UPSC Prelims Practice
Current Affairs Quiz 9 July 2026
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16 questions based on today’s current affairs & editorials
16 MCQs
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Question 1 of 16
The administrative arrangement signed at the Third Australia-India Annual Summit in July 2026 operationalises which earlier agreement?
FACT: The Administrative Arrangement signed on July 9, 2026 operationalises the India-Australia Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement (signed 2014, in force 2015), enabling long-term Australian uranium supply to India for exclusively peaceful purposes under IAEA safeguards. ANALYSIS: The summit also launched a Critical Minerals Corridor and committed to concluding a CECA.
📝 Concept Note
Australian uranium exports to India are governed by IAEA safeguards; the CECA is the planned successor to the ECTA interim trade pact.
🎯 Concept Kit — tap to expand
| 🔗 Cross-Paper Links | GS2 international relations. |
| ✍️ Mains Keywords | civil nuclear cooperation, uranium, IAEA safeguards, Indo-Pacific. |
| ⚠️ Common Mistake | confusing the nuclear arrangement with the trade CECA. |
| 📌 Exam Tip | the 2026 arrangement operationalises the 2014 civil nuclear deal. |
| 🎤 Interview | ** Energy security through partnerships. |
Question 2 of 16
The India-Australia relationship was elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in which year?
FACT: India and Australia elevated their ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2020, at a virtual summit. ANALYSIS: The July 2026 summit in Melbourne reviewed six years of this partnership across defence, trade, critical minerals and space.
📝 Concept Note
The Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA), the interim trade pact, entered into force on 29 December 2022.
🎯 Concept Kit — tap to expand
| 🔗 Cross-Paper Links | GS2 international relations. |
| ✍️ Mains Keywords | Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, Quad, ECTA, CECA. |
| ⚠️ Common Mistake | confusing the 2020 CSP year with the 2022 ECTA year. |
| 📌 Exam Tip | CSP since 2020; ECTA in force December 2022. |
| 🎤 Interview | ** Deepening India-Australia ties. |
Question 3 of 16
At the July 2026 summit, Australia agreed to host a temporary space-tracking terminal on the Cocos (Keeling) Islands to support which Indian mission?
FACT: Australia agreed to host a temporary space-tracking terminal on the Cocos (Keeling) Islands to support India Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme. ANALYSIS: The Cocos (Keeling) Islands are an Australian Indian Ocean territory well placed to track launches over the region.
📝 Concept Note
Gaganyaan is ISRO first crewed mission to low Earth orbit.
🎯 Concept Kit — tap to expand
| 🔗 Cross-Paper Links | GS3 science and technology, GS2 IR. |
| ✍️ Mains Keywords | Gaganyaan, space diplomacy, tracking stations. |
| ⚠️ Common Mistake | linking the Cocos terminal to a lunar mission. |
| 📌 Exam Tip | Cocos Islands terminal supports Gaganyaan. |
| 🎤 Interview | ** International cooperation in spaceflight. |
Question 4 of 16
The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) is a statutory body established under which law?
FACT: The NTCA is a statutory body constituted in 2006 under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. ANALYSIS: Its 29th meeting, held at Coimbatore on July 9, 2026, released STRIDES 2026 and the Roadmap to Rescue.
📝 Concept Note
The NTCA administers Project Tiger, launched in 1973; the tiger is a Schedule I species and is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
🎯 Concept Kit — tap to expand
| 🔗 Cross-Paper Links | GS3 environment and conservation. |
| ✍️ Mains Keywords | Project Tiger, NTCA, human-wildlife conflict, conservation governance. |
| ⚠️ Common Mistake | placing the NTCA under the Environment (Protection) Act. |
| 📌 Exam Tip | NTCA is statutory under the WPA 1972; constituted 2006. |
| 🎤 Interview | ** Data-driven tiger conservation. |
Question 5 of 16
The document STRIDES 2026, released at the 29th NTCA meeting, relates to:
FACT: STRIDES 2026 stands for Status of Tiger Reserves: Infrastructure, Development, Ecology and Social parameters, a benchmarking report on India tiger reserves. ANALYSIS: The meeting also released the Roadmap to Rescue for temporary facilities to rescue, rehabilitate and release wild animals in tiger landscapes.
📝 Concept Note
India hosts about 75 per cent of the world wild tigers.
🎯 Concept Kit — tap to expand
| 🔗 Cross-Paper Links | GS3 environment. |
| ✍️ Mains Keywords | tiger reserves, ecology, social parameters, rescue and rehabilitation. |
| ⚠️ Common Mistake | treating STRIDES as an infrastructure scheme. |
| 📌 Exam Tip | STRIDES 2026 benchmarks tiger reserves. |
| 🎤 Interview | ** Measuring conservation performance. |
Question 6 of 16
Who chairs the National Tiger Conservation Authority?
FACT: The NTCA is chaired by the Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change. ANALYSIS: The 29th meeting was chaired by Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav at CASFOS, Coimbatore.
