January 2026 Edition
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January 2026 Current Affairs MCQs & Solutions
Top national & international current affairs questions for CSS, PMS, FPSC, PPSC, and NTS screening tests.
#6541
What percentage of official vehicles in federal and provincial government establishments are to be grounded for two months starting March 2026?
(a) 40 percent
(b) 50 percent
(c) 70 percent
(d) 60 percent
Explanation: The government ordered that 60 percent of official vehicles be grounded for a period of two months to conserve fuel. This is distinct from the 50 percent cut applied to fuel allowances. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1980219/higher-education-goes-online-schools-shut-for-2-weeks-4-day-work-week-announced-as-austerity-measures, 09 Mar 2026]
#6542
What is the duration of the mandated two-week break for schools announced as part of the March 2026 austerity measures?
(a) March 1-15, 2026
(b) March 16-31, 2026
(c) April 1-15, 2026
(d) None of these
Explanation: The government mandated that all schools observe a two-week break from March 16 to March 31, 2026, to conserve energy. Option A is incorrect as it precedes the implementation date of the policy. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1980219/higher-education-goes-online-schools-shut-for-2-weeks-4-day-work-week-announced-as-austerity-measures, 09 Mar 2026]
#6543
Which of the following players was NOT included in the ICC's Team of the Tournament for the 2026 T20 World Cup?
(a) Babar Azam
(b) Ishan Kishan
(c) Jasprit Bumrah
(d) Sanju Samson
Explanation: Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, and Jasprit Bumrah were all included in the team as part of the Indian contingent. Babar Azam was not named in the ICC's Team of the Tournament. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1980203/t20-world-cup-sahibzada-farhan-makes-it-to-iccs-team-of-the-tournament, 09 Mar 2026]
#6544
Consider the following statements about Sahibzada Farhan's performance in the 2026 T20 World Cup: 1. He became the first batter to score two centuries in a single edition of the T20 World Cup. 2. He shared a record-breaking 176-run partnership with Fakhar Zaman against Sri Lanka. 3. He was the only Pakistani player selected for the ICC's Team of the Tournament. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) All three
Explanation: All three statements are factually accurate based on the tournament performance. Farhan achieved the two-century milestone, participated in the record partnership with Fakhar Zaman, and was the sole Pakistani representative in the ICC's final team selection. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1980203/t20-world-cup-sahibzada-farhan-makes-it-to-iccs-team-of-the-tournament, 09 Mar 2026]
#6545
Under which legal provision did the Islamabad police justify the detention of Aurat March activists in March 2026?
(a) Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code
(b) Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca)
(c) Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) Ordinance
(d) None of these
Explanation: The police cited the imposition of Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code, which prohibits public gatherings, as the primary legal basis for the arrests. While Peca was mentioned by activists as a problematic law, it was not the specific legal instrument cited by the police for this detention. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1980248/islamabad-police-release-aurat-march-activists-a-day-after-detention-probe-demanded-into-manhandling-of-detainees, 09 Mar 2026]
#6546
Who was formally appointed as the new supreme leader of Iran following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in 2026?
