Current Affairs in Gujarati 15th October 2026 : Current GK
On 15 Oct 2026
Current Affairs 17th January 2026 : Daily GK Update in English
1. Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off India's first Vande Bharat Sleeper train on January 17, 2026, from which location in West Bengal?
A) Howrah
B) Malda Town
C) New Jalpaiguri
D) Guwahati
Answer: B) Malda Town
Explanation: PM Modi flagged off the inaugural Vande Bharat Sleeper train (Howrah-Kamakhya/Guwahati route) from Malda Town railway station around 12.45 PM on January 17, 2026. This marked a landmark in Indian Railways for premium overnight AC travel. Regular services began the next day (January 18). Howrah and Guwahati are endpoints, while New Jalpaiguri is an intermediate stop.
2. The first Vande Bharat Sleeper train flagged off on January 17, 2026, connects which two major cities?
A) Delhi-Mumbai
B) Howrah-Guwahati (Kamakhya)
C) Chennai-Bengaluru
D) Mumbai-Ahmedabad
Answer: B) Howrah-Guwahati (Kamakhya)
Explanation: The train provides the fastest AC overnight connectivity between Howrah (Kolkata) and Guwahati (Kamakhya), benefiting Northeast India. It features 16 coaches, modern amenities, regional cuisine, and fares like ~₹2,300 for 3rd AC (including food). Other routes are unrelated to this launch.
3. How many coaches does the Vande Bharat Sleeper train (launched January 17, 2026) have, with a total passenger capacity of 823?
A) 12
B) 14
C) 16
D) 18
Answer: C) 16
Explanation: The train has 16 coaches designed for sleeper configuration, accommodating 823 passengers. This is a key feature highlighted during the flag-off to emphasize comfort and capacity for long-distance travel.
4. On January 17, 2026, PM Modi participated in which cultural event in Guwahati, Assam, featuring over 10,000 Bodo artists performing a synchronized folk dance?
A) Bihu Mahotsav
B) Bagurumba Dwhou 2026
C) Jhumoir Binandini
D) Hornbill Festival
Answer: B) Bagurumba Dwhou 2026
Explanation: PM Modi attended "Bagurumba Dwhou 2026" at Sarusajai Stadium around 6 PM, celebrating Bodo heritage through the traditional Bagurumba dance (symbolizing nature, peace, and harmony). Over 10,000 performers from 81 constituencies participated. Other events are from different communities or years.
5. During his January 17-18, 2026 visit to Assam, PM Modi performed the bhoomi pujan for which major wildlife infrastructure project worth ~₹6,950 crore?
A) Manas Tiger Reserve Corridor
B) Kaziranga Elevated Corridor
C) Nameri Eco-Bridge
D) Orang National Park Flyover
Answer: B) Kaziranga Elevated Corridor
Explanation: On January 18, 2026, in Kaliabor (Nagaon district), PM Modi laid the foundation for the Kaziranga Elevated Corridor (passing through Nagaon, Karbi Anglong, Golaghat). It aims to reduce human-wildlife conflict by allowing uninterrupted animal movement and improving Upper Assam connectivity (e.g., to Dibrugarh/Tinsukia).
6. PM Modi virtually flagged off how many new Amrit Bharat Express trains during his January 17-18, 2026 programs in Assam and West Bengal?
A) 2
B) 4
C) 6
D) 8
Answer: B) 4
Explanation: He flagged off four Amrit Bharat Express trains (e.g., New Jalpaiguri-Nagercoil, New Jalpaiguri-Tiruchirappalli, Alipurduar-SMVT Bengaluru, Alipurduar-Mumbai Panvel) to enhance Northeast connectivity with other regions. Some reports also mention two additional ones from Assam.
7. On January 17, 2026, PM Modi visited which district in West Bengal on January 18 to inaugurate/foundation-lay projects worth ~₹830 crore?
A) Malda
B) Singur (Hooghly)
C) Kolkata
D) Siliguri
Answer: B) Singur (Hooghly)
Explanation: On January 18 around 3 PM, PM Modi addressed projects (roads, infrastructure) in Singur, Hooghly district. This was part of his two-state visit amid upcoming assembly elections in West Bengal and Assam.
8. The NSE and BSE announced live trading on February 1, 2026, for the Union Budget presentation (covered prominently in January 17 digests). Who presents the Budget?
A) PM Narendra Modi
B) Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman
C) RBI Governor
D) Economic Affairs Secretary
Answer: B) Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman
Explanation: Stock exchanges confirmed Sunday trading on February 1, 2026, for Budget Day. Nirmala Sitharaman, as Finance Minister, presents it annually.
9. The Ministry of External Affairs clarified on January 16-17, 2026, that an Indian diplomat's meeting with a Jamaat-e-Islami leader was routine in which country?
A) Pakistan
B) Bangladesh
C) Afghanistan
D) Maldives
Answer: B) Bangladesh
Explanation: MEA described the interaction as routine diplomatic engagement in Dhaka, following revelations by the Jamaat leader.
