Showing questions for January 17, 2026
- Total: 18 questions
Question 6 Jan 17, 2026
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Which state’s Chief Minister approved the establishment of AP FIRST, the state’s largest research centre?
Andhra PradeshAndhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu approved the creation of AP FIRST—Andhra Pradesh Futuristic Innovation and Research in Science and Technology—in Tirupati. The initiative aims to combine higher education and research institutions into a unified hub focused on aerospace, defence, and digital transformation. The decision was taken during a meeting with advisors and Drone Corporation officials. Tirupati has been designated as the central location for this ambitious scientific project. The move aligns with the state’s vision to become a leader in futuristic technologies and innovation.
Question 7 Jan 17, 2026
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Who did Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav meet during his two-day visit to Odisha on January 16, 2026?
Naveen PatnaikAkhilesh Yadav, president of the Samajwadi Party, visited Odisha and met Biju Janata Dal (BJD) chief and five-time Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at his residence. During the meeting, Yadav praised Patnaik’s developmental work and highlighted the historical closeness between their fathers—Mulayam Singh Yadav and Biju Patnaik. He emphasized visible transformation in Odisha under Patnaik’s leadership, especially for the poor. The visit underscores growing political outreach among regional parties. This interaction also reflects efforts to strengthen non-BJP alliances ahead of upcoming elections.
Question 8 Jan 17, 2026
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Which civic body elections saw the BJP defeat both factions of the NCP in Maharashtra?
Pune and Pimpri-ChinchwadIn the municipal corporation elections held in Maharashtra, the BJP secured a decisive victory in both Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, defeating the NCP led by Ajit Pawar and the NCP(SP) led by Sharad Pawar. The BJP was leading in over 110 seats in Pune and 84 in Pimpri-Chinchwad, while the combined NCP factions trailed significantly. Despite Ajit Pawar’s aggressive campaign targeting local BJP leaders for corruption and poor governance, the results weakened his influence within the ruling Mahayuti alliance. Sharad Pawar and his daughter Supriya Sule remained largely absent from the campaign. This outcome signals a setback for the NCP’s traditional dominance in these urban centers.
Question 9 Jan 17, 2026
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What key assurance did Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan give regarding the draft Seeds Bill 2025?
Farmers can save, exchange, and sell farm-saved seeds without registrationUnion Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan clarified that the draft Seeds Bill 2025 explicitly protects farmers' rights to grow, save, exchange, and sell their own seeds without needing registration. The bill targets illegal seed producers with penalties up to ₹30 lakh, a steep rise from the ₹500 under the outdated 1966 Act. It mandates QR codes and traceability for commercial seeds but excludes traditional and farmer varieties. The minister emphasized that age-old practices like borrowing seeds and repaying later will continue undisturbed. Over 9,000 public suggestions on the draft are being reviewed by the ministry to ensure balanced regulation.
Question 10 Jan 17, 2026
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What sentence was handed down to former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol in the first of his criminal trials related to the martial law crisis?
Five years in prisonOn 17 January 2026, the Seoul Central District Court sentenced former President Yoon Suk Yeol to five years in prison for actions including defying detention attempts, fabricating the martial law proclamation, and bypassing a legally required Cabinet meeting. His imposition of martial law in December 2024 had triggered massive public protests and led to his impeachment and removal from office. The court emphasized the need for a 'grave punishment' due to Yoon’s lack of remorse. This ruling is part of a series of eight criminal trials he faces, with the most serious charge—rebellion—potentially carrying a death sentence. However, legal experts believe a life sentence or lengthy prison term is more likely given South Korea’s de facto moratorium on executions since 1997.