Introduction

Bank and government exam current affairs from July 2026 covered a packed month for aspirants preparing for SSC, Banking, Railway, State PSC, and Defence exams — from Sarnath's UNESCO World Heritage listing and India's first private orbital rocket launch, to leadership changes at NITI Aayog, the Enforcement Directorate's counterparts, and record-breaking sporting achievements at Wimbledon, the FIFA World Cup, and Lord's. This monthly current affairs Q&A is built specifically for exam preparation: quick, accurate revision instead of another long video to sit through. This roundup covers 94 exam-important questions from July 2026, each followed by four options, the correct answer, and a short explanation with the key facts you need.

National Affairs & Government Schemes

Q1. What is the theme of National Statistics Day 2026?

  • a) Data for Development
  • b) Unlocking the Potential of Administrative Data
  • c) Statistics for a Better Tomorrow
  • d) Numbers that Matter

Answer: b) Unlocking the Potential of Administrative Data

National Statistics Day is observed every year on 29 June, marking the birth anniversary of Professor P.C. Mahalanobis, the father of Indian statistics. India observed its 20th National Statistics Day in 2026 under this theme.

Q2. Which operation did India launch for earthquake relief in Venezuela?

  • a) Operation Sadbhavana
  • b) Operation Amistad
  • c) Operation Karuna
  • d) Operation Maitri

Answer: b) Operation Amistad

India launched Operation Amistad ("Amistad" is Spanish for friendship) to send relief material — medicines, beds, and food packets — to Venezuela following back-to-back earthquakes of 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude. Two Indian Air Force C-17 Globemaster aircraft carried over 35 tonnes of relief material.

Q3. What is India's rank in the SDG Index 2026?

  • a) 87
  • b) 94
  • c) 101
  • d) 112

Answer: b) 94

Published by the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, the SDG Index 2026 ranked India 94th, with Finland topping the list, followed by Sweden and Denmark. India improved 18 points on this index since 2015, showing progress on SDG 7 (electrification) and SDG 9 (digital connectivity).

Q4. Where was the 29th National Conference on e-Governance 2026 held?

  • a) New Delhi
  • b) Jaipur, Rajasthan
  • c) Bengaluru, Karnataka
  • d) Hyderabad, Telangana

Answer: b) Jaipur, Rajasthan

India's annual e-Governance conference, first started in 1997, was held at the Rajasthan International Centre, Jaipur, from 1–2 July 2026, focused on digital governance and citizen-centric public service delivery.

Q5. Which supercomputer topped the Top500 rankings as the world's fastest in 2026?

  • a) El Capitan
  • b) Frontier
  • c) Lin Shine
  • d) Airawat

Answer: c) Lin Shine

China's Lin Shine supercomputer overtook the USA's El Capitan to become the world's fastest, achieving over 2 exaflops as the world's first CPU-only supercomputer to do so. India's fastest AI supercomputer, Airawat PSAI (based at C-DAC Pune), ranked 211th globally.

Q6. The 77th Van Mahotsav was observed from which dates in 2026?

  • a) 1–7 June
  • b) 1–7 July
  • c) 15–21 July
  • d) 22–28 July

Answer: b) 1–7 July

Van Mahotsav is India's annual tree-planting festival; the 77th edition was observed from 1 to 7 July 2026.

Q7. GST Day is celebrated every year on which date, marking the launch of GST in India?

  • a) 1 April
  • b) 1 July
  • c) 26 January
  • d) 15 August

Answer: b) 1 July

GST Day is observed on 1 July, marking the launch of the Goods and Services Tax in India on 1 July 2017, which was given constitutional backing through the 101st Constitutional Amendment (Article 279A). The GST Council is chaired by the Union Finance Minister.

Q8. What is India's rank in the Environmental Performance Index (EPI) 2026?

  • a) 165th of 177
  • b) 176th of 177
  • c) 170th of 180
  • d) 155th of 177

Answer: b) 176th of 177

Jointly published by Yale and Columbia Universities, the EPI 2026 ranked India 176th out of 177 countries — second-last overall, ahead only of Laos among Asian countries. Estonia topped the index. Severe air pollution, coal dependency, and limited biodiversity protection were cited as key factors behind India's low rank.

Q9. How much funding did the World Bank approve for India's PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana?

  • a) $500 million
  • b) $890 million
  • c) $1.2 billion
  • d) $650 million

Answer: b) $890 million

The World Bank approved an $890 million financial package to support India's rooftop solar scheme, which aims to provide up to 300 units of free electricity monthly to 1 crore households, launched in 2024.

Q10. Which state will host the 8th Khelo India Youth Games 2026?

  • a) Bihar
  • b) Telangana
  • c) Odisha
  • d) Uttar Pradesh

Answer: b) Telangana

The 8th edition of Khelo India Youth Games will be hosted by Telangana. The 7th edition was held in Bihar in 2025, where Maharashtra topped the medal tally with 158 medals, including 58 gold.

Q11. Where was India's first greenfield refinery-cum-petrochemical complex inaugurated?

  • a) Barmer, Rajasthan
  • b) Pachpadra, Rajasthan
  • c) Paradip, Odisha
  • d) Jamnagar, Gujarat

Answer: b) Pachpadra, Rajasthan

India's first greenfield refinery-cum-petrochemical complex was inaugurated at Pachpadra in Rajasthan's Barmer district.

Q12. Where will India's first dedicated Telecom Manufacturing Zone be established?

