Best July 2026 Current Affairs | 100 MCQs with Answers & PDF

Some months feel like current affairs in slow motion. July 2026 current affairs was definitely not one of them.

A protest movement that started as a social media joke, the Cockroach Janta Party, named after a sitting Chief Justice’s remark comparing unemployed youth to “cockroaches” ended up filling Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, drawing baton charges from Delhi Police, breaking into international news on France 24 and CNN, and forcing the resignation of a Union Cabinet minister. Dharmendra Pradhan stepped down as Education Minister on July 25 over NEET exam irregularities, and the tent city at Jantar Mantar came down the same evening.

That was only one thread in a packed month. PM Modi flew across three countries signing a uranium deal with Australia, launching a joint conservation initiative at Prambanan Temple in Indonesia, and agreeing to jointly develop Sabang Port on the Strait of Malacca. DRDO tested Kusha, India’s first long-range surface-to-air missile, off the Odisha coast.

India built its first indigenous turbojet engine. The Railways announced that 99.6% of its broad gauge network now runs on electricity, making India the second most electrified major rail system on the planet. And in Glasgow, Mirabai Chanu lifted a Commonwealth Games record on Day 3 to claim her third gold.

For aspirants preparing for UPSC Mains (August 21), SSC, IBPS, and State PSCs, this is not a month to skim. Every section of this article is dense with facts that will appear on your paper.

July Current Affairs Questions (2026)

Topic 1: PM Modi’s Three-Nation Tour

1. PM Modi visited Indonesia as the first leg of his three-nation tour on which dates in July 2026?

a) July 10–12

b) July 2–4

c) July 6–8 ✅

d) July 8–10

2. How many bilateral agreements did India and Indonesia sign during PM Modi’s July 2026 visit?

a) 10

b) 14 ✅

c) 8

d) 18

3. A major infrastructure outcome of the India-Indonesia July 2026 visit was the agreement to jointly develop which strategically significant port?

a) Batam Port

b) Belawan Port

c) Tanjung Priok Port

d) Sabang Port ✅

4. Sabang Port is strategically important because of its location overlooking which waterway?

a) Strait of Malacca ✅

b) Makassar Strait

c) Strait of Lombok

d) Strait of Sunda

5. PM Modi and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto visited and launched a joint conservation initiative at which UNESCO World Heritage Site in Yogyakarta?

a) Sangiran Early Man Site

b) Komodo National Park

c) Prambanan Temple ✅

d) Borobudur Temple

6. President Prabowo Subianto had previously attended India’s Republic Day celebrations in which year as Chief Guest?

a) 2024

b) 2025 ✅

c) 2026

d) 2023

7. The second leg of PM Modi’s three-nation tour was Australia, where he held the 3rd Annual Summit with which counterpart?

a) Anthony Albanese ✅

b) Malcolm Turnbull

c) Scott Morrison

d) Peter Dutton

8. PM Modi’s summit with Australian PM Albanese was aimed at deepening which bilateral partnership?

a) India-Australia Pacific Framework

b) India-Australia Free Trade Partnership

c) India-Australia Defence and Security Alliance

d) India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership ✅

9. A landmark outcome of PM Modi’s Australia visit on July 9, 2026 was the signing of an agreement allowing uranium exports from Australia to India. These uranium exports are designated exclusively for which purpose?

a) Nuclear weapons research

b) Defence applications

c) Peaceful purposes including civilian nuclear energy ✅

d) Space propulsion systems

10. When was the original nuclear cooperation agreement between India and Australia signed?

a) 2011

b) 2014 ✅

c) 2017

d) 2019

11. India is Australia’s trading partner ranked at what position?

a) Fifth ✅

b) Third

c) Fourth

d) Sixth

12. Australia holds what percentage of the world’s uranium reserves, making it a critical supply partner for India?

a) 15%

b) 35%

c) 21%

d) 28% ✅

13. India’s target for nuclear energy capacity by 2047 is:

a) 75 GW

b) 100 GW ✅

c) 50 GW

d) 150 GW

14. What was the third country PM Modi visited on his July 2026 three-nation tour after Indonesia and Australia?

a) Papua New Guinea

b) Singapore

c) New Zealand ✅

d) Fiji

Topic 2: Defence

15. DRDO successfully conducted the maiden flight test of the Kusha Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (LR-SAM) on which date?

