 13-18)
Q13. On January 23, 2026, PM Modi kickstarted the NDA’s campaign in which state?
A) Kerala
B) Maharashtra
C) Uttar Pradesh
D) Tamil Nadu
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: This was part of election preparations.
Q14. What was the Supreme Court’s verdict on Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act on January 23, 2026?
A) Unanimous upholding
B) Split verdict on validity
C) Declared unconstitutional
D) Fully repealed
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: This affects anti-corruption inquiries requiring prior approval.
Q15. January 23, 2026, was celebrated as which day in India to honor Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose?
A) Republic Day
B) Independence Day
C) Parakram Diwas
D) Gandhi Jayanti
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: It marks his birth anniversary and indomitable spirit.
Q16. In which state did tension rise after a Meitei man’s killing on January 23, 2026?
A) Manipur
B) Assam
C) Nagaland
D) Mizoram
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: This highlighted ongoing ethnic conflicts.
Q17. The Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) called for what observance on January 25 following January 23, 2026?
A) Labor Day
B) Foundation day of the Communist Party of India (CPI)
C) Farmers’ Day
D) Anti-Corruption Day
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: This was to protect democratic rights.
Q18. How many questions were listed for the first phase of Census 2027 notified on January 23, 2026?
A) 20
B) 25
C) 30
D) 33
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: This covers household enumeration.
Sports (Questions 19-21)
Q19. Which team demolished Pisa after being two goals down in Serie A on January 23, 2026?
A) Juventus
B) Inter Milan
C) AC Milan
D) Napoli
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: This extended their lead at the top.
Q20. The Vegas Golden Knights played against which team on January 23, 2026?
A) Toronto Maple Leafs
B) New York Rangers
C) Boston Bruins
D) Chicago Blackhawks
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: This concluded their season series.
Q21. Which cricket board announced on January 23, 2026, that their team would not play T-20 World Cup matches on Indian soil?
A) Pakistan
B) Bangladesh
C) Sri Lanka
D) Afghanistan
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: This added to cricketing tensions.
Arts (Questions 22-23)
Q22. Which US museum celebrated its centennial anniversary amid paid parking controversies on January 23, 2026?
A) San Diego Museum of Art
B) Smithsonian
C) Metropolitan Museum
D) Louvre (US branch)
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: This highlighted cultural infrastructure issues.
Q23. What roadshow arrived in Southern California on January 23, 2026, carrying The Apollo’s legacy?
A) Artbeat Tour
B) Culture in Motion
C) FOG Design+Art
D) Savannah Festival
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: It promoted arts and empowerment.
Education (Questions 24-25)
Q24. Under Trump’s second term, how many federal awards at UW-Madison were terminated by January 23, 2026?
A) 50
B) 100
C) 145
D) 200
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: This reflected changes in education funding.
Q25. A new national poll on January 23, 2026, showed strong bipartisan support for what federal programs?
A) Space exploration
B) Child care
C) Military expansion
D) Tax cuts
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: This indicated voter priorities.
Literature (Questions 26-27)
Q26. Which writers’ festival was cancelled as announced on January 23, 2026?
A) Savannah Book Festival
B) Lit Hub Event
C) Adelaide Writers’ Week
D) Brattle Book Haul
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: This was a major story in literary circles.
Q27. On January 23, 2026, which festival featured Christopher Gorman examining WWII art?
A) FOG Design+Art
B) Savannah Book Festival
C) Adelaide Writers’ Week
D) Cornell University Press Event
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: It focused on resistance themes.
Other Current Affairs (Question 28)
Q28. A massive winter storm was forecast to hit how many US states over the weekend starting January 23, 2026?
A) 10
B) 20
C) Over 30
D) 40
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: It brought heavy snow, ice, and cold, leading to emergency declarations.