  • a) Indore, Madhya Pradesh
  • b) Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh
  • c) Noida, Uttar Pradesh
  • d) Pune, Maharashtra

Answer: b) Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh

The Department of Telecommunications and the Madhya Pradesh government signed an agreement to establish India's first dedicated Telecom Manufacturing Zone at Gwalior, with the Centre approving ₹493 crore for Phase 1.

Q13. "Mission Golden Spice," launched to develop a global brand for an agricultural product, focuses on which spice?

  • a) Sikkim large cardamom
  • b) Lakadong turmeric
  • c) Kashmiri saffron
  • d) Malabar pepper

Answer: b) Lakadong turmeric

Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia launched Mission Golden Spice in Meghalaya — a ₹175 crore, 5-year scheme to develop Lakadong turmeric (grown in the West and East Jaintia Hills) as a global brand, owing to its curcumin content of 7–12%, roughly four times the world average.

Q14. India's first urban night safari will be established in which state?

  • a) Madhya Pradesh
  • b) Uttar Pradesh
  • c) Rajasthan
  • d) Gujarat

Answer: b) Uttar Pradesh

The Supreme Court approved the Uttar Pradesh government's Kukrail Night Safari and Day Zoo Project in the Kukrail forest area, set to become India's first urban night safari.

Q15. "Mission Million Oak Tree by 2047" was launched by which state government?

  • a) Himachal Pradesh
  • b) Uttarakhand
  • c) Sikkim
  • d) Arunachal Pradesh

Answer: c) Sikkim

Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang launched this initiative targeting the plantation of 10 lakh oak trees by 2047, aimed at conserving Himalayan oak forests and strengthening water security and climate resilience.

Q16. Where has India established its first and deepest geothermal wells?

  • a) Puga Valley, Ladakh
  • b) Manikaran, Himachal Pradesh
  • c) Tattapani, Chhattisgarh
  • d) Chumathang, Ladakh

Answer: a) Puga Valley, Ladakh

Developed by the ONGC Energy Centre at over 14,000 feet altitude, two wells over 1,000 metres deep were drilled in Puga Valley, Ladakh, as India's first and deepest geothermal wells, generating renewable energy from underground heat.

Q17. Which state became India's first to implement a law giving women legal farmer status?

  • a) Punjab
  • b) Kerala
  • c) Maharashtra
  • d) Karnataka

Answer: c) Maharashtra

Maharashtra implemented the Women Farmers Empowerment Act 2026, under which women farmers will be issued a Women Farmer Certificate, granting access to government schemes and financial facilities even without formal land ownership.

Q18. Which became Haryana's first fruit to receive a GI tag?

  • a) Sirsa Kinnow
  • b) Karnal Guava
  • c) Sonipat Mango
  • d) Hisar Ber

Answer: a) Sirsa Kinnow

Sirsa Kinnow, a hybrid citrus fruit of Californian origin known for its sweet-tart flavour and high vitamin C content, became Haryana's first fruit to receive a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, aimed at protecting its unique identity and boosting exports.

Q19. Which state became the first in India to start commercial production of matcha tea?

  • a) West Bengal
  • b) Assam
  • c) Kerala
  • d) Sikkim

Answer: b) Assam

Assam became India's first state to commercially produce matcha tea — a traditional Japanese powdered green tea — at the Chota Tingrai Tea Estate in Tinsukia district, following roughly a decade of India-Japan cooperation.

Q20. Which Indian state has the highest per capita income according to recently released data?

  • a) Goa
  • b) Delhi
  • c) Sikkim
  • d) Haryana

Answer: c) Sikkim

Sikkim recorded India's highest per capita income, attributed to its low population, tourism revenue, and strong tax collection. Goa ranked second and Delhi third, while Bihar recorded the lowest per capita income in the country.

Q21. National Flag Day is observed in India on which date?

  • a) 15 August
  • b) 26 January
  • c) 22 July
  • d) 2 October

Answer: c) 22 July

National Flag Day commemorates 22 July 1947, when the Constituent Assembly formally adopted the tricolour as India's national flag. The flag was designed by Pingali Venkayya.

Q22. What is India's first immersive language museum called, recently inaugurated in Kolkata?

  • a) Bhasha Sangrahalaya
  • b) Shabd Lok
  • c) Vaani Kendra
  • d) Bhasha Ghar

Answer: b) Shabd Lok

Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated "Shabd Lok — Museum of Words," India's first immersive language museum, at the National Library premises in Kolkata, developed under the Ministry of Culture to showcase India's linguistic heritage using modern technology.

Q23. India and China recently reopened border trade through which pass, closed for nearly six years?

  • a) Lipulekh Pass
  • b) Nathu La Pass
  • c) Shipki La Pass
  • d) Demchok Pass

Answer: b) Nathu La Pass

India and China decided to reopen border trade through Nathu La Pass in East Sikkim from 1 August 2026, after nearly six years of closure due to COVID-19 and border tensions. Located at about 4,310 metres, Nathu La is linked to the historic Silk Route and connects Sikkim to Tibet.

Q24. The Borjuli Wetland, declared a Biodiversity Heritage Site, is located in which state?

  • a) West Bengal
  • b) Assam
  • c) Bihar
  • d) Odisha

Answer: b) Assam

Borjuli Wetland in Assam's Sonitpur district was declared a Biodiversity Heritage Site by the National Biodiversity Authority, for the conservation of a rare wild rice species, Oryza rufipogon.