10. India’s BRICS Chairship 2026 theme, unveiled by EAM Jaishankar (covered in January 2026), includes which four priorities?
A) Growth, Trade, Security, Diplomacy
B) Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation, Sustainability
C) Peace, Equality, Justice, Freedom
D) Technology, Environment, Health, Education
Answer: B) Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation, Sustainability
Explanation: The theme "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability" reflects a humanity-first approach for global challenges. Logo and website (brics2026.gov.in) were launched earlier in January.
11. The World Economic Forum's Global Risks Report 2026 (released/reported around January 2026) describes the current era as what?
A) Age of Cooperation
B) Age of Competition
C) Age of Isolation
D) Age of Innovation
Answer: B) Age of Competition
Explanation: It highlights geopolitical/economic confrontations overtaking cooperation, with "uncertainty" as the defining feature.
12. India's first state-funded BSL-4 laboratory (foundation/highlighted in January 2026) is in which state?
A) Maharashtra (Pune)
B) Gujarat
C) Karnataka
D) Tamil Nadu
Answer: B) Gujarat
Explanation: Unlike ICMR-funded labs (e.g., NIV Pune), this is Gujarat's state-managed BSL-4 for high-risk pathogen research.
13. January 17 is observed in some calendars as which day related to Benjamin Franklin?
A) Invention Day
B) Ben Franklin Day
C) Electricity Pioneer Day
D) Founding Father Day
Answer: B) Ben Franklin Day
Explanation: It commemorates Franklin's contributions (birth near January 17, 1706), noted in US/international calendars.
14. Which UAE event featured a nationwide sky parade by Al Fursan pilots on January 17, 2026?
A) National Day
B) Day of Solidarity
C) Eid Celebration
D) Independence Day
Answer: B) Day of Solidarity
Explanation: Elite pilots performed with colorful smoke trails across emirates to mark solidarity.
15. In the context of January 17, 2026, drone flying was prohibited in which Tamil Nadu district for security reasons?
A) Chennai
B) Madurai
C) Coimbatore
D) Tiruchirappalli
Answer: B) Madurai
Explanation: Bans covered Madurai Airport, CM's route, and district areas due to security (likely linked to events/visits).
16. Schools in which Uttar Pradesh district remained closed on January 17, 2026, due to cold wave/fog?
A) Lucknow
B) Gautam Buddh Nagar
C) Varanasi
D) Kanpur
Answer: B) Gautam Buddh Nagar
Explanation: Closure for Nursery to Class 8 (all boards) amid persistent fog/cold.
17. The India Open badminton (Super 750) disruptions in January 2026 were due to what unusual factor (ongoing coverage)?
A) Rain delay
B) Bird dropping on court
C) Power failure
D) Player protest
Answer: B) Bird dropping on court
Explanation: A rare incident caused brief suspension during matches.
18. Which WPL 2026 match saw a key 105-run partnership for RCB against Gujarat Giants (reported around January 17)?
A) Smriti Mandhana and Ellyse Perry
B) Experienced players' fifth-wicket stand
C) Harmanpreet Kaur partnership
D) Beth Mooney stand
Answer: B) Experienced players' fifth-wicket stand
Explanation: The partnership helped RCB win by 32 runs at D.Y. Patil Stadium.
19. Under-19 World Cup match on January 17, 2026, featured India vs which team?
A) Australia
B) Bangladesh
C) England
D) Pakistan
Answer: B) Bangladesh
Explanation: Highlighted as a key clash in youth cricket.
20. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's visit to India (January 12-13, 2026) was his first to which region?
A) Europe
B) Asia
C) Middle East
D) Africa
Answer: B) Asia
Explanation: Invited by PM Modi, it marked his first Asian/Indian visit.
21. The ICJ hearings on Myanmar's Rohingya genocide (ongoing into January 2026) were brought by which country?
A) Bangladesh
B) The Gambia
C) India
D) Malaysia
Answer: B) The Gambia
Explanation: Filed on behalf of OIC; hearings spanned early January.
22. Union Home Minister Amit Shah's projects worth ₹629+ crore (covered January 2026) were in which Gujarat location?
A) Ahmedabad
B) Mansa
C) Surat
D) Vadodara
Answer: B) Mansa
Explanation: Inaugurated in Mansa municipality (Gandhinagar area).
23. NITI Aayog's January 2026 report proposed scheme convergence for which sector?
A) Agriculture
B) MSME
C) Health
D) Education
Answer: B) MSME
Explanation: To reduce duplication and boost efficiency.
24. India-Israel signed fisheries/aquaculture declaration (reported January 2026) at which summit?
A) Davos
B) Global Summit on Blue Food Security, Eilat
C) G20
D) COP
Answer: B) Global Summit on Blue Food Security, Eilat
Explanation: Joint intent for sustainable cooperation.
25. Air India/IndiGo rerouted flights due to airspace closure by which country (January 2026 reports)?
A) Pakistan
B) China
C) Iran
D) Afghanistan
Answer: C) Iran
Explanation: Temporary closure amid regional tensions.