Daily Current Affairs January 14

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January 14 | Daily Current Affairs 2025

Important Days – Daily Current Affairs January 14

1. On which date will Makar Sankranti be celebrated in 2026 as per astronomical calculations?
A) January 13 2026
B) January 14 2026
C) January 15 2026
D) January 12 2026
E) January 16 2026
Answer: B) January 14 2026

Event and Location:

  • Event: Celebration of Makar Sankranti 2026, a major Hindu solar harvest festival marking the Sun’s transition into Capricorn
  • Location: India
  • Date: January 14 2026

Mandates and Objectives:

  • Mandates: Observance of rituals, holy baths, prayers, charity, and cultural festivities in accordance with the Sun’s entry into the Capricorn zodiac sign
  • Objectives: To mark the beginning of Uttarayan, celebrate the harvest season, promote spiritual renewal, and express gratitude to the Sun and nature

Important Terms Explained:

  • Makar Sankranti: A Hindu festival based on the solar calendar marking the Sun’s entry into the Capricorn (Makara) zodiac sign and the end of the winter phase
  • Uttarayan: The northward movement of the Sun, considered highly auspicious and associated with spiritual progress and positive transformation
  • Punya Kala: The sacred time period during which charitable and religious activities are believed to yield maximum spiritual merit

Tabular Summary:

Parameter Details
Event name Makar Sankranti 2026
Announcement date January 14 2026
Location India
Issuing authority Hindu religious calendar and astronomical calculations
Policy/series name Not applicable
Key figures Devotees and religious communities across India
Purpose/reason To mark the Sun’s transition into Capricorn and begin Uttarayan
Feature details Holy river baths, charity, prayers, harvest celebrations, kite flying
Validity or status Annual festival with fixed solar date
Strategic/significant value Cultural integration, agricultural cycle recognition, spiritual renewal

Sports – Daily Current Affairs January 14

2. Which cricketer has announced retirement from all formats after the India-Australia women’s series in 2026?
A) Meg Lanning
B) Ellyse Perry
C) Alyssa Healy
D) Beth Mooney
E) Tahlia McGrath
Answer: C) Alyssa Healy

Event and Location:

  • Event: Retirement announcement of Alyssa Healy from all forms of international cricket
  • Location: Australia (final series to be held at home against India)
  • Date: January 14, 2026 (announcement), February–March 2026 (retirement effective)

Mandates and Objectives:

  • Mandates: Alyssa Healy has announced her retirement from all formats of international cricket following the India Women’s tour of Australia 2026
  • Objectives: To mark the end of a decorated career spanning over 15 years, during which Healy achieved global records, captained Australia, and played a transformative role in women’s cricket

Important Terms Explained:

  • Multi-format Series: A cricket series involving matches of multiple formats (Test, ODI, and T20I), with points assigned to each format to decide the overall winner
  • Belinda Clark Award: Australia’s highest individual honour for women’s cricketers, awarded annually for outstanding performance
  • WBBL (Women’s Big Bash League): Australia’s domestic T20 league for women cricketers, known for being one of the most competitive women’s franchise leagues globally

Tabular Summary:

Parameter Details
Event name Retirement of Alyssa Healy from international cricket
Announcement date January 14, 2026
Location Australia (final matches against India)
Issuing authority Alyssa Healy (self-announced)
Policy/series name India Women’s tour of Australia 2026 (multi-format series)
Key figures Alyssa Healy, PM Anthony Albanese (contextual), India Women’s Team
Purpose/reason Conclusion of a decorated 16-year international cricket career
Feature details 162 T20Is, 126 ODIs, 11 Tests; 8 ICC titles; 2 WBBL titles; franchise stints
Validity or status Will retire after February–March 2026 series
Strategic/significant value Marks leadership transition and end of an era in Australian women’s cricket

3. Which peak did Indian mountaineer Aritra Roy summit, known as the highest mountain outside Asia?
A) Mount Denali
B) Mount Elbrus
C) Mount Kilimanjaro
D) Mount Aconcagua
E) Mount Vinson
Answer: D) Mount Aconcagua

Event and Location:

