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Daily Current Affairs
18 July, 2026
1. NITI Aayog released the Investment Friendliness Index (IFI) to assess States/UTs on their investment ecosystem. Which state topped the overall rankings?
A. Maharashtra
B. Tamil Nadu
C. Gujarat
D. Karnataka
E. Odisha
View Answer
Explanation: The IFI top performers overall: 1. Gujarat, 2. Maharashtra, 3. Tamil Nadu, 4. Goa, 5. Odisha. Category-wise toppers: Large States – Gujarat; Hilly & North-Eastern States – Uttarakhand; UTs/City States – Goa. The Index was proposed at the 9th NITI Aayog Governing Council Meeting (July 2024), announced in Union Budget 2025-26, and covers 28 States + 8 UTs — promoting competitive and cooperative federalism towards Viksit Bharat @2047.
2. How many pillars of assessment does the NITI Aayog Investment Friendliness Index (IFI) use?
A. Five
B. Six
C. Seven
D. Eight
E. Ten
View Answer
Explanation: The eight pillars: Infrastructure, Business Climate, Resources, Government Policy, Regulatory Ease, Institutional Environment, Financial Health, and Environmental Resilience. Performance categories: Top Performers (score above 50), Frontrunners (45-50), Emerging Performers (40-45), Aspiring States (below 40).
3. India’s first White Rabbit Technology-based IST Distribution Demonstration Network was inaugurated at RRSL Jakkur, Bengaluru. The White Rabbit technology is originally based on open-source technology from:
A. NASA
B. CERN
C. MIT
D. ESA
E. IEEE
View Answer
Explanation: The network — developed by the Legal Metrology Division (Ministry of Consumer Affairs) with NPL, ISRO, BSNL and SEBI — is based on CERN’s open-source White Rabbit Technology. It distributes IST via fibre-optic/Ethernet using Precision Time Protocol (IEEE 1588) with synchronization accuracy below 1 nanosecond, scalable to thousands of devices over 1,000+ km. Applications: defence (anti-GPS-spoofing), financial timestamping, 5G/6G, space/quantum tech, and power/nuclear infrastructure.
4. “Malvan”, set to be commissioned by the Indian Navy, is the second indigenous Mahe-class vessel of which type?
A. Guided-missile destroyer
B. Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC)
C. Stealth frigate
D. Survey vessel
E. Fleet support ship
View Answer
Explanation: Malvan is the second Mahe-class ASW-SWC, built by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), Kochi, with over 80% indigenous content. Optimized for shallow-water operations, it carries hull-mounted sonar, towed array sonar, lightweight torpedoes, anti-submarine rocket launchers and mine-laying capability — protecting ports, harbours, islands and coastal infrastructure from underwater threats.
5. The newly identified monkey species “Congo Colobus” (Colobus congoensis), locally known as Likweli, is found only in which national park?
A. Virunga National Park
B. Lomami National Park, DRC
C. Salonga National Park
D. Garamba National Park
E. Kahuzi-Biéga National Park
View Answer
Explanation: The Congo Colobus — a newly discovered African leaf-eating monkey — is endemic to Lomami National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo, living in high-altitude tropical rainforest canopies. It feeds on leaves, fruits and seeds, produces deep roaring calls for long-distance communication, and aids seed dispersal supporting forest regeneration.
6. Manasbal Lake — which has witnessed the return of migratory birds after years of ecological decline — holds which distinction?
A. Largest freshwater lake in India
B. Deepest freshwater lake in India
C. Highest altitude lake in India
D. Only floating-garden lake in India
E. Saltiest lake in India
View Answer
Explanation: Manasbal Lake (Ganderbal district, J&K) is India’s deepest freshwater lake, managed by the Wullar-Manasbal Development Authority (WMDA). During Winter (Dec 2025-Jan 2026), migratory birds returned in large numbers — more than 46 bird species from 23 families were recorded (Mallard, White-headed Duck, Golden Eagle, Horned Grebe, Long-eared Owl etc.), and WMDA organised a Bird Watching Festival.
7. EPFO’s “Vishwas 2026” — a one-time dispute resolution scheme for damages and penalty cases — is effective from 29 June 2026 and operational for:
A. 3 months
B. 6 months
C. 9 months
D. 12 months
E. 18 months
View Answer
Explanation: Vishwas 2026 (EPFO, Ministry of Labour & Employment) is operational for 6 months from 29 June 2026, covering defaults made before 14 June 2024. Legal basis: Section 14B of the EPF & MP Act, 1952 and Section 128 of the Code on Social Security, 2020, notified under the EPF Scheme, 2026. The process is fully online and time-bound, promoting voluntary compliance and reducing litigation.
