Got Questions? We’ve Got Answers!
đź“š Whether it’s about exams, career advice, or daily doubts, don’t hesitate—ask away!
đź’ˇ Daily Current Affairs for UPSC Quiz | Daily Quiz for UPSC
đź’ˇ Your Learning Partner Is Just a Click Away!
👉 Click here to Ask Your Question Now and get clear, reliable answers from experts.
Daily Current Affairs
20 January, 2026
1. The Pax Silica initiative primarily aims to strengthen cooperation in which of the following areas?
A. Nuclear disarmament and arms control
B. Climate change mitigation and carbon markets
C. Semiconductor, AI, and critical mineral supply chains
D. Maritime security and freedom of navigation
E. Global health infrastructure and pandemic response
Answer: C
Explanation: Pax Silica is a US-led multilateral initiative focused on securing semiconductor, AI, and critical mineral supply chains to reduce dependence on single countries and promote resilient and peaceful tech ecosystems.
2. India and the UAE have set a target to double their bilateral trade to USD 200 billion by which year?
A. 2028
B. 2030
C. 2032
D. 2035
E. 2040
Answer: C
Explanation: India and the UAE have pledged to double bilateral trade to USD 200 billion by 2032 under their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
3. The Environmental (Protection) Fund notified in January 2026 will primarily utilise money collected from:
A. Environmental cess on fuel
B. International climate finance
C. Corporate social responsibility funds
D. Penalties imposed for environmental violations
E. Green bonds issued by the government
Answer: D
Explanation: The Environmental (Protection) Fund is designed to recycle monetary penalties collected from violations of environmental laws into environmental protection and restoration activities.
4. The Indian Skimmer is considered an indicator species because it signifies the health of:
A. Coastal mangrove ecosystems
B. Wetland and marsh ecosystems
C. Forest river catchments
D. Riverine ecosystems
E. Coral reef systems
Answer: D
Explanation: The Indian Skimmer depends on clean, slow-flowing rivers and exposed sandbars, making it an indicator of healthy riverine ecosystems.
5. Under the Export Promotion Mission (EPM), which of the following components provides interest subvention on export credit?
A. Niryat Saarthi
B. Niryat Setu
C. Niryat Protsahan
D. Niryat Disha
E. Niryat Shakti
Answer: C
Explanation: Niryat Protsahan is the financial enabler under EPM that offers interest subvention on pre- and post-shipment export credit and other export financing instruments.
6. The Hooghly River is best described as which one of the following?
A. A tributary originating from the Yamuna
B. A distributary of the Ganga flowing into the Bay of Bengal
C. An independent east-flowing river of peninsular India
D. A Himalayan glacier-fed river originating in Nepal
E. A coastal river of West Bengal
Answer: B
Explanation: The Hooghly River is a distributary of the Ganga river system, providing navigable access from the Bay of Bengal to inland Kolkata.
7. According to the IMF’s revised forecast, India’s GDP growth rate for FY 2025–26 is estimated at:
A. 6.4%
B. 6.6%
C. 7.0%
D. 7.3%
E. 7.8%
Answer: D
Explanation: The IMF upgraded India’s GDP growth forecast for FY 2025–26 to 7.3%, citing stronger-than-expected economic performance.
8. State Development Loans (SDLs) are issued by:
A. The Reserve Bank of India
B. Public Sector Banks
C. State Governments
D. Municipal Corporations
E. NABARD
Answer: C
Explanation: SDLs are bonds issued by State governments to finance fiscal deficits and capital expenditure, generally offering higher yields than central government securities.
9. SEBI has proposed identifying “significant indices” based on which threshold?
A. Daily trading volume of â‚ą10,000 crore
B. Market capitalisation of â‚ą50,000 crore
C. Investor count exceeding 10 lakh
D. Assets Under Management exceeding â‚ą20,000 crore
E. Listing on more than two stock exchanges
Answer: D
Explanation: SEBI proposed that indices tracked by mutual funds with cumulative AUM exceeding ₹20,000 crore be classified as “significant” and subjected to enhanced regulation.
10. The primary objective of introducing the Closing Auction Session (CAS) in equity markets is to:
A. Increase intraday trading volume
B. Extend market trading hours
C. Improve price discovery and reduce manipulation at market close
D. Promote high-frequency trading
E. Align equity markets with commodity exchanges
Answer: C
Explanation: CAS determines the closing price through an auction mechanism, reducing last-minute price manipulation and improving price integrity, in line with global best practices.