a) July 23, 2026 ✅

b) July 15, 2026

c) July 25, 2026

d) July 18, 2026

16. The Kusha missile test was conducted from which test range?

a) Chitradurga Aeronautical Test Range, Karnataka

b) Pokhran Test Range, Rajasthan

c) Integrated Test Range, Chandipur

d) APJ Abdul Kalam Island, off Odisha coast ✅

17. Project Kusha is also known by which other name?

a) Long Range Strike System (LRSS)

b) Extended Range Air Defence System (ERADS) ✅

c) Project Akash-NG

d) Integrated Air Defence Programme (IADP)

18. The Kusha maiden test was conducted against what type of target?

a) A ballistic missile

b) An actual fighter jet

c) An electronic target simulating a high-speed, high-altitude aerial threat ✅

d) A naval drone

19. Project Kusha received Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) approval in which year?

a) 2019

b) 2023

c) 2021

d) 2022 ✅

20. The procurement of how many Kusha missile squadrons was formally sanctioned in September 2023?

a) Five ✅

b) Seven

c) Three

d) Ten

21. The sanctioned value of the Kusha procurement is approximately:

a) Rs. 15,000 crore

b) Rs. 21,700 crore ✅

c) Rs. 30,000 crore

d) Rs. 10,000 crore

22. The Kusha system has three interceptor variants — M1, M2, and M3 — with approximate ranges of:

a) 150 km, 250 km, and 400 km ✅

b) 50 km, 100 km, and 200 km

c) 100 km, 200 km, and 300 km

d) 200 km, 350 km, and 500 km

23. Which Defence Minister congratulated DRDO on the successful Kusha test?

a) Nirmala Sitharaman

b) Amit Shah

c) Rajnath Singh ✅

d) S. Jaishankar

24. India’s first indigenous Expendable Turbojet Engine (ETJE) was unveiled on which date in July 2026?

a) July 20, 2026

b) July 18, 2026

c) July 15, 2026

d) July 22, 2026 ✅

25. The ETJE was developed jointly by DRDO and which private sector company?

a) HAL

b) Azad Engineering ✅

c) Solar Defence and Aerospace Ltd

d) BrahMos Aerospace

26. The ETJE falls in which thrust category?

a) 500 kg thrust

b) 150 kg thrust

c) 350 kg thrust ✅

d) 250 kg thrust

27. The Bhargavastra counter-swarm drone system was demonstrated in which city on July 24, 2026?

a) Nagpur ✅

b) Chennai

c) Hyderabad

d) Pune

28. Bhargavastra was developed by which company?

a) BrahMos Aerospace

b) DRDO

c) HAL

d) Solar Defence and Aerospace Ltd (SDAL) ✅

29. Bhargavastra is described as what type of system?

a) Long-range artillery rocket system

b) Air-to-air missile system

c) Vehicle-mounted, multi-layered Counter-Swarm Drone System ✅

d) Submarine-launched missile

Topic 3: Commonwealth Games 2026

30. The 23rd Commonwealth Games 2026 is being held in which city?

a) Manchester

b) Glasgow ✅

c) Birmingham

d) Edinburgh

31. The 23rd Commonwealth Games 2026 runs from which dates?

a) July 18 to August 5

b) July 15 to July 30

c) July 25 to August 10

d) July 23 to August 2 ✅

32. How many Commonwealth Games Associations (CGAs) are participating in the 2026 Glasgow edition?

a) 74 ✅

b) 54

c) 64

d) 72

33. How many sports feature in the 2026 Commonwealth Games?

a) 8

b) 10 ✅

c) 15

d) 20

34. How many medal events are there at the 2026 Commonwealth Games?

a) 180

b) 280

c) 215 ✅

d) 150

35. How many athletes did India send to the 2026 Commonwealth Games?

a) 122 ✅

b) 150

c) 90

d) 100

36. The 2026 Commonwealth Games is India’s how many th appearance?

a) 17th

b) 15th

c) 21st

d) 19th ✅

37. India made its Commonwealth Games debut in which year?

a) 1950

b) 1934 ✅

c) 1938

d) 1930

38. Who was India’s flag bearer at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Commonwealth Games?

a) Mirabai Chanu ✅

b) P.V. Sindhu

c) Lovlina Borgohain

d) Harmanpreet Kaur

39. Who was India’s baton bearer at the 2026 Commonwealth Games opening ceremony?

a) Nikhat Zareen

b) Bajrang Punia

c) Lovlina Borgohain ✅

d) Mirabai Chanu

40. Who won India’s first gold medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games?

a) Lovlina Borgohain

b) Jhandu Kumar

c) Rishikanta Singh

d) Mirabai Chanu ✅

41. Mirabai Chanu won gold in which weight category at Glasgow 2026?

a) Women’s 48kg ✅

b) Women’s 55kg

c) Women’s 45kg

d) Women’s 49kg

