UPSC Prelims Practice
Current Affairs Quiz 17 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
Maharashtra’s 2026 law on women farmers is significant because it:
FACT: Maharashtra became the first Indian state to legally recognise women engaged in farming and allied work as farmers, decoupling farmer status from land ownership. ANALYSIS: It introduces a Woman Farmer Certificate issued through the Gram Sabha as proof of occupation without a land title.
📝 Concept Note
Women are roughly 65 to 75 per cent of the agricultural workforce but under 14 per cent own land, a gap the law seeks to bridge.
🎯 Concept Kit — tap to expand
| 🔗 Cross-Paper Links | GS1 society, GS2 welfare of vulnerable sections, GS3 agriculture. |
| ✍️ Mains Keywords | feminisation of agriculture, land rights, institutional credit. |
| ⚠️ Common Mistake | thinking the law transfers land ownership. |
| 📌 Exam Tip | the Woman Farmer Certificate delinks status from land title. |
| 🎤 Interview | ** Recognising invisible women farmers. |
Question 2 of 16
The Woman Farmer Certificate under the Maharashtra Women Farmers Act is issued by which body?
FACT: The Woman Farmer Certificate is issued via the Gram Sabha or Nagar Panchayat as proof of engagement in farming without requiring a land title. ANALYSIS: It enables access to collateral-free institutional loans and crop insurance for women who work the land but do not own it.
📝 Concept Note
The Act also creates a State Fund for Women Farmers and a Governing Council headed by the Chief Minister.
🎯 Concept Kit — tap to expand
| 🔗 Cross-Paper Links | GS2 governance, GS3 agriculture. |
| ✍️ Mains Keywords | access to credit, crop insurance, decentralisation. |
| ⚠️ Common Mistake | attributing issuance to the Collector. |
| 📌 Exam Tip | the Gram Sabha issues the Woman Farmer Certificate. |
| 🎤 Interview | ** Panchayats and welfare delivery. |
Question 3 of 16
NITI Aayog’s 2026 bioeconomy roadmap targets India’s bioeconomy reaching about which value by 2035?
FACT: The roadmap “Building India as a Leading BioEconomy Powerhouse” targets a bioeconomy of about USD 691 billion by 2035, and about USD 2.6 trillion by 2047. ANALYSIS: It recommends a Rs 50,000 crore BioEconomy Growth Fund and six National BioMissions.
📝 Concept Note
The roadmap builds on the BioE3 Policy of 2024 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment).
🎯 Concept Kit — tap to expand
| 🔗 Cross-Paper Links | GS3 economy and science-tech. |
| ✍️ Mains Keywords | bioeconomy, lab-to-market, high-value jobs. |
| ⚠️ Common Mistake | confusing the 2035 and 2047 targets. |
| 📌 Exam Tip | 2035 target is about USD 691 billion. |
| 🎤 Interview | ** Biotechnology and self-reliance. |
Question 4 of 16
The 2026 bioeconomy roadmap builds directly on which earlier policy?
FACT: The roadmap builds on the BioE3 Policy of 2024, which stands for Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment. ANALYSIS: It proposes six National BioMissions spanning gene and cell therapies, climate-resilient agriculture, synthetic biology, disease surveillance, marine biotechnology and next-generation biopharmaceuticals.
📝 Concept Note
It was released by NITI Aayog with the NITI Frontier Tech Hub.
🎯 Concept Kit — tap to expand
| 🔗 Cross-Paper Links | GS3 science-tech. |
| ✍️ Mains Keywords | BioE3, high-value manufacturing, green growth. |
| ⚠️ Common Mistake | mixing up BioE3 with older strategies. |
| 📌 Exam Tip | BioE3 = Economy, Environment, Employment. |
| 🎤 Interview | ** Biomanufacturing as a growth engine. |
Question 5 of 16
The ICMR i-DRONE study in Telangana in July 2026 demonstrated which outcome for tuberculosis diagnosis?
FACT: The ICMR i-DRONE study, with AIIMS Bibinagar in Yadadri-Bhuvanagiri district, used drones to transport TB sputum samples, cutting the median diagnosis turnaround from about 15 days to 5 days. ANALYSIS: Out-of-pocket patient expense fell from about Rs 9,451 to Rs 91.
📝 Concept Note
i-DRONE stands for ICMR’s Drone Response and Outreach, first used for vaccine delivery in the North East and Andaman and Nicobar.
🎯 Concept Kit — tap to expand
| 🔗 Cross-Paper Links | GS2 health, GS3 science-tech. |
| ✍️ Mains Keywords | last-mile healthcare, drone logistics, TB elimination. |
| ⚠️ Common Mistake | thinking drones replace diagnosis. |
| 📌 Exam Tip | i-DRONE transports samples, cutting turnaround time. |
| 🎤 Interview | ** Technology for public health. |
Question 6 of 16
The i-DRONE TB study operated under which national programme?
