Asia Current Affairs Quiz — Last 12 months
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
What was the approximate value of the acquisition proposals cleared by the Defence Acquisition Council on 3 July 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Rs 52,000 crore
The DAC accorded AoN to proposals at an estimated cost of about Rs 52,000 crore.
'Akash Tarang', cleared for the Indian Army by the DAC on 3 July 2026, is a:
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Correct answer: C — Anti-UAV electronic warfare system
AKASH TARANG is an anti-Unmanned Aerial Vehicle electronic warfare system that will give anti-UAV protection to Army formations.
Which platform cleared by the DAC on 3 July 2026 is meant for the Indian Air Force's persistent ISR, telecommunication and remote sensing?
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Correct answer: B — Fixed-Wing High Altitude Pseudo Satellite (FW-HAPS)
FW-HAPS will carry out persistent Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance, telecommunication and remote sensing for the IAF.
Consider the following about the DAC approvals of 3 July 2026: 1. 'Acceptance of Necessity' means in-principle administrative approval. 2. The Multi Influence Ground Mine was cleared for the Indian Navy. 3. MRSAM was cleared for the Indian Army. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
AoN is in-principle administrative approval; MIGM was cleared for the Navy and MRSAM for the Army, so all three are correct.
The banyan tree identified in July 2026 as the oldest accurately dated banyan, about 700 years old, is in which place?
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Correct answer: A — Munger, Bihar
A banyan tree in Munger, Bihar, about 700 years old, was identified as the oldest accurately dated banyan.
Which institute's scientists dated the Munger banyan using radiocarbon dating?
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Correct answer: C — Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences, Lucknow
The team was led by Dr Trina Bose of the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences, Lucknow, an autonomous institute under DST.
Why could conventional dendrochronology not be used to date the Munger banyan?
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Correct answer: D — Most tropical broadleaf trees lack distinct annual growth rings
The absence of distinct annual growth rings in most tropical broadleaf trees limits conventional dendrochronology, so the team used radiocarbon dating of alpha-cellulose.
The review of below-normal rainfall chaired by Amit Shah and Shivraj Singh Chouhan on 3 July 2026 linked the situation to which phenomenon?
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Correct answer: D — El Nino
The review concerned below-normal rainfall and potential drought in parts of the country due to El Nino.
Which crops did the Home Minister suggest focusing on as alternatives that need less water, at the El Nino review of 3 July 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Fodder, millets and pulses
Amit Shah emphasised the need to focus on alternative low-water crops such as fodder, millets and pulses.
How many priority districts are covered by the 90-day export drive announced at the Board of Trade meeting on 3 July 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 120
The 90-day export drive will cover 120 priority districts across 27 States and UTs under the Districts as Export Hubs initiative.
What is the outlay of the Export Promotion Mission that Piyush Goyal said will drive MSME-led export growth?
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Correct answer: D — Rs 25,000 crore
Shri Goyal said the Rs 25,000 crore Export Promotion Mission will drive MSME-led export growth.
Which of the following countries is NOT a member of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), India's partner in TEPA?
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Correct answer: D — Denmark
EFTA comprises Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland; Denmark is not a member.
How much investment into India does the India-EFTA TEPA aim to facilitate?
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Correct answer: B — USD 100 billion
TEPA carries an ambition to facilitate USD 100 billion in investments into India and support one million direct jobs.
Under India-EFTA TEPA, which EFTA country eliminated its 55% import duty on feed, including fish feed?
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Correct answer: A — Iceland
Iceland eliminated its 55% duty on feed including fish feed; Norway removed a 13.16% duty and Switzerland cut fish fats and oils from 18.05% to zero.
PM Modi's letter to Amarnath Yatra pilgrims on 3 July 2026 linked the pilgrimage with how many resolutions?
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Correct answer: C — Five
The PM said he had written to pilgrims linking the sacred yatra with five resolutions.
According to the Home Minister, which registration system is in place for the Amarnath Yatra 2026?
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Correct answer: A — QR code-based registration
Amit Shah said arrangements include a multi-layer security grid and QR code-based registration.
Where was the India-France Economic and Financial Dialogue co-chaired by Nirmala Sitharaman and Roland Lescure held on 3 July 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Aix-en-Provence
The Ministers co-chaired the EFD in Aix-en-Provence.
Who co-chaired the India-France Economic and Financial Dialogue on 3 July 2026 for France?
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Correct answer: D — Roland Lescure
Roland Lescure, France's Minister of Economy, Finance, Industrial, Energy and Digital Sovereignty, co-chaired with Nirmala Sitharaman.