42. What combined total did Mirabai Chanu lift to win gold at Glasgow 2026?

a) 180 kg

b) 185 kg

c) 190 kg ✅

d) 195 kg

43. Mirabai Chanu’s snatch at Glasgow 2026 was 85 kg, which set a:

a) Olympic record

b) Commonwealth record ✅

c) Asian record

d) World record

44. Mirabai Chanu’s Glasgow 2026 gold was her how many th Commonwealth Games gold medal?

a) Fourth

b) First

c) Second

d) Third ✅

45. At which previous Commonwealth Games had Mirabai Chanu also won gold?

a) Gold Coast 2018 and Birmingham 2022 ✅

b) Glasgow 2014 and Gold Coast 2018

c) Gold Coast 2018 and Tokyo 2020

d) Birmingham 2022 and Paris 2024

46. What was Mirabai Chanu’s result at Glasgow 2014 — the same city where she returned to win gold in 2026?

a) Did not participate

b) Silver ✅

c) Fourth place

d) Gold

47. Chanambam Rishikanta Singh won which medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games?

a) Gold

b) Fourth place

c) Bronze

d) Silver ✅

48. Rishikanta Singh competed in which weight category?

a) Men’s 55kg

b) Men’s 73kg

c) Men’s 60kg ✅

d) Men’s 67kg

49. Who won India’s first medal (before the opening ceremony) at the 2026 Commonwealth Games?

a) Mirabai Chanu

b) Jhandu Kumar ✅

c) Rishikanta Singh

d) Lovlina Borgohain

50. Jhandu Kumar’s medal at the 2026 CWG was in which para-sport event?

a) Para powerlifting — men’s heavyweight ✅

b) Para powerlifting — men’s featherweight

c) Para archery — men’s recurve

d) Wheelchair racing — men’s 100m

Topic 4: Railway & Infrastructure

51. As of July 2026, Indian Railways has achieved what percentage of broad gauge network electrification?

a) 98.8%

b) 97.5%

c) 99.6% ✅

d) 95.0%

52. India ranks at what position globally among major railway systems in terms of electrification?

a) First

b) Fourth

c) Third

d) Second ✅

53. Which country has 100% railway electrification, making it the only major network ranked above India?

a) Germany

b) Switzerland ✅

c) Japan

d) France

54. What is China’s railway electrification percentage — which India has surpassed?

a) 82% ✅

b) 65%

c) 90%

d) 74%

55. How many route kilometres were electrified between 2014 and 2026 — compared to 21,801 km in the six decades before?

a) 28,000 km

b) 55,000 km

c) 35,500 km

d) 48,072 km ✅

56. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed the Lok Sabha of this achievement on which date?

a) July 18, 2026

b) July 15, 2026

c) July 22, 2026 ✅

d) July 10, 2026

57. Diesel consumption for railway traction declined from 293 crore litres in 2015-16 to how many crore litres in 2024-25?

a) 85 crore litres

b) 108 crore litres ✅

c) 150 crore litres

d) 60 crore litres

58. As of June 2026, Indian Railways had commissioned how much solar power capacity?

a) 1,161 MW ✅

b) 1,500 MW

c) 500 MW

d) 850 MW

59. Kamarajar Port became India’s second major port with 18-metre draft capability in July 2026. Kamarajar Port is located in which city?

a) Kochi

b) Mumbai

c) Visakhapatnam

d) Chennai (Ennore) ✅

60. Which was the first Indian major port to achieve 18-metre draft capability before Kamarajar?

a) Jawaharlal Nehru Port

b) Visakhapatnam Port

c) Paradip Port ✅

d) Kandla Port

Topic 5: Technology & Science

61. PM Modi inaugurated India’s first CG Semi OSAT (Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test) facility in which city on July 6, 2026?

a) Pune

b) Bengaluru

c) Hyderabad

d) Sanand, Gujarat ✅

62. OSAT stands for:

a) Open Semiconductor Assembly Technology

b) Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test ✅

c) Operational Semiconductor Analysis and Testing

d) Original Semiconductor Application Technology

63. UIDAI launched a free email update service through which platform in July 2026?

a) Aadhaar app ✅

b) UMANG app

c) MyGov portal

d) DigiLocker

64. The Indian government launched the e-OCI Card on July 4, 2026. OCI stands for:

a) Overseas Consular Identity

b) Official Citizen Identification

c) Overseas Citizen of India ✅

d) Overseas Community Identification

65. The AISHE Report 2023-24, released in July 2026, showed India’s Higher Education Gross Enrolment Ratio reached what milestone?

