Current Affairs in Gujarati 15th October 2026 : Current GK
On 15 Oct 2026
Current Affairs 9th January 2026 : Daily GK Update in English
1. Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) is celebrated annually on which date?
a) January 8
b) January 9
c) January 10
d) January 26
Answer: b) January 9
Explanation: Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is observed on January 9 every year to mark Mahatma Gandhi's return from South Africa in 1915 and to honor the contributions of the overseas Indian community.
2. Why is January 9 significant for Pravasi Bharatiya Divas?
a) Independence Day
b) Mahatma Gandhi's return to India
c) Republic Day
d) Birth of Jawaharlal Nehru
Answer: b) Mahatma Gandhi's return to India
Explanation: It commemorates Mahatma Gandhi's arrival in India from South Africa on January 9, 1915, symbolizing the diaspora's role in India's development.
3. In which city was the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention held in 2025?
a) New Delhi
b) Indore
c) Bhubaneswar
d) Ahmedabad
Answer: c) Bhubaneswar
Explanation: The 18th PBD Convention (2025) was held in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, with the theme "Diaspora's Contribution to a Viksit Bharat."
4. Who inaugurated the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention in 2025?
a) President of India
b) Prime Minister Narendra Modi
c) External Affairs Minister
d) Chief Minister of Odisha
Answer: b) Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Explanation: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the convention on January 9, 2025, in Odisha.
5. Which day is observed as Pravasi Bharatiya Divas to honor Non-Resident Indians (NRIs)?
a) NRI Day
b) Diaspora Day
c) Overseas Indian Day
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
Explanation: It is also known as NRI Day or Overseas Indian Day, celebrating the Indian diaspora's contributions.
6. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee planned a protest on January 9, 2026, related to which issue?
a) Farmers' protest
b) ED raids on I-PAC
c) Election reforms
d) Coal scam
Answer: b) ED raids on I-PAC
Explanation: She led a protest in Kolkata against Enforcement Directorate raids on I-PAC and its director's residence linked to a money laundering case.
7. What major international event involved U.S. strikes in Venezuela around early January 2026?
a) Capture of Nicolás Maduro
b) Oil sanctions
c) Diplomatic talks
d) Trade agreement
Answer: a) Capture of Nicolás Maduro
Explanation: U.S. strikes led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, with Delcy Rodríguez sworn in as interim president.
8. What was the reported death toll from U.S. airstrikes in Caracas, Venezuela, as updated around January 9, 2026?
a) 50
b) 100
c) 150
d) 200
Answer: b) 100
Explanation: The toll rose to 100, including Venezuelan and Cuban personnel, following strikes five days prior.
9. Which English darts player won the 2026 PDC World Darts Championship?
a) Michael van Gerwen
b) Luke Humphries
c) Luke Littler
d) Gian van Veen
Answer: c) Luke Littler
Explanation: Luke Littler defended his title, defeating Gian van Veen 7–1 in the final for his second consecutive win.
10. India began trial runs of its first hydrogen-powered train in January 2026. On which route?
a) Delhi-Mumbai
b) Jind-Sonepat (Haryana)
c) Chennai-Bengaluru
d) Kolkata-Howrah
Answer: b) Jind-Sonepat (Haryana)
Explanation: The pilot project marks a step toward green mobility, with passenger services planned post-trials.
11. Which renowned Indian ecologist passed away on January 7, 2026?
a) Vandana Shiva
b) Madhav Gadgil
c) Sunderlal Bahuguna
d) Anil Agarwal
Answer: b) Madhav Gadgil
Explanation: Madhav Gadgil, known for his work on ecology and the Western Ghats report, died at age 82 in Pune.
12. U.S. President Donald Trump threatened up to 500% tariffs in January 2026 on countries doing what?
a) Buying Iranian oil
b) Buying Russian oil
c) Trading with China
d) Importing steel
Answer: b) Buying Russian oil
Explanation: Trump backed a bill for high tariffs on nations purchasing Russian oil, impacting India's energy sector.
13. Which MoU was signed in early January 2026 for rural financial inclusion?
a) Between DoP and MoRD
b) Between RBI and NABARD
c) Between BIS and RBI
d) Between IRDAI and Post Office
Answer: a) Between DoP and MoRD
Explanation: The Department of Posts and Ministry of Rural Development signed an MoU to enhance rural services using post offices.
14. What growth rate did NSO estimate for India's real GDP in FY 2025-26?
a) 6.5%
b) 7.2%
c) 7.4%
d) 8.0%
Answer: c) 7.4%
Explanation: The National Statistics Office released the First Advance Estimate showing 7.4% growth.
15. Which shuttlecock event saw PV Sindhu advance to quarterfinals around January 8-9, 2026?
a) India Open
b) Malaysia Open Super 1000
c) Indonesia Masters
d) All England Open
Answer: b) Malaysia Open Super 1000
Explanation: PV Sindhu defeated Tomoka Miyazaki to reach the women's singles quarterfinals.
16. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar stated in January 2026 that India-EU ties are expected to improve in which year?
a) 2026
b) 2027
c) 2025
d) 2028
Answer: a) 2026
Explanation: Speaking in Luxembourg, Jaishankar highlighted expected improvements in India-EU relations in 2026.
17. Which organization launched the Beta Version of Integrated Standardisation Portal in January 2026?
a) ISI
b) BIS
c) ISO
d) NABL
Answer: b) BIS
Explanation: Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) launched it on its 79th foundation day.
18. What material did India commercially produce for the first time in road construction in January 2026?
a) Bio-asphalt
b) Bio-bitumen
c) Recycled plastic
d) Solar roads
Answer: b) Bio-bitumen
Explanation: India became the first country to commercially produce bio-bitumen, promoting sustainable highways.
19. Which satellite was ISRO planning to launch in early 2026?
a) Chandrayaan-4
b) EOS-N1 (Anvesha)
c) Gaganyaan
d) Aditya-L2
Answer: b) EOS-N1 (Anvesha)
Explanation: The advanced hyperspectral Earth observation satellite was set for PSLV launch.
20. An internet blackout was reported in which country on January 8, 2026?
a) Venezuela
b) Iran
c) North Korea
d) Cuba
Answer: b) Iran
Explanation: A nationwide blackout occurred amid protests called by the exiled Crown Prince.
21. Which Indian shuttler was in form at the Malaysia Open in January 2026?
a) Saina Nehwal
b) PV Sindhu
c) Kidambi Srikanth
d) Lakshya Sen
Answer: b) PV Sindhu
Explanation: She won convincingly against higher-ranked opponents in the Super 1000 tournament.
22. The Ganga Water Sharing Treaty between India and Bangladesh is set to expire in which year?
a) 2025
b) 2026
c) 2027
d) 2030
Answer: b) 2026
Explanation: Officials visited Farakka Barrage ahead of renewal talks for the 1996 treaty expiring in 2026.
23. Which company secured ISO IEC 42001 Certification in January 2026?
a) TCS
b) Infosys
c) Financial Software and Systems
d) Wipro
Answer: c) Financial Software and Systems
Explanation: It achieved Lead status for AI management systems.
24. India's first hydrogen train trials are part of which initiative?
a) Vande Bharat
b) Green mobility push
c) Bullet Train
d) Metro expansion
Answer: b) Green mobility push
Explanation: Indian Railways aims for clean energy, with services expected by end-2026.
25. Which UN body projected India's GDP growth at 7.2% for FY 2025-26 despite U.S. tariffs?
a) UNDP
b) UNDESA
c) IMF
d) World Bank
Answer: b) UNDESA
Explanation: The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs noted consumption and investment offsetting impacts.