Question 1

What topics are covered in the 31 July 2026 current affairs quiz?

Accepted Answer

The 31 July 2026 quiz covers Environment, Polity, Governance, Social Issues with 25 MCQs sourced from The Hindu and Indian Express.

Question 2

How to use 31 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 constitutional article has been expansively interpreted by the Supreme Court to include the right to a healthy environment?

Accepted Answer

Article 21, The Supreme Court has held that the right to life under Article 21 includes the right to a healthy environment. This interpretation forms the constitutional basis for environmental jurisprudence in India, as referenced in the verdict linking a healthy environment to the right to life.

Question 6

Which Ministry is primarily responsible for introducing the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026 in the Lok Sabha?

Accepted Answer

Ministry of Home Affairs, The article states that the Bill was moved by the Minister of State for Home, Nityanand Rai. The Ministry of Home Affairs is the nodal ministry for matters related to national symbols and internal security, including the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act.

Question 7

Which constitutional article establishes the National Commission for Scheduled Castes?

Accepted Answer

Article 338, Article 338 establishes the National Commission for Scheduled Castes. Article 338A establishes the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes, and Article 338B establishes the National Commission for Backward Classes. Article 340 deals with the appointment of a Commission to investigate the conditions of backward classes.

Question 8

Who led the Supreme Court Bench that issued the July 29, 2026 order on post facto clearances?

Accepted Answer

CJI Surya Kant, The article explicitly states that the Bench was led by the Chief Justice of India, Surya Kant. This is a static fact about the composition of the Bench.

Question 9

Which country is the world's largest buyer of oil, as mentioned in the article?

Accepted Answer

China, The article explicitly states that 'China remains the world's largest buyer of oil'. This gives Beijing significant economic leverage over oil-exporting nations like Iran and Gulf states.

Question 10

Which Act currently allows polygamy among Muslims in India?

Accepted Answer

Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act, 1937, The Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act, 1937 mandates the application of Muslim personal law, which permits polygamy (up to four wives). The other options are not related to allowing polygamy; the Dissolution of Muslim Marriages Act deals with divorce, and the BNS punishes bigamy.

Question 11

Which constitutional body is responsible for the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and Election Commissioners, subject to any law made by Parliament?

Accepted Answer

President of India, Article 324(2) of the Constitution originally provided that the CEC and ECs shall be appointed by the President, subject to any law made by Parliament. The 2023 Act now specifies the selection committee procedure, but the formal appointment is still made by the President.

Question 12

Which Indian organisation released the new guidelines for planned re-entry of space objects?

Accepted Answer

IN-SPACe, The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) released the guidelines titled 'Authorisation for Undertaking Planned Re-entry of Space Objects' on July 30, 2026. ISRO is the space agency, while IN-SPACe is the regulatory body for private space activities.

Question 13

The Muthanga land agitation is considered a key influence on which of the following Acts of Parliament?

Accepted Answer

Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, The article explicitly states that the Muthanga agitation and similar movements helped shape the discourse leading to the enactment of the Forest Rights Act, 2006. The other acts are mentioned in the article but not as a direct outcome of the agitation.

Question 14

What type of reactor is used at Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant?

Accepted Answer

VVER (Pressurised Water Reactor), The article states that KKNP consists of pressurised water reactors of VVER design, established in technical collaboration with Russia. VVER is a Russian PWR type.

Question 15

Consider the following statements regarding the Supreme Court's July 2026 verdict on post-facto environmental clearances:

1. The Supreme Court set aside the 2021 Office Memorandum that allowed blanket regularisation of environmental violations.

2. The Supreme Court allowed unconditional post-facto environmental clearances for all projects.

3. The Court required the government to demonstrate proportionality and weigh environmental costs against public benefits.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

Both 1 and 3, Statement 1 is correct: the SC struck down the 2021 OM. Statement 2 is incorrect: the Court only allowed a narrowly tailored amnesty scheme, not unconditional clearances. Statement 3 is correct: the Court insisted on proportionality and weighing costs. Hence option C is correct.

Question 16

Consider the following statements:

1. The Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026 was passed by the Lok Sabha during the Budget Session of Parliament.

2. The Bill seeks to criminalise insult to the National Song 'Vande Mataram'.

3. The DMK was the only Opposition party to participate in the discussion on the Bill.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

Both 2 and 3, Statement 1 is incorrect because the Bill was passed during the Monsoon Session, not the Budget Session. Statement 2 is correct as the Bill's core purpose is to criminalise insult to Vande Mataram. Statement 3 is correct as per the article: 'The DMK was the only Opposition party to participate in the discussion.'

Question 17

Consider the following statements:

1. The NCSC has powers similar to a civil court for summoning witnesses and calling for documents.

2. The Supreme Court ruled that the NCSC can issue binding directions in service disputes.

3. The judgment relied on precedents including All India Indian Overseas Bank SC and ST Employees' Welfare Association v. Union of India (1996).

