Daily Current Affairs 17 July 2026

Q1 What is the power source used in India's first hydrogen-powered train flagged off by PM Modi?

• ADiesel engine
• BProton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cellCorrect
• CElectric battery
• DSolar panels

Explanation The train uses a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell as its onboard power plant, unlike conventional diesel locomotives.

Q2 On which route was India's first hydrogen-powered train flagged off?

• ADelhi-Mumbai
• BJind-SonipatCorrect
• CChennai-Bangalore
• DKolkata-Howrah

Explanation The train was flagged off on the Jind-Sonipat route in Haryana.

Q3 What is the main emission from India's first hydrogen-powered train?

• ACarbon dioxide
• BNitrogen oxides
• CWater vapourCorrect
• DSulfur dioxide

Explanation The hydrogen-powered train emits only water vapour, making it an environmentally friendly technology.

Q1 What was the official stance on the recent data breach at the Kudankulam nuclear power plant?

• AIt compromised nuclear security
• BIt was unrelated to nuclear securityCorrect
• CIt caused a shutdown of the plant
• DIt led to a government investigation

Explanation Both NPCIL and Union Minister Jitendra Singh stated that the data breach was not linked to nuclear security.

Q2 Who is the Union Minister that commented on the Kudankulam data breach?

• ANarendra Modi
• BJitendra SinghCorrect
• CRajnath Singh
• DPiyush Goyal

Explanation Union Minister of State Jitendra Singh spoke to The Hindu, downplaying the risks from the data breach.

Q3 What was the reaction of experts regarding the Kudankulam nuclear plant data breach?

• AThey expressed serious concerns
• BThey were not worried by the incidentCorrect
• CThey demanded immediate shutdown
• DThey called for international assistance

Explanation Experts did not seem worried by the incident, indicating it did not affect nuclear security.

Q1 What action did Tamil Nadu’s DMK MPs urge the Centre to take regarding the Mekedatu issue?

• AConstitute a tribunal to resolve the disputeCorrect
• BIncrease water release from Mettur Dam
• CImpose sanctions on Karnataka
• DHold a joint meeting with Karnataka officials

Explanation The DMK MPs adopted a resolution urging the Centre to constitute a tribunal to address the Mekedatu dispute.

Q2 Who attended the virtual meeting of DMK MPs where the Mekedatu resolution was adopted?

• AM.K. Stalin from LondonCorrect
• BThe Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu
• CThe Prime Minister of India
• DThe Governor of Tamil Nadu

Explanation The party president M.K. Stalin attended the virtual meeting from London.

Q3 What was the reason cited for the hardship faced by farmers in Tamil Nadu related to the Mekedatu issue?

• AKarnataka’s recalcitrant stand preventing opening of Mettur DamCorrect
• BLack of rainfall in Tamil Nadu
• CCentral government’s delay in releasing funds
• DPoor maintenance of irrigation canals

Explanation The resolution stated that Karnataka’s recalcitrant stand prevented opening of the Mettur Dam, causing hardship to farmers.

Q1 What proportion of vehicle owners surveyed are prepared for legal battles over E20 fuel damage?

• A1 in 10
• B3 in 10
• C5 in 10Correct
• D7 in 10

Explanation The survey found that 5 in 10 vehicle owners are prepared to engage in legal battles over damages caused by E20 fuel.

Q2 Which state's consumer court ruled in favor of a buyer alleging engine problems due to ethanol-blended petrol?

• AMaharashtra
• BChhattisgarhCorrect
• CKarnataka
• DTamil Nadu

Explanation The consumer court in Chhattisgarh ruled in favor of a buyer who alleged repeated engine problems linked to ethanol-blended petrol.

Q3 What issue did the buyer allege that led to the consumer court ruling?

• AFuel price hike
• BRepeated engine problemsCorrect
• CVehicle theft
• DPoor fuel availability

Explanation The buyer alleged repeated engine problems linked to ethanol-blended petrol, which led to the consumer court ruling.

