1. Released on 20 July 2026, the revised Index of Core Industries (ICI) moves to which base year and brings in which industry as the ninth core sector?
Answer: E. The new series is based on 2022-23 = 100, replacing 2011-12, and widens the basket from eight to nine industries by adding Iron Ore at a weight of 4.905%. It begins from June 2026 with a 38-month back series, matches the base year already used for GDP, WPI and IIP, and is a monthly production-volume leading indicator for IIP compiled by the Office of the Economic Adviser, DPIIT.
2. In the revised ICI (2022-23 series), which industry now has the biggest weight?
Answer: B. Electricity is now the heaviest at 30.932%, up from 19.85%, passing Refinery Products at 22.572%. The core industries' combined share in IIP is revised to 32.88% from 40.27%; Steel now uses gross output and Coal covers raw coal only, dropping middlings and washed coal to avoid double counting.
3. According to the RBI Bulletin of July 2026, how much FCNR(B) deposit money came in through concessional swap measures from 8 June to 17 July 2026?
Answer: D. The bulletin, released 22 July, reported $17.4 billion mobilised that way. It also said the economy handled external uncertainty well, June retail inflation edged up while core stayed soft, liquidity improved, Q1 FY27 trade grew strongly (with the India-UK CETA expected to help), and FPI inflows turned positive in June-July.
4. NSE Indices Limited launched the "Nifty500 Ahimsa Index", India's first index screening out companies involved in animal cruelty, together with which partner?
Answer: A. The 10 July 2026 launch was with the Ahimsagain Foundation, using its Ahimsa Investment Movement (AIM) framework that sorts companies into Green, Orange and Red bands, admitting only Green. It tracked 326 companies on 30 June 2026, with holdings like Bharti Airtel, Infosys, M&M, TCS, Maruti Suzuki and NTPC.
5. Pick the incorrect statement about the Nifty500 Ahimsa Index.
Answer: C. The index leaves out commercial banks, major NBFCs and most Reliance Group firms, so claiming it includes all major banks and NBFCs is false. It also excludes meat, dairy, poultry, leather, cosmetics and animal-testing pharma, is free-float weighted from 1 April 2016 at 1,000, is rebalanced half-yearly, and can underlie ETFs and index funds.
6. At what age would members choose between an Annuity/Pension and a Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP) under the proposed EPFO 3.0 reforms?
Answer: A. The proposal gives members that choice at 60. Other planned features include an RBI-regulated Core Banking Solution for 60+ crore workers, a Target Retirement Sum with live dashboards, gig worker cover under the Code on Social Security 2020 (about 2.5 crore more), one UAN linked to many employers, and varied contribution sources; Singapore's CPF is being studied.
7. Mission "Golden Spice", a five-year ₹175.45-crore MDoNER initiative, seeks to strengthen the value chain of which GI-tagged product?
Answer: C. The mission (2025-2030) of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region targets Lakadong Turmeric, improving cultivation, processing, branding and exports, with MDoNER bearing 50% of the cost. Separately, India told the UNSC that the Indus Waters Treaty stays in abeyance until Pakistan credibly ends cross-border terrorism.
8. Which state leads the PLI Scheme for Automobile and Auto Components, with 66 manufacturing units?
Answer: E. Maharashtra heads the list with 66 units, ahead of Tamil Nadu at 38 and Haryana and Karnataka at 35 each, out of 225 units under the ₹25,938-crore scheme approved in 2021 by Heavy Industries. Also, the Centre is weighing removal of airport-airline cross-ownership limits, still at consultation stage.
9. To build indigenous eco-friendly blowing agent technology and cut imports of fluorochemicals, ISRO's VSSC signed an MoU with which institute?
Answer: B. VSSC partnered with CSIR-IICT (Indian Institute of Chemical Technology) to develop the technology for space uses, building India's strategic materials capability. ISRO's HSFC and SCTIMST also started India's first home-grown Postdoctoral Fellowship in Bioastronautics.
10. On which platform does the "Gems of India" Challenge, launched by Ashwini Vaishnaw for grassroots digital creators making 1-3 minute district-showcase videos, operate?
Answer: D. The pilot runs on MyWAVES, where creators film short videos on their district's culture, heritage, tourism and traditions for prizes up to ₹5 lakh, with all States and UTs to follow. Also, ISSDA and GSSE teamed up to push stainless steel in clean energy and a National Stainless Steel Policy, with the market eyed at USD 15.8 billion by 2030.
11. IIT Kanpur's green hydrogen Centre of Excellence "ECOGEN" is being set up under which policy and with whose approval?