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

Both 1 and 3, Statement 1 is correct as Article 338(8) grants NCSC civil court powers for summons and documents. Statement 2 is incorrect because the Supreme Court held NCSC cannot issue binding orders. Statement 3 is correct as the Court cited that precedent.

Question 18

Consider the following statements:

1. The Supreme Court quashed the 2021 Office Memorandum on post facto environmental clearances.

2. The Court allowed the Centre to legalize violations only through a constitutional amendment.

3. The Jan Vishwas amendments removed the threat of imprisonment for environmental lapses.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

Both 1 and 3, Statement 1 is correct: The SC quashed the 2021 OM. Statement 2 is incorrect: The Court allowed legalization through a statutory notification, not a constitutional amendment. Statement 3 is correct: The Jan Vishwas amendments stripped away imprisonment, leaving only monetary penalties. Hence option C is correct.

Question 19

Consider the following statements:

1. Gulf Arab states are turning to China to pressure Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

2. China's oil imports in June 2026 increased by over 40% compared to the previous year.

3. China's special envoy Zhai Jun has held talks in Gulf Arab capitals and Tehran.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

Both 1 and 3, Statement 1 is correct as Gulf states are seeking Chinese help. Statement 2 is incorrect because the article says oil imports plunged (declined) by over 40%, not increased. Statement 3 is correct as mentioned in the Reuters report.

Question 20

In which year was the Office Memorandum (OM) issued that allowed regularisation of post-facto environmental clearances?

Accepted Answer

2021, The article explicitly states that the Centre issued an Office Memorandum in 2021 to consolidate the regime of post-facto clearances. The 2017 notification provided a one-time window, but the OM was issued in 2021. The May 2025 verdict was the earlier absolute ban, not the OM.

Question 21

According to the news article, how much time did the Lok Sabha take to pass the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026?

Accepted Answer

About 15 minutes, The article explicitly states: 'The Bill was cleared in about 15 minutes during the post-lunch sitting...' This is a key factual detail that could be asked in a data-centric MCQ.

Question 22

On which date did the Supreme Court deliver the judgment clarifying the powers of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes?

Accepted Answer

July 28, 2026, The article states 'The Supreme Court on Tuesday (July 28, 2026) has clarified...' July 31, 2026 is the publication date of the article, not the judgment date.

Question 23

On what date did the Supreme Court issue the order regarding post facto environmental clearances?

Accepted Answer

July 29, 2026, The article clearly states 'the Supreme Court of India’s July 29 order'. The other dates are distractors; no other date is mentioned in the article.

Question 24

According to the article, by what percentage did China's crude oil imports drop in June 2026 compared to the previous year?

Accepted Answer

Over 40%, The article specifically states: 'In June, Chinese oil imports were down by over 40 per cent, in comparison to last year.' This is a key data point for prelims.

Question 25

What is the primary significance of the Supreme Court's July 2026 verdict on post-facto environmental clearances?

Accepted Answer

It established a proportionality test for granting narrow amnesty in public interest., The verdict transformed open-ended administrative discretion into a narrowly circumscribed constitutional exception requiring proportionality. It did not impose an absolute ban (A) nor allow unconditional amnesty (B). It did not overturn Alembic Pharmaceuticals (D); rather, it built on that precedent by allowing a narrow exception.

Question 26

What is the primary objective of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026?

Accepted Answer

To give the National Song the same legal protection against insult as the National Anthem, The core objective of the Bill is to extend the legal protection under the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act to the National Song, Vande Mataram. The government argued it was about ensuring the National Song received the same respect as the National Anthem.

Question 27

What is the primary implication of this Supreme Court ruling for constitutional commissions like NCSC, NCST, and NCBC?

Accepted Answer

They cannot exercise judicial or quasi-judicial powers., The Court held that these commissions have only recommendatory and advisory roles, not adjudicatory. They cannot issue binding orders, thus preventing encroachment on judicial functions.

Question 28

What is the primary concern raised by the article regarding the Jan Vishwas amendments in the context of environmental clearances?

Accepted Answer

They removed criminal liability, turning compliance into a cost of doing business., The article states that the Jan Vishwas amendments 'stripped away the threat of imprisonment for environmental lapses altogether, leaving only monetary penalties thus converting compliance into a 'cost of doing business' entry'. This is the core critique.

Question 29

What is the primary reason Gulf states are turning to China instead of the US to reopen the Strait of Hormuz?

Accepted Answer

China has significant economic leverage over Iran as its biggest trading partner, The article highlights that China is both a major oil buyer from the Gulf and reportedly Iran's biggest trading partner. This economic leverage, combined with frustration over US limitations, drives the Gulf states' approach to Beijing.

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