Environment & Ecology Current Affairs Quiz — Last 6 months
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
In July 2026 Haryana approved a 100% motor vehicle tax exemption for new electric vehicles up to what ex-showroom price?
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Correct answer: C — Rs 30 lakh
EVs up to Rs 30 lakh get 100% exemption; those above Rs 30 lakh get 50%. Rs 20 lakh is the ceiling for the 1% rebate on women-owned vehicles.
Consider the following statements about Haryana's July 2026 motor vehicle tax decisions: 1. Electric vehicles costing above Rs 30 lakh get a 50% exemption. 2. The earlier 20% rebate for CNG vehicles has been withdrawn. 3. A 1% rebate applies to vehicles registered in the name of women. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: C — 1 and 3 only
EVs above Rs 30 lakh get 50% exemption and women-owned vehicles get a 1% rebate. The 20% rebate for CNG vehicles continues.
Under the Meghalaya Electric Vehicle Policy 2026 approved in July 2026, what purchase incentive will EV buyers get?
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Correct answer: C — ₹25,000
Buyers get an incentive of ₹25,000 along with a complete waiver of registration charges.
Consider the following statements about Meghalaya's EV Policy 2026: 1. It fully waives vehicle registration fees for EV buyers. 2. Additional incentives are linked to a vehicle-scrapping certificate. 3. It is Meghalaya's first-ever EV policy. 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: Meghalaya adopted its first EV policy in 2021 for five years, and the 2026 policy succeeds it.
'Mission Jal Raksha', highlighted by the Jal Shakti Ministry in July 2026 for groundwater recharge, belongs to which district?
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Correct answer: A — Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh
Mission Jal Raksha is an initiative of Rajnandgaon district in Chhattisgarh under the Catch the Rain campaign.
Consider the following outcomes reported for Rajnandgaon's Mission Jal Raksha (July 2026): 1. Over 60,000 water conservation and recharge structures in 662 villages. 2. An average groundwater-level rise of about 2.04 m. 3. Complete ban on summer paddy cultivation in the district. 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. There was no ban; nearly 70% of summer paddy area voluntarily shifted to less water-intensive crops.
How many persons did the Indian Coast Guard rescue in flood relief operations in Daman, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and South Gujarat, as reported on 25 July 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 170
The Coast Guard rescued 170 persons through 11 operations since midnight of 22 July 2026; 60 of them were from the Welspun Industrial Area.
Which body hosted the BRICS Ministerial Meeting on Disaster Risk Reduction in New Delhi on 24 July 2026?
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Correct answer: C — National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)
The NDMA, under the Ministry of Home Affairs, hosted the meeting under India's BRICS Chairship 2026.
Who chaired the 3rd BRICS Ministerial Meeting on Disaster Risk Reduction held in New Delhi in July 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Nityanand Rai
The meeting was chaired by Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai.
Consider the following statements about BRICS cooperation on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR): 1. The BRICS Joint Statement on DRR adopted in July 2026 seeks to accelerate the BRICS DRR Work Plan (2025–2028). 2. The Udaipur Declaration on DRR dates to 2016. 3. The Kazan Declaration dates to 2024. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1, 2 and 3
All three are correct as stated by MoS Nityanand Rai at the meeting, per the MHA release.
On 24 July 2026, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav reviewed the air pollution action plan of which State with its Chief Minister?
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Correct answer: A — Haryana
He reviewed Haryana's measures for Delhi-NCR air quality with CM Nayab Singh Saini.
In July 2026, which district became the second in Nagaland, after Mon, to have Intra-Circle Roaming activated by DoT amid heavy rain and landslides?
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Correct answer: C — Longleng
Longleng became the second district in Nagaland after Mon to have ICR activated.
'AAROH', released by the Ministry of Coal in July 2026, is India's first report on:
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Correct answer: A — Scientific mine closure and repurposing
AAROH – Annual Report on Mine Closure documents scientific mine closure and repurposing practices.
How many scientifically closed coal mines are documented in the AAROH report?
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Correct answer: C — 42
AAROH documents the transformation journey of 42 scientifically closed coal mines.
Under which mechanism did the National Biodiversity Authority release ₹6.67 crore to 11 cotton-growing States in July 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Access and Benefit Sharing
The money was released under the Access and Benefit Sharing mechanism of the Biological Diversity Act.
The ₹7.62 crore benefit-sharing amount used for the NBA's July 2026 release to cotton-growing States came from research on how many cotton varieties?
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Correct answer: C — 25,431
The amount was realised from Bayer Science & Innovation for research involving 25,431 cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) varieties.
What was India's installed wind power capacity as on 30 June 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 57,443 MW
Installed wind capacity was 57,443 MW as on 30 June 2026.
According to the GWEC Report 2026 cited by MNRE, what is India's global rank in wind energy installation (till 31 December 2025)?
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Correct answer: D — 4th
India ranked 4th globally in wind energy installation as per the GWEC Report 2026.
