Question 1

What topics are covered in the 18 July 2026 current affairs quiz?

Accepted Answer

The 18 July 2026 quiz covers Science Tech, Infrastructure, Environment, Economy with 20 MCQs sourced from The Hindu and Indian Express.

Question 2

How to use 18 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 ministry is primarily responsible for the operation and development of hydrogen trains in India?

Accepted Answer

Ministry of Railways, The article explicitly mentions that the hydrogen train was flagged off by the Prime Minister as a project of Indian Railways, which falls under the Ministry of Railways. The other ministries support related aspects but do not operate the trains.

Question 6

The Double Contribution Convention mentioned in the India-UK CETA is a bilateral agreement that primarily addresses which issue?

Accepted Answer

Exempting workers from dual social security contributions for up to 5 years, The Double Contribution Convention exempts Indian professionals posted to the UK from paying into the British social security system while still contributing in India, for up to five years. This resolves a long-standing grievance where workers paid double contributions without receiving benefits.

Question 7

Which nodal agency was created by the Indian government in 2020 to enable and regulate private sector participation in space activities?

Accepted Answer

IN-SPACe, The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) was established as a single-window nodal agency to enable private sector participation. ISRO is the primary space agency, while NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) is the commercial arm of ISRO. Antrix Corporation is the marketing arm of ISRO.

Question 8

Which ministry is the nodal body for the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO)?

Accepted Answer

Ministry of Labour and Employment, EPFO is a statutory body under the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India. It administers the Employees' Provident Fund, Pension Scheme (EPS), and Insurance Scheme (EDLI) for formal sector employees.

Question 9

Which Article of the Constitution of India has been invoked by the Supreme Court in the case related to access to life-saving drugs?

Accepted Answer

Article 21, The Supreme Court linked the case to Article 21 (Right to Life and Personal Liberty), which has been expansively interpreted to include the right to health and access to essential medicines. The case title itself mentions 'Judicial Expediency in Article 21 Matters'.

Question 10

Which of the following is NOT a component of the India Semiconductor Mission Phase II as mentioned in the article?

Accepted Answer

Direct tax exemption for chip companies, The article explicitly mentions capital subsidy, manufacturing-linked incentives, and incremental boosters for domestic capabilities. Direct tax exemption is not mentioned in the context of Phase II. Hence option D is correct.

Question 11

Which ministry is primarily responsible for implementing the India Semiconductor Mission?

Accepted Answer

Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, The India Semiconductor Mission is under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), which oversees the development of the semiconductor ecosystem in India. The article mentions the Union Cabinet's approval, but the nodal ministry for implementation is MeitY.

Question 12

Which agency authorized the launch of India's first privately developed orbital-class rocket Vikram-1?

Accepted Answer

IN-SPACe, The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) is the nodal agency created to authorize and promote private sector space activities. Vikram-1's launch was authorized by IN-SPACe, as stated in the article.

Question 13

Which high-level Indian committee rejected the draft joint statement during the Agra Summit (2001), leading to its collapse?

Accepted Answer

Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), The article states that when the draft joint statement was discussed, Home Minister LK Advani and Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha pointed out the absence of references to cross-border terrorism, the Simla Agreement, and the Lahore Declaration. The matter was raised in a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), which unanimously rejected the draft.

Question 14

Which High Court heard the petitions of digital content creators regarding fraudulent copyright strikes and extortion?

Accepted Answer

Delhi High Court, The article states that the creators approached the Delhi High Court, and specific judges (Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani and Justice Jyoti Singh) heard the matters. The Delhi High Court is the correct judicial forum in this case.

Question 15

Consider the following statements regarding India's first hydrogen train:

1. The train runs on the Jind-Sonipat section and covers 89 km in about 2 hours.

2. It is a 10-coach train with a maximum speed of 100 kmph.

3. The train uses a hydrogen-electric propulsion system that emits only water vapour.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

Both 1 and 3, Statement 1 is correct as per the article: the train connects Jind and Sonipat, with a 89-km journey taking around 2 hours. Statement 2 is incorrect because the maximum operational speed is 75 kmph, not 100 kmph. Statement 3 is correct: the propulsion system uses hydrogen fuel cells and emits only water vapour.

