Daily Current Affairs Quiz
Daily Quiz — January 16, 2026
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10 questions based on today’s current affairs & editorials
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Question 1 of 10
Ponduru Khadi, which received a GI tag in January 2026, is produced in which district?
Ponduru Khadi is produced in Srikakulam district, Andhra Pradesh, on the banks of the Nagavali River. The GI tag was registered in favour of KVIC. Ponduru Khadi is unique for its thread count of 100-120 and the use of fish jawbone from the Valuga fish in cotton cleaning.
💡 Concept Note
The Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 (in force from September 15, 2003) governs GI tags in India. GI Registry is in Chennai under CGPDTM and DPIIT. India has 600+ registered GIs.
First Indian GI was Darjeeling Tea (2004). Tamil Nadu has the most GIs (~90+).
First Indian GI was Darjeeling Tea (2004). Tamil Nadu has the most GIs (~90+).
Question 2 of 10
The NITI Aayog MSME Convergence Report 2026 identified how many overlapping central government MSME schemes?
The NITI Aayog report titled ‘Achieving Efficiencies in MSME Sector through Convergence of Schemes’ identified 18 MSME schemes with overlapping objectives and recommended two-pronged convergence: information convergence (unified digital platform) and process convergence (aligned eligibility and delivery).
💡 Concept Note
India’s MSME sector employs 62% of the non-agricultural workforce (~28.13 crore workers), contributes 27-30% to GDP and 45% to exports. Despite 18+ schemes, only ~13% of MSMEs access any formal government scheme.
Udyam Portal (launched July 1, 2020) has 3.94 crore registered MSMEs; Udyam Assist Platform has 2.71 crore informal micro enterprises.
Udyam Portal (launched July 1, 2020) has 3.94 crore registered MSMEs; Udyam Assist Platform has 2.71 crore informal micro enterprises.
Question 3 of 10
The MSME Udyam Portal was launched on which date?
The Udyam Portal was launched on July 1, 2020, replacing the earlier Udyog Aadhaar system. It introduced self-declaration with PAN and Aadhaar verification without inspector visits or certificate fees.
Medium enterprise category was also introduced in the new MSME definition in 2020.
Medium enterprise category was also introduced in the new MSME definition in 2020.
💡 Concept Note
MSME definitions under Udyam (2020): Micro (Investment ≤ Rs 1 cr + Turnover ≤ Rs 5 cr), Small (Investment ≤ Rs 10 cr + Turnover ≤ Rs 50 cr), Medium (Investment ≤ Rs 50 cr + Turnover ≤ Rs 250 cr). Turnover criterion was added in 2020 alongside investment — previously only investment was used.
Question 4 of 10
India's fish production in 2023-24 was approximately 184 lakh tonnes, making India the world's largest/second-largest fish producer. Which is correct?
India is the 2nd largest fish producer globally after China. India’s production was 184.02 lakh tonnes in 2023-24, up from 95.79 lakh tonnes in 2013-14.
India signed a Joint Ministerial Declaration of Intent on fisheries cooperation with Israel at the Blue Food Security Summit in Eilat in January 2026.
India signed a Joint Ministerial Declaration of Intent on fisheries cooperation with Israel at the Blue Food Security Summit in Eilat in January 2026.
💡 Concept Note
Key fisheries schemes: PMMSY (Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana; launched 2020; Rs 20,050 crore) and Blue Revolution (2015-16 predecessor). India exports shrimp (Vannamei; key export), Hilsa, and processed seafood.
Fisheries contribute ~1.24% to GDP and ~6.72% of agricultural GVA. MPEDA (Marine Products Export Development Authority) promotes seafood exports.
Fisheries contribute ~1.24% to GDP and ~6.72% of agricultural GVA. MPEDA (Marine Products Export Development Authority) promotes seafood exports.
Question 5 of 10
The 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC) was held in January 2026 in which city?
The 28th CSPOC was held in New Delhi (January 14-16, 2026), co-chaired by Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh. India highlighted that 1.5 million women are elected representatives in local self-governing bodies — described as the world’s largest experiment in women’s political representation.
💡 Concept Note
73rd Constitutional Amendment (1992): 1/3 women’s reservation in Panchayats. 74th Constitutional Amendment (1992): 1/3 women’s reservation in Urban Local Bodies. Two-thirds of states have 50% reservation for women in rural local bodies. 106th Constitutional Amendment (Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023): 33% reservation in Lok Sabha and State Assemblies — yet to be operationalised pending delimitation.
Question 6 of 10
The National Tribal Health Observatory (B-THO) was established through an MoU between which two institutions?
