Daily Current Affairs Quiz 19th 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: 19 January, 2026

Q1. India’s first open-sea Marine Fish Farming Project, launched in January 2026, aims to combine scientific innovation with sustainable livelihood generation. Where was this project formally launched?

(a) Lakshadweep Sea
(b) North Bay, Sri Vijaya Puram, Andaman Sea
(c) Gulf of Mannar, Tamil Nadu
(d) Kochi Harbour, Arabian Sea
(e) Visakhapatnam Coast, Bay of Bengal

Answer: b

Solution:

• Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, launched India’s first open-sea Marine Fish Farming Project.
• The project was launched on 18 January 2026.
• The launch took place at North Bay, Sri Vijaya Puram, in the Andaman Sea.
• The initiative focuses on open-sea cultivation of marine finfish and seaweed under natural ocean conditions.
• It aims to integrate scientific innovation with livelihood generation, especially for coastal communities.
• The project is being implemented through a collaboration between:
  • Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES)
  • National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) – technical arm of MoES
  • UT Administration of Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Q2. Between 1 April and 31 December 2025, Public Sector Banks sanctioned over 3.96 lakh MSME loan applications under Credit Assessment Model (CAM)  for Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), amounting to approximately:

(a) ₹25,000 crore
(b) ₹35,000 crore
(c) ₹45,000 crore
(d) ₹52,300 crore
(e) ₹60,000 crore

Answer: d

Solution:

• Public Sector Banks (PSBs) launched the Credit Assessment Model (CAM) in 2025 for Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
• The model is based on digital footprints to enable automated and objective credit appraisal.
• Between 1 April and 31 December 2025, PSBs sanctioned:
  • Over 3.96 lakh MSME loan applications
  • Total amounting to more than ₹52,300 crore.
• CAM uses digitally fetched and verifiable ecosystem data to assess loan eligibility.
• The model supports both:
  • ETB (Existing-to-Bank) borrowers
  • NTB (New-to-Bank) borrowers
• Digital data sources used include: KYC authentication, Mobile and email verification, GST data analysis Bank statement analysis via Account Aggregator, ITR verification, Credit Information Companies (CICs) data, and Fraud and risk checks
• Key benefits for MSMEs:
  • Online loan applications from anywhere
  • Reduced paperwork and branch visits
  • Instant in-principle digital sanctions
  • End-to-end Straight Through Processing (STP)
  • Reduced Turnaround Time (TAT)
  • Objective, data-driven credit decisions
  • Integration with CGTMSE credit guarantee schemes

Q3. The Padmapani Award at the 11th Ajanta-Ellora International Film Festival has been conferred in recognition of unparalleled contributions to Indian cinema. Who has been announced as the recipient of this prestigious honour?

(a) Ilaiyaraaja

(b) A. R. Rahman
(c) Shankar Mahadevan
(d) Pritam Chakraborty
(e) Vishal Bhardwaj

Answer: a

Solution:

• Veteran music composer Ilaiyaraaja has been announced as the recipient of the ‘Padmapani Award’ at the 11th Ajanta-Ellora International Film Festival.
• The award recognises his exceptional and unparalleled contribution to Indian cinema.
• The Padmapani Award includes:
  • A Padmapani memento
  • A citation certificate
  • A cash prize of ₹2 lakh
• The 11th Ajanta-Ellora International Film Festival will be held from 28 January to 1 February 2026.
• The venue for the festival is Mahatma Gandhi Mission, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Maharashtra).
• The festival is organised with the support of:
  • Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India
  • Department of Cultural Affairs, Government of Maharashtra
• The event is co-presented by:
  • National Film Development Corporation (NFDC)
  • Maharashtra Film, Stage and Cultural Development Corporation

Q4. The Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Regulatory Affairs in the Power Sector was inaugurated to address emerging challenges such as renewable energy integration, digitalisation, and expanding power markets. Which of the following institutions jointly established this Centre?

(a) Ministry of Power, NITI Aayog and Power Grid Corporation of India
(b) IIT Bombay, Central Electricity Authority and NTPC
(c) CERC, Power Finance Corporation and IIT Madras
(d) Grid India, State Electricity Boards and NITI Aayog

(a) IIT Delhi, Central Electricity Regulatory Commission and Grid Controller of India Ltd.

Answer: e

Solution:

• Union Minister of Power Shri Manohar Lal inaugurated the Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Regulatory Affairs in the Power Sector on 19 January 2026.
• The Centre has been established at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi.
• It is a joint initiative of IIT Delhi, the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC), and Grid Controller of India Ltd. (Grid India).
• The CoE aims to strengthen India’s regulatory capacity in a power sector marked by rising electricity demand, large-scale renewable energy integration, expanding power markets, and increased use of digital technologies.
• The Centre is envisioned as a national-level hub for regulatory research, capacity building, advisory support, and knowledge dissemination.
• The initiative integrates policy formulation, regulatory processes, system operations, and academic research into a unified institutional framework.

Q5. The International Monetary Fund revised India’s growth outlook for FY 2025–26 citing strong economic momentum. What is the updated GDP growth projection announced in January 2026?

(a) 6.4 per cent
(b) 6.8 per cent
(c) 7.0 per cent
(d) 7.3 per cent
(e) 7.8 per cent

The correct answer is: (d)

• The International Monetary Fund (IMF) raised India’s GDP growth projection to 7.3% for FY 2025–26.
• The revised forecast was announced on 19 January 2026.
• This represents an upward revision of 0.7 percentage points from the IMF’s October 2025 forecast.
• The IMF attributed the upgrade to strong economic momentum in the fourth quarter of the current fiscal year.
• The IMF projected India’s growth at 6.4% for both 2026 and 2027.
• Despite expected moderation, India remains a key growth driver among emerging market and developing economies (EMDEs).
• The IMF projected global growth at 3.3% in 2026.
• Global growth is supported by:
  • Easing trade tensions
  • Accommodative financial conditions
  • Increased investment in technology, especially Artificial Intelligence (AI)
• The IMF expects India’s inflation to return close to target levels after a sharp decline in 2025, mainly due to subdued food prices.