📝 Concept Note
CASFOS (Central Academy for State Forest Service), Coimbatore, functions under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
🎯 Concept Kit — tap to expand
| 🔗 Cross-Paper Links | GS3 environment, GS2 institutions. |
| ✍️ Mains Keywords | NTCA, statutory body, conservation administration. |
| ⚠️ Common Mistake | thinking the Prime Minister chairs the NTCA. |
| 📌 Exam Tip | NTCA Chairperson is the Union Environment Minister. |
| 🎤 Interview | ** Institutions for wildlife protection. |
Question 7 of 16
In July 2026, DRDO successfully flight-tested the Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket (LRGR) to what range at Chandipur?
FACT: On July 8, 2026, DRDO flight-tested the Pinaka LRGR to a user-defined minimum range of 60 km at the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur, Odisha. ANALYSIS: The test confirmed that different Pinaka-family variants can be fired from the same launcher without modification.
📝 Concept Note
The original Pinaka Mk-I range is about 38 to 40 km; guided variants extend range with accuracy.
🎯 Concept Kit — tap to expand
| 🔗 Cross-Paper Links | GS3 defence and science and technology. |
| ✍️ Mains Keywords | Atmanirbhar Bharat, artillery modernisation, precision strike. |
| ⚠️ Common Mistake | confusing the Mk-I range with the guided LRGR range. |
| 📌 Exam Tip | Pinaka LRGR tested to 60 km at Chandipur. |
| 🎤 Interview | ** Indigenous artillery systems. |
Question 8 of 16
The Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher system is named after:
FACT: Pinaka is named after “Pinaka”, the bow of Lord Shiva. ANALYSIS: It is developed by DRDO Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) and is in service with the Indian Army.
📝 Concept Note
The Integrated Test Range at Chandipur is in Balasore district, Odisha.
🎯 Concept Kit — tap to expand
| 🔗 Cross-Paper Links | GS3 defence. |
| ✍️ Mains Keywords | DRDO, ARDE, indigenous weapons. |
| ⚠️ Common Mistake | associating the name with a place. |
| 📌 Exam Tip | Pinaka = the bow of Lord Shiva. |
| 🎤 Interview | ** Symbolism in defence nomenclature. |
Question 9 of 16
What is the total outlay of the PM-SETU scheme, cleared for nationwide rollout in July 2026?
FACT: PM-SETU (Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs) has a total outlay of Rs 60,000 crore over 5 years, split as Centre Rs 30,000 crore, States Rs 20,000 crore and Industry Rs 10,000 crore. ANALYSIS: It aims to upgrade 1,000 government ITIs through 200 hub-and-spoke clusters.
📝 Concept Note
The 4th National Steering Committee cleared Rs 1,237.58 crore in investment plans for ITI clusters in Odisha, Gujarat and Telangana.
🎯 Concept Kit — tap to expand
| 🔗 Cross-Paper Links | GS3 economy and employment, GS2 governance. |
| ✍️ Mains Keywords | skilling, demographic dividend, hub-and-spoke, ITIs. |
| ⚠️ Common Mistake | confusing the total outlay with the first budget allocation. |
| 📌 Exam Tip | PM-SETU outlay Rs 60,000 crore (30k/20k/10k). |
| 🎤 Interview | ** Industry-led vocational reform. |
Question 10 of 16
PM-SETU, the scheme to upgrade Industrial Training Institutes, is implemented by which ministry?
FACT: PM-SETU is implemented by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE). ANALYSIS: It follows a hub-and-spoke cluster model with industry participation to modernise government ITIs.
📝 Concept Note
ITI stands for Industrial Training Institute; the scheme was announced in Budget 2024-25 and given Cabinet approval in May 2025.
🎯 Concept Kit — tap to expand
| 🔗 Cross-Paper Links | GS2 governance, GS3 employment. |
| ✍️ Mains Keywords | MSDE, ITIs, skilling ecosystem, employability. |
| ⚠️ Common Mistake | placing ITI upgradation under the Ministry of Education. |
| 📌 Exam Tip | PM-SETU is an MSDE scheme. |
| 🎤 Interview | ** Aligning skilling with industry demand. |
Question 11 of 16
The rare copper plate unearthed by the ASI at Elephanta Island in 2026, bearing the name of Maharaja Indrasena, belongs to which dynasty?
FACT: One copper plate belongs to Maharaja Indrasena of the Traikutaka dynasty and may be the earliest direct epigraphic record of the dynasty founder. ANALYSIS: It strengthens the identification of ancient Aniruddhapura with Elephanta; a second plate is attributed to Jayashraya Mangalarasa of the Chalukyas of Navasarika.
📝 Concept Note
The Traikutakas ruled the Konkan and northern Maharashtra around the 5th century CE; copper-plate inscriptions typically record land grants.
