Current Affairs MCQs for UPSC Prelims — July 2026

Q1. Consider the following statements regarding the announcement and the subsequent approval of India's offshore exploration initiative: 1. The mission announced from the Red Fort in 2025 was styled the National Deepwater Exploration Mission, while the scheme approved by the Cabinet in 2026 is titled the National Offshore Exploration Scheme. 2. The Independence Day announcement itself specified the entire financial outlay and the terminal financial year of the scheme. 3. A domestically manufactured semiconductor chip and Mission Sudarshan Chakra were among the other initiatives announced in the same Independence Day address. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The mission announced from the Red Fort in 2025 was styled the National Deepwater Exploration Mission, while the scheme approved by the Cabinet in 2026 is titled the National Offshore Exploration Scheme.
  2. The Independence Day announcement itself specified the entire financial outlay and the terminal financial year of the scheme.
  3. A domestically manufactured semiconductor chip and Mission Sudarshan Chakra were among the other initiatives announced in the same Independence Day address.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q2. Consider the following statements regarding the announcement and the subsequent approval of India's offshore exploration initiative: 1. The mission announced from the Red Fort in 2025 was styled the National Deepwater Exploration Mission, while the scheme approved by the Cabinet in 2026 is titled the National Offshore Exploration Scheme. 2. The Independence Day announcement itself specified the entire financial outlay and the terminal financial year of the scheme. 3. A domestically manufactured semiconductor chip and Mission Sudarshan Chakra were among the other initiatives announced in the same Independence Day address. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The mission announced from the Red Fort in 2025 was styled the National Deepwater Exploration Mission, while the scheme approved by the Cabinet in 2026 is titled the National Offshore Exploration Scheme.
  2. The Independence Day announcement itself specified the entire financial outlay and the terminal financial year of the scheme.
  3. A domestically manufactured semiconductor chip and Mission Sudarshan Chakra were among the other initiatives announced in the same Independence Day address.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q3. Consider the following statements relating to the Real Estate and Urban Infrastructure Summit 2026 and the urban themes highlighted there: 1. The Minister who addressed the Summit holds the Housing and Urban Development portfolio in the Tamil Nadu government. 2. The Summit was hosted by The Hindu Group at Chennai. 3. The two urban goals he stressed correspond at the Union level to AMRUT 2.0, which seeks to make cities garbage-free, and Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0, which seeks to make them water-secure. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The Minister who addressed the Summit holds the Housing and Urban Development portfolio in the Tamil Nadu government.
  2. The Summit was hosted by The Hindu Group at Chennai.
  3. The two urban goals he stressed correspond at the Union level to AMRUT 2.0, which seeks to make cities garbage-free, and Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0, which seeks to make them water-secure.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q4. Consider the following in connection with the commemoration of 150 years of the National Song 'Vande Mataram': 1. 1 October 2025 — the date of the Union Cabinet resolution deciding that the coming year would be celebrated as a tribute to Vande Mataram. 2. 7 November 2025 — the inauguration of the year-long commemoration by the Prime Minister at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, New Delhi. 3. 7 November 2026 — the date on which the year-long commemoration is scheduled to conclude. 4. August 2026 — the first of the four phases into which the commemoration has been divided. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. 1 October 2025 — the date of the Union Cabinet resolution deciding that the coming year would be celebrated as a tribute to Vande Mataram.
  2. 7 November 2025 — the inauguration of the year-long commemoration by the Prime Minister at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, New Delhi.
  3. 7 November 2026 — the date on which the year-long commemoration is scheduled to conclude.
  4. August 2026 — the first of the four phases into which the commemoration has been divided.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2, 3 and 4
  • C. 1 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q5. The year-long nationwide commemoration of 150 years of the National Song, inaugurated on 7 November 2025, is organised at the national level by which one of the following?

  • A. The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, Government of India
  • B. The Ministry of Culture, Government of India
  • C. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India
  • D. The Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India

Q6. With reference to the execution of court-fixed worship arrangements at the Bhojshala complex, consider the following: 1. For Basant Panchami in January 2026 the Supreme Court itself fixed the timings at the site, allowing Hindu prayers from sunrise to sunset and namaz from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on the same day. 2. The 2026 High Court verdict directed the State government to allot an alternative mosque site within six weeks. 3. Once the High Court declared the complex a temple, the Supreme Court ceased to have any power to regulate worship at the site. 4. The Muslim side's grievance before the Supreme Court is that the State authorities have not implemented the prayer arrangement at the site. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. For Basant Panchami in January 2026 the Supreme Court itself fixed the timings at the site, allowing Hindu prayers from sunrise to sunset and namaz from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on the same day.
  2. The 2026 High Court verdict directed the State government to allot an alternative mosque site within six weeks.
  3. Once the High Court declared the complex a temple, the Supreme Court ceased to have any power to regulate worship at the site.
  4. The Muslim side's grievance before the Supreme Court is that the State authorities have not implemented the prayer arrangement at the site.
  • A. 1 and 4 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 4
  • C. 2 and 3
  • D. 1, 3 and 4

