Daily Current Affairs Quiz13 January, 2026 International Affairs 1. Operation Hawkeye Context: The United States conducted large-scale airstrikes against ISIS targets in Syria under Operation Hawkeye, following an ISIS ambush in Palmyra that killed two U.S. soldiers and a civilian interpreter. What is Operation Hawkeye? About Syria 2. How U.S. Actions Under Donald Trump Violate International Law Source: TH Context: An opinion article by Thomas Mathew critiques recent U.S. military action against Venezuela, announced by U.S. President Donald Trump, arguing that it represents a serious violation of international law and reflects the breakdown of the global balance-of-power system. Core Principles of International Law Involved What Happened? Questioning the Official Justification Violation of International Law Breakdown of the Balance of Power Consequences of Unipolarity Implications for India 3. India Likely to Join U.S.-Led “Pax Silica” Initiative Source: IE Context: India will be invited next month to join “Pax Silica”, a U.S.-led multilateral initiative focused on cooperation in semiconductors, critical minerals, and artificial intelligence, according to incoming U.S. Ambassador to India Sergio Gor. Pax Silica Pax Silica is a U.S.-led multilateral initiative for cooperation in semiconductors, critical minerals, and artificial intelligence (AI), aimed at strengthening secure, resilient, and trusted technology supply chains amid geopolitical and trade disruptions. National Affairs 1. Indusfood 2026 Context: Union Minister Chirag Paswan (Ministry of Food Processing Industries) inaugurated the 9th edition of Indusfood in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, in January 2026. About Indusfood 2026 Major Initiatives Launched 2. 3rd Indian Lighthouse Festival (ILF) 2026 Source: PIB Context: The 3rd edition of the Indian Lighthouse Festival (ILF 3.0) was held from January 9–10, 2026, at MGM Park, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. About the Festival Key Highlights 3. Indian Army Conducts First MCF Exercise ‘Sanjha Shakti’ Source: PIB Context: The Indian Army conducted its first-ever Military–Civil Fusion (MCF) exercise ‘Sanjha Shakti’ on January 8–9, 2026, at Diggi Range, Khadki Military Station, Pune, under the Southern Command. Key Details 4. PSLV Mission-C62 Source: TH Context: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) suffered a second consecutive setback as the PSLV-C62 mission failed after the rocket deviated from its intended flight path during the third stage, resulting in the loss of 16 satellites, including EOS-N1 (Anvesha). Mission Details EOS-N1 (Anvesha) 5. National Youth Day – Swami Vivekananda Jayanti (12 January) Context: Swami Vivekananda’s birth anniversary on 12 January is observed as National Youth Day. Droupadi Murmu paid tribute to his role in awakening India’s spiritual and national consciousness. About Swami Vivekananda 6. Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025 Context: Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025, introduced in the Lok Sabha on December 15, 2025, as a major reform aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 and the National Education Policy 2020. Key Objectives Institutional Framework VBSA will function through three vertical councils: Major Changes Proposed Coverage 7. DRDO Successfully Tests Man-Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM) Source: TOI Context: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted a flight test of the indigenously developed third-generation Man-Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM) on Sunday. About MPATGM 8. Article 6 of the Paris Agreement Context: An opinion article by Aparna Sharma highlights how Article 6 (A6) of the Paris Agreement, made fully operational at COP29, offers India a strategic opportunity to accelerate low-carbon growth, attract climate finance, and strengthen global partnerships. What is Article 6 of the Paris Agreement? India’s Entry into Article 6 Why Article 6 is Important for India Banking/Finance 1. Retail Inflation Rises to 3-Month High in December 2025 Source: TH Context: India’s retail inflation (CPI) rose to a three-month high of 1.33% in December 2025, remaining below the lower tolerance level of 2% set by the Reserve Bank of India. What is Retail Inflation? Retail inflation measures the rate at which prices of goods and services bought by households rise over time. In India, it is tracked using the Consumer Price Index (CPI). 