🎯 Concept Kit — tap to expand
| 🔗 Cross-Paper Links | GS1 art, culture and history. |
| ✍️ Mains Keywords | epigraphy, copper plates, maritime trade, Elephanta. |
| ⚠️ Common Mistake | attributing the plate to the Rashtrakutas. |
| 📌 Exam Tip | Maharaja Indrasena = Traikutaka dynasty. |
| 🎤 Interview | ** Inscriptions as historical sources. |
Question 12 of 16
The Elephanta Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are dedicated mainly to which deity?
FACT: The Elephanta Caves, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987, are dedicated mainly to Shiva and are famous for the Trimurti sculpture. ANALYSIS: The 2026 copper-plate finds show Elephanta was also a political and maritime hub, not only a religious rock-cut site.
📝 Concept Note
The Archaeological Survey of India, established in 1861, functions under the Ministry of Culture and operates under the AMASR Act, 1958.
🎯 Concept Kit — tap to expand
| 🔗 Cross-Paper Links | GS1 art and culture. |
| ✍️ Mains Keywords | rock-cut architecture, Trimurti, heritage conservation. |
| ⚠️ Common Mistake | associating Elephanta mainly with Vishnu. |
| 📌 Exam Tip | Elephanta Caves (UNESCO 1987) are Shaivite. |
| 🎤 Interview | ** Protecting island heritage. |
Question 13 of 16
Inter-state river water disputes in India are governed by which constitutional provision?
FACT: Article 262 empowers Parliament to provide for the adjudication of inter-state river water disputes, under which the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956 was enacted. ANALYSIS: The Narmada Water Disputes Tribunal, constituted in 1969, gave its final award in 1979; four states signed a payment pact to settle its dues on July 7, 2026.
📝 Concept Note
Article 262 also allows Parliament to bar the jurisdiction of courts, including the Supreme Court, in such disputes.
🎯 Concept Kit — tap to expand
| 🔗 Cross-Paper Links | GS2 polity and federalism. |
| ✍️ Mains Keywords | river water disputes, tribunals, cooperative federalism, Article 262. |
| ⚠️ Common Mistake | confusing Article 262 with Article 263 (Inter-State Council). |
| 📌 Exam Tip | river water disputes = Article 262 + ISRWD Act 1956. |
| 🎤 Interview | ** Resolving inter-state water conflicts. |
Question 14 of 16
The Indira Sagar Project, covered by the July 2026 Narmada payment pact, is located in which state?
FACT: The Indira Sagar Project is on the Narmada in Madhya Pradesh (Khandwa), while the Sardar Sarovar Project is in Gujarat. ANALYSIS: Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Maharashtra signed the payment pact to settle dues under the Narmada Water Disputes Tribunal Award.
📝 Concept Note
The Sardar Sarovar Project beneficiary states are Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Rajasthan.
🎯 Concept Kit — tap to expand
| 🔗 Cross-Paper Links | GS1 geography, GS2 federalism. |
| ✍️ Mains Keywords | Narmada, multipurpose projects, R&R, cooperative federalism. |
| ⚠️ Common Mistake | placing Indira Sagar in Gujarat. |
| 📌 Exam Tip | Indira Sagar is in MP; Sardar Sarovar in Gujarat. |
| 🎤 Interview | ** Sharing costs of large dams. |
Question 15 of 16
The ACITI partnership launched in July 2026 is a trilateral technology grouping of which three countries?
FACT: ACITI is the Australia-Canada-India Technology and Innovation Partnership, launched on July 9, 2026, covering AI, clean energy, critical minerals and resilient supply chains. ANALYSIS: It was conceived at the G20 Johannesburg summit in November 2025 and is seen as a hedge against Chinese dominance in critical-mineral supply chains.
📝 Concept Note
The three members are all democracies seeking to diversify technology and mineral supply chains.
🎯 Concept Kit — tap to expand
| 🔗 Cross-Paper Links | GS3 science and technology, GS2 IR. |
| ✍️ Mains Keywords | critical minerals, supply-chain resilience, minilateralism. |
| ⚠️ Common Mistake | including China in ACITI. |
| 📌 Exam Tip | ACITI = Australia, Canada, India. |
| 🎤 Interview | ** Minilaterals in technology. |
Question 16 of 16
International Small Arms Destruction Day, observed on July 9, is linked to which UN framework?
FACT: International Small Arms Destruction Day (July 9) promotes destroying surplus and illicit small arms and light weapons and is linked to the UN Programme of Action on Small Arms (UNPoA), 2001. ANALYSIS: The UNPoA is the main global framework to prevent and eradicate the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons.
📝 Concept Note
Small arms and light weapons (SALW) are a major driver of armed violence worldwide.
🎯 Concept Kit — tap to expand
| 🔗 Cross-Paper Links | GS2 international relations and security, GS3 internal security. |
| ✍️ Mains Keywords | SALW, illicit arms trade, disarmament. |
| ⚠️ Common Mistake | confusing the UNPoA with the Ottawa Treaty on landmines. |
| 📌 Exam Tip | Small Arms Destruction Day links to the UNPoA 2001. |
| 🎤 Interview | ** Curbing illicit arms flows. |
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