Q25. The "Chita Andolan" protest, recently in the news, is related to which project?

  • a) Ken-Betwa Link Project
  • b) Sardar Sarovar Dam
  • c) Polavaram Project
  • d) Renuka Dam Project

Answer: a) Ken-Betwa Link Project

Tribal communities in Madhya Pradesh's Chhatarpur and Panna districts held the "Chita Andolan" (symbolically lying like leopards) to protest the Dhaudhan Dam construction under India's first river-interlinking scheme, the Ken-Betwa Link Project — a ₹44,000 crore project aimed at transferring surplus Ken river water to the Betwa river for the Bundelkhand region.

Defence

Q26. Which indigenously-built Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft did the Indian Navy recently commission?

  • a) INS Mahe
  • b) INS Malvan
  • c) INS Kavaratti
  • d) INS Kiltan

Answer: b) INS Malvan

INS Malvan is the second Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft commissioned by the Indian Navy, following INS Mahe, which was commissioned in 2025. The class is built by Cochin Shipyard Limited.

Q27. India launched the "Seafarer First Emergency Maritime Safety Plan" for Indian sailors working in which region?

  • a) South China Sea
  • b) Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz
  • c) Strait of Malacca
  • d) Gulf of Aden

Answer: b) Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz

India launched this safety plan for Indian merchant navy sailors operating in the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz region, amid tensions between Iran and the United States affecting shipping in the area.

Q28. Kargil Vijay Diwas, commemorating India's 1999 victory over Pakistan, is observed every year on which date?

  • a) 14 July
  • b) 26 July
  • c) 15 August
  • d) 3 December

Answer: b) 26 July

India observed the 27th Kargil Vijay Diwas in 2026. The victory was achieved through Operation Vijay by the Indian Army (with the Indian Air Force's Operation Safed Sagar in support); PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee announced the operation's success on 14 July 1999, with final victory on 26 July 1999.

Banking, Finance & Economy

Q29. What is India's rank in the Hurun Global Unicorn Index 2026?

  • a) 3rd
  • b) 4th
  • c) 5th
  • d) 6th

Answer: b) 4th

India slipped one spot to 4th place with 61 unicorns (down from 64 in 2025, when it ranked 3rd), as the UK overtook it with 70 unicorns. The USA topped the index with 806 unicorns, followed by China with 381.

Q30. Which country holds the largest foreign exchange reserves in the world as of 2026?

  • a) Japan
  • b) Switzerland
  • c) China
  • d) India

Answer: c) China

China holds the world's largest forex reserves at approximately $3,410 billion, followed by Japan and Switzerland. India ranks 5th globally with around $543 billion in reserves.

Q31. According to UNCTAD's World Investment Report 2026, what is India's global rank in FDI inflows for 2025?

  • a) 8th
  • b) 9th
  • c) 11th
  • d) 15th

Answer: c) 11th

India became the world's 11th largest FDI recipient in 2025 with an inflow of $38.89 billion, according to UNCTAD's World Investment Report 2026, jumping two spots from 2024 with FDI growth of around 44%. The USA remained the largest FDI destination.

Q32. According to the Brand Finance India 100 Report 2026, which has been India's most valuable brand for the 10th consecutive year?

  • a) Infosys
  • b) LIC
  • c) Reliance
  • d) Tata Group

Answer: d) Tata Group

Tata Group retained its position as India's most valuable brand for the 10th straight year, with a valuation of around $33 billion, followed by Infosys ($16.4 billion) and LIC Group ($15.3 billion).

Q33. In terms of area under cultivation, which country ranks first in cotton farming globally?

  • a) China
  • b) USA
  • c) India
  • d) Pakistan

Answer: c) India

India ranks first globally in cotton cultivation by area, though China leads in actual cotton production.

Appointments

Q34. Who has been appointed India's Vice Chief of the Army Staff?

  • a) Lt. Gen. A.N. Pramod
  • b) Lt. Gen. Sandeep Jain
  • c) Lt. Gen. Sandeep Thareja
  • d) Lt. Gen. Krishna Swaminathan

Answer: b) Lt. Gen. Sandeep Jain

Lt. Gen. Sandeep Jain has taken charge as India's Vice Chief of the Army Staff.

Q35. Who has been reappointed as Chairman of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT)?

  • a) Nitin Gupta
  • b) Sanjay Malhotra
  • c) Ravi Agarwal
  • d) Tarun Bajaj

Answer: c) Ravi Agarwal

Ravi Agarwal, a 1988-batch IRS officer who first became CBDT Chairman in June 2024, has been reappointed for a further term. CBDT, established in 1964 under the Central Boards of Revenue Act 1963, functions under the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance.

Q36. Who has been appointed the new Director General of the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D)?

  • a) Praveen Sood
  • b) Alok Kumar Mittal
  • c) Rakesh Asthana
  • d) S.N. Shrivastava

Answer: b) Alok Kumar Mittal

Alok Kumar Mittal, a 1993-batch Haryana-cadre IPS officer, has been appointed DG of BPR&D, a body established in 1970 under the Ministry of Home Affairs for police modernisation and reform.

Q37. Who has been appointed CEO of NITI Aayog?

