Current Affairs Quiz 9th January 2026 Quiz

Exp. IBBI Chairperson Ravi Mittal Launches IICA PGIP Programme Website

IBBI Chairperson Shri Ravi Mittal launched the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA) PGIP programme website while presiding as Chief Guest at an event on the IICA campus.

He encouraged students interested in research to apply for the upcoming IBBI research programme, offering selected candidates an opportunity to work with IBBI.

The newly launched website will serve as a digital platform to connect PGIP alumni with current students, promoting interaction, knowledge sharing, problem-solving, and industry exposure through alumni engagement.

Exp. CCI Approves Nippon Steel Corporation’s Acquisition of Krosaki Harima Corporation

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved the acquisition of Krosaki Harima Corporation by Nippon Steel Corporation, Japan.

Under the proposed combination, Nippon Steel will acquire 53.4% additional stake in Krosaki through a tender offer and potential squeeze-out, increasing its total shareholding to 100%.

Krosaki, a publicly listed Japanese company, operates in India through affiliates, manufacturing and selling refractory products serving industries like iron & steel, lime, aluminium, power, cement, and copper.

Nippon Steel, also Japan-based, is engaged in India in manufacturing tubes and pipes, processing automotive cold-rolled steel sheets, crankshafts, auto-parts, and importing and selling various steel products.

Exp. NITI Aayog Unveils Fifth Edition of Trade Watch Quarterly

NITI Aayog released the fifth edition of its flagship publication Trade Watch Quarterly, presenting a data-driven assessment of India’s trade performance in Q1 FY 2025–26 (April–June 2025), with a special focus on automotive exports.

The report was unveiled in New Delhi on January 6 by Dr. Arvind Virmani, Member, NITI Aayog, and highlights structural shifts in India’s trade, including rising technology-intensive exports and resilient services-led growth.

A key thematic section analyses India’s automotive exports, noting strong performance in auto components and select vehicle segments such as motorcycles and tractors, while identifying a large untapped global market worth about USD 2.2 trillion.

The publication outlines policy priorities to enhance export competitiveness, including improving quality standards, adopting advanced technologies, strengthening logistics, diversifying markets, and deepening integration into global automotive value chains.

Exp. CSIR-NIScPR, IIT Indore and IIT Jodhpur Organise Third Technical Hindi Symposium “Abhyuday-3”

CSIR–NIScPR, IIT Indore, and IIT Jodhpur jointly organised the third Technical Hindi Symposium “Abhyuday-3” at IIT Indore, which concluded as a two-day academic event.

The symposium aimed to promote the use of Technical Hindi and enhance the outreach of science and technology to wider sections of society through effective communication.

The programme featured invited lectures on science, engineering, digital technologies, and innovation, along with paper presentation sessions where 25 participants presented their research in Hindi.

Exp. Dharmendra Pradhan Releases 55 Literary Works in Classical Indian Languages

Union Minister for Education Shri Dharmendra Pradhan released 55 literary works in classical Indian languages at an event held in New Delhi.

The releases include 41 books prepared by the Centres of Excellence for Classical Languages under the Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL).

Additionally, 13 books and a Tirukkural Sign Language series were brought out by the Central Institute of Classical Tamil (CICT), covering Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam, Odia, and Tamil.

The initiative aims to promote India’s linguistic heritage, strengthen classical language research, and foster cultural pride by integrating traditional knowledge into education.

Exp. Ministry of I&B’s WaveX Signs MoU with FITT-IIT Delhi to Boost Innovation in Broadcasting and Entertainment

WaveX, the startup accelerator initiative of the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, signed an MoU with the Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer (FITT), IIT Delhi, to promote innovation and entrepreneurship in media, entertainment, broadcasting, and communication technologies.

Under the collaboration, FITT, IIT Delhi will support the implementation and expansion of the WaveX Programme by helping establish and strengthen incubation centres across the country.

FITT will provide strategic and operational guidance, technical expertise, research facilities, mentorship, intellectual property (IP) support, and capacity-building for startups and incubation managers.

Exp. SBI Promotes India-Israel Trade in Rupees as FTA Talks Gain Momentum

SBI, the only Indian bank in Israel, is promoting bilateral trade between India and Israel in Indian rupees (INR) as Free Trade Agreement (FTA) discussions gain momentum.

Israeli entities can now make and receive payments in INR through SBI’s Special Rupee Vostro Account (SRVA) for exports/imports of goods and services.

SBI Tel Aviv has organised meetings and webinars with the Israel-India Chamber of Commerce and engaged major Israeli defence entities to facilitate rupee trade and strengthen economic ties.

The branch also supports over 40,000 Indian workers in Israel by facilitating remittances to India and opening NRI accounts, while providing trade finance, bank guarantees, and corporate banking services.

