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Daily Current Affairs
18 & 19 January, 2026
1. The United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) primarily performs which of the following functions?
A. Peacekeeping operations
B. International judicial settlements
C. Coordination of global economic, social and environmental policies
D. Military conflict resolution
E. Enforcement of international sanctions
Answer: C. Coordination of global economic, social and environmental policies
Explanation: ECOSOC is one of the six principal organs of the UN and serves as the central platform for policy coordination, consensus-building, and SDG follow-up in economic, social, and environmental domains.
2. The BBNJ Treaty, recently entering into force, is associated with which of the following objectives?
A. Regulation of coastal fisheries
B. Protection of polar ecosystems
C. Conservation of marine biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction
D. Deep-sea mineral extraction
E. Maritime boundary demarcation
Answer: C. Conservation of marine biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction
Explanation: The BBNJ (High Seas) Treaty is a legally binding agreement under UNCLOS to conserve and sustainably use marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction, covering nearly two-thirds of global oceans.
3. The SVAMITVA Scheme uses which technology for mapping rural inhabited areas?
A. Satellite remote sensing
B. LiDAR-based aerial mapping
C. High-resolution drone surveys
D. GPS triangulation only
E. Ground-based cadastral surveys
Answer: C. High-resolution drone surveys
Explanation: SVAMITVA uses drone-based surveys to generate accurate 3D maps of village abadi areas for property identification and rural infrastructure planning.
4. “Sahkar Se Samriddhi” is associated with strengthening which sector of the Indian economy?
A. MSME manufacturing
B. Cooperative enterprises
C. Public sector banking
D. Startup ecosystem
E. Digital service delivery
Answer: B. Cooperative enterprises
Explanation: “Sahkar Se Samriddhi” means Prosperity through Cooperation and is the Government of India’s vision to strengthen cooperatives for inclusive growth, rural livelihoods, and financial inclusion.
5. The Chips to Start-up (C2S) Programme is implemented by which ministry?
A. Ministry of Science & Technology
B. Ministry of Heavy Industries
C. Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
D. Ministry of Skill Development
E. Ministry of Education
Answer: C. Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
Explanation: The C2S Programme, launched in 2022, is implemented by MeitY to build indigenous semiconductor design capability and industry-ready chip design talent.
6. Which of the following best describes the RBI’s proposal regarding BRICS digital currencies?
A. Creation of a single BRICS currency
B. Replacement of the US dollar in global trade
C. Linking national CBDCs for cross-border payments
D. Introduction of a private stablecoin
E. Monetary union among BRICS nations
Answer: C. Linking national CBDCs for cross-border payments
Explanation: RBI proposed interoperability among BRICS countries’ CBDCs to facilitate cross-border trade and tourism payments, without aiming for de-dollarisation.
7. Nominal GDP differs from Real GDP mainly because nominal GDP:
A. Excludes services
B. Adjusts for inflation
C. Uses constant base-year prices
D. Reflects current market prices
E. Measures only industrial output
Answer: D. Reflects current market prices
Explanation: Nominal GDP is measured at current market prices and is not adjusted for inflation, unlike Real GDP which reflects true economic growth.
8. Paripoorna Mediclaim Ayush Bima has been launched for which group of beneficiaries?
A. All Indian citizens
B. Ayushman Bharat beneficiaries
C. Central Government Health Scheme beneficiaries
D. State government employees
E. Unorganized sector workers
Answer: C. Central Government Health Scheme beneficiaries
Explanation: The scheme was launched by the Department of Financial Services in January 2026 to complement CGHS coverage, including AYUSH and modern treatments.
9. The PM-PRANAM Scheme is primarily aimed at:
A. Increasing MSP procurement
B. Promoting organic exports
C. Reducing chemical fertilizer usage
D. Expanding irrigation coverage
E. Supporting farm mechanization
Answer: C. Reducing chemical fertilizer usage
Explanation: PM-PRANAM incentivizes states to reduce chemical fertilizer consumption by sharing subsidy savings, promoting sustainable agriculture and soil health.
10. India’s first open-sea marine fish farming project has been launched in which region?
A. Arabian Sea off Gujarat coast
B. Bay of Bengal near Odisha
C. Lakshadweep Sea
D. Andaman Sea near North Bay
E. Gulf of Mannar
Answer: D. Andaman Sea near North Bay
Explanation: The pilot open-sea aquaculture project has been launched near North Bay in the Andaman Sea by MoES and NIOT under India’s Blue Economy initiative.