(a) Hassan Rouhani
(b) Mojtaba Khamenei
(c) Ebrahim Raisi
(d) None of these
Explanation: Mojtaba Khamenei was appointed by the Assembly of Experts to succeed his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, following his death in a US-Israeli strike. The other names listed are prominent Iranian political figures but were not the subjects of this specific succession. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1980326/trump-says-iran-war-pretty-much-over-progressing-ahead-of-schedule, 09 Mar 2026]
#6547
Consider the following statements about the political situation in Gilgit-Baltistan on May 29, 2026: 1. PTI leaders were expelled for failing to produce a valid travel permit. 2. The PTI leadership alleged that PML-N candidates were receiving preferential treatment and government protocol. 3. The KP Chief Minister threatened to personally visit the region to address the treatment of parliamentarians. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) All three
Explanation: All three statements are factually accurate based on the reports: the administration cited the lack of a permit, the PTI alleged unequal treatment compared to the PML-N, and the KP Chief Minister issued a public warning regarding the treatment of the parliamentarians. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2003687/pti-leaders-expelled-from-gb-during-electioneering-authorities-allege-code-of-conduct-violation, 29 May 2026]
#6548
Consider the following statements about the events in Islamabad in March 2026: 1. The district administration had issued a formal No-Objection Certificate (NoC) for the Aurat March rally. 2. Relatives of the detained activists were also taken into custody when they arrived at the police station. 3. The activists claimed that the right to protest is a fundamental right that supersedes the imposition of Section 144. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) All three
Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect because the district administration did not issue an NoC, which was one of the reasons cited for the arrests. Statements 2 and 3 are accurate reflections of the claims made by the activists and the HRCP. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1980248/islamabad-police-release-aurat-march-activists-a-day-after-detention-probe-demanded-into-manhandling-of-detainees, 09 Mar 2026]
#6549
Consider the following statements about the austerity measures announced in March 2026: 1. The federal cabinet members will forgo their salaries for two months. 2. Parliamentarians will face a 25 percent cut in their salaries for two months. 3. All higher educational institutions are required to host seminars on government premises instead of hotels. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) All three
Explanation: Statements 1 and 2 are correct as they reflect the salary-related austerity measures for the cabinet and parliamentarians. Statement 3 is incorrect because the requirement to host seminars on government premises applies to government departments, not specifically to higher educational institutions. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1980219/higher-education-goes-online-schools-shut-for-2-weeks-4-day-work-week-announced-as-austerity-measures, 09 Mar 2026]
#6550
The Passports (Amendment) Bill, 2026, discussed in the committee meeting, proposed extending blue passport eligibility to children of senators up to what age?
(a) 28 years
(b) 25 years
(c) 21 years
(d) 30 years
Explanation: The proposed amendment seeks to extend the eligibility for blue passports to the children of senators up to the age of 28. This proposal has faced criticism from the government due to concerns over potential misuse. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1999979/pti-defends-mna-iqbal-afridis-son-over-asylum-move-assails-govts-oppression, 13 May 2026]
#6551
Consider the following statements about the administrative notification issued by the Sindh government on March 12, 2026: 1. The holiday was applicable to all government offices in the province. 2. The notification was issued to facilitate the closure of all private sector businesses. 3. Essential services were permitted to remain operational during the holiday. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) All three
Explanation: Statement 1 and 3 are correct as the holiday applied to government offices and excluded essential services. Statement 2 is incorrect because the notification did not mandate the closure of private sector businesses. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1981337/sindh-announces-public-holiday-on-march-13, 12 Mar 2026]
#6552
Who currently serves as the State Minister for Interior in the federal government as of May 2026?
(a) Abdul Qadir
(b) Ayaz Sadiq
(c) Faisal Saleem Rehman
(d) Talal Chaudhry
Explanation: Talal Chaudhry is the State Minister for Interior who presented the government's stance regarding the alleged misuse of official passports during the committee meeting. The other individuals listed hold different legislative or parliamentary roles. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1999979/pti-defends-mna-iqbal-afridis-son-over-asylum-move-assails-govts-oppression, 13 May 2026]
#6553
Which of the following statements regarding the Sindh government's notification of March 12, 2026, is INCORRECT?
(a) The holiday was declared for March 13, 2026.
(b) The notification explicitly stated the holiday was for Jummatul Wida.
(c) The notification applied to local councils under provincial control.
(d) Essential services were excluded from the holiday mandate.
Explanation: The official notification issued by the government did not state the reason for the holiday; the reason was provided separately by a minister. Therefore, stating the notification itself contained the reason is incorrect. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1981337/sindh-announces-public-holiday-on-march-13, 12 Mar 2026]
#6554
Which of the following is NOT a proposal or promise made by the PPP Chairman regarding AJK in his July 19, 2026, address?
