Current Affairs 24 July 2026 — Part 2

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

1. Q1.India's installed renewable energy capacity crossed what milestone by 30 June 2026?

   • A.200 GW
   • B.250 GW
   • C.288.58 GW✓ Correct Answer
   • D.320 GW

   Explanation: India's renewable capacity reached 288.58 GW by 30 June 2026, after adding 30.6 GW in H1 2026 (up 25% year-on-year); solar alone contributes 162 GW, making India third globally in installed solar capacity.

2. Q2.India's ongoing sixth tiger census cycle covers how many tiger reserves nationwide?

   • A.48
   • B.53
   • C.58✓ Correct Answer
   • D.62

   Explanation: The sixth tiger census cycle covers all 58 tiger reserves across India; early estimates suggest a 10-15% population rise, though most of the increase is expected outside core reserve areas, in buffer zones and corridors.

3. Q3.According to the State of India's Environment 2026 report, the invasive plant Lantana camara now covers roughly what share of India's forest and scrubland?

   • A.25%
   • B.35%
   • C.50%✓ Correct Answer
   • D.65%

   Explanation: Lantana camara now covers nearly 50% of India's forest and scrubland, suppressing native grasses, reducing prey availability for tigers, and forcing them into greater conflict with livestock and humans near forest edges.

4. Q4.Who was India's flag bearer at the Commonwealth Games 2026 opening ceremony in Glasgow?

   • A.P.V. Sindhu
   • B.Mirabai Chanu✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Lovlina Borgohain
   • D.Neeraj Chopra

   Explanation: Weightlifter Mirabai Chanu, a two-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist, carried India's flag, while boxer Lovlina Borgohain served as baton bearer, at the first-ever indoor CWG opening ceremony, held on 23 July 2026 in Glasgow.

5. Q5.India's athletics contingent, including Neeraj Chopra, competes at the Commonwealth Games 2026 at which venue?

   • A.Hampden Park
   • B.Scotstoun Stadium✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Emirates Arena
   • D.Tollcross International Swimming Centre

   Explanation: The athletics competition runs from 27 July to 1 August 2026 at Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow, with the men's javelin throw final — featuring Neeraj Chopra — scheduled for 1 August.

6. Q6.England announced it will host Australia in 2027 for the first-ever mixed disability Ashes series in which cricket format?

   • A.Test
   • B.ODI
   • C.T20I✓ Correct Answer
   • D.The Hundred

   Explanation: The inaugural mixed disability Ashes series between England and Australia will be played in T20I format in 2027, as part of England's Ashes summer, marking a milestone for disability cricket.

7. Q7.Anurag Jain, appointed CEO of NITI Aayog on 22 July 2026, belongs to which IAS cadre?

   • A.Madhya Pradesh✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Uttar Pradesh
   • C.Rajasthan
   • D.Gujarat

   Explanation: Anurag Jain, a 1989-batch IAS officer of the Madhya Pradesh cadre, was appointed CEO of NITI Aayog for a two-year term, succeeding Nidhi Chibber, who held additional charge after B.V.R. Subrahmanyam's tenure ended.

8. Q8.The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet's major reshuffle on 23 July 2026 appointed how many IAS/IDAS officers as Secretaries to the Government of India?

   • A.9
   • B.11
   • C.13✓ Correct Answer
   • D.16

   Explanation: The ACC named 13 IAS/IDAS officers as Secretaries and upgraded four more officers to Secretary rank, including the Registrar General of India and the Chairman of the National Highways Authority of India.

9. Q9.Sanjeev Jain was appointed India's new Ambassador to which country on 7 July 2026?

   • A.South Korea
   • B.North Korea✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Mongolia
   • D.Vietnam

   Explanation: Sanjeev Jain was appointed India's new Ambassador to North Korea on 7 July 2026, a diplomatic post of limited but strategically watched engagement given North Korea's isolated status.

10. Q10.'Mission Golden Spice', launched with a ₹175.45-crore outlay, aims to develop the value chain of which product from Meghalaya?

    • A.Ginger
    • B.Lakadong turmeric✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Black pepper
    • D.Cardamom

    Explanation: Mission Golden Spice (2025-2030) targets Meghalaya's GI-tagged Lakadong turmeric, which has a curcumin content of 7-12% — nearly four times the global average — aiming to nearly triple cultivation area to 7,000 hectares.

11. Q11.Maharashtra's Women Farmers Empowerment Bill, 2026, approved on 2 July 2026, introduces which mechanism to help landless women farmers?

    • A.A women farmer certificate✓ Correct Answer
    • B.A dedicated women's bank
    • C.Free tractor distribution
    • D.A land redistribution scheme

    Explanation: The Bill creates a 'women farmer certificate' to help landless women engaged in agriculture and allied sectors like dairy and fisheries access institutional credit, subsidies, and agricultural extension services.

12. Q12.As per the government's reply in the Lok Sabha on 21 July 2026, what share of India's agricultural workforce in 2025 was made up of women?

    • A.41.2%
    • B.50.5%
    • C.59.8%✓ Correct Answer
    • D.68.3%

    Explanation: The government told the Lok Sabha that women constituted 59.8% of India's agricultural workforce in 2025, underscoring the need for schemes that improve women farmers' access to credit, inputs, and training.

13. Q13.Sikkim CM Prem Singh Tamang presented an FY2026-27 budget of what gross outlay, targeting over 13% annual growth?

    • A.₹12,455 crore
    • B.₹15,890 crore
    • C.₹19,215 crore✓ Correct Answer
    • D.₹22,340 crore

    Explanation: The ₹19,215-crore (gross) budget, presented under the 'Viksit Sikkim @2047' vision, focuses on infrastructure, healthcare, education and sustainable tourism, with the state's GSDP projected to reach ₹62,973 crore in 2026-27.

14. Q14.Rajouri's Bhairav Yatra, added to the National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage of India on 15 July 2026, became only the second such entry after which heritage practice?

    • A.Ladakh's Buddhist chanting✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Kerala's Theyyam
    • C.Rajasthan's Kalbelia dance
    • D.Manipur's Sankirtana

    Explanation: Rajouri's centuries-old Bhairav Yatra, a procession dedicated to Lord Kala Bhairava held before Holi, became the second entry in India's National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage, after Ladakh's Buddhist chanting.

15. Q15.The Maitri Cultural Economy Samiti summit, held in Kolkata on 17 July 2026, focused on positioning which state's cultural heritage as a driver of tourism and livelihoods?

    • A.Odisha
    • B.West Bengal✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Assam
    • D.Bihar

    Explanation: Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and West Bengal's tourism minister jointly pitched Bengal's cultural and spiritual heritage as a key driver of tourism, livelihoods, and economic growth at the Kolkata summit.