  • Event: Indian mountaineer Aritra Roy summited Mount Aconcagua
  • Location: Argentina, Andes Mountain Range
  • Date: January 2026 (reported on January 14, 2026)

Mandates and Objectives:

  • Mandates: Aritra Roy successfully completed a high-altitude mountaineering expedition by summiting Mount Aconcagua, the tallest mountain in South America
  • Objectives: To showcase India’s presence in global mountaineering, highlight high-altitude resilience, and contribute toward completing the Seven Summits challenge

Important Terms Explained:

  • Mount Aconcagua: Located in the Andes of Argentina, it is the highest mountain outside Asia, standing at 6,961 metres, and part of the Seven Summits
  • Seven Summits: A renowned mountaineering challenge involving the ascent of the highest peak on each of the seven continents
  • Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS): A condition caused by exposure to high altitude and low oxygen, often affecting climbers if not properly acclimatised

Tabular Summary:

Parameter Details
Event name Aritra Roy summits Mount Aconcagua
Announcement date January 14, 2026
Location Andes Range, Argentina
Issuing authority Reported by official mountaineering sources
Policy/series name Seven Summits Challenge
Key figures Aritra Roy
Purpose/reason Strengthen India’s representation in global mountaineering
Feature details High-altitude summit, non-technical but physically demanding
Validity or status Completed expedition, confirmed successful summit
Strategic/significant value Enhances India’s presence in extreme adventure sports and mountaineering

Obituary – Daily Current Affairs January 14

4. Which Olympic snowboarding pioneer died in an avalanche in Switzerland in January 2026?
A) Shaun White
B) Benjamin Karl
C) Ueli Kestenholz
D) Iouri Podladtchikov
E) Ross Rebagliati
Answer: C) Ueli Kestenholz

Event and Location:

  • Event: Death of Olympic snowboarder Ueli Kestenholz in an avalanche
  • Location: Lotschental Valley, Valais canton, Swiss Alps, Switzerland
  • Date: January 2026

Mandates and Objectives:

  • Mandates: Ueli Kestenholz, aged 50, died following an avalanche while snowboarding in the Swiss Alps, marking the tragic loss of an Olympic medalist and freeride pioneer
  • Objectives: To acknowledge the passing of a key figure in Olympic snowboarding history who played a major role in promoting and legitimising the sport on the global stage

Important Terms Explained:

  • Giant Slalom Snowboarding: A snowboarding event involving high-speed navigation through gates on a downhill slope; debuted at the 1998 Nagano Olympics
  • Freeride Snowboarding: A discipline of snowboarding focused on natural, unmarked terrain, often performed off-piste in the backcountry, associated with higher avalanche risk
  • Avalanche: A sudden flow of snow down a mountainside, often caused by weather or terrain instability; a major hazard in alpine sports like freeride skiing and snowboarding

Tabular Summary:

Parameter Details
Event name Death of Ueli Kestenholz in a Swiss Avalanche
Announcement date January 14, 2026
Location Lotschental Valley, Swiss Alps, Switzerland
Issuing authority Swiss Avalanche Rescue & Emergency Services
Policy/series name Olympic Snowboarding Legacy
Key figures Ueli Kestenholz
Purpose/reason Avalanche incident during freeride snowboarding
Feature details Bronze medalist at 1998 Olympics, later shifted to freeride discipline
Validity or status Confirmed fatality following rescue efforts
Strategic/significant value Marks the loss of a snowboarding pioneer who shaped Olympic snowboarding

5. Which comic strip was created by Scott Adams, who passed away in January 2026?
A) Peanuts
B) Calvin and Hobbes
C) Dilbert
D) Garfield
E) Beetle Bailey
Answer: C) Dilbert

Event and Location:

  • Event: Death of Scott Adams, creator of Dilbert comic strip
  • Location: Northern California, USA (at home under hospice care)
  • Date: January 2026 (announcement confirmed by his former wife)

Mandates and Objectives:

  • Mandates: Scott Adams passed away at the age of 68, ending a career that shaped office satire and left a complex legacy involving both acclaimed work and controversial views
  • Objectives: To reflect on his impact through Dilbert, his role in reshaping workplace humor globally, and the public backlash over his controversial statements in later years

