This is the current affairs of 18 & 19 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. Which European countries did U.S. President Trump announce he would impose 10% tariffs on for opposing his plan to acquire Greenland?
a. Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany
b. United Kingdom, Netherlands, Finland
c. Australia, Germany, Russia, UK
d. Both a and b
Answer: d. Both a and b (Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, United Kingdom, Netherlands, and Finland)
– U.S. President Donald Trump said in a social media post on January 17, 2026, that Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland would fall under the scope of tariffs.
– These tariffs will come into effect from February 1.
– He warned that if no agreement is reached with the U.S. regarding Greenland, the tariffs would be increased to 25% from June 1.
Trump wrote that the U.S. has subsidized Denmark, all European Union countries, and some other countries for many years.
– He said the U.S. did not take any tariffs or taxes from them.
– Now, after centuries, the time has come for Denmark to give something back, as world peace is now at stake.
– He said China and Russia want to acquire Greenland, and Denmark cannot stop them even if it wants to.
– At present, there are only two dog sleds (sleds pulled by dogs) in the name of security.
– Only the U.S. can successfully intervene in this game.
– According to Trump, the U.S. has been trying to buy Greenland for 150 years.
– Trump also described Greenland as important for a major defense project called the Golden Dome.
– The Golden Dome is America’s missile defense project.
– The goal of the Golden Dome is to protect the U.S. from threats coming from countries like China and Russia.
– Trump said that due to the presence of Russian and Chinese ships, Greenland is very important for U.S. national security.
– He stated that a treaty alone would not be enough; complete control is needed.
– An agreement was reached to form a joint working group to discuss Greenland, with meetings to be held in the coming weeks.
European countries sending troops
– France, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Finland, the Netherlands, and the UK are sending a limited number of soldiers to Greenland under a surveillance mission.
– The German Foreign Ministry will send a team of 13 people.
– Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said that, at Denmark’s request, several officers of the Swedish Armed Forces have been sent to Greenland to participate in a military exercise.
Talks with NATO as well
– The U.S. is also discussing Greenland with NATO.
– Trump has said that NATO should support the U.S.
– If the U.S. does not take control of Greenland, Russia or China could increase their influence there, which will not be accepted.
Canada’s opposition
– On the other hand, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said on January 16 that the decision regarding Greenland’s ownership is not up to U.S. President Donald Trump.
– As a NATO country, Canada also has a responsibility toward Greenland.
U.S. Congressional team reaches Greenland
– An 11-member delegation from the U.S. Congress visited Greenland.
– The delegation met Greenland’s MPs as well as Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen.
– The team’s aim was to listen to local people and reduce tensions in Washington.
U.S. lawmakers divided into two camps
– U.S. Senator Murkowski introduced a bill in Congress against forcibly taking Greenland.
– Meanwhile, a Republican lawmaker introduced another bill in favor of annexing Greenland.
– Trump’s special envoy Jeff Landry told Fox News that the U.S. should talk directly to Greenland’s leaders, not Denmark.
– On January 14, 2026, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen and Greenland’s Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt met Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the White House.
Rules for merging Greenland with the U.S.
– Trump has been talking about merging Greenland with the U.S. since 2019.
– Both Greenland and the U.S. are NATO members.
– According to the law, one NATO country cannot legally take over another NATO country.
– This would be completely illegal and against the NATO treaty.
– NATO’s Article 5 states that an attack on one member is an attack on all.
– If an external enemy attacks, all members will help.
Greenland must first become independent, then join the U.S.
– Greenland is currently an autonomous territory of Denmark.
– Under the 2009 Self-Government Act, the people of Greenland can become independent through a referendum, but approval from the Danish Parliament is also required.
85% people opposed U.S. control in survey
– In a 2025 survey, 85% of people opposed U.S. control.
– A small defense agreement of 1951 was updated in 2004, which included Greenland’s semi-autonomous government.
– This was to ensure that U.S. military activities do not affect local people.
– This agreement began during World War II.
– At that time, Denmark was under Nazi occupation.
– Its ambassador in Washington signed a defense agreement with the U.S. for Greenland.
– They feared the Nazis could use Greenland to attack the U.S.
– At that time, U.S. soldiers built several bases on the island and removed the Germans.
– After the war, the U.S. retained some bases, but most were closed after the Cold War ended.
– Now the U.S. has only the Pituffik Space Base left, which conducts missile tracking.
– Denmark also has a limited presence there.
