Daily Current Affairs Quiz
09 January, 2026
National Affairs
1. UN DESA Pegs India’s Growth at 7.2% in FY 2025–26
Source: TH
Context:
The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) has projected India’s GDP growth at 7.2% in FY 2025–26, broadly in line with the Union government’s estimate of 7.4%, despite rising global trade uncertainties, particularly from U.S. tariffs.
The projection was made in the World Economic Situation and Prospects 2026 report.
Key Drivers Supporting India’s Growth
According to UN DESA, India’s growth momentum will be sustained by:
1. Resilient Domestic Consumption
- Strong household demand continues to anchor growth
- Acts as a buffer against external shocks
2. Robust Public Investment
- Government-led capital expenditure remains a key growth engine
- Infrastructure spending supports multiplier effects across sectors
3. Supply-Side Expansion
- Continued growth in manufacturing and services
- Supports employment, exports, and productivity gains
Medium-Term Growth Outlook
The report projects a gradual moderation in growth over the medium term:
| Period | Growth Projection |
|---|---|
| Calendar Year 2025 | 7.4% |
| FY 2026–27 | 6.6% |
| FY 2027–28 | 6.8% |
2. Centre to Launch Nationwide Cashless Treatment Scheme for Road Accident Victims
Source: TH
The Government of India is set to launch a nationwide cashless treatment scheme for road accident victims, aimed at reducing fatalities through timely medical intervention during the critical ‘Golden Hour’. The scheme is expected to be launched soon by Narendra Modi, according to Nitin Gadkari.
Key Features of the Scheme
1. Cashless Medical Treatment
- Coverage of up to ₹1.5 lakh per accident victim
- Applicable to road accidents anywhere in India, not limited to National Highways
- Focus on immediate hospital care in the first 60 minutes (Golden Hour) after an accident
2. Funding Mechanism
- Primary funding through third-party motor insurance, purchased at the time of vehicle registration
- In cases where the vehicle is uninsured, expenses will be met from the Road Safety Fund
3. Incentive for ‘Good Samaritans’
- Individuals who bring accident victims to hospitals — termed “Rahavirs” — will receive a cash award of ₹25,000
- Reward limited to one individual per incident
- Aims to counter bystander hesitation and legal fears
3. Textiles Ministry Signs MoUs with 15 States Under Tex-RAMPS Scheme
Source: TH
Context:
The Ministry of Textiles has signed MoUs with 15 States under a new scheme called Tex-RAMPS (Textiles focused Research, Assessment, Monitoring, Planning and Start-Up). The agreements were signed during a national textile ministers’ conference held in Guwahati, which focused on strengthening India’s textile sector.
What is Tex-RAMPS?
Tex-RAMPS stands for Textile Research, Advanced Manufacturing, and Processing Scheme.
It is a Central Government scheme aimed at strengthening research, innovation, and advanced manufacturing in India’s textile sector.
- Launch/approval date: November 2025
- Implementation period: FY 2025-26 to FY 2030-31
Ministry
Implemented by the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India.
Objective
The scheme aims to:
- Promote cutting-edge research and innovation in textiles
- Encourage advanced manufacturing technologies
- Improve productivity, quality, and global competitiveness
- Support India’s transition from traditional textiles to high-value and technical textiles
Key Focus Areas
- Textile research & development (R&D)
- Advanced processing technologies
- Sustainable and eco-friendly manufacturing
- Technical textiles (medical, industrial, defence, geo-textiles, etc.)
- Industry–academia collaboration
4. 79th Foundation Day of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)
Context:
The 79th Foundation Day of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) was celebrated recently.
On the occasion, the Union Minister highlighted that BIS is moving from a purely regulatory role to a more facilitative approach, in line with:
- Ease of Doing Business
- Quality-led growth
- Developing a quality culture across society
About Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)
- BIS is India’s National Standards Body
- It ensures standardisation, certification, hallmarking, and quality assurance of goods and services
- Objective:
- Protect consumers
- Improve product quality
- Enhance India’s global competitiveness
Establishment & Legal Framework
- Established: 1987
- Came into force: 1 April 1987
- Governing law: BIS Act, 2016
- Headquarters: New Delhi
New Initiatives Launched by BIS
1. BIS Standardisation Portal (Beta Launch)
- Fully digital end-to-end platform for standards development
- Covers entire lifecycle:
- Proposal → drafting → publication
- Key features:
- Dashboards
- Role-based access
- Faster timelines
- Greater transparency
2. SHINE – Standards Help Inform & Nurture Empowered Women
- Women-centric initiative
- Works through:
- Self-Help Groups (SHGs)
- NGOs
- Objective:
- Build quality awareness
- Position women as “quality ambassadors” at the community level
3. BIS–SAKSHAM
- Annual Excellence Recognition Scheme
- Recognises:
- Institutions
- Individuals
- Focus on:
- Knowledge
- Skills
- High-impact contributions in standardisation and quality
5. Uttarakhand Police Tops ICJS 2.0 Rankings
Source: BS
Context:
Uttarakhand Police secured first rank in the ICJS 2.0 national rankings, while the Uttarakhand State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) was commended for its exemplary service during Prayagraj Mahakumbh-2025.
