Current Affairs
Date: 05-01-2026
CURRENT AFFAIRS
1. Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor Assumes Charge as Vice Chief of the Indian Air Force
A significant leadership change took place at the top level of the Indian Air Force on January 1, 2026, when Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor assumed the charge of Vice Chief of the Air Staff (VCAS). He succeeded Air Marshal Narmadeshwar Tiwari, who retired after nearly four decades of distinguished service.
2. Gaganyaan and Artemis-II: Historic Human Space Missions of 2026
The year 2026 is set to be a landmark year in the history of global space exploration, as India and the United States move forward with two major human space missions. India’s Gaganyaan-G1 mission and the US’s Artemis-II mission are being prepared with the aim of taking human spaceflight capabilities to new heights.
3. Leader Who Orchestrated Military Coup in Guinea Wins Presidential Election
Mamady Doumbouya, the military leader who seized power in the West African nation of Guinea after a military coup in 2021, has won the presidential election held in December 2025 by a landslide. This election has sparked a new debate in Guinea regarding democratic transition, civilian rule, and military politics.
4. Assam Becomes the First State to Constitute the Eighth Pay Commission
Assam has earned the distinction of becoming the first state in the country to constitute the 8th State Pay Commission. This decision has been taken before the term of the 7th State Pay Commission expires on January 1, 2026, indicating the state government’s timely and proactive administrative policy.
5. Vande Bharat Sleeper Train Approved for Service: Know the First Route
Indian Railways has fully prepared the Vande Bharat Sleeper train for long-distance and overnight journeys, with all trials, tests, and safety certifications successfully completed. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has announced that the first operational route for this train will be Guwahati–Kolkata (Howrah).
6. Additional Excise Duty on Tobacco to be Implemented from February 1st
The Indian government has announced a major policy change in the taxation structure of tobacco and pan masala products, issuing a notification to implement a new tax regime from February 1st. Under this decision, an additional excise duty will now be levied on tobacco and related products, while a health and national security cess will be applied to pan masala.
7. Committee Formed in Gujarat to Address Cyber Attacks on Energy Infrastructure
Due to the increasing use of digital technologies such as smart grids, smart meters, and SCADA systems, the energy infrastructure of the power sector is becoming more vulnerable to cyberattacks. Keeping this threat in mind, the Gujarat government has taken a significant initiative to strengthen cybersecurity in the energy sector.
8. National Bird Day
National Bird Day is an important environmental awareness day aimed at promoting bird conservation, protecting their natural habitats, and raising awareness in society about the threats posed by human activities. This day is celebrated annually on January 5th and was initiated in support of bird conservation movements.
QUIZ (With Explanation)
1. To which service does Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor belong?
A - Indian Army
B - Indian Navy
C - Indian Air Force
D - Border Security Force
Explanation:
On January 1, 2026, the Indian Air Force underwent a leadership change at the highest level, with Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor taking over as Vice Chief of the Air Staff. He is a senior fighter pilot with over 39 years of experience and has served extensively in operations, command, training, and staff roles. A veteran of the NDA, Nagesh Kapoor has accumulated over 3,400 flying hours on fighter aircraft such as the MiG-21 and MiG-29.
2. What type of mission is the Gaganyaan-G1 mission?
A - Manned lunar mission
B - Unmanned orbital test mission
C - Interplanetary Mission
D - Satellite Launch Mission
Explanation:
The year 2026 will be crucial for global space exploration, as India and the United States advance to new milestones with their respective human spaceflight missions. India’s Gaganyaan-G1 mission will test indigenous human spaceflight technologies, while NASA’s Artemis-II mission will take humans beyond low Earth orbit to the Moon in nearly 50 years.
3. In which country did Mamady Doumbouya win the presidential election?
A - Mali
B - Niger
C - Guinea
D - Burkina Faso
Explanation:
Mamady Doumbouya, the military leader who came to power in Guinea after a 2021 military coup, won the presidential election held in December 2025 with a landslide victory. This election comes at a time when deep concerns remain about democratic transition and civilian governance in the country.
4. Which is the first state in India to constitute the 8th State Pay Commission?
A - Bihar
B - Assam
C - Odisha
D - West Bengal
Explanation:
Assam has become the first state in the country to constitute the 8th State Pay Commission. This decision, taken before the term of the 7th Pay Commission ends, reflects the state government’s proactive and timely administrative approach. The new Pay Commission will review the salaries, allowances, and pensions of state employees and pensioners and make recommendations taking into account economic conditions and inflation.
5. What will be the first operational route of the Vande Bharat sleeper train?
A - Delhi–Mumbai
B - Chennai–Bengaluru
C - Guwahati–Kolkata (Howrah)
D - Patna–New Delhi
Explanation:
Indian Railways has fully prepared the Vande Bharat Sleeper train for long-distance and overnight travel, with all trials and safety certifications successful. According to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav, its first operation will be on the Guwahati–Kolkata (Howrah) route. This train is an indigenously developed sleeper version of the Vande Bharat Express, designed for journeys of more than 1,000 kilometers.
6. Which tax will be levied on tobacco products under the new system?
A - Health cess
B - Environmental cess
C - Additional Excise Duty
D - Customs
Explanation:
The Government of India has issued a notification implementing the new tax regime from February 1, making major changes to the taxation structure for tobacco and pan masala products. Under this, the compensation cess has been abolished and replaced by additional excise duty on tobacco products and a health and national safety cess on pan masala.
7. How many members are on the core committee formed by the Gujarat government for cybersecurity in the energy sector?
A - 7-member
B - 9-member
C - 11-member
D - 15-member
Explanation:
A recent NITI Aayog report has described Gujarat Biotechnology University as a role model for the globalization of higher education. Established in 2020, the university advances the goal of making India a global education hub in line with the National Education Policy 2020. Located in GIFT City, GBU places a special emphasis on collaboration with foreign universities, world-class research, and innovation.
8. What is the national bird of India?
A - Garuda
B - Parrot
C - Peacock
D - Baaz
Explanation:
National Bird Day is an important environmental awareness day, celebrated every year on January 5th, aimed at raising public awareness about the conservation of birds and protecting their natural habitats. It focuses on threats such as the illegal bird trade, the problem of caged birds, habitat destruction, and climate change.
ONE LINER
Which NASA mission will take humans beyond low Earth orbit for the first time since Apollo 17 in 1972? – Artemis-II mission
What type of pilot is Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor, and how many flight hours has he completed? – He is a fighter pilot and has completed over 3,400 flying hours
Which state became the first in India to constitute a State Pay Commission? – 8th State Pay Commission
On what date is National Bird Day celebrated annually? – January 5
What will be the first operational route of the Vande Bharat sleeper train? – Guwahati–Kolkata (Howrah)
Who is the leader who won the presidential election in Guinea after the 2021 military coup? – Mamady Doumbouya
What is the new tax on tobacco products that will come into effect from February 1st? – Additional excise duty
Who assumed the position of Vice Chief of the Air Staff (VCAS) of the Indian Air Force on January 1, 2026? – Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor
What type of space mission is India’s Gaganyaan-G1 mission? – Unmanned orbital test mission
How many members are on the core committee formed by the Gujarat government for the cybersecurity of energy infrastructure? – 11-member