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Daily Current Affairs
08 July, 2026
1. “Mission Drishti” — the world’s first OptoSAR satellite and India’s largest privately built Earth-observation satellite — was developed by which company?
A. Pixxel
B. GalaxEye Space
C. Dhruva Space
D. Skyroot Aerospace
E. Agnikul Cosmos
View Answer
Explanation: Mission Drishti was built by Bengaluru-based, IIT Madras-incubated GalaxEye Space. The satellite was lost after a geomagnetic solar storm damaged a critical onboard system. It was launched on 3 May 2026 aboard SpaceX Falcon 9 from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, into Low Earth Orbit.
2. “OptoSAR” technology, used in Mission Drishti, refers to:
A. Optical sensors only for night imaging
B. Fusion of Electro-Optical and Synthetic Aperture Radar imaging on a single platform
C. Solar-powered radar
D. Optical communication between satellites
E. Infrared thermal imaging
View Answer
Explanation: OptoSAR combines electro-optical imaging (needs sunlight + clear skies) with SAR (all-weather, day-night radar imaging) on one platform — useful for defence, disaster management, agriculture and infrastructure monitoring.
3. As per the UNCTAD World Investment Report 2026, India became the ____ largest FDI recipient globally in 2025.
A. 8th
B. 10th
C. 11th
D. 13th
E. 16th
View Answer
Explanation: India climbed 2 places (from 13th in 2024) to become the 11th-largest FDI recipient, with inflows jumping 44% to $38.89 billion in 2025 — driven by the advanced manufacturing push and Alphabet’s record $14.5 bn greenfield data centre announcement. India’s outward FDI was $35.7 bn (18th rank).
4. As per UNCTAD WIR 2026, which country remained the world’s largest FDI recipient in 2025 with inflows of $277 billion?
A. China
B. United States
C. Singapore
D. Netherlands
E. United Kingdom
View Answer
Explanation: The US remained the largest FDI recipient with $277 bn (–2%), while China ranked 4th with inflows falling from $116.24 bn to $104.66 bn. Developing economies overall rose 2%, and Developing Asia 3%. The World Investment Report is UNCTAD’s flagship annual report, published since 1991.
5. FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) is defined as investment where a foreign entity holds at least what percentage of equity in a business?
A. 5%
B. 10%
C. 15%
D. 25%
E. 51%
View Answer
Explanation: FDI involves a foreign entity holding 10% or more equity — implying lasting interest and management involvement. Greenfield investment means building a new project from scratch, while brownfield means acquiring/expanding an existing facility.
6. Which country topped the Global Passport Index (GPI) 2026 with a score of 96.05?
A. Switzerland
B. Singapore
C. Sweden
D. Finland
E. Germany
View Answer
Explanation: Sweden topped the 5th annual GPI 2026 (96.05), followed by Switzerland, Finland, Germany and the Netherlands. The index, published by Portugal-based Global Citizen Solutions (GCS), ranks 197 countries on three parameters: Enhanced Mobility (50%), Investment (25%) and Quality of Life (25%).
7. What is India’s rank in the Global Passport Index (GPI) 2026?
A. 115th
B. 120th
C. 124th
D. 125th
E. 130th
View Answer
Explanation: India ranked 125th of 197 with a score of 45.1 (its highest in 5 years), though it slipped 1 rank from 124th in 2025. Category-wise: 136th in Enhanced Mobility (down 1), 118th in Quality of Life (up 11), and 94th in Investment (up 3).
8. INS Mahendragiri (F38), to be commissioned on 11 July 2026, is named after a mountain range located in which state?
A. Kerala
B. Tamil Nadu
C. Odisha
D. Andhra Pradesh
E. Karnataka
View Answer
Explanation: INS Mahendragiri is named after the Mahendragiri range in the Eastern Ghats, Odisha — the state’s 2nd-highest peak (~1,501 m). The frigate, 6th of 7 Project 17A (Nilgiri-class) ships, was designed by the Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders (MDL), Mumbai, with 75%+ indigenous content, and joins the Eastern Fleet.