Important Terms Explained:

  • Dilbert: A comic strip launched in 1989 by Scott Adams, satirizing corporate life, bureaucracy, and workplace inefficiencies; it became a global symbol of white-collar disillusionment
  • Reuben Award: The highest honour presented by the National Cartoonists Society, awarded to Scott Adams in 1997 for outstanding cartooning achievement
  • Dilbert Principle: A satirical theory coined by Adams, suggesting that incompetent employees are often promoted to management to minimize the harm they could cause in productive roles

Tabular Summary:

Parameter Details
Event name Death of Scott Adams, Creator of Dilbert
Announcement date January 14, 2026 (public confirmation)
Location Northern California, USA
Issuing authority Confirmed via livestream by former spouse
Policy/series name Dilbert comic strip (1989–2023 mainstream run)
Key figures Scott Adams
Purpose/reason Complications from prostate cancer; died at age 68
Feature details Creator of Dilbert, Reuben Award winner, controversial figure in later years
Validity or status Deceased (Jan 2026)
Strategic/significant value End of an era in workplace satire; legacy shaped by both humour and controversy

Ranking – Daily Current Affairs January 14

6. Which organization will launch the Responsible Nations Index on January 19, 2026?
A) UNDP
B) NITI Aayog
C) World Intellectual Foundation
D) World Economic Forum
E) UNEP
Answer: C) World Intellectual Foundation

Event and Location:

  • Event: Launch of the Responsible Nations Index, a global ranking of responsible state behavior
  • Location: New Delhi, India
  • Date: January 19, 2026

Mandates and Objectives:

  • Mandates: The World Intellectual Foundation will launch a global index evaluating countries on internal, environmental, and external responsibility, covering 154 nations
  • Objectives: To assess and promote responsible governance that balances economic progress with social justice, environmental protection, and global cooperation

Important Terms Explained:

  • Responsible Nations Index: A global assessment tool that ranks 154 countries based on their internal governance, environmental stewardship, and external contributions to global peace and cooperation
  • Internal Responsibility: A dimension of the index measuring citizen well-being, dignity, justice, and overall governance within a country
  • Environmental Responsibility: Measures a nation’s climate action, natural resource protection, and adoption of sustainable practices
  • External Responsibility: Evaluates a country’s engagement in international cooperation, peacebuilding efforts, and contributions to global stability

Tabular Summary:

Parameter Details
Event name Launch of the Responsible Nations Index
Announcement date January 14, 2026
Location New Delhi, India
Issuing authority World Intellectual Foundation
Policy/series name Responsible Nations Index
Key figures Ram Nath Kovind (to attend launch), academic institutions
Purpose/reason To measure and promote responsible national behavior globally
Feature details Ranks 154 countries across internal, environmental, and external responsibility
Validity or status Will be officially launched on January 19, 2026
Strategic/significant value Aims to align nations with sustainability, peace, and global cooperation

7. What is India’s rank in the Henley Passport Index 2026?
A) 75
B) 85
C) 80
D) 78
E) 88
Answer: C) 80

Event and Location:

  • Event: Release of Henley Passport Index 2026, ranking global passport strength
  • Location: Global
  • Date: January 14, 2026

Mandates and Objectives:

  • Mandates: The Henley Passport Index 2026, compiled by Henley & Partners, ranks passports based on visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to destinations
  • Objectives: To provide a comparative measurement of global mobility and assess the relative travel freedom that passport holders enjoy worldwide

Important Terms Explained:

  • Henley Passport Index: An annual global ranking compiled by Henley & Partners, using IATA data to measure how many destinations a passport holder can access without a prior visa
  • Visa-Free/Visa-on-Arrival Access: Entry to a country without requiring a pre-approved visa, either through outright exemption or immediate issuance upon arrival
  • International Mobility: The ability of individuals to travel across borders easily, influenced by diplomatic relationships, passport strength, and visa agreements

Tabular Summary:

Parameter Details
Event name Henley Passport Index 2026
Announcement date January 14, 2026
Location Global
Issuing authority Henley & Partners
Policy/series name Henley Passport Index
Key figures Singapore ranked 1st, India ranked 80th
Purpose/reason To assess global travel freedom and rank passports based on visa access
Feature details India has access to 55 destinations; Singapore tops with 192 destinations
Validity or status Current for 2026
Strategic/significant value Reflects international relations, travel flexibility, and passport power

Banking and Finance – Daily Current Affairs January 14

8. Which bank has launched India’s first fully solar-powered mobile ATM van named ‘TGB on Wheels’?
A) Assam Gramin Vikash Bank
B) Tripura Gramin Bank
C) Baroda UP Bank
D) Andhra Pragathi Grameena Bank
E) Kerala Gramin Bank
Answer: B) Tripura Gramin Bank

Event and Location:

  • Event: Launch of India’s first solar-powered ATM van
  • Location: Tripura, India
  • Date: January 2026

Mandates and Objectives:

  • Mandates: Tripura Gramin Bank launched ‘TGB on Wheels’, a 100% solar-powered mobile ATM van providing uninterrupted banking services in rural Tripura
  • Objectives: To promote green banking, ensure financial inclusion, and deliver basic banking services to underserved and remote areas without dependency on grid power

Important Terms Explained:

  • TGB on Wheels: A fully solar-powered mobile ATM van introduced by Tripura Gramin Bank to serve rural areas with reliable banking services
  • NABARD: The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development, a development finance institution that promotes rural infrastructure, supported this green banking initiative
  • Regional Rural Bank (RRB): A banking institution formed to provide credit and banking facilities to rural and semi-urban areas, under the joint ownership of Central Government, State Government, and Sponsor Banks

Tabular Summary:

Parameter Details
Event name Launch of India’s first solar-powered ATM van
Announcement date January 2026
Location Tripura
Issuing authority Tripura Gramin Bank
Policy/series name TGB on Wheels
Key figures Supported by NABARD
Purpose/reason To provide eco-friendly, accessible ATM services in villages
Feature details 100% solar-powered, mobile ATM van with banking facilities
Validity or status 3 vans operational in Tripura
Strategic/significant value Promotes financial inclusion, green banking, cost-efficiency

Business and Economy – Daily Current Affairs January 14

9. What was India’s Wholesale Price Index (WPI) inflation rate in December 2025?
A) 1.33
B) -0.32
C) 2.57
D) 0.83
E) -1.21
Answer: D) 0.83

Event and Location:

  • Event: Rise in WPI inflation to 0.83% in December 2025 after two months of deflation
  • Location: India
  • Date: January 14, 2026 (Data released)

Mandates and Objectives:

  • Mandates: The Ministry of Commerce and Industry released WPI inflation data showing a marginal rise to 0.83% in December 2025, indicating a return to positive territory
  • Objectives: To track wholesale-level price trends in the economy and assess cost-side inflationary pressures on producers and industries

Important Terms Explained:

  • WPI (Wholesale Price Index): An index that measures the average change in prices of goods at the wholesale level, used to assess inflation in input costs for producers
  • Deflation: A period when prices decline year-on-year, leading to a negative inflation rate, often indicating weak demand or oversupply
  • Retail Inflation (CPI): The Consumer Price Index, which tracks the change in prices paid by consumers; used by the RBI to frame monetary policy decisions

Tabular Summary:

Parameter Details
Event name India’s WPI Inflation for December 2025
Announcement date January 14, 2026
Location India
Issuing authority Ministry of Commerce and Industry
Policy/series name Wholesale Price Index (WPI)
Key figures WPI Inflation: 0.83%, Retail (CPI): 1.33%
Purpose/reason To reflect producer-level price trends and inflationary movement
Feature details Rise in manufactured goods and non-food articles; food and fuel in deflation
Validity or status Applicable for December 2025 reporting
Strategic/significant value Indicates industrial recovery, stable cost conditions, and supply-side easing

10. What is Deloitte’s GDP growth forecast for India for FY26?
A) 6.0–6.5%
B) 7.5–7.8%
C) 8.0–8.5%
D) 6.6–6.9%
E) 5.9–6.3%
Answer: B) 7.5–7.8%

Event and Location:

  • Event: Deloitte’s GDP forecast for India for FY26 and FY27
  • Location: India (nationwide economic outlook)
  • Date: January 14, 2026 (forecast published)

Mandates and Objectives:

  • Mandates: Deloitte has projected India’s GDP to grow at 7.5–7.8% in FY26, before moderating to 6.6–6.9% in FY27, citing strong services sector performance and policy reforms
  • Objectives: To provide macroeconomic outlook for India highlighting domestic resilience, structural reforms, and global trade diversification strategies amid rising external uncertainties

Important Terms Explained:

  • High Base Effect: A statistical phenomenon where high growth in a previous period makes current growth appear lower in comparison, even if economic fundamentals remain strong
  • GST Rationalization: Simplification and adjustment of Goods and Services Tax (GST) rates to improve compliance, reduce burden, and promote consumption
  • FTAs (Free Trade Agreements): Agreements between countries to reduce or eliminate trade barriers, aiming to boost export competitiveness, FDI inflows, and market access

Tabular Summary:

Parameter Details
Event name Deloitte India GDP Growth Forecast
Announcement date January 14, 2026
Location India (nationwide)
Issuing authority Deloitte India
Policy/series name Annual Economic Outlook Report
Key figures GDP forecast: 7.5–7.8% (FY26), 6.6–6.9% (FY27)
Purpose/reason To project India’s growth trajectory and highlight reform-led resilience
Feature details Domestic demand, services, GST cuts, FTAs with UK, NZ, Oman, EFTA, etc.
Validity or status Forecast applicable for FY26–FY27
Strategic/significant value Reflects India’s growth leadership, resilience, and global trade realignment

 

Awards – Daily Current Affairs January 14

11. Which Indian leader was recently inducted into the ancient Japanese martial art Kenjutsu, becoming the first Indian to receive this honour?
A) Rajinikanth
B) Pawan Kalyan
C) Yogi Adityanath
D) Akshay Kumar
E) Ravi Teja
Answer: B) Pawan Kalyan

Event and Location:

  • Event: Induction of Pawan Kalyan into Kenjutsu, an ancient Japanese samurai martial art
  • Location: Andhra Pradesh / Japan (honour conferred internationally)
  • Date: January 14, 2026 (announcement reported)

Mandates and Objectives:

  • Mandates: Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan has been formally inducted into the Kenjutsu samurai martial art tradition, a rare honour generally reserved for Japanese practitioners
  • Objectives: To recognise Pawan Kalyan’s mastery, discipline, and contribution to traditional martial arts, strengthening India–Japan cultural ties and promoting cross-cultural martial heritage

Important Terms Explained:

  • Kenjutsu: A traditional Japanese samurai swordsmanship art focused on combat, discipline, and ethical warrior conduct, rarely opened to foreigners
  • Takeda Shingen Clan: A historic Japanese samurai lineage; Pawan Kalyan was previously inducted under this clan, signifying deep martial and cultural respect
  • Budo Philosophy: The spiritual and ethical foundation of Japanese martial arts, emphasizing self-discipline, respect, mental balance, and inner strength

Tabular Summary:

Parameter Details
Event name Induction of Pawan Kalyan into Kenjutsu martial tradition
Announcement date January 14, 2026
Location Andhra Pradesh / Japan
Issuing authority Samurai martial arts community, Japan
Policy/series name Kenjutsu Martial Arts Recognition
Key figures Pawan Kalyan, Dr. Siddiq Mahmoodi (mentor), Soke Muramatsu Sensei
Purpose/reason Honouring martial excellence, cross-cultural recognition
Feature details First Indian inducted, rare global honour, part of Takeda Shingen lineage
Validity or status Official and conferred
Strategic/significant value Strengthens India–Japan cultural ties; showcases India’s global cultural presence

12. Which film won Best Film – Musical or Comedy at the 83rd Golden Globe Awards 2026?
A) Hamnet
B) Marty Supreme
C) Adolescence
D) One Battle After Another
E) The Secret Agent
Answer: D) One Battle After Another

Event and Location:

  • Event: 83rd Golden Globe Awards 2026 – Celebrating excellence in film and television
  • Location: United States (Beverly Hills, California)
  • Date: January 12, 2026

