In Current Affairs for 05 January 2026, we will see the latest national and international current affairs news. These important current affairs will be beneficial for your upcoming NDA, CDS, CDS OTA, AFCAT, TA, Agniveer Army, Agniveer Navy, Agniveer Air Force, Women Military Police, INET, MNS, ACC exams, SCO, PCSL, CAPF, and SSB interviews, and direct entries for Army, Navy, and Air Force like SSC Tech, TGC, JAG, NCC, TES, 10+2 Cadet. Download a PDF file about current events at the end of this article. Let us now see the Current Affairs.
Current Affairs 05 January 2026
National Bird Day 2026: Celebrating the Guardians of Nature
National Bird Day 2026 was observed on 5 January to highlight the crucial role birds play in sustaining ecological balance. Birds contribute significantly to pollination, seed dispersal, and natural pest control, making them essential for healthy ecosystems.
The day also draws attention to growing threats such as habitat destruction, climate change, and illegal wildlife trade, which continue to endanger bird species worldwide.
National Bird Day was first initiated in 2002 by the Avian Welfare Coalition and coincides with the historic Christmas Bird Count in the United States, one of the world’s longest-running wildlife surveys.
India’s national bird, the Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus), was declared the national bird in 1963 due to its deep cultural, religious, and ecological importance. The peacock is protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and is widely represented in Indian art, folklore, and traditions.
Renowned ornithologist Salim Ali, popularly known as the Birdman of India, played a pivotal role in shaping bird research and conservation awareness across the country.
World Braille Day 2026: Promoting Inclusion and Accessibility
World Braille Day is observed annually on 4 January to celebrate the importance of Braille as a powerful medium of communication for the visually impaired. The day marks the birth anniversary of Louis Braille, the French educator who developed the Braille system in the 19th century.
Although Braille has been in use for over a century, its global significance was formally recognized in 2019, when the United Nations declared 4 January as World Braille Day, reinforcing the importance of inclusive education and equal access to information.
Sjoerd Marijne Returns as Coach of Indian Women’s Hockey Team
The Indian women’s hockey team received a significant boost with the reappointment of Sjoerd Marijne as head coach. The experienced Dutch coach previously guided the team to a historic fourth-place finish at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, India’s best-ever performance in women’s hockey and their strongest showing in over 36 years.
His return comes at a critical time as India prepares for major international tournaments. Marijne’s first key assignment will be the FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup Qualifiers, scheduled to be held in Hyderabad, Telangana, from 8 to 14 March, which are crucial for securing India’s place in the upcoming World Cup.
PM Modi Inaugurates 72nd National Volleyball Tournament
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 72nd National Volleyball Tournament in Varanasi via video conferencing. Addressing players and officials, he emphasized how the values of teamwork, coordination, and collective responsibility in volleyball reflect India’s broader development journey.
The tournament is organized annually by the Volleyball Federation of India (VFI) and serves as a major platform for talent identification and national team selection.
Founded in 1951, the VFI is headquartered in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, and oversees the promotion and development of volleyball across the country. The tournament is among India’s oldest national-level team sports competitions and encourages grassroots participation.
Integrated Security Hub Launched in Andaman and Nicobar Islands
India has strengthened security and governance in its island territories with the launch of a state-of-the-art Integrated Command and Control Centre in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Built at a cost of ₹229 crore, the facility integrates surveillance, communication, and coordination among multiple agencies on a single platform.
The initiative enhances maritime security, disaster response, and emergency management in a region of high strategic importance.
The Andaman Islands stretch nearly 800 km north–south and lie close to the Ten Degree Channel and Malacca Strait, while the Nicobar Islands house Indira Point, India’s southernmost tip, located near major international sea routes.
Andhra Pradesh Emerges as India’s Top Investment Destination in FY26
According to a Bank of Baroda report, Andhra Pradesh has emerged as the leading investment destination in India during the first nine months of FY26. The state accounted for 25.3% of total proposed capital investments, outperforming traditional industrial states such as Odisha (13.1%) and Maharashtra (12.8%).
