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.
#1381
What was the approximate cost of the refurbishment project for the building completed in 2026?
(a) 20 million euros
(b) 15 million euros
(c) 10 million euros
(d) 25 million euros
Explanation: The renovation of the building was a significant undertaking that cost approximately 20 million euros. This figure reflects the extensive architectural changes required to repurpose the site. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017557/hitlers-austrian-birthplace-transformed-into-police-station, 22 Jul 2026]
#1382
Consider the following statements about the market conditions on July 24, 2026: 1. Oil prices were on course for a near 10% jump for the week. 2. The Dubai index recorded its third consecutive weekly loss. 3. Abu Dhabi's benchmark index ended the week with a 0.5% gain. Which of the statements given above 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 market data provided for the week ending July 24, 2026. Oil prices showed significant weekly growth, while the Dubai and Abu Dhabi indices followed the reported weekly trends. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431652/uae-stocks-slip-amid-escalating-middle-east-conflict, 24 Jul 2026]
#1383
Consider the following statements about the regional security situation in March 2026: 1. The Strait of Hormuz mission is designed to secure the flow of oil and gas. 2. France deployed air defense units to Cyprus following drone attacks. 3. The conflict in the Middle East began in early 2026 following a direct invasion of France. 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 conflict was triggered by US-Israeli strikes on Iran, not an invasion of France. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1980406/france-allies-preparing-defensive-mission-to-reopen-strait-of-hormuz-says-macron, 10 Mar 2026]
#1384
Which of the following statements regarding the diplomatic response to the incident on May 23, 2026, is INCORRECT?
(a) The United Kingdom summoned Israel’s most senior diplomat in Britain.
(b) New Zealand announced it would summon the Israeli ambassador to express concerns.
(c) Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong stated that Australia had already sanctioned Ben-Gvir.
(d) The United States officially joined France in imposing a travel ban on Ben-Gvir.
Explanation: While the US Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, condemned the actions, there is no report that the United States joined France in imposing a formal travel ban. The other statements accurately reflect the diplomatic actions taken by the respective nations. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2002539/france-bans-israeli-security-minister-ben-gvir-from-country, 23 May 2026]
#1385
The Nifty 50 index closed at which of the following levels on July 24, 2026?
(a) 78,210.30
(b) 76,059.77
(c) 22,540.12
(d) 23,767.45
Explanation: The Nifty 50 fell 0.43% to close at 23,767.45 on the specified date. The BSE Sensex closed at 76,059.77. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431634/indian-shares-log-weekly-losses-as-crude-climbs-hdfc-bank-tumbles, 24 Jul 2026]
#1386
Which of the following factors is NOT cited as a primary risk to the Indian economy in the context of the July 24, 2026 market report?
(a) Persistent high crude oil prices
(b) Excessive foreign direct investment inflows
(c) Supply-chain disruptions
(d) Erratic monsoon and rainfall deficit
Explanation: The report identifies high oil prices, rainfall deficits, and supply-chain disruptions as key risks. Excessive foreign direct investment is not mentioned as a risk factor in this context. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431634/indian-shares-log-weekly-losses-as-crude-climbs-hdfc-bank-tumbles, 24 Jul 2026]
#1387
Consider the following statements about the Indian rupee market conditions on July 24, 2026: 1. The Indian rupee reached a new all-time record low during the trading session. 2. The Reserve Bank of India conducted interventions in both the spot and non-deliverable forwards markets. 3. Brent crude oil prices retreated by approximately 4 percent after initially topping 100 dollars per barrel. 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 rupee avoided a record low, remaining near the May record of 96.96. Statements 2 and 3 are factually accurate descriptions of the market intervention and oil price movements reported on that date. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431635/intervention-shields-indian-rupee-in-face-of-oil-hedging-strain, 24 Jul 2026]
#1388
Which French peninsula experienced mass evacuations due to forest fires on July 24, 2026?
(a) Cap Ferret
(b) Brittany
(c) Normandy
(d) None of these
Explanation: The Cap Ferret peninsula was the primary site of mass evacuations in France, where thousands of residents and holidaymakers were forced to flee by boat and road. Brittany and Normandy are other French regions but were not the focus of this specific wildfire event. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018225/over-100000-flee-forest-fires-in-france-spain, 24 Jul 2026]
#1389
Which of the following statements regarding the US-EU trade tensions in July 2026 is INCORRECT?
(a) The US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer supported the EU's enforcement action as a boost to transatlantic trade.
(b) The European Commission's fine against Google was the first penalty under the Digital Markets Act.
(c) The US administration announced new tariffs of 10 to 12.5 percent on 60 trading partners.
(d) President Trump threatened to initiate a Section 301 investigation into the EU's antitrust practices.
Explanation: US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer actually criticized the EU's decision, stating that it undermined constructive dialogue and posed a risk to trade stability, making the incorrect statement. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018219/trump-says-eu-to-pay-very-big-price-for-google-fine, 25 Jul 2026]
#1390
Which Indian financial institution experienced its steepest weekly decline in 2-1/2 years on July 24, 2026?
