UPSC (IAS) Current Affairs Questions and Answers January 2026

Practice questions

On the banks of which river was the Kota-Hadoti Travel Mart 2026 held?
1. Chambal
2. Banas
3. Luni
4. Mahi
Show answer
Answer: A. Chambal — The Travel Mart was held on the banks of the Chambal river at Kota.
Who inaugurated the Kota-Hadoti Travel Mart 2026?
1. Governor of Rajasthan
2. Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma
3. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla
4. Union Tourism Minister
Show answer
Answer: C. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla — Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla inaugurated the Travel Mart.
Which of the following districts is NOT part of Hadoti?
1. Kota
2. Bundi
3. Baran
4. Tonk
Show answer
Answer: D. Tonk — Hadoti has four districts: Kota, Bundi, Jhalawar and Baran. Tonk is not one of them.
Which organisation signed an MoU with the state Tourism Department at the Hadoti Travel Mart?
1. FICCI
2. Hotel Federation of Rajasthan
3. CII Rajasthan
4. RIICO
Show answer
Answer: B. Hotel Federation of Rajasthan — The Tourism Department and the Hotel Federation of Rajasthan signed the MoU to promote tourism in Hadoti.
Which ministry announced that Jaipur would host a regional AI Impact Conference?
1. Ministry of Education
2. NITI Aayog
3. Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY)
4. Ministry of Science and Technology
Show answer
Answer: C. Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) — MeitY announced the regional conference before the India AI Impact Summit 2026.
The AI Impact Conference is based on which three themes?
1. Peace, Prosperity, Progress
2. People, Planet, Progress
3. Policy, Power, People
4. Planning, Production, Profit
Show answer
Answer: B. People, Planet, Progress — The three themes are People, Planet and Progress, with the seven pillars of the IndiaAI Mission.
In which city was the Maheshwari Global Convention and Expo 2026 held?
1. Jaipur
2. Udaipur
3. Bikaner
4. Jodhpur
Show answer
Answer: D. Jodhpur — The convention was held in Jodhpur and addressed by Amit Shah.
How many old labour laws were merged into the four new Labour Codes?
1. 19
2. 29
3. 44
4. 52
Show answer
Answer: B. 29 — Twenty-nine old labour laws were combined into four codes.
The Regional Labour and Employment Conference of January 2026 in Jaipur was one of how many regional consultations?
1. Four
2. Five
3. Eight
4. Six
Show answer
Answer: D. Six — It was one of six regional consultations held across the country.
Nagauri Ashwagandha received a GI tag. In which district is it grown?
1. Jodhpur
2. Nagaur
3. Barmer
4. Churu
Show answer
Answer: B. Nagaur — Nagauri Ashwagandha is grown in Nagaur district of the Marwar region.