Why does Trump want Greenland?
– The biggest reason is rare earth minerals. Greenland has abundant minerals such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, graphite, and uranium. These minerals are the backbone of the modern world—they are used to make electric vehicles, smartphones, satellites, missile systems, fighter jets, and AI-related technology. Currently, China dominates the supply of these minerals. The U.S. sees this dependence as a threat to national security. Trump viewed Greenland as an option to reduce U.S. dependence on China.
– The second important aspect is Arctic strategy. Greenland is located in the Arctic Circle, and due to climate change, ice is melting rapidly. This is opening new sea routes that can make trade between Asia and Europe faster and cheaper. Whoever controls these Arctic sea routes will gain an advantage in future global trade. The U.S. does not want Russia and China to dominate this region.
– The third reason is military and security importance. The U.S. already has the “Thule Space Base” in Greenland, which is crucial for missile defense, satellite surveillance, and monitoring Russian activities. Since the Cold War, Greenland has been a key part of U.S. northern security strategy. The Trump administration wanted to strengthen this further.
– The fourth reason is to stop China’s growing presence. In recent years, China has shown interest in investing in airports, ports, and mining projects in Greenland. The U.S. feared China could gain strategic control through economic investment. Trump’s view was clear—if the U.S. falls behind, China will move ahead.
– Finally, Trump’s deal-making politics were also involved. The U.S. has expanded its influence in the past by purchasing large territories like Louisiana and Alaska. Trump wanted to prove himself as a “big deal-making leader,” and the Greenland issue was an extension of this thinking.
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Why does Trump want to seize Greenland?
– Severe tension between European countries and the U.S.
– Trump said that since he did not receive the Nobel Prize, talking about peace has no meaning.
– U.S. President Donald Trump wants to take control of Greenland.
– When 8 European NATO members opposed him, Trump imposed tariffs on them from February 1.
– So the question is—what exactly is in Greenland?
Trump’s one social media post shook everyone from Europe to the Arctic.
The issue is — Greenland.
———
Trump clearly said—
Denmark,
Norway,
Sweden,
France,
Germany,
United Kingdom,
Netherlands,
and Finland
will now fall under U.S. tariffs.
– A 10% tariff will apply from February 1, 2026.
– But the real threat came later.
– If no agreement is reached with the U.S. on Greenland,
– the tariff will be increased to 25% from June 1.
Trump’s argument was—
– “The U.S. subsidized Denmark and Europe for decades.
No tax was taken.
– Now it is time for Denmark to give something back.”
—————–
Where is Greenland?
– It is located between the North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans.
– The name is Green, but the reality is white.
– It is part of the North American continent
– but politically connected to Europe.
– This is its biggest geopolitical irony.
The world’s largest island
– Area: about 2.16 million square kilometers
– Australia is a continent, so it is not considered an island
– Therefore, Greenland = World’s Largest Island
Ice and population
– About 80% covered with permanent ice
– Population: only about 56,000 people
– Mostly Inuit community
– Few people, but a lot of land
Strategic location
– Greenland lies between the U.S. and Europe within the Arctic Circle
– That’s why—
– It is ideal for missile tracking
– Perfect for satellite surveillance
– And monitors Arctic sea routes
History of Greenland – how it reached Denmark
– Inuit people arrived about 4,500 years ago
– In the 18th century, Denmark–Norway formally took control of Greenland
– In 1814, Norway separated, but Greenland remained with Denmark
——————
World War II and U.S. entry
– In 1940, Denmark was occupied by Nazi Germany (Hitler)
– Denmark’s ambassador in Washington made a secret defense deal with the U.S.
– Fear—Nazis could use Greenland to attack the U.S.
U.S. military bases
– The U.S. built several air and naval bases in Greenland
– Removed the Germans
– This is how Greenland entered U.S. security strategy
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Cold War and Thule Space Base
– During the Cold War, Greenland became the most important point for monitoring the Soviet Union
– Thule Space Base became part of the missile early warning system
– Even today, this base tracks Russian missile activity
————-
How did it become an autonomous region?
– 1979: Home Rule
– 2009: Self-Government Act
– Now—there is a local parliament
– Its own government
– Greenland’s PM is Jens-Frederik Nielsen
– But defense and foreign policy are still with Denmark
– Denmark’s PM is Mette Frederiksen
Path to independence open
– The law says—
Greenland can become independent through a referendum
– But approval of the Danish Parliament is required
—————-
Why Greenland is again at the center today
Three major reasons:
1. Melting ice – opening minerals and sea routes
2. Rare earth minerals – the future of global technology
3. Return of great powers – U.S., Russia, and China face off again in the Arctic
—————–
PART 9: Why Trump is so obsessed with Greenland
Now the real reasons.