  • a) B.V.R. Subrahmanyam
  • b) Nidhi Chhibber
  • c) Anurag Jain
  • d) Amitabh Kant

Answer: c) Anurag Jain

Anurag Jain, a 1989-batch IAS officer and former Chief Secretary of Madhya Pradesh, has been appointed NITI Aayog CEO for a 2-year term, replacing B.V.R. Subrahmanyam. Nidhi Chhibber had been serving as interim CEO.

Q38. Who has been made Chairman of the High-Powered Task Force set up to reform the National Testing Agency's examination system?

  • a) Nandan Nilekani
  • b) Ashwini Vaishnaw
  • c) Abhishek Singh
  • d) K. Radhakrishnan

Answer: a) Nandan Nilekani

Nandan Nilekani, Infosys co-founder and founding Chairman of UIDAI, has been appointed Chairman of a six-member task force set up to reform NTA's examination system following paper-leak concerns with exams like NET.

Q39. Who was given additional charge as Union Education Minister following Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation?

  • a) Prahalad Joshi
  • b) Ashwini Vaishnaw
  • c) Dharmendra Pradhan (unchanged)
  • d) Jyotiraditya Scindia

Answer: a) Prahalad Joshi

Following Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation amid NEET-related protests, Prahalad Joshi — who also holds the Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, and New & Renewable Energy portfolios, and represents Dharwad, Karnataka — was given additional charge of the Ministry of Education.

Q40. Who has been appointed the new Chairperson of the National Commission for Minorities (NCM)?

  • a) Iqbal Singh Lalpura
  • b) Harjit Singh Grewal
  • c) Munawar Begum
  • d) Zafar Islam

Answer: b) Harjit Singh Grewal

Harjit Singh Grewal has been appointed Chairperson of the NCM for a 3-year term, with Munawar Begum appointed Vice Chairperson. NCM, a statutory body established under the National Commission for Minorities Act 1992, protects the rights of minority communities.

International Affairs

Q41. Who won Peru's presidential election, held in July 2026?

  • a) Pedro Castillo
  • b) Dina Boluarte
  • c) Keiko Fujimori
  • d) Rafael López Aliaga

Answer: c) Keiko Fujimori

Keiko Fujimori won Peru's presidential election and was sworn in as President on 28 July 2026.

Q42. Who has been appointed as Ukraine's new Prime Minister?

  • a) Denys Shmyhal
  • b) Yuliia Svyrydenko
  • c) Serhii Koretskyi
  • d) Ruslan Stefanchuk

Answer: c) Serhii Koretskyi

Ukraine appointed a new Prime Minister (transliterated as Serhii Koretskyi), replacing former PM Yuliia Svyrydenko — becoming the country's third PM during the Russia-Ukraine war. President Volodymyr Zelensky tasked him with strengthening energy security, economic stability, and defence production. (Spelling per source transliteration; verify official spelling before publishing.)

Q43. Who has been appointed the new Prime Minister of the United Kingdom?

  • a) Keir Starmer
  • b) Andy Burnham
  • c) Rachel Reeves
  • d) David Lammy

Answer: b) Andy Burnham

Andy Burnham took charge as the UK's new Prime Minister, replacing former Labour leader Keir Starmer, who resigned from the post.

Q44. Where was the NATO Summit 2026 held?

  • a) The Hague, Netherlands
  • b) Ankara, Turkey
  • c) Istanbul, Turkey
  • d) Tirana, Albania

Answer: b) Ankara, Turkey

The NATO Summit 2026 was held in Ankara, Turkey — the second time Turkey has hosted the summit (after Istanbul in 2004), chaired by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, with a focus on defence industry, drone technology, and joint procurement. The 2025 summit was held in The Hague, Netherlands; the 2027 summit is proposed for Tirana, Albania.

Q45. Mongla Port, recently in the news for a China development deal, is located in which country?

  • a) Myanmar
  • b) Sri Lanka
  • c) Bangladesh
  • d) Nepal

Answer: c) Bangladesh

Bangladesh and China signed an agreement to develop Mongla Port. India had earlier been in discussions to develop the port, but control has shifted to China following a change in government in Bangladesh.

Q46. The Bab-el-Mandeb Strait connects which two bodies of water?

  • a) Mediterranean Sea and Red Sea
  • b) Red Sea and Gulf of Aden
  • c) Arabian Sea and Persian Gulf
  • d) Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean

Answer: b) Red Sea and Gulf of Aden

Bab-el-Mandeb ("Gateway of Tears" in Arabic) lies between the Arabian Peninsula and the Horn of Africa, connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. It is the southern gateway to the Suez Canal and one of the world's busiest energy chokepoints, handling around 10–12% of global seaborne trade.

Q47. India has invited which country's Prime Minister as chief guest for the BRICS Summit 2026?

  • a) Sri Lanka
  • b) Nepal
  • c) Bangladesh
  • d) Myanmar

Answer: c) Bangladesh

India has invited Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman as chief guest for the BRICS Summit 2026, to be held in New Delhi from 17–19 September 2026, aimed at strengthening bilateral relations.

Q48. The Global AI Summit 2027 will be hosted by which country?

  • a) France
  • b) Switzerland
  • c) India
  • d) South Korea

Answer: b) Switzerland

Switzerland will host the Global AI Summit 2027 in Geneva, focusing on AI governance, trustworthy AI, responsible AI, and international cooperation.

Q49. India and Indonesia launched a conservation and restoration project at which UNESCO World Heritage Site?