Q1 Who has been appointed as the new Delhi Police Commissioner?

• ASatish Golcha
• BAnurag KumarCorrect
• CRakesh Asthana
• DSanjay Arora

Explanation Anurag Kumar has taken charge as the new Delhi Police Commissioner, replacing Satish Golcha.

Q2 What is Anurag Kumar's professional background before becoming Delhi Police Commissioner?

• AFormer IB Special DirectorCorrect
• BFormer RAW Chief
• CFormer Army Officer
• DFormer Home Secretary

Explanation Anurag Kumar was a former Intelligence Bureau Special Director before his appointment as Delhi Police Commissioner.

Q3 What expertise does Anurag Kumar bring to his role as Delhi Police Commissioner?

• ACybersecurity and IT
• BNational security and counter-terrorismCorrect
• CTraffic management
• DForensic science

Explanation Anurag Kumar has expertise in national security and counter-terrorism.

Q1 Where will the FIFA World Cup 2026 final between Spain and Argentina be held?

• AMetLife Stadium, New JerseyCorrect
• BWembley Stadium, London
• CMaracanã Stadium, Brazil
• DLusail Stadium, Qatar

Explanation The final will be played at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

Q2 Which prominent political figure is confirmed to attend the FIFA World Cup 2026 final?

• AUS President Donald TrumpCorrect
• BArgentina President Milei
• CUK Prime Minister
• DFrench President

Explanation US President Donald Trump will attend the final and a FIFA reception before the match.

Q3 Why will Argentina President Milei not attend the FIFA World Cup final?

• ADue to superstitionCorrect
• BHealth reasons
• CScheduling conflict
• DSecurity concerns

Explanation Argentina President Milei will not attend the final due to superstition.

Q1 What has the European Union mandated Google to do under new regulations?

• AOpen up Android and search data to rival AI and search engine companiesCorrect
• BShut down its search engine in the EU
• CIncrease advertising fees for competitors
• DMerge with other tech companies

Explanation The EU has mandated Google to open up its Android platform and search data to rival AI and search engine companies.

Q2 What concern did Google's lawyer Kent Walker raise about the EU's new regulations?

• AThey will reduce Google's profits
• BThey pose privacy and security risksCorrect
• CThey will increase Google's market share
• DThey violate international trade laws

Explanation Kent Walker claimed that the EU's decisions come with privacy and security risks.

Q3 Which platforms are specifically mentioned as being affected by the EU's new specifications for Google?

• AYouTube and Gmail
• BAndroid and SearchCorrect
• CGoogle Maps and Chrome
• DGoogle Drive and Docs

Explanation The EU's new specifications require Google to open up Android and Search data to rivals.

Q1 Who was elected as the leader of Britain's Labour party in July 2026?

• AAndy BurnhamCorrect
• BKeir Starmer
• CBoris Johnson
• DTheresa May

Explanation Andy Burnham was elected as the leader of Britain's Labour party.

Q2 What position is Andy Burnham set to assume on the Monday following his election as Labour leader?

• APrime Minister of the UKCorrect
• BChancellor of the Exchequer
• CHome Secretary
• DForeign Secretary

Explanation Andy Burnham is set to become the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom on Monday.

Q1 Who was removed from the position of Defence Minister in Ukraine's recent government reshuffle?

• AVolodymyr Zelensky
• BMykhailo FedorovCorrect
• CA Russian official
• DAn unnamed military leader

Explanation Mykhailo Fedorov was the Defence Minister removed during the surprise government reshuffle by President Zelensky.

Q2 What was a significant public reaction to Zelensky's government reshuffle in Ukraine?

• AWidespread celebrations
• BRare nationwide protestsCorrect
• CInternational sanctions
• DMilitary coup

Explanation The government reshuffle sparked rare nationwide protests across Ukraine.

Q3 What underlying issue did Zelensky's government reshuffle expose?

• AEconomic instability
• BTensions within military leadershipCorrect
• CDiplomatic conflicts with Russia
• DCorruption in the judiciary

Explanation The reshuffle exposed tensions within Ukraine's military leadership despite recent gains against Russian forces.