1. Rare earth minerals
– Lithium
– Cobalt
– Nickel
– Graphite
– Uranium
Modern technology depends on these.
China dominates these minerals.
2. Arctic sea routes
– Ice is melting
– New trade routes are opening
– Whoever controls them will control the future
3. Military importance
– The U.S. has Thule Space Base in Greenland
– It tracks missiles and monitors Russia
4. Stopping China
– China wanted to build airports and ports and invest there
The U.S. fears China could gain military control through economic means.
5. Trump’s deal politics
– The U.S. bought Louisiana from France and Alaska from Russia
– Trump wants to prove himself a “big deal-making leader”
————
PART 2: Trump’s big claim – China and Russia
Trump directly accused—
– China and Russia want to acquire Greenland.
– He said Denmark cannot stop it even if it wants to.
Trump even said—
– “At present, Greenland’s security depends on just two dog sleds.”
According to Trump—
– Only the U.S. can successfully intervene.
He claimed—
– The U.S. has been trying to buy Greenland for 150 years.
————–
PART 3: Golden Dome and U.S. security
– Trump mentioned another big name—Golden Dome Project.
– This is America’s missile defense project.
– Purpose—stop missile threats from China and Russia.
Greenland is geographically perfect for this system.
Trump clearly said—
– “An agreement alone is not enough. We need full control.”
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PART 4: Europe’s counter-move – troop deployment
After Trump’s statement, Europe did not stay silent.
France,
Germany,
Sweden,
Norway,
Finland,
Netherlands,
and the UK—
– All decided to send limited troops to Greenland under a surveillance mission.
– Germany sent a team of 13 people.
Sweden’s PM said—
– At Denmark’s request, Swedish forces are conducting military exercises in Greenland.
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Protests against Trump are taking place in Greenland amid heavy snowfall.
———
PART 5: NATO enters the field
– Now the issue is no longer just between the U.S. and Denmark.
– NATO has also stepped in.
– Trump has said—NATO should support the U.S.
His argument—
– If the U.S. does not take control,vRussia or China will establish a foothold in Greenland
– And this will not be accepted.
————–
PART 6: Canada’s opposition
– America’s neighbor Canada also raised direct objections.
Prime Minister Mark Carney said—
– “Trump cannot decide Greenland’s future.”
– As a NATO country, we also have responsibility for Greenland’s security.
————-
PART 7: U.S. Congress divided
– Even within the U.S., there is no single opinion.
– On one side—Senator Murkowski introduced a bill against forcibly taking Greenland.
– On the other side—a Republican lawmaker introduced a bill supporting annexation.
– Trump’s envoy said—Talk should be directly with Greenland’s leaders, not Denmark.
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PART 8: Rules for merging Greenland with the U.S.
– The most important question—can the U.S. take control of Greenland?
– Straight answer—No.
– Both Greenland and the U.S. are NATO members.
– According to NATO law—one member cannot take over another.
– Article 5 says—an attack on one is an attack on all.
———
Greenland can join the U.S. only
– after becoming fully independent from Denmark.
– Under the 2009 Self-Government Act—Greenland can hold a referendum.
– But approval of the Danish Parliament is required.
– And in the 2025 survey—85% opposed U.S. control.
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CONCLUSION
Greenland is not just a piece of ice.
– It is—rare minerals, missile defense, Arctic control,
and a chess piece in the U.S.–China–Russia power game.
– Trump’s strategy—using tariffs as a geopolitical weapon.
But the question remains—
– Will the world accept it?
– Or will Greenland become the next major flashpoint?
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2. Who has been appointed as the Vigilance Commissioner of the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC)?
a. Ranjana Kumar
b. Praveen Vashishtha
c. V. S. Mathur
d. Deepak Thakkar
Answer: b. Praveen Vashishtha (Praveen Kumar Srivastava is the Central Vigilance Commissioner, and A. S. Rajeev and Praveen Vashishtha are the Vigilance Commissioners)
– Praveen Kumar Srivastava is the Central Vigilance Commissioner, and A. S. Rajeev and Praveen Vashishtha are the Vigilance Commissioners.
