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Daily Current Affairs
16 & 17 January, 2026
1. According to the Global Risks Report 2026, which risk ranks first in the short-term (2-year horizon)?
A. Armed conflict
B. Extreme weather events
C. Geo-economic confrontation
D. Biodiversity loss
E. Adverse AI outcomes
Answer: C. Geo-economic confrontation
Explanation: The WEF Global Risks Report 2026 identifies geo-economic confrontation—use of trade barriers, sanctions, and investment restrictions—as the top short-term global risk, surpassing armed conflict.
2. The SVASTIK portal launched by CSIR-NIScPR is related to:
A. Digital skill certification
B. Climate risk modelling
C. Scientifically validated traditional knowledge
D. Startup incubation
E. Export facilitation
Answer: C. Scientifically validated traditional knowledge
Explanation: SVASTIK (Scientifically Validated Societal Traditional Knowledge) aims to disseminate Indian traditional knowledge after scientific validation in multiple languages.
3. The Export Preparedness Index (EPI) 2024 is released by:
A. Ministry of Commerce
B. Reserve Bank of India
C. NITI Aayog
D. Directorate General of Foreign Trade
E. EXIM Bank
Answer: C. NITI Aayog
Explanation: NITI Aayog released the 4th edition of the Export Preparedness Index to assess export readiness of States and UTs.
4. The Sammakka–Saralamma Jatara is primarily associated with which community?
A. Gond tribe
B. Santhal tribe
C. Bhil tribe
D. Koya Adivasi community
E. Toda tribe
Answer: D. Koya Adivasi community
Explanation: Sammakka–Saralamma Jatara is a biennial tribal festival of the Koya Adivasi community, held at Medaram in Telangana.
5. Under the IndiaAI Mission, which pillar focuses on providing affordable access to GPUs and AI accelerators?
A. IndiaAI Innovation Centre
B. IndiaAI Datasets Platform
C. IndiaAI Compute Capacity
D. IndiaAI FutureSkills
E. Responsible AI Framework
Answer: C. IndiaAI Compute Capacity
Explanation: This pillar aims to create shared national AI computing infrastructure to reduce dependence on foreign compute providers.
6. The Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS) under StartUp India is managed by:
A. NABARD
B. RBI
C. SIDBI
D. SEBI
E. IFCI
Answer: C. SIDBI
Explanation: The â‚ą10,000 crore Fund of Funds for Startups is managed by SIDBI to provide capital to AIFs supporting startups.
7. Which report recommends AI-enabled centralised digital portals to improve MSME scheme efficiency?
A. Economic Survey
B. Global Risks Report
C. NITI Aayog MSME Convergence Report
D. EPI 2024
E. Startup India Action Plan
Answer: C. NITI Aayog MSME Convergence Report
Explanation: The report advocates a single AI-enabled MSME portal to reduce compliance costs and improve scheme delivery.
8. Under the amended Forest Conservation Guidelines 2026, plantation on forest land is classified as:
A. Non-forest activity
B. Industrial activity
C. Commercial activity
D. Forestry activity
E. Compensatory activity
Answer: D. Forestry activity
Explanation: The amendment reclassifies plantation and afforestation as forestry activities, eliminating the need for CA and NPV.
9. Which long-term risk rises sharply in ranking in the Global Risks Report 2026 due to weak governance?
A. Pollution
B. Armed conflict
C. AI-related adverse outcomes
D. Trade wars
E. Pandemics
Answer: C. AI-related adverse outcomes
Explanation: AI risks rise from low short-term ranking to top 5 long-term risks due to concerns over jobs, misinformation, and warfare.
10. The India–Israel Joint Declaration on Fisheries and Aquaculture focuses on all EXCEPT:
A. Recirculatory Aquaculture Systems
B. Genetic seed improvement
C. Water-efficient technologies
D. Deep-sea mining
E. Fisheries traceability
Answer: D. Deep-sea mining
Explanation: The declaration focuses on sustainable aquaculture, water efficiency, seed quality, and monitoring—not deep-sea mining.
