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.
#19521
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]
#19522
Consider the following statements about the US visa restriction policy announced on July 25, 2026: 1. The policy is limited exclusively to nationals of a single country. 2. It targets individuals involved in cyber-enabled crimes such as sextortion. 3. The policy allows for the restriction of visas for immediate family members of identified cybercriminals. 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 policy is global in scope, not limited to one country. Statements 2 and 3 accurately reflect the scope and the specific targets of the new visa restriction measures. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018267/us-announces-visa-restriction-policy-on-cyber-criminals-their-immediate-family-members, 25 Jul 2026]
#19523
Which of the following statements regarding the events of July 24, 2026, is INCORRECT?
(a) The Israeli military announced an extensive operation in the occupied territory.
(b) Israeli settlers were reported to have killed four Palestinians during the raids.
(c) The Israeli government announced the immediate dismantling of all existing farm outposts.
(d) The Israeli military postponed soldiers' leave and deployed additional forces.
Explanation: The government announced the legalization and expansion of farm outposts, not their dismantling. The other three options accurately reflect the military and settler actions reported on that date. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018200/netanyahu-orders-new-settler-posts-in-occupied-west-bank, 24 Jul 2026]
#19524
Consider the following statements about the performance of Pakistani athletes at the Commonwealth Games on July 25, 2026: 1. Afzal Khan secured a victory in the 65kg boxing category. 2. Fatima Zehra advanced to the quarter-finals after her victory. 3. Jehanara Nabi qualified for the semi-finals of the women's 50m butterfly. 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 Afzal won his bout and Fatima advanced to the quarter-finals. Statement 3 is incorrect because Jehanara Nabi finished 40th overall and failed to qualify for the semi-finals. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018172/pakistan-boxers-afzal-fatima-start-commonwealth-games-campaigns-in-style, 25 Jul 2026]
#19525
Which meteorological phenomenon is primarily driving the monsoon currents into southern and central Pakistan as of July 2026?
(a) A high-pressure ridge over the Arabian Sea
(b) A low-pressure area over southwest Rajasthan
(c) A cyclonic storm in the Bay of Bengal
(d) None of these
Explanation: The Pakistan Meteorological Department identified a low-pressure area situated over southwest Rajasthan as the primary driver for the incoming monsoon currents. This system is responsible for the widespread rain and thunderstorm activity across the country. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431698/monsoon-rains-thunderstorms-likely-from-monday, 24 Jul 2026]
#19526
Which Israeli official announced the government's plan to establish new settler outposts in the occupied West Bank on July 24, 2026?
(a) Benjamin Netanyahu
(b) Itamar Ben Gvir
(c) Yoav Gallant
(d) None of these
Explanation: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the expansion of settler outposts following the violent raids in the West Bank. While other officials like Israel Katz were involved in the security response, Netanyahu is the primary figure who declared the policy shift. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018200/netanyahu-orders-new-settler-posts-in-occupied-west-bank, 24 Jul 2026]
#19527
Who is the current Chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) as of 2026?
(a) Asif Ali Zardari
(b) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari
(c) Yousaf Raza Gillani
(d) None of these
Explanation: Bilawal Bhutto Zardari serves as the Chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party. Asif Ali Zardari is the current President of Pakistan, making him a plausible but incorrect distractor. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431691/bilawal-says-only-kashmiris-have-the-right-to-decide-kashmirs-future, 24 Jul 2026]
#19528
Consider the following statements about the 2026 Indian education protests: 1. The protests were primarily triggered by irregularities in the NEET examination process. 2. The government held three rounds of talks with the CJP leadership before the minister's resignation. 3. The CJP movement explicitly urged supporters to avoid making their leader a hero.
(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 NEET leaks were the catalyst. Statement 2 is incorrect because the minister resigned before the third round of talks. Statement 3 is correct as the founder explicitly warned against hero-worship. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018286/indias-education-minister-resigns-after-youth-protests, 25 Jul 2026]
#19529
Which of the following statements regarding the German court ruling on July 25, 2026, is INCORRECT?
(a) The court ruled that the interior ministry acted in an arbitrary fashion.
(b) The ruling mandates that the government must review the details of individual cases.
(c) The plaintiff was an Afghan woman who had been waiting for a visa since 2024.
(d) The court upheld the interior ministry's decision to invalidate all 600 visas.
Explanation: The court explicitly ruled against the ministry's decision to invalidate the visas, making the incorrect statement. The other options accurately reflect the court's findings and the background of the case. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018224/court-rules-against-berlin-in-afghan-resettlement-case, 25 Jul 2026]
#19530
Consider the following statements about the situation in the West Bank as of July 24, 2026: 1. More than 500,000 Israelis live in settlements in the West Bank, excluding East Jerusalem. 2. The Israeli military characterized the settler-Palestinian clashes as a violent confrontation. 3. The Palestinian Health Ministry reported that over 1,000 Palestinians have been killed since the Gaza war began. 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 provided data. The population figures, the military's characterization of the events, and the casualty statistics provided by the Palestinian Health Ministry are all consistent with the report. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018200/netanyahu-orders-new-settler-posts-in-occupied-west-bank, 24 Jul 2026]
#19531
Consider the following statements regarding the political discourse on Kashmir: 1. The right to self-determination is a core argument used by Pakistani leadership regarding Kashmir. 2. The PPP leadership stated that the future of Kashmir should be decided by the federal government in Islamabad. 3. The election campaign mentioned in the report took place in July 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: Statement 1 is correct as it reflects the standard diplomatic position. Statement 2 is false because the leadership explicitly rejected the idea that Islamabad or any province has the right to decide the future of Kashmir. Statement 3 is correct based on the event timeline. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431691/bilawal-says-only-kashmiris-have-the-right-to-decide-kashmirs-future, 24 Jul 2026]
#19532
In the context of the 2026 political discourse, which regions were specifically mentioned as being the subject of disrespectful remarks by the PML-N leader?