'Pashujanya Yudh Abhyas', the national zoonotic disease mock drill completed on 3 July 2026, was held in which district?
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Correct answer: C — Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh
The exercise was held at Khari village, Vidisha district, Madhya Pradesh, from 29 June to 3 July 2026.
Which disease outbreak in animals was simulated during 'Pashujanya Yudh Abhyas' (2026)?
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Correct answer: A — Influenza A (H1N1)
The scenario simulated an outbreak of Influenza A (H1N1) in animals with potential spillover to humans and wildlife.
The first national mock drill under the National One Health Mission, 'Vishanu Yuddh Abhyas', was held in August 2024 in which district?
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Correct answer: B — Ajmer, Rajasthan
Vishanu Yuddh Abhyas was conducted in Ajmer district, Rajasthan from 27 to 31 August 2024; Pashujanya Yudh Abhyas in Vidisha (2026) was the third such drill.
Where was India's first Made-in-India EXIM shipping container for Maersk unveiled on 3 July 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Maersk-CONCOR ICD, Dadri, Uttar Pradesh
Sarbananda Sonowal unveiled the container at the Maersk-CONCOR Inland Container Depot in Dadri, Uttar Pradesh.
What is the outlay of the Container Manufacturing Promotion Scheme (CMPS) announced in the Union Budget 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Rs 10,000 crore
The release refers to the Rs 10,000 crore CMPS framework announced in the Union Budget 2026 for domestic container manufacturing.
With which company did Maersk place an order for 1,000 more India-made containers on 3 July 2026?
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Correct answer: C — DCM Shriram Group
Maersk placed an order for 1,000 additional India-manufactured shipping containers with DCM Shriram Group.
Which edition of the National Water Awards was launched by the Ministry of Jal Shakti on 3 July 2026?
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Correct answer: A — 7th
The Department of Water Resources launched the 7th National Water Awards on the Rashtriya Puraskar portal.
Which team won the 7th Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh Memorial Hockey Tournament on 3 July 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Indian Air Force
The Indian Air Force beat the Indian Navy 2-1 in the final.
The ICAR expert committee on falling Totapuri mango prices (July 2026) concerns growers of which state?
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Correct answer: A — Andhra Pradesh
The committee will examine the challenges faced by Totapuri mango growers in Andhra Pradesh.
Under Article 224 of the Constitution, for what maximum period can an additional judge of a High Court be appointed?
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Correct answer: B — Two years
The Supreme Court (Lok Prahari, 2021) notes that under Article 224 an additional judge is appointed for a period not exceeding two years.
Under the CCEA decision of 2 July 2026, what is the new maximum permissible broken grain content in raw rice supplied under PMGKAY?
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Correct answer: C — 10%
Raw rice will contain up to 10% broken grains, replacing the earlier specification of up to 25%.
Consider the following statements about the PMGKAY rice quality reform approved in July 2026: 1. Parboiled rice will contain up to 5% broken grains instead of 16%. 2. Improved-quality rice will be rolled out across all procuring States by KMS 2027-28 in a phased manner. 3. Rice bags will carry QR codes for end-to-end traceability. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
All three are part of the approved reform: 5% broken grains in parboiled rice (from 16%), phased rollout by KMS 2027-28, and QR-code tagging of bags.
By the Cabinet decision of 29 November 2023, free foodgrains under PMGKAY are provided to about 81.35 crore beneficiaries for a period of:
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Correct answer: A — Five years from 1 January 2024
The Cabinet decided on 29 November 2023 that the Centre will provide free foodgrains to about 81.35 crore beneficiaries under PMGKAY for five years with effect from 1 January 2024, at an estimated Rs 11.80 lakh crore.
Which Japanese Prime Minister visited India from 1 to 3 July 2026 for the 16th India-Japan Annual Summit?
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Correct answer: A — Takaichi Sanae
Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae paid an official visit to India from 1-3 July 2026 for the 16th Annual Summit; it was her first official visit to India.
Under the outcomes of the 16th India-Japan Annual Summit, the year 2027, marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations, will be celebrated as the:
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Correct answer: C — India-Japan Year of Shared Horizons
The outcome document outlines commemorative events to celebrate 2027, the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations, as the India-Japan Year of Shared Horizons.
The India-Japan Cooperative Biogas for Growth (CBG) Initiative, agreed at the 16th Annual Summit, aims to establish 1,000 biogas and organic fertilizer plants by leveraging the network of:
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Correct answer: D — Dairy cooperatives
The Memorandum of Cooperation promotes the goal of 1,000 biogas and organic fertilizer plants across India by leveraging the extensive network of dairy cooperatives.