a) 5.0 crore enrolments

b) 4.0 crore enrolments

c) 3.5 crore enrolments

d) 4.5 crore enrolments ✅

66. In India’s passport ranking released in July 2026 (Global Passport Index 2026), India’s passport was ranked at which position?

a) 125th ✅

b) 140th

c) 100th

d) 80th

Topic 6: Governance & Policy

67. Which ministry launched TribeX in July 2026 for tribal arts and culture?

a) Ministry of Culture

b) Ministry of Tribal Affairs ✅

c) Ministry of Rural Development

d) Ministry of Tourism

68. Four states signed the Narmada Project Payment Pact in July 2026 to resolve a long-standing cost-sharing dispute. Which of the following is NOT one of the four states in the Narmada Water Disputes Tribunal award?

a) Madhya Pradesh

b) Gujarat

c) Maharashtra ✅

d) Rajasthan

69. EPFO launched the CITES 2.01 platform in July 2026. EPFO stands for:

a) Employment and Pension Fund Office

b) Employee Pension and Financial Operations

c) Employee Provident Fund Operations

d) Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation ✅

70. India and Kyrgyzstan launched an International Centre for Civilizational Studies on July 10, 2026. What is the name of this centre?

a) Tian Shan Cultural Institute

b) Manas and Mahabharata ✅

c) Silk Road Cultural Exchange Centre

d) Kyrgyz-India Heritage Foundation

71. Which city was ranked among the world’s Happiest Cities in the Happy City Index 2026, released in July?

a) Jaipur ✅

b) Mumbai

c) Mysuru

d) Bengaluru

72. In the Happy City Index 2026, Jaipur was ranked at which position globally?

a) 10th

b) 5th

c) 15th ✅

d) 20th

73. Which Union Minister resigned on July 25, 2026, following nationwide student protests at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations?

a) Amit Shah

b) Dharmendra Pradhan ✅

c) Nirmala Sitharaman

d) Rajnath Singh

74. Dharmendra Pradhan held which portfolio at the time of his resignation?

a) Home Affairs

b) Finance

c) Skill Development

d) Education ✅

74a. The protest movement that led to Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation was called the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). The movement’s name was derived from a remark comparing unemployed youth to “cockroaches”, attributed to which public figure?

a) Chief Justice of India Surya Kant ✅

b) Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar

c) Prime Minister Narendra Modi

d) Home Minister Amit Shah

74b. The CJP movement was originally created in May 2026 by which individual?

a) Medha Patkar

b) Sonam Wangchuk

c) Abhijeet Dipke ✅

d) Yogendra Yadav

74c. On July 23, 2026, which activist ended a fast at Jantar Mantar after the government assured him that no legal action would be taken against protesters?

a) Medha Patkar

b) Sonam Wangchuk ✅

c) Prashant Bhushan

d) Anna Hazare

74d. The CJP called off its Jantar Mantar sit-in on July 25, 2026, after the government accepted which of its demands?

a) Withdrawal of NEET 2026 results only

b) Formation of a parliamentary committee to review NEET

c) Resignation of the Finance Minister only

d) Resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan and withdrawal of FIRs against protesters ✅

