This is the current affairs of 13 & 14 January 2026. Here are questions and answers of daily current affairs for better preparation of competitive exams for government jobs.
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1. What is the theme of BRICS in 2026 during India’s presidency?
a. Free India, Free World, Free Humanity
b. Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam
c. One Earth, One Family, One Future
d. Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability
Answer: d. Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability
– India is the President of BRICS in 2026.
– In 2025, Brazil officially handed over the presidency to India.
– This is the fourth time India is chairing BRICS. Earlier, India chaired the grouping in 2012, 2016, and during the COVID-19 period in 2021.
– On January 13, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar launched the BRICS presidency logo, theme, and website in New Delhi.
– India’s presidency will focus on people-centric development, dialogue, and practical cooperation, keeping in mind changing global circumstances and expanded membership.
BRICS Logo:
– The BRICS summit logo during India’s presidency is based on India’s national flower, the lotus.
– The center of the logo represents the Indian greeting “Namaste”.
– The logo was selected through an open contest on the Ministry of External Affairs’ citizen engagement platform.
– The selected logo was designed by Sudip Subhash Gandhi.
– “Namaste” represents welcome, respect, and cultural values.
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2. Which Indian actress has been given the responsibility of being a presenter at the Golden Globe Awards 2026 ceremony?
a. Priyanka Chopra
b. Kareena Kapoor
c. Aishwarya Rai
d. Alia Bhatt
Answer: a. Priyanka Chopra
– The 83rd Golden Globe Awards were held on January 11, 2026.
– Venue: Beverly Hilton Hotel, Los Angeles, USA.
– The Golden Globe Awards are among the most prestigious awards in film and television.
– Comedian Nikki Glaser hosted the ceremony.
– Priyanka Chopra was among the official presenters.
– According to Golden Globes’ official social media, Priyanka presented awards along with Julia Roberts, George Clooney, and Mila Kunis.
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3. Which film won the Best Motion Picture (Drama) award at the Golden Globe Awards 2026 ceremony?
a. Hamnet
b. K-Pop Demon Hunters
c. Marty Supreme
d. A Battle After Another
Answer: a. Hamnet (Director – Chloé Zhao)
The film is based on O’Farrell’s 2020 novel.
– The film is based on Maggie O’Farrell’s 2020 novel.
– It depicts the personal life of William Shakespeare and his wife Agnes Hathaway.
– The story focuses on the emotional impact of the death of their 11-year-old son, Hamnet.
Golden Globe Awards 2026 – Film Category Winners:
– Best Motion Picture (Drama): Hamnet
– Best Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy): A Battle After Another
– Best Motion Picture (Animated): K-Pop Demon Hunters
– Best Motion Picture (Non-English Language): The Secret Agent (Brazil)
– Best Actor (Drama): Wagner Moura – The Secret Agent
– Best Actress (Drama): Jessie Buckley – Hamnet
– Best Actor (Musical/Comedy): Timothée Chalamet – Marty Supreme
– Best Actress (Musical/Comedy): Rose Byrne – If I Had Legs I’d Kick You
– Best Director: Paul Thomas Anderson – A Battle After Another
– Best Screenplay: Paul Thomas Anderson – A Battle After Another
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4. In which Indian state were suspected cases of Nipah virus infection reported in January 2026?
a. West Bengal
b. Kerala
c. Assam
d. Karnataka
Answer: a. West Bengal (in two nurses working at a private hospital in Barasat, North 24 Parganas district)
– Suspected Nipah virus symptoms were found in two nurses.
– They were working at a private hospital in Barasat, North 24 Parganas district.
– One nurse was male and the other female.
– Samples were sent to AIIMS Kalyani’s Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratory.
Central Government Response:
– Union Health Minister JP Nadda informed on January 12 that an expert team was sent to West Bengal.
– Experts included teams from:
– All India Institute of Health and Public Hygiene, Kolkata
– National Institute of Virology, Pune
– National Centre for Disease Control and Public Health Emergency Operations Centre were activated.
– Central protocols were shared with the state Integrated Disease Surveillance Unit.
About Nipah Virus:
– Nipah is a zoonotic disease.
– It spreads from animals to humans or through contaminated food.
– Human-to-human transmission is possible through close contact.
– Main carriers include bats and pigs.
– The disease has a very high fatality rate.
– There is currently no vaccine or specific treatment.
West Bengal
– Capital: Kolkata
– Governor: Dr. C. V. Ananda Bose
– Chief Minister: Mamata Banerjee
– Language: Bengali
– Neighboring States: Sikkim, Assam, Jharkhand, Bihar, and Odisha
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5. Which country’s women’s cricket team captain Alyssa Healy announced her retirement from international cricket?
a. India
b. England
c. Australia
d. New Zealand
Answer: c. Australia
– Announcement made in January 2026.
– Alyssa Healy cited repeated injuries and age as reasons.
– She is a legendary wicketkeeper-batter.
– She is married to Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc.
