Current Affairs Quiz 1st January 2026 Quiz

Exp. Go Digit General Insurance Board Approves Merger with Holding Company in Landmark Move

The Go Digit General Insurance board has approved the merger of its holding company, Go Digit Infoworks Services, with the listed insurer, marking a landmark move.

This will be the first merger of an insurance company with a non-insurance holding company following recent liberalisation of insurance laws.

The scheme of amalgamation under Sections 230–232 of the Companies Act requires approvals from shareholders, creditors, and regulators including IRDAI, SEBI, stock exchanges, and NCLT.

Exp. LIC Partners with Sahaj Insurance Services to Expand Insurance Reach in Rural India

LIC has entered into a strategic partnership with Sahaj Insurance Services Pvt. Ltd. to expand insurance penetration in rural and semi-urban India.

Sahaj’s assisted digital service network will help citizens understand, enrol in, and manage LIC life insurance policies, especially in low-awareness regions.

Sahaj Insurance Services, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sahaj Retail under the Kanoria Foundation initiative, holds a corporate agency licence from IRDAI to distribute insurance products nationwide.

Exp. Barham Salih Appointed as UN High Commissioner for Refugees from January 2026

The United Nations General Assembly has appointed former Iraqi President Barham Salih as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

His tenure will be for five years, commencing on January 1, 2026.

He will succeed Filippo Grandi of Italy as the head of the refugee agency.

The UNHCR is responsible for the protection and support of refugees, displaced persons, and stateless people worldwide.

Exp. Rajasthan Launches “e-Swasthya Samvad” Digital Platform to Strengthen Medical Education Governance

The Rajasthan government has launched a new digital communication platform, “e-Swasthya Samvad,” to enhance governance, transparency, and coordination in the state’s medical education system.

The initiative has been introduced under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma and Medical Education Minister Gajendra Singh Khimsar as part of technology-driven health reforms.

e-Swasthya Samvad will act as a dedicated digital interface connecting policymakers and medical institutions, enabling faster decision-making, real-time monitoring, and effective policy implementation.

The platform will operate twice a week (Tuesday and Thursday) through video conferencing, with structured interactions involving senior officials first, followed by engagement with faculty, doctors, nursing staff, students, and the public.

About Rajasthan

• Capital – Jaipur
• Chief Minister – Bhajan Lal Sharma (replace Ashok Gehlot)
• Deputy Chief Minister – Diya Kumari and Premchand Bairwa
• Governor – Haribhau Bagade

Exp. Rediff.com Gets NPCI Approval for TPAP License, Begins UPI Testing for RediffPay

Rediff.com India Ltd. has received final approval from NPCI for its Third-Party Application Provider (TPAP) license, enabling the launch of RediffPay.

The company has started Closed User Group (CUG) testing as a precursor to joining the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) ecosystem.

RediffPay aims to provide secure, interoperable UPI services, promoting financial inclusion and facilitating saving, investing, and credit access across India.

Exp. India Tops Global Doping List for Third Consecutive Year, WADA 2024 Report Reveals

According to the WADA 2024 report, India recorded 260 positive doping cases from 7,113 samples (3.6% positivity rate), marking the highest number of doping offenders globally for the third consecutive year.

Norway documented the second-highest proportion of positive cases at 1.75%, followed by the U.S. at 1.15%, while countries like China and Germany reported far fewer violations despite higher testing volumes.

Athletics, weightlifting, and wrestling were the most affected sports in India, with 76, 43, and 29 positive cases respectively, reflecting a persistent pattern in endurance and strength-based sports.

In response, India has strengthened its anti-doping framework through NADA reforms, a new anti-doping panel by the Indian Olympic Association, and the National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill, 2025, aligning with global standards.

About World Anti-Doping Agency

• Formation- 10 November 1999
• Headquarters- Montreal, Canada
• President- Witold Banka

Exp. Australia to Grant Duty-Free Access to All Indian Exports from January 2026 under ECTA

From January 1, 2026, Australia will provide duty-free access to all Indian exports under the Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA), marking 100% zero-duty tariff lines.

The ECTA was an ‘early harvest’ deal, addressing select trade-related issues, while both countries are negotiating a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) for broader trade coverage.

India’s exports to Australia grew by 8% in 2024-25, with significant gains across manufacturing, chemicals, textiles, plastics, pharmaceuticals, petroleum products, and gems & jewellery.