Mandates and Objectives:

  • Mandates: To recognize and honour outstanding achievements in global cinema and television across multiple categories, including drama, comedy, limited series, and animation
  • Objectives: Promote artistic excellence, acknowledge emerging talent, and spotlight genre diversity and international contributions in film and TV

Important Terms Explained:

  • Golden Globe Awards: Annual American awards presented by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), recognizing excellence in film and television, both domestic and international
  • Best Film – Drama / Musical or Comedy: A top-tier category at the Golden Globes distinguishing between serious narrative films and lighter, music-infused or comedic storytelling
  • Cinematic and Box Office Achievement: A new or special recognition introduced in recent years to honour commercial and cinematic impact of feature films

Tabular Summary:

Parameter Details
Event name 83rd Golden Globe Awards
Announcement date January 12, 2026
Location Beverly Hills, California, USA
Issuing authority Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA)
Main Film Winner – Drama Hamnet
Main Film Winner – Musical/Comedy One Battle After Another
Key Acting Winners Wagner Moura, Jessie Buckley, Timothée Chalamet, Rose Byrne
Top TV Winners Adolescence, The Pitt, The Studio
Significant Awards Best Director & Screenplay – Paul Thomas Anderson
Special Mentions The Secret Agent (Best Non-English Film), K Pop Demon Hunters (Animated)
Strategic Value Highlights international cinema, diverse storytelling, and evolving genres

Science and Technology – Daily Current Affairs January 14

13. Who launched the women’s safety mobile application ‘Friendo’ in January 2026?
A) Diljit Dosanjh
B) Badshah
C) Kaka
D) Guru Randhawa
E) Sidhu Moosewala
Answer: C) Kaka

Event and Location:

  • Event: Launch of ‘Friendo’, a women’s safety mobile application
  • Location: India (initial Android release)
  • Date: January 14, 2026

Mandates and Objectives:

  • Mandates: Popular Punjabi singer Kaka launched Friendo, a mobile app designed to provide real-time emergency support and safety tools for women
  • Objectives: To empower women with discreet and accessible technology for emergencies, self-defence education, and community-based support

Important Terms Explained:

  • Friendo App: A mobile safety platform for women providing SOS alerts, live location tracking, stealth mode, and evidence recording features
  • SOS Alert System: An emergency tool that sends real-time alerts to selected contacts when the user is in distress
  • Stealth Mode: A discreet feature that allows the app to operate invisibly in the background, enabling secret audio or video recording without alerting potential threats

Tabular Summary:

Parameter Details
Event name Launch of Friendo Women’s Safety App
Announcement date January 14, 2026
Location India (initial rollout)
Issuing authority Punjabi Singer Kaka
Policy/series name Friendo App
Key figures Kaka (App Creator and Promoter)
Purpose/reason To improve women’s safety using technology and community support
Feature details SOS alerts, live location sharing, stealth mode, voice activation, evidence recording
Validity or status Android app in testing phase; iOS version to launch soon
Strategic/significant value Enhances women’s personal safety, public participation, digital empowerment

International Affairs – Daily Current Affairs January 14

14. How many strategic agreements were signed between India and Germany in January 2026?
A) 12
B) 15
C) 17
D) 19
E) 21
Answer: D) 19

Event and Location:

  • Event: Signing of 19 strategic agreements between India and Germany to boost bilateral cooperation
  • Location: New Delhi, India
  • Date: January 14, 2026

Mandates and Objectives:

  • Mandates: India and Germany signed 19 agreements across sectors like defence, semiconductors, critical minerals, trade, and technology following talks between PM Narendra Modi and Chancellor Friedrich Merz
  • Objectives: To deepen strategic, industrial, technological and defense partnerships, strengthen supply chains, and promote bilateral trade and innovation

Important Terms Explained:

  • Track 1.5 Foreign Policy and Security Dialogue: A semi-official platform involving government and non-government experts to enhance strategic coordination on security and foreign policy issues
  • Semiconductor Ecosystem Partnership: A bilateral agreement focusing on end-to-end collaboration in semiconductor research, design, manufacturing and supply chain resilience
  • Critical Minerals Cooperation: Joint initiatives on exploration, processing, and recycling of essential minerals used in clean energy and advanced technology industries