2. SEBI’s Proposed Trading Rules Revamp Source: Mint Context: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has released a consultation paper proposing a major overhaul of trading regulations by simplifying legacy rules and delegating greater supervisory powers to stock exchanges. What is Being Proposed? Key Proposed Changes Shift in Regulatory Approach 3. RBI Tightens Digital Oversight on Compliance, Outsourcing and AI Context: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has signalled stricter supervisory scrutiny over banks’ digital operations, compliance practices, third-party outsourcing and use of artificial intelligence, as financial systems become faster, more interconnected and technology-driven. Three Key Regulatory Expectations 1. Continuous Compliance (Not Episodic) 2. Stronger Oversight of Third-Party Arrangements 3. Heightened Scrutiny of AI and Analytics 4. RBI’s Scale-Based Regulatory (SBR) Framework Source: BL Context: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is expected to release an updated list of ‘Upper Layer’ Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) by mid-2026, with a strong possibility of including large NBFCs promoted by banks or backed by strong corporate promoters. RBI’s Scale-Based Regulatory (SBR) Framework The Scale-Based Regulatory (SBR) Framework is a risk-based regulatory architecture introduced by the Reserve Bank of India for Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs).It links the intensity of regulation to the size, complexity, and systemic risk posed by NBFCs. Objectives Four-Tier Classification under SBR 1. Base Layer (NBFC-BL) 2. Middle Layer (NBFC-ML) 3. Upper Layer (NBFC-UL) 4. Top Layer (NBFC-TL) Key Regulatory Features 5. IRDAI Scrutinises Insurers for Breaching Expense & Commission Limits Source: BL Context: The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has sought explanations from 23 insurance companies—8 life insurers and 15 non-life insurers—for overshooting prescribed limits on expenses of management, mainly commissions. Background IRDAI (Expenses of Management, including Commission, of Insurers) Regulations, 2024 These regulations, notified by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India, lay down a new, flexible framework to regulate Expenses of Management (EoM) of insurers, including commission and distribution expenses. They replace the rigid product-wise expense caps with an overall EoM-based approach. Objectives Key Provisions 1. Expenses of Management (EoM) Concept EoM includes: Regulated through an overall EoM ratio, not individual product caps. 2. EoM Limits (Overall Ceiling) 3.

Daily Current Affairs Quiz11&12 January, 2026 National Affairs 1. Aditya-L1 Solar Mission ISRO Context: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) announced that its Aditya-L1 solar mission has provided crucial insights into how intense solar storms affect Earth’s magnetosphere, especially during extreme space-weather events. Key findings of the study About the Mission 2. Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP) Source: BS Context: India is set to deepen maritime security engagement in Asia through closer cooperation with Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP). The move aims to promote safe and secure seas amid evolving maritime security threats. Key Developments About ReCAAP 3. PSLV-C62 / EOS-N1 Mission Source: ET Context: The 22.5-hour countdown has begun for the launch of PSLV-C62 / EOS-N1 mission from Sriharikota. Launch scheduled at 10:17 a.m. from the first launch pad. Launch Details Mission Nature 4. Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS): India’s Space Station Source: TOI Context: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has taken a formal step towards establishing India’s own space station by inviting Indian industry to develop the first module of the proposed Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS). BAS-01 Module Key Features of Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) 5. Govt May Mandate Source Code Access for Smartphone Security Source: TH Context: The Union government is considering mandating smartphone manufacturers to share source code and comply with new software security requirements. The proposal has triggered concerns from global tech firms such as Apple and Samsung, according to a Reuters report. What is Proposed? 