  • a) Borobudur Temple
  • b) Prambanan Temple
  • c) Angkor Wat
  • d) Sukhothai Historical Park

Answer: b) Prambanan Temple

PM Modi and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto inaugurated a conservation and restoration project at Prambanan Temple, an ancient Hindu temple complex on Java Island dedicated to the Trimurti (Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva), declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991.

Sports

Q50. Which England cricketer announced retirement from international cricket in July 2026?

  • a) Joe Root
  • b) Ben Stokes
  • c) Jonny Bairstow
  • d) Jos Buttler

Answer: b) Ben Stokes

Ben Stokes announced his retirement from international cricket.

Q51. Which country won the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026?

  • a) England
  • b) India
  • c) Australia
  • d) South Africa

Answer: c) Australia

Australia beat England by seven wickets in the final at Lord's to win a record 7th ICC Women's T20 World Cup title — the 10th edition, hosted by England and Wales. Beth Mooney was named Player of the Match (64 runs) and Player of the Tournament.

Q52. Who became the youngest player to debut in international cricket for India?

  • a) Shubman Gill
  • b) Yashasvi Jaiswal
  • c) Vaibhav Suryavanshi
  • d) Sarfaraz Khan

Answer: c) Vaibhav Suryavanshi

Bihar's Vaibhav Suryavanshi debuted in the second T20I against England at 15 years and 99 days, breaking Sachin Tendulkar's 37-year-old record of 16 years and 205 days. He plays for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL.

Q53. Who became the 12th Indian cricketer to be inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame?

  • a) Rahul Dravid
  • b) Sourav Ganguly
  • c) VVS Laxman
  • d) Anil Kumble

Answer: b) Sourav Ganguly

Sourav Ganguly became the 12th Indian cricketer inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame.

Q54. What was declared the official mascot of the Commonwealth Table Tennis Championship 2026, held in New Delhi?

  • a) Mayur (Peacock)
  • b) Shera (Tiger)
  • c) Ganga (Dolphin)
  • d) Simba (Lion)

Answer: a) Mayur (Peacock)

"Mayur" was declared the official mascot of the Commonwealth Table Tennis Championship 2026, held in New Delhi. Ankur Bhattacharya won the Men's Singles title, and India topped the medal tally with 18 medals overall.

Q55. Which Indian pair became the first to reach World No. 2 in ITTF Men's Doubles World Rankings?

  • a) Sathiyan Gnanasekaran & Sharath Kamal
  • b) Manav Thakkar & Manush Shah
  • c) Harmeet Desai & Sathiyan Gnanasekaran
  • d) Manush Shah & Sathiyan Gnanasekaran

Answer: b) Manav Thakkar & Manush Shah

Manav Thakkar and Manush Shah became the first Indian men's doubles pair to reach World No. 2 in ITTF rankings, the best-ever ranking for any Indian men's table tennis pair. The Chinese pair of Lin Shidong and Wang Chuqin holds World No. 1.

Q56. Who won the Wimbledon 2026 Men's Singles title?

  • a) Carlos Alcaraz
  • b) Alexander Zverev
  • c) Jannik Sinner
  • d) Novak Djokovic

Answer: c) Jannik Sinner

Italy's Jannik Sinner defeated Germany's Alexander Zverev to win his second consecutive Wimbledon title and fifth career Grand Slam. In the Women's Singles, Czech Republic's Linda Nosková won her first Grand Slam title, defeating fellow Czech player Karolína Muchová.

Q57. Rohit Sharma became the first Indian to score an ODI century at which iconic cricket ground?

  • a) The Oval
  • b) Lord's
  • c) Old Trafford
  • d) Edgbaston

Answer: b) Lord's

Rohit Sharma scored 138 runs against England in the third ODI, becoming the first Indian to score an ODI century at Lord's — his 34th ODI century. At 39 years and 80 days, he also became the oldest Indian cricketer to score a century in international cricket across all formats, breaking Sachin Tendulkar's record.

Q58. Which country won the FIFA World Cup 2026, defeating Argentina in the final?

  • a) France
  • b) Spain
  • c) Brazil
  • d) Portugal

Answer: b) Spain

Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in the final at MetLife Stadium, USA, winning its second FIFA World Cup title (after 2010). Ferran Torres scored the only goal in the 106th minute. Kylian Mbappé won the Golden Boot with 10 goals, Rodri (Spain) won the Golden Ball, and Unai Simón (Spain) won the Golden Glove.

Q59. Who has taken charge as Interim President of the International Chess Federation (FIDE)?

  • a) Viswanathan Anand
  • b) Arkady Dvorkovich
  • c) Garry Kasparov
  • d) Magnus Carlsen

Answer: a) Viswanathan Anand

Viswanathan Anand, previously FIDE Vice President, took over as Interim President after Arkady Dvorkovich, FIDE President since 2018, resigned from the post.

Q60. Who became India's 98th chess Grandmaster?

  • a) VS Rathnavel
  • b) S Ashwath
  • c) R Praggnanandhaa
  • d) D Gukesh

Answer: b) S Ashwath

S Ashwath from Tamil Nadu became India's 98th chess Grandmaster in July 2026.

Q61. Who became India's 99th chess Grandmaster?

  • a) S Ashwath
  • b) VS Rathnavel
  • c) Arjun Erigaisi
  • d) Nihal Sarin

Answer: b) VS Rathnavel

VS Rathnavel, also from Tamil Nadu, became India's 99th chess Grandmaster.

Q62. Who achieved a World No. 1 ranking in Para Shot Put (F57 category)?

