#1

Which country left the European Union on January 31, 2020?

(a) Greece

(b) Poland

(c) United Kingdom

(d) Hungary

Explanation: Following the 2016 referendum, the UK formally exited the EU (Brexit).

#2

How many full member states does BRICS have as of January 2025?

(a) 5

(b) 9

(c) 10

(d) 13

Explanation: As of January 2025, BRICS has 10 members: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, UAE, and Indonesia.

#3

Which country officially withdrew from the EU on January 31, 2020?

Explanation: The United Kingdom left the EU on January 31, 2020, a process commonly known as Brexit, following a 2016 referendum.

#4

Which G7 member has the presidency in 2026?

(a) France

(b) Germany

(c) United States

(d) Japan

Explanation: The G7 presidency rotates annually, and the United States is scheduled to hold it in 2026, following Canada’s 2025 presidency.

#5

Which set of countries officially joined BRICS on January 1, 2024?

(a) Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, UAE

(b) Nigeria, Mexico, Indonesia, Turkey

(c) Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Vietnam, Thailand

(d) Argentina, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Venezuela

Explanation: Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) became full members on January 1, 2024, marking a significant expansion of the bloc into the Middle East and North Africa.

#6

League of Nations officially came into being in January 1920 but lasted till:

(a) April 1943

(b) April 1944

(c) April 1945

(d) April 1946

Explanation: The League of Nations formally dissolved on April 18, 1946. During its final assembly in Geneva, the League transferred its assets and responsibilities to the newly formed United Nations, effectively ending its existence as an international body.

#7

How many countries signed the Versailles Treaty on 10th January, 1920, which was not only a ratification of the treaty but also an approval of the League of Nations?

(a) 28

(b) 32

(c) 36

(d) 38

Explanation: The 32 original members of the League of Nations were the signatories of the Treaty of Versailles who had ratified the treaty. This group included the principal Allied powers (excluding the US) and associated states.

#8

League of Nations was founded after the First World War and became operational on 10th January, 1920. Between the two World Wars (1919-1938), it struggled to hold its structure together despite many challenges. Finally, the advent of the Second World War (1939-1945) proved the ineffectiveness of its system. Thus, after the war, it was replaced by United Nations. Overall on paper, the lifespan of League of Nations covered:

(a) 20 years

(b) 26 years

(c) 28 years

(d) 30 years

Explanation: From its official inception on January 10, 1920, to its formal dissolution on April 18, 1946, the League of Nations existed for approximately 26 years. While it ceased effective political function with the outbreak of WWII in 1939, its legal lifespan extended until it formally handed over its assets to the UN.

#9

Which country withdrew from OPEC effective January 2024?

(a) Qatar

(b) Ecuador

(c) Angola

(d) Indonesia

Explanation: Angola withdrew from OPEC on January 1, 2024, citing misalignment with its production goals, reducing OPEC to 12 members.

#10

Which visionary director of 'Twin Peaks' and 'Blue Velvet' passed away in January 2025?

(a) Martin Scorsese

(b) David Lynch

(c) Francis Ford Coppola

(d) Steven Spielberg

Explanation: David Lynch, the surrealist filmmaker and creator of the TV series 'Twin Peaks', died on January 15, 2025, at the age of 78.

#11

Which RuPaul's Drag Race UK winner passed away unexpectedly in January 2025?

(a) Baga Chipz

(b) The Vivienne

(c) Divina De Campo

(d) Lawrence Chaney

Explanation: James Lee Williams, known by the stage name 'The Vivienne' and winner of the first season of RuPaul's Drag Race UK, died on January 5, 2025, at age 32.

#12

Which British comedian and 'Whose Line Is It Anyway?' star died in January 2025?

(a) Ryan Stiles

(b) Tony Slattery

(c) Paul Merton

(d) Stephen Fry

Explanation: Tony Slattery, a British comedian and actor known for his improvisation skills on 'Whose Line Is It Anyway?', died on January 14, 2025.

#13

Which famous British actress and wife of Laurence Olivier passed away in January 2025?

(a) Judi Dench

(b) Joan Plowright

(c) Vanessa Redgrave

(d) Helen Mirren

Explanation: Joan Plowright, the acclaimed British actress and widow of Laurence Olivier, died on January 17, 2025, at the age of 95.

#14

Which 'Peter, Paul and Mary' singer passed away in January 2025?

(a) Paul Stookey

(b) Peter Yarrow

(c) Mary Travers

(d) Bob Dylan

Explanation: Peter Yarrow, a member of the iconic folk trio Peter, Paul and Mary, died on January 7, 2025, at the age of 86, after a battle with bladder cancer.

#15

Which 'Dr. Kildare' actor, known as the King of Miniseries, died in January 2025?

(a) Robert Conrad

(b) Richard Chamberlain

(c) Charlton Heston

(d) Kirk Douglas

Explanation: Richard Chamberlain, the actor famous for 'Dr. Kildare' and 'The Thorn Birds', died on January 1, 2025, just hours before his 91st birthday.

#16

Which 'Amores Perros' actor died in January 2025?

(a) Gael Garcia Bernal

(b) Emilio Echevarria

(c) Diego Luna

(d) Javier Bardem

Explanation: Emilio Echevarria, the Mexican actor best known for his role in 'Amores Perros' and the James Bond franchise, died on January 4, 2025.

#17

Which member of the Osmond Brothers died in January 2025?

(a) Donny Osmond

(b) Wayne Osmond

(c) Marie Osmond

(d) Merrill Osmond

Explanation: Wayne Osmond, a member of the famous pop group The Osmonds, died on January 1, 2025, at the age of 73 following a stroke.

#18

Which soul singer, known as half of the duo Sam & Dave, died in January 2025?

(a) Dave Prater

(b) Sam Moore

(c) Otis Redding

(d) Wilson Pickett

Explanation: Sam Moore, the surviving member of the legendary soul duo Sam & Dave, known for 'Soul Man', died on January 10, 2025, at the age of 89.

#19

Which Manchester City captain and manager died in January 2025?

(a) Colin Bell

(b) Tony Book

(c) Francis Lee

(d) Mike Summerbee

Explanation: Tony Book, a legendary captain who led Manchester City to multiple trophies in the late 60s and early 70s, died on January 13, 2025, at the age of 90.

#20

Which 'Hollyoaks' actor died in January 2025 at the age of 46?

(a) Nick Pickard

(b) Paul Danan

(c) Gary Lucy

(d) Will Mellor

Explanation: Paul Danan, known for his role in 'Hollyoaks' and appearances on reality TV, passed away on January 15, 2025, at the age of 46.

January 2026 Current Affairs MCQs & Solutions