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Daily Current Affairs
15 July, 2026
1. NIDAR 2.0 — the National Innovation Challenge for Drone Application and Research — has been launched by MeitY in partnership with:
A. DGCA
B. Drone Federation of India (DFI)
C. HAL
D. DRDO
E. NITI Aayog
View Answer
Explanation: NIDAR 2.0 (2026-27), launched by MeitY with DFI under the SwaYaan Capacity Building Initiative (approved July 2022), is a national hackathon for engineering students to develop indigenous drone technologies. Track 1 covers drone innovation (disaster response swarms, medical delivery, GPS-denied navigation); Track 2 covers indigenous flight controllers/autopilot hardware built on the VEGA Microprocessor developed by C-DAC.
2. The Digital Threat Report 2025-26 for India’s BFSI sector introduces which framework called the “Anatomy of Cyber Failure”?
A. 3-Tier Defence Framework
B. 4-Layer Gap Archetype Framework
C. 5-Point Cyber Shield
D. Zero Trust Matrix
E. 7-Step Resilience Model
View Answer
Explanation: The 2nd Edition of the Digital Threat Report 2025-26 — released by MeitY with CERT-In, CSIRT-Fin and SISA Information Security — introduces the “Anatomy of Cyber Failure – 4 Layer Gap Archetype Framework” and an 18-month roadmap. Key findings: AI asymmetry favouring attackers, shrinking attack cycles, and attacks mimicking legitimate sessions. CERT-In functions under MeitY (IT Act, 2000); CSIRT-Fin is the sectoral response team for the financial sector.
3. The Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) Act, 1997 — now being extended to all seven districts of Ladakh — was originally applicable to which two districts?
A. Leh and Zanskar
B. Leh and Kargil
C. Kargil and Drass
D. Leh and Nubra
E. Kargil and Changthang
View Answer
Explanation: The LAHDC Act, 1997 originally applied to Leh and Kargil districts, establishing Autonomous Hill Development Councils for decentralized governance. Following the creation of 17 new tehsils, it will be extended to all seven districts of the UT. Councils exercise powers over local development planning, Khalsa Sarkar land, undemarcated forests, and specified local taxes.
4. The “SHANTI Vision”, unveiled by EAM S. Jaishankar for India’s UNSC 2028-29 campaign, stands for:
A. Strategic Harmony and New Trust Initiative
B. Securing Holistic Advancement through Norms, Trust and Integrity
C. Security, Harmony, Accountability, Norms, Trust, Integrity
D. Sustainable Health and New Technology Initiative
E. South Asia Norms, Trade and Integration
View Answer
Explanation: SHANTI Vision is India’s diplomatic framework for its 2028-29 UNSC non-permanent seat campaign — emphasising the Global South, a rules-based order, peacekeeping reforms (including the Women, Peace and Security agenda), responsible technology governance, and development partnerships in 79 countries.
5. India has served as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council how many times so far?
A. Six times
B. Seven times
C. Eight times
D. Nine times
E. Ten times
View Answer
Explanation: India has served eight terms: 1950-51, 1967-68, 1972-73, 1977-78, 1984-85, 1991-92, 2011-12 and 2021-22. The UNSC has 15 members (5 permanent + 10 non-permanent elected for two-year terms). India has contributed nearly 3 lakh personnel to ~50 UN peacekeeping missions — among the world’s largest contributors.
6. Odisha has proposed upgrading Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary into “Debrigarh-Gaur National Park”. The sanctuary is located along which reservoir?
A. Indravati Reservoir
B. Hirakud Reservoir
C. Rengali Reservoir
D. Balimela Reservoir
E. Machkund Reservoir
View Answer
Explanation: Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary (Bargarh district, Odisha; 353 sq km, with ~290.65 sq km proposed as core NP area) lies along the Hirakud Reservoir on the Mahanadi River. It has tropical dry deciduous forests and is historically significant as Veer Surendra Sai used its forests as a base against British rule. The proposed NP area is free from human settlements.
7. The RBI’s revised bank board governance framework — enabling boards to focus on strategy and risk rather than routine operations — will come into effect from:
A. 1 April 2026
B. 1 July 2026
C. 1 October 2026
D. 1 January 2027
E. 1 April 2027
View Answer
Explanation: The revised framework (effective 1 October 2026) rationalises matters placed before bank boards — routine work delegated to committees/management, a stronger Chairperson’s role in agenda-setting, better information flow, and periodic governance reviews — so boards focus on strategy, risk governance, financial stability and regulatory compliance.
