Current Affairs Quiz - July 2026

Notes:
In the 135th episode of Mann Ki Baat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Nalanda University for reviving the ancient tradition of Shastrarth. Shastrarth is an ancient Indian tradition of structured scholarly debate, where ideas are tested through logic and evidence. The term is derived from Shastra (scriptures/knowledge) and Artha (meaning/interpretation). Its roots lie in the Vedic and Upanishadic period and it was widely practiced in ancient universities such as Nalanda University, Vikramashila, and Takshashila.

Notes:
The Prime Minister presented GI-tagged Nagori Ashwagandha as a traditional Indian gift during the G7 Summit in France. Nagori Ashwagandha is a premium variety of Ashwagandha grown in the Nagaur region of Rajasthan. Nagaur’s dry climate and sandy soil are ideal for its cultivation. It is known for its long, thick, brittle, and starchy roots, which are rich in alkaloids (medicinal compounds). Its berries are dark, bright red, indicating superior quality. It received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2026.

Notes:
The Prime Minister highlighted the conservation efforts of the ‘Hargila Army’, a group of rural women in Assam working to protect the Hargila Bird. The Hargila Bird, also known as the Greater Adjutant Stork, is a large stork species. In India, it is mainly found in Assam and Bihar, while it is also found in Cambodia. It inhabits wetlands, shallow lakes, drying lake beds, and freshwater flooded forests. It is an omnivorous scavenger that also feeds on frogs, insects, reptiles, birds, and rodents. The species faces threats from habitat loss, wetland drainage, and pollution. Its conservation status is Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List.

Notes:
The Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) and Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry (APAAR) are creating a trusted digital ecosystem for academic records. Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) is a digital platform launched by the Ministry of Education. It is regulated by the University Grants Commission (UGC). It enables students to store, manage, transfer, and redeem academic credits earned from recognised educational institutions. It aims to create a flexible and learner-friendly education system by recognising and preserving learning achievements throughout a learner’s life.

Notes:
The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has given in-principle approval to Odisha’s proposal to resume tiger reintroduction in Satkosia Tiger Reserve. Satkosia Tiger Reserve is located in Odisha. It comprises the Satkosia Gorge Sanctuary and Baisipalli Wildlife Sanctuary. The Mahanadi River flows through the reserve and forms the Satkosia Gorge. The reserve is also part of the Mahanadi Elephant Reserve. It lies at the meeting point of the Deccan Peninsula and Eastern Ghats biogeographic regions.

Notes:
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has approved India’s first Private Point-in-Space (PinS) Instrument Approach Procedure for helicopter operations at Undavalli Heliport. The procedure was developed by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and approved by the DGCA, in line with ICAO standards. PinS (Point-in-Space) uses satellite-based navigation to enable helicopters to land safely at heliports without conventional instrument landing systems. It improves all-weather operations, especially in remote areas and poor weather conditions. The initiative supports safe helicopter operations for emergency services, disaster relief, tourism, pilgrimage, offshore activities, and regional connectivity.

Notes:
Borjuli Wetland in Sonitpur district, Assam, has been notified as a Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS). It is known for conserving wild rice (Oryza rufipogon), the wild ancestor of cultivated rice (Oryza sativa). Oryza rufipogon possesses pest and disease resistance and tolerance to flooding and salinity, making it important for developing climate-resilient rice varieties. The recognition follows the In-situ Conservation and Management of Wild Rice project, implemented since 2022. The project is funded by the National Rainfed Area Authority (NRAA) and implemented by ICAR–National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (ICAR-NBPGR) in collaboration with the Assam State Biodiversity Board.

Notes:
Gujarat Police launched a 28-day statewide cyber safety campaign named “Operation Surakshit Cyberspace”. The campaign runs from July 1 to July 28. It aims to enhance online safety for women and children through cyber awareness, victim outreach, and technology-driven policing. The initiative promotes intelligence-led policing and early intervention to prevent cybercrimes.

Notes:
A banyan tree in Munger, Bihar, has been identified as the oldest accurately dated banyan tree (Ficus benghalensis), with an estimated age of approx 700 years. Scientists determined its age using radiocarbon dating with Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) instead of folklore or historical records. Researchers extracted alpha-cellulose from wood samples near the pith and dated them using the IntCal20 calibration curve and OxCal software. The findings disproved the belief that the tree was planted during the late Mughal–British period, showing it existed before the Burra Bunglow was built.

Notes:
Scientists at Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), Kochi discovered a new deep-sea fish species named Cyttopsis indica. It was found in the Arabian Sea off southern Kerala. It belongs to the genus Cyttopsis, commonly known as dories. It has been given the common name Indian Dory. It survives deep-sea pressure by storing high levels of waxy compounds, making it unsuitable for direct human consumption.