About ICJS 2.0
- ICJS stands for Inter-Operable Criminal Justice System.
- It is a flagship digital initiative of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
- ICJS 2.0 is the upgraded version aimed at end-to-end digital integration of the criminal justice system.
Key Points:
- Uttarakhand ranked 1st with a score of 93.46, followed by Haryana (93.41) and Assam (93.16).
- Rankings were released by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) through the CCTNS/ICJS Progress Dashboard.
- ICJS 2.0 integrates police, courts, prosecution, prisons, forensics, and fingerprint databases on a single digital platform.
- Effective implementation enabled faster investigations, digital case diaries, e-charge sheets, and evidence-based prosecution.
- The system follows the “One Data, One Entry” principle to reduce duplication and improve transparency.
- Ministry of Home Affairs targets full operationalisation of ICJS 2.0 by 2026.
Banking/Finance
1. RBI Cancels Registration of 35 NBFCs
Source: News on Air
Context:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has cancelled the Certificate of Registration (CoR) of 35 Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) for non-compliance with regulatory requirements.
Key Details:
- Action taken under Section 45-IA(6) of the RBI Act, 1934.
- Cancellations were effective between December 9 and December 31, 2025.
- These NBFCs are barred from carrying on NBFC business as defined under the Act.
- Most affected NBFCs are concentrated in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR).
- In addition, 16 NBFCs voluntarily surrendered their registration due to business exit, restructuring, or regulatory reclassification.
Reasons for Cancellation:
- Failure to meet minimum net owned fund (NOF) requirements
- Non-filing or irregular submission of statutory returns
- Non-compliance with prudential norms and governance standards
- Inactivity or violation of conditions of registration
About NBFCs:
- NBFCs provide services such as loans, asset financing, investments, and microfinance.
- They are regulated by RBI but cannot accept demand deposits like banks.
2. GDP Likely to Grow 7.4% in FY26
Source: IE
Context:
India’s economy is expected to grow by 7.4% in FY 2025–26, according to the National Statistics Office (NSO).
This is higher than FY25’s growth of 6.5%, showing that the economy remains strong despite global challenges.
Real vs Nominal GDP
- Real GDP growth (7.4%) shows actual economic expansion
- Nominal GDP growth (8%) includes inflation
The gap between the two is very small (0.6%), which means inflation is extremely low.
In fact, the GDP deflator is just 0.5%, the lowest in nearly 50 years.
Because of this low inflation, nominal growth is the slowest since the COVID year (FY21).
Why Growth May Slow in the Second Half
The estimates assume:
- 8% growth in the first half of FY26
- 6.9% growth in the second half
This slowdown is mainly due to:
- High base effect (last year’s strong growth)
- Slower increase in government spending
What Is Driving the Economy?
1. Investment Is Improving
- Private investment and infrastructure spending are expected to rise
- Gross Fixed Capital Formation (GFCF) is projected to grow around 7%
2. Consumption Is Mixed
- Private consumption (PFCE) is improving but may plateau
- Government consumption (GFCE) remains strong
3. EPFO to Allow Instant PF Advance Withdrawal via BHIM App
Source: ET
Context:
The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) will soon allow its members to withdraw provident fund (PF) advances instantly through the BHIM app, likely within the next 2–3 months. This move is part of EPFO’s digital overhaul to improve ease of access for its 30+ crore members and manage its large corpus of over ₹26 lakh crore more efficiently.
How Will the New Facility Work?