Answer: B. ECOGEN, the Centre of Excellence on Innovative and Integrated Ecosystem for Green Hydrogen, is approved by UPNEDA under the UP Green Hydrogen Policy 2024 and will research hydrogen production, storage, distribution and use. Separately, IIPA and ICAI signed a three-year MoU on municipal accounting and financial management for Urban Local Bodies.
12. RBI data show India's outward FDI commitments fell 47.9% year-on-year in June 2026 to what amount?
Answer: D. Commitments dropped to USD 3 billion, with falls in equity, debt and guarantee commitments. ONGC Videsh Rovuma Limited (OVRL) made June's largest overseas equity commitment.
13. Kerala's eight-year-old Iya Krish became the youngest Asian to climb Mount Toubkal (4,167 m). It is the tallest mountain of which region?
Answer: A. Toubkal, in Morocco, is North Africa's highest summit. Iya trained through trekking and Kalaripayattu, and has her sights set on Elbrus, Kilimanjaro and Everest next.
14. At which naval base was INS Malvan, the second Mahe-class ASW Shallow Water Craft, commissioned, making it the first vessel commissioned there?
Answer: C. Naval Base Karwar was the site, and Malvan is the first vessel commissioned there. Built by Cochin Shipyard with more than 80% indigenous content, it strengthens coastal anti-submarine capability.
15. Paninian India's "Yantur 4.5 kN" programme is India's first privately developed engine of which kind in its class?
Answer: E. It is a turbofan engine, India's first privately built in its class, meant for long-range autonomous cruise missiles and future Collaborative Combat Aerial Vehicles (CCAVs).
16. Agharkar Research Institute scientists found five new species of what kind of organism, from the genus Allographa, in Kerala's Western Ghats?
Answer: C. They were lichens. The findings, published in Mycological Progress, form the region's first thorough molecular phylogenetic study of Allographa and add to India's recorded lichen diversity.
17. Which Indian Grandmaster took the Menuires International Chess Championship 2026 in France on tie-break?
Answer: E. GM S. Rohith Krishna won on FIDE tie-break rules, with GM Raja Rithvik second; both stayed unbeaten and scored 7 points from 9 rounds.
18. Why is Pi Approximation Day marked on 22 July?
Answer: B. In day/month form 22 July reads 22/7, a fraction that closely approximates π. It was first celebrated in 1995 in Sweden, whereas Pi Day, 14 March, follows 3.14.
19. Which theme did the World Federation of Neurology choose for World Brain Day 2026 on 22 July?
Answer: D. The 2026 theme was "Brain Health: Access for All", and 22 July also recalls the WFN's founding in 1957.
20. How large was the FY2026-27 Budget presented by Sikkim CM Prem Singh Tamang, which featured the state's first Renal Transplant Programme and statewide HPV screening?
Answer: A. The Budget came to ₹19,215 crore, putting health, education, infrastructure and welfare first, with HPV screening across the state, the first renal transplant programme, an ART Centre and 100 MBBS seats at Sikkim Government Medical College.
21. The Andhra Pradesh Economic Development Board's MoU with the UAE Food Cluster plans a ₹100-crore food processing unit in which district?
Answer: D. The unit will be in Chittoor district, part of a food processing cluster for horticultural exports that is meant to encourage value addition and UAE investment.
22. What level could global growth in 2026 fall to if US-Iran hostilities drag on, according to the World Bank's June 2026 Global Economic Prospects?
Answer: A. In the worst case, with severe energy supply disruption and market volatility beyond six months, growth slides to 1.3% from 2.9% in 2025, and global inflation reaches about 4.5%. The baseline, if disruptions ease, is 2.5% growth with inflation around 4.0%.
23. Which CSIR laboratory organised the Technology Transfer Event of 23 July 2026 in New Delhi, where four indigenous technologies went to industry?
Answer: C. CSIR-CSIO Chandigarh organised it under CSIR DG Dr. N. Kalaiselvi. Four technologies were handed to industry, an IoT-based Smart Rural Water Monitoring System was commercially launched, and Bharat Electronics Limited was recognised for royalty on licensed defence technology.
24. Where did AYUSH Minister Prataprao Jadhav inaugurate "Prakriti Café", which promotes healthy eating based on Ayush Ahaar principles?
Answer: E. The café is at Ayush Bhawan, New Delhi, the AYUSH Ministry's first such workplace initiative, encouraging balanced nutritious choices rooted in traditional Indian wellness systems.