Asia Current Affairs Quiz — Last 12 months
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
On Guru Purnima 2026, the Rajasthan government transferred Rs 250 crore via DBT to over 40 lakh students of Classes 1–8 for what purpose?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Free school uniforms
CM Bhajanlal Sharma transferred Rs 250 crore through DBT for free school uniforms to more than 40 lakh students of Classes 1–8 at Khedli Gurjar, Bharatpur.
In July 2026 the NHRC took suo motu cognizance of an explosion at a metal processing factory that killed four workers in which district of Assam?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Cachar
The NHRC took cognizance of the 26 July 2026 explosion in Cachar district and issued notices to the Assam Chief Secretary and Cachar SP.
What was the value of India's total (merchandise plus services) exports in FY 2025-26?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — US$ 863.1 billion
India recorded its highest-ever exports of US$ 863.1 billion in FY 2025-26.
Consider the following statements about India's exports in FY 2025-26: 1. Services exports exceeded merchandise exports. 2. Merchandise exports were about US$ 441.8 billion. 3. The India–Oman CEPA came into effect during 2026. Which of the statements given above are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 2 and 3 only
Merchandise exports (US$ 441.8 bn) were higher than services exports (US$ 421.3 bn). The India–Oman CEPA took effect on 1 June 2026.
As per the Commerce Ministry's July 2026 data, what was the status of the India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Signed, but yet to come into effect
The Ministry listed the India–New Zealand FTA as 'signed, yet to be effective'. It was the India–Oman CEPA that came into effect on 1 June 2026.
Under the Indian Coast Guard reform unveiled in July 2026, women officers will be inducted into which types of appointments?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Both Short Service and Permanent Appointments, at par with men
The gender-neutral framework inducts women into both Short Service Appointments (SSA) and Permanent Appointments (PA) at par with men; SSA has also been opened to men.
Consider the following statements about the Indian Coast Guard reforms of July 2026: 1. Short Service Appointments have been opened to male candidates. 2. Serving women SSA officers get an option to convert to Permanent Appointment. 3. One reform deals with ex-gratia for families of personnel missing at sea on duty. Which of the statements given above are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
All three are correct: SSA was opened to men, serving SSA women officers may convert to PA, and the second reform streamlines ex-gratia for families of personnel missing at sea.
India's first direct commercial container freight train to Nepal, reported in July 2026, ran between which two points?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Kolkata Port and Biratnagar
The 40-wagon train ran from Kolkata Port to the Biratnagar Customs Yard in Nepal under the revised India-Nepal Rail Transit Protocol.
The direct rail freight service to Biratnagar builds on the broad-gauge cross-border link from which Indian station?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Jogbani
It builds on the Jogbani (India)–Biratnagar (Nepal) broad-gauge rail link inaugurated in June 2023.
Gulveer Singh won silver at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in which event?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Men's 10,000m
Gulveer Singh won the men's 10,000m silver in 27:49.78, the first CWG medal by an Indian man in the event.
Who won the men's 10,000m gold at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, ahead of India's Gulveer Singh?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Ky Robinson (Australia)
Australia's Ky Robinson won gold in 27:48.93; Gulveer took silver (27:49.78) and David Mullarkey of the Isle of Man bronze.
In July 2026 Haryana approved a 100% motor vehicle tax exemption for new electric vehicles up to what ex-showroom price?
Show answer
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?
Show answer
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.
How much monthly assistance will eligible women get under the Delhi Lakshmi Yojana approved in July 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Rs 2,500
The Delhi Cabinet approved the Delhi Lakshmi Yojana providing Rs 2,500 a month to eligible women.
The Delhi Lakshmi Yojana was earlier announced under which name?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Mahila Samriddhi Yojana
The scheme was earlier announced as the Mahila Samriddhi Yojana before being renamed the Delhi Lakshmi Yojana.
What was India's Index of Industrial Production (IIP) growth in June 2026 as per MoSPI's quick estimate?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — 7.3%
IIP grew 7.3% in June 2026. 5.1% was May's figure, 7.8% was manufacturing growth and 6.1% water supply & sewerage.
Which sector recorded the highest growth in the IIP for June 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Electricity & Gas Supply
Electricity & Gas Supply grew 10.6%, ahead of manufacturing (7.8%), water supply etc. (6.1%) and mining (1.0%).
The IIP quick estimates for June 2026 were compiled on which base year?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 2022-23=100
The June 2026 quick estimates of IIP and Use-Based Index are on base 2022-23=100.
