Daily Current Affairs 16 July 2026

Q1 What is the name of India's first privately developed orbital-class rocket scheduled for launch on July 18, 2026?

• AVikram-1Correct
• BPSLV
• CGSLV Mk III
• DRohini

Explanation The rocket named Vikram-1 is India's first privately developed orbital-class rocket set for launch on July 18, 2026.

Q2 Which private company announced the launch of Vikram-1 on July 16, 2026?

• ASkyroot AerospaceCorrect
• BISRO
• CAntrix Corporation
• DBharat Dynamics

Explanation Skyroot Aerospace is the private space launch company that announced the Vikram-1 launch.

Q3 From where is the Vikram-1 rocket scheduled to be launched?

• ASpaceport's first launch padCorrect
• BSatish Dhawan Space Centre
• CThumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station
• DSriharikota Launch Pad

Explanation The Vikram-1 rocket is scheduled to be launched from the spaceport's first launch pad.

Q1 Which teams are competing in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final following the semifinal match between England and Argentina?

• AArgentina vs SpainCorrect
• BEngland vs Spain
• CArgentina vs France
• DEngland vs Brazil

Explanation Argentina defeated England in the semifinal to book their place in the final against Spain.

Q2 Who assisted the two late goals scored by Argentina in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semifinal against England?

• ALionel MessiCorrect
• BEnzo Fernandez
• CLautaro Martinez
• DHarry Kane

Explanation Both late goals by Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez were assisted by Lionel Messi.

Q3 At what point in the match did Argentina score the two decisive goals against England in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semifinal?

• AAfter the 85th minuteCorrect
• BIn the first half
• CAt halftime
• DIn the first 10 minutes

Explanation The two goals by Argentina were scored after the 85th minute, sealing their comeback win.

Q1 What was the key tactical approach used by Spain to defeat France in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semifinal?

• ARelentless pressing and immaculate possessionCorrect
• BCounter-attacking with long balls
• CDefensive fouling and time-wasting
• DRelying on individual brilliance of forwards

Explanation Spain used relentless pressing and immaculate possession along with strong defensive organization to suffocate France.

Q2 Which French attacking players were effectively neutralized by Spain's midfield in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semifinal?

• AMbappe, Dembele, and OliseCorrect
• BGriezmann, Pogba, and Benzema
• CMbappe, Giroud, and Coman
• DDembele, Kante, and Varane

Explanation Spain's midfield reduced the attacking trio of Mbappe, Dembele, and Olise to mere spectators.

Q3 Which stage of the FIFA World Cup 2026 did Spain defeat France?

• ASemifinalCorrect
• BQuarterfinal
• CFinal
• DGroup stage

Explanation Spain defeated France in the semifinal of the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Q1 Which team won the FIFA World Cup 2026 semifinal between France and Spain?

• AFrance
• BSpainCorrect
• CDraw
• DMatch postponed

Explanation Spain won the semifinal match against France with a score of 2-0.

Q2 Who scored the goals for Spain in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semifinal against France?

• AKylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann
• BMikel Oyarzabal and Pedro PorroCorrect
• CLionel Messi and Neymar
• DCristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes

Explanation Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro scored the goals for Spain in the semifinal.

Q3 How long had it been since Spain last reached the FIFA World Cup final before 2026?

• A8 years
• B12 years
• C16 yearsCorrect
• D20 years

Explanation Spain reached the FIFA World Cup final in 2026 after 16 years.

Q1 How much funding did Agritech company Rize raise in its Series B round?

• A$15 million
• B$31 millionCorrect
• C$50 million
• D$100 million

Explanation Rize raised $31 million in its Series B funding round as a mix of equity and debt.

Q2 Which countries is Rize planning to expand into following its Series B funding?

• AIndia and Bangladesh
• BVietnam and IndonesiaCorrect
• CChina and Thailand
• DPhilippines and Malaysia

Explanation Rize plans to expand into Vietnam and Indonesia and is evaluating entry into India.

Q3 What percentage of global methane emissions is attributed to rice cultivation, according to the sources?

• A5%
• B12%Correct
• C20%
• D30%

Explanation Rice cultivation is responsible for approximately 12% of global methane emissions.

Q1 What is the main raw material for ethanol production in India as mentioned in the sources?

• ASugarcaneCorrect
• BCorn
• CWheat
• DRice

Explanation The sources state that India's ethanol economy largely depends on sugarcane.

Q2 What is a key challenge in increasing sustainable aviation fuel production in India?

• ALack of sugarcane production
• BNeed for second-generation ethanol production at commercial scaleCorrect
• CSlow adoption of electric vehicles
• DInternational trade restrictions

Explanation The sources highlight that increasing sustainable aviation fuel production depends on how quickly second-generation ethanol can be produced commercially.

Q3 Which ethanol blending mandate is mentioned as being implemented for petrol vehicles in India?

• AE10
• BE15
• CE20Correct
• DE100

Explanation The sources mention the E20 ethanol blending mandate for petrol vehicles in India.