- EPFO has partnered with the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI)
- Members will:
- Log in to the BHIM app
- Submit an advance withdrawal request for allowed purposes such as:
- Medical needs
- Education
- Special or emergency situations
- EPFO will verify and authenticate the claim digitally
- Once approved, the money will be credited instantly to the member’s UPI-linked bank account
- Payments will be routed through State Bank of India (SBI)
4. SEBI Introduces New Compliance Reporting Format for SIFs
Source: ET
Context:
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has introduced a new compliance reporting format to ensure uniform and stricter reporting for Specialised Investment Funds (SIFs) managed by mutual funds and asset management companies (AMCs).
What Has Changed?
- SEBI has modified the Compliance Test Report (CTR)
- A separate section exclusively for SIFs has been added
- This ensures consistent and transparent compliance reporting across all AMCs managing SIFs
What AMCs Must Now Report
AMCs managing SIFs must disclose additional details, including:
- Minimum investment threshold compliance
- Certification requirements of SIF fund managers (when notified by SEBI)
- Whether investment strategies match SEBI-approved characteristics
- Limits on fees and expenses
- Investment restrictions, including:
- Single-issuer exposure limits (for both debt and equity)
What are Specialised Investment Funds (SIFs)?
- SIFs are a new category of mutual fund products designed for sophisticated investors.
- They allow advanced, strategy-driven investments that go beyond traditional MF schemes.
- Positioned between mutual funds and Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) in terms of risk and flexibility.
Key Features of SIFs
- Target investors: High-net-worth and informed investors
- Investment strategies: Long–short, sectoral, thematic, quantitative, and other specialised strategies
- Higher risk–return profile compared to conventional mutual funds
- Higher minimum investment threshold than regular MF schemes
Agriculture
1. Government Proposes New Law to Regulate Pesticides
Source: TH
Context:
The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has asked the public for feedback on a draft Pesticides Management Bill, which will replace the old Insecticides Act of 1968. The aim of the new Bill is to make sure that pesticides used in India are safe, effective, and environmentally responsible
Why Is a New Law Needed?
The existing law is over 55 years old and does not fully address:
- Modern pesticides
- Environmental concerns
- Human and animal health risks
- New biological and traditional pest-control methods
The new Bill updates regulation to suit current scientific and agricultural needs.
What Does the Draft Bill Cover?
The Bill will regulate every stage of a pesticide’s life cycle, including:
- Manufacture and import
- Packaging and labelling
- Storage, transport, and sale
- Advertisement and distribution
- Use and final disposal
The goal is to ensure that only safe and effective pesticides are available to farmers and consumers.
What Is a ‘Pesticide’ Under the New Bill?
The Bill defines pesticides very broadly. It includes:
- Chemical and biological substances
- Pest killers and repellents
- Plant growth regulators
- Defoliants, desiccants, and sprouting inhibitors
- Substances used to protect crops before or after harvest
This wide definition helps close loopholes in regulation.
Focus on Safety and Environment
The Bill aims to:
- Reduce risks to humans and animals
- Protect beneficial organisms (not just kill pests)
- Safeguard the environment
- Promote biological pesticides and traditional knowledge-based solutions
New Regulatory Bodies Proposed
1. Central Pesticides Board
- Will advise the Centre and States on:
- Scientific and technical issues
- Good manufacturing practices
- Safe disposal of pesticides and containers
- Standards for pesticide advertisements
- Recall procedures for unsafe pesticides
2. Registration Committee
- Will:
- Approve or reject pesticides
- Set conditions for registration
- Periodically review safety and effectiveness
- Cancel registrations if needed
- Maintain a digital national register of pesticides
Strict Punishment for Serious Harm
If a pesticide causes death or grievous injury, the Bill provides for:
- Jail term up to 5 years
- Fine between ₹10 lakh and ₹50 lakh
- Or both
This is meant to improve accountability and deterrence.
Facts To Remember
1. Trump Clears Bill Allowing Up to 500% Tariffs on Buyers of Russian Oil
In a significant escalation of pressure on countries importing Russian energy, Donald Trump has cleared a bipartisan Russia Sanctions Bill that would empower the U.S. President to impose punitive tariffs of up to 500% on countries purchasing oil or uranium from Russia.
2. Rathour appointed Sri Lanka batting coach for T20 WC
Former India batting coach Vikram Rathour was on Thursday appointed Sri Lanka’s batting coach for the T20 World Cup, beginning on February 7. Rathour will assume charge on January 18 and will remain with the team until March 10.