(a) Ensuring the right to self-government
(b) Immediate annexation of AJK into the federal cabinet
(c) Creating employment opportunities for the youth
(d) Formation of a truth and reconciliation commission
Explanation: The PPP Chairman advocated for provisional representation in federal bodies and self-governance, but he did not propose the immediate annexation of AJK into the federal cabinet. The other options are accurate reflections of his stated policy goals. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2016735/bilawal-seeks-better-results-in-upcoming-ajk-elections-as-ppp-hopes-to-form-govt, 19 Jul 2026]
#6555
Which political figure moved the resolution in the Punjab Assembly on 2026-07-20 seeking a ban on dual nationals in government service?
(a) Noor Alam Khan
(b) Amjad Ali Javed
(c) Ishaq Dar
(d) None of these
Explanation: Amjad Ali Javed, a PML-N MPA, moved the resolution in the Punjab Assembly. Noor Alam Khan is a separate MNA who has advocated for similar restrictions at the federal level. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017045/pml-n-mpa-seeks-ban-on-appointment-of-dual-nationals-to-government-service, 20 Jul 2026]
#6556
The upcoming AJK regional elections mentioned in the July 19, 2026, address were scheduled for which date?
(a) July 27, 2026
(b) August 12, 2026
(c) July 30, 2026
(d) None of these
Explanation: The regional elections in AJK were scheduled for July 27, 2026, as stated during the rally held on July 19, 2026. None of the other dates provided correspond to the election schedule mentioned. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2016735/bilawal-seeks-better-results-in-upcoming-ajk-elections-as-ppp-hopes-to-form-govt, 19 Jul 2026]
#6557
The public holiday announced by the Sindh government on March 12, 2026, applied to which of the following entities?
(a) Private sector retail businesses
(b) Autonomous and semi-autonomous bodies
(c) International non-governmental organizations
(d) None of these
Explanation: The notification explicitly included autonomous and semi-autonomous bodies under the administrative control of the Sindh government. Private sector entities were not covered by this specific administrative order. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1981337/sindh-announces-public-holiday-on-march-13, 12 Mar 2026]
#6558
On 2026-07-20, which US official explicitly stated that Benjamin Netanyahu would not face arrest while in the United States?
(a) Zohran Mamdani
(b) Donald Trump
(c) Sid Rosenberg
(d) None of these
Explanation: President Donald Trump issued a statement on social media affirming that the Israeli Prime Minister would not be arrested while in the United States. Zohran Mamdani is the Mayor of New York City who had previously suggested the possibility of such an arrest. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017066/trump-dismisses-ny-mayor-mamdanis-threat-to-arrest-netanyahu, 20 Jul 2026]
#6559
On July 22, 2026, which official stated that New York City lacks the legal authority to execute an ICC arrest warrant for Benjamin Netanyahu?
(a) Eric Adams
(b) Zohran Mamdani
(c) Bill de Blasio
(d) None of these
Explanation: Zohran Mamdani, as the Mayor of New York City, clarified that his administration lacks the independent legal authority to enforce international warrants. Eric Adams and Bill de Blasio are former mayors and were not the officials involved in this specific 2026 statement. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017473/he-is-a-war-criminal-mamdani-says-nyc-cannot-arrest-netanyahu-on-icc-warrant-urges-us-federal-officials-to-step-in, 22 Jul 2026]
#6560
Consider the following statements about the PPP's political stance in AJK as of July 19, 2026: 1. The PPP has been part of the government in AJK for the past six months. 2. The PPP Chairman proposed that AJK should have representation in the National Finance Commission. 3. The PPP is currently in a coalition government at the federal level led by the PML-N. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) All three
Explanation: All three statements are factually correct based on the address: the PPP has been in the AJK government for six months, the Chairman proposed representation in the National Finance Commission, and the party is part of the federal coalition led by Shehbaz Sharif. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2016735/bilawal-seeks-better-results-in-upcoming-ajk-elections-as-ppp-hopes-to-form-govt, 19 Jul 2026]