As per the Railways Ministry (July 2026), about what share of Indian Railways' broad gauge network has been electrified?
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Correct answer: C — 99.6%
About 99.6% of the broad gauge network has been electrified.
According to the UIC report of June 2025 cited by the Railways Ministry, India is second only to which country in railway electrification?
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Correct answer: A — Switzerland
India is second only to Switzerland in railway electrification.
What was India's installed renewable energy capacity as on 30 June 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 288.58 GW
Renewable capacity was 288.58 GW; 297.36 GW is total non-fossil capacity including nuclear.
Consider the following statements about India's renewable energy capacity as on 30 June 2026: 1. Solar power is the largest component. 2. Wind power installed capacity is higher than hydro power installed capacity. 3. The 288.58 GW figure includes nuclear power capacity. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
Statements 1 and 2 are correct (solar 162.15 GW; wind 57.44 GW vs hydro 57.24 GW). Statement 3 is wrong: nuclear (8.78 GW) is counted separately in the 297.36 GW non-fossil total.
Allographa, of which five new species were described from the Western Ghats in July 2026, is a genus of:
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Correct answer: C — Lichen-forming fungi
Allographa is a genus of script lichens (lichen-forming fungi) in the family Graphidaceae.
Researchers of which institute described the five new Allographa species from the Western Ghats?
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Correct answer: B — MACS Agharkar Research Institute, Pune
The team was from MACS Agharkar Research Institute, Pune, an autonomous institute of DST.
What ex-gratia did the Prime Minister announce from the PMNRF for the next of kin of each person killed in the Namchi (Sikkim) tunnel collapse in July 2026?
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Correct answer: C — ₹2 lakh
₹2 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased; ₹50,000 for the injured.
Which project, inaugurated on 19 July 2026, is Bihar's first river-linking project?
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Correct answer: A — Belwa–Minapur Link Channel
The Belwa–Minapur Link Channel in Sheohar is Bihar's first river-linking project.
The Belwa–Minapur Link Channel diverts surplus water between which two rivers?
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Correct answer: C — Bagmati and Burhi Gandak
The channel diverts surplus Bagmati water to the Burhi Gandak during floods.
What is the length of the Belwa–Minapur Link Channel inaugurated in Bihar in July 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 68.80 km
The channel is 68.80 km long and cost ₹130.88 crore.
At what cost was the new headquarters of the Uttar Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority, inaugurated in July 2026, built?
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Correct answer: C — Over ₹200 crore
The UPSDMA headquarters was built at a cost of over ₹200 crore.
In which city was the new UPSDMA headquarters inaugurated on 19 July 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Lucknow
CM Yogi Adityanath inaugurated the new UPSDMA headquarters in Lucknow.
Which categories of projects got a limited exemption from ALMM List-II (solar PV cells) till 31 December 2026, as decided by MNRE on 18 July 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Net-metering and open-access RE projects
MNRE gave the limited window only to net-metering projects and open-access renewable energy projects; there is no blanket extension.
Consider the following statements about MNRE's 18 July 2026 decision on ALMM List-II: 1. ALMM List-II relates to solar PV cells. 2. The earlier exemption for net-metering and open-access projects ran till 31 May 2026. 3. MNRE granted a blanket extension of ALMM List-II applicability for all solar projects. 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: MNRE said there will be no blanket extension.
What ex-gratia from PMNRF did the PM announce for the next of kin of each person killed in the July 2026 fireworks factory mishap in Ahmedabad?
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Correct answer: D — ₹2 lakh
The PM announced ₹2 lakh per deceased and ₹50,000 per injured from PMNRF.
Who chaired the 12th meeting of the National Committee on Dam Safety held on 17 July 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Chairman, Central Water Commission
The 12th NCDS meeting was held under the chairmanship of the Chairman, Central Water Commission.
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.
What is the target of the Railways' 'Reform Express' initiative announced by Ashwini Vaishnaw?
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Correct answer: A — 52 reforms in 52 weeks
The Ministry's target is 52 reforms in 52 weeks; after 14 July 2026 the total stood at 17.
After the eight reforms announced on 14 July 2026, how many reforms had been implemented under 'Reform Express'?
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Correct answer: C — 17
Eight new reforms took the total under Reform Express to 17.
According to the Railways, about what share of India's annual fly ash generation did Indian Railways transport in 2025-26?
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Correct answer: D — About 4%
Railways moved about 13 million tonnes of the roughly 340 million tonnes generated, nearly 4%.
Near which town in Rajasthan did DRI seize about 11 kg of elephant ivory on 10 July 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Sujangarh
DRI intercepted the ivory trade near Sujangarh, Rajasthan, recovering about 11 kg of elephant ivory.
How many endangered or protected wild animals did DRI report seizing in the pan-India operations announced on 13 July 2026?
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Correct answer: A — 440
DRI seized 440 endangered/protected animals and about 15 kg of ivory, and arrested 33 persons.