6. AyulSat Source: ET Context: India is a step closer to becoming the second country in the world to demonstrate on-orbit satellite refuelling, with the launch of AyulSat aboard PSLV-C62. The mission is led by Indian space start-up OrbitAid, in collaboration with Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). What is AyulSat? Mission Objective 7. TERI Report on India’s PV Manufacturing Context: The The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) released the report “India’s PV Manufacturing & Its Strategic Inflection Points” at the Bharat Climate Forum 2026, alongside the launch of the National Cleantech Manufacturing Implementation Plan. The report examines how India can capture higher domestic value from its rapidly expanding solar deployment by strengthening upstream and midstream manufacturing. What the TERI Report Is About It is a strategic policy-and-industry assessment of India’s solar photovoltaic (PV) manufacturing value chain, covering: The report identifies “strategic inflection points” where targeted interventions in policy, finance, R&D, and skilling can make India globally competitive, resilient, and less import-dependent. Key Trends Highlighted Theme Key Highlights Global Solar PV Scale (2024–25) • Global cumulative PV capacity: ~2.2 TW (end-2024) • Global module manufacturing capacity: ~1.8 TW (projected end-2025) Global Manufacturing Concentration • ~80% of PV manufacturing capacity concentrated in China across the value chain China’s Upstream Dominance • Wafers: ~98% • Polysilicon: ~92% • Cells: ~91.8% • Modules: ~84.6% Systemic Risks • High geographic concentration creates supply-chain vulnerabilities • Energy-importing countries face risks from price shocks, export controls, and geopolitical disruptions India’s Current Manufacturing Profile • Manufacturing base is downstream-heavy • Dominated by module assembly, limited upstream integration India’s Installed Capacity (FY2025) • Module manufacturing capacity: ~120 GW per year Policy Drivers of Scale-Up in India • Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes • High import duties on finished solar panels • ALMM (Approved List of Models and Manufacturers) creating domestic demand-pull India’s 2030 Manufacturing Ambition • Module capacity: >280 GW/year • Cell capacity: ~171 GW/year (from ~30 GW currently) Key Bottleneck: Finance • Upstream segments are capital-intensive and high-risk • Limited access to low-cost, long-tenure finance Proposed Financial Innovation (TERI) • Issuance of sovereign Green PV Bonds • Objective: Lower borrowing costs and de-risk upstream investments Need for a Full Manufacturing Ecosystem • Solar Manufacturing Technology Parks • Dedicated PV–Semiconductor Skill Council • Structured recycling and circular economy frameworks Stakeholder Involvement Required • Central & State Governments • OEMs and developers • MSMEs • Financial institutions and long-term investors 8. Indian Army Launches DIME Platform Source: ET Context: On 8 January 2026, the Indian Army launched Depot Integration Management Edition (DIME), a new digital platform aimed at modernising and digitising military logistics management. What is DIME? DIME is a comprehensive digital logistics platform designed to provide commanders with real-time, data-driven visibility of spares, equipment, and inventory across the Army’s logistics chain. Development Details Purpose of DIME 9. Indian Army Procures Solar-Powered MAPSS UAV Context: In January 2026, the Indian Army placed a Rs 168 crore order with NewSpace Research & Technologies (NRT) for the Medium Altitude Persistent Surveillance System (MAPSS) UAV. This marks the first deployment of solar-powered UAVs by the Indian Army, beyond battery-powered and tethered drones. About MAPSS UAV Indigenous Development Long Endurance Capability Operational Roles Advanced Mission Autonomy Low Detectability Banking/Finance 1. Bank of Baroda Gets RBI Approval to Set Up SPD Subsidiary Source: BL Context: In January 2026, Bank of Baroda (BoB) received in-principle approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to switch from its existing Bank Primary Dealer (PD) business to a wholly-owned subsidiary for undertaking Standalone Primary Dealer (SPD) business. This marks a key step in the strategic restructuring of Public Sector Banks (PSBs). What Does the Approval Mean? Regulatory Background and Policy Context RBI Liquidity Support to SPD About Primary Dealers (PDs) Primary Dealers are RBI-registered NBFCs that act as intermediaries in the Government Securities market, ensuring liquidity and smooth debt issuance. Functions Types of PDs in India Bank PDs Standalone Primary Dealers (SPDs) About Bank of Baroda 2. Skydo Gets RBI Authorization as PA-CB Source: BL Context: On 9 January 2026, Skydo, a cross-border payments platform, received final authorization from the RBI to operate as a Payment Aggregator – Cross Border (PA-CB) entity. What does a Payment Aggregator – Cross Border (PA-CB)? Why did RBI introduce PA-CB? What is a PA-CB License? A PA-CB license allows an entity to: About Skydo 3. Stricter KYC Norms for Crypto Exchanges in India Source: ET Context: India has tightened Know Your Customer (KYC)