India’s first National Tribal Health Observatory (B-THO) was established through an MoU between the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre (ICMR-RMRC), Bhubaneswar. The goal is to formally recognise 1 lakh tribal doctors as partners in public health, focusing on malaria, leprosy, and TB elimination in tribal areas.
💡 Concept Note
ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research) is India’s apex body for biomedical research under the Ministry of Health. ICMR-RMRC Bhubaneswar has expertise in tribal health and tropical diseases.
Related schemes: PM JANMAN (development of PVTGs — Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups), DAJGUA (tribal welfare convergence scheme).
Related schemes: PM JANMAN (development of PVTGs — Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups), DAJGUA (tribal welfare convergence scheme).
Question 7 of 10
The PM Internship Scheme (PMIS) offers internships in top companies. What is the monthly stipend provided?
The PM Internship Scheme provides Rs 5,000 per month + a one-time grant of Rs 6,000. Target: 1 crore internships over 5 years in top 500 companies; eligible age 21-24 years.
Despite Rs 11,500 crore budget for FY26, only ~4% was utilised as of November 2025 due to low acceptance and completion rates.
Despite Rs 11,500 crore budget for FY26, only ~4% was utilised as of November 2025 due to low acceptance and completion rates.
💡 Concept Note
PM Internship Scheme is under Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA). The low completion rate reveals a structural mismatch: Rs 5,000/month is insufficient for urban living costs; many offer-holders are in smaller towns without access to metropolitan internship venues.
Critics argue the scheme should prioritise Tier-2/3 city internships and include skill certification with market value.
Critics argue the scheme should prioritise Tier-2/3 city internships and include skill certification with market value.
Question 8 of 10
Japan's experimental deep-sea rare earth mining in 2026 is conducted near which island location?
Japan is conducting experimental deep-sea rare earth extraction near Minami Torishima island, within Japan’s EEZ, at ~6,000 metres depth aboard vessel Chikyu. The deposits contain over 16 million tonnes of rare earths — including dysprosium (730 years supply) and yttrium (780 years supply).
💡 Concept Note
China controls ~67% of global rare earth mining and 90%+ of refining — creating critical dependency for electronics, EVs, and defence systems. International Seabed Authority (ISA), based in Kingston, Jamaica, regulates mineral activities in the international seabed area (beyond national EEZs).
India’s rare earth deposits: Monazite sands (Kerala, Tamil Nadu coasts); India Rare Earths Ltd (IREL) under Department of Atomic Energy mines thorium-rich monazite.
India’s rare earth deposits: Monazite sands (Kerala, Tamil Nadu coasts); India Rare Earths Ltd (IREL) under Department of Atomic Energy mines thorium-rich monazite.
Question 9 of 10
The GI (Geographical Indication) tag for which item was held by the Tea Board of India?
Darjeeling Tea was India’s first GI tag (granted in 2004), and the GI is held by the Tea Board of India (under Ministry of Commerce). It is protected against imitation globally.
Despite the GI, counterfeit ‘Darjeeling Tea’ accounts for an estimated 65% of global sales of the label.
Despite the GI, counterfeit ‘Darjeeling Tea’ accounts for an estimated 65% of global sales of the label.
💡 Concept Note
GI tag holder (applicant) vs Authorised User: The applicant (e.g., Tea Board, KVIC) holds the GI registration. Individual producers from the designated region register as ‘Authorised Users’ and can use the GI label.
Enforcement is the responsibility of the GI holder — which is often weak due to resource constraints and international IP litigation costs.
Enforcement is the responsibility of the GI holder — which is often weak due to resource constraints and international IP litigation costs.
Question 10 of 10
The 6th ASEAN-India Digital Ministers' Meeting (ADGMIN) was co-chaired by India's DoT Secretary and a representative from which ASEAN country?
The 6th ADGMIN was co-chaired by Amit Agrawal (Secretary, Department of Telecommunications, India) and Nguyen Manh Hung (Vietnam). The meeting approved the ASEAN-India Digital Work Plan 2026 and operationalised the ASEAN-India Fund for Digital Future.
India showcased UPI, Aadhaar, DigiLocker, and Sanchar Saathi.
India showcased UPI, Aadhaar, DigiLocker, and Sanchar Saathi.
💡 Concept Note
ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) now has 11 full members: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and Timor-Leste (admitted as the 11th full member on 26 October 2025 at the 47th ASEAN Summit — the bloc’s first expansion since 1999). India-ASEAN ties: Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (2022); ASEAN-India FTA (AITIGA, under renegotiation for upgradation); India’s Act East Policy (2014 onwards) replaced Look East Policy (1991).
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