Improved infrastructure, proactive government policies, and faster project clearances have boosted investor confidence. Nationwide, proposed investments reached ₹26.6 lakh crore, marking an 11.5% year-on-year growth.
US Announces Control Over Venezuela’s Oil Sector
The United States has announced plans to take control of Venezuela’s oil sector, signaling a potential revival of the country’s oil production. The initiative aims to involve major American oil companies to repair aging infrastructure and gradually increase output.
Although Venezuela currently produces far below its capacity, the plan could lead to higher exports in the future. However, full implementation is expected to take several years and could influence global energy markets.
EU Leaders Likely to Be Chief Guests at Republic Day 2026
India’s Republic Day celebrations on 26 January 2026 are expected to gain strong diplomatic significance, with European Union leaders likely to attend as chief guests. The EU has officially accepted India’s invitation, highlighting the growing strength of the India–EU Strategic Partnership.
The visit may coincide with the India–EU Summit, tentatively planned for 27 January 2026, at a time when negotiations for the India–EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) have resumed after a long pause.
China Commissions New Missile Destroyer ‘Loudi’
China has further expanded its naval capabilities by commissioning a Type 052D guided missile destroyer named Loudi into the PLA Navy. The induction reflects China’s rapid naval expansion aimed at enhancing its global maritime influence.
According to reports, China now operates more warships than the United States, making it the world’s largest navy by number of vessels. With Loudi’s induction, China has added 11 combat ships in 2025, including the advanced aircraft carrier Fujian.
MoSPI Unveils New Logo and Mascot ‘Sankhyiki’
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) launched its new logo and official mascot ‘Sankhyiki (सांख्यिकी)’ in New Delhi. The initiative aligns with the theme “Data for Development”, emphasizing the importance of reliable and transparent data in policymaking.
Sankhyiki will be used in National Sample Surveys, awareness campaigns, educational materials, digital platforms, and public events, with the aim of promoting statistical literacy and strengthening public trust in official data.
Review Questions
1. When was National Bird Day 2026 observed?
A. January 1
B. January 4
C. January 5
D. January 10
✅ Answer: C. January 5
2. National Bird Day was established in 2002 by which organization?
A. World Wildlife Fund
B. United Nations
C. Avian Welfare Coalition
D. BirdLife International
✅ Answer: C. Avian Welfare Coalition
3. What is the scientific name of the Indian national bird, the Peacock?
A. Pavo indicus
B. Pavo cristatus
C. Pavus maximus
D. Indica pavonis
✅ Answer: B. Pavo cristatus
4. The peacock was declared India’s national bird in which year?
A. 1950
B. 1956
C. 1963
D. 1972
✅ Answer: C. 1963
5. Who is popularly known as the “Birdman of India”?
A. M. S. Swaminathan
B. Salim Ali
C. R. Sukumar
D. Sunita Narain
✅ Answer: B. Salim Ali
6. World Braille Day is observed every year on which date?
A. January 1
B. January 2
C. January 4
D. January 5
✅ Answer: C. January 4
7. World Braille Day marks the birth anniversary of which personality?
A. Helen Keller
B. Louis Pasteur
C. Louis Braille
D. Jean Piaget
✅ Answer: C. Louis Braille
8. Who has returned as the coach of the Indian women’s hockey team?
A. Graham Reid
B. Michael Nobbs
C. Sjoerd Marijne
D. Ric Charlesworth
✅ Answer: C. Sjoerd Marijne
9. Sjoerd Marijne guided the Indian women’s hockey team to their best-ever Olympic performance at which Olympics?
A. Rio 2016
B. London 2012
C. Tokyo 2020
D. Paris 2024
✅ Answer: C. Tokyo 2020
10. Sjoerd Marijne’s first major assignment after returning will be the FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup Qualifiers held in which city?
A. Bhubaneswar
B. Bengaluru
C. New Delhi
D. Hyderabad
✅ Answer: D. Hyderabad