Question 16

Consider the following statements regarding the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA):

1. Under the agreement, nearly 99% of India's exports to the UK by value will enter duty-free.

2. India has agreed to immediately reduce tariffs on British cars from 110% to 10%.

3. The Double Contribution Convention will save approximately $600 million annually for Indian workers and companies.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

Both 1 and 3, Statement 1 is correct: nearly all of India's exports (~99% by value) enter the UK duty-free. Statement 2 is incorrect: the tariff cuts on cars are phased across years and capped by quotas, not immediate. Statement 3 is correct: the Double Contribution Convention saves 75,000+ workers and 900 companies ~$600 million annually.

Question 17

Consider the following statements regarding Skyroot Aerospace's Vikram-1 rocket:

1. Vikram-1 is a four-stage rocket with the first three stages using solid fuel and the fourth stage using liquid fuel.

2. Vikram-1 has a payload capacity of 480 kg to a 500-km sun-synchronous orbit.

3. Skyroot Aerospace was founded in 2018 by former ISRO engineers.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

Both 1 and 3, Statement 1 is correct: Vikram-1 uses solid fuel for the first three stages and liquid fuel for the fourth stage. Statement 2 is incorrect: Vikram-1 has a payload capacity of 290 kg to a 500-km sun-synchronous orbit and 480 kg to a low-inclination orbit at similar altitude. Statement 3 is correct: Skyroot was founded in 2018 by former ISRO engineers Pawan Kumar Chandana and Naga Bharath Daka.

Question 18

Consider the following statements regarding the proposed new EPFO pension plan:

1. The scheme will allow conversion of Target Retirement Sum (TRS) into pension at the age of 55 years.

2. The scheme adopts a defined contribution framework and allows contributions from multiple sources including CSR funds.

3. The scheme proposes a Family Benefit Fund for spouse, children, and orphans managed on actuarial principles.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

Both 2 and 3, Statement 1 is incorrect: The TRS is convertible to pension at age 60 (not 55). At age 55, the worker gets flexibility to decide the purpose of retirement savings. Statement 2 is correct: The scheme is defined contribution and permits contributions from workers, employers, government, aggregators, and CSR. Statement 3 is correct: Family Benefit Fund is a pooled fund for survivors managed on actuarial principles.

Question 19

What is the total horsepower (HP) of India's first hydrogen-powered train?

Accepted Answer

3200 HP, The article clearly states that the train has 3200 horsepower (HP). The other options are close distractors: 2600 is the passenger capacity, 3000 and 3500 are not mentioned in the article.

Question 20

According to the article, what is the current bilateral trade between India and the UK, and what is the target by the end of the decade?

Accepted Answer

$56 billion; double to $112 billion, The article explicitly states that India and Britain intend to double their trade from about $56 billion by the end of the decade. Option B correctly captures both the current figure and the target. The other options present incorrect current values or targets.

Question 21

What is the payload capacity of Skyroot Aerospace's Vikram-1 rocket to a 500-km sun-synchronous orbit?

Accepted Answer

290 kg, Vikram-1 can carry 290 kg to a 500-km sun-synchronous orbit and 480 kg to a low-inclination orbit at similar altitude. 1,000 kg is the projected capacity of the future Vikram-2 rocket.

Question 22

According to the article, how many gig workers and building/construction workers (BOCW) does EPFO expect to cover under the new scheme over the next five years?

Accepted Answer

2.5 crore, The article explicitly states that EPFO expects around 2.5 crore gig workers and BOCW workers over the next five years. This is a key data point for prelims, as it indicates the scale of social security expansion under the new pension plan.

Question 23

What is the monthly cost of Ribociclib, the patented breast cancer drug mentioned in the news?

Accepted Answer

₹78,468, The article explicitly states that Ribociclib costs ₹78,468 per month. The other options are close distractors designed to test precise recall of this data point.

Question 24

What is the corpus of the India Semiconductor Mission Phase II as per the article?

Accepted Answer

₹1.27 lakh crore, The article clearly states 'The second phase of the India Semiconductor Mission's outlay far outpaces the first, with a ₹1.27 lakh crore corpus'. ₹76,000 crore was Phase I outlay. Hence option B is correct.

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