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.
#13061
Which organization is responsible for recommending that the US State Department designate India as a 'country of particular concern' in 2026?
(a) Human Rights Watch Executive Board
(b) United Nations Human Rights Council
(c) Amnesty International Global Secretariat
(d) United States Commission on International Religious Freedom
Explanation: The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is the federal government entity tasked with monitoring religious freedom abroad and providing policy recommendations. Other organizations listed are international NGOs or UN bodies, not US federal commissions. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1998729/us-religious-freedom-commission-calls-for-india-to-be-listed-as-country-of-particular-concern, 08 May 2026]
#13062
As of 2026, how many Indian states are reported to enforce strict anti-conversion laws?
(a) 13 states
(b) 18 states
(c) 21 states
(d) 28 states
Explanation: The 2026 USCIRF assessment explicitly identifies that 13 out of 28 Indian states enforce these specific legal frameworks. The figure 28 represents the total number of states in India, not the number with anti-conversion laws. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1998729/us-religious-freedom-commission-calls-for-india-to-be-listed-as-country-of-particular-concern, 08 May 2026]
#13063
Consider the following statements about the 2026 USCIRF findings regarding India: 1. The commission alleges that India has engaged in transnational repression targeting religious minorities abroad. 2. The report claims that violence against religious minorities in India has become increasingly episodic rather than normalized. 3. Proposed amendments to the FCRA could allow the Indian government to take over assets of NGOs that lose their foreign funding licenses. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) All three
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct regarding transnational repression. Statement 2 is incorrect because the report states that violence is becoming 'less episodic' and 'more normalized.' Statement 3 is correct regarding the potential impact of FCRA amendments. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1998729/us-religious-freedom-commission-calls-for-india-to-be-listed-as-country-of-particular-concern, 08 May 2026]
#13064
Under which specific Indian legislation were Asiya Andrabi and her associates sentenced in 2026?
(a) Public Safety Act
(b) National Security Act
(c) Armed Forces Special Powers Act
(d) Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act
Explanation: The court utilized the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) to prosecute and sentence the individuals. The other acts listed are different legal frameworks used in India for security and detention purposes. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1985165/fo-condemns-harsh-sentences-awarded-to-kashmiri-leader-asiya-andrabi-associates-by-delhi-court, 25 Mar 2026]
#13065
Asiya Andrabi, who was sentenced by a Delhi court on March 25, 2026, is the founder of which Kashmiri rights group?
(a) Dukhtaran-i-Millat
(b) Hurriyat Conference
(c) Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front
(d) None of these
Explanation: Asiya Andrabi is the founder of the Dukhtaran-i-Millat, also known as the Daughters of the Nation. The other organizations listed are distinct political or militant entities operating within the Kashmir region. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1985165/fo-condemns-harsh-sentences-awarded-to-kashmiri-leader-asiya-andrabi-associates-by-delhi-court, 25 Mar 2026]
#13066
Who are identified as the most frequent perpetrators of gender-based violence in the 2026 report?
(a) Acquaintances and husbands
(b) Strangers and unknown assailants
(c) Law enforcement personnel
(d) Political activists
Explanation: The data indicates that acquaintances and husbands account for a higher number of perpetrators than strangers. This underscores the prevalence of domestic and intimate partner violence. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018677/writing-on-the-wall, 27 Jul 2026]
#13067
In which sector of Islamabad were the Aurat March activists detained by the police on March 8, 2026?
(a) Sector F-7
(b) Sector G-7
(c) Sector I-8
(d) Sector F-6
Explanation: The activists were detained near the Super Market located in Sector F-6. Other sectors listed are common residential or commercial areas in Islamabad but were not the site of this specific police action. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1979796/dozens-of-aurat-march-activists-participants-detained-by-police-in-islamabad-ahead-of-international-womens-day-rally, 08 Mar 2026]
#13068
All of the following statements regarding the events of March 8, 2026, are TRUE EXCEPT:
(a) The marchers intended to head towards D-Chowk as their primary destination.