Exp. Steve Smith Becomes Second-Highest Run-Scorer in Ashes History, Only Behind Don Bradman

Australian batter Steve Smith became the second-highest run-scorer in Ashes history on January 6, 2026, surpassing England’s Jack Hobbs during Day 2 of the fifth Test at Sydney Cricket Ground.

Smith has scored 3644 runs in 41 matches and 73 innings at an average of 56.93, including 13 centuries and 15 half-centuries, placing him only behind Australian legend Don Bradman, who scored 5028 runs.

Steve Smith notched his 37th Test century and 13th Ashes century, surpassing Jack Hobbs’ record of 12 Ashes hundreds; only Don Bradman’s 19 Ashes centuries remain ahead.

Exp. India Launches e-B-4 Visa for Chinese Business Professionals to Boost Industrial and Investment Activities

India has introduced the e-Production Investment Business Visa (e-B-4 Visa) for Chinese business professionals, allowing travel to India for specified industrial and commercial activities as part of measures to stabilise and reset bilateral ties.

The e-B-4 Visa, effective from January 1, can be applied for entirely online, permits a stay of up to six months, and is designed to facilitate production-linked and investment-related business operations.

Permitted activities under the visa include equipment installation, quality checks, IT system ramp-up, workforce training, supply chain development, plant commissioning, and visits by senior management, with applications processed via the Bureau of Immigration portal for individuals and the NSWS portal for Indian companies.

Exp. India’s GDP Projected to Grow 6.9% in FY 2026-27: Ind-Ra

This projected growth is lower than the estimated 7.4% GDP growth for the Financial Year 2025-26.

Exp. EXIM Bank Raises $1 Billion Through Dual-Tranche U.S. Dollar Bonds in First 2026 Debt Issue

The Export-Import Bank of India (EXIM Bank) accepted bids worth $1 billion for its dual-tranche, longer-duration U.S. dollar-denominated bonds, marking India’s first such debt issue of 2026.

The bank raised $500 million through 10-year bonds at a 5.00% yield, representing a spread of 85 basis points over the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield.

Another $500 million was raised through 30-year bonds at a 5.75% yield, with a spread of 95 basis points over the comparable U.S. Treasury yield.

Exp. First Meeting of Payments Regulatory Board Held Under RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra

The first meeting of the Payments Regulatory Board (PRB) was held in Mumbai under the chairmanship of RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra.

The PRB was constituted following amendments to the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007, which came into effect on 9 May last year.

The meeting reviewed the functioning of the Department of Payment and Settlement Systems and discussed key issues related to domestic and global payment systems, including the draft Payments Vision 2028 and findings of the RBI’s Digital Payments Survey.

Exp. Former World Billiards Champion Manoj Kothari Passes Away at 67

Manoj Kothari, former IBSF World Billiards Champion and Dhyan Chand Award recipient, passed away at the age of 67.

He achieved global recognition by winning the IBSF World Billiards Championship in 1990 and later the World Doubles Billiards Championship in 1997.

Beyond his playing career, Kothari served as the chief national coach of the Indian billiards team from 2011 for over a decade, mentoring several generations of players and guiding them to multiple world titles.

In recognition of his lifetime contribution to sports, the Government of India honoured him with the Dhyan Chand Award in 2005, presented by then President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam.

Exp. Siddaramaiah Becomes Longest-Serving Chief Minister of Karnatak

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah created history by becoming the longest-serving Chief Minister of Karnataka, surpassing the record of late Devaraj Urs, a key figure in the state’s social justice and land reform movement.

On January 6, during his second term, the 77-year-old leader equalled Urs’ total tenure of 2,792 days in office, combining service across two terms.

Siddaramaiah is also the only Chief Minister after Devaraj Urs to complete a full five-year term, having served 1,829 days in his first tenure (2013–2018) and 963 days in his current term since May 2023.

About Karnataka

• Capital – Bengaluru
• Chief Minister –Siddaramaiah
• Deputy Chief Minister – DK Shivakumar
• Governor – Thawar Chand Gehlot

Exp. Justice A. Muhamed Mustaque Sworn in as 24th Chief Justice of Sikkim High Court

Justice A. Muhamed Mustaque was sworn in as the 24th Chief Justice of the High Court of Sikkim at Ashirwad Hall, Lok Bhawan, with Governor Om Prakash Mathur administering the oath of office.

He succeeds Justice Biswanath Somadder, who recently retired from the post of Chief Justice of the Sikkim High Court.

Recent Appointments

• Chief Justice of Jharkhand High Court – Justice Mahesh Sharadchandra Sonak
• President of Atal Smriti Nyas Society – Venkaiah Naidu (replace Vijay Kumar Malhotra)
• MD & CEO of Hyundai Motor India -Tarun Garg
• DG of Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) – Lav Aggarwal
• Chairman & Managing Director of the Food Corporation of India (FCI) – Rabindra Kumar Agarwal