Consider the following statements about the 16th India-Japan Annual Summit (July 2026): 1. The leaders directed their Ministers to hold the fourth 2+2 Ministerial Meeting in Tokyo by the end of the year. 2. An in-principle agreement was reached on the remaining technical details of the UNICORN (Unified Complex Radio Antenna) project. 3. The Next Generation Mobility Partnership was first announced at this summit. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
Statements 1 and 2 are in the Joint Statement. The NGMP was announced at the 15th Annual Summit in August 2025; at the 16th Summit a Memorandum of Cooperation operationalised it.
MV Golden Arsenal, the bulk carrier assisted by INS Trikand after a piracy attempt in the Gulf of Aden in July 2026, was flagged in:
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Correct answer: A — St. Vincent and the Grenadines
MV Golden Arsenal is a St. Vincent and the Grenadines-flagged bulk carrier.
The piracy attempt on MV Golden Arsenal (July 2026) was reported in coordination with which centre, after which INS Trikand was directed to intercept the vessel?
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Correct answer: B — Information Fusion Centre - Indian Ocean Region
The incident was reported in coordination with the Information Fusion Centre - Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR), after which INS Trikand was directed to intercept.
In July 2026 the NHRC took suo motu cognizance of the assault on 12 bonded labourers at a paper plate factory in which district of Uttar Pradesh?
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Correct answer: B — Muzaffarnagar
The factory is in Mandi village, Muzaffarnagar district, Uttar Pradesh; the complaint was filed at Titawi Police Station.
In the Muzaffarnagar bonded labour case (July 2026), the NHRC directed the District Magistrate to inquire as per the Ministry of Labour and Employment's SOP and which law?
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Correct answer: C — Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976
The Commission directed the Muzaffarnagar DM to inquire as per the MoLE SOP and the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976.
The Borjuli site, notified as a Biodiversity Heritage Site for wild rice conservation (July 2026), is in which district of Assam?
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Correct answer: C — Sonitpur
The Borjuli site in Sonitpur district of Assam has been notified as a Biodiversity Heritage Site.
Consider the following about the wild rice conservation project at Borjuli, Assam: 1. The species being conserved is Oryza rufipogon. 2. The project is funded by the National Rainfed Area Authority. 3. The project is implemented by ICAR-NBPGR with the Assam State Biodiversity Board. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1, 2 and 3
The NRAA-funded project 'In-situ Conservation and Management of Wild Rice (Oryza rufipogon)' is implemented by ICAR-NBPGR in collaboration with the Assam State Biodiversity Board.
The nationwide launch of the Viksit Bharat - Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Yojana took place on 2 July 2026 from a village in which district?
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Correct answer: D — Tirupati
The launch took place from Mukkavaripalli village in Tirupati district of Andhra Pradesh.
Consider the following statements made at the launch of the VB-G RAM G Yojana (July 2026): 1. Administrative expenditure has been raised from 6% to 9%. 2. Work must be provided within 15 days of demand, failing which an unemployment allowance is payable. 3. The States' share of expenditure is 25%. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
Administrative expenditure was raised from 6% to 9% and work must be given within 15 days or an unemployment allowance paid. The States' share was stated as 40%, not 25%.
Which Japanese company signed a long-term offtake deal with ACME Group for green ammonia on 2 July 2026?
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Correct answer: D — IHI Corporation
ACME's green ammonia deal (405 kTPA) is with IHI Corporation; the green methanol deal is with Mitsubishi Gas Chemical.
Consider the following about the National Green Hydrogen Mission: 1. The Mission was approved in January 2023 with an outlay of Rs 19,744 crore. 2. Its SIGHT Programme supports production through bidding conducted by the Solar Energy Corporation of India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — Both 1 and 2
The NGHM was approved in January 2023 with an outlay of Rs 19,744 crore, and its SIGHT Programme gives financial support through transparent bidding run by SECI.
The National Awards for e-Governance, under which ICMR-MINDS won a Gold Award in July 2026, are instituted by:
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Correct answer: B — Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances
The National Awards for e-Governance are instituted by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG), Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions.
Where was the 29th National Conference on e-Governance (NCeG) 2026 held on 1-2 July 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Jaipur
The 29th NCeG 2026 was held in Jaipur, Rajasthan on 1-2 July 2026.