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

• AVikram-1Correct
• BGaganyaan
• CPSLV-C54
• DRohini

Explanation The rocket named Vikram-1 is India's first privately developed orbital-class rocket by Skyroot Aerospace, scheduled to launch on July 18, 2026.

Q2 What special payload will the Vikram-1 Test Flight-1 carry?

• AA satellite for communication
• BA handwritten postcard from PM Narendra Modi with 'Vande Mataram'Correct
• CA scientific experiment on microgravity
• DAn Indian flag

Explanation Among the payloads on Vikram-1 Test Flight-1 is a handwritten postcard from Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the words 'Vande Mataram'.

Q3 At what time is the Vikram-1 rocket launch scheduled on July 18, 2026?

• A11:30 a.m.Correct
• B9:00 a.m.
• C2:00 p.m.
• D6:00 a.m.

Explanation The Vikram-1 rocket launch is scheduled from the spaceport's first launch pad at 11:30 a.m. on July 18, 2026.

Q1 What recent challenge is ISRO facing according to the report?

• AIncreased launch failures
• BLoss of experienced scientists due to resignations and retirementsCorrect
• CBudget cuts by the government
• DDelays in satellite development

Explanation ISRO is grappling with retaining experienced scientists, with over 100 resignations or voluntary retirements in recent months.

Q2 What action has the Department of Space taken in response to the scientist resignations at ISRO?

• AIncreased salaries for all scientists
• BTightened exit rules for personnel working on key missionsCorrect
• CStopped all ongoing missions temporarily
• DStarted recruiting foreign scientists

Explanation The Department of Space has tightened exit rules for personnel working on key missions, including Gaganyaan, to address the issue.

Q3 Which key mission is specifically mentioned as being affected by the tightened exit rules at ISRO?

• AChandrayaan
• BMangalyaan
• CGaganyaanCorrect
• DAditya-L1

Explanation The Gaganyaan mission is specifically mentioned as one of the key missions for which exit rules have been tightened.

Q1 Who completed the self-enumeration process for Census 2027 in Tamil Nadu?

• AChief Minister VijayCorrect
• BGovernor Arlekar
• CUnion Home Minister
• DCensus Commissioner

Explanation Chief Minister Vijay officially completed his self-enumeration process for Census 2027 in Tamil Nadu.

Q2 What did Tamil Nadu Governor Arlekar urge households to do during the Census 2027?

• AProvide complete and accurate informationCorrect
• BAvoid participating in the Census
• CDelay the Census process
• DConduct the Census independently

Explanation Governor Arlekar urged every household to furnish complete and accurate information and extend full cooperation to Census authorities.

Q3 What is the main purpose of the appeals made by Tamil Nadu CM and Governor regarding Census 2027?

• ATo ensure active public participation for successful Census conductCorrect
• BTo postpone the Census due to COVID-19
• CTo reduce the number of Census officials
• DTo privatize the Census process

Explanation Both leaders emphasized the importance of active public participation to ensure the successful conduct of Census 2027.

Q1 What is significant about Census 2027 in Tamil Nadu?

• AIt will be the state's biggest population headcountCorrect
• BIt is the first digital census in India
• CIt focuses only on urban areas
• DIt excludes demographic data collection

Explanation Census 2027 in Tamil Nadu is noted for being the state's biggest population headcount.

Q2 Why does the Census 2027 matter for Tamil Nadu?

• AIt helps in planning and resource allocationCorrect
• BIt is conducted every year
• CIt only counts the rural population
• DIt replaces the need for surveys

Explanation The census provides demographic data crucial for planning and resource allocation in Tamil Nadu.

Q3 What does the Census 2027 process in Tamil Nadu involve?

• ADetailed enumeration and answering public questionsCorrect
• BOnly online data collection
• CCounting only the working population
• DExcluding children under 5 years

Explanation The process involves detailed enumeration and addressing public questions to ensure accurate data collection.