Tabular Summary:

Parameter Details
Event name Signing of India-Germany Strategic Agreements
Announcement date January 14, 2026
Location New Delhi, India
Issuing authority Governments of India and Germany
Policy/series name India–Germany Strategic Partnership
Key figures PM Narendra Modi and Chancellor Friedrich Merz
Purpose/reason To strengthen defense, trade, tech and mineral cooperation
Feature details 19 deals covering defense co-production, semiconductors, visa transit ease
Validity or status Ongoing agreements with long-term cooperation goals
Strategic/significant value Enhances global supply chain resilience, mobility, and bilateral innovation

15. Which country announced its withdrawal from seven United Nations agencies in January 2026 citing political bias?
A) Iran
B) France
C) Israel
D) China
E) Turkey
Answer: C) Israel

Event and Location:

  • Event: Israel’s withdrawal from seven UN agencies citing political bias and inefficiency
  • Location: Israel (impact on international UN participation)
  • Date: January 14, 2026

Mandates and Objectives:

  • Mandates: Israel formally announced its exit from seven United Nations agencies, including UN Women, UNCTAD, and ESCWA, following a review of its multilateral affiliations
  • Objectives: To disengage from UN bodies accused of political bias, enhance national diplomatic autonomy, and adopt a selective multilateral engagement approach

Important Terms Explained:

  • UNCTAD (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development): A UN agency that deals with trade, investment, and development issues in developing countries
  • ESCWA (UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia): A regional UN body focused on economic and social development in West Asia
  • Selective Multilateral Engagement: A diplomatic strategy where a country selectively chooses which multilateral forums to engage in, based on alignment with its national interest

Tabular Summary:

Parameter Details
Event name Israel’s Withdrawal from Seven UN Agencies
Announcement date January 14, 2026
Location Israel and global UN bodies
Issuing authority Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Israel
Policy/series name Selective Multilateral Engagement Policy
Key figures Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar
Purpose/reason To protest alleged political bias and inefficiency in select UN bodies
Feature details Exit from UN Women, UNCTAD, ESCWA, UN Energy, Alliance of Civilisations
Validity or status Effective immediately; reassessing other UN engagements
Strategic/significant value Reflects shift in diplomatic posture amid rising UN-Israel tensions

National Affairs – Daily Current Affairs January 14

16. Where will the 9th International Spice Conference be held in February 2026?
A) Chennai
B) New Delhi
C) Kochi
D) Mumbai
E) Hyderabad
Answer: C) Kochi

Event and Location:

  • Event: Hosting of the 9th International Spice Conference 2026 focused on global spice trade and future strategies
  • Location: Kochi, Kerala, India
  • Date: February 23–26, 2026

Mandates and Objectives:

  • Mandates: The All India Spices Exporters Forum (AISEF) will organise the 9th edition of the International Spice Conference in Kochi, featuring global stakeholders from the spice industry
  • Objectives: To address challenges and innovations in the global spice trade, including climate risks, supply chain resilience, and future-ready strategies under the theme “Spice 360 – Getting Future Ready”

Important Terms Explained:

  • AISEF (All India Spices Exporters Forum): A leading industry body representing spice exporters in India, promoting trade development, standards, and innovation
  • Spice 360 – Getting Future Ready: The theme of ISC 2026, promoting a holistic approach to global spice trade through technology, sustainability, and inclusivity
  • Supply Chain Resilience: The ability of global supply chains to withstand shocks such as climate change, market volatility, and geopolitical disruptions while maintaining stability

Tabular Summary:

Parameter Details
Event name 9th International Spice Conference 2026
Announcement date January 14, 2026
Location Kochi, Kerala
Issuing authority All India Spices Exporters Forum (AISEF)
Policy/series name International Spice Conference Series
Key figures Amitabh Kant (Keynote), Martin Sonntag (Guest of Honour)
Purpose/reason To discuss future strategies for the spice sector amid global disruptions
Feature details Innovation, sustainability, climate adaptation, supply chain focus
Validity or status Scheduled for February 23–26, 2026
Strategic/significant value Promotes India’s global leadership in spices and addresses trade risks