9. Under Project 17A, seven stealth frigates are being built. How are they distributed between the two shipyards?
A. All 7 by MDL Mumbai
B. 4 by MDL Mumbai + 3 by GRSE Kolkata
C. 3 by MDL Mumbai + 4 by GRSE Kolkata
D. 5 by MDL + 2 by Cochin Shipyard
E. 4 by GRSE + 3 by HSL
View Answer
Explanation: Project 17A (~₹45,000 crore for 7 ships) — successor to Project 17 Shivalik-class — has 4 frigates built by MDL Mumbai and 3 by GRSE Kolkata. Construction involved 200+ MSMEs, ~4,000 direct and ~10,000 indirect jobs. The lead ship INS Nilgiri was delivered in December 2024.
10. The 17th-century Jestha Varna Mahavihar, which received the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Award of Merit 2025, is located in:
A. Kathmandu, Nepal
B. Lalitpur, Nepal
C. Bhaktapur, Nepal
D. Lumbini, Nepal
E. Pokhara, Nepal
View Answer
Explanation: The Buddhist monastery (also known as Jyaba Bahi or Chakrabahil), located 300 metres from the UNESCO-listed Patan Durbar Square in Lalitpur, was recognised for community-centred conservation after the 2015 Gorkha earthquake (magnitude 7.8). The restoration was funded through India’s post-earthquake cultural heritage grant of NPR 13.78 crore.
11. How many UNESCO World Heritage Sites does Nepal have?
A. Two
B. Three
C. Four
D. Five
E. Six
View Answer
Explanation: Nepal has 4 UNESCO World Heritage Sites — Kathmandu Valley (1979), Sagarmatha National Park (1979, Everest), Chitwan National Park (1984) and Lumbini (1997, Buddha’s birthplace). UNESCO was established on 16 November 1945, HQ Paris; India joined on 4 November 1946.
12. Who has been appointed as the Director General of the Bureau of Police Research & Development (BPR&D)?
A. Amit Garg
B. Sujeet Pandey
C. Alok Kumar Mittal
D. Rajiv Kumar Sharma
E. Anish Dayal Singh
View Answer
Explanation: The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet appointed Alok Kumar Mittal as DG of BPR&D, Amit Garg as Director of NCRB, and Sujeet Pandey as Director of SVPNPA — all senior IPS officers from the 1993–94 batches.
13. Which NPCI official has been appointed to the Supervisory Board of SWIFT?
A. Ritesh Shukla
B. Dilip Asbe
C. Praveena Rai
D. Ajay Kumar Choudhary
E. Biswamohan Mahapatra
View Answer
Explanation: NPCI MD & CEO Dilip Asbe was appointed to SWIFT’s Supervisory Board — reflecting India’s growing influence in global digital payment infrastructure and international recognition of the UPI-led payment ecosystem.
14. A TPG Rise Climate-led consortium (with GIC and ICICI Bank) has signed an agreement to acquire 100% stake in Aseem Infrastructure Finance from which entity?
A. SBI
B. NIIF
C. NABARD
D. LIC
E. IIFCL
View Answer
Explanation: TPG Rise Climate, with GIC and ICICI Bank, will acquire 100% of Aseem Infrastructure Finance from the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) — among India’s largest private climate-focused infrastructure transactions, boosting climate financing.
15. China recently launched the HY-2E (Haiyang-2E) satellite aboard the Long March-4B rocket. The satellite is designed for:
A. Lunar exploration
B. Marine/ocean observation
C. Navigation
D. Military communication
E. Space station resupply
View Answer
Explanation: The Haiyang-2E (HY-2E) ocean observation satellite will monitor sea conditions, weather and marine ecosystems, and support disaster management. It marked China’s 47th space mission of 2026.
