4–5 January 2026 Current Affairs MCQ

Q1. The Grand International Exposition of Sacred Piprahwa Relics, inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi, is associated with which religious tradition?

A. Jainism
B. Hinduism
C. Buddhism
D. Sikhism

✅ Answer: C. Buddhism

📝 Explanation:
The Piprahwa relics are linked to Bhagwan Buddha and are among the most significant Buddhist archaeological findings , associated with his mortal remains.

Q2. Delhi PWD has made QR codes mandatory on new road signages primarily to improve:

A. Road aesthetics
B. Traffic speed
C. Transparency and quality monitoring
D. Toll collection efficiency

✅ Answer: C. Transparency and quality monitoring

📝 Explanation:
QR codes will allow citizens to access details such as contractor information, construction date, cost, and maintenance , improving accountability.

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Q3. The interest rates on Small Savings Schemes (SSS) for Q4 FY26 were kept unchanged by which authority?

A. RBI
B. SEBI
C. Department of Economic Affairs
D. NITI Aayog

✅ Answer: C. Department of Economic Affairs

📝 Explanation:
Interest rates for Small Savings Schemes are decided quarterly by the DEA (Budget Division), Ministry of Finance .

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Q4. States and Union Territories are expected to borrow approximately how much in Q4 FY26?

A. ₹4 lakh crore
B. ₹4.5 lakh crore
C. ₹5 lakh crore
D. ₹6 lakh crore

✅ Answer: C. ₹5 lakh crore

📝 Explanation:
Borrowings in Jan–Mar 2026 are projected to rise to about ₹5 lakh crore , higher than Q4 FY25.

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Q5. Which city is close to becoming India’s first slum-free city?

A. Ahmedabad
B. Surat
C. Indore
D. Bhubaneswar

✅ Answer: B. Surat

📝 Explanation:
Surat (Gujarat) has undertaken large-scale slum redevelopment with permanent housing and civic amenities .

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Q6. Which regulatory body strengthened capital, compliance, and governance norms for Merchant Bankers from 3 January 2026?

A. RBI
B. SEBI
C. IFSCA
D. MCA

✅ Answer: B. SEBI

📝 Explanation:
SEBI revised Merchant Banker regulations to enhance investor protection, financial stability, and governance standards .

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Q7. Raajmarg Infra Investment Trust (RIIT) received which rating from CARE Ratings?

A. AA (Stable)
B. AAA (Negative)
C. AAA (Stable)
D. AA+ (Stable)

✅ Answer: C. AAA (Stable)

📝 Explanation:
RIIT, sponsored by NHAI, received AAA (Stable) for its long-term bank facilities, reflecting strong creditworthiness.

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Q8. India’s first maritime-focused NBFC, which began lending operations recently, is:

A. Shipping Finance Corporation
B. Sagarmala Development Bank
C. Sagarmala Finance Corporation Ltd
D. National Maritime Bank

✅ Answer: C. Sagarmala Finance Corporation Ltd

📝 Explanation:
SMFCL sanctioned loans worth ₹4,300 crore , becoming India’s first NBFC dedicated to maritime financing.

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Q9. Bulgaria adopted the Euro as its official currency from:

A. 1 July 2025
B. 1 January 2026
C. 1 March 2026
D. 1 January 2027

✅ Answer: B. 1 January 2026

📝 Explanation:
Bulgaria replaced the Bulgarian lev with the Euro (€) after meeting all Maastricht convergence criteria .

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Q10. Who was appointed as Director General of the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT)?

A. Sanjay Kumar
B. Lav Aggarwal
C. Rajesh Goyal
D. Anil Bhalla

✅ Answer: B. Lav Aggarwal

📝 Explanation:
Lav Aggarwal was appointed DG, DGFT under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry as part of a major bureaucratic reshuffle.

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Q11. DRDO successfully conducted a salvo launch of which missile?

A. Agni-V
B. Prithvi-II
C. Akash-NG
D. Pralay

✅ Answer: D. Pralay

📝 Explanation:
Pralay is an indigenously developed short-range quasi-ballistic missile , and salvo launch indicates multiple firings from the same launcher.

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Q12. Which organisation conducted a static ground test of the enhanced SS3 stage of SSLV?

A. DRDO
B. HAL
C. ISRO
D. BEL

✅ Answer: C. ISRO

📝 Explanation:
ISRO tested the enhanced third stage (SS3) of the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) at Sriharikota.

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Q13. According to NTCA data, how many tiger deaths were recorded in India in 2025?

A. 126
B. 148
C. 166
D. 186

✅ Answer: C. 166

📝 Explanation:
India recorded 166 tiger deaths in 2025 , which was 40 more than in 2024 , raising conservation concerns.

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Q14. Who became the youngest female in the world to scale all Seven Summits?

A. Arunima Sinha
B. Kaamya Karthikeyan
C. Premlata Agarwal
D. Malavath Purna

✅ Answer: B. Kaamya Karthikeyan

📝 Explanation:
At 18 years , Kaamya Karthikeyan achieved the Seven Summits feat , climbing the highest peaks on all seven continents.

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Q15. World Braille Day is observed annually on:

A. 2 January
B. 3 January
C. 4 January
D. 5 January

✅ Answer: C. 4 January

📝 Explanation:
World Braille Day commemorates the birth anniversary of