About Australia

• Capital – Canberra
• Currency – Dollar
• President – Anthony Albanese

Exp. China Launches “Justice Mission 2025” Military Drills Around Taiwan Amid Rising Tensions

The Chinese military has dispatched air, navy, and rocket troops to conduct joint drills around Taiwan, calling it a “stern warning” against separatist and external interference forces.

The drills, code-named “Justice Mission 2025”, will focus on sea-air combat readiness, joint seizure of superiority, blockades on key ports, and deterrence around the Taiwan Strait.

The drills are being conducted by the Eastern Theatre Command of the People’s Liberation Army.

Exp. Iran Launches Three Indigenous Satellites into Orbit with Russian Soyuz Rocket

Iran placed three domestically developed satellites—Paya, Zafar-2, and Kowsar (second unit)—into low-Earth orbit (LEO) using Russian Soyuz launch vehicles, as confirmed by Iranian state media.

The LEO satellites are meant for civilian uses such as agricultural monitoring, natural resource management, and environmental assessment in Iran and nearby regions.

Due to Western sanctions and limited access to global launch services, Iran has increasingly relied on Russia for space launches, with cooperation expanding notably after 2022.

About Iran

• Capital – Tehran
• Currency – Rial
• President – Masoud Pezeshkian
• Supreme Leader – Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei

Exp. IAF’s SDI Signs MoU with IIT Madras to Develop Indigenous Digital Communication System for Airborne Use

The Indian Air Force’s Software Development Institute (SDI) signed an MoU with IIT Madras for the joint design and development of an indigenous digital communication system for airborne applications.

The collaboration supports the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, aiming to enhance self-reliance in defence technology and strengthen India’s strategic capabilities.

The project will develop indigenous, secure and advanced digital communication systems for use in IAF aircraft and airborne platforms.

Exp. Former New Zealand All-Rounder Doug Bracewell Retires from International Cricket

Former New Zealand all-rounder Doug Bracewell (35) announced his retirement from all forms of international cricket, ending a 12-year international career with the Black Caps.

Bracewell represented New Zealand in 28 Tests, 21 ODIs and 20 T20Is, taking 120 wickets and scoring 915 runs across formats.

He played a crucial role in New Zealand’s famous 2011 Test win over Australia at Hobart, claiming career-best figures of 6 wickets in the second innings.

Recently Retired Players

• Mohit Sharma (India) – All Forms of Cricket
• Kane Williamson (New Zealand) – T20 Internationals
• Rohan Bopanna (India) – Professional Tennis
• Chris Woakes (England) – International Cricket
• Sergio Busquets (Spain) – Professional Scooer
• Jerome Boateng (German) – Professional Scooer
• Samuel Umtiti (France) – Professional Scooer

Exp. Veteran Malayalam Cinema Art Director K Shekhar Passes Away at 72

Veteran Malayalam cinema art director K Shekhar passed away at the age of 72 at his residence in Thiruvananthapuram, leaving behind a legacy of innovation, craftsmanship and visual creativity in Indian cinema.

He is best known for designing the iconic anti-gravity room in the 3D film “My Dear Kuttichathan”, created without computers or CGI using a rotating steel set and practical effects, a landmark achievement in Indian filmmaking.

Inspired by “2001: A Space Odyssey”, Shekhar executed techniques decades ahead of global cinema; he began his career with “Padayottam” (1982) and later worked on acclaimed films like “Nokkethadhoorathu Kannum Nattu” and “Onnu Muthal Poojyam Vare

Exp. 1 January – Global Family Day

Global Family Day is celebrated every year on 1 January to promote peace, unity and harmony among people worldwide.

The day evolved from the “One Day in Peace” initiative and emphasises resolving conflicts through non-violence and understanding.

It highlights the idea that the entire world is one family, encouraging compassion, tolerance and mutual respect.

Exp. 1 January – DRDO Day

DRDO Day is celebrated every year on 1 January to mark the achievements of India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

DRDO was established in 1958, and it has since played a key role in advancing India’s defence technology.

The day highlights India’s advancements in defence technology, including missiles, radars, armaments, and aerospace systems.

DRDO Day honours the contributions of scientists and engineers who strengthen India’s strategic and defence capabilities.