Current Affairs Quiz — 15 July 2026
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
On which date did the India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) enter into force?
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Correct answer: B — 15 July 2026
CETA and the Double Contribution Convention entered into force on 15 July 2026.
India–UK CETA provides zero-duty access to approximately what share of India's exports to the UK?
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Correct answer: D — 99%
CETA gives zero-duty access to nearly 99% of India's exports, covering almost 100% of trade value.
Under the India–UK Double Contribution Convention that came into force with CETA, the exemption period for Indian workers on temporary assignment in the UK was raised to how many years?
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Correct answer: A — 5 years
The DCC exemption from UK social security contributions was increased from 3 years to 5 years.
Consider the following statements about the India–UK CETA: 1. Negotiations were concluded on 6 May 2025 after fourteen rounds. 2. CETA was signed in London on 24 July 2025. 3. The Double Contribution Convention was signed on the same day as CETA. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: C — 1 and 2 only
Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is wrong: the Double Contribution Convention was signed later, on 10 February 2026.
What is the total outlay of Semicon 2.0, approved by the Union Cabinet on 15 July 2026?
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Correct answer: C — ₹1,27,500 crore
Semicon 2.0 has a total budget outlay of ₹1,27,500 crore.
On how many pillars is Semicon 2.0 built?
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Correct answer: A — Six
Semicon 2.0 has six pillars: design, machines and materials, fabs, ATMP/OSAT, R&D, and talent development.
According to the Semicon 2.0 Cabinet release, in which year is India's first semiconductor fab scheduled to be commissioned?
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Correct answer: D — 2028
The release states that the first fab is scheduled to be commissioned in 2028.
Consider the following statements about India's semiconductor programmes: 1. The Semicon India programme was approved by the Cabinet in December 2021 with an outlay of ₹76,000 crore. 2. The India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) was set up under the 2021 programme to drive the sector. 3. Under ISM 1.0, twelve semiconductor manufacturing units have been approved. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1, 2 and 3
All three are correct: the Cabinet approved the ₹76,000-crore programme and set up ISM on 15 December 2021, and twelve units have been approved under ISM 1.0.
In which district of Gujarat will the greenfield shipbuilding cluster approved under SbDS on 15 July 2026 come up?
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Correct answer: C — Porbandar
The greenfield cluster will come up at Kuchhadi in Porbandar district; the ship repair facility is at Vadinar in the Gulf of Kutch.
Which shipyard will jointly develop the ₹1,570-crore ship repair facility at Vadinar with Deendayal Port Authority?
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Correct answer: B — Cochin Shipyard Ltd
The Vadinar facility is to be developed jointly by Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL) and Deendayal Port Authority (DPA).
Consider the following statements about the Shipbuilding Development Scheme (SbDS): 1. SbDS has a budgetary outlay of ₹19,989 crore. 2. SbDS aims to expand domestic shipbuilding capacity to 4.5 million gross tonnage annually. 3. SbDS was approved as part of a ₹69,725-crore maritime package in September 2025. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
All three are correct: the Cabinet approved SbDS (₹19,989 crore, target 4.5 million GT a year) within the ₹69,725-crore package on 24 September 2025.
How many skill categories are covered by the IndiaSkills Competition 2026–27 guidelines unveiled on World Youth Skills Day 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 63
The guidelines cover 63 industry-relevant skill categories.
What is the approximate size of the proposed Skills Outcomes Fund announced by MSDE on World Youth Skills Day 2026?
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Correct answer: C — ₹530 crore
MSDE proposed a Skills Outcomes Fund of about ₹530 crore combining government, CSR and philanthropic capital.
What Return on Equity (RoE) band does NIPU-2026 introduce for new urea plants?
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Correct answer: D — 12% to 16%
NIPU-2026 introduces a viable RoE band with a floor of 12% and a ceiling of 16%.
Which body approved the National Investment Policy for Urea-2026 (NIPU-2026) on 15 July 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs
The CCEA chaired by the Prime Minister approved NIPU-2026 on the proposal of the Department of Fertilizers.
Consider the following statements about urea investment policies: 1. Under the New Investment Policy (NIP)-2012, six new urea units were set up. 2. The investment window under NIP-2012 expired in October 2019. 3. India currently has 33 operational urea manufacturing units. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1, 2 and 3
All three statements are correct as per the Department of Fertilizers' Cabinet release.
What is the budgetary outlay of the Mobile Phone Manufacturing Scheme (MPMS) approved on 15 July 2026?
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Correct answer: A — ₹62,500 crore
The Cabinet approved MPMS with a budgetary outlay of ₹62,500 crore.
What additional incentive does MPMS provide on eligible sales for design and R&D to build Indian brands?
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Correct answer: C — 3%
MPMS gives an additional 3% incentive on eligible sales for design and R&D of the product to build Indian brands.
Consider the following statements about the Mobile Phone Manufacturing Scheme (MPMS): 1. The scheme runs from FY 2026-27 to FY 2030-31. 2. India is the world's second-largest mobile phone manufacturer by volume. 3. The scheme gives a flat 10% incentive on all eligible sales. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1 and 2 only
Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is wrong: the incentive is at differentiated rates of 2.25% to 5%, with extra incentives for domestic sourcing and design.
With the eighth tranche launched on 15 July 2026, how many critical mineral blocks have been offered in total so far?
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Correct answer: C — 88
The eighth tranche takes the total number of critical mineral blocks offered to 88, of which 56 have been auctioned.
How many critical and strategic mineral blocks are on offer in the eighth tranche of auctions launched on 15 July 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 20
The eighth tranche comprises 20 critical and strategic mineral blocks across nine States.
The 'Vidhayi Gaurav Yatra' conclave addressed by the Vice-President on 15 July 2026 marked how many years of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly?
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Correct answer: D — 75 years
The conclave was part of the 75th-year celebrations of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly.
Who addressed the valedictory session of the Vidhayi Gaurav Yatra at the Rajasthan Vidhan Sabha on 15 July 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan
Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan addressed the valedictory session in Jaipur.
Which two rail projects in Odisha and Jharkhand were approved by the CCEA on 15 July 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Paradeep–Haridaspur doubling and Rajkharsawan–Dangoaposi 4th line
The CCEA approved Paradeep–Haridaspur doubling and the Rajkharsawan–Dangoaposi 4th line, about ₹3,907 crore.
About how much will the two Odisha–Jharkhand multitracking projects approved on 15 July 2026 add to the Indian Railways network?
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Correct answer: D — 145 km
The two projects will increase the existing Indian Railways network by about 145 km.
Along which river is the 43.218-km elevated corridor approved on 15 July 2026 to decongest Varanasi?
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Correct answer: B — Varuna
The corridor runs along the River Varuna, connecting NH-31 and the Varanasi Ring Road.
Under which model will the two Varanasi elevated corridors approved on 15 July 2026 be built?
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Correct answer: C — Hybrid Annuity Model
Both corridors will be implemented under the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM).
What was India's overall unemployment rate (15+ years) in June 2026 as per the PLFS monthly bulletin?
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Correct answer: A — 5.5%
The PLFS June 2026 bulletin put the overall unemployment rate at 5.5%.
What was the female labour force participation rate (15+ years) in June 2026 as per PLFS?
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Correct answer: D — 32.7%
Female LFPR was 32.7% in June 2026, 0.7 percentage points above June 2025 (32.0%).
Whose birth anniversary is observed on 15 July, on which PM Modi paid homage in 2026?
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Correct answer: A — K. Kamaraj
PM Modi paid homage to K. Kamaraj on his birth anniversary on 15 July 2026.