Current Affairs Quiz — 31 July 2026
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
In July 2026 the Union Cabinet approved 'Samudra Manthan'. What is this scheme about?
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Correct answer: D — National offshore oil and gas exploration
Samudra Manthan is the National Offshore Exploration Scheme of the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, approved on 31 July 2026.
What is the approved outlay of the Samudra Manthan scheme approved in July 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Rs 84,084 crore
The Cabinet approved Samudra Manthan with an outlay of Rs 84,084 crore for implementation up to FY 2030–31.
Consider the following statements about the Samudra Manthan scheme (July 2026): 1. It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme implemented through state governments. 2. It is expected to catalyse reserve accretion of over 600 MMTOE. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Samudra Manthan is a Central Sector Scheme (not Centrally Sponsored) of the Petroleum Ministry; it is expected to catalyse reserve accretion of over 600 MMTOE.
The 'Samudra Manthan' scheme approved in July 2026 translates a vision first articulated by the Prime Minister on which occasion?
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Correct answer: D — Independence Day 2025 from the Red Fort
The scheme translates the Prime Minister's vision, articulated from the Red Fort on Independence Day 2025, of a modern-day Samudra Manthan.
Who became the first woman Director General of the Geological Survey of India on 31 July 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Varsha Ashok Aglawe
Varsha Ashok Aglawe assumed charge as the 54th DG of GSI, the first woman to head it in its 176-year history.
Varsha Ashok Aglawe, who took charge as GSI Director General in July 2026, succeeded whom?
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Correct answer: D — Asit Saha
She succeeded Asit Saha, who served as Director General from 27 July 2024 to 31 July 2026.
Consider the following statements about the Geological Survey of India (GSI) as per the July 2026 PIB release: 1. Varsha Ashok Aglawe is its 54th Director General. 2. GSI functions under the Ministry of Earth Sciences. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
She is the 54th DG of GSI; the release was issued by the Ministry of Mines, under which GSI works – not the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
The 'Pradhan Mantri Surya Sarovar Yojana' approved by the Cabinet in July 2026 is meant for which type of projects?
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Correct answer: D — Floating solar PV projects with energy storage
PM-SSY is a scheme for Floating Solar Photovoltaic projects with Energy Storage Systems.
How much floating solar capacity does PM Surya Sarovar Yojana (July 2026) aim to develop?
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Correct answer: C — 5,000 MW
The scheme envisages 5,000 MW of floating solar PV with co-located storage of 10,000 MWh.
Under PM Surya Sarovar Yojana, what Central Financial Assistance is given for eligible floating solar projects after commissioning?
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Correct answer: A — Rs 1 crore per MW
CFA of Rs 1 crore per MW is provided after successful commissioning; up to Rs 50 lakh per project is separately available for feasibility studies.
Which institution estimated India's floating solar potential at about 102.18 GWp, cited in the PM-SSY Cabinet approval of July 2026?
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Correct answer: D — National Institute of Solar Energy
The approval followed an assessment by the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE), which estimated floating solar potential of about 102.18 GWp.
In July 2026 the Union Cabinet approved continuation of PM-KISAN up to which year?
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Correct answer: C — 2030-31
The Cabinet approved continuation of PM-KISAN from 2026–27 to 2030–31.
What financial outlay was approved in July 2026 for continuing PM-KISAN for 2026–27 to 2030–31?
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Correct answer: B — Rs 3.15 lakh crore
A total financial outlay of Rs 3.15 lakh crore was approved for the scheme for this period.
Consider the following statements about PM-KISAN as per the Cabinet release of July 2026: 1. Eligible farmer families receive Rs 6,000 a year in three equal instalments. 2. The scheme was launched in February 2019. 3. Women make up about half of all beneficiaries. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 and 2 only
PM-KISAN was launched in February 2019 and gives Rs 6,000 a year in three equal instalments; nearly one out of every four beneficiaries (not half) is a woman farmer.
As per the July 2026 Cabinet release, how many instalments of PM-KISAN had been released, transferring over Rs 4.47 lakh crore?
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Correct answer: C — 23
More than Rs 4.47 lakh crore has been transferred to farmers through 23 instalments; the 23rd instalment benefited over 9.49 crore farmers.
What is the combined outlay approved in July 2026 for the revamped Khelo India Scheme and enhanced Assistance to National Sports Federations for 2026–31?
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Correct answer: B — Rs 36,441 crore
The Cabinet approved a combined outlay of Rs 36,441 crore for 2026–27 to 2030–31.
Under the revamped Khelo India Scheme (July 2026), which two new initiatives were introduced to strengthen school sports?
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Correct answer: A — Khelo India Feeder Schools and Khelo India Utkrishta Vidyalayas
The scheme introduced Khelo India Feeder Schools (KIFS) and Khelo India Utkrishta Vidyalayas (KIUV) to integrate sports with education.
Consider the following statements about the revamped Khelo India Scheme approved in July 2026: 1. Its outlay is nearly eight times that of the previous Khelo India Scheme. 2. It creates a new category called Emerging Khelo India Athletes (E-KIAs). Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
PIB states the outlay is nearly eight times the previous scheme and that a new Emerging Khelo India Athletes (E-KIAs) category is created.
Who won India's first-ever judo gold medal in Commonwealth Games history, at Glasgow 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Asmita Dey
Asmita Dey won the women's 48 kg judo final on 31 July 2026, India's first-ever CWG judo gold.