Consider the following statements about the legal protection of the Indian elephant, as cited by DRI: 1. The Indian elephant is listed in Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. 2. Commercial trade in ivory is prohibited in India in line with CITES obligations. 3. Import and export of ivory are prohibited under the Foreign Trade Policy. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
All three are correct as stated in the DRI release: Schedule I listing, the CITES-linked ban on commercial ivory trade, and the Foreign Trade Policy ban on ivory import and export.
What ex-gratia did the Prime Minister announce from the PMNRF for the next of kin of each person killed in the South 24 Parganas boat capsizing in July 2026?
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Correct answer: C — ₹2 lakh
₹2 lakh from PMNRF for the next of kin of each deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured.
Which method was used to plant over 3.61 lakh saplings in one hour in the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency, setting a Guinness World Record in July 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Miyawaki method
The record was set using the Miyawaki method of dense plantation.
How many Oxygen Parks did the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation inaugurate in a single day on 12 July 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 101
AMC inaugurated 101 Oxygen Parks in a single day; 404 was the number of public plantation sites.
The 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign, under which the Gandhinagar plantation drive was held, was launched by the Prime Minister on which occasion?
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Correct answer: A — World Environment Day, 5 June 2024
PM Modi launched 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' on World Environment Day, 5 June 2024, by planting a peepal tree at Buddha Jayanti Park, Delhi.
During which period will the nationwide 'Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar' coastal cleanliness campaign be held in 2026?
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Correct answer: D — 10–19 September 2026
The campaign is scheduled along India's coastline from 10 to 19 September 2026.
What sapling target did Uttar Pradesh set for its 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' plantation drive launched by CM Yogi Adityanath on 12 July 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 35 crore
The drive launched on 12 July 2026 targets 35 crore saplings.
At its 7th Governing Body meeting on 10 July 2026, National CAMPA extended which mangrove programme till 2029 with an overall outlay of ₹600 crore?
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Correct answer: D — MISHTI
The Governing Body approved a three-year extension of MISHTI till 2029 with an additional ₹500 crore, taking the overall outlay to ₹600 crore.
Which of the following was NOT among the species-related projects approved by the National CAMPA Governing Body on 10 July 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Great Indian Bustard
The approved projects covered river dolphins, Project Snow Leopard Phase-II, the Indian rhinoceros and the wild water buffalo, plus continued support for the Sangai; the Great Indian Bustard was not listed.
Consider the following statements about the Compensatory Afforestation Fund (CAF) Act, 2016: 1. The Act and its Rules came into force on 30 September 2018. 2. The National and State Funds are non-lapsable and interest-bearing. 3. The State Funds are kept in the Consolidated Fund of each State. 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 State Compensatory Afforestation Funds are under the Public Accounts of the States/UTs, not their Consolidated Funds.
Where was the Centre of Excellence on Human–Wildlife Conflict inaugurated on 10 July 2026?
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Correct answer: A — WII-SACON, Coimbatore
Bhupender Yadav inaugurated the CoE on Human–Wildlife Conflict at WII-SACON, Coimbatore.
The Centre of Excellence on Human–Wildlife Conflict was announced by the Prime Minister at which meeting?
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Correct answer: C — 7th Meeting of the National Board for Wildlife
The minister said the CoE was announced by PM Narendra Modi during the 7th Meeting of the National Board for Wildlife.
Which digital platform was launched along with the Human–Wildlife Conflict Centre of Excellence on 10 July 2026?
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Correct answer: B — National Human–Wildlife Conflict Portal
The minister launched the National Human–Wildlife Conflict Portal for data management, knowledge sharing and decision support.
Where was the 29th meeting of the National Tiger Conservation Authority held on 9 July 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Coimbatore
The 29th NTCA meeting was held at CASFOS, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.
Which NTCA publication released on 9 July 2026 assesses tiger reserves on infrastructure, development, ecology and social parameters?
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Correct answer: B — STRIDES 2026
'STRIDES 2026: Status of Tiger Reserves – Infrastructure, Development, Ecology & Social Parameters' was released at the meeting.
Consider the following statements about the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA): 1. It is constituted under Section 38L of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, as amended in 2006. 2. The Union Minister in charge of Environment is its Chairperson. 3. It includes three Members of Parliament, two from the Lok Sabha and one from the Rajya Sabha. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1, 2 and 3
All three are correct, as per Section 38L of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 and the NTCA's own description.
The Natural History Museum of Mizoram University was notified in 2026 as India's which Designated Repository?
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Correct answer: D — 21st
With the 19 June 2026 notification, NHM became India's 21st Designated Repository.
Designated Repositories, such as the one notified at Mizoram University in 2026, are designated under which section of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002?
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Correct answer: A — Section 39
The Centre designates repositories under Section 39 of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, on the recommendation of the National Biodiversity Authority.
Which recently described amphibian from Mizoram's forests is mentioned as an endemic species the new repository will help document?
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Correct answer: B — Leptobrachella tamdil
PIB names Leptobrachella tamdil, discovered in the forests of Mizoram.