FACT: The drone-based TB sample transport study was conducted under the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP), in partnership with AIIMS Bibinagar and the District TB Office. ANALYSIS: A hub-and-spoke network linked 11 primary health centres, 60 sub-centres and 4 TB units.
📝 Concept Note
India aims to eliminate tuberculosis as a public-health problem, a goal pursued through the NTEP.
🎯 Concept Kit — tap to expand
| 🔗 Cross-Paper Links | GS2 health governance. |
| ✍️ Mains Keywords | NTEP, TB elimination, service delivery. |
| ⚠️ Common Mistake | confusing NTEP with the older RNTCP name. |
| 📌 Exam Tip | NTEP is India’s TB-elimination programme. |
| 🎤 Interview | ** Meeting TB-elimination targets. |
Question 7 of 16
The India-Norway MoU signed in July 2026 is for India’s first plant of which kind?
FACT: The MoU, between Arunachal Pradesh’s Centre for Earth Sciences and Himalayan Studies and Norway’s Tidal Sail AS, is for India’s first 500 kW River Kinetic Energy Demonstration Project, generating power from natural river-current flow without dams or reservoirs. ANALYSIS: It falls under the India-Norway Green Partnership and is supported by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
📝 Concept Note
Kinetic hydropower uses the flow of water rather than the head created by a dam, giving it a low environmental footprint.
🎯 Concept Kit — tap to expand
| 🔗 Cross-Paper Links | GS3 energy and environment, GS2 India-Norway. |
| ✍️ Mains Keywords | decentralised renewables, damless hydropower, Himalayan ecology. |
| ⚠️ Common Mistake | confusing it with a tidal or dam project. |
| 📌 Exam Tip | river kinetic energy is damless. |
| 🎤 Interview | ** Clean energy for remote regions. |
Question 8 of 16
The 500 kW river kinetic energy demonstration plant will be built in which state?
FACT: The plant will be built in Arunachal Pradesh, with the state’s Centre for Earth Sciences and Himalayan Studies signing the MoU with Norway’s Tidal Sail AS. ANALYSIS: It offers decentralised, off-grid electricity for remote areas with a low civil-infrastructure footprint.
📝 Concept Note
Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India and holds large untapped hydropower potential.
🎯 Concept Kit — tap to expand
| 🔗 Cross-Paper Links | GS3 energy, GS1 geography. |
| ✍️ Mains Keywords | Northeast development, decentralised power, ecology. |
| ⚠️ Common Mistake | placing it in another Himalayan state. |
| 📌 Exam Tip | the pilot is in Arunachal Pradesh. |
| 🎤 Interview | ** Energy access in the Northeast. |
Question 9 of 16
The Border Roads Organisation (BRO), in focus at its July 2026 conclave, functions under which ministry?
FACT: The Border Roads Organisation, raised in 1960, functions under the Ministry of Defence and builds and maintains roads, tunnels and airfields in border areas. ANALYSIS: At the BRO Strategic Infrastructure Conclave, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh called border infrastructure indispensable in future technology-driven warfare.
📝 Concept Note
The BRO motto is “Shramena Sarvam Sadhyam”, everything is achievable through hard work.
🎯 Concept Kit — tap to expand
| 🔗 Cross-Paper Links | GS3 security and infrastructure. |
| ✍️ Mains Keywords | border infrastructure, force-multiplier, LAC. |
| ⚠️ Common Mistake | placing the BRO under Road Transport. |
| 📌 Exam Tip | the BRO is under the Ministry of Defence. |
| 🎤 Interview | ** Dual-use border infrastructure. |
Question 10 of 16
Navi Mumbai International Airport, which began international operations in July 2026, is operated by:
FACT: Navi Mumbai International Airport is operated by Adani Airport Holdings Ltd, and its first international flight was an Air India Express service to Abu Dhabi. ANALYSIS: It is the Mumbai Metropolitan Region’s second international gateway, easing load on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport.
📝 Concept Note
Domestic operations at the airport began on December 25, 2025.
🎯 Concept Kit — tap to expand
| 🔗 Cross-Paper Links | GS3 infrastructure and economy. |
| ✍️ Mains Keywords | PPP in airports, decongestion, cargo hub. |
| ⚠️ Common Mistake | attributing it to AAI. |
| 📌 Exam Tip | NMIA is operated by Adani Airport Holdings. |
| 🎤 Interview | ** Private capital in aviation. |
Question 11 of 16
India’s social protection coverage, recognised by the ILO in July 2026, has risen to about what share of the population?
FACT: India’s social protection coverage rose from about 19 per cent (roughly 250 million people) in 2015 to about 68.4 per cent (over 100 crore people) in 2026, acknowledged by the International Labour Organization. ANALYSIS: The recognition came at the 12th BRICS Labour and Employment Ministers’ Meeting in Hyderabad.
📝 Concept Note
The ILO, founded in 1919 and headquartered in Geneva, is the United Nations agency for the world of work.