What was the global theme of World Hepatitis Day 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Hepatitis: Let's Break It Down
The Health Ministry observed World Hepatitis Day 2026 (28 July) under the global theme 'Hepatitis: Let's Break It Down'.
Consider the following statements about India's National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme (NVHCP): 1. It was launched on World Hepatitis Day in 2018 under the National Health Mission. 2. It aims to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030. 3. Hepatitis B birth-dose coverage under it is still below 80%. Which of the statements given above are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 and 2 only
NVHCP was launched on World Hepatitis Day 2018 under NHM with a 2030 elimination goal (SDG 3.3). Hepatitis B birth-dose coverage has crossed 92%.
The Himalayan Chandra Telescope, which completed 25 years of operation in 2026, is located at:
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Hanle, Ladakh
The 2-m HCT stands on Digpa Ratsa Ri at Hanle, Ladakh, at 4,517 m above sea level.
Consider the following statements about the Himalayan Chandra Telescope (HCT): 1. It is operated by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics. 2. It has been operated remotely from Hosakote near Bengaluru through an INSAT-3B satellite link. 3. It is named after C.V. Raman. Which of the statements given above are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 and 2 only
IIA operates the HCT remotely from its Hosakote campus via a dedicated INSAT-3B link since June 2001. It is named after Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar, not C.V. Raman.
What was the gross NPA ratio of Public Sector Banks as on 31 March 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1.9%
PSBs' GNPA fell to a historic low of 1.9% at end-March 2026; it was 2.6% in March 2025 and 3.5% in March 2024.
What was the aggregate net profit of Public Sector Banks in FY 2025-26?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Rs 1.98 lakh crore
PSBs posted a highest-ever net profit of Rs 1.98 lakh crore in FY 2025-26, up from Rs 1.78 lakh crore in FY 2024-25.
Consider the following statements about Public Sector Banks in FY 2025-26: 1. Their capital adequacy ratio (CRAR) was 16.6% at end-March 2026. 2. MSME loans grew faster than agriculture loans. 3. Infrastructure loans recorded the fastest credit growth among sectors. Which of the statements given above are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 and 2 only
CRAR was 16.6%. MSME loans grew 19.6% against 16.2% for agriculture. Infrastructure loans grew only 4.9%, the slowest; retail (19.8%) was fastest.
Harjinder Kaur won silver in the women's 69 kg weightlifting at the 2026 Commonwealth Games with what total lift?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 227 kg
Harjinder lifted 101 kg (snatch) + 126 kg (clean and jerk) = 227 kg. 240 kg was gold medallist Charlotte Simoneau's total.
According to the BIMCO-ICS Seafarer Workforce Report 2026, which country is the largest supplier of seafarers, ahead of India?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Philippines
India ranks second with 12.16% of the global seafaring workforce, behind only the Philippines and ahead of China, Russia and Indonesia.
In July 2026, Assam exported the first international consignment of Purabi ice cream to which country?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Bhutan
CM Himanta Biswa Sarma flagged off 5,627 litres of Purabi ice cream to Bhutan from Guwahati on 28 July 2026.
Who released the commemorative books marking four years of President Droupadi Murmu's tenure in July 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan
Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan released and presented the first set of five commemorative books to the President at Rashtrapati Bhavan on 28 July 2026.
Sharmila Dhankar won India's first-ever Commonwealth Games para-athletics gold at Glasgow 2026 in which event?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Women's shot put F57
Sharmila Dhankar won the women's shot put F57 final with a season-best 9.81 m.
With what throw did Sharmila Dhankar win the women's shot put F57 gold at the 2026 Commonwealth Games?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — 9.81 m
Her winning season-best throw was 9.81 m. 8.65 m was the silver-winning mark of Ghana's Zinabu Issah and 7.26 m was Shilpa Shyla's bronze-winning personal best.
Consider the following statements about the women's shot put F57 event at Glasgow 2026: 1. Shilpa K. Shyla was upgraded to bronze after an official review of a Nigerian athlete's mark. 2. Ghana's Zinabu Issah won the silver medal. 3. Sharmila Dhankar's medal ended a 20-year wait for an Indian para-athletics medal at the CWG. Which of the statements given above are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1, 2 and 3
All three are correct: Shilpa moved up from fourth after Nigeria's Eucharia Iyiazi's mark was ruled a no-mark; Zinabu Issah took silver (8.65 m); India's previous CWG para-athletics medal came in 2006.
Sharmila Dhankar, who won the F57 shot put gold at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, hails from which state?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Haryana
Sharmila Dhankar is a 40-year-old para-athlete from Haryana (Chhithroli village, per the Indian Express).