  • a) Deepa Malik
  • b) Hokato Hotozhe Sema
  • c) Sundar Singh Gurjar
  • d) Devendra Jhajharia

Answer: b) Hokato Hotozhe Sema

Hokato Hotozhe Sema, a para-athlete from Nagaland and Subedar in the Indian Army's 9 Assam Rifles, achieved World No. 1 ranking in Men's Shot Put F57. He won bronze at the 2024 Paris Paralympics with a personal-best throw of 14.65m, and is the first Indian Paralympian to receive the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal.

Q63. Who became the first Indian to win the World Junior Squash Championship 2026, Women's Singles title?

  • a) Joshna Chinappa
  • b) Dipika Pallikal
  • c) Anahat Singh
  • d) Tanvi Khanna

Answer: c) Anahat Singh

Delhi's Anahat Singh, aged 18, won the World Junior Squash Championship 2026 Women's Singles title, becoming the first Indian to do so.

Q64. Who became the first Indian woman to win the Japan Open Women's Singles badminton title?

  • a) Saina Nehwal
  • b) PV Sindhu
  • c) P.V. Sindhu's teammate
  • d) Gayatri Gopichand

Answer: b) PV Sindhu

PV Sindhu defeated Japan's Akane Yamaguchi in the final at Tokyo to win her first BWF Super 750 title and sixth career BWF World Tour title, becoming the first Indian woman to win the Japan Open.

Q65. Which Indian batsman announced retirement from all formats of international cricket in July 2026?

  • a) Cheteshwar Pujara
  • b) Ajinkya Rahane
  • c) Wriddhiman Saha
  • d) Hanuma Vihari

Answer: b) Ajinkya Rahane

Ajinkya Rahane announced his retirement from all formats of international cricket.

Q66. Who became the first woman cricketer to have her name on the bowling honours board at Lord's?

  • a) Deepti Sharma
  • b) Kranti Gaud
  • c) Renuka Singh
  • d) Yastika Bhatia

Answer: b) Kranti Gaud

India's young fast bowler Kranti Gaud took five wickets in the first innings against England at Lord's, becoming the first woman cricketer to have her name on Lord's bowling honours board. In the same match, Yastika Bhatia scored a century, earning a place on the batting honours board.

Q67. Sir Garfield Sobers, who passed away recently, represented which country in cricket?

  • a) Australia
  • b) England
  • c) West Indies
  • d) South Africa

Answer: c) West Indies

Sir Garfield Sobers, regarded as one of the greatest all-rounders in cricket history, passed away at the age of 90. The ICC awards the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy annually to its Cricketer of the Year in his honour.

Q68. What edition of the Durand Cup, Asia's oldest football tournament, is being held in 2026?

  • a) 133rd
  • b) 134th
  • c) 135th
  • d) 136th

Answer: c) 135th

The 135th edition of the Durand Cup — Asia's oldest and the world's third-oldest football tournament, first held in Shimla in 1888 — began on 25 July 2026 with 24 participating teams. The 2025 (134th) edition was won by NorthEast United FC.

Q69. India finished which position in the medal tally at the ISSF World Cup 2026, held in Hangzhou, China?

  • a) 2nd
  • b) 3rd
  • c) 4th
  • d) 5th

Answer: b) 3rd

India finished third in the medal tally with 4 medals (1 gold, 1 silver, 2 bronze), behind China (18 medals) and the USA (4 medals, ranked above India on gold count). Esha Singh won gold in Women's 25m Pistol, and Manu Bhaker won bronze.

Q70. Which two Indians were awarded the prestigious Whitley Award 2026 for grassroots wildlife conservation?

  • a) Barkha Subba and Praveen Sheikh
  • b) Deepa Malik and Latika Nath
  • c) Prerna Singh Bindra and Ullas Karanth
  • d) Krithi Karanth and Divya Bhanusinh

Answer: a) Barkha Subba and Praveen Sheikh

At a ceremony at the Royal Geographical Society, London, Darjeeling's Barkha Subba was honoured for Himalayan salamander conservation, and Praveen Sheikh for conserving the Indian Skimmer bird in the Chambal river region. The Whitley Award, also called the "Green Oscar," is given by the Whitley Fund for Nature (WFN, established 1994, headquartered in London).

Awards, Recognition & Research

Q71. PM Narendra Modi was honoured with "Guardian of the Blue Horizon" — the highest national honour of which country?

  • a) Mauritius
  • b) Seychelles
  • c) Maldives
  • d) Sri Lanka

Answer: b) Seychelles

PM Modi was awarded Seychelles' highest national honour, "Guardian of the Blue Horizon," for his contribution to environmental protection, climate action, and blue economy cooperation, during his visit to the island nation.

Q72. PM Narendra Modi was honoured with "Bintang Adipurna" — the highest civilian honour of which country?

  • a) Malaysia
  • b) Singapore
  • c) Indonesia
  • d) Vietnam

Answer: c) Indonesia

Indonesia's President conferred "Bintang Adipurna," Indonesia's highest civilian honour, on PM Modi in Jakarta, aimed at strengthening India-Indonesia strategic partnership.

Q73. Nita Ambani was honoured with the AAPI Humanitarian Award and Key to the City of which US city?

