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Daily Current Affairs
16 July, 2026
1. The ‘Seafarer-First’ Initiative — launched by Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal — was introduced after attacks on which two merchant vessels in the Strait of Hormuz?
A. MT Pluto and MT Neptune
B. MT Al Bahiyah and MT Mombasa
C. MV Chem Pluto and MV Saibaba
D. MT Marlin Luanda and MT Genco
E. MV Ruen and MV Lila
View Answer
Explanation: The Seafarer-First Initiative (Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways) was launched after attacks on MT Al Bahiyah and MT Mombasa in the Strait of Hormuz affected 30 Indian seafarers among a crew of 46. The DGS will run a vessel-by-vessel operational dashboard to monitor every Indian seafarer irrespective of vessel flag, with dedicated liaison officers, covering the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman.
2. “Codex Alimentarius” — whose Commission recently adopted seven India-led food standards — is Latin for:
A. Food Law
B. Food Code
C. Safe Food
D. Food Book
E. Pure Food
View Answer
Explanation: Codex Alimentarius (Latin: “Food Code”) is the global collection of food standards, guidelines and codes of practice. The Commission was established by FAO (1961), with WHO joining in 1962; its Secretariat is at FAO HQ, Rome. It uses scientific risk assessments from bodies like JECFA and serves as the international food safety reference under the WTO SPS Agreement.
3. At CAC49 (Geneva), India-led standards were adopted for which two items?
A. Turmeric and Black Pepper
B. Dried Coriander Seeds and Fresh Curry Leaves
C. Cumin and Fennel
D. Cardamom and Cloves
E. Ginger and Garlic
View Answer
Explanation: At the 49th Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, standards led by India were adopted for Dried Coriander Seeds and Fresh Curry Leaves; standards under India’s co-chairmanship were adopted for Vanilla and Large Cardamom. India’s proposal for a new Codex Standard for Cashew Kernels (under CCPFV) was approved, and India was elected Co-Chair of the new Electronic Working Group on New Food Sources and Production Systems (NFPS).
4. The 12th-century Abathsahayeswarar Temple at Thukkachi (Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu), which won the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Award of Distinction, is built in which rare architectural style?
A. Gajaprishta style
B. Kara Kovil style
C. Vesara style
D. Kalinga style
E. Hoysala style
View Answer
Explanation: The Later Chola-period Shaivite temple is built in the rare Kara Kovil style, where the sanctum resembles a processional chariot, and houses one of the oldest known stone idols of Lord Sarabeshwarar. Kulottunga I endowed it for daily Thevaram recitation; Vikrama Chola expanded it. Inscriptions call the site Thenthirukalathi and Vikramacholeeswaram. It won the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Award of Distinction 2024 for heritage conservation.
5. The Cabinet approved “Semicon 2.0” — the second phase of the India Semiconductor Mission — with an outlay of:
A. â‚ą76,000 crore
B. â‚ą1 lakh crore
C. â‚ą1.27 lakh crore
D. â‚ą1.64 lakh crore
E. â‚ą2 lakh crore
View Answer
Explanation: The CCEA approved Semicon 2.0 with ₹1.27 lakh crore outlay and a six-pillar strategy: chip design, chip development, semiconductor manufacturing, raw materials, specialty gases and minerals, and supply chain ecosystem — with incentives extended to raw material/gas suppliers. Semicon 1.0 (2021) had ₹76,000 crore outlay, approved 12 projects, and attracted ₹1.64 lakh crore investment.
6. The RBI’s Draft Data Governance Framework requires Regulated Entities to review the framework at least once every year and ensure compliance with which Act?
A. IT Act, 2000
B. Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023
C. Banking Regulation Act, 1949
D. Telecom Act, 2023
E. Aadhaar Act, 2016
View Answer
Explanation: The RBI’s Draft Guidance on Regulatory Expectations for Data Governance covers the entire data lifecycle (creation to deletion), demands a risk-based, proportionate framework aligned with the RE’s risk management, annual (or more frequent) review, and compliance with the DPDP Act, 2023 — India’s primary law on digital personal data processing.
7. MoSPI’s trial “Index of Services Production (ISP)” — the services counterpart of IIP — has which base year and coverage?
