Current Affairs Quiz — 16 July 2026
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
The 'White Rabbit Technology'-based Indian Standard Time distribution demonstration network inaugurated on 16 July 2026 is located in which city?
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Correct answer: C — Bengaluru
The network was inaugurated at the Regional Reference Standards Laboratory (RRSL), Jakkur, Bengaluru.
Which body is the nodal agency for the White Rabbit-based IST distribution project?
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Correct answer: A — Legal Metrology Division, Department of Consumer Affairs
The Legal Metrology Division of the Department of Consumer Affairs is the nodal agency, working with NPL, ISRO, BSNL and SEBI.
Consider the following statements about the IST Distribution Demonstration Network inaugurated on 16 July 2026: 1. The network is implemented under the 'One Nation, One Time' vision. 2. The network aims to reduce reliance on foreign time sources such as GPS. 3. The network operates outside Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) protocols. 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 indigenous system complies with global UTC protocols.
What bioeconomy size does NITI Aayog's roadmap launched on 16 July 2026 target for India by 2035?
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Correct answer: B — $691 billion
The roadmap targets $691 billion by 2035 and $2.6 trillion by 2047.
How many National BioMissions does NITI Aayog's bioeconomy roadmap recommend as execution platforms?
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Correct answer: D — Six
A central recommendation is the creation of six National BioMissions.
As per NITI Aayog's roadmap, what share of India's GDP did the bioeconomy contribute in 2025?
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Correct answer: A — 4.8%
India's bioeconomy was $195.3 billion in 2025, contributing 4.8% to national GDP.
Consider the following statements about the bioeconomy roadmap launched on 16 July 2026: 1. The roadmap was developed by the NITI Frontier Tech Hub. 2. India's bioeconomy grew from $10 billion in 2014 to $195.3 billion in 2025. 3. At the launch, India's first Engineering Biology graduation course was announced. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: C — 1, 2 and 3
All three statements are correct as per the NITI Aayog and Ministry of Science & Technology releases.
To which country did APEDA flag off the first export of Areko cherries and Scentrose plums from Jammu & Kashmir on 16 July 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Singapore
The first export shipment of Areko cherries and Scentrose plums from Shopian and Pulwama went to Singapore.
The Areko cherries and Scentrose plums exported to Singapore in July 2026 came from which districts of Jammu & Kashmir?
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Correct answer: A — Shopian and Pulwama
The shipment came from Shopian and Pulwama.
Who was appointed Secretary of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, as announced on 16 July 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Srinivasa Kumar Tummala
The ACC approved the appointment of Dr Srinivasa Kumar Tummala as Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences.
Before his appointment as MoES Secretary, Dr Srinivasa Kumar Tummala headed the IOTWMS Secretariat of UNESCO-IOC in which city?
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Correct answer: A — Perth
Tummala was Head of the Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System Secretariat, UNESCO-IOC, Perth, Australia.
The Tadali–Ghugus railway section approved for doubling in July 2026 lies on which High Density Network route?
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Correct answer: C — Delhi–Chennai
Tadali–Ghugus is on the Wardha–Balharshah section of the Delhi–Chennai High Density Network.
What is the approved completion cost of doubling the 14-km Tadali–Ghugus section in Maharashtra?
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Correct answer: B — ₹228 crore
Indian Railways approved the doubling at a completion cost of ₹228 crore.
The National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA), which the Maharashtra Legislature committed to adopt in July 2026, follows which vision?
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Correct answer: B — One Nation, One Application
NeVA is implemented under the 'One Nation, One Application' vision of the Digital India Programme.
Which Union Ministry is the counterpart for implementing NeVA in the Maharashtra Legislature?
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Correct answer: C — Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs
The Union Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs leads NeVA; an MoU with the Maharashtra Legislature Secretariat and State DPA is to be expedited.
The PARIVARTAN Scheme, whose guidelines were approved on 16 July 2026, aims to replace old trucks and buses in which region?
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Correct answer: D — National Capital Region
PARIVARTAN targets replacement of older, highly polluting trucks and buses in the National Capital Region.
Which ministry will implement the PARIVARTAN Scheme?
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Correct answer: C — Ministry of Road Transport and Highways
MoHUA approved the guidelines, but the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is the implementing ministry, with funding through NCRPB.
What is the total outlay of the PARIVARTAN Scheme approved by the Union Cabinet on 3 June 2026?
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Correct answer: B — ₹9,585 crore
The scheme's total outlay is ₹9,585 crore, including ₹5,041 crore of central budgetary support.
Which airline operated the inaugural Daman–Delhi–Daman flight from NAMO Airport, Daman, on 16 July 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Alliance Air
Government-owned regional carrier Alliance Air launched the flight, Daman's first-ever direct air link.
NAMO Airport, Daman is a dual-purpose facility operating out of which establishment?
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Correct answer: D — Indian Coast Guard Air Station, Daman
Daman Airport operates out of the Indian Coast Guard Air Station (ICGAS), Daman.
Consider the following statements about NAMO Airport, Daman: 1. The Prime Minister inaugurated the airport on 5 June 2026. 2. The terminal was developed by the UT Administration at a cost of ₹124 crore. 3. The terminal can handle 30 ATR flights a day. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 and 2 only
Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is wrong: the terminal can currently handle 14 ATR flights a day.
How many improved crop varieties did ICAR develop over the past year, as stated on its 98th Foundation Day (16 July 2026)?
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Correct answer: A — 386
ICAR developed 386 improved varieties across 44 crops over the past year.
ICAR Foundation Day, observed on 16 July, marks the Council's establishment in which year?
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Correct answer: B — 1928
ICAR Foundation Day commemorates the establishment of the Council in 1928.
Consider the following statements about the varieties ICAR developed over the past year: 1. The varieties cover 44 crops. 2. 94% of the varieties are climate-resilient. 3. 29 of the varieties are biofortified. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
All three statements are correct: 386 varieties across 44 crops, 94% climate-resilient and 29 biofortified.
PM Modi conveyed condolences to Qatar's Amir on 16 July 2026 on the passing of the Father Amir. Who was the Father Amir?
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Correct answer: A — Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani
The Father Amir of Qatar was Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani; the current Amir is Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
PM Modi's Rath Yatra greetings on 16 July 2026 sought the blessings of which deity?
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Correct answer: D — Mahaprabhu Jagannath
The PM sought the blessings of Mahaprabhu Jagannath on Rath Yatra.