  • a) Houston
  • b) Tampa
  • c) Chicago
  • d) Orlando

Answer: b) Tampa

Nita Ambani, Founder-Chairperson of Reliance Foundation, was honoured at the 44th AAPI (American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin) Annual Convention in Florida with the AAPI Humanitarian Award and Key to the City of Tampa, recognising her contributions in healthcare, education, sports, and community development.

Q74. Nita Ambani was honoured with which award by Fortune India in 2026?

  • a) Businesswoman of the Year
  • b) Fortune India Most Powerful Women Honor
  • c) Lifetime Achievement Award
  • d) India Icon Award

Answer: b) Fortune India Most Powerful Women Honor

Nita Ambani received the Fortune India Most Powerful Women Honor 2026.

Q75. Teejan Bai, who passed away in July 2026, was associated with which folk art form?

  • a) Kalbelia
  • b) Pandwani
  • c) Baul
  • d) Tamasha

Answer: b) Pandwani

Teejan Bai, a celebrated Pandwani folk singer from Chhattisgarh who performed the traditionally male "Kapalik" style, passed away at age 70. She was awarded the Padma Shri (1988), Sangeet Natak Akademi award (1995), Padma Bhushan (2003), and Padma Vibhushan (2019).

Q76. Which Buddhist monastery received the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Award 2025?

  • a) Boudhanath Stupa
  • b) Yeshe Wangchuk Monastery
  • c) Yesteshwar Mahavihar
  • d) Swayambhunath Stupa

Answer: c) Yesteshwar Mahavihar

The 17th-century Yesteshwar Mahavihar (also known as the Golden Temple) in Lalitpur, Nepal, received the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Award 2025 for its conservation and restoration work following the 2015 Gorkha earthquake, completed with ₹13 crore in financial assistance from the Indian government.

Q77. Who received the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar 2025 for preserving the Pushti Marg Haveli Sangeet tradition?

  • a) Pandit Ronu Majumdar
  • b) Acharya Shri Ranchhodlalji Goswami
  • c) Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt
  • d) Ustad Rashid Khan

Answer: b) Acharya Shri Ranchhodlalji Goswami

The Sangeet Natak Akademi honoured Acharya Shri Ranchhodlalji Goswami from Ahmedabad with the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar 2025 for preserving the Haveli Sangeet tradition of the Pushti Marg sect, devotional music sung in temples devoted to Lord Krishna.

Q78. Which became India's 45th UNESCO World Heritage Site?

  • a) Moidams, Assam
  • b) Ancient Buddhist Site of Sarnath
  • c) Maratha Military Landscapes
  • d) Western Ghats

Answer: b) Ancient Buddhist Site of Sarnath

The Ancient Buddhist Site of Sarnath, near Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, was inscribed as India's 45th UNESCO World Heritage Site during the 48th session of the World Heritage Committee in Busan, South Korea. Sarnath is where Gautam Buddha delivered his first sermon after enlightenment. India's 43rd site was Moidams, Assam, and 44th was the Maratha Military Landscapes (12 forts — 11 in Maharashtra, one in Tamil Nadu).

Q79. The world's oldest scientifically-dated banyan tree was found in which state?

  • a) West Bengal
  • b) Bihar
  • c) Kerala
  • d) Odisha

Answer: b) Bihar

A roughly 700-year-old banyan tree in Munger, Bihar, was scientifically dated using high-precision radiocarbon dating by BSIP Lucknow scientists, making it the world's oldest scientifically-dated banyan tree.

Q80. The 72nd National Film Awards, announced in July 2026, gave the Best Feature Film award to which movie?

  • a) 12th Fail
  • b) Article 370
  • c) Animal
  • d) Shrikanth

Answer: b) Article 370

Article 370 won Best Feature Film at the 72nd National Film Awards. Best Actor was jointly awarded to Mammootty (Bramayugam) and Kartik Aaryan (Chandu Champion), Best Actress to Yami Gautam (Article 370), Best Popular Film to Kalki 2898 AD, and Best Hindi Film to Shrikanth. The National Film Awards, presented by India's President, began in 1954.

Q81. Actress Rani Mukerji has been selected for the Raj Kapoor Special Contribution Award at the Maharashtra State Film Awards 2025. What is this award for?

  • a) Best Actress
  • b) Lifetime Achievement in Cinema
  • c) Best Director
  • d) Best Supporting Actress

Answer: b) Lifetime Achievement in Cinema

Rani Mukerji has been selected for the Raj Kapoor Special Contribution Award, the most prestigious category at the Maharashtra State Film Awards 2025, recognising outstanding lifetime contribution to cinema.

Q82. Who has been chosen for the Lokmanya Tilak National Award 2026?

  • a) S. Jaishankar
  • b) Ajit Doval
  • c) Rajnath Singh
  • d) Amit Shah

Answer: b) Ajit Doval

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval has been chosen for the Lokmanya Tilak National Award 2026, recognising his contribution to national security, counter-terrorism, and border security. The award has been given by the Tilak Smarak Mandir Trust, Pune, since 1983.

Q83. Playback singer S. Janaki, who passed away recently, had declined which national honour in 2013?

  • a) Padma Shri
  • b) Padma Bhushan
  • c) Padma Vibhushan
  • d) Bharat Ratna

Answer: b) Padma Bhushan

Known as the "Nightingale of South India," S. Janaki passed away at age 88 after a 70-year career singing over 400 songs in more than 17 languages, winning four National Film Awards. She declined the Padma Bhushan offered in 2013, believing she deserved the Bharat Ratna instead.

