Daily Current Affairs Quiz: 8 January 2026

Answer: [c] Bhutan

Explanation:

Supreme Court of India has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Supreme Court of Bhutan to promote the exchange of young legal professionals. Under the MoU, two law clerks from Bhutan will be engaged by the Supreme Court of India for a period of three months, strengthening judicial cooperation, learning exchange, and institutional collaboration between the two countries.

Answer: [b] October 2025 – March 2026

Explanation:

Government has approved the Nutrient-Based Subsidy (NBS) rates for Rabi 2025–26, applicable from October 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026, covering Phosphatic & Potassic (P&K) fertilizers, including DAP and NPKS grades. The tentative budgetary requirement for Rabi 2025–26 is ₹37,952 crore, which is ₹736 crore higher than the requirement for Kharif 2025. Between 2022–23 and 2024–25, over ₹2.04 lakh crore has been allocated under NBS to ensure affordable fertilizer access. Domestic production of P&K (DAP & NPKS) fertilizers has risen from 112.19 LMT (2014) to 168.55 LMT in 2025 (till 30.12.25) a growth of over 50%, reflecting the success of the scheme in boosting domestic fertilizer output.

Answer: [c] 6.9%

Explanation:

According to India Ratings & Research (Ind-Ra), India’s economic growth is projected to slow to 6.9% in FY 2026–27 (FY27) from the projected 7.4% growth in the current fiscal beginning April 1, 2026. The growth outlook is supported by key economic reforms such as GST, income-tax reductions, and trade agreements, which are expected to act as important growth catalysts for the economy. India Ratings & Research (Ind-Ra) is a subsidiary of Fitch Group.  It is one of India’s leading credit rating and macro-economic analysis agencies

Answer: [c] Disturbance caused by unethical wildlife photography

Explanation:

 A recent study reported that a group of seven galaxy frogs (Melanobatrachus indicus)- a Western Ghats endemic species- vanished and are feared extinct after multiple photographers intruded into their habitat, causing disturbances and behavioural changes that likely affected their feeding and breeding success. The findings were published in the  in the paper titled: “Unethical wildlife photography imperils the Western Ghats endemic galaxy frog, Melanobatrachus indicus Beddome, 1878.”

Answer: [c] 31 January 2026

Explanation:

Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) has extended the Scheme for Promotion of Registration of Employers and Employees (SPREE 2025) till 31 January 2026, from its earlier deadline of 31 December 2025. The extension provides employers additional time to digitally register their businesses and employees through the ESIC, Shram Suvidha, and Ministry of Corporate Affairs portals, with registration becoming effective from the date specified by the employer.

Answer: [c] ₹2 lakh crore

Explanation:

Union Government has launched an Integrated e-Bill System to digitally process fertilizer subsidy payments worth nearly ₹2 lakh crore. The system is aimed at promoting transparent, efficient, and technology-driven governance. The initiative has been developed through a technological partnership between the Integrated Financial Management System (IFMS) of the Department of Fertilizers and the Public Financial Management System (PFMS) of the Controller General of Accounts (CGA), Ministry of Finance.

Answer: [b] Export Promotion Mission (EPM)

Explanation:

Government of India has launched the Market Access Support (MAS) Intervention under the Export Promotion Mission (EPM) to enhance global market access for Indian exporters, with a special focus on MSMEs and first-time exporters. The intervention aims to encourage wider export participation and strengthen India’s presence in international markets.

Answer: [b] Export Promotion Mission (EPM)

Explanation:

Government of India has launched the Market Access Support (MAS) Intervention under the Export Promotion Mission (EPM) to strengthen global market access for Indian exporters, particularly MSMEs and first-time exporters. MAS is a government-backed programme that provides financial and institutional assistance to exporters for expanding into international markets through curated trade and buyer-engagement activities.

Answer: [b] Pilot mode with phased expansion

Explanation:

Ministry of Commerce & Industry has launched two MSME Export Credit Support interventions under the Export Promotion Mission (EPM) to strengthen MSME exports and improve access to trade finance. These initiatives will be implemented on a pilot basis, with continuous monitoring and data-driven refinements. The EPM was approved by the Union Cabinet in November last year with a total outlay of over ₹25,000 crore for 2025-26 to 2030-31.

Answer: [c] 31 March 2026

Explanation:

Union Ministry of Textiles has extended the deadline for submitting fresh applications under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Textiles to 31 March 2026, instead of the earlier deadline of 31 December 2025. The extension follows a strong industry response after the portal was reopened in August 2025, with proposals received across priority areas such as MMF apparel, MMF fabrics, and technical textiles. The move reflects growing investor confidence in India’s textile sector and aims to enable wider participation by providing additional time to eligible applicants.

Answer: [c] 1 February 2026

Explanation:

Finance Ministry has notified a revised tax structure for sin goods, under which tobacco products and pan masala will face new levies starting 1 February 2026. The new framework introduces additional excise duty on tobacco and allied products, while pan masala will attract a Health and National Security Cess. This revised system will replace the existing compensation cess currently applied on sin goods, over and above the prevailing GST rates.