UPSC Prelims Practice
Current Affairs Quiz 18 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 PARIVARTAN scheme, whose guidelines were approved in July 2026, aims to:
FACT: PARIVARTAN replaces old polluting commercial trucks and buses in the National Capital Region with BS-VI or electric vehicles. ANALYSIS: With an outlay of about Rs 9,585 crore, it is implemented by MoRTH and funded via the NCR Planning Board, covering about 2.07 lakh beneficiaries.
📝 Concept Note
PARIVARTAN stands for Programme for Accelerated Renewal and Incentivization of Vehicle Assets for Reducing Transport Air pollution And Network emissions.
🎯 Concept Kit — tap to expand
| 🔗 Cross-Paper Links | GS3 environment and infrastructure. |
| ✍️ Mains Keywords | air-pollution governance, vehicle scrappage, polluter pays. |
| ⚠️ Common Mistake | thinking it is a general road-building scheme. |
| 📌 Exam Tip | PARIVARTAN targets old commercial vehicles in the NCR. |
| 🎤 Interview | ** Cleaning Delhi’s air. |
Question 2 of 16
Under the PARIVARTAN scheme, which body funds the programme and which ministry implements it?
FACT: PARIVARTAN is funded via the NCR Planning Board (NCRPB) and implemented by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH). ANALYSIS: The scheme offers discounts from vehicle makers, an interest subvention, tax and registration waivers, and a tradable Certificate of Deposit mechanism.
📝 Concept Note
The umbrella scheme was approved by the Cabinet on June 3, 2026, with operational guidelines cleared on July 16, 2026.
🎯 Concept Kit — tap to expand
| 🔗 Cross-Paper Links | GS3 environment, GS2 federal coordination. |
| ✍️ Mains Keywords | market instruments, tradable certificates, cooperative federalism. |
| ⚠️ Common Mistake | attributing implementation to the environment ministry. |
| 📌 Exam Tip | MoRTH implements, NCRPB funds. |
| 🎤 Interview | ** Incentive-based pollution control. |
Question 3 of 16
At the third India-EU Trade and Technology Council in July 2026, the two sides agreed to open negotiations for India’s association to which programme?
FACT: The third India-EU Trade and Technology Council, held in Brussels, agreed to open formal negotiations for India’s association to Horizon Europe, the EU’s research and innovation programme worth about EUR 93.5 billion. ANALYSIS: The aim is to conclude talks before end-2026 so Indian researchers can participate from 2027.
📝 Concept Note
The Trade and Technology Council is only the EU’s second such council, the other being with the United States.
🎯 Concept Kit — tap to expand
| 🔗 Cross-Paper Links | GS2 international relations. |
| ✍️ Mains Keywords | science diplomacy, tech sovereignty, supply-chain de-risking. |
| ⚠️ Common Mistake | confusing Horizon Europe with Erasmus. |
| 📌 Exam Tip | Horizon Europe is the EU research and innovation programme. |
| 🎤 Interview | ** India-EU technology partnership. |
Question 4 of 16
The India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC) is notable because it is:
FACT: The TTC is only the EU’s second Trade and Technology Council, the other being with the United States. ANALYSIS: Its pillars include an AI roadmap, semiconductors, clean technology, resilient supply chains and an EV-charging Innovation Hub.
📝 Concept Note
The third meeting was co-chaired on India’s side by the External Affairs, Commerce and MoS ministers.
🎯 Concept Kit — tap to expand
| 🔗 Cross-Paper Links | GS2 international relations. |
| ✍️ Mains Keywords | minilateral tech cooperation, strategic partnership. |
| ⚠️ Common Mistake | treating the TTC as a WTO body. |
| 📌 Exam Tip | EU has TTCs with only the US and India. |
| 🎤 Interview | ** Institutionalising tech ties. |
Question 5 of 16
India’s first White Rabbit network, inaugurated in July 2026, is designed to disseminate:
FACT: The White Rabbit network disseminates Indian Standard Time (IST) with sub-nanosecond precision over fibre-optic and Ethernet, independent of foreign GPS or GNSS. ANALYSIS: It uses the Precision Time Protocol (IEEE 1588) and is led by the Legal Metrology Division of the Ministry of Consumer Affairs.
📝 Concept Note
The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) maintains IST at UTC plus 5:30; the demonstration network was inaugurated at Jakkur, Bengaluru.
🎯 Concept Kit — tap to expand
| 🔗 Cross-Paper Links | GS3 science-tech. |
| ✍️ Mains Keywords | strategic autonomy, critical time infrastructure, GPS independence. |
| ⚠️ Common Mistake | thinking it is a broadband project. |
| 📌 Exam Tip | White Rabbit gives sub-nanosecond time sync. |
| 🎤 Interview | ** One Nation, One Time. |
Question 6 of 16
Indian Standard Time (IST), disseminated by the new White Rabbit network, is maintained by which body and set at what offset?