After Nagauri Ashwagandha, how many GI-tagged products does Rajasthan have?
1. 18
2. 20
3. 25
4. 22
Show answer
Answer: D. 22 — The total of GI-tagged products in Rajasthan rose to 22.
Under which body does the Geographical Indications Registry work?
1. CGPDTM
2. NITI Aayog
3. FSSAI
4. APEDA
Show answer
Answer: A. CGPDTM — The GI Registry of the Commerce Ministry works under the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks (CGPDTM).
Bamanwas Kankar, the first fully organic-certified panchayat of Rajasthan, is in which district?
1. Alwar
2. Kotputli-Behror
3. Jaipur
4. Sikar
Show answer
Answer: B. Kotputli-Behror — Bamanwas Kankar panchayat is in Kotputli-Behror district.
Bamanwas Kankar panchayat was certified under which standard?
1. FSSAI norms
2. AGMARK
3. National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP)
4. Bureau of Indian Standards
Show answer
Answer: C. National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) — NPOP is the standard under which the panchayat received organic certification.
Where was the Chintan Shivir on the Indian wool sector held?
1. Avikanagar, Tonk
2. Bikaner
3. Jodhpur
4. Churu
Show answer
Answer: A. Avikanagar, Tonk — It was held at Avikanagar in Tonk, home of the Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute.
Kumbhalgarh Sanctuary's eco-sensitive zone covers about how many square kilometres?
1. 143
2. 243
3. 343
4. 443
Show answer
Answer: B. 243 — The ESZ covers about 243 sq km and around 94 villages.
The Kumbhalgarh eco-sensitive zone spreads over which three districts?
1. Jodhpur, Pali, Sirohi
2. Chittorgarh, Bhilwara, Ajmer
3. Udaipur, Pali, Rajsamand
4. Jaisalmer, Barmer, Jalore
Show answer
Answer: C. Udaipur, Pali, Rajsamand — Kumbhalgarh lies in the Aravalli range across Udaipur, Pali and Rajsamand.
The ESZ around Kumbhalgarh was notified under which Act?
1. Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
2. Forest Conservation Act, 1980
3. Air Act, 1981
4. Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
Show answer
Answer: D. Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 — The notification was issued under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
NITI Aayog's three circular economy reports were released at which event in Jaipur?
1. IMRC 2026
2. Rising Rajasthan
3. Jaipur Literature Festival
4. Global Investors Meet
Show answer
Answer: A. IMRC 2026 — They were released at IMRC 2026, the International Material Recycling Conference organised by MRAI.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) was set up under which Act?
1. Air Act, 1981
2. CAQM Act, 2021
3. NGT Act, 2010
4. EP Act, 1986
Show answer
Answer: B. CAQM Act, 2021 — CAQM is a statutory body formed under the CAQM Act, 2021.

India's BRICS chairship in 2026 is the country's how many-th time to lead the group?
1. Second
2. Third
3. Fourth
4. Fifth
Show answer
Answer: C. Fourth — India chaired BRICS in 2012, 2016 and 2021, so 2026 is the fourth time.
Which country became the 21st member of the eurozone on 1 January 2026?
1. Romania
2. Bulgaria
3. Croatia
4. Poland
Show answer
Answer: B. Bulgaria — Bulgaria adopted the euro on 1 January 2026 and became the 21st eurozone member.
The EOS-N1 satellite mission failed because of a fault in which stage of PSLV-C62?
1. First stage (PS1)
2. Second stage (PS2)
3. Fourth stage (PS4)
4. Third stage (PS3)
Show answer
Answer: D. Third stage (PS3) — A technical fault near the end of the third stage (PS3) stopped the satellite from reaching orbit.
In which city did the USA carry out its military action to detain Venezuela's President Maduro?
1. Maracaibo
2. Valencia
3. Caracas
4. Bogotá
Show answer
Answer: C. Caracas — The US operation took place in Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, on 3 January 2026.
How many agreements and joint declarations were signed during German Chancellor Merz's first India visit?
1. 5
2. 9
3. 12
4. 15
Show answer
Answer: B. 9 — Nine agreements and joint declarations were signed during the 2–3 January 2026 visit.
The BBNJ Agreement, which came into force on 7 January 2026, protects biodiversity of which area?
1. Polar ice caps
2. Tropical rainforests
3. The high seas
4. Coral islands
Show answer
Answer: C. The high seas — BBNJ is the first legally binding treaty for biodiversity in the high seas, beyond national jurisdiction.
How many international organisations did the USA decide to leave through Trump's memorandum of 7 January 2026?
1. 44
2. 55
3. 66
4. 78
Show answer
Answer: C. 66 — The memorandum covered 66 organisations: 31 UN bodies and 35 non-UN groups.
Which of the following is described as India's first fully digital census?
1. Census 2011
2. Census 2027
3. Census 2021
4. Census 2031
Show answer
Answer: B. Census 2027 — Census 2027 was notified on 8 January 2026 and will be fully digital.
Where was the 16th Assembly of IRENA held in January 2026?
1. Abu Dhabi
2. Dubai
3. Riyadh
4. Doha
Show answer
Answer: A. Abu Dhabi — The IRENA assembly was held in Abu Dhabi on 10–12 January 2026.
The theme of the 56th World Economic Forum at Davos in 2026 was:
1. Rebuilding Trust
2. Cooperation in a Fragmented World
3. Spirit of Dialogue
4. Collaboration for Growth
Show answer
Answer: C. Spirit of Dialogue — The 56th WEF meeting on 19–23 January 2026 had the theme 'Spirit of Dialogue'.