(b) The district administration had denied a no-objection certificate for the march.
(c) The police cited potential clashes with Lal Masjid management as a reason for the arrests.
(d) The Women's Police Station released a list of 19 women activists who were detained.
Explanation: The activists stated they had no intention of heading towards D-Chowk, making the false statement. The other options accurately reflect the details provided regarding the administrative denial and the police rationale. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1979796/dozens-of-aurat-march-activists-participants-detained-by-police-in-islamabad-ahead-of-international-womens-day-rally, 08 Mar 2026]
#13069
Consider the following statements about the incident reported on March 8, 2026: 1. The victim was accompanied by her aunt and uncle to the hospital. 2. The suspects allegedly used weapons to guard the entrance of the hospital. 3. The Special Sexual Offences Investigation Unit (SSIOU) confirmed the assault based on a preliminary medical report. 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 according to the details provided in the FIR and the confirmation by Inspector Sohail Aslam of the SSIOU. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1979833/police-register-fir-after-15-year-old-allegedly-sexually-assaulted-in-mandi-bahauddin-hospital, 08 Mar 2026]
#13070
Consider the following statements about the 2026 sentencing of Kashmiri leaders: 1. Asiya Andrabi received a life imprisonment sentence from the Delhi court. 2. The sentencing was criticized by the Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. 3. The FO statement claimed that the sentencing was a result of a fair and transparent judicial process. 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 the FO explicitly criticized the process, citing concerns regarding due process and judicial independence. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1985165/fo-condemns-harsh-sentences-awarded-to-kashmiri-leader-asiya-andrabi-associates-by-delhi-court, 25 Mar 2026]
#13071
Which police station registered the FIR regarding the incident reported on March 8, 2026?
(a) City Police Station
(b) Civil Lines Police Station
(c) Saddar Police Station
(d) Cantt Police Station
Explanation: The Civil Lines Police Station in Mandi Bahauddin was responsible for registering the FIR based on the complaint filed by the victim's mother. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1979833/police-register-fir-after-15-year-old-allegedly-sexually-assaulted-in-mandi-bahauddin-hospital, 08 Mar 2026]
#13072
Which of the following statements regarding the FIR registered on March 8, 2026, is INCORRECT?
(a) The FIR was registered under Section 114 of the Pakistan Penal Code.
(b) The victim was 15 years old at the time of the incident.
(c) All three suspects were identified by name in the initial FIR.
(d) The incident occurred at a private hospital.
Explanation: The FIR named only one suspect, while the other two individuals were listed as unidentified. Therefore, the statement that all three were named is incorrect. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1979833/police-register-fir-after-15-year-old-allegedly-sexually-assaulted-in-mandi-bahauddin-hospital, 08 Mar 2026]
#13073
Consider the following statements about the events in Islamabad on March 8, 2026: 1. The police detained both male and female participants during the march. 2. The wife of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan Secretary General was among those detained. 3. The marchers were permitted to reach the National Press Club before being arrested. 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 both men and women were detained, and the wife of the HRCP Secretary General was arrested at the police station. Statement 3 is incorrect because the police were already present at the National Press Club, preventing the marchers from reaching it. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1979796/dozens-of-aurat-march-activists-participants-detained-by-police-in-islamabad-ahead-of-international-womens-day-rally, 08 Mar 2026]
#13074
Which prominent human rights defender was among those reported as detained by the police on March 8, 2026?
(a) Hina Jilani
(b) Asma Jahangir
(c) Tahira Abdullah
(d) Malala Yousafzai
Explanation: Tahira Abdullah, a well-known human rights defender, was explicitly named as one of the individuals taken into custody. The other figures listed were not involved in this specific event. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1979796/dozens-of-aurat-march-activists-participants-detained-by-police-in-islamabad-ahead-of-international-womens-day-rally, 08 Mar 2026]
#13075
Which of the following Pakistani legal institutions did the Istanbul Bar Association No. 2 delegation NOT visit during their 2026 tour?