Q7. With reference to the Supreme Court's proceedings in the Bhojshala matter in July 2026, consider the following: 1. The Court was seized of a batch of appeals directed against an order of the Madhya Pradesh High Court. 2. The Court stated that it was willing to take up the matter on a day-to-day basis. 3. The Court referred the dispute to a five-judge Constitution Bench for final adjudication. 4. The Court asked both sides to exercise patience, describing Bhojshala as a sensitive matter. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. The Court was seized of a batch of appeals directed against an order of the Madhya Pradesh High Court.
  2. The Court stated that it was willing to take up the matter on a day-to-day basis.
  3. The Court referred the dispute to a five-judge Constitution Bench for final adjudication.
  4. The Court asked both sides to exercise patience, describing Bhojshala as a sensitive matter.
  • A. 1 and 3
  • B. 2 and 4 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 4
  • D. 1, 3 and 4

Q8. Consider the following statements regarding the 2026 developments in the Bhojshala-Kamal Maula dispute: 1. The Madhya Pradesh High Court held the complex to be a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati. 2. The High Court quashed the ASI order that had permitted Friday namaz at the site. 3. The High Court observed that the Muslim side may seek an alternative site for a mosque from the State government. 4. The Supreme Court stayed the High Court's declaration and restored the 2003 ASI worship-sharing arrangement. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. The Madhya Pradesh High Court held the complex to be a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati.
  2. The High Court quashed the ASI order that had permitted Friday namaz at the site.
  3. The High Court observed that the Muslim side may seek an alternative site for a mosque from the State government.
  4. The Supreme Court stayed the High Court's declaration and restored the 2003 ASI worship-sharing arrangement.
  • A. 2 only
  • B. 4 only
  • C. 1 and 3
  • D. 3 and 4

Q9. Under the ASI order of 7 April 2003 governing the Bhojshala complex, on how many days of an ordinary week was each of the two communities permitted to worship at the site?

  • A. One day for each community, on two different days of the week
  • B. Two days for the Hindu side and one day for the Muslim side
  • C. All days of the week for the Hindu side and one day for the Muslim side
  • D. One day for the Hindu side and all days of the week for the Muslim side

Q10. Under the worship-sharing arrangement made at Bhojshala in 2003, which one of the following was the longest single worship window granted to either community?

  • A. Namaz by the Muslim side on Fridays, permitted from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
  • B. Puja by the Hindu side on Basant Panchami, permitted from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
  • C. Namaz by the Muslim side on Tuesdays, permitted from sunrise to sunset
  • D. Puja by the Hindu side on Tuesdays, permitted from sunrise to sunset

Q11. While hearing the pleas on police action during the NEET protests, the Supreme Court issued certain interim directions. Consider the following: 1. Preservation of CCTV footage, drone recordings, body-camera footage and wireless communications 2. Release of all arrested persons below 18 years of age who have no criminal antecedents 3. Protection of the digital data of protesters from public disclosure 4. Immediate constitution of a Special Investigation Team, with its composition and members named by the Court in the same order Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. Preservation of CCTV footage, drone recordings, body-camera footage and wireless communications
  2. Release of all arrested persons below 18 years of age who have no criminal antecedents
  3. Protection of the digital data of protesters from public disclosure
  4. Immediate constitution of a Special Investigation Team, with its composition and members named by the Court in the same order
  • A. 1 and 3 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2 and 4

Q12. Consider the following statements regarding the litigation arising from the 2026 NEET protests: 1. Two petitions on alleged police excesses were taken up by the Supreme Court, while three separate petitions arising from the same demonstrations were before the Delhi High Court. 2. Before the Delhi High Court, the Centre defended continuous police videography of the Jantar Mantar protest site as a routine law-and-order measure. 3. The Delhi High Court entertained a public interest litigation seeking a National Investigation Agency probe into the protests. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Two petitions on alleged police excesses were taken up by the Supreme Court, while three separate petitions arising from the same demonstrations were before the Delhi High Court.
  2. Before the Delhi High Court, the Centre defended continuous police videography of the Jantar Mantar protest site as a routine law-and-order measure.
  3. The Delhi High Court entertained a public interest litigation seeking a National Investigation Agency probe into the protests.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q13. On July 20, 2026, the Rapid Action Force fired less-lethal munitions in New Delhi under the direction of an officer of which one of the following?