After the new LNG deal, the UAE became India's second-largest gas supplier after which country?
1. Qatar
2. USA
3. Russia
4. Australia
Show answer
Answer: A. Qatar — Qatar remains first; the UAE will supply about 0.5 million tonnes of LNG every year.
Who is the lifetime chair of the Board of Peace for Gaza?
1. Tony Blair
2. Marco Rubio
3. Jared Kushner
4. Donald Trump
Show answer
Answer: D. Donald Trump — US President Donald Trump is the lifetime chair of the Board of Peace.
Who released the Military Quantum Mission Policy Framework in January 2026?
1. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh
2. General Anil Chauhan
3. Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi
4. NSA Ajit Doval
Show answer
Answer: B. General Anil Chauhan — Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan released the framework on 22 January 2026.
Shubhanshu Shukla received the Ashok Chakra for his role in which space mission?
1. Gaganyaan
2. Chandrayaan-3
3. Aditya-L1
4. Axiom-4
Show answer
Answer: D. Axiom-4 — Shukla flew to the International Space Station on NASA's Axiom-4 mission.
Who became the first foreign coach to receive a Padma Shri (posthumously) in 2026?
1. Vladimir Mestvirishvili
2. Gary Kirsten
3. Craig Fulton
4. Peter Gaston
Show answer
Answer: A. Vladimir Mestvirishvili — Georgian wrestling coach Vladimir Mestvirishvili received the honour posthumously.
The LR-AShM displayed at the 2026 Republic Day parade is what type of missile?
1. Ballistic missile defence interceptor
2. Long-range hypersonic anti-ship glide missile
3. Surface-to-air cruise missile
4. Air-to-air missile
Show answer
Answer: B. Long-range hypersonic anti-ship glide missile — LR-AShM is a DRDO-made long-range anti-ship hypersonic glide missile with a range of about 500 km.
The India–EU Free Trade Agreement made the EU India's which-number FTA partner?
1. 20th
2. 21st
3. 22nd
4. 25th
Show answer
Answer: C. 22nd — The EU became India's 22nd FTA partner on the announcement of 27 January 2026.
The Supreme Court stayed the UGC Equity Regulations 2026 on which date?
1. 3 January 2026
2. 29 January 2026
3. 1 February 2026
4. 26 January 2026
Show answer
Answer: B. 29 January 2026 — The stay came on 29 January 2026; the regulations had come into force on 3 January.
The Economic Survey 2025-26 reported that average retail inflation from April to December 2025 was about:
1. 1.7%
2. 3.5%
3. 4.2%
4. 5.1%
Show answer
Answer: A. 1.7% — Retail inflation averaged only 1.7%, the lowest level on record.
How many Arab League members attended the second India–Arab Foreign Ministers' Meeting?
1. 15
2. 18
3. 20
4. 22
Show answer
Answer: D. 22 — All 22 Arab League members took part in the meeting held in New Delhi on 31 January 2026.

The Supreme Court brought menstrual health and hygiene under which Article of the Constitution?
1. Article 14
2. Article 19
3. Article 21
4. Article 32
Show answer
Answer: C. Article 21 — The Court held that menstrual health is part of the right to life under Article 21.
Chandrayaan-4's landing site 'MM-4' lies in which area near the Moon's south pole?
1. Shackleton crater
2. Mare Imbrium
3. Mons Mouton
4. Tycho crater
Show answer
Answer: C. Mons Mouton — ISRO picked the MM-4 area of Mons Mouton for its gentle slope and long sunlight.
In which city was Gulfood 2026, where India was a partner country for the first time, held?
1. Abu Dhabi
2. Riyadh
3. Doha
4. Dubai
Show answer
Answer: D. Dubai — Gulfood 2026 ran on 26–30 January in Dubai, at Dubai World Trade Centre and Expo City.