FACT: The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) maintains Indian Standard Time at UTC plus 5:30. ANALYSIS: The White Rabbit network, under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, disseminates this time with sub-nanosecond accuracy for uses such as 5G, stock exchanges, defence and power grids.
📝 Concept Note
Applications requiring precise time synchronisation include financial timestamping and quantum technology.
🎯 Concept Kit — tap to expand
| 🔗 Cross-Paper Links | GS3 science-tech. |
| ✍️ Mains Keywords | metrology, standards, national security. |
| ⚠️ Common Mistake | attributing IST-keeping to ISRO or the IMD. |
| 📌 Exam Tip | NPL keeps IST at UTC plus 5:30. |
| 🎤 Interview | ** Why precise time matters. |
Question 7 of 16
India’s participation in Exercise Pitch Black 2026 is significant because:
FACT: Exercise Pitch Black 2026, hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force over northern Australia, marks the first time the Indian Air Force participates with Rafale fighters. ANALYSIS: The IAF contingent includes four Rafales, two C-17 transport aircraft and over 120 air warriors.
📝 Concept Note
The exercise features about 100 aircraft, over 2,500 personnel and around 20 nations.
🎯 Concept Kit — tap to expand
| 🔗 Cross-Paper Links | GS3 security, GS2 IR. |
| ✍️ Mains Keywords | Indo-Pacific interoperability, airpower diplomacy, expeditionary reach. |
| ⚠️ Common Mistake | confusing Pitch Black (air) with Malabar (naval). |
| 📌 Exam Tip | Pitch Black is a RAAF-hosted air-combat exercise. |
| 🎤 Interview | ** India-Australia defence ties. |
Question 8 of 16
Exercise Pitch Black is hosted by which country?
FACT: Exercise Pitch Black is the premier multinational air-combat exercise hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), held over northern Australia. ANALYSIS: The 2026 edition, running July 20 to August 7, includes the first-time participation of Japan’s F-35 and Indonesia’s T-50I alongside IAF Rafales.
📝 Concept Note
It is distinct from India-hosted air exercises such as Tarang Shakti.
🎯 Concept Kit — tap to expand
| 🔗 Cross-Paper Links | GS3 security-defence. |
| ✍️ Mains Keywords | multinational exercises, interoperability, Indo-Pacific. |
| ⚠️ Common Mistake | placing it in the US or Japan. |
| 📌 Exam Tip | Pitch Black is hosted by Australia (RAAF). |
| 🎤 Interview | ** Building coalition airpower. |
Question 9 of 16
The greenfield shipbuilding cluster approved in July 2026 is located at Porbandar in which state, and falls under which vision document?
FACT: The integrated greenfield shipbuilding cluster is at Kuchhadi, Porbandar, in Gujarat (about 2,000 acres), under the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047. ANALYSIS: It is paired with a Rs 1,570 crore ship-repair facility at Vadinar and developed through the NSHIP-Gujarat special purpose vehicle.
📝 Concept Note
India currently holds under 1 per cent of the global shipbuilding market, ranking around 20th.
🎯 Concept Kit — tap to expand
| 🔗 Cross-Paper Links | GS3 economy and infrastructure. |
| ✍️ Mains Keywords | Make in India, blue economy, import substitution. |
| ⚠️ Common Mistake | placing the cluster outside Gujarat. |
| 📌 Exam Tip | Porbandar cluster is under Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047. |
| 🎤 Interview | ** Building a shipbuilding ecosystem. |
Question 10 of 16
The Porbandar shipbuilding cluster is being developed through which special purpose vehicle?
FACT: The cluster is being developed through NSHIP-Gujarat, a special purpose vehicle formed by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) with the Gujarat Maritime Board. ANALYSIS: The cluster targets an annual capacity of about 1.2 to 1.5 million gross tonnage.
📝 Concept Note
A Rs 1,570 crore ship-repair facility at Vadinar aims to cut dependence on overseas ship repair.
🎯 Concept Kit — tap to expand
| 🔗 Cross-Paper Links | GS3 economy. |
| ✍️ Mains Keywords | SPV, maritime economy, ship repair. |
| ⚠️ Common Mistake | attributing it to an existing shipyard PSU. |
| 📌 Exam Tip | NSHIP-Gujarat is the SPV. |
| 🎤 Interview | ** Public-private maritime infrastructure. |
Question 11 of 16
Saushrutam 2026, inaugurated by President Murmu in July 2026, honoured Acharya Sushruta, who is regarded as the:
FACT: Saushrutam 2026, an international seminar on Ayurvedic surgery, honoured Acharya Sushruta, regarded as the father of surgery, on Sushruta Jayanti. ANALYSIS: Sushruta authored the Sushruta Samhita, foundational to shalya-tantra (surgery), including early rhinoplasty.
📝 Concept Note
The event was held at the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), under the Ministry of Ayush.
