This is the current affairs of 1 & 2 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. India and Pakistan exchanged lists of their nuclear installations on January 1, 2026. Under which year’s agreement was this done?
a. 1950
b. 1980
c. 1982
d. 1988
Answer: d. 1988
(The Agreement on the Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear Installations and Facilities was signed on December 31, 1988, and came into force on January 27, 1991. Since 1992, the lists have been exchanged every year.)
– On January 1, 2026, India and Pakistan once again exchanged lists of nuclear installations and facilities.
– The exchange took place through diplomatic channels.
– This annual process marked the 35th consecutive year, being carried out every year since 1992.
– According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, the exchange was conducted under the 1988 agreement, whose objective is to ensure that neither country attacks the other’s nuclear installations.
– This agreement does not promote the development of nuclear weapons but aims to reduce misunderstandings.
What is this agreement?
– Name of the agreement: Agreement on the Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear Installations and Facilities
– It is a collective security-related agreement.
– It was signed on December 31, 1988, and came into force on January 27, 1991.
– There is mutual consent not to attack or destroy nuclear weapons or nuclear facilities.
– Under this agreement, both sides exchange lists of their respective nuclear installations every year on January 1.
Key provisions of the agreement
– Both countries shall not attack each other’s nuclear installations, nor permit any third country to do so.
– The list includes all major civilian and military nuclear installations.
Nuclear weapons held by India and Pakistan (according to SIPRI Yearbook 2025)
– India: 180
– Pakistan: 170
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2. Who became the new Deputy Chief of the Indian Air Force on January 1, 2026?
a. Air Marshal Anil Sinha
b. Air Marshal Vijay Kumar
c. Air Marshal Ajay Singh
d. Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor
Answer: d. Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor
– On January 1, 2026, Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor assumed charge as the Deputy Chief of the Air Force.
– He replaced Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari.
– Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor is an accomplished fighter pilot with over 3,400 flying hours on MiG-21 and MiG-29 aircraft.
Chief of the Indian Air Force
– Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh
– Established: January 26, 1950
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3. Who became the new Director General (DG) of the Border Roads Organisation on January 1, 2026?
a. General Amar Veer Pratap
b. Lieutenant General A.P. Singh
c. Lieutenant General Harpal Singh
d. Lieutenant General Vijay Kumar
Answer: c. Lieutenant General Harpal Singh
– Lieutenant General Harpal Singh assumed charge as the 29th Director General of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO).
– He replaced Lieutenant General Raghu Srinivasan.
– BRO is an organization under the Ministry of Defence.
– BRO develops and maintains road networks in India’s border areas and friendly neighboring countries.
– It has played a significant role in developing strategic infrastructure in some of the most challenging terrains, strengthening national security, and improving border connectivity.
– Its operations cover infrastructure development in 19 states and three Union Territories (including the Andaman and Nicobar Islands), as well as neighboring countries such as Afghanistan, Bhutan, Myanmar, Tajikistan, and Sri Lanka.
BRO
– Established: May 7, 1960
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4. Twenty years after joining the European Union, Bulgaria adopted the euro on January 1, 2026. Which number country did it become to adopt this currency?
a. 19th
b. 20th
c. 21st
d. 22nd
Answer: c. 21st
– On January 1, 2026, Bulgaria became the 21st country to adopt the euro currency.
– Bulgaria achieved this milestone nearly 20 years after joining the European Union.
– It abandoned the lev currency, which had been in circulation since the late 19th century.
– The move is expected to boost the economy of the EU’s poorest member country, strengthen ties with the West, and provide protection from Russian influence.
About the Euro
– The euro was first introduced on January 1, 2002, in 12 countries.
– Before Bulgaria, Croatia was the most recent country to join in 2023.
– With Bulgaria’s inclusion, more than 350 million Europeans will use the euro.
Eurozone countries (21)
– Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Bulgaria
Note: The European Union has 27 member countries, of which 21 have adopted the euro.
Advantages of adopting the euro
– Reduced currency risk: Adoption of the euro reduces exchange rate volatility, lowers borrowing costs, and boosts foreign investment.
– Lower interest rates: Government and business borrowing costs may decline, stimulating economic growth.
– Increased investment: Greater investor confidence due to eurozone membership.
– Growth in tourism: Bulgaria may become more attractive to tourists, boosting the tourism industry.
– Greater integration with the European Union.
Disadvantages of adopting the euro
– Increase in prices
– Loss of national identity
– Inflation
– Changes in monetary policy
Bulgaria
– Capital: Sofia
– President: Rumen Radev
– Prime Minister: Rosen Zhelyazkov
– Language: Bulgarian
– Neighboring countries: Romania, Serbia, North Macedonia, Greece, and Türkiye
– Sea: Black Sea
– Population: 6.4 million
– Joined the European Union in 2007
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5. In which Chinese city did the envoys of the Quad countries hold a rare public meeting on December 31, 2025?
a. Shanghai
b. Beijing
c. Shenzhen
d. Wuhan
Answer: b. Beijing
– The ambassadors of the Quad countries—comprising the United States, India, Australia, and Japan—held a rare public meeting in Beijing.