8. Under RBI’s proposed one-time approval mechanism for mutual funds, insurers and pension funds acquiring bank stakes, the one-time approval will be valid for acquisitions up to what percentage of the bank’s paid-up capital or voting rights?
A. 5%
B. 7.5%
C. 10%
D. 15%
E. 26%
View Answer
Explanation: Currently, these investors need prior RBI approval for acquiring 5%+ (major shareholding), and again if the holding drops below 5% and later re-crosses it. Under the draft amendment, after the first approval, RBI may grant a one-time approval covering future acquisitions up to 10% of paid-up share capital or voting rights in the same bank, subject to conditions.
9. Under the Vriksh Mitra Abhiyan launched by Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, a nationwide “Hariyali Amavasya Tree Festival” plantation drive will be organised on which date?
A. 5 June
B. 12 August
C. 15 August
D. 1 July
E. 2 October
View Answer
Explanation: The Hariyali Amavasya Tree Festival (12 August) will celebrate tree planting as a national festival under Vriksh Mitra Abhiyan — a people-led movement with the “One Tree, Five Companions” pledge, a Vriksh Mitra Pariwar network from national to village level, plantation linked to schemes like PM Gram Sadak Yojana and Lakhpati Didi Yojana, and integration with Mission LiFE.
10. The Union Government has banned “Paraquat Dichloride”. It is a:
A. Chemical fertilizer
B. Non-selective contact herbicide
C. Systemic insecticide
D. Fungicide
E. Plant growth regulator
View Answer
Explanation: Paraquat Dichloride — one of the most toxic herbicides, commonly sprayed after harvesting to clear fields — has been banned by the Ministry of Agriculture. It has no specific antidote, and even small quantities cause multi-organ failure, lung fibrosis, and kidney/liver damage; it was linked to thousands of deaths from suicides, accidental poisoning and homicides.
11. Crystal Crop Protection launched six new agri innovations for Kharif 2026. “Samorian” — a patented herbicide with a three-way mode of action — is meant for which crop?
A. Paddy
B. Maize
C. Soybean
D. Cotton
E. Sugarcane
View Answer
Explanation: Samorian (soybean) controls both grassy and broadleaf weeds. Others: Takuro (maize herbicide), Xeberia and MAXentra (paddy fungicides), Valtruva (cotton insecticide with smart triple-action), and KGR-T GreenAg (patented organic smart nutrition with effervescent tablet delivery).
12. The “SANKALP Framework” for quality, sustainability and efficiency of public infrastructure was unveiled at the 172nd Annual Day of which organisation?
A. NBCC
B. CPWD
C. NHAI
D. NHIDCL
E. HUDCO
View Answer
Explanation: The Central Public Works Department celebrated its 172nd Annual Day at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi, where Union Housing & Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal unveiled the SANKALP Framework, along with two publications on India’s urban development journey.
13. PM Modi’s visit to New Zealand (10-11 July 2026) was the first by an Indian PM in how many years?
A. 25 years
B. 30 years
C. 35 years
D. 40 years
E. 50 years
View Answer
Explanation: PM Modi’s New Zealand visit was the first by an Indian PM in 40 years. Ties were elevated to a Strategic Partnership, 10 MoUs signed, a Roadmap to 2030 adopted, and a target set to double bilateral trade to NZD 7 billion by 2030, with cooperation in defence, maritime security, agriculture, education and critical technologies.
14. Which bank launched “FinSpark’26”, a national cybersecurity hackathon with the theme “Securing the Future of Banking”?
A. State Bank of India
B. Bank of Baroda
C. Bank of Maharashtra
D. Punjab National Bank
E. Canara Bank
View Answer
Explanation: Bank of Maharashtra launched FinSpark’26 — a national cybersecurity hackathon encouraging solutions for banking security, AI-based fraud detection, insider threats and cyber resilience, with prize money exceeding â‚ą10 lakh.
15. FIU-IND was declared Runner-up at the Best Egmont Case Award (BECA) 2026 for uncovering a cyber fraud and money laundering network of approximately:
A. â‚ą450 crore
B. â‚ą640 crore
C. â‚ą868 crore
D. â‚ą1,020 crore
E. â‚ą1,250 crore
View Answer
Explanation: The Financial Intelligence Unit–India was Runner-up at BECA 2026 for uncovering a ~₹868 crore cyber fraud and money laundering network — leading to seizure of cash and cryptocurrency, asset attachment, and prosecution under the PMLA, 2002.