17. Which Panchayat in Rajasthan has been declared the state’s first fully organic village body?
A) Kumbhalgarh Panchayat
B) Bamanwas Kankar Panchayat
C) Barmer South Panchayat
D) Bikaner Khas Panchayat
E) Jhalawar Gram Panchayat
Answer: B) Bamanwas Kankar Panchayat

Event and Location:

  • Event: Declaration of Bamanwas Kankar Panchayat as Rajasthan’s first fully organic village body
  • Location: Rajasthan, India
  • Date: January 14, 2026 (announcement reported)

Mandates and Objectives:

  • Mandates: All agricultural activities across seven hamlets under Bamanwas Kankar Panchayat have adopted 100% organic farming, eliminating chemical fertilizers and pesticides
  • Objectives: To promote sustainable agriculture, enhance soil health, ensure chemical-free food, and align with India’s climate goals and organic farming policies

Important Terms Explained:

  • Organic Farming: A method of farming that relies on natural inputs like compost, manure, crop rotation, and biological pest control, avoiding synthetic chemicals
  • Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY): A central government scheme promoting cluster-based organic farming, providing financial support and training to farmers
  • Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER): A government initiative to support organic value chains, specifically in the North-East, for both domestic and export markets

Tabular Summary:

Parameter Details
Event name Rajasthan’s First Fully Organic Village Body
Announcement date January 14, 2026
Location Bamanwas Kankar Panchayat, Rajasthan
Issuing authority Local Panchayat and State Agriculture Department
Policy/series name Organic Farming Promotion (Supported by PKVY, MOVCDNER)
Key figures Local farmers and village leadership
Purpose/reason Promote chemical-free farming, sustainable livelihoods, and environmental health
Feature details 100% organic farming, natural inputs, soil health restoration
Validity or status Fully declared as of January 2026
Strategic/significant value Supports India’s climate goals, boosts rural sustainability and food safety


Over All Review

Important Days

  • Makar Sankranti 2026 will be celebrated across India on January 14 following astronomical confirmation of the Sun’s transition into Capricorn.

Sports 

  • Alyssa Healy has announced she will retire from all forms of international cricket after the India series in February–March 2026.
  • Aritra Roy has become one of the few Indians to successfully summit Mount Aconcagua, the highest mountain outside Asia.

Obituary

  • Ueli Kestenholz, aged 50, died in an avalanche while snowboarding in the Swiss Alps’ Lotschental Valley.
  • Scott Adams, the creator of the iconic Dilbert comic strip, passed away at age 68 in January 2026.

Ranking 

  • The Responsible Nations Index will be officially launched on January 19, 2026, in New Delhi by the World Intellectual Foundation.
  • India ranks 80th in the Henley Passport Index 2026, gaining access to 55 destinations without prior visa.

Banking and Finance 

  • Tripura Gramin Bank has launched ‘TGB on Wheels’, India’s first fully solar-powered ATM van.

Business And Economy

  • India’s wholesale inflation rose to 0.83% in December 2025 after recording negative growth in October and November.
  • Deloitte India has projected GDP growth of 7.5–7.8% in FY26, supported by strong domestic demand and services sector performance.

Awards 

  • Pawan Kalyan has become the first Indian to be inducted into Kenjutsu, a traditional Japanese samurai martial art.
  • The 83rd Golden Globe Awards 2026 spotlighted artistic storytelling with Hamnet and One Battle After Another taking top film honours.

Science and Technology

  • Punjabi singer Kaka launched the Friendo app on January 14, 2026, to provide emergency support tools for women.

International Affairs

  • India and Germany signed 19 strategic agreements on January 14, 2026, covering defense, semiconductors, trade and minerals.
  • Israel has announced its immediate withdrawal from seven UN agencies, including UN Women and UNCTAD, citing bias and inefficiency.

National Affairs

  • The 9th International Spice Conference (ISC 2026) will be held in Kochi, Kerala, from February 23–26, 2026.
  • Bamanwas Kankar Panchayat in Rajasthan has become the state’s first fully organic village body, covering seven hamlets.

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