8. Under Vishwas 2026, what is the revised penalty rate for defaults of up to 2 months?
A. 0.10% per month
B. 0.25% per month
C. 0.50% per month
D. 1% per month
E. 2% per month
View Answer
Explanation: Revised penalty rates under Vishwas 2026: up to 2 months default — 0.25% per month; 2 to less than 4 months — 0.50% per month; more than 4 months — 1% per month.
9. As per the PLFS Monthly Bulletin for June 2026 (15th bulletin), India’s overall unemployment rate stood at:
A. 5.0%
B. 5.2%
C. 5.5%
D. 6.0%
E. 6.6%
View Answer
Explanation: The NSO’s PLFS Bulletin (June 2026): overall UR 5.5% (unchanged from May), rural 5.0% (down from 5.1%), urban 6.6% (up from 6.4%). LFPR (15 years & above): 54.4%. WPR: all-India 51.4%, rural 53.8%, urban 46.8%. Under Current Weekly Status (CWS), a person is employed if they worked at least one hour during the last seven days.
10. The Lakhpati Didi initiative — whose products were showcased at Bharat Tex 2026 — aims to help rural women earn an annual income of at least:
A. â‚ą50,000
B. â‚ą75,000
C. â‚ą1 lakh
D. â‚ą2 lakh
E. â‚ą1.5 lakh
View Answer
Explanation: Lakhpati Didi (launched 15 August 2023, Ministry of Rural Development, under DAY-NRLM) targets annual income of at least â‚ą1 lakh for rural women through sustainable livelihoods, women-led enterprises and stronger SHGs. Bharat Tex is India’s largest global textile exhibition, organised by the Bharat Tex Trade Federation (BTTF) with Ministry of Textiles support.
11. Phase III of the Biomedical Research Career Programme (BRCP) has been launched with a total outlay of â‚ą1,500 crore, jointly funded by DBT and which international partner?
A. Gates Foundation
B. Wellcome Trust (UK)
C. WHO
D. Rockefeller Foundation
E. NIH (USA)
View Answer
Explanation: BRCP Phase III (Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science & Technology) has â‚ą1,500 crore outlay — â‚ą1,000 crore from DBT and â‚ą500 crore from the Wellcome Trust (UK) — to strengthen India’s biomedical research ecosystem and nurture globally competitive scientists.
12. India hosted the 12th BRICS Labour and Employment Ministers’ Meeting under its BRICS Chairship 2026 in which city?
A. New Delhi
B. Mumbai
C. Hyderabad
D. Bengaluru
E. Guwahati
View Answer
Explanation: The 12th BRICS Labour and Employment Ministers’ Meeting was held in Hyderabad, Telangana, under India’s BRICS Chairship 2026 theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”. It adopted the BRICS Labour and Employment Ministers’ Declaration and launched BRICS CONNECT — an Indian initiative for technical cooperation, knowledge sharing and capacity building.
13. Under the Shipbuilding Development Scheme (SbDS), MoPSW approved a Greenfield Shipbuilding Cluster and a Ship Repair Facility respectively at:
A. Kandla and Mundra
B. Porbandar and Vadinar
C. Hazira and Dahej
D. Pipavav and Okha
E. Mumbai and Kochi
View Answer
Explanation: MoPSW gave in-principle approval for a Greenfield Shipbuilding Cluster in Porbandar and a Ship Repair Facility at Vadinar (both Gujarat) under the SbDS — supporting the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 for indigenous shipbuilding and repair capabilities.
14. President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated “Saushrutam 2026” — a three-day international seminar at AIIA, New Delhi — on which subject?
A. Yoga therapy
B. Ayurvedic Surgery
C. Unani medicine
D. Panchakarma
E. Herbal pharmacology
View Answer
Explanation: Saushrutam 2026 — an international seminar on Ayurvedic Surgery — was inaugurated at the All India Institute of Ayurveda on Sushruta Jayanti. The President also inaugurated an AI-enabled 3 Tesla High Field MRI and released an NCISM study on women Ayurveda graduates.
15. Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal launched the “e-VSP Portal”, developed with NIC. What does it provide?
