MCQs on Current Affairs 19.01.2026

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Q1. The proposed cooperation under the Strategic Defence Partnership between India and the UAE includes which of the following areas?

  1. Defence industrial collaboration
  2. Cyber space and counter-terrorism
  3. Joint nuclear submarine development
  4. Training, education and interoperability

Select the correct answer using the code below:

  1. 1 and 2 only
  2. 1, 2 and 4 only
  3. 2 and 3 only
  4. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Correct Option: 2. 1, 2 and 4 only
Explanation:
The Letter of Intent on Strategic Defence Partnership commits India and the UAE to expand cooperation across defence industrial collaboration, defence innovation and advanced technology, training, education, doctrine, special operations and interoperability, as well as cyber space and counter-terrorism.
There is no reference to joint nuclear submarine development, making statement 3 incorrect. Hence, the correct combination is 1, 2 and 4 only.

Q2. Which of the following initiatives will be formally launched by the Election Commission of India during IICDEM 2026?

  1. National Electoral Roll Management System (NERMS)
  2. ECINET – a one-stop digital platform for election-related information and services
  3. India Decides – Election documentary series
  4. Virtual Election Monitoring System (VEMS)

Correct Option: 2. ECINET – a one-stop digital platform for election-related information and services
Explanation:
During IICDEM 2026, the Election Commission of India will formally launch ECINET, envisioned as a single integrated digital platform providing comprehensive election-related information and services.
While the documentary series “India Decides” will be showcased at the conference, it is not being launched there. The other options are not mentioned in the article.

Q3. C-DOT’s Cell Broadcast Solution (CBS), awarded the SKOCH Award 2025, primarily serves the purpose of:

  1. Delivering geo-targeted, multi-hazard disaster and emergency alerts to citizens
  2. Monitoring telecom network traffic for cybersecurity threats
  3. Offering free internet connectivity in rural areas
  4. Providing commercial mobile data services to telecom operators

Correct Option: 1. Delivering geo-targeted, multi-hazard disaster and emergency alerts to citizens
Explanation:
CBS is a disaster and emergency communication platform that integrates multiple agencies (IMD, CWC, INCOIS, DGRE, FSI, SDMAs, NDMA) with mobile operators to deliver near real-time life-saving alerts to affected areas. It is geo-targeted, multilingual, and multi-hazard, designed to strengthen public safety and disaster risk reduction.

Q4. Which of the following global initiatives and protocols does C-DOT’s Cell Broadcast Solution align with?

  1. United Nations’ Early Warnings for All (#EW4All)
  2. International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Common Alerting Protocol (CAP)
  3. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Select the correct answer using the code below:

  1. 1 and 2 only
  2. 2 and 3 only
  3. 1, 2 and 3
  4. 1 and 3 only

Correct Option: 3. 1, 2 and 3
Explanation:
C-DOT’s CBS aligns with all three initiatives:
• #EW4All (UN) – Supports early warning systems for disaster-prone regions.
• ITU Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) – Ensures standardized global communication protocols for emergency alerts.
• Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – Promotes inclusive, resilient infrastructure and disaster risk reduction.

Q5. Which of the following statements about INS Sudarshini and its role in the Lokayan 26 voyage are correct?

  1. INS Sudarshini is the second sail training ship of the Indian Navy.
  2. The ship will participate in international tall-ship events in France and the USA.
  3. Over 200 trainees from the Indian Navy and Coast Guard will undergo sail training during the voyage.
  4. The expedition is primarily aimed at testing India’s nuclear-powered naval capabilities.

Select the correct answer:

  1. 1, 2 and 3 only
  2. 2 and 4 only
  3. 1 and 4 only
  4. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Correct Option: 1. 1, 2 and 3 only
Explanation:
Statements 1, 2, and 3 are correct:
• INS Sudarshini is the second sail training ship of the Indian Navy.
• It will participate in Escale à Sète (France) and SAIL 250 (New York, USA).
• Over 200 trainees from the Indian Navy and Coast Guard will receive sail training in navigation, traditional seamanship, and life onboard a tall ship.
Statement 4 is incorrect: the voyage is focused on training, maritime diplomacy, and cultural outreach, not nuclear propulsion testing.