Q1 By how much did the Indian rupee settle lower against the US dollar as reported?

• A6 paise
• B8 paiseCorrect
• C10 paise
• D4 paise

Explanation The rupee settled 8 paise lower at 96.33 against the US dollar.

Q2 What was identified as the main factor putting pressure on the Indian rupee?

• APositive domestic equity markets
• BForeign Institutional Investor outflowsCorrect
• CGovernment intervention
• DIncrease in exports

Explanation Foreign Institutional Investor outflows were cited by forex traders as putting pressure on the local unit.

Q3 What provided some support to the rupee despite the downward pressure?

• AA positive start to domestic equity marketsCorrect
• BIncrease in foreign direct investment
• CGovernment stimulus measures
• DRise in crude oil prices

Explanation A positive start to the day at the domestic equity markets provided support to the rupee.

Q1 Which UAE ports is India increasingly relying on to source energy supplies?

• ADubai and Abu Dhabi
• BFujairah and Khor FakkanCorrect
• CSharjah and Ras Al Khaimah
• DAjman and Umm Al Quwain

Explanation India is increasingly relying on the UAE's Fujairah and Khor Fakkan ports to source energy supplies.

Q2 Why is India using UAE ports like Fujairah and Khor Fakkan for energy imports?

• ATo reduce shipping costs
• BTo avoid the traditional Strait of Hormuz shipping route risksCorrect
• CTo increase imports from Europe
• DTo access new markets in Africa

Explanation India uses these UAE ports to avoid the risks associated with the traditional shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz.

Q3 Along which body of water are the UAE ports of Fujairah and Khor Fakkan located?

• ARed Sea
• BPersian Gulf
• CGulf of OmanCorrect
• DArabian Sea

Explanation Fujairah and Khor Fakkan ports are located along the Gulf of Oman.

Q1 When did the India-U.K. Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) come into effect?

• AJuly 15, 2026Correct
• BJanuary 1, 2026
• CDecember 31, 2025
• DAugust 1, 2026

Explanation The agreement came into effect on July 15, 2026, as stated by both sources.

Q2 According to PM Narendra Modi, which groups will benefit from the India-U.K. trade deal?

• AFarmers, entrepreneurs, and MSMEsCorrect
• BOnly large corporations
• COnly UK businesses
• DGovernment officials

Explanation PM Modi said the trade deal will boost India's farmers, entrepreneurs, and MSMEs.

Q3 How was the India-U.K. trade deal received by officials and industry?

• AWelcomed by Indian and U.K. officials and Indian industryCorrect
• BRejected by Indian industry
• COpposed by U.K. government
• DIgnored by both governments

Explanation The deal was welcomed by government officials in India and the U.K., and by Indian industry.

Q1 What is the total outlay approved by the Union Cabinet for the new Mobile Phone Manufacturing Scheme?

• A₹62,500 croreCorrect
• B₹39 lakh crore
• C₹50,000 crore
• D₹75,000 crore

Explanation The Union Cabinet approved a ₹62,500 crore Mobile Phone Manufacturing Scheme.

Q2 What is the duration of the Mobile Phone Manufacturing Scheme approved by the Union Cabinet?

• A3 years
• B5 yearsCorrect
• C7 years
• D10 years

Explanation The scheme is a five-year plan to boost production, exports, and local value addition.

Q3 Which of the following is NOT a focus area of the Mobile Phone Manufacturing Scheme?

• AManufacturing incentives
• BComponent sourcing
• CResearch and Development
• DAgricultural subsidiesCorrect

Explanation The scheme offers incentives for manufacturing, component sourcing, and R&D, but not for agricultural subsidies.

Q1 Which countries were upgraded in the World Bank income classification while India remained in the lower-middle-income group?

• AVietnam and PhilippinesCorrect
• BChina and Bangladesh
• CIndia and Vietnam
• DPhilippines and Bangladesh

Explanation Vietnam and the Philippines moved up in the World Bank income classification, whereas India remained in the lower-middle-income group.

Q2 What challenge does India face despite being the world's fastest-growing major economy?

• AIncreasing aggregate economic growth
• BTurning aggregate growth into higher incomesCorrect
• CReducing population growth
• DImproving agricultural output

Explanation India's challenge is converting its rapid aggregate economic growth into higher per capita incomes.

Q1 Why has India banned the deployment of Indian seafarers on vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz?

• ADue to attacks killing two Indian seafarers in the last three daysCorrect
• BBecause of a new maritime trade agreement
• CTo promote Indian shipping companies
• DTo increase naval presence in the region

Explanation India banned deployment after two Indian seafarers were killed in attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz over the last three days.

Q2 What diplomatic action did India take following the death of an Indian seafarer in the Strait of Hormuz?

• ASummoned Iran's deputy ambassador to lodge a strong protestCorrect
• BImposed sanctions on Iran
• CRequested UN intervention
• DClosed its embassy in Iran

Explanation India summoned Iran's deputy ambassador to lodge a strong protest over one of the seafarers' deaths.