One-liner questions: fill in the blank

The first _____ was held on the banks of the Chambal river and was inaugurated by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. It showed Hadoti's wildlife sanctuaries, Chambal river trips, old forts and cultural heritage to tourism businesses across India.
Show answer
Answer: Kota-Hadoti Travel Mart 2026
The Hadoti Travel Mart was organised by the _____, with support from the state Tourism Department and the Union Tourism Ministry. It was the first big effort to present Hadoti as one shared tourism brand.
Show answer
Answer: Hotel Federation of Rajasthan
The Ministry of Electronics and IT (_____) announced that Jaipur will host a regional AI Impact Conference in January 2026, as a preparatory forum before the India AI Impact Summit 2026.
Show answer
Answer: MeitY
The Maheshwari Global Convention and Expo 2026_____Jodhpur and addressed by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. He praised the community's role in the freedom struggle, trade, industry and job creation.
Show answer
Answer: was held in
_____, grown in Nagaur district of the Marwar region, received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag. The GI shows its special quality and its link with the area.
Show answer
Answer: Nagauri Ashwagandha
With Nagauri Ashwagandha, Rajasthan now has _____. The list includes Bikaneri Bhujia, Makrana Marble and Kota Doria.
Show answer
Answer: 22 GI-tagged products
_____ panchayat in Kotputli-Behror district became the first fully organic-certified panchayat in Rajasthan and in north-western India. It was certified under the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP).
Show answer
Answer: Bamanwas Kankar
A _____ (brainstorming camp) on the Indian wool sector was held at Avikanagar, Tonk, by the Central Wool Development Board under the Textiles Ministry, with ICAR's Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute (CSWRI).
Show answer
Answer: Chintan Shivir
The Union Environment Ministry (_____) declared an Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) around Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary, covering about 243 sq km and around 94 villages in Udaipur, Pali and Rajsamand districts of the Aravalli range.
Show answer
Answer: MoEFCC
_____ released three reports on the circular economy, covering end-of-life vehicles (ELVs), used tyres, and e-waste with lithium-ion batteries, at the IMRC 2026 (International Material Recycling Conference) in Jaipur.
Show answer
Answer: NITI Aayog
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) reviewed the annual air pollution control action plans (_____) of Rajasthan districts that fall in the National Capital Region. CAQM is a statutory body set up under the CAQM Act, 2021.
Show answer
Answer: AAP
India formally took over the _____ from Brazil on 1 January 2026. It is the fourth time India holds the chair, after 2012, 2016 and 2021.
Show answer
Answer: BRICS chair
In _____, the USA carried out a military action in Caracas and detained Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro with his wife. About 50 US fighter aircraft struck several sites in Venezuela.
Show answer
Answer: Operation Absolute Resolve
The _____ (Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction), the first legally binding treaty for the high seas, came into force on 7 January 2026. It was adopted under UNCLOS 1982 and covers waters outside any country's EEZ.
Show answer
Answer: BBNJ Agreement
A Regional Labour and Employment Conference_____Jaipur on 14–15 January 2026. It was one of six regional consultations across the country, attended by labour and industry secretaries of north-western states and Union Territories.
Show answer
Answer: was held in
The charter of the US-led _____ was signed at Davos on 22 January 2026. The body was set up under UNSC Resolution 2803 (2025) and is not directly controlled by the UN.
Show answer
Answer: Board of Peace for Gaza
Group Captain _____, who flew to the ISS on NASA's Axiom-4 mission, received the Ashok Chakra, India's highest peacetime gallantry award. He is the second Indian in space after Rakesh Sharma and will be part of Gaganyaan.
Show answer
Answer: Shubhanshu Shukla
India and the _____ announced a Free Trade Agreement on 27 January 2026 at the 6th India–EU Summit in New Delhi. The EU became India's 22nd FTA partner, with a market of about 2 billion people.
Show answer
Answer: European Union
_____ has four districts: Kota, Bundi, Jhalawar and Baran. The Travel Mart was centred on these four districts.
Show answer
Answer: Hadoti
The AI Impact Conference in Jaipur is built on three themes, _____, and on the seven pillars of the IndiaAI Mission. Its aim is to encourage the adoption of AI and new ideas.