(a) Sindh and Kashmir
(b) Punjab and Balochistan
(c) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan
(d) Sindh and Punjab
Explanation: The controversy centers on the perceived ridicule of the people of Sindh and Kashmir. These two regions were explicitly named by the provincial minister as having been insulted by the federal political leadership. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431697/nawaz-has-ridiculed-people-of-sindh-kashmir-sharjeel, 24 Jul 2026]
#19533
In the 2026-27 domestic structure, the Hanif Mohammad Trophy has been upgraded and renamed as:
(a) President's Trophy Grade-I
(b) Quaid-i-Azam Trophy Silver
(c) National T20 Cup Gold
(d) Quaid-i-Azam Trophy Gold
Explanation: The previously non-first-class Hanif Mohammad Trophy was upgraded to first-class status and rebranded as the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy Silver division. The Gold division represents the top-tier first-class competition. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018156/pcb-tinkers-with-domestic-structure-again, 24 Jul 2026]
#19534
Which of the following statements regarding the UNESCO emergency listing on July 24, 2026, is INCORRECT?
(a) Beaufort Castle is a Crusader-era fortress.
(b) The emergency procedure was justified by the serious threat of conflict-related damage.
(c) Sebastia is located in an area currently under the exclusive administrative control of the Lebanese government.
(d) The listing includes sites in both Lebanon and the occupied West Bank.
Explanation: Sebastia is located in the occupied West Bank in an area controlled by Israel, not the Lebanese government. The other statements accurately reflect the details of the UNESCO announcement. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018222/unesco-places-lebanese-castle-west-bank-site-on-danger-list, 24 Jul 2026]
#19535
Who announced the new global visa restriction policy targeting cybercriminals on July 25, 2026?
(a) Antony Blinken
(b) Marco Rubio
(c) Mike Pompeo
(d) None of these
Explanation: Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the policy as part of the administration's campaign against cybercrime. Antony Blinken and Mike Pompeo are former Secretaries of State and are incorrect in the context of this 2026 announcement. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018267/us-announces-visa-restriction-policy-on-cyber-criminals-their-immediate-family-members, 25 Jul 2026]
#19536
According to the political stance expressed on 2026-07-24, who holds the primary right to determine the future of Kashmir?
(a) The provincial government of Punjab
(b) The federal government in Islamabad
(c) The people of Kashmir
(d) The United Nations Security Council
Explanation: The stated position emphasizes that the right to self-determination belongs exclusively to the people of Kashmir. While the UN is involved in the dispute, the specific political message focused on the agency of the Kashmiri people. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431691/bilawal-says-only-kashmiris-have-the-right-to-decide-kashmirs-future, 24 Jul 2026]
#19537
Who currently holds the portfolio of Sindh Minister for Information, Transport and Mass Transit as of 2026?
(a) Murad Ali Shah
(b) Sharjeel Inam Memon
(c) Saeed Ghani
(d) None of these
Explanation: Sharjeel Inam Memon is the incumbent Sindh Minister for Information, Transport and Mass Transit. He is the official who issued the statement criticizing the remarks made by the PML-N leadership. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431697/nawaz-has-ridiculed-people-of-sindh-kashmir-sharjeel, 24 Jul 2026]
#19538
Which of the following statements regarding the 2026-27 domestic cricket structure is INCORRECT?
(a) The National Inter-Club Championship is a mandatory annual feature of the new calendar.
(b) The regional National One-day Cup has been omitted for the third successive season.
(c) The Talent Hunt Programme has been expanded to 1,200 schools across 100 districts.
(d) The Quaid-i-Azam Trophy Gold division consists of eight teams.
Explanation: The National Inter-Club Championship has been left out of the 2026-27 calendar, making statement D incorrect. The other three statements accurately reflect the details provided in the PCB's structural revisions. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2018156/pcb-tinkers-with-domestic-structure-again, 24 Jul 2026]
#19539
According to the PMD forecast, which of the following districts is expected to experience thunderstorms with moderate to isolated heavy rainfall through July 27, 2026?
(a) Shikarpur
(b) Kashmore
(c) Jacobabad
(d) Tharparkar
Explanation: Tharparkar is explicitly listed among the districts expected to receive moderate to isolated heavy rainfall. The other listed districts are categorized in the forecast as areas expecting light to moderate rain. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431762/karachi-braces-for-more-rain-as-monsoon-system-intensifies-over-sindh, 25 Jul 2026]
#19540
Which agency is primarily responsible for directing field personnel to remain on high alert during the heavy flooding events of July 2026?
(a) Pakistan Meteorological Department
(b) National Disaster Management Authority
(c) Frontier Works Organization
(d) National Highway Authority
Explanation: The Chairman of the National Highway Authority (NHA) issued the directives for field personnel to remain on high alert to manage traffic and infrastructure safety. While the NDMA oversees national disaster policy, the NHA specifically manages the field personnel mentioned in this context. [Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40431695/heavy-flooding-ndma-directs-field-personnel-to-remain-alert, 24 Jul 2026]