  • A. A Deputy Commissioner of Police rank officer of the Delhi Police
  • B. The Director General of the Central Reserve Police Force
  • C. An Executive Magistrate deputed by the Government of NCT of Delhi
  • D. The Special Commissioner of Police (Law and Order), Delhi Police

Q14. According to the general diary entry recorded at the Parliament Street police station, how many rounds of plastic pellets did the Rapid Action Force fire during the march in New Delhi on July 20, 2026?

  • A. Two rounds
  • B. Five rounds
  • C. Fifteen rounds
  • D. Fifty-five rounds

Q15. Which one of the following agencies was entrusted by the Union Government with the lead investigation into the alleged leak that led to the cancellation of NEET-UG 2026?

  • A. The Special Operations Group of the Rajasthan Police
  • B. The Central Bureau of Investigation
  • C. The National Investigation Agency
  • D. The Enforcement Directorate

Q16. Approximately how many candidates had registered for the NEET-UG 2026 examination that was subsequently cancelled by the National Testing Agency?

  • A. About 8 lakh candidates registered across the country
  • B. About 14 lakh candidates registered across the country
  • C. More than 22 lakh candidates registered across the country
  • D. More than 40 lakh candidates registered across the country

Q17. Among the reliefs pressed by the petitioners whose pleas the Supreme Court took up in July 2026, the lead relief sought was:

  • A. A court-monitored independent investigation into the events of the march to Parliament
  • B. The framing of uniform nationwide guidelines regulating police action during public protests
  • C. A bar on the deployment of personnel in plain clothes for crowd-control duty
  • D. The quashing of repeatedly issued prohibitory orders under the new criminal procedure law

Q18. Consider the following statements regarding the Supreme Court's handling of pleas arising from the July 2026 protests over examination paper leaks: 1. On 22 July 2026, the Chief Justice-led Bench declined the request for urgent listing of a plea against police action at the Cockroach Janata Party's march, refusing to view video material at the mentioning stage. 2. On 27 July 2026, the same Bench agreed to hear the related petitions together and observed that mere agitation cannot justify police excess, calling for a clear and uniform protocol to manage protests across the country. 3. At the hearing, the petitioners seeking nationwide guidelines were represented by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, while the Union Government was represented by Senior Advocate Vikas Singh. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. On 22 July 2026, the Chief Justice-led Bench declined the request for urgent listing of a plea against police action at the Cockroach Janata Party's march, refusing to view video material at the mentioning stage.
  2. On 27 July 2026, the same Bench agreed to hear the related petitions together and observed that mere agitation cannot justify police excess, calling for a clear and uniform protocol to manage protests across the country.
  3. At the hearing, the petitioners seeking nationwide guidelines were represented by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, while the Union Government was represented by Senior Advocate Vikas Singh.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q19. The Supreme Court Bench which, on 27 July 2026, decided to hear together the petitions alleging police excesses during protests and called for a uniform nationwide protocol, was headed by:

  • A. Justice Joymalya Bagchi
  • B. Justice V. Mohana
  • C. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Union of India
  • D. Chief Justice of India Surya Kant

Q20. The Government of India's dialogue with the Leh Apex Body and the Kargil Democratic Alliance on statehood and Sixth Schedule demands has been conducted through a High-Powered Committee constituted under which one of the following ministries?

  • A. The Ministry of Tribal Affairs
  • B. The Ministry of Home Affairs
  • C. The Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region
  • D. The Ministry of Culture

Q21. Consider the following statements about Sonam Wangchuk's recent protests: 1. The September 2025 fast in Leh was launched under the banner of the Leh Apex Body. 2. He was released after the preventive-detention order against him was revoked in the first half of 2026. 3. The protest he began in June 2026 was an indefinite fast. 4. In 2025 he was detained under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The September 2025 fast in Leh was launched under the banner of the Leh Apex Body.
  2. He was released after the preventive-detention order against him was revoked in the first half of 2026.
  3. The protest he began in June 2026 was an indefinite fast.
  4. In 2025 he was detained under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1, 2 and 4
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1 and 3 only

