Daily Current Affairs Quiz
Daily Quiz — January 14, 2026
Question 1 of 10
Makar Sankranti is one of the few Indian festivals based on the solar calendar. Which astronomical transition does it mark?
Makar Sankranti marks the Sun's transition into Capricorn (Makara rashi), which also marks Uttarayan — the Sun's northward journey. In 2026 the Sankranti moment was at 3:13 PM IST on January 14.
💡 Concept Note
Most Indian festivals use the lunar calendar. Makar Sankranti and Vaisakhi (April 13/14) are rare solar-calendar festivals. Regional names: Pongal (Tamil Nadu), Magh Bihu (Assam), Lohri (Punjab — Jan 13), Uttarayan (Gujarat). Gangasagar Mela at Sagar Island (West Bengal) draws 20 lakh+ pilgrims — India's 2nd largest pilgrimage after Kumbh.
Question 2 of 10
PSLV-C62 suffered India's second consecutive PSLV failure on January 12, 2026. In which stage did the anomaly occur that caused the mission failure?
A roll-rate disturbance in Stage 3 (PS3 — solid propellant stage) caused PSLV-C62 to lose attitude control before stage separation. This was the second consecutive PSLV failure involving a Stage 3 anomaly; PSLV-C61 in May 2025 also failed at Stage 3.
💡 Concept Note
PSLV is a 4-stage vehicle with alternating solid-liquid propulsion: Stage 1 solid (HTPB), Stage 2 liquid (N2O4+UDMH), Stage 3 solid, Stage 4 liquid. Solid stages cannot be throttled or shut down once ignited, making any anomaly catastrophic. PSLV-C62 was the 64th PSLV flight. ISRO Chairman is V. N. Narayanan.
Question 3 of 10
The 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC) was inaugurated in New Delhi in January 2026. Who presided over this conference as Chairperson of the CPA India Region?
The 28th CSPOC was presided over by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla in his capacity as Chairperson of the CPA India Region. 61 Speakers and Presiding Officers from 45+ Commonwealth Parliaments attended. PM Modi inaugurated it on January 15 in the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan.
💡 Concept Note
CPA (Commonwealth Parliamentary Association) was founded in 1911 to promote parliamentary governance across Commonwealth nations. CSPOC conferences bring together Speakers to discuss challenges facing legislatures globally. The Commonwealth has 56 member states, formerly the British Empire.
Question 4 of 10
India launched its BRICS 2026 Chairship with a logo featuring which cultural symbol at its centre?
India's BRICS 2026 logo is lotus-inspired: a lotus with petals in the colours of all BRICS member nations and a Namaste gesture (joined palms, Anjali mudra) at its centre, symbolising India's spirit of warmth, respect, and harmonious collaboration. The logo was selected through a public contest on the government's MyGov platform; the winning design was by Sudeep Subhash Gandhi. The official website is brics2026.gov.in.
💡 Concept Note
BRICS India 2026 theme: "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability" (acronym B-R-I-C-S itself maps to the theme words). India will host the 18th BRICS Summit in 2026 — the fourth time India chairs BRICS (previously 2012, 2016, 2021). BRICS now has 10 members after the 2023 Johannesburg enlargement added Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and UAE (effective January 1, 2024).
Question 5 of 10
The National Sports Governance Rules 2026 mandate a minimum number of Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit (SOMs) in each National Sports Body. What is the minimum required and what gender quota applies?
The National Sports Governance Rules 2026 (notified January 12, 2026 under the National Sports Governance Act, 2025) mandate at least 4 SOMs in each National Sports Body General Body, with 50% of SOMs being women. At least 4 women must also be in the Executive Committee.
💡 Concept Note
SOM eligibility: minimum age 25, retired from active sport, not competed for at least 1 year. NSBs have 6 months to amend their bye-laws. These reforms align with Olympic Charter standards and aim to bring athlete voices into sports governance. The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports oversees NSBs (about 57 national sports federations).
Question 6 of 10
India's fish production in FY 2024-25 was 197.75 lakh tonnes, making India the second-largest fish producer globally. What is India's rank in aquaculture production specifically?
India is the 2nd largest fish producer globally (contributing 8% of global output) and the 2nd in aquaculture production. India is ranked 1st in shrimp production and export. Seafood exports reached an all-time high of Rs 62,408 crore (US$ 7,453.73 million) in FY 2024-25.
💡 Concept Note
Fish production doubled in 10 years — from 95.79 lakh tonnes (FY 2013-14) to 197.75 lakh tonnes (FY 2024-25). PMMSY (Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana; 2020; Rs 20,050 crore) drove 38% growth since its launch. Blue Economy is a GS-3 topic — India has a 7,517 km coastline and 2.37 million sq km EEZ.
Question 7 of 10
PM GatiShakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminals (GCTs) data released showed that India's logistics cost as a percentage of GDP has been reduced to which figure?
PM GatiShakti Cargo Terminal data released showed India's logistics cost reduced to 7.97% of GDP (from ~14% pre-reform). 306 GCTs were approved and 118 commissioned as of January 2026. Freight revenue from GCTs reached Rs 12,608 crore in 2024-25 — a 4-fold increase from 2022-23.
💡 Concept Note
PM GatiShakti National Master Plan (NMP) was launched in October 2021 to provide multimodal connectivity across infrastructure sectors using GIS-based planning. National Logistics Policy was released in 2022. Target: reduce logistics cost to below 8% of GDP (global average). 192 million tonnes of annual GCT capacity has been created.
Question 8 of 10
Kaimur Tiger Reserve, if notified, will become the second tiger reserve of Bihar. Which is Bihar's first tiger reserve?
Valmiki Tiger Reserve in West Champaran district is Bihar's first (and currently only) tiger reserve. Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary in Kaimur district is moving toward notification as Bihar's second tiger reserve after Bihar government approval and NTCA in-principle clearance (October 8, 2024).
💡 Concept Note
India's 2022 tiger census counted 3,167 tigers — world's largest wild tiger population (75% of global wild tigers). Project Tiger was launched in 1973 by PM Indira Gandhi; NTCA was established under the Wildlife Protection Act Amendment 2006. India has 55 tiger reserves (as of 2024). Valmiki is connected to Nepal's Chitwan National Park — important trans-boundary corridor.
Question 9 of 10
Virat Kohli became the 2nd highest run-scorer in international cricket during the India vs New Zealand 1st ODI in Vadodara. Whose record did he surpass?
Virat Kohli surpassed Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) to become the 2nd highest run-scorer in international cricket history. Kohli accumulated 28,068 runs in 624 innings across all formats, compared to Sangakkara's 28,016 runs in 666 innings. Sachin Tendulkar remains at the top with 34,357 runs.
💡 Concept Note
Kohli also became the fastest batter to reach 28,000 international runs. Only Sachin Tendulkar has more runs across Test, ODI, and T20I cricket (all three formats combined). Sports current affairs — especially international records — are regularly asked in State PCS and SSC examinations.
Question 10 of 10
The IndiaAI Mission, which signed an MoU with UP to set up 65 AI Labs, was approved in April 2024 with what outlay?
The IndiaAI Mission was approved in April 2024 with an outlay of Rs 10,372 crore. It is implemented by the Digital India Corporation under MeitY (Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology). The MoU with UP (UPDESCO) will set up 65 Data and AI Labs across Uttar Pradesh.
💡 Concept Note
The IndiaAI Mission has several components: compute infrastructure (AI supercomputing), datasets platform, AI innovation centre, application development for governance, skilling programs, and startup financing through the IndiaAI Startup Financing scheme. The mission aims to position India as a global AI hub and prevent concentration of AI capabilities.