Q84. Vice President CP Radhakrishnan launched a book titled "The Voice of Justice: Justice Gavai Speaks." Justice B.R. Gavai served as India's which Chief Justice?

  • a) 50th
  • b) 51st
  • c) 52nd
  • d) 53rd

Answer: c) 52nd

Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai served as India's 52nd Chief Justice, holding office from 14 May 2025 to 23 November 2025. The book, a collection of his lectures and speeches, was launched by Vice President CP Radhakrishnan in New Delhi.

Q85. In which Karnataka district did the Geological Survey of India discover thorium reserves?

  • a) Chamarajanagar (Gundlupet)
  • b) Mysuru
  • c) Chikkamagaluru
  • d) Kolar

Answer: a) Chamarajanagar (Gundlupet)

GSI discovered thorium reserves in the Gundlupet area of Chamarajanagar district, Karnataka, spanning about 700 acres, with 20 acres declared a core mining area. Thorium is a radioactive metal considered a future clean nuclear fuel, converted to Uranium-233 before use.

Q86. Australia has agreed to return three ancient artifacts, stolen from Tamil Nadu temples, belonging to which dynasty?

  • a) Pallava dynasty
  • b) Chola dynasty
  • c) Pandya dynasty
  • d) Chera dynasty

Answer: b) Chola dynasty

Australia announced the return of three ancient Chola-dynasty artifacts — a bronze trishul of Devi Bhadrakali, a granite Nandi statue, and a six-faced Kartikeya idol — stolen from Tamil Nadu temples, under a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty announced during the India-Australia Annual Summit. The artifacts date to the 11th-12th century Chola period.

Q87. Where was the world's tallest/fastest supercomputer news (Lin Shine) linked to India's own AI supercomputer, ranked 211th globally?

  • a) IIT Delhi
  • b) C-DAC Pune
  • c) IISc Bengaluru
  • d) TIFR Mumbai

Answer: b) C-DAC Pune

India's fastest AI supercomputer, Airawat PSAI, is based at C-DAC (Centre for Development of Advanced Computing), Pune, and ranked 211th in the Top500 global rankings — a list published twice yearly (June and November) since 1993.

Important Days

Q88. National Doctors' Day is celebrated in India on which date?

  • a) 30 June
  • b) 1 July
  • c) 4 July
  • d) 11 July

Answer: b) 1 July

National Doctors' Day is observed on 1 July, marking the birth anniversary of Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy, West Bengal's second Chief Minister. The 2026 theme was "Behind the Mask: Who Heals the Healers."

Q89. Hul Diwas, commemorating the Santhal Rebellion, is observed every year on which date?

  • a) 26 June
  • b) 30 June
  • c) 4 July
  • d) 15 July

Answer: b) 30 June

Hul Diwas commemorates the Santhal Rebellion, which began on 30 June 1855 in present-day Jharkhand, led by Sidhu and Kanhu against the British and local zamindars. "Hul" means "revolution" or "revolt" in the Santhali language.

Q90. World Population Day is observed every year on which date?

  • a) 11 July
  • b) 20 July
  • c) 28 July
  • d) 29 July

Answer: a) 11 July

World Population Day, established by the UNDP in 1989 (first observed on 11 July 1987, when global population hit 5 billion), raises awareness of population, maternal health, poverty, employment, and migration issues. The 2026 theme was "Realizing the Hopes and Aspirations of Young People Today and for the Future."

Q91. World Chess Day is observed every year on which date?

  • a) 18 July
  • b) 20 July
  • c) 22 July
  • d) 29 July

Answer: b) 20 July

World Chess Day marks the founding of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) on 20 July 1924. The 2026 theme was "Celebrate, Create, and Make a Difference."

Q92. Nelson Mandela International Day is observed every year on which date?

  • a) 11 July
  • b) 18 July
  • c) 20 July
  • d) 26 July

Answer: b) 18 July

Nelson Mandela International Day, observed on his birth anniversary, carried the 2026 theme "It's Still in Our Hands to Combat Poverty and Inequality." Mandela, South Africa's first Black president, received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 and India's Bharat Ratna in 1990 — becoming only the second foreign citizen after Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan to receive it.

Q93. World Hepatitis Day is observed every year on which date?

  • a) 28 July
  • b) 29 July
  • c) 30 July
  • d) 1 August

Answer: a) 28 July

World Hepatitis Day, designated by WHO in 2010, commemorates Baruch Blumberg, who discovered the Hepatitis B virus and its vaccine and won the 1976 Nobel Prize in Medicine. The 2026 theme was "Hepatitis: Let's Break It Down."

Q94. International Tiger Day is observed every year on which date?

  • a) 26 July
  • b) 28 July
  • c) 29 July
  • d) 30 July

Answer: c) 29 July

International Tiger Day, first observed in 2010, is marked every year on 29 July.

Get Instant Government Job Alerts

Never miss a notification, admit card, or result. Join our free channels for daily sarkari naukri updates delivered straight to your phone:

Conclusion & Summary

July 2026 was a landmark month across heritage, sport, and governance — Sarnath's UNESCO World Heritage listing and India's first private orbital rocket launch stood out nationally, while Wimbledon, the FIFA World Cup final, and Rohit Sharma's historic Lord's century dominated the sporting calendar, alongside leadership changes at NITI Aayog, CBDT, and several international governments. Bookmark this monthly current affairs page for quick revision before your bank or government exam, and check back for the next monthly roundup.