Q22. With reference to the 2025–2026 sequence of Sonam Wangchuk's protests, consider the following statements: 1. He joined a 35-day hunger strike in Leh in September 2025 as part of the Leh Apex Body's agitation. 2. He was detained under the National Security Act following the September 2025 protests in Ladakh. 3. His detention under that Act was revoked in early 2026. 4. In June 2026 he resumed an indefinite fast at the Jantar Mantar ground in Leh. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

  1. He joined a 35-day hunger strike in Leh in September 2025 as part of the Leh Apex Body's agitation.
  2. He was detained under the National Security Act following the September 2025 protests in Ladakh.
  3. His detention under that Act was revoked in early 2026.
  4. In June 2026 he resumed an indefinite fast at the Jantar Mantar ground in Leh.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 2 only
  • C. 3 only
  • D. 4 only

Q23. The 2026 Monsoon Session of Parliament was held from 20 July to 13 August 2026. How many sittings did it comprise?

  • A. 19
  • B. 15
  • C. 18
  • D. 21

Q24. With reference to Karnataka's 2024 pursuit of Central drought-relief funds, consider the following statements: 1. Karnataka sought over ₹18,000 crore from the NDRF for drought management. 2. The Centre released ₹3,454 crore under the NDRF for Karnataka's drought relief. 3. Karnataka's petition for release of drought funds was filed before the Supreme Court. 4. The funds were released only after the Karnataka High Court directed the Union government to do so. Which of the above is/are NOT correctly identified?

  1. Karnataka sought over ₹18,000 crore from the NDRF for drought management.
  2. The Centre released ₹3,454 crore under the NDRF for Karnataka's drought relief.
  3. Karnataka's petition for release of drought funds was filed before the Supreme Court.
  4. The funds were released only after the Karnataka High Court directed the Union government to do so.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 4 only
  • C. 3 and 4 only
  • D. 2 only

Q25. With reference to Karnataka's demand for Central drought relief following the Kharif 2023 drought, consider the following statements: 1. For the Kharif 2023 season, Karnataka declared 223 of its 236 taluks as drought-affected. 2. Karnataka approached the Supreme Court seeking release of funds from the National Disaster Response Fund. 3. The Centre released the entire amount that Karnataka had sought under the NDRF. 4. All 236 taluks of Karnataka were categorised as severely drought-affected. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. For the Kharif 2023 season, Karnataka declared 223 of its 236 taluks as drought-affected.
  2. Karnataka approached the Supreme Court seeking release of funds from the National Disaster Response Fund.
  3. The Centre released the entire amount that Karnataka had sought under the NDRF.
  4. All 236 taluks of Karnataka were categorised as severely drought-affected.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 4 only
  • D. 3 and 4 only

Q26. With reference to the meeting of Karnataka MPs convened in New Delhi in July 2026 to press the State's demands on the Centre, consider the following statements: 1. It was convened at Karnataka Bhavan in New Delhi. 2. It was held during the Monsoon Session of Parliament, 2026. 3. It was presided over by the KPCC president, B.K. Hariprasad, in place of the Chief Minister. 4. Its immediate trigger was the drought situation in Karnataka. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. It was convened at Karnataka Bhavan in New Delhi.
  2. It was held during the Monsoon Session of Parliament, 2026.
  3. It was presided over by the KPCC president, B.K. Hariprasad, in place of the Chief Minister.
  4. Its immediate trigger was the drought situation in Karnataka.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 4 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 3 and 4 only

Q27. In the NEET-UG 2026 case, the identified 'kingpin' had access to the question papers by virtue of his role in the examination process of which body?

  • A. The Central Board of Secondary Education
  • B. The National Testing Agency
  • C. The University Grants Commission
  • D. The National Medical Commission

Q28. Besides its chairperson, how many members were named to the high-powered task force on examination reforms announced in July 2026?

  • A. Four
  • B. Five
  • C. Six
  • D. Seven

Q29. The high-powered task force constituted in July 2026 to recommend a leak-proof, technology-driven national examination system is chaired by whom?

  • A. Nandan Nilekani, co-founder of Infosys
  • B. S. Somanath, former Chairman of ISRO
  • C. V. Kamakoti, Director of IIT Madras
  • D. Tapan Deka, former Director of the Intelligence Bureau

Q30. Shri Jayant Chaudhary, the Union Minister of State for Education, simultaneously holds Independent Charge of which one of the following Ministries?

  • A. Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
  • B. Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
  • C. Ministry of Women and Child Development
  • D. Ministry of Rural Development