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Daily Current Affairs
17 July, 2026
1. NITI Aayog’s report “Roadmap for Building India as a Leading Bioeconomy Powerhouse by 2035” proposes a BioEconomy Growth Fund of what size?
A. â‚ą25,000 crore
B. â‚ą35,000 crore
C. â‚ą50,000 crore
D. â‚ą75,000 crore
E. â‚ą1 lakh crore
View Answer
Explanation: The report proposes a â‚ą50,000-crore BioEconomy Growth Fund (2026-2035) to bridge the “Valley of Death” — the gap between lab research and commercial production — via blended finance, equity-risk funding, VGF and infrastructure support. Vision: make India a Top 3 biotechnology power by 2035. Priority sectors: biomanufacturing, advanced therapeutics, synthetic biology, fermentation technologies and diagnostics.
2. Which of the following is correctly matched among the six National BioMissions proposed by NITI Aayog?
A. GeneIndia – seaweed cultivation
B. AgriBio 2.0 – climate-resilient gene-edited crops
C. BioX Foundry – infectious disease surveillance
D. One Health Grid – biosimilars
E. BioPharmaNext – synthetic biology commercialisation
View Answer
Explanation: The six BioMissions are: GeneIndia (affordable gene & cell therapy), AgriBio 2.0 (climate-resilient gene-edited crops, biological inputs), BioX Foundry (synthetic biology commercialisation), One Health Grid (integrated surveillance of infectious diseases and AMR), Marine Biotechnology Mission (seaweed cultivation, marine bio-products), and BioPharmaNext (biologics, biosimilars, AI-enabled drug discovery).
3. The draft CAFE III (Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency) norms for passenger vehicles will apply from which date?
A. 1 April 2026
B. 1 January 2027
C. 1 April 2027
D. 1 April 2028
E. 1 October 2027
View Answer
Explanation: The draft CAFE III norms (public comments invited for 21 days) apply from 1 April 2027 to M1 category passenger vehicles (up to 8 passenger seats excluding the driver’s seat), covering both manufactured and imported vehicles. CAFE norms prescribe the average fuel efficiency/COâ‚‚ limits manufacturers must meet across their fleet — promoting EVs, hybrids and renewable fuels (E20, ethanol, CNG, CBG).
4. The PARIVARTAN Scheme — whose operational guidelines were approved by MoHUA — aims to:
A. Provide free electricity to urban households
B. Replace old, polluting trucks and buses in NCR with BS-VI/electric vehicles
C. Redevelop railway stations
D. Digitize urban land records
E. Set up EV charging stations nationwide
View Answer
Explanation: PARIVARTAN — Programme for Accelerated Renewal and Incentivization of Vehicle Assets for Reducing Transport Air Pollution and Network Emissions — is a Central scheme under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs to replace old, high-emission commercial vehicles in the NCR with BS-VI compliant or electric vehicles, improving urban air quality and cutting GHG emissions.
5. As per the WTTC Economic Impact Research Report 2026, tourism’s contribution to India’s GDP in 2026 stands at:
A. 5.5%
B. 6.3%
C. 6.7%
D. 7.0%
E. 7.5%
View Answer
Explanation: WTTC’s EIR 2026: tourism contributes 6.7% of GDP in 2026 (projected 7.0% by 2036), with sector CAGR of 6.3% (2026-2036) — faster than India’s economy (5.7%). Employment: 48.1 million jobs in 2026 (11.1%), projected 63.5 million by 2036. International visitor spending: â‚ą3.3 lakh crore in 2026. Top source countries (2025): US 11%, Bangladesh 10%, UK 7%. WTTC recommends visa reforms, better connectivity and stronger promotion.
6. The Indian Grey Hornbill (Ocyceros birostris) has returned to which forest after more than 60 years, following a reintroduction programme?
A. Bandipur, Karnataka
B. Gir Forest, Gujarat
C. Kanha, Madhya Pradesh
D. Simlipal, Odisha
E. Sariska, Rajasthan
View Answer
Explanation: The Indian Grey Hornbill returned to Gir Forest after 60+ years through a Gujarat Forest Department reintroduction programme. It is a medium-sized arboreal bird of family Bucerotidae, endemic to the Indian subcontinent (India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh), with IUCN status Least Concern.
7. The Union Cabinet approved the Mobile Phone Manufacturing Scheme (MPMS) with an outlay of:
A. â‚ą40,000 crore
B. â‚ą50,000 crore
C. â‚ą62,500 crore
D. â‚ą75,000 crore
E. â‚ą1 lakh crore
View Answer
Explanation: The MPMS (₹62,500 crore, FY 2026-27 to FY 2030-31 — 5 years) aims to boost mobile manufacturing, domestic value addition, local component sourcing, Indian mobile brands, R&D and innovation, while reducing import dependence and strengthening supply chains.
8. As per the growth data (FY2012-FY2024) cited in the producer-controlled cooperatives debate, which sector recorded the highest growth?
