HPSC HCS Current Affairs Quiz — Last 12 months
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Gyaneshwari Yadav won silver at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in which weightlifting category?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Women's 53 kg
Gyaneshwari Yadav won silver in the women's 53 kg with a total of 199 kg (88 + 111).
Valluri Ajaya Babu won silver in the men's 79 kg at Glasgow 2026. Which statement about his performance is correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — He set a Games record in snatch with 149 kg and totalled 330 kg
Ajaya Babu lifted a Games-record 149 kg in snatch and 181 kg in clean and jerk for 330 kg, one kg behind Malaysia's Erry Hidayat Muhammad (331 kg). Chris Murray took bronze with 325 kg.
Consider the following pairs of Indian weightlifters who won medals at Glasgow 2026 on 27 July and their home states: 1. Gyaneshwari Yadav – Chhattisgarh 2. Bindyarani Devi – Manipur 3. Valluri Ajaya Babu – Andhra Pradesh Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1, 2 and 3
All three are correct: Gyaneshwari Yadav is from Chhattisgarh, Bindyarani Devi from Manipur and Ajaya Babu from Vizianagaram district of Andhra Pradesh.
The task force for the toy sector announced in July 2026 aims for what share of the global toy market by 2032?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 5%
Piyush Goyal announced the task force with the goal of a 5% share in the global toy market by 2032.
The 'Team Up for Toys: Driving SCALE, Innovation and Exports' stakeholder meet, where the Toy Sector Playbook was launched, was organised by which body?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — DPIIT
The meet was organised by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) at Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi.
Which of the following is NOT among the six objectives of the toy-sector task force announced on 27 July 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Imposing quantitative restrictions on toy imports
The six objectives are: integration with global value chains, strengthening manufacturing capabilities, resolving value-chain bottlenecks, creating a skilled workforce and employment, enabling design and innovation, and enhancing ease of doing business. Import restrictions are not among them.
In the 'Model OSR Rules' for Panchayats released in July 2026, what does OSR stand for?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Own Source of Revenue
OSR stands for Own Source of Revenue; the Model OSR Rules give States a framework to strengthen Panchayat revenues.
The SAMARTH Panchayat Portal launched on 27 July 2026 is mainly meant to:
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Strengthen efficiency in Panchayat revenue collection
The SAMARTH Panchayat Portal is meant to strengthen efficiency in Panchayat revenue collection.
The Ministry of Panchayati Raj received the Gold Award under the National Awards for e-Governance (NAeG) 2026 for which initiative?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Panchayat Advancement Index
The Gold Award under NAeG 2026 was for the Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) – Data Driven Governance for Viksit Bharat.
On 27 July 2026, the Ministry of Tourism signed an MoU with which airline to promote India under the Incredible India brand?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Air India
The Ministry of Tourism signed the MoU with Air India Limited in New Delhi.
Keshav Chandra assumed charge as Secretary of which Union Ministry on 27 July 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Ministry of Mines
Keshav Chandra, IAS (1995: AGMUT), assumed charge as Secretary, Ministry of Mines.
The Raising Day of which force is observed on 27 July, on which the Prime Minister greeted its personnel in 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Central Reserve Police Force
The PM greeted CRPF personnel on their Raising Day on 27 July 2026.
In which weight category did Mirabai Chanu win gold at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Women's 48 kg
Mirabai Chanu won the women's 48 kg gold with a total of 190 kg.
What total did Mirabai Chanu lift to win gold at Glasgow 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 190 kg
She lifted 85 kg (snatch) + 105 kg (clean and jerk) = 190 kg, a Games record.
Consider the following statements about Mirabai Chanu's Commonwealth Games record after Glasgow 2026: 1. She has won gold at three consecutive Commonwealth Games. 2. She has won four Commonwealth Games medals in all. 3. Her first Commonwealth Games medal was a silver at Glasgow 2014. Which of the statements given above are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
All three are correct: golds at Gold Coast 2018, Birmingham 2022 and Glasgow 2026, plus silver at Glasgow 2014 – four medals in all.
