Question 1

What topics are covered in the 17 July 2026 current affairs quiz?

Accepted Answer

The 17 July 2026 quiz covers International Relations, Security, Economy, Polity with 25 MCQs sourced from The Hindu and Indian Express.

Question 2

How to use 17 July 2026 daily quiz for UPSC preparation?

Accepted Answer

Attempt the quiz after reading the daily current affairs. Focus on understanding the explanation for each question. Link each topic to your static GK notes for comprehensive preparation.

Question 3

How many MCQs should I practice daily for competitive exams?

Accepted Answer

Experts recommend 10-20 current affairs MCQs daily. This takes only 5-7 minutes but significantly improves retention through active recall, which is more effective than passive reading.

Question 4

Are these quiz questions based on The Hindu and Indian Express?

Accepted Answer

Yes. All questions are derived from important news articles published in The Hindu and Indian Express, filtered and ranked by AI for exam relevance across UPSC, MPSC, SSC, Banking & Teaching exams.

Question 5

Which strait connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and is a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments?

Accepted Answer

Bab el-Mandeb Strait, The Bab el-Mandeb Strait connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. It is a key maritime chokepoint for oil shipments, especially for Gulf oil rerouted via the Red Sea after the Hormuz Strait closure. The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman, and the Strait of Malacca lies between Southeast Asia and India. The Suez Canal is a man-made waterway connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea.

Question 6

Which constitutional article specifies the procedure for amending the Constitution, including the requirement of a special majority?

Accepted Answer

Article 368, Article 368 of the Constitution empowers Parliament to amend the Constitution and specifies the procedure, including the requirement of a two-thirds majority of members present and voting and a majority of the total strength of the House for most amendments.

Question 7

Which ministry is primarily responsible for implementing the Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya scheme mentioned in the news?

Accepted Answer

Ministry of Education, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas are under the Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education. They are centrally funded and run by the Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti.

Question 8

Which of the following existing bodies is proposed to be dissolved under the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan (VBSA) Bill, 2025?

Accepted Answer

University Grants Commission (UGC), The VBSA Bill, 2025 proposes to dissolve the UGC, AICTE, and NCTE to create a single unified regulatory commission. NAAC, NMC, and BCI are not mentioned for dissolution in this Bill.

Question 9

Which ministry is responsible for the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) and the proposed new pension scheme?

Accepted Answer

Ministry of Labour and Employment, EPFO is a statutory body under the Ministry of Labour and Employment. The article mentions that the nodal agency for the new scheme is yet to be finalised by the Ministry of Labour and Employment.

Question 10

Which ministry is primarily responsible for the hydrogen-powered train project launched in Haryana?

Accepted Answer

Ministry of Railways, The hydrogen-powered train is an initiative of Indian Railways, which operates under the Ministry of Railways. The project aligns with the Railways' decarbonisation goals, but the nodal ministry remains Railways. The other ministries are involved in policy support but not direct implementation.

Question 11

Which Indian ministry is primarily responsible for coordinating India's engagement with BIMSTEC?

Accepted Answer

Ministry of External Affairs, The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) handles India's diplomatic and multilateral engagements, including BIMSTEC. The article quotes MEA statements, confirming its nodal role for BIMSTEC coordination.

Question 12

Which US agency is responsible for forecasting El Niño events, as mentioned in the news?

Accepted Answer

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), The article specifically cites the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for forecasting an 81% probability of a 'very strong' El Niño. NOAA is the US agency responsible for monitoring oceanic and atmospheric conditions.

Question 13

Which ministry is the nodal agency for the India Meteorological Department (IMD)?

Accepted Answer

Ministry of Earth Sciences, The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) is under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), Government of India. It is responsible for meteorological observations, weather forecasting, and seismology.

Question 14

Under which stage of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) are diesel medium and heavy goods vehicles restricted from entering Delhi, except for essential commodities?

Accepted Answer

Stage IV, According to the article, under Stage IV of GRAP, entry of diesel medium and heavy goods vehicles is restricted except for those carrying essential commodities or meeting specified exemptions. This is a key static fact about GRAP stages.

Question 15

Consider the following statements based on the article:

1. Iran has asked Houthi rebels to be prepared to close the Red Sea oil route if the US strikes Iranian power infrastructure.

2. The Strait of Hormuz is currently open and fully operational for Gulf oil exports.

3. India's crude imports from Russia pass through the Suez Canal and Bab el-Mandeb.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

Both 1 and 3, Statement 1 is correct: The article clearly states that Iran asked Houthis to be prepared to close the Red Sea route if US strikes Iranian power infrastructure. Statement 2 is incorrect: The article mentions that the Hormuz Strait is already closed (partially blocked after February 28 attacks). Statement 3 is correct: The article says India's Russian Urals cargoes pass through the Suez Canal and Bab el-Mandeb. Hence option C is correct.

Question 16

Consider the following statements regarding the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill:

1. The Bill seeks to increase the strength of the Lok Sabha from 543 to 850.

2. The Bill requires a simple majority of the members present and voting to be passed.

3. The Bill provides the constitutional basis for implementing the Women's Reservation law.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

Both 1 and 3, Statement 1 is correct as the Bill seeks to increase Lok Sabha strength to 850. Statement 2 is incorrect because constitutional amendments under Article 368 require a two-thirds majority of members present and voting, not a simple majority. Statement 3 is correct as the Bill provides the constitutional basis for implementing the Women's Reservation law.

