Daily Current Affairs 16 July 2026
Daily current affairs for 16 July 2026 — 9 verified news items across Economy, National, Sports & more, with exam-angle notes, keywords and practice MCQs.
In this digest · 9 items
Economy
India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement Comes Into Effect
The India-U.K. Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) officially came into effect on July 15, 2026. Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that the trade deal will provide significant benefits to India's farmers, entrepreneurs, and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). The agreement has been welcomed by government officials from both India and the U.K., as well as by Indian industry stakeholders.
Source The Hindu
Practice MCQs
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.
Union Cabinet Approves ₹62,500 Crore Mobile Manufacturing Scheme
The Union Cabinet has approved a ₹62,500 crore Mobile Phone Manufacturing Scheme aimed at boosting domestic production, exports, and local value addition in the mobile phone sector. This five-year scheme offers incentives for manufacturing, component sourcing, and research and development. The scheme targets an output of ₹39 lakh crore, providing a fresh push to Indian-brand mobile phones and strengthening the country's position in the global mobile manufacturing industry.
Source Livemint
Practice MCQs
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.
India Remains Lower-Middle-Income While Vietnam and Philippines Upgrade
According to a recent World Bank income classification update, India continues to be classified as a lower-middle-income country. In contrast, Vietnam and the Philippines have been upgraded to higher income groups. This disparity highlights the challenge India faces in converting its rapid aggregate economic growth into increased per capita incomes.
Source Livemint
Practice MCQs
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.
National
Cabinet Approves Rs 25,446 Crore Elevated Highway Projects to Decongest Varanasi
The Indian Cabinet has approved highway projects worth Rs 25,446 crore to ease traffic congestion in Varanasi. These projects include the construction of two elevated highway corridors. One key component is a 43.218-km corridor linking NH-31 with the Varanasi Ring Road along the Varuna River. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) will implement the projects under the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM). The initiative aims to significantly improve traffic flow and connectivity in the city.
Source The Hindu
Practice MCQs
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.
NPCIL Denies Sensitive Data Breach at Kudankulam Nuclear Plant
The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) has denied any sensitive data breach related to the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP). Despite reports of a data breach causing significant concern among the project's top officials, NPCIL clarified that the incident is not linked to nuclear security. The alleged breach has nonetheless caused commotion within the plant's management, but no critical nuclear information was compromised.
Source The Hindu
Practice MCQs
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).
Data Breach Exposes Files of Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant
Nearly 19,000 files totaling 14.3 gigabytes related to the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNP), India's largest nuclear power plant, have been exposed online since June 11. The breach involved data hosted on a server managed by third-party Indian data center service provider Yotta. Anil Ambani’s Reliance Group, a contractor for the plant, confirmed a partial data breach and stated that the government has been informed about the incident.
Source The Hindu
Practice MCQs
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.
Sports
Spain Defeats France in FIFA World Cup 2026 Semifinal with Tactical Masterclass
In the FIFA World Cup 2026 semifinal, Spain delivered one of the tournament's most complete performances by defeating France. Spain's midfield executed relentless pressing, immaculate possession, and strong defensive organization, effectively neutralizing France's attacking trio of Mbappe, Dembele, and Olise. This tactical approach suffocated the French team, reducing their key attackers to mere spectators and securing Spain's victory.
Source The Hindu
Practice MCQs
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.
Spain Defeats France 2-0 in FIFA World Cup 2026 Semifinal
In the FIFA World Cup 2026 semifinal, Spain defeated France 2-0 to reach the final for the first time in 16 years. The match highlighted contrasting football philosophies, with Spain's organised play overcoming France's approach. Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro scored the goals for Spain, capitalizing on errors made by the French team.
Source The Hindu
Practice MCQs
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.
International
India-U.K. Trade Deal Brings Zero Tariffs and Benefits for Workers
The India-U.K. trade deal introduces zero tariffs, making British products like whisky and cars cheaper in India. It also offers significant advantages for Indian workers in the U.K., potentially reshaping business relations between the two countries. Meanwhile, the India-U.S. trade deal faces delays due to issues such as India's Russian oil purchases and ongoing legal challenges in Washington, creating uncertainty around its conclusion.
Source The Hindu
Practice MCQs
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.
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