Consider the following pairs of Indian weightlifters and their silver-medal categories at Glasgow 2026 (26 July): 1. Rishikanta Singh – Men's 60 kg 2. Raja Muthupandi – Men's 65 kg 3. Rishikanta Singh – Games record in clean and jerk Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
Rishikanta Singh won silver in the men's 60 kg and Raja Muthupandi in the men's 65 kg. Rishikanta's Games record (121 kg) came in the snatch, not the clean and jerk (143 kg).
'Chongpreng', a three-stringed bamboo musical instrument mentioned in Mann Ki Baat on 26 July 2026, belongs to which State?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Tripura
The PM described Chongpreng as an instrument from Tripura, popular among its tribal communities, whose tune resembles the sarod.
The traditional 'Vagu' mat, whose revival was praised in the 136th Mann Ki Baat, is made from what and belongs to which region?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Reeds and paddy straw – Kashmir
Vagu is Kashmir's traditional mat crafted from reeds and paddy straw; it keeps cool in summer and warm in winter.
According to the PM's Mann Ki Baat of 26 July 2026, Khadi sales have grown how much over the last 12 years?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Six-fold, to nearly ₹8,000 crore
The PM said Khadi sales have increased six-fold over the last 12 years and reached nearly ₹8,000 crore.
'Aksharakanduk', mentioned in the 136th episode of Mann Ki Baat, is:
Show answer
Correct answer: D — A school project in Ernakulam, Kerala that teaches Sanskrit letters through football terms
Aksharakanduk is a project of a school Sanskrit club in South Chittoor, Ernakulam, Kerala, where a teacher explains Sanskrit letters by linking them to football terms.
Who heads the high-powered task force on examination reforms announced by the Prime Minister on 26 July 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Nandan Nilekani
The task force is led by Nandan Nilekani. S. Somanath and V. Kamakoti are members.
The Nilekani-led task force constituted in July 2026 is to recommend reforms mainly for examinations conducted by which body?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — National Testing Agency
The task force will recommend technology-driven and structural reforms for examinations conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA).
Which of the following is a former Director of the Intelligence Bureau named as a member of the examination-reforms task force in July 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Tapan Deka
Tapan Deka is the former IB director on the panel. Anita Karwal is a former education secretary and Amrit Lal Meena a logistics expert and former civil servant.
Consider the following statements about the examination-reforms task force announced on 26 July 2026: 1. It has six members. 2. Former ISRO chairman S. Somanath is a member. 3. The Director of IIT Madras is a member. Which of the statements given above are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
All three are correct: the six members are Nandan Nilekani (chair), S. Somanath, Tapan Deka, V. Kamakoti (Director, IIT Madras), Anita Karwal and Amrit Lal Meena.
Volunteers of which platform took part in the Viksit Vibrant Village Programme 2026, with whom the PM interacted on 26 July 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — MY Bharat (Mera Yuva Bharat)
MY Bharat volunteers shared experiences from border villages; over 5,000 volunteers from 245 districts joined virtually.
During the Viksit Vibrant Village Programme 2026 interaction, what share of their travel budget did the PM urge citizens to spend on local products?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — At least 5%
The PM urged citizens to spend at least five per cent of their travel budget on purchasing local products.
As stated by the PM in Mann Ki Baat on 26 July 2026, how did India perform in the 2026 Physics Olympiad?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — All five students won gold; India ranked first
The PM said all five Indian students won gold in the Physics Olympiad and India secured the top rank.
According to the PM's Mann Ki Baat (26 July 2026), what was India's medal haul in the 2026 Mathematics Olympiad?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Two gold and four silver
In the Mathematics Olympiad, Indian students secured two gold and four silver medals.
Who took charge of the Union Ministry of Education on 26 July 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Pralhad Joshi
Pralhad Joshi took charge of the Ministry of Education at Kartavya Bhavan. Jayant Chaudhary is the Minister of State for Education.
Besides Education, which of the following Ministries does Pralhad Joshi also hold, as stated when he took charge in July 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — New and Renewable Energy
He also holds Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, and New and Renewable Energy.
Pralhad Joshi took over the Education Ministry after the resignation of which minister on 25 July 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Dharmendra Pradhan
Dharmendra Pradhan resigned as Education Minister on 25 July 2026.
