Weekly Current Affairs Quiz 04 to 11 Jan 2026: India’s First Vande Bharat Sleeper Train

Weekly Current Affairs Quiz: Jagran Josh presents the Weekly Current Affairs Quiz for students and readers preparing for competitive examinations. This quiz mainly includes questions related to the Suryastra Rocket System, WaveX Initiative, India’s 45th Antarctic Expedition, India’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper Train, and more.

1. Recently, researchers from which country have joined the Maitri Research Station under India’s 45th Antarctic Expedition?
A) Saudi Arabia
B) Qatar
C) Iran
D) United Arab Emirates

Answer: D) United Arab Emirates
The Indian Embassy in the UAE informed that Emirati researchers from Khalifa University have joined the Maitri Research Station under India’s 45th Antarctic Expedition. This joint team is studying Antarctica’s extreme, Mars-like landscapes to support research in polar science and planetary studies. This initiative extends the growing scientific partnership between India and the UAE to Antarctica.

2. During the construction of which expressway did the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) recently create two Guinness World Records?
A) Bengaluru-Kadapa–Vijayawada Expressway
B) Delhi-Mumbai Expressway
C) Amritsar-Jamnagar Expressway
D) Ganga Expressway

Answer: A) Bengaluru–Kadapa–Vijayawada Expressway
NHAI created two Guinness World Records during the construction of the Bengaluru-Kadapa–Vijayawada Expressway in Andhra Pradesh. Through Rajpath Infracon Pvt. Ltd., NHAI laid 28.95 lane-kilometres and 10,675 metric tonnes of bituminous concrete within 24 hours on the Bengaluru-Kadapa-Vijayawada Economic Corridor (NH-544G).

3. The recently discussed WaveX initiative comes under which Union Ministry?
A) Ministry of Commerce and Industry
B) Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
C) Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
D) Ministry of Science and Technology

Answer: C) Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
The WaveX startup accelerator initiative under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has signed an MoU with IIT Delhi’s Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer (FITT) to strengthen innovation, incubation, and entrepreneurship in media, entertainment, broadcasting, and communication technologies.

4. Which indigenous rocket system has the Indian Army recently finalized a contract to induct?
A) Pinaka Rocket System
B) Suryastra Rocket System
C) Akash Missile System
D) Nag Missile System

Answer: B) Suryastra Rocket System
The Indian Army has finalized a contract worth about ₹293 crore to induct the indigenous Suryastra Rocket System to enhance its firepower. Manufactured by Pune-based private firm NIBE Limited, it is India’s first universal multi-calibre rocket launcher system.

5. The 69th National School Games are being held in which state?
A) Haryana
B) Punjab
C) Uttar Pradesh
D) Maharashtra

Answer: B) Punjab
The 69th National School Games are being hosted in Punjab. The events are being held at Guru Nanak Stadium, Ludhiana, featuring competitions in Under-14 Judo (boys and girls), Under-14 Taekwondo (girls), and Under-19 Gatka (boys and girls).

6. Between which two stations will India’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper Train operate?
A) New Delhi and Mumbai
B) Guwahati and Howrah
C) Chennai and Bengaluru
D) Patna and Lucknow

Answer: B) Guwahati and Howrah
India’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper Train will run between Guwahati (Assam) and Howrah (West Bengal), marking a major shift in long-distance overnight rail travel. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to flag off the inaugural service. Configured with 16 coaches, the train will have a total capacity of about 823 passengers.

7. Which company has constructed the Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) ‘Samudra Pratap’?
A) Cochin Shipyard Limited
B) Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited
C) Hindustan Shipyard Limited
D) Goa Shipyard Limited

Answer: D) Goa Shipyard Limited
On 5 January 2026, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh dedicated the first of two pollution control vessels, ICGS Samudra Pratap, to the nation. It has been constructed by Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL), marking a significant step towards self-reliance and maritime capability development.

8. In which city did Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurate the 72nd National Volleyball Tournament?
A) Lucknow
B) Prayagraj
C) Kanpur
D) Varanasi

Answer: D) Varanasi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 72nd National Volleyball Tournament via video conferencing in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. Held from 4 to 11 January, the tournament features over 1,000 players from 58 teams representing various states and institutions.

9. Who has recently been appointed as the first woman Chief Secretary of West Bengal?
A) Sonal Goyal
B) Nandini Chakravorty
C) Ms. Mitra
D) Anita Desai

Answer: B) Nandini Chakravorty
Senior IAS officer Nandini Chakravorty was appointed Chief Secretary of West Bengal on 31 December 2025, becoming the first woman to hold this position in the state. She succeeded Manoj Pant, who retired on the same day.

10. On which date is World Braille Day observed every year?
A) 1 January
B) 4 January
C) 10 January
D) 21 January

Answer: B) 4 January
World Braille Day is observed every year on 4 January to celebrate one of the most powerful tools of inclusion. The day marks the birth anniversary of Louis Braille, the French educator who invented the Braille system. 

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