A. Digital access to legal books, journals and publications
B. Online voter services
C. e-Visa processing
D. Village survey and planning data
E. Vehicle scrapping applications
View Answer
Explanation: The electronic Vidhi Sahitya Prakashan (e-VSP) Portal provides digital access to legal books, journals and publications — supporting law students, researchers, advocates, judges and legal professionals. Separately, VISTAS inaugurated India’s first AI-integrated vertical university campus in Chennai with partners like Intel Unnati, Microsoft, Oracle Academy and TCS iON.
16. The Digital India BHASHINI Division (DIBD) signed an MoU with which bank to integrate multilingual AI into digital banking services?
A. State Bank of India
B. Bank of Baroda
C. Punjab National Bank
D. Union Bank of India
E. Canara Bank
View Answer
Explanation: DIBD and PNB signed an MoU to integrate BHASHINI’s multilingual AI platform into PNB’s digital banking — enabling customers to access services in multiple Indian languages and improving financial inclusion. Separately, pi-labs partnered with Google Cloud for mission-ready AI solutions for the public sector, and Dr. Nandini Azad (Working Women’s Forum) received Bharat Samman 2026.
17. Who was sworn in as the 20th Prime Minister of Lithuania, succeeding Inga RuginienÄ—?
A. Gitanas NausÄ—da
B. Mindaugas SinkeviÄŤius
C. Saulius Skvernelis
D. Ingrida Ĺ imonytÄ—
E. Viktorija ÄŚmilytÄ—
View Answer
Explanation: Mindaugas SinkeviÄŤius, leader of the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party (LSDP), became Lithuania’s 20th Prime Minister, succeeding Inga RuginienÄ— and leading a centre-left coalition government.
18. Policybazaar appointed Amitabh Bachchan as Brand Ambassador for which insurance awareness campaign?
A. Bima Sabke Liye
B. Parivaar Sabse Pehle
C. Suraksha Ka Vaada
D. Har Ghar Bima
E. Zindagi Ke Saath
View Answer
Explanation: Amitabh Bachchan became Policybazaar’s Brand Ambassador for the nationwide “Parivaar Sabse Pehle” campaign — promoting health and term insurance and supporting IRDAI’s Insurance for All by 2047 vision.
19. Fairfax Financial Holdings emerged as the preferred bidder to acquire a 60.72% stake in IDBI Bank in a deal worth:
A. â‚ą35,500 crore
B. â‚ą42,800 crore
C. â‚ą52,932 crore
D. â‚ą61,400 crore
E. â‚ą75,000 crore
View Answer
Explanation: Canada-based Fairfax Financial Holdings will acquire 60.72% in IDBI Bank from the Government of India and LIC for ₹52,932 crore — expected to become the largest foreign investment in an Indian bank, subject to regulatory approvals.
20. India finished third at the Asian U-19 & U-23 Boxing Championships 2026 (Jakarta) with 29 medals. Which country topped the medal table?
A. Kazakhstan
B. Uzbekistan
C. India
D. Thailand
E. Philippines
View Answer
Explanation: India won 29 medals (5 gold, 13 silver, 11 bronze) to finish third at the championships in Jakarta, Indonesia. Uzbekistan topped the table, followed by Kazakhstan.
21. Under the new ICC-approved formats, the Men’s ODI World Cup will feature which new stage?
A. Super 6
B. Super 7
C. Super 8
D. Super 10
E. Super 12
View Answer
Explanation: The ICC approved new formats: the ODI World Cup will feature a Super 7 stage, while the T20 World Cup will have a Super 10 stage with Eliminators — increasing competitiveness and reducing dead-rubber matches.
22. Padma Shri awardee Moozhikkal Pankajakshi, who passed away at 90 in Kerala, was renowned for which traditional art form?
A. Kathakali
B. Nokkuvidya Pavakkali (traditional puppetry)
C. Theyyam
D. Mohiniyattam
E. Ottamthullal
View Answer
Explanation: Moozhikkal Pankajakshi was internationally recognised for preserving and promoting Nokkuvidya Pavakkali — Kerala’s unique traditional puppetry art.
23. AI Appreciation Day and World Snake Day are both observed on which date?
A. 14 July
B. 15 July
C. 16 July
D. 17 July
E. 18 July
View Answer
Explanation: AI Appreciation Day (16 July) recognises AI’s transformative role in innovation, governance, healthcare, education and economic development. World Snake Day (also 16 July) raises awareness about snakes’ ecological importance — India is home to around 300 snake species, protected under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