Q3 Which region's escalating tensions have influenced India's decision regarding Indian seafarers?

• AMiddle EastCorrect
• BSouth Asia
• CSoutheast Asia
• DEurope

Explanation The escalating tensions in the Middle East have led to attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, prompting India's decision.

Q1 What was Sabari Varman arrested for before his custodial death in Nagercoil jail?

• APossession of banned gutkaCorrect
• BTheft
• CAssault
• DDrug trafficking

Explanation Sabari Varman was arrested on July 9 for allegedly possessing the banned gutka.

Q2 Who were arrested following the suspicious death of Sabari Varman in Nagercoil jail?

• AChief warder, two warders, and eight prison inmatesCorrect
• BOnly the chief warder
• CPolice officers
• DFamily members of Sabari Varman

Explanation The chief warder, two warders, and eight prison inmates were arrested after the death.

Q3 What did the post mortem report on Sabari Varman reveal?

• AInjuries on his body indicating suspicious deathCorrect
• BNatural causes of death
• CNo injuries found
• DDeath due to illness

Explanation The post mortem report revealed injuries on Sabari Varman's body, leading to suspicion of murder.

Q1 What is the total cost of the highway projects approved by the Cabinet to decongest Varanasi?

• ARs 25,446 croreCorrect
• BRs 25,400 crore
• CRs 24,000 crore
• DRs 26,000 crore

Explanation The Cabinet approved highway projects worth Rs 25,446 crore to ease congestion in Varanasi.

Q2 Which organization will implement the Varanasi elevated highway projects?

• ANational Highways Authority of IndiaCorrect
• BIndian Railways
• CMinistry of Road Transport
• DState Public Works Department

Explanation The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) will implement the projects under the Hybrid Annuity Model.

Q3 What is the length of the corridor linking NH-31 with the Varanasi Ring Road?

• A43.218 kmCorrect
• B50 km
• C30 km
• D60 km

Explanation The corridor linking NH-31 with the Varanasi Ring Road along the Varuna River is 43.218 km long.

Q1 What was NPCIL's response to the alleged data breach at Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant?

• AThey confirmed a sensitive nuclear data breach
• BThey denied any sensitive data breach linked to nuclear securityCorrect
• CThey admitted a ransomware attack compromised nuclear data
• DThey announced a shutdown of the plant due to the breach

Explanation NPCIL denied any sensitive data breach related to nuclear security at the Kudankulam plant.

Q2 What was the reaction among the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant's top officials following the alleged data breach?

• AThey remained calm and unaffected
• BThey triggered absolute commotionCorrect
• CThey immediately shut down the plant
• DThey reported the breach to international agencies

Explanation Sources said the alleged data breach caused absolute commotion among the project's top brass.

Q3 Which organization operates the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant?

• ABhabha Atomic Research Centre
• BNuclear Power Corporation of India LimitedCorrect
• CAtomic Energy Regulatory Board
• DIndian Space Research Organisation

Explanation The Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant is operated by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL).

Q1 What was exposed in the recent data breach related to the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant?

• ANearly 19,000 files totaling 14.3 gigabytesCorrect
• BOnly financial records of the plant
• CEmployee personal data only
• DNo data was actually exposed

Explanation Nearly 19,000 files totaling 14.3 gigabytes related to the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant were exposed in the data breach.

Q2 Which company, a contractor for Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant, confirmed the partial data breach?

• ATata Group
• BReliance GroupCorrect
• CAdani Group
• DLarsen & Toubro

Explanation Anil Ambani’s Reliance Group, a contractor for the plant, confirmed the partial data breach.

Q3 Which service provider hosted the server where the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant data breach occurred?

• ATCS
• BYottaCorrect
• CInfosys
• DWipro

Explanation The data breach involved a server hosted by third-party Indian data centre service provider Yotta.

Q1 What is a key feature of the India-U.K. trade deal?

• AIntroduction of zero tariffsCorrect
• BIncrease in tariffs on British cars
• CRestrictions on Indian workers in the U.K.
• DBan on British whisky imports

Explanation The India-U.K. trade deal introduces zero tariffs, making British products like whisky and cars cheaper in India.

Q2 What is one reason for the delay in the India-U.S. trade deal?

• AIndia's Russian oil purchasesCorrect
• BIndia-U.K. trade deal negotiations
• CCheaper British whisky imports
• DLegal battles in India

Explanation The delay in the India-U.S. trade deal is partly due to India's Russian oil purchases and legal challenges in Washington.

Q3 Which of the following is a benefit mentioned for Indian workers in the India-U.K. trade deal?

• AMajor benefits for Indian workers in the U.K.Correct
• BRestrictions on Indian workers in the U.K.
• CIncreased tariffs on Indian workers
• DNo changes for Indian workers

Explanation The India-U.K. trade deal offers major benefits for Indian workers in the U.K.