TODAY NEWS HIGHLIGHT
➤ Nat Sciver Brunt created history, becoming the first player to score a century in the WPL.
➤ Renowned journalist Mark Tully passes away
➤ Sikkim Police receives President's Police Colour Award for Distinguished Service
➤ Adani–Embraer agreement
➤ BRO carries out high-altitude rescue operation and road restoration at Chhatargala Pass in Jammu and Kashmir
➤ India makes historic debut as Partner Country at Gulfood 2026 in Dubai
➤ Tariffs on cars imported from Europe to be reduced by up to 40%
➤ Indian Newspaper Day
1. Nat Sciver-Brunt Makes History, Becomes First Player to Score a Century in WPL
Since the start of the Women's Premier League (WPL), the question of when the first century would be scored had been constantly raised. Several batters had crossed the 90-run mark, but reaching triple figures had remained elusive until now. This long wait ended in WPL 2026 when Nat Sciver-Brunt made history.
2. Renowned Journalist Mark Tully Passes Away
Mark Tully was the long-serving head of the BBC's New Delhi bureau and was considered one of the most influential foreign correspondents to report from India. His passing is seen as the end of a significant era of independent, unbiased, and on-the-ground journalism in South Asia.
3. Sikkim Police receives President's Police Colour Award for distinguished service
With the conferment of the President's Police Colour Award, Sikkim has become the 15th state in India since independence to receive this prestigious honour and the third state in Northeast India to achieve this distinction. This award recognizes the Sikkim Police's long-standing service, discipline, and dedication to public service at the national level.
4. Adani-Embraer Agreement
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Adani Group and Embraer for collaboration in aircraft manufacturing in India has opened a new chapter in the country's aerospace sector. This is considered the Adani Group's first formal entry into the commercial aircraft manufacturing sector.
5. BRO's High-Altitude Rescue Operation and Road Restoration at Chhatargala Pass, Jammu and Kashmir
On January 23, 2026, heavy snowfall completely blocked Chatargala Pass in the Jammu region, located at an altitude of approximately 10,500 feet. Snowfall of up to 5-6 feet blocked the approximately 38-kilometer-long road, completely halting the movement of civilians and security forces.
6. India Makes Historic Debut as Partner Country at Gulfood 2026 in Dubai
India is participating as a Partner Country for the first time at Gulfood 2026, the world's largest annual food and beverage sourcing event, reflecting its growing strategic role in the global food supply chain. This participation also signals a further strengthening of India's economic partnership with the Gulf region.
7. Tariffs on Cars Imported from Europe to be Reduced by up to 40%
India is working on a plan to reduce the maximum import duty of 110 percent on cars imported from the European Union to 40 percent, a move considered a major breakthrough in the India-EU free trade agreement negotiations. This move could prove decisive in advancing the long-stalled trade talks.
8. Indian Newspaper Day
Indian Newspaper Day is celebrated every year on January 29 and is an important occasion to commemorate the beginning of modern journalism in India. This day is deeply intertwined with Indian history, the role of the media, and social reform movements.
QUIZ – CURRENT AFFAIRS (WITH EXPLANATIONS)
1. Which player scored the first century in WPL history?
A - Sophie Devine
B - Georgia Wareham
C - Nat Sciver-Brunt
D - Hayley Matthews
The first century in the history of the Women's Premier League (WPL) was recorded in WPL 2026 when Nat Sciver-Brunt scored an unbeaten 100 runs off 57 balls for Mumbai Indians against Royal Challengers Bangalore. This match was played at the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara. After early wickets fell, she displayed remarkable composure and aggression under pressure. Her innings set new batting standards in the WPL and highlighted the evolving nature of women's cricket.
2. Which international media organization was Mark Tully associated with?
A - CNN
B - BBC
C - Al Jazeera
D - Reuters
Mark Tully, the former head of the BBC's New Delhi bureau, was considered one of the most influential foreign journalists reporting from India. Born in Kolkata in 1935, he spent most of his life in India. His deep understanding of Indian society, culture, and the Hindi language earned him the moniker "Tully Sahib."
3. Which state of India, after independence, has become the latest to receive the President's Police Colour Award?
A - 13th
B - 14th
C - 15th
D - 16th
With the conferment of the President's Police Colour Award, Sikkim has become the 15th state in India and the third state in Northeast India to receive this prestigious honor since independence. This award is a national-level recognition of the Sikkim Police's long-standing service, discipline, and dedication to public service.
4. The agreement between the Adani Group and Embraer is related to which sector?
A - Defense production
B - Shipbuilding
C - Aircraft manufacturing
D - Railway manufacturing
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Adani Group and Embraer marks a new beginning in India's aerospace and aviation sector. This is the Adani Group's first formal step into commercial aircraft manufacturing, under which regional transport aircraft will be manufactured in India, along with local production of components, maintenance services, and the development of pilot training infrastructure.
5. At approximately what altitude is the Chatergala Pass located?
A - 8,500 feet
B - 9,500 feet
C - 10,500 feet
D - 11,500 feet
On January 23, 2026, the Chatergala Pass in the Jammu region was blocked due to heavy snowfall, disrupting the movement of civilians and security forces. The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) took swift action, restoring the road under extremely challenging conditions and safely evacuating stranded civilians and soldiers. This operation was successfully completed in coordination with the Indian Army, without any loss of life, highlighting the BRO's crucial role in disaster management and in border areas.
6. Which organization is leading India's participation in Gulfood 2026?
A - FIEO
B - Invest India
C - APEDA
D - NITI Aayog
India is participating in Gulfood 2026 for the first time as a partner country, signifying its growing strategic role in the global food supply chain and strengthening economic ties with the Gulf region. This participation is being led by APEDA and aims to promote the export of Indian agri-food products, attract investment, and enhance access to global markets.
7. By what percentage is India considering reducing the import duty on cars imported from the European Union to 40 percent?
A - 90%
B - 100%
C - 110%
D - 120%
India is working on a plan to reduce the import duty on cars imported from the European Union from 110 percent to 40 percent, which is being considered a major breakthrough in the India-EU free trade agreement negotiations. This move could revive the long-stalled trade talks and signals a phased opening of the Indian automobile market.
8. Which was India's first newspaper?
A - The Hindu
B - Bengal Gazette
C - Hicky's Bengal Gazette
D - Amrita Bazar Patrika
Indian Newspaper Day is celebrated every year on January 29, marking the beginning of modern journalism in India. On this day in 1780, India's first newspaper, Hicky's Bengal Gazette, was published. The press played a crucial role in raising awareness, fostering nationalism, and shaping public opinion during the Indian independence movement and social reforms. Even today, newspapers continue to strengthen transparency and accountability as the fourth pillar of democracy.
ONE LINER
Which organization conducted the road restoration and rescue operation at the Chatragala Pass in Jammu and Kashmir? – Border Roads Organisation (BRO)
Which two civilian honors were bestowed upon Mark Tully by the Government of India? – Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan
Which organization is leading India's participation in Gulfood 2026? – APEDA
In what special role is India participating in Gulfood 2026? – Partner Country
Which media organization was the renowned foreign journalist Mark Tully, who reported from India, associated with? – BBC
On which date is Indian Newspaper Day celebrated every year? – January 29
Against which team did Nat Sciver-Brunt score this historic century in WPL 2026? – Royal Challengers Bangalore
India is planning to reduce the maximum tariff on cars imported from the European Union from 110% to what percentage? – 40%
Which state of India became the 15th state after independence to receive the President's Police Colour award? – Sikkim
Which player scored the first century in the history of the WPL? – Nat Sciver-Brunt