– She will retire after the home multi-format series against India (Feb–Mar 2026).
– Her final international match will be the day-night Test in Perth.
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6. Who is the new Chairman of the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB)?
a. Dr. D. K. Shukla
b. Professor P. Rama Rao
c. Professor S. P. Sukhatme
d. A. K. Balasubramanyan
Answer: d. A. K. Balasubramanyan
– Appointed in January 2026.
– Appointment approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC).
– Tenure: Three years.
– He replaced Dr. D. K. Shukla.
– He has around 40 years of experience in the nuclear energy sector.
AERB:
– Established on November 15, 1983.
– Formed under the Atomic Energy Act, 1962.
– Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra.
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7. Scientists from which northeastern state discovered the new frog species ‘Leptobrachium somani’ and ‘Leptobrachium mechuka’?
a. Arunachal Pradesh
b. Assam
c. Sikkim
d. Manipur
Answer: a. Arunachal Pradesh
– Research published in the peer-reviewed journal PeerJ.
– Study led by Professor S. D. Biju.
– Surveys conducted across five northeastern states.
Species Details:
– Leptobrachium somani:
– Found in Tiwari Gaon, Arunachal Pradesh.
– Named after journalist E. Somanath.
– Length: about 55 mm.
– Leptobrachium mechuka:
– Found near Mechuka town.
– Length: about 60 mm.
Arunachal Pradesh:
– Capital: Itanagar
– Governor: Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Kaiwalya Trivikram Parnaik
– Chief Minister: Pema Khandu
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8. When is Indian Army Day celebrated?
a. 14 January
b. 15 January
c. 16 January
d. 17 January
Answer: b. 15 January
– It is celebrated in honor of the Indian Army.
– In 1949, Lieutenant General K. M. Cariappa was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army.
– Army Day is observed on January 15 to commemorate this event.
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9. Which Indian military officer was awarded the United Nations Secretary-General’s Award 2026?
a. Major Priya Jhingan
b. Major Swati Shanta Kumar
c. Colonel Sofia Qureshi
d. Lieutenant Commander Prerna Devasthali
Answer: b. Major Swati Shanta Kumar
– She received the award for the project “Equal Partners, Lasting Peace”.
– Serving in the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
– Her work improved safety and conditions for over 5,000 women.
– Award announced by UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
– She belongs to the Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers (EME).
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10. Which country did US President Donald Trump declare himself the acting president of?
a. Colombia
b. Mexico
c. Venezuela
d. Iran
Answer: c. Venezuela
– On January 12, 2026, Donald Trump posted on his social media platform Truth Social.
– The post featured his photo with the caption “Acting President of Venezuela.”
– It mentioned assuming office from January 2026.
– Trump also portrayed himself as the 45th and 47th President of the United States.
– No official statement has been issued by the White House or the US administration regarding the post.
– On January 2, the US detained Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores.
– Trump stated that the US would run Venezuela until a safe transfer of power takes place.
– After Maduro’s removal, Venezuela’s Vice President Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in as interim president in January.
– According to Trump, the interim government will hand over 30–50 million barrels of high-quality sanctioned oil to the US, to be sold at market prices.
– Trump said the proceeds from oil sales would remain under his control as US President.
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11. Famous singer and actor Prashant Tamang passed away on January 11, 2026. Which singing show did he win?
a. Indian Idol Season 3
b. Meri Awaaz Suno
c. India’s Got Talent
d. Sa Re Ga Ma Pa
Answer: a. Indian Idol Season 3
– The 43-year-old Prashant won Indian Idol Season 3 in 2007.
– He died of a heart attack at his Delhi residence.
– After Indian Idol, his album Dhanyavaad was released.
– He appeared in the web series Paatal Lok 2, where his role as Daniel Lecho received acclaim.
– On television, Tamang appeared as a guest in Ambar Dhara.
– He was born on January 4, 1983, in Darjeeling (West Bengal) to a Nepali-speaking Gorkha family.
– He was recruited as a constable in the Kolkata Police.
– He had no serious prior health issues.
– His recent songs Bir Gorkhali and Asare Mahinama were widely discussed.
Film Career Began with Nepali Cinema
– He began his film career in 2010 with the Nepali hit film Gorkha Paltan.
– He later acted in films such as Angalo Yo Maya Ko, Kina Maya Ma, Nishani, Pardesi, and Kina Mayama.
– After his death, Prashant Tamang will be seen in Salman Khan’s upcoming movie Battle of Galwan, scheduled for release on April 17, 2026.
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12. Justice Revati Mohite Dere became the first woman Chief Justice of which state’s High Court?
a. Meghalaya
b. Arunachal Pradesh
c. Bihar
d. Assam
Answer: a. Meghalaya
– Justice Revati Mohite Dere took oath on January 11, 2026.
– Meghalaya Governor Chandrashekhar H. Vijayashankar administered the oath.
– She succeeded Soumen Sen, who has been appointed Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court.
– Earlier, Revati Mohite Dere was a judge of the Bombay High Court.
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