– Former Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Praveen Vashishtha took oath on January 16, 2026.
– His appointment will be for 4 years or until the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.
– He was serving as Special Secretary (Internal Security) in the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.
– Praveen Vashishtha is a 1991 batch IPS officer of the Bihar cadre.
Central Vigilance Commission (CVC)
– It is an independent and statutory body of India.
– Main objectives: preventing corruption in the Central Government, ensuring the independence of investigative agencies, protecting honest officers, and increasing transparency in the system.
– Establishment: Set up in 1964 through an executive resolution on the recommendation of the Santhanam Committee (1962). Later, it was given statutory status through the Central Vigilance Commission Act, 2003.
– The CVC has a total of 3 members—the Chief Vigilance Commissioner and two Vigilance Commissioners.
How is the appointment made?
– Appointment is made by the President.
– Recommendation is made by a committee consisting of the Prime Minister (Chairperson), the Home Minister, and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha.
– Tenure: 4 years or until the age of 65 years.
– Removal process: Similar to that of a Supreme Court judge, only by the President through a special procedure.
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3. Who became India’s 92nd chess Grandmaster by winning the Andranik Margaryan Memorial title in 2026?
a. Sahaj Grover
b. Vaibhav Suri
c. Prithu Gupta
d. Aryan Varshney
Answer: d. Aryan Varshney
– Aryan Varshney achieved the chess Grandmaster title on January 15, 2026.
– He is a resident of Delhi.
– He started learning chess from his father at the age of seven.
List of Grandmasters
92nd Grandmaster: Aryan Varshney (January 2026)
91st Grandmaster: Rahul V. S. (November 2025)
90th Grandmaster: Ilamparthi (October 30, 2025)
89th Grandmaster: S. Rohit Krishna
88th Grandmaster: Divya Deshmukh
87th Grandmaster: Harikrishnan A. Ra
86th Grandmaster: L. R. Srihari
85th Grandmaster: P. Shyamanikhil
84th Grandmaster: R. Vaishali
83rd Grandmaster: Aditya S. Samant
82nd Grandmaster: Vuppala Praneeth
81st Grandmaster: Sayantan Das
80th Grandmaster: Vignesh N. R.
What is a Grandmaster?
– Grandmaster is a title awarded to chess players by the world chess organization FIDE.
– Apart from the World Champion, Grandmaster is the highest title a chess player can achieve.
How does one become a Grandmaster?
– To become a Grandmaster, a male chess player must fulfill two essential conditions: first, his rating must be 2500 or higher; second, he must achieve Grandmaster-level performances (called norms) three times in international tournaments.
Who was the first Indian Grandmaster?
– Viswanathan Anand
– He won the title in 1988.
– He is a five-time World Champion.
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4.In which southern state was the Mahamagham festival held, which is called the “first Kumbh of South India”?
a. Telangana
b. Tamil Nadu
c. Kerala
d. Andhra Pradesh
Answer: c. Kerala
– This Kumbh began in Tirunavaya, a town with a population of only about 37,000 in Malappuram district of Kerala, and will continue until February 3.
– It is a larger form of the Mahamagham festival.
– The organization of such a large-scale Hindu religious event in Kerala just three months before the state assembly elections is in itself a significant signal.
– This is why Tirunavaya is now being called the “Prayagraj of the South.”
– Juna Akhara and the Bharatiya Dharma Prachara Sabha of Kerala are the organizers of this Mahamagham festival.
– Mahamandaleshwar Anand Vanam Bharati of Juna Akhara said that the tradition of the Mahamagham festival in Tirunavaya had been discontinued for 259 years.
– We have revived it in the form of a Kumbh.
– For the first Kumbh, the local people are bearing the expenses themselves without seeking help from the state government.
– Just as Prayag in the north is the center of ancestor rituals (Pitru Tarpan) and the Kumbh, similarly Tirunavaya holds that place in the south.
– Twelve Brahmins from Kashi will perform the aarti of the Nila River every evening.
– Just as a Peshwai procession marks the beginning of the Kumbh in the north, a Rath Yatra will be taken out in this Kumbh as well.
– It will begin from Tamil Nadu and will reach Tirunavaya on January 22.
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5. In which state and its district has the world’s largest Shiva Lingam been installed?
a. Samastipur, Bihar
b. Bhubaneswar, Odisha
c. Bokaro, Jharkhand
d. Motihari, Bihar
Answer: d. Motihari, Bihar
– A 210-ton Shiva Lingam made of granite has been installed at the Virat Ramayan Temple located in Kaithwaliya, Motihari, Bihar.