A. Base 2011-12; 15 sub-sectors, ~50% of services
B. Base 2024-25; 19 formal service sub-sectors, ~60% of services economy
C. Base 2017-18; 21 sub-sectors, ~65% of services
D. Base 2024; 12 sub-sectors, ~40% of services
E. Base 2022-23; 19 sub-sectors, ~70% of services
View Answer
Explanation: The ISP (trial, April 2026), developed by NSO under MoSPI, is a monthly high-frequency indicator of real services output — released on the 29th of every month. It measures the volume of services produced using GST data, administrative databases and ASISSE, deflating nominal turnover with WPI (wholesale trade) and CPI/proxy CPIs; PPIs are planned for future refinement.
8. “Gramodyam” — the Entrepreneurship Development Programme launched on NABARD’s 45th Foundation Day — aims to create how many rural entrepreneurs during its 3-year pilot phase?
A. 2,000
B. 3,000
C. 4,000
D. 5,000
E. 10,000
View Answer
Explanation: Gramodyam, launched by NABARD Chairman Dr. Shaji K. V. on 13 July 2026 (NABARD’s 45th Foundation Day), targets ~4,000 rural entrepreneurs in its 3-year pilot. Implemented with NSDC (under MSDE) and the Institute for Industrial Development (IID), it uses a digital-first hybrid model, psychometric assessment, mentoring, bankable DPRs, and credit linkage with RRBs and other financial institutions across all States/UTs.
9. Japan’s Parliament passed a law reclassifying cryptocurrencies as financial assets, moving them out of which earlier legal framework?
A. Banking Act
B. Payment Services Act
C. Securities Exchange Act
D. Digital Currency Act
E. Consumer Protection Act
View Answer
Explanation: Japan reclassified cryptocurrencies as financial assets by moving them from the Payment Services Act into the financial regulatory framework — bringing stricter rules including insider trading provisions and tougher penalties for unregistered crypto trading.
10. The RBI approved whom as Part-Time Chairman of HDFC Bank for a three-year term effective 15 July 2026?
A. Atanu Chakraborty
B. Rajiv Kumar
C. T.V. Somanathan
D. Ajay Bhushan Pandey
E. Sushil Chandra
View Answer
Explanation: The RBI approved former Finance Secretary and former Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar as Part-Time Chairman of HDFC Bank for three years, effective 15 July 2026.
11. As per the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, India’s total exports in Q1 FY27 (April–June 2026) reached:
A. USD 200.45 billion
B. USD 218.60 billion
C. USD 232.73 billion
D. USD 245.12 billion
E. USD 270.15 billion
View Answer
Explanation: India’s total exports (merchandise + services) reached USD 232.73 billion in Q1 FY27, with imports at USD 270.15 billion. Merchandise exports rose to USD 129.32 billion, reflecting continued external trade growth.
12. NIDAR 2.0, launched by MeitY and Drone Federation India under the SwaYaan Initiative, promotes drones powered by indigenous processors and offers a prize pool of over:
A. â‚ą25 lakh
B. â‚ą40 lakh
C. â‚ą50 lakh
D. â‚ą65 lakh
E. â‚ą1 crore
View Answer
Explanation: NIDAR 2.0 (MeitY + DFI, under SwaYaan) offers a prize pool of over â‚ą65 lakh and promotes autonomous drones and indigenous drone components powered by indigenous VEGA processors.
13. In the WDMMA Global Air Power Rankings 2026, the Indian Air Force retained which position globally?
A. Second
B. Third
C. Fourth
D. Fifth
E. Sixth
View Answer
Explanation: The IAF retained its position as the world’s third-most powerful air force in the WDMMA Global Air Power Rankings 2026 — behind only the United States and Russia — staying ahead of China’s Air Force for the fifth consecutive year.
14. Ukraine and how many European countries announced the formation of an Anti-Ballistic Missile Coalition?
A. Five
B. Seven
C. Nine
D. Eleven
E. Twelve
View Answer
Explanation: Ukraine and nine European countries formed an Anti-Ballistic Missile Coalition to strengthen Europe’s missile defence — jointly developing affordable systems to counter emerging ballistic missile threats.
15. Axis Max Life Insurance launched “Smart RISE”, a retirement plan combining a guaranteed annuity with a variable annuity linked to which index?
A. SENSEX
B. NIFTY 50
C. NIFTY Bank
D. NIFTY Next 50
E. BSE 500
View Answer
Explanation: Smart RISE combines a guaranteed annuity with a NIFTY 50-linked variable annuity — providing stable post-retirement income with potential market-linked returns and legacy planning options.
16. With GI tags granted to Unjha Cumin and Unjha Fennel, Gujarat now has how many GI-tagged agricultural products?
A. Four
B. Five
C. Six
D. Seven
E. Eight
View Answer
Explanation: The Geographical Indications Registry granted GI tags to Unjha Cumin and Unjha Fennel from Gujarat, taking the state’s tally of GI-tagged agricultural products to six.