The July 2026 amendment to the Drugs Rules, 1945 brought cell or stem cell derived products, gene therapeutic products and xenografts under the:
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Correct answer: B — Centrally License Approving Authority (CLAA) framework
The amendment brings these products under the Centrally License Approving Authority (CLAA) framework of joint Central and State oversight.
In the context of the July 2026 amendment to the Drugs Rules, 1945, 'xenografts' refer to:
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Correct answer: C — Animal tissue-derived products such as heart valves transplanted into humans
Xenografts are animal tissue-derived products, such as heart valves, which can be transplanted into humans; they are used in cardiology and orthopaedics.
As reported at the 19th Empowered Task Force meeting on River Ganga (2 July 2026), how many projects have been sanctioned under the Namami Gange Programme so far?
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Correct answer: C — 524
524 projects worth an estimated Rs 43,031 crore have been sanctioned, of which 363 are completed.
Who chaired the 19th meeting of the Empowered Task Force on River Ganga held on 2 July 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Union Minister for Jal Shakti
The 19th ETF meeting was chaired by the Union Minister for Jal Shakti, C.R. Paatil.
According to the Lok Sabha Secretariat (July 2026), who is the Speaker of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly who was to deliver the welcome address at the orientation programme for newly elected MLAs?
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Correct answer: A — Rathindra Bose
Speaker of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly Rathindra Bose was to deliver the welcome address; Ritabrata Banerjee is Leader of Opposition and Dr Shankar Ghosh is the state Parliamentary Affairs Minister.
According to the Ministry of Coal, what was the share of imports in India's total coal consumption in April 2026?
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Correct answer: D — 19.68%
Coal imports as a share of total consumption fell from 21.69% in April 2025 to 19.68% in April 2026.
Which institute developed a crack-free SS316L-IN718 bi-metallic structure using laser-based powder bed fusion additive manufacturing (July 2026)?
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Correct answer: A — ARCI, Hyderabad
The research was done by the International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI), Hyderabad, an autonomous institute of DST.
The Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar, for which nominations were invited until 31 July 2026, recognises children in which age group?
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Correct answer: C — 5 to 18 years
The award celebrates extraordinary achievements of children aged 5 to 18 years.
The 4.59 km Bondamunda rail flyover approved in July 2026 to decongest the Rourkela-Bondamunda section falls under which railway zone?
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Correct answer: B — South Eastern Railway
The flyover from Bondamunda 'A' Cabin to Bondamunda Link 'B' Cabin is in South Eastern Railway.
After the revised wage rates under the VB-G RAM G Act were notified on 1 July 2026, the national average notified wage became:
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Correct answer: A — Rs 327.4 per day
The national average notified wage rose from Rs 298.8 to Rs 327.4 per day, an increase of more than 10 per cent.
Under the revised VB-G RAM G wage rates notified on 1 July 2026, no notified daily wage anywhere in India is below:
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Correct answer: C — Rs 300
With the revised rates, no notified daily wage anywhere in the country is below Rs 300.
With the commencement of the VB-G RAM G Act, 2025 on 1 July 2026, which law stands repealed from the same date?
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Correct answer: D — Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005
Per PIB's press note of 11 May 2026, MGNREGA, 2005 stands repealed from 1 July 2026, the date the VB-G RAM G Act comes into force; the new Act replaces it.
Under Section 6 of the VB-G RAM G Act, 2025, States may notify a pause period during peak sowing and harvesting seasons aggregating to:
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Correct answer: B — Sixty days in a financial year
The Act empowers States to notify an aggregated pause period of sixty days in a financial year (Section 6); the 125-day guarantee is provided in the remaining period.
Under the VB-G RAM G Act, 2025, the unemployment allowance payable when work is not provided in time is:
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Correct answer: C — Not less than one-fourth of the wage rate for the first thirty days and not less than one-half for the rest of the year
The allowance is not less than one-fourth of the notified wage rate for the first thirty days of the financial year and not less than one-half for the remaining period.
According to UNCTAD estimates cited by the Ports Ministry in July 2026, India's share of worldwide ship recycling in 2025 was:
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Correct answer: C — 35.4%
India's share in worldwide ship recycling rose from 30.1% in 2024 to 35.4% in 2025.
As of July 2026, how many Indian ship recycling facilities had completed all compliance procedures and become eligible to apply for inclusion under the EU Ship Recycling Regulation?
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Correct answer: A — Three
More than 30 yards applied, six are in the compliance process and three have completed all procedures and are eligible to apply.
With which European Commissioner did Sarbananda Sonowal review the EU recognition process for Indian ship recycling yards on 1 July 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Jessika Roswall
The talks were with Jessika Roswall, European Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy.