Current Affairs 24 July 2026 — Part 1

Attempt the quiz above first, then review every question with its correct answer and a short explanation below.

1. Q1.The Delimitation Bill, 2026, introduced in Lok Sabha in April 2026, proposes to increase the total number of Lok Sabha seats to how many?

   • A.748
   • B.850✓ Correct Answer
   • C.888
   • D.795

   Explanation: The Delimitation Bill, 2026 proposes raising Lok Sabha seats from 543 to 850 — 815 from states and 35 from Union Territories — with delimitation to be based on the first Census conducted after 2026, as mandated by Articles 82 and 170 of the Constitution.

2. Q2.Under which provision of the Telecommunications Act, 2023 was the mobile internet suspension in Central Delhi during the 'Chalo Sansad' protest invoked?

   • A.Section 20(2)(b)✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Section 5(2)
   • C.Section 30(1)
   • D.Section 24(a)

   Explanation: Section 20(2)(b) of the Telecommunications Act, 2023 empowers authorities to suspend telecom services in the interest of public safety or emergency, but caps such suspension orders at a maximum of 15 days, replacing the earlier framework under the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885.

3. Q3.What is the official reference date for India's 2027 Population Census enumeration phase?

   • A.1 April 2026
   • B.1 March 2027✓ Correct Answer
   • C.1 January 2027
   • D.31 December 2026

   Explanation: The reference date for India's 2027 Census Population Enumeration phase (scheduled for February 2027) is 1 March 2027; this follows the House Listing & Housing Census phase running from 1 April to September 2026.

4. Q4.India's CPI retail inflation rose to what level in June 2026, marking an 18-month high?

   • A.3.12%
   • B.4.38%✓ Correct Answer
   • C.5.67%
   • D.2.94%

   Explanation: CPI inflation rose to 4.38% in June 2026, its highest in 18 months, driven mainly by a fuel & power sub-index of 27.41% amid crude oil trading above $110 per barrel due to West Asia disruptions.

5. Q5.As of end-May 2026, credit growth across India's scheduled banks outpaced deposit growth by how many basis points?

   • A.230 bps
   • B.530 bps✓ Correct Answer
   • C.780 bps
   • D.150 bps

   Explanation: Credit growth stood at 17.44% year-on-year versus deposit growth of 12.14%, a gap of 530 basis points; RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra clarified that banks hold sufficient capital to continue lending despite the slower deposit growth.

6. Q6.Which agency gave Federal Bank its inaugural BBB- investment-grade rating in July 2026?

   • A.Moody's
   • B.Fitch Ratings
   • C.S&P Global Ratings✓ Correct Answer
   • D.ICRA

   Explanation: S&P Global Ratings assigned Federal Bank its first-ever BBB- investment-grade rating on 10 July 2026, reflecting the bank's improving credit profile and risk management.

7. Q7.The Rome Declaration for an Unarmed and Disarming Peace, signed by Nobel laureates and AI scientists, primarily calls for what?

   • A.Banning autonomous weapons entirely
   • B.Meaningful human control over AI in nuclear decision-making✓ Correct Answer
   • C.A global moratorium on AI research
   • D.UN oversight of all defence budgets

   Explanation: Signed at Rome's Capitoline Hill, the declaration calls for meaningful human control over artificial intelligence in nuclear decision-making, reflecting growing global concern over AI's role in military command-and-control systems.

8. Q8.The Quad Foreign Ministers' Meeting held in Manila on 22 July 2026 primarily reaffirmed commitment to what?

   • A.A free and open Indo-Pacific and ASEAN centrality✓ Correct Answer
   • B.A joint currency for the Indo-Pacific
   • C.Formal military alliance status
   • D.A common Quad passport scheme

   Explanation: Foreign ministers of India, the US, Japan, and Australia met in Manila and reaffirmed their commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific and ASEAN centrality, discussing maritime security, technology, and economic cooperation.

9. Q9.According to the UN's SOFI 2026 report, which region now has the largest hunger-affected population, surpassing Asia?

   • A.Latin America
   • B.Africa✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Middle East
   • D.Eastern Europe

   Explanation: The SOFI 2026 report found Africa's hunger population (309 million, a 20% rate) has surpassed Asia's (292 million); globally, 2.69 billion people — 32.7% of the world — cannot afford a healthy diet.

10. Q10.As of 15 July 2026, how many member organisations does the Bharat 6G Alliance have?

    • A.60
    • B.75
    • C.90✓ Correct Answer
    • D.110

    Explanation: The Bharat 6G Alliance expanded to 90 member organisations, spanning telecom operators, equipment makers, startups and academia, and has formed seven working groups covering 6G technologies, spectrum, and green sustainability.

11. Q11.IASST Guwahati scientists found that adding just 0.1% borophene to castor oil reduces friction by approximately how much?

    • A.15%
    • B.27%
    • C.42%✓ Correct Answer
    • D.60%

    Explanation: The borophene additive reduced friction by about 42% while also improving wear resistance and load-bearing capacity, by forming a protective 'tribofilm' layer — a potential breakthrough for green lubrication technology.

12. Q12.India's drug regulator (DCGI) granted market authorisation to which dengue vaccine on 20 July 2026?

    • A.Dengvaxia
    • B.QDENGA (TAK-003)✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Covishield
    • D.Denguevac-4

    Explanation: The DCGI authorised QDENGA (TAK-003), a live-attenuated tetravalent dengue vaccine, marking a significant step in India's fight against dengue, which sees seasonal outbreaks across much of the country.

13. Q13.INS Malvan, commissioned at Karwar on 22 July 2026, belongs to which class of warships?

    • A.Kamorta-class
    • B.Mahe-class✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Kalvari-class
    • D.Visakhapatnam-class

    Explanation: INS Malvan is the second indigenously-built Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft, with over 80% indigenous content, built at Cochin Shipyard Limited to strengthen coastal anti-submarine capability.

14. Q14.During PM Modi's July 2026 Indonesia visit, India agreed to supply Astra air-to-air missiles through an arrangement between Bharat Dynamics and which Indonesian entity?

    • A.Republic Corps✓ Correct Answer
    • B.PT Pindad
    • C.Indonesian Aerospace
    • D.Garuda Defence

    Explanation: Alongside the long-anticipated BrahMos missile deal, India agreed to supply ASTRA air-to-air missile systems through a new arrangement between Bharat Dynamics and Indonesia's Republic Corps, deepening defence interoperability between the two nations.

15. Q15.PM Modi and PM Albanese issued a Joint Declaration on Defence and Security Cooperation during their meeting in which city?

    • A.Canberra
    • B.Sydney
    • C.Melbourne✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Perth

    Explanation: The Joint Declaration, issued during PM Modi's meeting with Australian PM Anthony Albanese in Melbourne, elevates practical defence and security cooperation between India and Australia as part of their expanding Indo-Pacific partnership.