🎯 Concept Kit — tap to expand
| 🔗 Cross-Paper Links | GS2 governance and social justice. |
| ✍️ Mains Keywords | social security, universal coverage, ILO. |
| ⚠️ Common Mistake | confusing the 2015 and 2026 figures. |
| 📌 Exam Tip | coverage crossed 100 crore people, about 68.4 per cent. |
| 🎤 Interview | ** Building a welfare floor. |
Question 12 of 16
The World Day for International Justice, observed on July 17, marks the adoption of which treaty?
FACT: The World Day for International Justice, observed on July 17, marks the 1998 adoption of the Rome Statute, which established the International Criminal Court (ICC) at The Hague. ANALYSIS: India is not a signatory to the Rome Statute, citing sovereignty and Security Council concerns.
📝 Concept Note
The ICC has around 125 member states and tries genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of aggression.
🎯 Concept Kit — tap to expand
| 🔗 Cross-Paper Links | GS2 international relations and institutions. |
| ✍️ Mains Keywords | international justice, ICC, sovereignty. |
| ⚠️ Common Mistake | confusing the ICC with the International Court of Justice. |
| 📌 Exam Tip | the ICC is at The Hague; India is a non-signatory. |
| 🎤 Interview | ** India and international courts. |
Question 13 of 16
The Durand Cup, whose 135th edition trophy tour reached Guwahati in July 2026, is notable as:
FACT: The Durand Cup, established in 1888 and named after Sir Mortimer Durand, is Asia’s oldest football tournament and one of the oldest in the world. ANALYSIS: The trophy tour of its 135th edition reached Guwahati ahead of the tournament.
📝 Concept Note
The tournament features three historic trophies and reflects India’s long football heritage.
🎯 Concept Kit — tap to expand
| 🔗 Cross-Paper Links | GS1 art and culture, sports in news. |
| ✍️ Mains Keywords | sporting heritage, football. |
| ⚠️ Common Mistake | linking it to cricket or hockey. |
| 📌 Exam Tip | Durand Cup (1888) is Asia’s oldest football tournament. |
| 🎤 Interview | ** Sports and soft power. |
Question 14 of 16
The invasive shrub flagged in a 2026 State of India’s Environment assessment for altering tiger habitat is:
FACT: The assessment flagged that tigers are increasingly moving into thickets of the invasive shrub Lantana camara, a species introduced in the colonial era that now occupies a large share of India’s forests and scrublands. ANALYSIS: The report links this to changing tiger behaviour and rising human-tiger conflict.
📝 Concept Note
The State of India’s Environment is brought out by the Centre for Science and Environment and Down To Earth.
🎯 Concept Kit — tap to expand
| 🔗 Cross-Paper Links | GS3 environment and biodiversity. |
| ✍️ Mains Keywords | invasive species, habitat degradation, human-wildlife conflict. |
| ⚠️ Common Mistake | confusing Lantana with water hyacinth (Eichhornia). |
| 📌 Exam Tip | Lantana camara is an invasive forest shrub. |
| 🎤 Interview | ** Managing invasive species. |
Question 15 of 16
The Delhi Start-up and Incubation Policy approved in July 2026 will roll out primarily through:
FACT: The Delhi Start-up and Incubation Policy, with an outlay of over Rs 400 crore for five years, will roll out through state universities, government-aided colleges, polytechnics and ITIs. ANALYSIS: It was approved by the Delhi government under Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and includes milestone-based funding.
📝 Concept Note
The policy also envisages an annual start-up festival to build the capital’s innovation ecosystem.
🎯 Concept Kit — tap to expand
| 🔗 Cross-Paper Links | GS3 economy, GS2 governance. |
| ✍️ Mains Keywords | start-up ecosystem, incubation, youth entrepreneurship. |
| ⚠️ Common Mistake | thinking it targets only established firms. |
| 📌 Exam Tip | the policy anchors incubation in educational institutions. |
| 🎤 Interview | ** Fostering grassroots innovation. |
Question 16 of 16
The bipartisan US Senate bill discussed in July 2026 proposed tariffs targeting countries that:
FACT: The revised US Senate bill would let the President impose up to 100 per cent tariffs on the largest buyers of Russian oil, with India among those named, while exempting several European gas importers. ANALYSIS: It is a form of secondary sanction that tests India’s strategic autonomy and energy-security calculus.
📝 Concept Note
India became a major importer of discounted Russian crude after 2022, guided by national interest and consumer welfare.
🎯 Concept Kit — tap to expand
| 🔗 Cross-Paper Links | GS2 international relations, GS3 energy security. |
| ✍️ Mains Keywords | secondary sanctions, strategic autonomy, energy sovereignty. |
| ⚠️ Common Mistake | treating it as a direct trade tariff on India-US trade. |
| 📌 Exam Tip | the bill targets buyers of Russian oil. |
| 🎤 Interview | ** Balancing ties with the US and Russia. |
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