16. JAXA successfully carried out the first lift-off and landing test of which reusable rocket prototype?
A. H3-R
B. RV-X
C. Epsilon-R
D. Callisto
E. Honda-R1
View Answer
Explanation: JAXA’s RV-X reusable rocket prototype flew about 10 metres, stayed airborne for 40 seconds, and landed safely — an important milestone in Japan’s reusable launch vehicle programme.
17. In the first-ever Women’s Test at Lord’s, India defeated England by 270 runs. Who became the FIRST woman to score a Test century at Lord’s?
A. Smriti Mandhana
B. Harmanpreet Kaur
C. Yastika Bhatia
D. Shafali Verma
E. Jemimah Rodrigues
View Answer
Explanation: In India’s historic 270-run win under Harmanpreet Kaur, Yastika Bhatia became the first woman to score a Test century at Lord’s, while debutant Kranti Gaud took a five-wicket haul — one of India’s biggest Test victories.
18. Anjum Chopra was inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame 2026 (along with Kevin Pietersen), becoming the ____ Indian woman to receive the honour.
A. First
B. Second
C. Third
D. Fourth
E. Fifth
View Answer
Explanation: Former India captain Anjum Chopra became the third Indian woman and 13th Indian overall inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame, alongside former England captain Kevin Pietersen.
19. Tamil writer Poomani, who passed away at 79, won the Sahitya Akademi Award (2014) for which novel?
A. Vekkai
B. Agnaadi
C. Asuran
D. Piragu
E. Vaikkal
View Answer
Explanation: Poomani won the Sahitya Akademi Award (2014) for Agnaadi. His novel Vekkai was adapted into the film Asuran. Separately, veteran Congress leader and former Rajya Sabha MP H. Hanumanthappa (ex-Chairman, Central Silk Board) passed away at 94.
20. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla launched his debut book narrating his Axiom-4 mission journey. What is the book’s title?
A. Beyond the Blue
B. The Second Orbit
C. Wings of Bharat
D. Mission Gagan
E. Stars and Stripes of India
View Answer
Explanation: Shubhanshu Shukla’s debut book “The Second Orbit: Belief of a Man… Dreams of 1.4 Billion Hearts” narrates his journey as an astronaut, his Axiom-4 mission to the ISS, and India’s growing human spaceflight ambitions.
21. International Malala Day (12 July) marks Malala Yousafzai’s birth anniversary and commemorates her historic UN speech delivered in which year?
A. 2011
B. 2012
C. 2013
D. 2014
E. 2015
View Answer
Explanation: International Malala Day (12 July) commemorates Malala Yousafzai’s 2013 UN speech advocating universal access to education. Also on 12 July: the International Day of Combating Sand and Dust Storms — 2026 theme “From Source to Impact: Protecting Land and Life from Sand and Dust Storms”.
22. Andhra Pradesh’s “Pillale Sampada” (Children are Wealth) initiative proposes financial assistance of â‚ą30,000 for a third child and how much for a fourth child?
A. â‚ą35,000
B. â‚ą40,000
C. â‚ą50,000
D. â‚ą45,000
E. â‚ą60,000
View Answer
Explanation: AP’s Pillale Sampada initiative — to encourage balanced population growth amid declining fertility — proposes â‚ą30,000 for a third child and â‚ą40,000 for a fourth child, with focus on maternal health, childcare and public awareness.
23. The “Seafarer Safety Tracker” launched by Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal is aimed particularly at protecting Indian seafarers in which conflict-prone region?
A. South China Sea
B. Strait of Malacca
C. Strait of Hormuz
D. Gulf of Aden
E. Red Sea
View Answer
Explanation: The Seafarer Safety Tracker — based on a ‘Seafarer-First’ approach — enables continuous monitoring, timely emergency response and coordinated assistance for Indian crew members, particularly in the conflict-prone Strait of Hormuz.
24. As per the Brand Finance India 100 Report 2026, which group retained its position as India’s most valuable brand with a valuation of US$33.6 billion?
A. Reliance
B. Tata Group
C. Infosys
D. LIC
E. HDFC
View Answer
Explanation: The Brand Finance India 100 Report 2026 valued India’s top 100 brands at US$252.8 billion (+7% over 2025). Tata Group retained the top spot at US$33.6 billion, followed by Infosys and Life Insurance Corporation (LIC).
