Current Affairs Quiz — 20 July 2026
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
What is the base year of the new Index of Core Industries series released in July 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 2022-23
The new ICI series has base year 2022-23 and replaces the 2011-12 series.
Which item has been added as a new core industry in the Index of Core Industries (base 2022-23)?
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Correct answer: A — Iron ore
Iron ore was added, raising the number of core industries from eight to nine.
Consider the following statements about the new Index of Core Industries (base year 2022-23): 1. The number of core industries has increased from eight to nine. 2. The steel index is compiled using net production data. 3. Coal middling and washed coal have been excluded, retaining only raw coal. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: C — 1 and 3 only
Statements 1 and 3 are correct. Statement 2 is wrong: the new series uses gross production for steel, replacing net production.
On 20 July 2026, India deposited its Instrument of Acceptance of which WTO agreement?
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Correct answer: B — Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies
India became a Party to the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies.
India is the ____ WTO Member to deposit its Instrument of Acceptance of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies.
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Correct answer: C — 123rd
India is the 123rd WTO Member to deposit its Instrument of Acceptance.
At which WTO Ministerial Conference was the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies adopted?
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Correct answer: D — MC12, Geneva
The Agreement was adopted by consensus at the 12th Ministerial Conference in Geneva in June 2022.
Consider the following statements about the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies: 1. The Agreement entered into force on 15 September 2025. 2. Aquaculture and inland fisheries are covered by the Agreement. 3. The Agreement is the first multilateral WTO agreement with an environmental sustainability objective. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 and 3 only
Statements 1 and 3 are correct. Statement 2 is wrong: aquaculture and inland fisheries are outside the Agreement's scope.
In which capital city did President Droupadi Murmu arrive on 20 July 2026 for the first leg of her State Visits?
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Correct answer: B — Chisinau
President Murmu reached Chisinau, Moldova, on the first leg of her State Visits to Moldova, North Macedonia and Romania.
Who is the President of Moldova who held talks with President Murmu in July 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Maia Sandu
President Maia Sandu received President Murmu at the Presidential Palace; Mihai Popsoi is Deputy PM and Foreign Minister.
During President Murmu's visit to Moldova, India announced it would double which of the following for Moldovan professionals?
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Correct answer: C — ITEC training slots
India decided to double the number of ITEC training slots for Moldovan professionals, including courses in AI and emerging technologies.
Consider the following statements about President Murmu's visit to Moldova in July 2026: 1. The visit was the first by an Indian President to Moldova. 2. Moldova was the second leg of the President's three-nation tour. 3. President Murmu was received at the airport by Moldova's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1 and 3 only
Statements 1 and 3 are correct. Statement 2 is wrong: Moldova was the first leg; North Macedonia was the second.
At which toll plaza was NHAI's first digital Local Pass facility introduced in July 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Mundka–Bakkarwala Toll Plaza, UER-II, Delhi
The first digital Local Pass was introduced at the Mundka–Bakkarwala Toll Plaza on UER-II in Delhi.
Residents living within what radius of an eligible toll plaza can buy NHAI's digital Local Pass?
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Correct answer: B — 20 km
Residents within a 20 km radius of an eligible toll plaza can buy the Local Pass on the RajmargYatra app.
How many users were onboarded on UPI as of June 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 55.49 crore
NPCI informed that 55.49 crore users were onboarded on UPI as of June 2026.
What was the value of UPI transactions in FY 2025-26?
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Correct answer: D — ₹314.23 lakh crore
UPI transactions in FY 2025-26 were worth ₹314.23 lakh crore (24,161.69 crore transactions).
Exercise Pitch Black 2026, in which the IAF is participating, is being held at which base?
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Correct answer: C — RAAF Base Darwin
Exercise Pitch Black 2026 is being held at RAAF Base Darwin from 20 July to 7 August 2026.
Which fighter aircraft is the IAF contingent operating at Exercise Pitch Black 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Rafale
The IAF contingent operates Rafale fighters, supported by C-17 Globemaster III and IL-78 aircraft.
To which country did Uttarakhand make its first export of frozen French fries, facilitated by APEDA in July 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Iraq
The first 24-tonne consignment of frozen French fries from Uttarakhand was exported to Iraq.
From which place in Uttarakhand was the first consignment of frozen French fries exported?
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Correct answer: C — Kashipur, Udham Singh Nagar
The consignment was exported from Kashipur in Udham Singh Nagar district.
Under 'Operation Vajra' (July 2026), the Central Bureau of Narcotics seized 12 crore tablets of which drug?
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Correct answer: A — Tramadol Hydrochloride
CBN seized 12 crore high-strength (250 mg) Tramadol Hydrochloride tablets from a Delhi warehouse.
The Tramadol consignment seized under Operation Vajra was declared for export to which country, while suspected to be meant for Libya?
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Correct answer: C — Guinea-Bissau
The consignment was ostensibly destined for Guinea-Bissau but appeared to be intended for diversion to Libya.
What is the outlay of the Scheme for Promotion of Surface Coal/Lignite Gasification Projects approved in 2026?
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Correct answer: B — ₹37,500 crore
The scheme is worth ₹37,500 crore and was approved by the Union Cabinet on 13 May 2026.
How many jobs is the ₹37,500-crore coal/lignite gasification scheme expected to generate?
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Correct answer: A — About 50,000
The scheme is expected to generate about 50,000 employment opportunities and use nearly 75 million tonnes of coal a year.
On which date did the Monsoon Session 2026 of Parliament begin?
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Correct answer: C — 20 July 2026
The Monsoon Session began on 20 July 2026, when PM Modi addressed the media at Parliament.
How many newly elected or re-elected members took oath in the Rajya Sabha on 20 July 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Nine
Nine members took oath: five in Hindi, two in English and two in Bengali.
Who administered the oath to the new Rajya Sabha members on 20 July 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Rajya Sabha Chairman C. P. Radhakrishnan
Rajya Sabha Chairman C. P. Radhakrishnan administered the oath/affirmation in the Rajya Sabha Chamber.
NAKSHA, the GIS-based urban land-parcel mapping initiative, is executed under which programme?
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Correct answer: D — Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP)
NAKSHA (National Geospatial Knowledge-based Land Survey of Urban Habitations) is executed under DILRMP.
Within what period did the NHRC seek a report from the Rajasthan Chief Secretary on the Sawai Madhopur school incident (July 2026)?
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Correct answer: A — Two weeks
The NHRC issued a notice to the Rajasthan Chief Secretary seeking a detailed report within two weeks.