Under the Meghalaya Electric Vehicle Policy 2026 approved in July 2026, what purchase incentive will EV buyers get?
Show answer
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?
Show answer
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.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri began his official visit to China on 27 July 2026 by meeting Sun Haiyan, who holds which post?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Vice Minister, International Department of the CPC Central Committee
Sun Haiyan is Vice Minister of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China.
Who was India's Ambassador to China, present at Foreign Secretary Misri's meetings in Beijing in July 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Vikram Doraiswami
Ambassador Vikram Doraiswami attended the Foreign Secretary's meeting with Sun Haiyan. Randhir Jaiswal is the MEA spokesperson.
The Ministry of Earth Sciences celebrated which Foundation Day on 27 July 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 20th
MoES celebrated its 20th Foundation Day at Prithvi Bhawan, New Delhi.
At the MoES 20th Foundation Day, Secretary Dr N. Kalaiselvi described the ministry as a 'service provider' through which programme?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Mission Mausam
She called MoES the data provider through Prithvi systems, the service provider through Mission Mausam and the technology provider through the Deep Ocean Mission.
The Centre-approved mega greenfield shipbuilding cluster under Gujarat's Shipbuilding and Repair Policy 2026 is at Kuchhadi in which district?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Porbandar
The mega greenfield shipbuilding cluster will come up at Kuchhadi in Porbandar district; the Gujarat Maritime Board is preparing its DPR.
What is the total investment targeted under the Gujarat Shipbuilding and Repair Policy 2026 launched in July 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Over ₹27,000 crore
The policy targets over ₹27,000 crore – about ₹23,700 crore private investment in shipyards and ancillaries plus about ₹3,300 crore of common infrastructure.
Consider the following statements about Gujarat's Shipbuilding and Repair Policy 2026: 1. Shipyards capable of building vessels above 30,000 DWT can get waterfront concessions of up to 50 years. 2. It replaces the State's Shipbuilding Policy of 2010. 3. It targets a shipbuilding capacity of more than 50 lakh DWT. Which of the statements given above are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 1, 2 and 3
All three are correct. The 2010 policy it replaces allowed a maximum concession of 30 years; the new policy targets over 50 lakh DWT capacity.
At the 2026 Commonwealth Games, Sarvesh Kushare won silver in the men's high jump by clearing what height?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 2.25 m
Kushare cleared 2.25 m; he failed all three attempts at 2.28 m.
Who won the men's high jump gold at Glasgow 2026 on countback, ahead of India's Sarvesh Kushare?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Romaine Beckford (Jamaica)
Jamaica's Romaine Beckford also cleared 2.25 m but at his first attempt, so he won gold on countback. England's Kimani Jack took bronze.
Which State became the first to qualify for the second instalment under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) in July 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Maharashtra
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan described Maharashtra as the first State eligible for the second RKVY instalment.
Consider the following statements about Maharashtra's RKVY funds reviewed on 27 July 2026: 1. The first instalment released by the Centre was ₹335 crore. 2. A State must use at least 50% of the first instalment to be eligible for the second. 3. Maharashtra had used about ₹260 crore of the first instalment. Which of the statements given above are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 1 and 3 only
The first instalment was ₹335 crore and about ₹260 crore had been used. The prescribed utilisation benchmark is 75%, not 50%.
The blue straggler star reported by IIA in July 2026 was found in which star cluster?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Collinder 261
The binary system TIC 327546480 lies in the old open star cluster Collinder 261, about 9,500 light-years away.
Consider the following statements about the IIA blue straggler study (July 2026): 1. It used light curves from NASA's TESS mission. 2. Radial-velocity data came from ESO's Very Large Telescope in Chile. 3. The star was found to be forming through a collision of two unrelated stars. Which of the statements given above are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 1 and 2 only
The study combined TESS light curves with VLT radial velocities and found the blue straggler actively gaining material from its binary companion (mass transfer), not a collision.
Blue Straggler Stars in a star cluster typically appear, compared with other cluster stars of similar type:
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Hotter, brighter and more massive
Blue Straggler Stars appear hotter, brighter and more massive than their peers in the cluster, which is why their origin has long puzzled astronomers.
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.
Ladakh's first Yoga Wellness Instructor Certificate Course (400 hours) was launched in July 2026 at which institute in collaboration with MDNIY?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — National Institute of Sowa-Rigpa, Leh
The course was launched at the National Institute of Sowa-Rigpa (NISR), Leh, with the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga.
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.