(a) Axis Bank
(b) ICICI Bank
(c) HDFC Bank
(d) State Bank of India
Explanation: HDFC Bank recorded a 9.4% decline, marking its sharpest weekly drop in 2-1/2 years due to investor concerns regarding margins. Axis Bank also declined, but HDFC Bank was identified as the primary weight on the benchmark indexes. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431634/indian-shares-log-weekly-losses-as-crude-climbs-hdfc-bank-tumbles, 24 Jul 2026]
#1391
Consider the following statements about the Indian market performance on July 24, 2026: 1. The BSE Sensex recorded its steepest drop in two months. 2. Private banks and financial sectors were among the worst-performing segments. 3. Brent crude prices briefly crossed $100 a barrel during the week. 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 market report. The Sensex lost 2.7% (steepest in two months), financial sectors were heavily dragged down, and Brent crude crossed the $100 threshold. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431634/indian-shares-log-weekly-losses-as-crude-climbs-hdfc-bank-tumbles, 24 Jul 2026]
#1392
Consider the following statements about the 2026 wildfire crisis: 1. More than 100,000 people were forced to flee their homes across France and Spain. 2. French regional fire chief Marc Vermeulen reported that flames were consuming up to 1,000 hectares of forest per hour. 3. The fires in the Madrid region were described as the worst in the region's history by local officials. 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. The total number of displaced persons exceeded 100,000, the rate of forest destruction was confirmed by the regional fire chief, and the severity of the Madrid fires was officially noted as unprecedented. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018225/over-100000-flee-forest-fires-in-france-spain, 24 Jul 2026]
#1393
Which organization provided a study linking the 2026 wildfires to human-fuelled climate change?
(a) World Meteorological Organization
(b) International Panel on Climate Change
(c) European Environment Agency
(d) World Weather Attribution
Explanation: The World Weather Attribution group published a study in July 2026 identifying human-fuelled climate change as a driver for the drought and wildfire conditions. While other organizations monitor climate, this specific study was attributed to the WWA. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018225/over-100000-flee-forest-fires-in-france-spain, 24 Jul 2026]
#1394
Which instrument did the Reserve Bank of India likely use to offset the liquidity impact of its spot market dollar sales on July 24, 2026?
(a) Adjustment of the statutory liquidity ratio
(b) Direct purchase of government bonds
(c) Far tenor dollar-rupee buy/sell swaps
(d) Issuance of new treasury bills
Explanation: To manage the liquidity drain caused by selling dollars in the spot market, the central bank utilized far tenor dollar-rupee buy/sell swaps. This allows the bank to stabilize the currency without permanently tightening domestic rupee liquidity. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431635/intervention-shields-indian-rupee-in-face-of-oil-hedging-strain, 24 Jul 2026]
#1395
What was the approximate value of net weekly forward dollar buying by merchants in the week ending July 17, 2026?
(a) 3.1 billion dollars
(b) 11.1 billion dollars
(c) 9.1 billion dollars
(d) 7.1 billion dollars
Explanation: Clearing house data indicated that merchant forward dollar buying rebounded to approximately 7.1 billion dollars in the week ending July 17, 2026. This increased hedging activity contributed to the downward pressure on the rupee. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431635/intervention-shields-indian-rupee-in-face-of-oil-hedging-strain, 24 Jul 2026]
#1396
The town of Navas del Rey, threatened by wildfires in July 2026, is located approximately how many kilometers from Madrid?
(a) 50 kilometers
(b) 80 kilometers
(c) 120 kilometers
(d) None of these
Explanation: Navas del Rey is situated about 50 kilometers from the Spanish capital. The 80-kilometer figure refers to the location of Cebreros, another site mentioned in the context of the Madrid region fires. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018225/over-100000-flee-forest-fires-in-france-spain, 24 Jul 2026]
#1397
Which of the following is NOT a factor contributing to the pressure on the Indian rupee as of July 24, 2026?
(a) Excessive foreign direct investment inflows
(b) Weak domestic equities
(c) Increased corporate hedging
(d) High global oil prices
Explanation: Excessive foreign direct investment inflows typically strengthen a currency rather than weaken it. The other three factors—oil prices, weak equities, and corporate hedging—are explicitly cited as sources of downward pressure on the rupee. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431635/intervention-shields-indian-rupee-in-face-of-oil-hedging-strain, 24 Jul 2026]
#1398
What is the total amount of the fine imposed by the European Commission on Google for breaching the Digital Markets Act in July 2026?
(a) 460 million euros
(b) 430 million euros
(c) 1.2 billion euros
(d) 890 million euros
Explanation: The European Commission issued two separate fines of 460 million euros and 430 million euros, totaling 890 million euros. This represents the first penalty imposed on Google under the Digital Markets Act. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018219/trump-says-eu-to-pay-very-big-price-for-google-fine, 25 Jul 2026]
#1399
Which of the following statements regarding the gold market in Pakistan on July 25, 2026, is INCORRECT?
(a) The price of silver per tola increased by Rs12.
(b) The international gold price experienced a gain of $3 per ounce.
(c) The price of 10-gram gold increased by Rs257.
(d) The gold price per tola reached Rs427,736.
Explanation: The price of silver actually decreased by Rs12, not increased. Options A, B, and D are all factually correct statements regarding the market data for that date. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431764/gold-price-per-tola-gains-rs300-in-pakistan, 25 Jul 2026]
#1400
Consider the following statements about the market conditions in Pakistan on July 25, 2026: 1. The gold price per tola reached Rs427,736. 2. The international gold market saw a price increase of $3 per ounce. 3. The silver price per tola increased by Rs12. 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 price reached Rs427,736. Statement 2 is correct as the international rate rose by $3. Statement 3 is incorrect because the price of silver decreased, not increased. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431764/gold-price-per-tola-gains-rs300-in-pakistan, 25 Jul 2026]