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.
#8741
Which official holds the position of Balochistan Home Minister as of 2026-07-24?
(a) Mir Sarfraz Bugti
(b) Mir Ziaullah Langove
(c) Abdul Hakeem Kakar
(d) Tariq Lashari
Explanation: Mir Ziaullah Langove is the Home Minister of Balochistan who condemned the attack. Mir Sarfraz Bugti is the Chief Minister, and the others are judicial officers. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431528/sessions-judge-among-two-killed-in-mastung-nha-attack, 24 Jul 2026]
#8742
Which global commodity benchmark experienced a significant price surge exceeding $100 per barrel on July 23, 2026?
(a) West Texas Intermediate
(b) Natural gas
(c) Brent crude
(d) Arabian Light
Explanation: Brent futures rose significantly to reach $100.71 per barrel on July 23, 2026, driven by supply disruption concerns. West Texas Intermediate is a different benchmark and was not the primary focus of the reported price surge. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431436/pakistani-rupee-records-gain-against-us-dollar, 23 Jul 2026]
#8743
Which judge authored the Federal Constitutional Court judgment regarding the OGDCL employee case on 2026-07-24?
(a) Justice Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi
(b) Justice Qazi Faez Isa
(c) Justice Mansoor Ali Shah
(d) None of these
Explanation: The judgment was authored by Justice Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi. It clarified that OGDCL is a public limited company and not a statutory corporation subject to the 1971 Ordinance. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431567/benefits-under-armed-forces-law-fcc-sets-aside-shc-order-in-ogdcl-employees-case, 24 Jul 2026]
#8744
Consider the following statements about the OGDCL case decided on 2026-07-24: 1. The respondent served in the Pakistan Army for over nine years before joining OGDCL. 2. The FCC bench consisted of three members. 3. The respondent was granted all requested seniority and pay benefits by the OGDCL management prior to the court case. 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 correct as the respondent served for nine years and twenty-nine days. Statement 2 is correct as the FCC bench was composed of three members. Statement 3 is incorrect because the respondent was only granted two advance increments, not the full seniority and pay benefits requested. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431567/benefits-under-armed-forces-law-fcc-sets-aside-shc-order-in-ogdcl-employees-case, 24 Jul 2026]
#8745
Consider the following statements regarding the Indian market conditions on July 23, 2026: 1. The Nifty 50 benchmark index experienced a decline. 2. Brent crude oil prices approached the $100 per barrel threshold. 3. The Indian rupee showed significant appreciation against the dollar due to market optimism. 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: The Nifty 50 fell by 0.5%, and Brent crude prices neared $100 per barrel. The rupee did not appreciate significantly; it remained nearly flat due to central bank intervention, making statement 3 incorrect. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431443/indian-rupee-ends-nearly-flat-as-central-bank-intervention-blunts-oil-strain, 23 Jul 2026]
#8746
Who was the Sessions Judge killed in the Mastung attack on 2026-07-24?
(a) Mir Ziaullah Langove
(b) Tariq Lashari
(c) Abdul Hakeem Kakar
(d) Mir Sarfraz Bugti
Explanation: Abdul Hakeem Kakar was the Sessions Judge who lost his life in the attack. Tariq Lashari was an Additional Sessions Judge who sustained injuries, while the others are provincial government officials. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431528/sessions-judge-among-two-killed-in-mastung-nha-attack, 24 Jul 2026]
#8747
Consider the following statements about the security incident in Mastung on 2026-07-24: 1. The attack resulted in the death of a Sessions Judge and his gunman. 2. The provincial government described the attack as an assault on the state itself. 3. The incident occurred during a planned protest march on the National Highway. 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 factually correct based on the report. Statement 3 is incorrect because the officials were traveling to perform official duties, not participating in a protest march. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431528/sessions-judge-among-two-killed-in-mastung-nha-attack, 24 Jul 2026]
#8748
Which of the following statements regarding the 2026-07-24 Mastung attack is INCORRECT?
(a) The attack occurred while the officials were traveling from Mastung to Quetta.
(b) The Sessions Judge and his gunman were killed on the spot.
(c) The attack targeted judicial officers traveling towards the Sessions Court.
(d) Additional Sessions Judge Tariq Lashari sustained injuries in the attack.
Explanation: The judicial officers were traveling from Quetta to the Sessions Court in Mastung, not the other way around. The other statements accurately reflect the details of the incident. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431528/sessions-judge-among-two-killed-in-mastung-nha-attack, 24 Jul 2026]
#8749
The targeted attack on 2026-07-24 occurred near which specific landmark in Mastung?
(a) Khojak Pass
(b) Boland Pass
(c) Lak Pass
(d) Wali Khan railway crossing
Explanation: The ambush took place near the Wali Khan railway crossing on the National Highway. The other options are well-known geographical landmarks in Balochistan but were not the site of this attack. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431528/sessions-judge-among-two-killed-in-mastung-nha-attack, 24 Jul 2026]
#8750
Consider the following statements regarding the economic situation in India as of July 2026: 1. The United States is imposing new tariffs on Indian goods due to allegations regarding forced labour bans. 2. Indian benchmarks have experienced a decline of approximately 2% over the week. 3. IndiGo reported a profit for the current quarter despite the rising fuel prices. 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 2 are factually correct based on the report. Statement 3 is incorrect because IndiGo posted a loss, not a profit, driven by soaring fuel prices and regional uncertainty. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431590/indian-shares-to-open-lower-as-crude-tops-100, 24 Jul 2026]
#8751
What is the maturity period of the dollar bonds issued by ICICI Bank in July 2026?