17. At the 56th International Physics Olympiad (IPhO) 2026 held in Colombia, India recorded its best-ever performance by winning:
A. Three gold and two silver medals
B. Four gold and one silver medal
C. Five gold medals (all participants)
D. Two gold and three silver medals
E. Five silver medals
View Answer
Explanation: All five Indian participants won gold at IPhO 2026 (Colombia) — India’s best-ever performance — jointly topping the medal tally with Russia, China, Kazakhstan, South Korea and Taiwan.
18. Which of the following Indian-origin experts were appointed by the US Federal Reserve to lead task forces reviewing the US monetary policy framework?
A. Raghuram Rajan, Gita Gopinath, Arvind Subramanian
B. Raghuram Rajan, Raj Chetty, Asha Sharma
C. Raj Chetty, Abhijit Banerjee, Gita Gopinath
D. Urjit Patel, Raghuram Rajan, Raj Chetty
E. Asha Sharma, Neel Kashkari, Gita Gopinath
View Answer
Explanation: The US Federal Reserve appointed Raghuram Rajan, Raj Chetty and Asha Sharma to lead key task forces reviewing the US monetary policy framework — focusing on balance sheet policy, economic data, and AI’s impact on productivity and employment.
19. Russia’s Soyuz MS-29 mission to the ISS carried which NASA astronaut along with two Roscosmos cosmonauts?
A. Sunita Williams
B. Raja Chari
C. Anil Menon
D. Sirisha Bandla
E. Jonny Kim
View Answer
Explanation: Soyuz MS-29 carried NASA astronaut Anil Menon and two Roscosmos cosmonauts to the ISS for an eight-month mission of scientific research and technology demonstrations.
20. India finished fourth at the inaugural Asian U23 Athletics Championships 2026 in China with how many medals?
A. 12 medals (2G, 4S, 6B)
B. 16 medals (3G, 4S, 9B)
C. 18 medals (5G, 6S, 7B)
D. 14 medals (4G, 3S, 7B)
E. 20 medals (6G, 5S, 9B)
View Answer
Explanation: India finished fourth with 16 medals — 3 gold, 4 silver, 9 bronze — excelling in relay events and javelin throw; China topped the table. Separately, the Indian Deaf Women’s Cricket Team defeated Sri Lanka 5-0 to win the first-ever Women’s Deaf T20I Series — India’s first overseas triumph in international deaf women’s cricket.
21. Delhi CM Rekha Gupta unveiled “Mayur”, the official mascot of the 22nd Commonwealth Table Tennis Championship 2026. The mascot is inspired by:
A. The Royal Bengal Tiger
B. The Indian Peacock
C. The Asian Elephant
D. The Indian Bustard
E. The Sarus Crane
View Answer
Explanation: ‘Mayur’, inspired by the Indian Peacock (national bird), symbolises unity, pride, energy and the spirit of the Commonwealth nations for the 22nd Commonwealth Table Tennis Championship 2026 in Delhi.
22. The International Day of Hope, whose second observance fell in 2026, is observed by the UN on which date?
A. 10 July
B. 11 July
C. 12 July
D. 14 July
E. 15 July
View Answer
Explanation: The UN observed the International Day of Hope on 12 July to promote hope, peace, resilience and sustainable development; 2026 marked its second observance.
23. Google India signed an MoU with which state government to build an AI ecosystem, including an AI Centre of Excellence and the “TIDEZ” zone?
A. Assam
B. Meghalaya
C. Tripura
D. Sikkim
E. Manipur
View Answer
Explanation: Google India’s MoU with the Government of Tripura covers AI ecosystem, cloud infrastructure, digital governance and workforce development — including an AI Centre of Excellence and the Tripura IT & Data Ecosystem Zone (TIDEZ).
24. The “Viksit Bharat Yuva Connect Programme (VBYCP)”, to run from 16 July to 15 August 2026 across universities and colleges, has which theme?
A. Yuva Shakti for New India
B. Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat
C. Fit Youth, Fit India
D. Digital Yuva for Digital Bharat
E. Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat
View Answer
Explanation: The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, through MY Bharat (Mera Yuva Bharat), will run the month-long VBYCP (16 July–15 August 2026) under the theme “Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat” — mobilising youth against substance abuse, with youth icons leading awareness sessions towards Viksit Bharat@2047 and Nasha Mukt Bharat.
