Daily Current Affairs Quiz 14th 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: 14 January, 2026

Q1. The Responsible Nations Index is scheduled to be launched by the World Intellectual Foundation (WIF) on January 19. The Index is being launched in collaboration with which of the following institutions?

(a) Jawaharlal Nehru University, Indian Institute of Management Mumbai and Dr Ambedkar International Centre
(b) Jawaharlal Nehru University, Indian Statistical Institute and NITI Aayog
(c) Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, Jawaharlal Nehru University and AIIMS
(d) University of Delhi, Indian Institute of Management Mumbai and NITI Aayog
(e) Indian Statistical Institute, IIT Delhi and Dr Ambedkar Foundation

Answer: a

Solution:

• The Responsible Nations Index will be launched on 19 January 2026 by the World Intellectual Foundation (WIF).
• The Index is being launched in collaboration with:
  • Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU)
  • Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Mumbai
  • Dr Ambedkar International Centre
• The launch event will be held in the presence of former President of India Shri Ram Nath Kovind.
• The announcement was made by Prof. Jagdish Mukhi, Chairperson of the World Intellectual Foundation, at a press conference in New Delhi.
• The Responsible Nations Index evaluates countries across three core dimensions:

1. Internal Responsibility – dignity, justice and well-being of citizens
2. Environmental Responsibility – natural resource stewardship and climate action
3. External Responsibility – contribution to peace, cooperation and global stability

• The Index covers 154 countries worldwide.
• It is based on transparent and globally sourced data, ensuring credibility and international comparability.

Q2. Recently, in January, 2026, US President Donald Trump recently announced a trade-related measure targeting countries engaging economically with Iran. What is the key feature of this announcement?

(a) Complete trade embargo on Iran
(b) Imposition of 10% tariff on Iranian oil imports
(c) Suspension of diplomatic ties with Iran

(d) 25% tariff on all US trade with countries doing business with Iran
(e) Financial sanctions limited to banking transactions

Answer: d

Solution:

• US President Donald Trump has announced a sweeping trade threat against countries that continue to conduct business with Iran.
• Under the announcement, any country doing business with the Islamic Republic of Iran will face a 25% tariff on all trade with the United States.
• The decision comes amid Washington’s assessment of Iran’s largest anti-government protests in years.
• President Trump made the announcement on the social media platform Truth Social.
• He stated that the tariff would be effective immediately and described the decision as “final and conclusive.”

Q3. India’s credit–deposit ratio has increased steadily with the financialisation of the economy. What was the CD ratio as of 15 December 2025, as per SBI Research?

(a) 76 per cent
(b) 78 per cent
(c) 80 per cent
(d) 52 per cent
(e) 82 per cent

Answer: e

Solution:

• According to a State Bank of India (SBI) Research report, a Credit–Deposit (CD) ratio beyond optimal levels sharply reduces banks’ incremental profitability due to excessive leverage.
• The report highlights that:
  • For state-owned and private sector banks, a CD ratio above 80% diminishes profitability gains.
  • For foreign banks, profitability declines sharply when the CD ratio exceeds 70%.
• The optimal CD ratio range suggested is:
  • 76–80% for state-owned and private banks
  • 65–70% for foreign banks
• With the financialisation of the Indian economy, the overall credit–deposit ratio has risen steadily from 53% in 2000–01 to 82% as of 15 December 2025.
• During H1 FY26, incremental bank deposit growth declined to ₹8.1 trillion, compared to ₹8.6 trillion in H1 FY25.
• In contrast, credit growth increased to ₹7.6 trillion in H1 FY26, up from ₹7.4 trillion in the same period last year.
• The report notes that incremental CD ratio crossed 100% in several instances, indicating strong credit demand despite slower deposit mobilisation.
• Since 1950–51, there have been eight financial years when the incremental CD ratio exceeded 100%; notably, it reached 99% in FY 2005–06.

Q4. The 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC) is being held in ________, and after its conclusion, the Chair of CSPOC will be handed over to ________.

(a) Mumbai – John Bercow
(b) New Delhi – Lindsay Hoyle
(c) New Delhi – David Lidington
(d) London – Lindsay Hoyle
(e) New Delhi – Keir Starmer

Answer: b

Solution:

• The 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC) will begin on 14 January 2026 in New Delhi.
• The three-day conference (14–16 January 2026) will bring together Speakers and Presiding Officers from over 60 Commonwealth countries and semi-autonomous Parliaments.
• The conference aims to promote knowledge and understanding of parliamentary democracy in its various forms and to strengthen parliamentary institutions.
• Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla is serving as the Chairperson of the 28th CSPOC.
• The event marks a historic moment for India’s democratic and parliamentary journey, reflecting India’s leadership role within the Commonwealth.
• After the conclusion of the 28th CSPOC, the Chair of CSPOC will be handed over to Lindsay Hoyle, the Speaker of the UK House of Commons.

Q5. Under the NPS Vatsalya Guidelines 2025, what is the specific threshold of the accumulated corpus below which a subscriber, upon attaining majority, is permitted to withdraw the entire amount as a lump sum instead of being mandated to annuitize a portion of it?

(a) ₹2 lakh

(b) ₹5 lakh

(c) ₹8 lakh

(d) ₹10 lakh

(e) ₹12 lakh

Answer: c

Solution:

• The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) has issued the NPS Vatsalya Scheme Guidelines, 2025, providing a comprehensive framework for the National Pension System Vatsalya (NPS Vatsalya).
• NPS Vatsalya is a contributory savings and long-term financial security scheme designed exclusively for minors.
• The scheme was announced in the Union Budget 2024–25 and was launched on 18 September 2024 by the Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman.
• It enables parents and legal guardians to systematically build long-term retirement-oriented savings for their children from an early age.
• The Guidelines align with amendments to the PFRDA (Exits and Withdrawals under NPS) Regulations, 2015, ensuring flexibility while maintaining continuity of savings after the age of 18.

Key Features of NPS Vatsalya

Eligibility

• Open to all Indian citizens, including NRI/OCI, below 18 years of age.
• The minor is the sole beneficiary of the account.
• The account is opened in the name of the minor and operated by the guardian.

Contributions

• Minimum initial and annual contribution: ₹250.
• No maximum limit on contributions.
• Contributions can also be gifted by relatives and friends.

Pension Fund Selection: The guardian can choose any one Pension Fund registered with PFRDA.

Partial Withdrawal Provisions

• Allowed after completion of three years from account opening.
• Up to 25% of own contributions (excluding returns) can be withdrawn.
• Permitted purposes include education, medical treatment, and specified disabilities.
• Withdrawals allowed:
  • Twice before attaining 18 years, and
  • Twice between 18 and 21 years, subject to prescribed conditions.

On Attaining Majority (18 Years):

• Fresh KYC is mandatory on attaining 18 years.
• Options available until 21 years of age:
  • Continue under NPS Vatsalya, or
  • Shift to NPS Tier I (All Citizen Model or any other applicable model), or
  • Exit the scheme with:
    • Up to 80% of the corpus as lump sum, and
    • Minimum 20% to be annuitised.
• Full withdrawal is permitted if the total corpus is ₹8 lakh or less.

Additional Provisions and Objectives: The Guidelines introduce a targeted incentivisation framework for community-level workers such as Anganwadi workers, ASHAs, and Bank Sakhis, recognising their role in awareness generation and onboarding, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas.

ce, and improves overall performance in time-bound competitive exams.