Current Affairs Quiz - July 2026

Notes:
National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) publishes annual cyber crime statistics in its “Crime in India” report; the latest edition is for 2024. Cyber crime cases in India increased from 50,035 (2020) to 1,01,928 (2024), showing a sharp upward trend. Telangana (27,230 cases) recorded the highest number of cyber crime cases in 2024, followed by Karnataka (21,993) and Uttar Pradesh (11,073). Among Union Territories, Delhi (404 cases) recorded the highest number of cyber crime cases in 2024. Under the Information Technology Act, Computer Related Offences (36,920 cases) were the most common cyber crimes in 2024.

Notes:
Recently, botanists discovered a new flowering plant species, Disporum yobinorum, in Arunachal Pradesh. It was found in the forests of Vijaynagar in Changlang district, near the India–Myanmar border. Vijaynagar is one of India’s least disturbed forest landscapes and forms part of a biodiversity-rich transboundary region with Myanmar’s Kachin State and China’s Yunnan. The species is named after the Yobin community for supporting scientific exploration. The Yobin (Lisu) are among Arunachal Pradesh’s smallest indigenous tribes. The plant grows in moist, shaded evergreen forests.

Notes:
Recently, all gates of the Salal Dam in Reasi district, Jammu & Kashmir, were opened after heavy rainfall caused a sharp rise in the Chenab River water level. Salal Dam (Salal Hydroelectric Power Station) is a 690 MW run-of-the-river hydropower project. It is built on the Chenab River in Reasi district. The project was conceptualized in 1920, construction began in 1970, and commercial operations started in 1987. It was the first hydropower project built by India under the Indus Water Treaty regime in Kashmir.

Notes:
Recently, France became the first European Union (EU) country to pass a blanket ban on social media for children below 15 years. The move aims to reduce cyberbullying, mental health risks, and excessive screen time. Australia was the first country to implement a nationwide social media ban for minors below 16 years. Countries including Indonesia, Türkiye, Malaysia, the UAE, and the UK have also adopted similar restrictions. Karnataka became India’s first state to announce a social media ban for children below 16 years.

Notes:
Bharat Renewable Energy Summit & Expo (BRESE) 2026 is scheduled from 2–5 November 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. Invitations have been sent to 34 countries for BRESE and 128 countries for the ISA Assembly. India is expected to soon cross 300 GW of installed non-fossil fuel capacity. PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana is expected to cross 50 lakh beneficiary households soon. During the Curtain Raiser, the ‘URJHA Chakra’ logo, official digital portal, and mobile app for BRESE 2026 were launched.

Notes:
Researchers recently discovered Tetragonula yikhumensis, a new species of stingless bee, in Wokha district, Nagaland. It is named after Yikhum village, where it was first collected. It is a subterranean (underground-nesting) bee and is the largest stingless bee recorded in India. The discovery increases the number of stingless bee species in India from 25 to 26. The Lotha community locally calls it “Litsuk” (ground bee) and values its honey and bee pollen for medicinal purposes.

Notes:
Income Tax Day is observed every year on 24 July to commemorate the establishment and evolution of the Income Tax Department of India. It highlights India’s journey towards a transparent, technology-driven, and taxpayer-friendly tax administration. Recently, the Income Tax Department has adopted Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) to improve tax administration and compliance. The day promotes voluntary tax compliance and awareness of the role of taxation in nation-building.

Notes:
Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the 136th episode of Mann Ki Baat, praised the revival of Kashmir’s traditional ‘Vagu’ mat under the Vocal for Local initiative. Vagu is a traditional handwoven mat made from reeds and paddy straw. The craft originates from Kashmir and has been practiced for centuries. Raw materials are harvested from marshy areas, dried, sorted, and woven by hand. It takes about 4 days for two artisans to weave one mat. The mat is eco-friendly, providing coolness in summer and warmth in winter.

Notes:
Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Anahat Singh for becoming the first Indian to win the World Junior Squash Championship title. Anahat Singh won the gold medal at the 2026 World Junior Squash Championship. She defeated Egypt’s Ruqayya Salem 11–3, 11–7, 11–9 in the women’s singles final. The championship was held at Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada.

Notes:
Iran has recently used the Kheibar Shekan missile in a series of complex attacks, drawing global attention to its advanced missile capabilities. It is a long-range, solid-fuel ballistic missile developed by Iran. The missile belongs to the fourth generation of the Khorramshahr missile family. Being solid-fuel powered, it can be launched more quickly than liquid-fuel missiles and requires less preparation time. It is designed to strike long-distance strategic targets with high accuracy.