Daily Current Affairs Quiz
Daily Quiz — January 5, 2026
Question 1 of 10
The Telangana Panchayat Raj Amendment Bill 2026, which abolished the two-child norm for local body elections, was enabled by which constitutional provision?
Article 243F allows Parliament and State Legislatures to make laws regarding disqualifications from Panchayat membership. States like Telangana used this provision to introduce the two-child norm in 1994 and are now using it to abolish the norm.
💡 Concept Note
The 73rd Constitutional Amendment (1992) inserted Articles 243 to 243O creating a constitutional framework for Panchayati Raj. Key provisions: Article 243B (three-tier structure), 243C (composition), 243D (reservation), 243E (duration), 243F (disqualifications), 243G (powers and functions).
Question 2 of 10
The Indian Pharmacopoeia 2026 (10th edition) became the first pharmacopoeia globally to include monographs for blood components. How many such monographs were included?
IP 2026 included 20 blood component monographs — covering whole blood, packed red blood cells (PRBC), fresh frozen plasma (FFP), platelets, cryoprecipitate, and albumin. This makes India the first country globally to include blood component quality standards in a pharmacopoeia.
💡 Concept Note
The Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) was established in 1956 and is headquartered in Ghaziabad, UP. The legal basis for IP compliance is the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. India's 10th edition (IP 2026) has 3,340 total monographs.
Question 3 of 10
The Market Access Support (MAS) Scheme launched in January 2026 is part of which larger government programme?
The MAS Scheme (Rs 4,531 crore; FY26-FY31) is part of the larger Export Promotion Mission (EPM) valued at Rs 25,060 crore. It supports MSMEs and first-time exporters through international trade fairs, exhibitions, and Buyer-Seller Meets, with a mandatory 35% MSME participation requirement.
💡 Concept Note
India's export target is USD 2 trillion by 2030 (merchandise + services combined). Key export promotion bodies: DPIIT (domestic promotion), DGFT (foreign trade policy), EXIM Bank (finance), Export Credit Guarantee Corporation (ECGC) of India.
Question 4 of 10
The IITM Global Research Foundation was launched by which Union Minister, and where is it headquartered?
External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar launched the IITM Global Research Foundation at IIT Madras, Chennai. MoUs were signed with institutions in USA (3), UK (1), Germany (3), Dubai-UAE (3), and Asia-Pacific (3).
💡 Concept Note
India has 23 IITs (as of 2024). The National Education Policy 2020 emphasises internationalisation of Indian higher education. IIT Madras is consistently ranked among India's top technical institutions (QS ranking). The IIT-diaspora connection is significant — many IIT alumni lead global tech companies.
Question 5 of 10
The Skilling for AI Readiness (SOAR) Programme in India is an initiative of which ministry?
The SOAR (Skilling for AI Readiness) Programme is an initiative of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. It aims to train India's workforce in AI-related skills to leverage India's demographic dividend in the AI economy.
💡 Concept Note
India's AI skilling ecosystem includes: FutureSkills Prime (MeitY + NASSCOM), PMKVY (Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana), and various sector-specific upskilling programmes. India aims to be an AI talent hub given its ~1.5 million annual engineering graduates.
Question 6 of 10
World Braille Day is observed on January 4 each year. Which of the following correctly describes Louis Braille's invention?
Louis Braille invented the six-dot Braille system in 1824 (at age 15), published in 1829. Six raised dots in a 3x2 grid give 64 possible combinations (including blank), representing letters, numbers, and punctuation. World Braille Day has been observed annually on January 4 (his birthday, 1809) since 2019.
💡 Concept Note
The UN designated January 4 as World Braille Day via General Assembly Resolution 73/161 (2018); first WBD was January 4, 2019. The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 (India) mandates accessible information including Braille. UNCRPD (Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities) was adopted 2006; India ratified 2007.
Question 7 of 10
The Vishnugad-Pipalkoti Hydroelectric Project, which features in UPSC context for hydropower in Uttarakhand, is located on which river?
The Vishnugad-Pipalkoti Hydroelectric Project (444 MW, run-of-river) is on the Alaknanda River in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand. It is being constructed by THDC India Limited (formerly Tehri Hydro Development Corporation).
💡 Concept Note
The Alaknanda joins the Bhagirathi at Devprayag to form the Ganga. Major hydropower projects on Alaknanda: Vishnugad-Pipalkoti (444 MW), Srinagar HEP (330 MW). Uttarakhand's hydropower potential: ~27,000 MW. Ganga tributaries: Alaknanda, Mandakini (from Kedarnath), Pindar, Nandakini — all meeting at Panch Prayag.
Question 8 of 10
The Galaxy frog recently discovered in India is endemic to which biodiversity hotspot region?
The Galaxy frog is endemic to the Western Ghats, one of the world's 36 biodiversity hotspots recognised by Conservation International. The Western Ghats is home to an exceptionally high diversity of amphibians, many found nowhere else on Earth.
💡 Concept Note
India has 4 biodiversity hotspots: Western Ghats, Eastern Himalayas (Indo-Burma), Sundaland (Andaman & Nicobar Islands), and Indo-Burma region. The Western Ghats has ~5,000 species of flowering plants, 139 mammals, 508 birds, and 179 amphibian species — most endemic.
Question 9 of 10
Under the Live Events Development Cell (LEDC) established by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, which Indian city showed the highest percentage growth in live entertainment consumption in Tier 2/3 cities?
Visakhapatnam showed the highest percentage growth at 490% in live entertainment consumption among Tier 2/3 cities, followed by Vadodara (230%), Shillong (213%), and Guwahati (188%). India's organised live events market is Rs 20,861 crore (2024) with projected 18% CAGR.
💡 Concept Note
The live events sector supports 10 million+ jobs in India. The LEDC acts as a single-window mechanism for government coordination, industry, and music rights societies. The sector includes concerts, sports events, theatre, and cultural festivals — part of India's growing creative economy.
Question 10 of 10
The ADB approved a USD 500 million loan for which urban infrastructure project in Telangana in January 2026?
ADB approved Rs 4,100 crore (USD 500 million) for the Musi Riverfront Development Project in Hyderabad. Phase I covers 21 km of the 55 km Musi Riverfront. The project is implemented through the Musi Riverfront Development Corporation Limited (MRDCL).
💡 Concept Note
ADB (Asian Development Bank) was established in 1966; HQ in Manila, Philippines; India has been its largest sovereign borrower since 2019. The Musi River flows through historic Hyderabad (Charminar, Salar Jung Museum are on its banks). Urban river restoration projects are linked to Smart City, AMRUT 2.0, and climate resilience goals.