Daily Current Affairs Quiz 17th January, 2026, Attempt Important GK Questions

By solving daily current affairs quizzes, candidates can track their preparation progress and identify areas that need improvement. This consistent practice enhances accuracy, builds confidence, and improves overall performance in time-bound competitive exams.

Daily Current Affairs: 17 January, 2026

Q1. India recently registered two high-yielding synthetic cattle breeds capable of producing over 3,000 kg of milk in a 10-month lactation period. Which of the following correctly names these two breeds?

(a) Gir and Sahiwal
(b) Karan Fries and Vrindavani
(c) Tharparkar and Hariana
(d) Jersey and Brown Swiss
(e) Red Sindhi and Ongole

Answer: b

Solution:

• India has registered two high-yielding synthetic cattle breeds capable of producing over 3,000 kg of milk in a 10-month lactation period, significantly higher than most indigenous breeds, which typically yield 1,000–2,000 kg.
• With this addition, the total number of registered livestock and poultry breeds in India has increased to 246.
• The registration certificates for 16 new livestock and poultry breeds were presented by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
• The event was organised by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research – National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (ICAR-NBAGR).

Synthetic Cattle Breeds Registered

• Karan Fries
  • Developed by the National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Karnal, Haryana.
  • Crossbreed of indigenous Tharparkar cows and Holstein-Friesian bulls.
• Vrindavani
  • Developed by ICAR–Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh.
  • Blend of exotic breeds (Holstein-Friesian, Brown Swiss, Jersey) with indigenous Hariana cattle.

Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) – Key Facts

• Status: Autonomous organisation under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.
• Role: Apex body for coordinating, guiding, and managing agricultural research and education in fields such as:
  • Agriculture
  • Horticulture
  • Fisheries
  • Animal Sciences
• History: Established on 16 July 1929, originally known as the Imperial Council of Agricultural Research.
• Legal Status: Registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
• Headquarters: New Delhi

Q2. The 6th ASEAN–India Digital Ministers’ Meeting (ADGMIN), held virtually in January 2026, focused on strengthening regional digital cooperation and advancing digital inclusion among ASEAN Member States and Dialogue Partners. What was the official theme of this meeting?

(a) Digital ASEAN: Building Smart Nations
(b) ASEAN–India Digital Bridge for Global Innovation
(c) Transforming ASEAN through Emerging Technologies
(d) Smart Connectivity for a Digital Indo-Pacific

(e) Adaptive ASEAN: From Connectivity to Connected Intelligence

The correct answer is: (b)

Solution:

• The 6th ASEAN–India Digital Ministers’ (ADGMIN) Meeting was held virtually on 16 January 2026.
• The theme of the meeting was “Adaptive ASEAN: From Connectivity to Connected Intelligence.”
• The meeting was co-chaired by:
  • Shri Amit Agrawal, Secretary, Department of Telecommunications, Government of India
  • Shri Nguyen Manh Hung, Minister of Science and Technology, Vietnam
• ADGMIN is an annual forum of Telecom and Digital Ministers from 11 ASEAN Member States, along with ASEAN’s Dialogue Partners.
• ASEAN Member States:
  Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor Leste, and Viet Nam.
• Dialogue Partners:
  Australia, Canada, China, European Union, India, Japan, Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Russia, United Kingdom, and United States.
• The meeting focused on deepening digital cooperation, particularly in digital inclusion and regional integration.
• The meeting acknowledged the ASEAN–India Joint Statement on Advancing Digital Transformation, adopted at the 21st ASEAN-India Summit (10 October 2024) in Vientiane, Lao PDR.
• Key areas of cooperation include:
  • Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI)
  • Financial Technology (FinTech)
  • Cybersecurity
  • Artificial Intelligence (AI)
  • Capacity Building and Knowledge Sharing
  • Sustainable Financing and Investment
• The meeting reviewed progress under the ASEAN–India 2025 Digital Work Plan and welcomed the ASEAN–India Digital Work Plan 2026, which focuses on:
  • ICT training and capacity-building programs
  • India–ASEAN Regulators’ Conference
  • Deployment of telecom and ICT solutions
• The meeting also welcomed the operationalization of the “ASEAN–India Fund for Digital Future.”

Q3. The Republic Day Parade 2026 at Kartavya Path will be graced by the President of the European Council ________ and the President of the European Commission ________ as the Chief Guests, and the official theme of the parade will be ________.

(b) Antonio Costa – Ursula von der Leyen – 150 Years of Vande Mataram

(b) Charles Michel – Ursula von der Leyen – Celebrating Indian Democracy
(c) Emmanuel Macron – Christine Lagarde – Unity in Diversity
(d) Olaf Scholz – Roberta Metsola – Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav
(e) Mark Rutte – Kaja Kallas – 150 Years of Vande Mataram

Answer: a

Solution:

• The Republic Day Celebrations 2026 will be held on 26 January 2026 at Kartavya Path, New Delhi.
• The celebrations will present a unique blend of India’s military strength, cultural diversity, and the commemoration of 150 years of the national song ‘Vande Mataram’.
• The theme of the Republic Day Parade (RDP) 2026 will be “150 Years of Vande Mataram.”
• The broad outline of the celebrations was announced by Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh at a press conference in New Delhi on 16 January 2026.
• The Chief Guests for the Republic Day Parade 2026 will be:
  • Antonio Costa, President of the European Council
  • Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission

Q4. Shri Praveen Vashista was recently appointed as the Vigilance Commissioner. A Vigilance Commissioner appointed under the CVC Act, 2003, holds office for a term of ________ years from the date on which he enters upon his office or until he attains the age of ________ years, whichever is earlier.

(a) 3 – 62
(b) 4 – 65
(c) 5 – 70
(d) 6 – 65
(e) 4 – 60

Answer: b

Solution:

• The President of India, exercising powers under Section 4(1) of the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) Act, 2003, appointed Shri Praveen Vashista as Vigilance Commissioner.
• The appointment was made through a warrant dated 12 December 2025.
• Shri Praveen Vashista took the oath of office on 16 January 2026.
• The oath was administered before the Central Vigilance Commissioner, who was authorised by the President under Section 5(3) of the CVC Act, 2003.
• The Central Vigilance Commission Act, 2003 provides for:
  • One Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC)
  • Two Vigilance Commissioners
• The tenure of a Vigilance Commissioner is:
  • Four years, or
  • Until attaining 65 years of age, whichever is earlier.

Q5. On January 16, 2026, the Foundation Day ceremony was held in Lokpal of India Office, New Delhi. In which year was the “Foundation Day” of the Lokpal of India officially celebrated for the first time?

(a) 2014

(b) 2019

(c) 2021

(d) 2024

(e) 2025

• The Foundation Day of the Lokpal of India is observed on 16 January.
• The Lokpal of India was established on 16 January 2014 with the coming into force of Section 3 of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013.
• The Foundation Day was celebrated for the first time on 16 January 2025.
• The 2026 function was held at the Lokpal of India Office, New Delhi.
• The event was organised in the august presence of Shri Justice A. M. Khanwilkar, Chairperson of the Lokpal of India, along with Hon’ble Members of the Lokpal.