16. India won how many medals at the U15 & U20 Asian Wrestling Championships held in Pattaya, Thailand?
A. 30
B. 35
C. 41
D. 45
E. 50
View Answer
Explanation: India secured 41 medals (12 gold, 13 silver, 16 bronze) at the U15 and U20 Asian Wrestling Championships in Pattaya, Thailand — highlighting India’s growing strength in junior wrestling.
17. Girish Bharadwaj, who passed away at 76, was popularly known as:
A. Metro Man of India
B. Bridge Man of India
C. Missile Man of India
D. Milkman of India
E. Tunnel Man of India
View Answer
Explanation: Padma Shri awardee Girish Bharadwaj was known as the ‘Bridge Man of India’ for constructing over 150 low-cost suspension bridges across five states, significantly improving connectivity in remote and rural regions.
18. APEDA facilitated the export of Amrapali mangoes to Dubai from which Indian state?
A. Bihar
B. Uttar Pradesh
C. Jharkhand
D. West Bengal
E. Odisha
View Answer
Explanation: APEDA facilitated export of 2 metric tonnes of Amrapali mangoes from Gumla and Deoghar districts of Jharkhand to Dubai, supplied by women-led Farmer Producer Companies for sale through Lulu stores — increasing farmers’ returns by ~180% and promoting exports from tribal regions.
19. The Ministry of Panchayati Raj organised the third Outreach Workshop on the Atmanirbhar Panchayat Programme in which city?
A. Bhopal
B. Jaipur
C. Kochi
D. Guwahati
E. Lucknow
View Answer
Explanation: The workshop was held in Kochi, Kerala, with 800+ Panchayats participating to discuss financial self-reliance, local resource mobilisation and sustainable rural governance — encouraging Panchayats to strengthen own revenue and prepare bankable projects.
20. The theme of World Kiswahili Language Day 2026 (observed on 7 July under UNESCO) is:
A. Kiswahili for Education and Culture
B. Kiswahili for Peace, Solidarity and Global Economic Diplomacy
C. Kiswahili: Language of Africa
D. Kiswahili for Unity and Development
E. Kiswahili in the Digital Age
View Answer
Explanation: World Kiswahili Language Day is observed annually on 7 July under UNESCO. The 2026 theme promotes Kiswahili’s role in fostering unity, cultural exchange and international cooperation.
21. World Bioproduct Day, observed on 7 July to promote renewable bio-based products, was launched in 2021 by:
A. UNEP
B. FAO
C. World BioEconomy Forum and World Bioeconomy Association
D. WHO
E. UNIDO
View Answer
Explanation: World Bioproduct Day (7 July) was launched in 2021 by the World BioEconomy Forum and the World Bioeconomy Association, highlighting bioproducts’ role in environmental sustainability, climate action and the circular bioeconomy.
22. In the Global Passport Index 2026, India performed BEST in which of the three categories?
A. Enhanced Mobility
B. Quality of Life
C. Investment
D. Visa-free access
E. Digital governance
View Answer
Explanation: India performed best in the Investment category at 94th (up 3), compared to 118th in Quality of Life (up 11) and 136th in Enhanced Mobility (down 1). Enhanced Mobility carries the highest weightage (50%), followed by Investment (25%) and Quality of Life (25%).
23. Match India’s rank in major global indices (latest editions). Which of the following pairings is INCORRECT?
A. Human Development Index — 130/193
B. Global Innovation Index — 38/139
C. World Press Freedom Index — 151/180
D. Sustainable Development Report — 94/167
E. Global Hunger Index — 55/123
View Answer
Explanation: India ranks 102/123 in the Global Hunger Index 2025 (Concern Worldwide + Welthungerhilfe), not 55. Correct: HDI 130/193 (UNDP), GII 38/139 (WIPO), WPFI 151/180 (RSF), SDG Index 94/167 (UN SDSN), CPI 91/182 (Transparency International), Global Peace Index 115/163 (IEP), World Happiness Report 116/147.