'Prarambh', which concluded on 26 July 2026, was:
Show answer
Correct answer: B — A two-day orientation workshop for newly elected and nominated Rajya Sabha members
Prarambh was a two-day orientation workshop for new Rajya Sabha members; Deputy Chairman Harivansh gave the valedictory address.
Which Union Minister resigned from the Council of Ministers on 25 July 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Dharmendra Pradhan
The President accepted Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation; Pralhad Joshi was given additional charge of Education.
Under which constitutional provision did the President accept a Union Minister's resignation on 25 July 2026, on the Prime Minister's advice?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Article 75(2)
The communique cited clause (2) of Article 75, under which Ministers hold office during the pleasure of the President. Article 164 deals with State ministers.
Consider the following statements about the events of 25 July 2026: 1. Pralhad Joshi was given the Education Ministry in addition to his existing portfolio. 2. The Cockroach Janta Party called off its agitation after the government accepted its demands. 3. The agitation was mainly over the NEET paper leak and exam irregularities. Which of the statements given above are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
All three are correct, as per the President's Secretariat communique and media reports of 25 July 2026.
As of 30 April 2026, how many Fast Track Special Courts (including exclusive POCSO courts) were functional in India?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 775
775 FTSCs, including 398 exclusive POCSO courts, were functional in 29 States/UTs. 790 was the target under the last extension.
The Centrally Sponsored Scheme for Fast Track Special Courts has been temporarily extended up to which date?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 30 September 2026
After the last extension expired on 31 March 2026, the scheme was temporarily extended up to 30 September 2026.
What is the approved outlay of the DISHA 2.0 scheme for 2026-31?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — ₹255 crore
DISHA 2.0 is a Central Sector Scheme with an approved outlay of ₹255 crore for 2026-31.
Which of the following is NOT one of the four components of DISHA 2.0?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — e-Courts Phase III
The four components are Tele-Law, Nyaya Bandhu, Legal Literacy and Legal Awareness, and VIDHI-Sanjeevani. e-Courts Phase III is a separate scheme.
Somnath Chatterjee, whose birth anniversary was observed on 25 July 2026, was the Speaker of which Lok Sabha?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — 14th
He was unanimously elected Speaker of the 14th Lok Sabha on 4 June 2004 and served until 31 May 2009.
Former Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee was born in 1929 in which place?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Tezpur, Assam
Somnath Chatterjee was born on 25 July 1929 in Tezpur, Assam.
Who became the first Indian to win the World Squash Junior Championship title in July 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Anahat Singh
Anahat Singh won the 2026 women's world junior title; Joshna Chinappa had been runner-up in 2005.
Anahat Singh defeated Ruqayya Salem in the final of the 2026 World Squash Junior Championships. Ruqayya Salem represents which country?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Egypt
Ruqayya Salem, the second seed, is from Egypt; Anahat won 11-3, 11-7, 11-9.
Where were the 2026 World Squash Junior Championships, won by India's Anahat Singh, held?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada
The championships were held at Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada (per World Squash). Anahat had won bronze at the previous edition in Cairo.
The appraisal well MN-DWN18-1-HD, whose drilling began on 25 July 2026, is in which basin?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Mahanadi Offshore Basin
MN-DWN18-1-HD is the first appraisal well in the Mahanadi Offshore Basin.
MN-DWN18-1-HD is the first of how many planned deepwater wells to evaluate the Mahanadi Offshore Basin?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Four
It is the first of four planned deepwater wells.
INS Sudarshini, which departed Boston on 25 July 2026 under 'Lokayan 26', is the Indian Navy's:
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Sail training ship
INS Sudarshini is the Indian Navy's sail training ship; it represented India at SAIL 250 and the International Naval Review 250 in the USA.
How many dedicated Chemical Parks will be set up under the BHAVYA Rasayan scheme approved by the Cabinet in July 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Three
BHAVYA Rasayan provides for three dedicated Chemical Parks.
What is the total financial outlay of the BHAVYA Rasayan scheme?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — ₹3,030 crore
Total outlay is ₹3,030 crore – ₹3,000 crore for common infrastructure and basic utilities and ₹30 crore for administrative expenditure.
Under BHAVYA Rasayan, the Centre's grant per Chemical Park is up to ₹1,000 crore subject to what minimum contribution by the State Government?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — ₹500 crore
The central grant of up to ₹1,000 crore per park is subject to a minimum State contribution of ₹500 crore.