– After this, the Sahasralingam Shiva Lingam was also installed.
– Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Sinha were also present.
– It is believed that Lord Ram traveled from Janakpur to Ayodhya via the Kesariya route, passing through Areraj.
– Lord Ram, along with Goddess Sita, also worshipped at the Someshwar Nath Temple in Areraj.
– These Shiva Lingams were installed at the same place.
Why January 17 was chosen
– January 17 falls on the date of Magh Krishna Chaturdashi.
– It is believed that the Shiva Lingam originated on this day and that Lord Shiva was worshipped in the form of the Lingam.
– The significance of this day is considered equal to that of Shivaratri.
– Therefore, this day was chosen for the installation.
Bihar
Capital: Patna
Governor: Arif Mohammad Khan
Chief Minister: Nitish Kumar
Neighboring states: Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, and West Bengal.
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6. Which country led the naval exercise in which India did not participate, but in which other BRICS member countries took part?
a. South Africa
b. Russia
c. China
d. Saudi Arabia
Answer: a. South Africa
– On January 17, 2026, navies of several countries, including China, Russia, Iran, Egypt, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), participated in the exercise held in South African waters.
– India is currently the chair of BRICS.
– This week-long military exercise took place amid rising tensions over possible military strikes on Iran in response to its actions against anti-government protesters.
– Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “We clarify that the exercise under consideration was a South African initiative in which some BRICS members participated.”
– He added, “This was not a regular or institutional BRICS activity, nor did all BRICS members take part.”
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7. Which Indian boxer has been appointed as a member of the Asian Boxing Council?
a. Mary Kom
b. Vijender Singh
c. Amit Panghal
d. Shiva Thapa
Answer: b. Vijender Singh
– Vijender Singh is India’s first Olympic boxer and has nearly two decades of experience competing at the highest level of the sport in both amateur and professional boxing.
Asian Boxing Council
– The Asian Boxing Council plays an important role in shaping the competitive and developmental framework of the sport across the region.
– Vijender is one of India’s most well-known sporting personalities.
– He won a historic bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and multiple medals at the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games.
– He later achieved considerable success in professional boxing as well.
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8. When is the death anniversary of Lal Bahadur Shastri observed?
a. 9 January
b. 10 January
c. 11 January
d. 12 January
Answer: c. 11 January
– Former Prime Minister of India Lal Bahadur Shastri passed away on January 11, 1966.
– At that time, he was in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, in connection with an agreement with Pakistan.
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9. When is Lokpal Foundation Day celebrated?
a. 14 January
b. 15 January
c. 16 January
d. 17 January
Answer: c. 16 January
– The Lokpal of India was established on January 16, 2014, with the enforcement of Section 3 of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013.
– The ceremony was attended by the Chief Justice of India, Justice Sanjiv Khanna, and other dignitaries.
What is the Lokpal?
– Lokpal is an anti-corruption constitutional institution. The head of this institution is commonly referred to as the Lokpal.
– First Chairperson: Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose
– Current Chairperson: Justice A. M. Khanwilkar
Functions and powers of the Lokpal
– The jurisdiction of the Lokpal includes the Prime Minister, Ministers, Members of Parliament, and Group A, B, C, and D officers. In addition, the Lokpal can investigate the Chairpersons, members, officers, and directors of any board, corporation, society, trust, or autonomous body.
– The Lokpal is a top authority for investigating allegations of corruption against central government officials.
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10. After the United States, which country announced in January 2026 that it would sever ties with several United Nations agencies and international organizations?
a. Russia
b. Canada
c. Israel
d. Germany
Answer: c. Israel
– Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said on January 14, 2026, that the country was withdrawing from seven United Nations agencies and affiliated bodies.
– The ministry said that these institutions had adopted a biased attitude against Israel and repeatedly targeted it.
Organizations from which ties were severed
– Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict
– UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women)
– UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
– UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA)
– UN Alliance of Civilizations
– UN Energy
– Global Forum on Migration and Development (an international forum associated with the UN system)
Israel
Capital: Jerusalem
President: Isaac “Buzi” Herzog
Prime Minister: Benjamin Netanyahu
Currency: New Shekel
Language: Hebrew
Neighboring countries: Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and the Gaza Strip.
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