A. Paddy & Wheat (27%)
B. Fruits & Vegetables (52%)
C. Milk (85%)
D. Pulses (40%)
E. Oilseeds (35%)
View Answer
Explanation: Between FY2012-FY2024, milk grew 85%, fruits & vegetables 52%, while subsidy-driven paddy & wheat grew only 27% — showing producer-led sectors outperform. Economist Nitin Desai advocates the Amul model (founded 1946 at Anand by Tribhuvandas Patel, led by Dr. Verghese Kurien — Father of the White Revolution) for Agrivoltaics under PM-KUSUM. NDDB was established in 1965; Operation Flood (White Revolution) began in 1970.
9. “Agrivoltaics (Agri-PV)” refers to:
A. Using drones for precision farming
B. Growing crops and generating solar power on the same land
C. Vertical farming in urban areas
D. Solar-powered cold storage
E. Biogas generation from farm waste
View Answer
Explanation: In Agri-PV, solar panels are installed above crops, letting farmers earn from both farming and electricity — improving land use, saving irrigation water and producing clean energy. PM-KUSUM (launched 2019, MNRE) supports it: Component A (grid-connected solar plants), B (standalone solar pumps), C (solarisation of existing pumps). India’s average farm size is just 1.08 hectares, so cooperatives help pool land, investment and profits.
10. At the ICAR Foundation Day 2026, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan urged scientists to develop which type of solutions for pulses and oilseeds?
A. GM (Genetically Modified) varieties
B. Non-GM high-yielding varieties
C. Hydroponic varieties
D. Imported hybrid seeds
E. Nano-fertilizer-based varieties
View Answer
Explanation: At ICAR’s 98th Foundation Day, the Minister asked scientists to develop high-yielding non-GMO pulses and oilseed varieties (GM Mustard DMH-11 approval remains pending), stressed crop diversification, climate-smart agriculture towards 2047 goals, indigenous fertilizer solutions, and El Niño contingency plans. ICAR: established 1929, HQ New Delhi, under Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.
11. The National Investment Policy for Urea (NIPU) 2026 aims to establish 8-9 new gas-based urea plants adding how much annual production capacity?
A. 5 million tonnes
B. 8 million tonnes
C. 10 million tonnes
D. 12 million tonnes
E. 15 million tonnes
View Answer
Explanation: NIPU 2026 targets 8-9 new gas-based urea plants adding 10 MT capacity. India consumes ~40 MT urea annually, produces ~30 MT and imports ~10 MT (25%); West Asia conflict and Strait of Hormuz disruption pushed urea prices up 40-50%. Features: separation of fixed/variable costs, 12-16% Return on Equity band, and conversion of fixed costs to rupees after four years to cut forex risk.
12. The recommended N:P:K nutrient ratio for soil health is 4:2:1. What is India’s current ratio, as noted in the NIPU 2026 context?
A. 6 : 2.5 : 1
B. 8 : 3 : 1
C. 9.8 : 3 : 1
D. 12 : 4 : 1
E. 5 : 2 : 1
View Answer
Explanation: Against the recommended N:P:K ratio of 4:2:1, India’s current ratio is 9.8:3:1 — showing excessive nitrogen (urea) use, a key soil health concern driving the push for balanced fertilization.
13. Which state became the FIRST in India to enact a Women Farmers Empowerment Act (2026), legally recognizing women as farmers even without land ownership?
A. Kerala
B. Madhya Pradesh
C. Maharashtra
D. Telangana
E. Odisha
View Answer
Explanation: Maharashtra became the first state to enact the Women Farmers Empowerment Act, 2026 — during the UN-observed International Year of the Woman Farmer. It broadly defines woman farmer (crop cultivation, animal husbandry, poultry, fisheries, agro-forestry, vermiculture, mushroom cultivation, primary processing), covers owners, tenants and labourers, and provides a Woman Farmer Certificate (WFC) issued via Gram Sabha/Nagar Panchayat — removing the land-ownership requirement for scheme access, backed by a digital registry and a Women Farmers Empowerment Fund.
14. Who has been appointed Secretary of the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) — an ocean scientist who played a key role in developing India’s Tsunami Early Warning System?
A. M. Ravichandran
B. T. Srinivasa Kumar
C. Shailesh Nayak
D. M. Rajeevan
E. Balakrishnan Nair
View Answer
Explanation: T. Srinivasa Kumar was appointed MoES Secretary for a two-year tenure. He was instrumental in developing India’s Tsunami Early Warning System, with expertise in satellite oceanography, coastal hazard mitigation and disaster management.
15. The UN released its first scientific assessment report on which technology, warning that its development is advancing faster than global governance?
A. Quantum Computing
B. Artificial Intelligence
C. Gene Editing
D. Blockchain
E. 6G Communications
View Answer
Explanation: The UN’s first scientific assessment report on AI highlights that AI development outpaces global governance and calls for stronger international regulatory frameworks for safe, responsible and equitable AI worldwide.