🎯 Concept Kit — tap to expand
| 🔗 Cross-Paper Links | GS1 art and culture, GS3 science. |
| ✍️ Mains Keywords | knowledge traditions, integrative medicine, traditional knowledge. |
| ⚠️ Common Mistake | confusing Sushruta with Charaka (medicine). |
| 📌 Exam Tip | Sushruta = father of surgery, Sushruta Samhita. |
| 🎤 Interview | ** Validating traditional knowledge. |
Question 12 of 16
The National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM), referenced during Saushrutam 2026, is:
FACT: The NCISM is the statutory regulator for Indian systems of medicine, established under the NCISM Act, 2020. ANALYSIS: The All India Institute of Ayurveda, which hosted Saushrutam, functions under the Ministry of Ayush.
📝 Concept Note
During the event, President Murmu also inaugurated an AI-enabled 3-Tesla MRI at AIIA.
🎯 Concept Kit — tap to expand
| 🔗 Cross-Paper Links | GS2 statutory bodies, GS3 health. |
| ✍️ Mains Keywords | regulation of AYUSH, integrative medicine. |
| ⚠️ Common Mistake | treating NCISM as a private body. |
| 📌 Exam Tip | NCISM is statutory (2020 Act). |
| 🎤 Interview | ** Regulating traditional medicine. |
Question 13 of 16
Which Canadian group emerged in July 2026 as the preferred bidder for a majority stake in IDBI Bank?
FACT: Fairfax Financial Holdings, led by Prem Watsa, emerged as the preferred bidder for about a 60.72 per cent stake in IDBI Bank in a strategic disinvestment valued at around Rs 52,932 crore. ANALYSIS: The deal is subject to RBI and other regulatory approvals and is being pursued via DIPAM.
📝 Concept Note
The current promoters are the Government of India and the Life Insurance Corporation (LIC).
🎯 Concept Kit — tap to expand
| 🔗 Cross-Paper Links | GS3 economy, disinvestment. |
| ✍️ Mains Keywords | strategic disinvestment, FDI in banking. |
| ⚠️ Common Mistake | confusing Fairfax with other foreign investors. |
| 📌 Exam Tip | Fairfax (Prem Watsa) is the IDBI preferred bidder. |
| 🎤 Interview | ** Privatising public-sector banks. |
Question 14 of 16
According to the June 2026 PLFS monthly bulletin, the all-India unemployment rate for those aged 15 and above was about:
FACT: The June 2026 PLFS bulletin from the National Statistics Office put the all-India unemployment rate (15 and above) at about 5.5 per cent. ANALYSIS: The rural rate eased to about 5.0 per cent while the urban rate rose to about 6.6 per cent.
📝 Concept Note
The Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) now publishes monthly estimates under a revised methodology.
🎯 Concept Kit — tap to expand
| 🔗 Cross-Paper Links | GS3 economy, employment. |
| ✍️ Mains Keywords | labour-force data, unemployment, PLFS. |
| ⚠️ Common Mistake | confusing rural and urban rates. |
| 📌 Exam Tip | June 2026 unemployment about 5.5 per cent. |
| 🎤 Interview | ** Reading jobs data. |
Question 15 of 16
Nelson Mandela International Day is observed on which date?
FACT: Nelson Mandela International Day is observed on July 18, Mandela’s birthday. ANALYSIS: It honours the anti-apartheid leader and first democratically elected President of South Africa and encourages people to devote time to service; the 2026 theme centres on combating poverty and inequity.
📝 Concept Note
India shared a long solidarity with the anti-apartheid struggle, and Mandela received the Bharat Ratna in 1990.
🎯 Concept Kit — tap to expand
| 🔗 Cross-Paper Links | GS2 international personalities, GS1 world history. |
| ✍️ Mains Keywords | anti-apartheid, reconciliation, human rights. |
| ⚠️ Common Mistake | confusing it with Human Rights Day (December 10). |
| 📌 Exam Tip | Mandela Day is July 18. |
| 🎤 Interview | ** Leadership and reconciliation. |
Question 16 of 16
The Likweli monkey (Colobus congoensis), reported as a new species in July 2026, was discovered in:
FACT: The Likweli monkey (Colobus congoensis) is a newly described primate from the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Lomami National Park. ANALYSIS: In the same period, scientists reported a roughly 24-million-year-old Kewra (screw pine) fossil from Assam and two new solitary bee species from Arunachal Pradesh.
📝 Concept Note
These discoveries highlight ongoing biodiversity documentation across Africa and the Eastern Himalaya.
🎯 Concept Kit — tap to expand
| 🔗 Cross-Paper Links | GS3 environment and biodiversity. |
| ✍️ Mains Keywords | new species, biodiversity hotspots, taxonomy. |
| ⚠️ Common Mistake | placing the new monkey in India. |
| 📌 Exam Tip | Likweli monkey is from DR Congo. |
| 🎤 Interview | ** Why species discovery matters. |
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