Show answer
Answer: People, Planet and Progress
The Jaipur AI conference will focus on AI in government services, ethical rules for AI use, and _____ technology in city planning. It also aims to make Rajasthan a regional hub of AI innovation.
Show answer
Answer: digital twin
At the Maheshwari convention in Jodhpur, the message was to adopt _____ goods and promote one's own language (swabhasha), in the spirit of a self-reliant India. It also stressed how organised communities help national unity.
Show answer
Answer: swadeshi
It was noted at the Jodhpur convention that India is now the _____ in the world, up from fifth, and is preparing to reach the third position.
Show answer
Answer: fourth-largest economy
GI tags are granted by the Government of India through the _____ of the Commerce Ministry, which works under the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks (CGPDTM).
Show answer
Answer: Geographical Indications Registry
The organic shift in Bamanwas Kankar was started by local people, especially _____, worried about poor soil, falling groundwater and the health effects of chemical farming. The organisation COFED gave technical and market support.
Show answer
Answer: women farmers
The wool camp aimed to cut India's dependence on imported fine wool. It discussed strengthening the wool value chain, sustainable sheep rearing, research, marketing, branding, exports and more _____.
Show answer
Answer: Common Facility Centres (CFCs)
The Kumbhalgarh ESZ notification was issued under the _____. It creates a buffer between the forest and people living around it, to protect biodiversity and wildlife habitat.
Show answer
Answer: Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
Kumbhalgarh Sanctuary is home to wildlife such as _____ and jungle cat, which adds to the importance of the eco-sensitive zone.
Show answer
Answer: nilgai, chinkara, Indian pangolin
IMRC 2026 was organised by the Material Recycling Association of India (MRAI), India's largest recycling industry body. The reports stress stronger _____ rules and better use of resources in large waste sectors.
Show answer
Answer: Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
The reports note that rising sales of electric vehicles are increasing demand for lithium-ion batteries, so proper disposal at end of life is vital. This links to the _____ goal of low-waste, low-carbon growth.
Show answer
Answer: Viksit Bharat 2047
The CAQM review aims to reduce _____ (particles up to 2.5 micrometres) and PM10 (up to 10 micrometres). It looks at vehicle smoke, industry, construction and road dust, and burning of crop residue or waste.
Show answer
Answer: PM2.5
CAQM told NCR districts of Rajasthan to improve coordination, take preventive steps and strengthen real-time monitoring and reporting. The review also aligns with the _____.
Show answer
Answer: Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)
The United Nations declared _____ the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, to be led by the FAO on a proposal from Mongolia. The same year is also marked for women farmers and for volunteers for sustainable development.
Show answer
Answer: 2026
UAE President _____ made his third official visit to India. The two sides agreed to cooperate on large and small modular nuclear reactors, investment in Dholera SIR in Gujarat, space, and a strategic defence partnership.
Show answer
Answer: Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Under a new _____, the UAE will send about 0.5 million tonnes of liquefied natural gas to India every year. The UAE thus becomes India's second-largest gas supplier after Qatar.
Show answer
Answer: LNG deal
_____ and the UAE's G42 reached an early understanding to build a supercomputing cluster in India. Both countries set a target of taking bilateral trade above $200 billion by 2032.
Show answer
Answer: C-DAC
First Abu Dhabi Bank and _____ will open offices in GIFT City, Gujarat, and a digital/data embassy will be set up. A 'House of India' will be built in Abu Dhabi to showcase Indian culture and heritage.
Show answer
Answer: DP World
At Davos, the government of _____ announced a plan, with firms such as Coinbase and Circle, to become the world's first economy running fully on digital currency, with the dollar-linked USDC stablecoin at its core.
Show answer
Answer: Bermuda
Tennis great _____, who played for India at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, was honoured with a Padma Bhushan in the Padma Awards 2026.
Show answer
Answer: Vijay Amritraj
_____, Harmanpreet Kaur (captain of India's first women's ODI World Cup win) and hockey goalkeeper Savita Punia received the Padma Shri in sports.
Show answer
Answer: Rohit Sharma

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