16. Delhivery Financial Services received RBI approval for which type of licence?
A. Small Finance Bank licence
B. Payments Bank licence
C. Type-II NBFC-Non Deposit Taking (NBFC-ND) licence
D. Payment Aggregator licence
E. Housing Finance Company licence
View Answer
Explanation: Delhivery Financial Services (subsidiary of Delhivery Ltd) received RBI approval for a Type-II NBFC-ND licence — enabling credit, insurance, payment solutions and fuel cards to strengthen its logistics ecosystem. Separately, TCS signed a multi-million, multi-year AI-driven Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) agreement with ABB.
17. In the Brand Finance India 100 Report 2026, which group emerged as the fastest entrant into India’s top 10 most valuable brands?
A. Reliance
B. Adani Group
C. Mahindra
D. Bajaj
E. Vedanta
View Answer
Explanation: The report valued India’s top 100 brands at USD 252.8 billion (+7% YoY); Tata Group retained the top spot as India’s most valuable brand, while Adani Group emerged as the fastest entrant into the top 10.
18. Who has been appointed the new Prime Minister of Ukraine — a former CEO of Naftogaz of Ukraine?
A. Denys Shmyhal
B. Yulia Svyrydenko
C. Serhii Koretskyi
D. Andriy Yermak
E. Rustem Umerov
View Answer
Explanation: Ukraine’s Parliament appointed Serhii Koretskyi, former CEO of Naftogaz of Ukraine, as PM — nominated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to strengthen governance, energy security and critical infrastructure amid the ongoing conflict.
19. Kerala-based space startup HEX20 launched its second satellite “KOYO” aboard which mission? (KOYO = Kinetic Optical Yaw Observer)
A. PSLV-C62
B. SpaceX Transporter-17
C. LVM3-M7
D. Falcon Heavy
E. Electron-52
View Answer
Explanation: HEX20 launched KOYO (Kinetic Optical Yaw Observer) aboard SpaceX Transporter-17 — a multi-payload technology demonstration platform for validating advanced space technologies and international payloads.
20. ATREE researchers discovered two new rare solitary bee species — Elaphropoda triangulata and Habropoda adi — in which region?
A. Western Ghats, Kerala
B. Siang Valley, Arunachal Pradesh
C. Namdapha, Arunachal Pradesh
D. Khasi Hills, Meghalaya
E. Dibru-Saikhowa, Assam
View Answer
Explanation: The two new rare solitary bee species were discovered in Siang Valley, Arunachal Pradesh — underscoring the exceptional biodiversity of the Eastern Himalayas. Separately, MYAS granted conditional recognition to the Judo Federation of India (JFI), enabling it to resume administration and conduct national championships.
21. Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan released “The Voice of Justice”, a compilation of speeches by which Justice?
A. Justice D.Y. Chandrachud
B. Justice B.R. Gavai
C. Justice Sanjiv Khanna
D. Justice U.U. Lalit
E. Justice N.V. Ramana
View Answer
Explanation: The book “The Voice of Justice: Justice Gavai Speaks” compiles speeches by Justice B. R. Gavai, offering insights into constitutional law, judicial reasoning and India’s legal system.
22. The theme of World Youth Skills Day 2026 (15 July) was:
A. Skilling teachers, trainers and youth for a transformative future
B. Skills for a Shared Future
C. Youth Skills for Peace and Development
D. Digital Skills for All
E. Empowering Youth through AI Skills
View Answer
Explanation: World Youth Skills Day 2026 (15 July, UN) was observed with the theme “Skills for a Shared Future” — highlighting technical and vocational skills for youth employment, entrepreneurship and sustainable development.
23. Tamil Nadu CM C. Joseph Vijay launched “Nalam TN”. What is it?
A. A telemedicine mobile app
B. An AI-powered WhatsApp chatbot for OP registration at government hospitals
C. A health insurance scheme
D. A fitness tracking programme for school children
E. An organ donation registry
View Answer
Explanation: ‘Nalam TN’ is an AI-powered WhatsApp chatbot enabling online outpatient (OP) registration and appointment booking at government hospitals — improving healthcare accessibility and reducing patient waiting time.
24. Spain-based Submer Group announced a USD 2 billion semiconductor investment (wafer fab + ATMP facilities) in which state?
A. Gujarat
B. Karnataka
C. Madhya Pradesh
D. Uttar Pradesh
E. Tamil Nadu
View Answer
Explanation: Submer Group (Spain) will invest USD 2 billion in Madhya Pradesh’s semiconductor sector — setting up wafer fabrication and assembly, testing and packaging (ATMP) facilities, supporting India’s Semiconductor Mission and domestic chip manufacturing.
25. India’s first hydrogen-powered train, to be flagged off by PM Modi from Jind Railway Station (Haryana), is equipped with safety systems capable of detecting:
A. Only hydrogen leaks
B. Hydrogen leaks, heat, flames and smoke
C. Only fire and smoke
D. Track obstructions
E. Overspeeding only
View Answer
Explanation: India’s first hydrogen-powered train has advanced multi-layer safety systems detecting hydrogen leaks, heat, flames and smoke — a major milestone in India’s clean and sustainable railway transportation. Separately, MoFPI with NIFTEM Thanjavur launched a pilot Short-Term Skill Training Programme (STSTP) for Assistant Baking Technician (NSQF Level-3) at ITC-ICML, Trichy.