Q6. Which of the following statements about the RDI Fund scheme are correct?

  1. It is a ₹1 lakh crore initiative to promote private sector-led research and innovation.
  2. The first calls for proposals under the scheme will be issued by the Technology Development Board (TDB) and BIRAC by the end of January 2026.
  3. Only public research institutions are eligible to receive funding under the scheme.
  4. The scheme aims to support high-risk, high-impact research and strengthen lab–industry–startup linkages.

Select the correct answer:

  1. 1, 2, and 4 only
  2. 1 and 3 only
  3. 2 and 4 only
  4. 1, 2, 3, and 4

Correct Option: 1. 1, 2, and 4 only
Explanation:
Statements 1, 2, and 4 are correct:
• RDI Fund is ₹1 lakh crore for private sector-led research and innovation.
• TDB and BIRAC will issue the first calls by end of January 2026.
• Supports high-risk, high-impact research and fosters linkages between labs, startups, and industry.
Statement 3 is incorrect: The scheme does not limit funding to public research institutions only; it encourages industry, startups, and translational research ventures.

Q7. The Responsible Nations Index (RNI) primarily aims to evaluate nations based on:

  1. Military strength and economic power
  2. Ethical governance, social well-being, and global responsibility
  3. Population size and technological advancement
  4. Trade surplus and foreign investment

Correct Option: 2. Ethical governance, social well-being, and global responsibility
Explanation:
The RNI introduces a responsibility-centric framework for assessing nations.
Unlike traditional indices that focus on power or economic prosperity, RNI evaluates ethical governance, social welfare, environmental stewardship, and global responsibility.

Q8. Which combination of institutions is directly responsible for organising and delivering the quantum computing course in Andhra Pradesh?

  1. Ministry of Education and DRDO
  2. Andhra Pradesh State Council of Higher Education, IIT Madras, and IBM Quantum
  3. NITI Aayog, IISc, and Google Quantum AI
  4. UGC, ISRO, and TCS

Correct Option: 2. Andhra Pradesh State Council of Higher Education, IIT Madras, and IBM Quantum
Explanation:
• The programme is organised by the Andhra Pradesh State Council of Higher Education (APSCHE).
• The course is delivered through NPTEL, with instruction from faculty at IIT Madras and technical expertise from IBM Quantum.
• This partnership ensures a blend of academic rigour, government coordination, and industry relevance.

Q9. Why was Indiaphonte established as a new genus within the family Laophontidae?

  1. It was discovered in a previously unexplored marine region
  2. B. It exhibits a unique combination of morphological traits not seen in existing genera
  3. C. Its body size is significantly smaller than all known copepods
  4. D. It inhabits freshwater environments instead of marine sediments

Correct Option: 2. It exhibits a unique combination of morphological traits not seen in existing genera
Explanation:
• Taxonomists designate a new genus only when an organism shows a distinct set of morphological characteristics that cannot be accommodated within any known genus.
• Indiaphonte displays a unique combination of traits that do not match those of previously recorded genera in the Laophontidae family.
• Discovery location (1) or habitat (4) alone does not justify creating a new genus.
• Size (3) is not decisive, as many copepods are similarly microscopic.

Q10. Which of the following correctly reflects the improvement in the financial and operational performance of India’s power distribution utilities?

  1. AT&C losses reduced from 15% to 22% between FY 2014 and FY 2025
  2. ACS–ARR gap widened from ₹0.06/unit to ₹0.78/unit
  3. Outstanding dues to power generators declined by about 96% after the Late Payment Surcharge Rules
  4. Average payment cycle increased from 113 days to 178 days

Correct Option: 3. Outstanding dues to power generators declined by about 96% after the Late Payment Surcharge Rules
Explanation:
• The Electricity (Late Payment Surcharge) Rules enforced timely payments, leading to a 96% reduction in outstanding dues—from ₹1.35 lakh crore (2022) to ₹4,927 crore (January 2025).
• Option 1 is incorrect because AT&C losses fell from 22.62% to 15.04%, not the reverse.
• Option 2 is incorrect as the ACS–ARR gap narrowed, indicating improved cost recovery.
• Option 4 is incorrect because payment cycles improved (shortened) from 178 days to 113 days.

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