Current Affairs Quiz - July 2026

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The United States officially launched Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2026 in Hawaii. RIMPAC is the world’s largest international maritime exercise, aimed at enhancing global maritime security and cooperation. The exercise will continue until 31 July 2026. It is hosted by the U.S. Pacific Fleet and began with an opening ceremony and press conference in Hawaii. The theme of RIMPAC 2026 is “Partners: Integrated and Prepared”, highlighting joint readiness and collaboration among participating nations. Around 30 countries are participating in the exercise, making it a major multinational naval training event.

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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.

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National Doctors’ Day is celebrated annually in India on 1 July. The day honours the selfless service and contributions of doctors to society. It commemorates the birth and death anniversary of Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy, a renowned physician and former Chief Minister of West Bengal. It was established by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) in 1991. The theme for 2026 is “Behind the Mask: Who Heals the Healers?” The 2026 theme highlights the mental, emotional, and physical well-being of doctors and the need to support healthcare professionals.

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The Union Government has extended the tenure of Ravi Agrawal as Chairman of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) by six months, until December 2026. The extension was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC). He has been reappointed on a contract basis from 1 July 2026. Ravi Agrawal is a 1988-batch Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer. The extension aims to ensure continuity in direct tax policy formulation and support ongoing special initiatives. The CBDT is the policy-making body of the Income Tax Department and is headed by a Chairman with up to six members.

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The Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) opened the floodgates of the Himayat Sagar reservoir. Water was released downstream due to heavy rainfall and increased inflows in the catchment areas. Himayat Sagar is an artificial lake located in Telangana. It is built on the Esi River, a tributary of the Musi River. The lake was constructed during the rule of the last Nizam of Hyderabad. It was built to provide drinking water and protect Hyderabad from floods.

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A United Nations ESCAP report has warned that developing economies in the Asia-Pacific face an annual climate finance gap of nearly USD 800 billion. The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) is the most inclusive intergovernmental platform in the Asia-Pacific region. It was established in 1947. It aims to promote economic and social development through regional cooperation and integration. The headquarters is located in Bangkok, Thailand.

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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.

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SHE-LEAPS (Self-Help Entrepreneur–Livelihoods and Enterprise Application for Prosperity and Sustainability) is a digital platform launched to promote women-led rural entrepreneurship. It was launched during the Rashtriya Gramin Vikas Sammelan in New Delhi. It has been developed by the Digital India Corporation and is implemented under the LokOS platform. The platform supports Self-Help Group (SHG) women by promoting enterprise development, livelihood generation, and financial inclusion. It covers both farm and non-farm enterprises and provides real-time enterprise monitoring and performance tracking.

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Mount Erebus, the world’s southernmost active volcano, has a permanent active lava lake. It is the only known volcano that releases tiny crystals of pure gold into the atmosphere. Mount Erebus is the world’s southernmost active volcano. It is a stratovolcano located on Ross Island in the Ross Sea, Antarctica. It is an intraplate volcano belonging to the McMurdo Volcanic Group in the West Antarctic Rift System. It is the second-highest volcano in Antarctica, after Mount Sidley. Mount Erebus and Deception Island are the only two active volcanoes in Antarctica.

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The National Study Report on “Low Participation in Gram Sabha across States and Union Territories” was released by NITI Aayog. The report was prepared by National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRD&PR) for the Ministry of Panchayati Raj. It examines the reasons for low participation in Gram Sabha meetings and suggests reforms to strengthen grassroots democracy. Vulnerable groups like women, youth, SC/ST, elderly, and migrants are underrepresented in participation. A trust and transparency deficit exists due to weak accountability, political interference, and poor grievance redressal. Key recommendations include a National Gram Sabha Awareness and Mobilisation Mission.