Question 17

Consider the following statements regarding the Bombay High Court judgment on rural quota admission:

1. The court held that a 'transitional area' (nagar panchayat) is considered a rural area for JNV admissions.

2. The court quoted from Bhartruhari's 'Neethishatakam' to emphasize the value of education.

3. The JNV scheme reserves 75% of seats for students from urban areas.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

Only 2, Statement 1 is incorrect: the court ruled that a transitional area is NOT rural. Statement 2 is correct: the court quoted Bhartruhari. Statement 3 is incorrect: 75% seats are reserved for rural students, not urban. Hence only statement 2 is correct.

Question 18

Consider the following statements regarding the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan (VBSA) Bill, 2025:

1. The Bill proposes to create a single unified regulatory commission for higher education, replacing UGC, AICTE, and NCTE.

2. The Bill divides higher education oversight into three specialized councils for regulation, accreditation, and standards.

3. The joint parliamentary committee recommended that all members of the commission and councils be appointed by the President of India.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

Both 1 and 2, Statement 1 is correct as the Bill dissolves UGC, AICTE, and NCTE to form a single regulator. Statement 2 is correct as the Bill aims to implement NEP 2020 by creating three councils for regulation, accreditation, and standards. Statement 3 is incorrect because the committee suggested that other members (besides presidents and full-time members) be appointed by the Central government, not the President, to avoid delays.

Question 19

Consider the following statements regarding the proposed new pension scheme under EPFO 3.0:

1. The scheme will adopt a defined contribution framework and allow contributions from multiple sources including workers, employers, and government co-contributions.

2. At the age of 60, the Target Retirement Sum (TRS) will be converted into a pension based solely on annuity rates, similar to the National Pension System (NPS).

3. The scheme proposes a Family Benefit Fund to provide survivor pensions for spouse, children, and orphans.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

Both 1 and 3, Statement 1 is correct as the scheme adopts a defined contribution framework with multiple contribution sources. Statement 2 is incorrect because the scheme allows systematic withdrawal plans in addition to annuities, unlike NPS which is purely annuity-based. Statement 3 is correct as the article mentions a pooled 'Family Benefit Fund' for survivor pensions.

Question 20

According to the article, what was the volume of petroleum transiting the Bab el-Mandeb Strait in June 2026?

Accepted Answer

7.4 million barrels per day, The article cites data from Kpler that petroleum volumes transiting Bab el-Mandeb hit 7.4 million barrels per day in June, about 7% of global output. The other options are distractors: 4.2 million bpd was the volume a year earlier, 7.0 million bpd is close but not exact, and 5.6 million bpd is not mentioned.

Question 21

What is the current strength of the Lok Sabha as mentioned in the article?

Accepted Answer

543, The article clearly states that the current strength of the Lok Sabha is 543, and the Bill seeks to increase it to 850. Option B (550) and Option D (360) are distractors. Option C (850) is the proposed strength, not the current one.

Question 22

What percentage of seats in Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas is reserved for students from rural areas?

Accepted Answer

75%, As per the JNV scheme, 75% of seats are reserved for rural students to uplift talented children from rural areas and provide them quality education.

Question 23

In which year was the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill introduced in the Lok Sabha?

Accepted Answer

2025, The article states that the Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha in December last year. Since the article is published on July 17, 2026, 'last year' refers to 2025. Hence, the Bill was introduced in December 2025.

Question 24

According to the article, what percentage of India's 55 crore workforce is in the unorganised sector?

Accepted Answer

76%, The article explicitly states that out of India's 55 crore workforce, 76% or nearly 41.8 crore workers are in the unorganised sector with limited or no pension coverage.

Question 25

What is the primary concern for India from the potential closure of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, as highlighted in the article?

Accepted Answer

Disruption of crude oil imports from both Gulf countries and Russia, The article explicitly states that India sources the bulk of its crude from the Gulf and Russia, and both supply lines run through the threatened chokepoints – Gulf barrels via Hormuz/Red Sea, and Russian Urals via Suez/Bab el-Mandeb. A blockade of Bab el-Mandeb would disrupt both, making energy security the primary concern. The other options are not mentioned as primary concerns.

Question 26

What is the primary political objective of the Opposition in the context of the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill?

Accepted Answer

To keep the NDA below the 360-vote threshold, The article explicitly states that for the Opposition, the immediate objective is to keep the NDA below the 360-vote threshold, as this would prevent the ruling alliance from securing the two-thirds majority needed to pass the constitutional amendment, even if they emerge as the single largest bloc.

Question 27

What was the primary reasoning of the Bombay High Court for denying admission under the rural quota?

Accepted Answer

The student had studied in a 'transitional area' which is no longer considered rural, The court held that Pombhurna, being a nagar panchayat (transitional area), is not a rural area. Since the student studied there for a few months in Class 3, she lost eligibility for the rural quota.

Question 28

What is the primary concern raised by the joint parliamentary committee regarding the VBSA Bill, 2025?

Accepted Answer

Concentration of regulatory powers in a single central regulator may affect institutional autonomy, The committee explicitly expressed apprehension that concentration of extensive regulatory powers in a single central regulator could lead to bureaucratic or ideological overreach, thereby affecting the institutional autonomy currently available under the UGC framework.

Question 29

What is the primary objective of the proposed new pension scheme under EPFO 3.0?

Accepted Answer

To extend retirement security to workers currently outside EPS coverage, especially unorganised and gig workers, The article states the scheme aims to cover workers currently excluded from EPS, including unorganised sector workers, gig and platform workers, and higher-wage workers. It does not replace EPS but complements it by extending coverage to excluded segments.

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