(a) Three years
(b) Five years
(c) Four years
(d) Seven years
Explanation: The ICICI Bank dollar bond issue has a maturity period of five years. This aligns with the duration of other recent dollar debt sales by major Indian financial institutions. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431638/icici-bank-prices-1-billion-debt-in-largest-dollar-issue-by-indian-private-lender, 24 Jul 2026]
#8752
As of July 24, 2026, what is the primary reason cited for the surge in Brent crude oil prices exceeding $100 per barrel?
(a) Global supply chain disruptions in the semiconductor industry
(b) Escalating conflict in the Middle East
(c) Unexpected production cuts by OPEC+ members
(d) None of these
Explanation: The surge in crude oil prices is directly attributed to the escalating Middle East crisis, which has impacted shipping chokepoints. Other options, while relevant to global economics, are not the primary drivers mentioned for this specific price movement. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431590/indian-shares-to-open-lower-as-crude-tops-100, 24 Jul 2026]
#8753
Which institution introduced the swap facility that lowered hedging costs for Indian banks in 2026?
(a) State Bank of India
(b) Reserve Bank of India
(c) Ministry of Finance
(d) None of these
Explanation: The Reserve Bank of India introduced a swap facility allowing eligible external commercial borrowings to be hedged at a fixed rate of 1.5% per annum. This measure made overseas dollar fundraising more attractive for Indian lenders. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431638/icici-bank-prices-1-billion-debt-in-largest-dollar-issue-by-indian-private-lender, 24 Jul 2026]
#8754
Which sector led the gains on the FTSE 100 index on July 24, 2026?
(a) Pharmaceuticals and healthcare
(b) Retail and consumer goods
(c) Electronics and technology
(d) Investment banks and brokerages
Explanation: Investment banks and brokerages recorded a 1.6% rise, leading sectoral gains on the benchmark index. This was bolstered by positive analyst revisions for companies like 3i Group. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431643/londons-ftse-100-rises-as-hsbc-lifts-financial-stocks-middle-east-tensions-linger, 24 Jul 2026]
#8755
Which of the following indices recorded a 0.2% decline to reach a near seven-week low on July 24, 2026?
(a) Saudi Stock Exchange
(b) Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange
(c) Dubai Financial Market
(d) Kuwait Stock Exchange
Explanation: The Dubai main market index slipped 0.2% to hit a near seven-week low on the specified date. The Abu Dhabi benchmark index experienced a smaller decline of 0.1%. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431652/uae-stocks-slip-amid-escalating-middle-east-conflict, 24 Jul 2026]
#8756
What is the total value of the dollar bond issued by ICICI Bank in July 2026?
(a) $500 million
(b) $800 million
(c) $1.25 billion
(d) $1 billion
Explanation: ICICI Bank priced a $1 billion five-year dollar bond, which represents the largest dollar issue by an Indian private lender in nearly 14 years. While the base issue size was $500 million, the final priced amount was $1 billion. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431638/icici-bank-prices-1-billion-debt-in-largest-dollar-issue-by-indian-private-lender, 24 Jul 2026]
#8757
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) movement gained significant national traction following the cancellation of which type of examination in May 2026?
(a) Civil Services Examination
(b) Engineering entrance exam
(c) Medical school entrance test
(d) University graduation finals
Explanation: The movement expanded to millions of followers after a national medical school entrance test was cancelled due to a question paper leak. This event served as the primary catalyst for the widespread youth mobilization. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018062/indian-government-seeks-time-on-youth-protesters-minister-resignation-demand, 24 Jul 2026]
#8758
Consider the following statements about the recent dollar bond issuances by Indian banks: 1. ICICI Bank's bond issue is the largest dollar bond sale by an Indian private-sector bank. 2. HDFC Bank raised $750 million through a dollar debt sale in June 2026. 3. Axis Bank raised $800 million through a dual-tranche dollar bond issue in June 2026. 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 report. ICICI Bank's $1 billion issue is the largest for a private lender, while HDFC and Axis Bank also conducted significant dollar debt sales in the same period. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431638/icici-bank-prices-1-billion-debt-in-largest-dollar-issue-by-indian-private-lender, 24 Jul 2026]
#8759
Who led the delegation from the Istanbul Bar Association No. 2 during its visit to the Karachi Press Club on July 27, 2026?
(a) Amir Latif
(b) Yasin Samli
(c) Nasrullah Chaudhry
(d) Maqsood Yousufi
Explanation: Advocate Yasin Samli is the President of the Istanbul Bar Association No. 2 and led the delegation. The other individuals listed were Pakistani representatives who received the delegation at the Karachi Press Club. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431897/istanbul-bar-number-2-delegation-visits-karachi-press-club, 27 Jul 2026]
#8760
Who is the Education Minister of India whose resignation is being demanded by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) as of July 24, 2026?
(a) JP Nadda
(b) Dharmendra Pradhan
(c) Jitendra Singh
(d) Narendra Modi
Explanation: Dharmendra Pradhan is the Education Minister currently facing calls for resignation due to examination paper leaks. JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh are federal ministers who represented the government in the talks with the protesters. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018062/indian-government-seeks-time-on-youth-protesters-minister-resignation-demand, 24 Jul 2026]