Current Affairs
Date: 08-01-2026
CURRENT AFFAIRS
1. RBI holds first meeting of Payments Regulatory Board
Recognizing the need for a strong and transparent regulatory framework amid the rapidly growing use of digital payments in India, the Reserve Bank of India held the first meeting of the Payments Regulatory Board (PRB) in Mumbai. This statutory body, which came into existence on May 9, 2025, following amendments to the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007, aims to provide specialized regulation, oversight, and guidance for digital payment systems.
2. Delhi Government Brings Finance Under RBI Framework with Historic MoU
The Delhi government has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding with the Reserve Bank of India, bringing Delhi under the RBI's full banking, cash management, and debt management framework for the first time. This move is considered significant because it will align Delhi's financial governance system with nationally adopted fiscal standards.
3. India Launches New E-Business Visa for Chinese Citizens
The Indian government has launched a new electronic business visa category, e-B-4 (e-Production Investment Business Visa), for Chinese citizens, aimed at streamlining trade, investment, and production-related travel between India and China. This initiative is seen as a practical step towards the gradual normalization of people-to-people contacts between the two countries.
4. India's Largest Inland Rainbow Trout Farm Launched in Telangana
In a significant technological advancement for India's fisheries sector, the country's largest integrated inland rainbow trout farm has been launched in Telangana. This initiative is considered particularly significant because trout, a fish previously thought to thrive only in cold Himalayan regions, has been successfully farmed for the first time in a warm, inland climate.
5. Emphasis on the Preservation of Indian Languages; Education Minister Launches 41 Literary Works
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has launched 41 new literary books as part of a significant initiative towards the preservation and promotion of Indian classical languages. This program is noteworthy because it not only popularizes the rich literary tradition of Indian languages but also promotes inclusive education.
6. DRDO Develops Portable Water Purifier for Soldiers in Remote Areas
India's defense research system has achieved a significant technological breakthrough keeping in mind the field-level requirements of soldiers. The Seawater Desalination System, called SWaDeS, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), is capable of converting saline water into safe drinking water.
7. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's First Visit to India
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is scheduled to pay an official visit to India on January 12-13, 2026, a visit considered highly significant for India-Germany bilateral relations. This visit comes at a time of rapidly emerging global challenges such as economic uncertainty, climate change, and geopolitical realignments. The primary objective of the visit is to further deepen trade, investment, and strategic cooperation between India and Germany.
8. Earth Rotation Day
Earth Rotation Day is celebrated every year on January 8th and is dedicated to explaining the scientific concept of the Earth's rotation on its axis. The purpose of this day is to highlight that the Earth's rotation is the basis for day and night, timekeeping, and numerous natural processes.
QUIZ (With Explanation)
1. What is the main objective of Payments Vision 2028?
A - Promoting only cash transactions
B - Limiting digital payments
C - Developing a long-term strategic roadmap for digital payments
D - Controlling foreign banks
Explanation:
Given the rapid expansion of digital payments in India, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) held the first meeting of the Payments Regulatory Board (PRB) in Mumbai.
2. With which organization has the Delhi government signed an MoU?
A - Ministry of Finance
B - NITI Aayog
C - Reserve Bank of India
D - SEBI
Explanation:
The Delhi government has signed a significant Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Reserve Bank of India, bringing Delhi under the RBI's full banking, cash, and debt management system for the first time. This move will make Delhi's financial governance more transparent, professional, and aligned with national fiscal standards. The RBI will now act as the banker and debt manager for the Delhi government, structuring the borrowing process, improving cash management, and strengthening long-term financial stability.
3. The e-B-4 visa has been launched for citizens of which country?
A - Japan
B - South Korea
C - China
D - Vietnam
Explanation:
The Government of India has launched a new electronic business visa category, e-B-4, for Chinese citizens, aimed at streamlining trade, investment, and production-related travel between India and China. This is a fully online and purpose-based visa, allowing stays of up to six months for activities related to manufacturing, technical collaboration, and investment.
4. In which state has the country's largest integrated inland rainbow trout farm been established?
A - Himachal Pradesh
B - Uttarakhand
C - Telangana
D - Andhra Pradesh
Explanation:
The inauguration of the country's largest integrated inland rainbow trout farm in Telangana is a major technological achievement in India's fisheries sector. For the first time, trout, a fish previously considered limited to cold Himalayan regions, has been successfully farmed in a warm inland climate.
5. Which Union Minister recently released 41 literary books?
A - Ashwini Vaishnaw
B - Dharmendra Pradhan
C - Anurag Thakur
D - G. Kishan Reddy
Explanation:
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has released 41 new literary books aimed at preserving and promoting Indian classical languages. This initiative popularizes the rich traditions of classical Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam, and Odia languages while also promoting inclusive education.
6. The SWaDeS system has been developed by which organization?
A - ISRO
B - DRDO
C - BARC
D - HAL
Explanation:
India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed a portable seawater desalination system called SWaDeS, which can convert saline water into safe drinking water. This system is particularly useful for soldiers deployed in remote, coastal, and high-altitude Himalayan regions, where the availability of fresh water is limited.
7. When will German Chancellor Friedrich Merz visit India?
A - January 10–11, 2026
B - January 12–13, 2026
C - January 15–16, 2026
D - January 20–21, 2026
Explanation:
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is undertaking an official visit to India on January 12-13, 2026, which is considered highly significant for India-Germany relations. This visit comes at a time when the global economy, climate change, and geopolitical shifts remain major challenges. The visit aims to further deepen cooperation in trade, investment, clean energy, digital technology, and strategic collaboration.
8. Earth Rotation Day is related to which scientific experiment?
A - Newton's Law
B - Galileo's experiment
C - Foucault pendulum experiment
D - Kepler's Law
Explanation:
Earth Rotation Day is celebrated every year on January 8th, dedicated to explaining the scientific concept of the Earth's rotation on its axis and its effects. It has historical ties to the French scientist Léon Foucault, who experimentally proved the Earth's rotation in 1851 with the Foucault pendulum experiment.
ONE LINER
The Payments Regulatory Board (PRB) was constituted after an amendment to which act? – Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007
When will German Chancellor Friedrich Merz visit India on an official visit? – January 12–13, 2026
Which laboratory developed the SWaDeS system? – Defence Laboratory, Jodhpur
Following an MoU with the RBI, through which medium will the Delhi government now be able to borrow from the market? – State Development Loans (SDLs)
What is the maximum duration of stay permitted in India under the e-B-4 visa? – 6 months
On which date is Earth Rotation Day celebrated every year? – January 8
Which organization developed the SWaDeS system that converts saline water into potable water? – DRDO
In which state has the country's largest integrated inland rainbow trout farm been established? – Telangana
Which new statutory body, established for the specialized regulation of digital payment systems, held its first meeting convened by the RBI? – Payments Regulatory Board (PRB)
What is the name of the new electronic business visa launched by India for Chinese citizens? – e-B-4 (e-Production Investment Business Visa)