– In this regard, the U.S. Ambassador to China, David Perdue, posted on social media platform X:
“The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) is a positive force in maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific. Relations among the four countries—the United States, Australia, India, and Japan—remain stable and strong.”
– The U.S. ambassador shared a photograph of the four ambassadors, including India’s ambassador to China, Pradeep Kumar Rawat, in Beijing.
– China has long been a strong critic of the Quad and has not yet responded to the meeting.
– In the past, reacting to Quad meetings, Beijing has stated that it opposes countries forming blocs, engaging in group politics, and creating bloc confrontation.
What is the Quad?
– The Quad was formed in 2007.
– It includes four countries: India, Japan, the United States, and Australia.
– QUAD stands for Quadrilateral Security Dialogue.
– The term “quadrilateral” means four-sided, hence it refers to a four-party security dialogue, similar to bilateral (two-party) and trilateral (three-party) dialogues.
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6. Between which two countries was the military exercise ‘Desert Cyclone-II’ conducted?
a. Saudi Arabia
b. Oman
c. UAE
d. Kazakhstan
Answer: c. UAE
(The exercise was held at Al Hamra Training City in Abu Dhabi from December 18 to 30, 2025.)
– Dates: December 18–30, 2025
– Venue: Al Hamra Training City, Abu Dhabi
– Edition: Second
– The Indian contingent comprised 45 soldiers, mainly from a battalion of the Mechanised Infantry Regiment, while the UAE Army was represented by the 53rd Mechanised Infantry Battalion.
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7. Which two warships did Sri Lanka honor for providing assistance during the disaster caused by Cyclone ‘Ditwah’?
a. INS Himgiri and INS Udaygiri
b. INS Pratap and INS Vishakha
c. INS Vikrant and INS Udaygiri
d. INS Vikramaditya and INS Godavari
Answer: c. INS Vikrant and INS Udaygiri
– On January 1, 2026, the Sri Lanka Navy honored eight foreign ships, including two Indian warships.
– The ceremony was held in the presence of Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya.
– After Cyclone Ditwah, India and several other countries provided assistance to Sri Lanka.
– More than 600 people lost their lives during the cyclone.
India’s Operation Sagar Bandhu
– India launched Operation Sagar Bandhu to provide assistance during the disaster caused by Cyclone Ditwah.
– INS Vikrant and INS Udaygiri were the first to deliver relief materials.
– Under the operation, more than 1,100 tonnes of relief material were distributed, including dry rations, tents, tarpaulins, hygiene kits, essential clothing, and water purification kits.
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8. The former Prime Minister of which neighboring country, Khaleda Zia, passed away on December 30, 2025?
a. Nepal
b. Pakistan
c. Sri Lanka
d. Bangladesh
Answer: d. Bangladesh
– Khaleda Zia was a prominent political leader of Bangladesh and the country’s first woman Prime Minister.
– Her full name was Khaleda Ziaur Rahman.
– She served for a long time as the chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and was the party’s most prominent face.
– She was the first woman Prime Minister of Bangladesh and was born in India.
– She served as Prime Minister from 1991–1996 and 2001–2006.
– Political rivalry: Her political career was marked by intense rivalry with her main opponent, Sheikh Hasina, which dominated Bangladeshi politics for decades.
– Charges and imprisonment: In 2018, she was jailed on corruption charges and later placed under house arrest until 2020. She was acquitted by the Supreme Court in some cases during 2024–25.
– Death: She passed away on December 30, 2025, at the age of 80, leading to widespread mourning in Bangladesh. India and several other countries also expressed condolences.
– For decades, Bangladeshi politics was defined by the bitter rivalry between Zia and Hasina, often referred to as the “Battle of the Begums.”
– Khaleda Zia’s relationship with India was deep but complex.
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9. Who represented India at the funeral of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia?
a. Rajnath Singh
b. Amit Shah
c. S. Jaishankar
d. Nirmala Sitharaman
Answer: c. S. Jaishankar
(The External Affairs Minister visited Bangladesh on December 31, 2025.)
– India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar visited Bangladesh on December 31.
– He handed over a letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Khaleda Zia’s son and BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, conveying condolences.
– The meeting took place at the premises of the Jatiya Sangsad (Bangladesh’s Parliament).
– Tarique Rahman returned from London on December 25, 2025, after nearly 18 years of self-exile.
– He had been living abroad due to disputes with the previous government of Sheikh Hasina, which was ousted by a student uprising on August 5, 2024.
Rajnath Singh’s visit to the High Commission
– Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited the Bangladesh High Commission and signed the condolence book for Khaleda Zia.
– Khaleda Zia, who led the BNP for a long time, passed away early Tuesday morning in Dhaka after a prolonged illness. She was 80 years old.
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10. Who was elected as the new President of Chile?
a. Jeannette Jara
b. José Antonio Kast
c. José Jerry
d. Gabriel Boric
Answer: b. José Antonio Kast
– José Antonio Kast secured victory in his third attempt with more than 58 percent of the vote.
– He defeated Jeannette Jara, the candidate of the ruling left-wing coalition’s Communist Party.
– José Antonio Kast will begin his term on March 11, 2026.
Chile
– Capital: Santiago
– Population: 20 million
– Currency: Chilean Peso (CLP)
– Language: Spanish
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