(a) Supreme Court Bar Association
(b) Pakistan Bar Council
(c) Sindh Bar Council
(d) Lahore High Court Bar Association
Explanation: The delegation visited the Pakistan Bar Council, Sindh Bar Council, and the Lahore High Court Bar Association. The Supreme Court Bar Association was not mentioned in the official list of visited institutions. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431897/istanbul-bar-number-2-delegation-visits-karachi-press-club, 27 Jul 2026]
#13076
Consider the following statements about the 2026 death penalty legislation: 1. The law was passed by the Israeli Knesset with a majority vote. 2. The legislation includes provisions that allow for the reduction of the death sentence to life imprisonment. 3. The law is applicable to all residents of Israel regardless of their legal status or location. 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 bill passed the Knesset. Statement 2 is correct as the law allows for reduction under special circumstances. Statement 3 is incorrect because the law creates distinct tracks for West Bank Palestinians versus Israeli citizens and residents of East Jerusalem. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1986920/israel-passes-law-making-death-penalty-default-sentence-for-palestinians-convicted-of-lethal-attacks, 30 Mar 2026]
#13077
Which of the following statements regarding the 2026 death penalty legislation is INCORRECT?
(a) The legislation applies identical legal criteria to both West Bank Palestinians and Israeli citizens.
(b) The law allows for the death penalty to be reduced to life imprisonment under special circumstances.
(c) Human rights groups have filed a petition with the Supreme Court to annul the legislation.
(d) The law mandates that executions be carried out within a specific timeframe after sentencing.
Explanation: The legislation is criticized precisely because it does not apply identical criteria; it creates two parallel tracks, with military courts for West Bank Palestinians and civilian courts for Israeli nationals, which human rights groups argue is discriminatory. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1986920/israel-passes-law-making-death-penalty-default-sentence-for-palestinians-convicted-of-lethal-attacks, 30 Mar 2026]
#13078
Which of the following is NOT a symptom reported in relation to the eye health of Bushra Bibi in March 2026?
(a) Chronic retinal detachment
(b) Black spot in the right eye
(c) Blurring of vision
(d) Flashes in the right eye
Explanation: The reported symptoms included blurring of vision, a black spot, and flashes in the right eye. Chronic retinal detachment is a distinct and more severe clinical diagnosis not mentioned in the initial reports regarding her condition. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1986585/pti-concerned-over-reports-about-bushra-bibis-health-demands-she-be-taken-to-hospital-for-diagnosis-treatment, 29 Mar 2026]
#13079
Which medical institution's doctor reportedly examined Bushra Bibi regarding her eye health concerns in March 2026?
(a) Shifa International Hospital
(b) Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences
(c) Aga Khan University Hospital
(d) None of these
Explanation: The report circulating in March 2026 indicated that Bushra Bibi was examined by a doctor from the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims). Shifa International Hospital is mentioned in the context of where the PTI founder's family prefers him to be treated, not where Bushra Bibi was examined. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1986585/pti-concerned-over-reports-about-bushra-bibis-health-demands-she-be-taken-to-hospital-for-diagnosis-treatment, 29 Mar 2026]
#13080
In the context of the 2026 health reports, where is the spouse of the PTI founder currently incarcerated?
(a) Kot Lakhpat Jail
(b) Adiala Jail
(c) Central Jail Karachi
(d) Haripur Jail
Explanation: The reports regarding the health of Bushra Bibi explicitly mention that the document concerning her condition originated from the medical officer at Adiala jail. Adiala jail is the primary facility where the PTI leadership is currently detained. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1986585/pti-concerned-over-reports-about-bushra-bibis-health-demands-she-be-taken-to-hospital-for-diagnosis-treatment, 29 Mar 2026]