Consider the following statements about the BHAVYA Rasayan scheme: 1. It was announced in the Union Budget 2026-27. 2. It will run from FY 2026-27 to FY 2030-31. 3. Its entire outlay is meant for land acquisition by States. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is wrong: ₹3,000 crore is for Common Infrastructure Facilities and Basic Utilities inside the parks and ₹30 crore for administration.
Who won India's first medal at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Jhandu Kumar
Para powerlifter Jhandu Kumar opened India's tally with a men's heavyweight bronze on 24 July 2026.
What was Jhandu Kumar's best successful lift in the men's heavyweight para powerlifting event at Glasgow 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — 190 kg
He lifted 181 kg, then 190 kg (130.9 points); his 196 kg attempt failed.
In the men's heavyweight para powerlifting event at Glasgow 2026, which athlete won the gold medal?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Riluwan Idris (Nigeria)
Riluwan Idris of Nigeria won gold with 132.8 points; Matthew Harding (131.0) took silver and Jhandu Kumar (130.9) bronze.
Under the TV Rating Policy 2026, the number of metered homes for audience measurement is to be expanded to:
Show answer
Correct answer: D — 80,000
Metered homes are to be increased from 50,000 to 80,000.
The TV Rating Policy 2026 reduced the net-worth requirement for TV rating agencies from ₹20 crore to:
Show answer
Correct answer: B — ₹5 crore
The net-worth criterion was reduced from ₹20 crore to ₹5 crore.
Consider the following statements about the TV Rating Policy 2026: 1. It replaces the Guidelines for TV Rating Agencies issued in January 2014. 2. It provides for establishment surveys every three years. 3. It excludes the landing page from computation of viewership data. Which of the statements given above are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1, 2 and 3
All three are correct per the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting.
As per RBI data shared in Parliament in July 2026, what was the value of India's services exports in FY 2025-26?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — USD 421.3 billion
Services exports were USD 421.3 billion in FY 2025-26, up from USD 387.5 billion in FY 2024-25.
Which sub-sector had the largest share (about 49%) of India's services exports in FY 2025-26?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Telecommunications, computer and information services
Telecommunications, computer and information services earned USD 206.6 billion, 49.03% of the total; business services were second at 29.5%.
Which anniversary of Income Tax Day was celebrated by the CBDT on 24 July 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 167th
The CBDT celebrated the 167th Income Tax Day in New Delhi on 24 July 2026.
Which of the following is NOT one of the '5Rs of Responsive Tax Governance' outlined by the Finance Minister on Income Tax Day 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Revenue
The 5Rs are Recognise, Respond, Redress, Reflect and Reform. 'Revenue' is not one of them.
Which body hosted the BRICS Ministerial Meeting on Disaster Risk Reduction in New Delhi on 24 July 2026?
Show answer
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?
Show answer
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?
Show answer
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?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Haryana
He reviewed Haryana's measures for Delhi-NCR air quality with CM Nayab Singh Saini.
In July 2026, President Droupadi Murmu received an Honorary Doctorate from a university in which country?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Romania
The Bucharest University of Economic Studies, Romania, conferred the Honorary Doctorate on 24 July 2026.
As informed in July 2026, how many products have been identified under the One District One Product (ODOP) initiative?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 1,244
1,244 products have been identified across 773 districts under ODOP.
Who is the President of Romania with whom President Droupadi Murmu held talks in Bucharest on 23 July 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Nicușor Dan
President Murmu held one-to-one and delegation-level talks with President Nicușor Dan at Cotroceni Palace.
During President Murmu's visit in July 2026, India and Romania agreed to work towards doubling bilateral trade over what period?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Three years
The two leaders agreed to work towards doubling bilateral trade over the next three years.
Consider the following statements about President Murmu's State Visit to Romania (July 2026): 1. Romania was the last leg of a tour that also covered Moldova and North Macedonia. 2. An Indian Studies Chair is being set up at the University of Bucharest with ICCR support. 3. It was the first-ever visit by an Indian President to Romania. Which of the statements given above are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — 1 and 2 only
Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is wrong: it was the first State Visit by an Indian President to Romania in nearly three decades, not the first ever.