In which weight category did Harsh Singh win gold at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, becoming the first Indian man to win CWG judo gold?
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Correct answer: A — Men's 60 kg
Harsh Singh won the men's 60 kg judo final, beating Australia's Joshua Katz.
The 2026 Commonwealth Games, where India won its first judo golds, were held in which city?
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Correct answer: C — Glasgow
PIB releases refer to the Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2026.
On 31 July 2026 MP CM Mohan Yadav distributed loans worth how much to self-help groups across the state?
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Correct answer: C — Rs 300 crore
He distributed Rs 300 crore in loans to SHGs across the state under the MP State Rural Livelihood Mission.
The state-level SHG loan distribution programme of Madhya Pradesh on 31 July 2026 was held at Thandla in which district?
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Correct answer: D — Jhabua
The programme was held at Thandla in Jhabua district.
As per the Labour Minister in July 2026, about how many people in India are covered by social protection systems, as highlighted by the ILO?
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Correct answer: C — 101 crore
Dr Mansukh Mandaviya said India's social protection systems cover about 101 crore people, over 68% of the population.
The ILO highlighted India's social protection coverage of over one billion people at which meeting held in Hyderabad in July 2026?
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Correct answer: A — BRICS Labour Ministers' Meeting
The figure was highlighted by the ILO at the BRICS Labour Ministers' Meeting in Hyderabad.
The indigenous Xtreme Weather Grade (XWG) Diesel launched by the Army chief in July 2026 remains effective down to what temperature?
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Correct answer: D — Minus 42°C
XWG Diesel remains effective at temperatures as low as minus 42 degrees Celsius.
Consider the following statements about the XWG Diesel launched in July 2026: 1. It was developed jointly by the Indian Army and Oil Marketing Companies. 2. Army vehicles need engine modification to use it. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
It was developed by the Indian Army with Oil Marketing Companies and can be used in the existing fleet without any engine modification.
The revised Captive Policy for Port Dependent Industries approved by the Cabinet in July 2026 updates the Captive Policy of which year?
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Correct answer: B — 2016
The revised policy updates the existing Captive Policy of 2016.
Under the revised Captive Policy for major ports (July 2026), fresh capacity is to be awarded through competitive bidding with which feature?
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Correct answer: B — Right of First Refusal (RoFR)
The policy provides for competitive bidding with a Right of First Refusal (RoFR) to unlock fresh capacity at major ports.
In July 2026 PM Narendra Modi congratulated whom on assuming office as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom?
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Correct answer: A — Andy Burnham
PM Modi received a call from UK PM Andy Burnham on 31 July 2026 and congratulated him on assuming office.
During the Modi–Burnham call of July 2026, cooperation was to be deepened in line with which framework?
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Correct answer: D — India-UK Vision 2035
The leaders agreed to deepen cooperation in priority areas in line with the India-UK Vision 2035.
In July 2026 Air Marshal Sandeep Thareja was appointed to which post?
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Correct answer: B — Director General Armed Forces Medical Services
The government appointed Air Marshal Sandeep Thareja as the next Director General Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS).
Air Marshal Sandeep Thareja will take over as DGAFMS on the retirement of which officer on 31 August 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin
He will assume the appointment upon the retirement of the incumbent DGAFMS, Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin, on 31 August 2026.
Former Army chief Gen Vishwa Nath Sharma, who died in July 2026, was the younger brother of which war hero?
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Correct answer: D — Maj Som Nath Sharma
He was the younger brother of Major Som Nath Sharma, independent India's first Param Vir Chakra awardee.
Gen Vishwa Nath Sharma, who passed away on 31 July 2026, served as Chief of the Army Staff during which period?
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Correct answer: B — 1988–1990
He was Chief of the Army Staff from 30 June 1988 to 30 June 1990.
In July 2026 Indian Railways transported India's first live donor heart by train between which two cities?
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Correct answer: B — Surat and Ahmedabad
The donor heart was carried from Surat to Ahmedabad aboard the Mumbai Central–Gandhinagar Capital Vande Bharat Express.
The first live donor heart carried by train in India (July 2026) was taken for transplant to which hospital?
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Correct answer: A — U.N. Mehta Institute of Cardiology & Research Centre, Ahmedabad
The heart was delivered to the U.N. Mehta Institute of Cardiology & Research Centre, Ahmedabad.
In July 2026 the Assam Cabinet approved two proposed reserve forests for notification as reserve forests. In which district are they located?
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Correct answer: C — Goalpara
Both proposed reserve forests notified as reserve forests are in Goalpara district.
Under the Assam Compressed Biogas Policy 2026, what is the maximum capital subsidy per project?
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Correct answer: C — Rs 20 crore
The capital subsidy is Rs 0.50 crore per TPD of installed capacity, subject to a ceiling of Rs 20 crore per project.
31 July is observed as the Balidan Diwas (martyrdom day) of which revolutionary, to whom the PM paid tribute in 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Udham Singh
PM Modi paid tribute to Shaheed Udham Singh on his Balidan Diwas on 31 July 2026.
In July 2026 the NHRC took suo motu cognizance of reported malaria deaths in which district of Chhattisgarh?
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Correct answer: B — Kanker
The NHRC took cognizance of five malaria deaths in 13 days in Kanker district, Chhattisgarh.
The birth anniversary of Munshi Premchand, on which the PM paid tribute in 2026, falls on which date?
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Correct answer: B — 31 July
PM Modi paid tribute to Munshi Premchand on his birth anniversary on 31 July 2026.