Current Affairs Quiz 31st January 2026 Quiz

Exp. Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani Elected as New Olympic Council of Asia President

Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) members elected Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee, as the new OCA President.

The election took place during the OCA General Assembly in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

Randhir Singh, a five-time Olympic shooter, stepped down as OCA President citing health reasons.

About Olympic Council of Asia

• Formation- 16 November 1982
• Headquarters- Kuwait City, Kuwait

Exp. Department of Posts Partners with Stock Holding Services Ltd to Expand Capital Market Access

Department of Posts (DoP) signed an agreement with Stock Holding Services Limited (SSL) at Dak Bhawan, New Delhi, to promote access to regulated capital market services nationwide.

The agreement will enable citizens to access services like demat & trading account opening, mutual fund investments, IPO participation, etc., through digital onboarding links and QR codes available on official platforms and selected post offices.

Exp. Government Approves ₹200 Crore Smart Fishing Harbour at Mayabunder Under PMMSY

The Government approved a ₹200 crore smart and integrated fishing harbour at Mayabunder (Andaman & Nicobar Islands) with 100% central funding under PM Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).

The harbour will offer safe landing and berthing for 430 fishing vessels and support an annual fish landing capacity of 9,900 tonnes with modern infrastructure.

The project aims to promote sustainable fisheries, curb illegal fishing through digital traceability, generate employment, enhance fisher incomes, and support ₹1 lakh crore seafood export target by 2030–31.

Exp. Civil Aviation Minister Inaugurates Wings India 2026 at Begumpet Airport, Hyderabad

Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu inaugurated Wings India 2026 at Begumpet Airport, Hyderabad.

Wings India is a biennial (once every two years) event hosted by the Ministry of Civil Aviation with support from the Government of Telangana.

The theme of Wings India 2026 is “Indian Aviation: Paving the Future – From Design to Deployment, Manufacturing to Maintenance, Inclusivity to Innovation and Safety to Sustainability.”

Exp. Bharat Parv 2026 Inaugurated at Red Fort to Showcase India’s Cultural and Tourism Heritage

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Union Culture & Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat inaugurated the six-day Bharat Parv 2026 at the Red Fort, New Delhi, to showcase India’s rich cultural heritage.

The festival aims to promote unity in diversity, strengthen constitutional values, and boost tourism potential, while supporting Aatmanirbhar Bharat through livelihoods in handicrafts, handloom, and cuisine.

Bharat Parv 2026 features participation from 34 State Tourism Pavilions, 24 Central Ministry stalls, and leading institutions, highlighting India’s traditions, folk arts, crafts, cuisines, and tourism destinations.

Exp. 12th Smile International Film Festival for Children and Youth (SIFFCY) 2026 Kicks Off in New Delhi

The 12th Smile International Film Festival for Children and Youth (SIFFCY), organised by Smile Foundation in collaboration with the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, began in New Delhi as a seven-day event.

This year’s festival focuses on diversity, equity, and inclusion, showcasing films that raise awareness about social, moral, and world issues, including productions by disabled children.

The event is supported by international embassies including Ukraine, Netherlands, Finland, Czech Republic, Lithuania, Cyprus, Estonia, Poland, and the Italian Cultural Centre.

Smile Foundation is an Indian development organisation working for the welfare of underserved children and families in the areas of education, livelihoods, and women’s empowerment.

Exp. 11th Ajanta-Ellora International Film Festival Begins in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

The 11th Ajanta-Ellora International Film Festival (AEIFF) began in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, celebrating national and international cinema.

Legendary composer Ilaiyaraaja will be honoured with the Padmapani Award for his outstanding contribution to Indian cinema, with filmmakers Ashutosh Gowariker and sound designer Resul Pookutty also attending.

The festival, supported by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting and Maharashtra’s Department of Cultural Affairs, will open with the Spanish film ‘Siret’.

Exp. Sikkim Police Honoured with President’s Police Colour Award

Sikkim Police was conferred the President’s Police Colour (Nishaan) for their outstanding service, professionalism, bravery, discipline, and dedication.

Since Independence, Sikkim has become the 15th state overall and the 3rd in the North East to receive this prestigious award.

About Sikkim

• Capital – Gangtok
• Chief Minister – Prem Singh Tamang
• Governor – Om Prakash Mathur

Exp. Dr Chandrakant Lahariya Becomes First Indian to Win Wiley Research Heroes Prize 2025

Dr Chandrakant Lahariya becomes the first Indian to receive the Wiley Research Heroes Prize 2025, recognised for his significant contributions to health policy research.

He was selected from over 2,000 global nominations and won in the “Impact Beyond Academia” category for research that directly influences policy, programmes, and societal outcomes.

Dr. Lahariya is a health policy researcher and medical professional with prior experience at the World Health Organisation, focusing on bridging research evidence and health system decision-making.

Other winners of the 2025 award are:

• Dr Katie Brooker – Australia
• Professor Trevor Charles – Canada
• Professor Deborah Esan – Nigeria
• Dr Maria Elena Indelicato – Portugal

Exp. Indian Army signs MoU with IISc Bengaluru to develop indigenous AI system

The Indian Army signed an MoU with IISc Bengaluru to develop a fully indigenous AI-based system, focusing on research and innovation to tackle emerging digital information challenges.

The initiative aims to strengthen India’s self-reliant capabilities by combining institutional experience, academic expertise, and Indian industry collaboration.

Exp. Assam Launches Mukhya Mantrir Eti Koli Duti Paat Scheme

Assam Chief Minister launches the Mukhya Mantrir Eti Koli Duti Paat scheme, marking the 200th anniversary of the Assam tea industry.

Financial assistance of ₹5,000 is provided to every eligible tea garden worker, covering over 6 lakh workers across 836 tea gardens in 27 districts, with a total budget of ₹302 crore.

The scheme also includes education, job reservation, and land rights benefits for the tea tribe community, such as 100 new high schools, 3% reservation in Grade I & II posts, and distribution of land title (patta) forms.

About Assam

• Formation – 26 January 1950
• Capital – Dispur
• Chief Minister –Himanta Biswa Sarma
• Governor – Lakshman Prasad Acharya

Exp. Former BCCI President Inderjit Singh Bindra Passes Away

Former BCCI president Inderjit Singh Bindra passed away in New Delhi at the age of 84.

Bindra played a key role in bringing the 1987 ICC Cricket World Cup to the subcontinent and served as BCCI President from 1993 to 1996.

He led the Punjab Cricket Association for over three decades (1978–2014), and in recognition of his contributions, the PCA stadium in Mohali was renamed IS Bindra Stadium in 2015.

Exp. 29 January – Indian Newspaper Day

Indian Newspaper Day is observed on 29 January every year to commemorate the publication of the first Indian newspaper, Hicky’s Bengal Gazette, in 1780.

The day highlights the importance of newspapers and journalism in spreading news, information, and awareness among the public.

It also celebrates the contribution of journalists and media professionals in strengthening democracy and informing citizens.

Exp. 30 January – Martyrs Day

Martyrs Day is observed on 30 January every year to honour the memory of Mahatma Gandhi, who was assassinated on this day in 1948.

The day pays tribute to all freedom fighters and martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the nation’s independence and welfare.

On this day, tributes are paid at Raj Ghat in New Delhi and across India through ceremonies, floral tributes, and moments of silence.

Exp. 30 January – World Leprosy Day

World Leprosy Day is observed on 30 January each year to raise awareness about leprosy and fight the stigma associated with the disease.

Theme 2026 — Leprosy is curable, the real challenge is stigma

The day promotes early detection, treatment, and care for people affected by leprosy to prevent disabilities and improve quality of life.