3. NSO Releases First Advance Estimates (FAE) of GDP
- Real GDP growth: 7.4% (FY25: 6.5%)
- Real GDP size: ₹201.9 lakh crore
- Nominal GDP growth: 8% (lower due to low inflation)
- Nominal GDP size: ₹357.14 lakh crore
- Real GVA growth: 7.3%
4. Indian Navy to Set Up New Naval Base at Haldia (WB)
- Region: Bay of Bengal
- Purpose: Maritime surveillance, coastal security, rapid response
- Supports: Anti-piracy, HADR, evacuation ops
- Platforms: Fast Interceptor Crafts, Water-Jet Attack Crafts
5. India’s First Fully Paperless District Court
- Location: Kalpetta, Wayanad (Kerala)
- Inaugurated by: CJI Surya Kant
- Features:
- 100% digital filing → judgment
- AI-based case summaries & voice-to-text
- Secure digital signatures
6. USA Withdraws from 66 International Bodies
- Decision by: President Donald Trump
- Includes:
- International Solar Alliance (ISA)
- IPCC, IRENA, UNFCCC, UNFPA
7. UN Declares 2026 as International Year of Rangelands & Pastoralists
- Declared by: UNGA
- Lead agency: FAO
- Why important?
- Rangelands cover ~50% of Earth
- Support 2 billion people & global livestock
8. Tamil Nadu’s First Jallikattu of 2026 Begins at Thatchankurichi
Tamil Nadu inaugurated its first Jallikattu event of 2026 at Thatchankurichi near Gandharvakottai, with 900 bulls, 300 tamers and strict safety oversight.
9. Bhoramdev Corridor Project Launched Under Swadesh Darshan 2.0 in Chhattisgarh
The Chhattisgarh government launched the ₹146-crore Bhoramdev Corridor Project under Swadesh Darshan 2.0 to develop Bhoramdev Dham as a major pilgrimage and tourism hub.
10. Hardeep Singh Ahluwalia Appointed Interim MD & CEO of Canara Bank
Canara Bank appointed Hardeep Singh Ahluwalia as Interim Managing Director and CEO from January 1, 2026, following the retirement of K. Satyanarayana Raju.
11. Venkaiah Naidu Elected President of Atal Smriti Nyas Society
Former Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu was elected President of the Atal Smriti Nyas Society, succeeding the late Vijay Kumar Malhotra.
12. Andre De Grasse Named International Ambassador for Tata Mumbai Marathon 2026
Olympic sprint champion Andre De Grasse was appointed International Event Ambassador for the 21st Tata Mumbai Marathon scheduled on January 18, 2026.
12. Sjoerd Marijne Reappointed Chief Coach of Indian Women’s Hockey Team
Dutch coach Sjoerd Marijne was reappointed as Chief Coach of the Indian women’s hockey team, marking his third stint with the side.
13. World Introvert Day Observed on January 2
World Introvert Day was observed globally to recognise the strengths and contributions of introverted personalities.
14. International Mind–Body Wellness Day Marked on January 3
The day highlighted the importance of holistic well-being through mental, physical and emotional balance.
15. World Braille Day Observed on January 4
World Braille Day marked the birth anniversary of Louis Braille, promoting accessibility and inclusion for the visually impaired.
16. National Birds Day Observed on January 5
National Birds Day focused on bird conservation and their ecological importance.
17. World Day of War Orphans Observed on January 6
The day raised awareness about the challenges faced by children orphaned due to war and conflict.
If you want, I can also convert these into one-line current affairs notes, MCQ-friendly points, or a monthly CA compilation.
18. IEEE Medal of Honor 2026
- Awarded to: Jensen Huang (CEO, NVIDIA)
- For: Revolutionising GPUs & AI computing
- Prize: $2 million
19. Retirements & Obituary
| Name | Category | Key Details | Major Achievements / Legacy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jinson Johnson | Sports – Athletics | Asian Games gold medallist (1500m) | • Gold (1500m) – Asian Games 2018• Holds Indian national records in 800m & 1500m • Represented India at Rio Olympics 2016 |
| Usman Khawaja | Sports – Cricket | Retired from international cricket | • Australia’s first Muslim Test cricketer • 6,206 Test runs• 16 Test centuries |
| Kabindra Purkayastha | Obituary – Politics | Veteran BJP leader from Assam | • Former Union MoS (Communications) • Key figure in BJP’s growth in Assam |
| Madhav Gadgil | Obituary – Environment | Father of modern Indian ecology | • Key role in Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve • Architect of Biological Diversity Act, 2002 • Chairman, Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel • Awards: Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, UN Champion of the Earth |