75. The European Commission fined Google on July 23, 2026, for breaches of EU competition rules. What was the penalty?

a) €670 million

b) €1.2 billion

c) €890 million ✅

d) €450 million

76. The US imposed new Section 301 tariffs on 60 countries on July 24, 2026 under which US Act?

a) US Trade Act 1974 ✅

b) US Trade Facilitation Act 1988

c) US Tariff Act 2019

d) US Trade Expansion Act 1962

Topic 7: International Affairs

77. India participated in the inaugural UN Global Dialogue on AI Governance held in which city on July 6–7, 2026?

a) Brussels

b) Vienna

c) Geneva ✅

d) New York

78. India reaffirmed which vision at the UN Global Dialogue on AI Governance?

a) AI for All ✅

b) AI for Defence

c) Digital India 2030

d) AI for Developed Nations

79. The GIFT City IFSC signed an MoU in July 2026 with Vietnam International Financial Center in which Vietnamese city?

a) Hue

b) Ho Chi Minh City

c) Hanoi

d) Da Nang ✅

80. GI Registrations in India for 2025-26 were led by which region?

a) Southern India

b) Eastern India ✅

c) Northern India

d) Western India

81. Which state topped India in total GI registrations in 2025–26?

a) Uttar Pradesh

b) Rajasthan

c) Madhya Pradesh ✅

d) West Bengal

Topic 8: FIFA World Cup 2026

82. The 2026 FIFA World Cup was hosted jointly by which three countries?

a) USA, Canada and Mexico ✅

b) USA, Brazil and Argentina

c) USA, Canada and Brazil

d) Mexico, Colombia and USA

83. The 2026 FIFA World Cup was the first edition to feature how many teams?

a) 32

b) 36

c) 48 ✅

d) 64

84. The 2026 FIFA World Cup Final was played on which date?

a) July 12, 2026

b) July 15, 2026

c) July 17, 2026

d) July 19, 2026 ✅

85. The 2026 FIFA World Cup Final was held at which venue?

a) Rose Bowl, Los Angeles

b) AT&T Stadium, Dallas

c) MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey ✅

d) Estadio Azteca, Mexico City

86. Who won the 2026 FIFA World Cup?

a) Argentina

b) Spain ✅

c) France

d) Brazil

87. Spain defeated which country in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final?

a) France

b) Brazil

c) England

d) Argentina ✅

88. Spain defeated which country in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final?

a) France

b) Brazil

c) England

d) Argentina ✅

89. What was the final score of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final between Spain and Argentina?

a) 1–0 after extra time ✅

b) 2–1 after extra time

c) 1–0 after 90 minutes

d) 3–2 on penalties

90. Who scored the winning goal in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final?

a) Lamine Yamal

b) Nico Williams

c) Ferran Torres ✅

d) Rodri

91. In which minute did Ferran Torres score the winning goal in the Final?

a) 90th minute

b) 95th minute

c) 106th minute ✅

d) 120th minute

92. The 2026 World Cup was Spain’s second title. When did Spain win their first?

a) 2006

b) 2010 ✅

c) 2014

d) 2018

93. At 65 years old, Spain coach Luis de la Fuente became which record holder after the 2026 World Cup win?

a) Youngest coach to win a World Cup

b) First coach to win without losing a game

c) Oldest coach ever to lead a team to a World Cup title ✅

d) First coach to win both European Championship and World Cup

94. Which individual award did Spain’s Rodri win at the 2026 FIFA World Cup?

a) Golden Boot

b) Golden Glove

c) Best Young Player

d) Golden Ball ✅

95. Which Spain player won the Golden Glove at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, having conceded only one goal in seven games?

a) David Raya

b) Unai Simón ✅

c) Alejandro Remiro

d) Robert Sánchez

96. Which Spain player won the Best Young Player award at the 2026 FIFA World Cup?

a) Lamine Yamal

b) Nico Williams

c) Pedri

d) Pau Cubarsí ✅

97. Who won the Golden Boot (top scorer) at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with 10 goals?

a) Lionel Messi

b) Erling Haaland

c) Kylian Mbappé ✅

d) Jude Bellingham

98. Kylian Mbappé’s 2026 Golden Boot was significant because he also won it in 2022. He is the first player to achieve what?

a) Score 10 goals in a single World Cup

b) Win the Golden Boot at consecutive World Cups ✅

c) Score in every round of a World Cup

d) Win the Golden Boot without his team winning the title

99. With his goals at the 2026 World Cup, Kylian Mbappé became the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history. How many World Cup goals does he have in total?

a) 18

b) 20

c) 22 ✅

d) 25

100 The 2026 FIFA World Cup Final featured the first-ever halftime show in World Cup history. Which of the following was NOT a performer at that halftime show?

a) Madonna

b) Shakira

c) BTS

d) Beyoncé ✅

Download Your Free July 2026 Current Affairs PDF (100 MCQs with Explanation)

Supplementary Resources

June 2026 Current Affairs

May 2026 Current Affairs

Common Preparation Mistakes You Need To Focus On

Mistake 1: Mixing up Mirabai Chanu’s medal tally.

Glasgow 2026 is her third CWG gold (Gold Coast 2018 + Birmingham 2022 + Glasgow 2026) and fourth overall medal (Silver at Glasgow 2014 counts). Also note: her snatch of 85 kg set a Commonwealth record; her 105 kg clean and jerk set a Games record. Questions will be set on both.

Mistake 2: Confusing the Kusha missile system details.

Kusha = Project Kusha = ERADS = Extended Range Air Defence System. Test on July 23 from APJ Abdul Kalam Island. Three variants: M1 (~150 km), M2 (~250 km), M3 (~400 km). All three share the same “kill vehicle” but use different boosters. CCS approved in May 2022. ₹21,700 crore for five squadrons. Do not confuse with NASM-SR (May 2026) or Astra (different missile).

Mistake 3: Getting the railway electrification figure slightly wrong.

The figure is 99.6% of the broad gauge network, not 99% or “nearly 100%.” India is 2nd after Switzerland. China is at 82%. Questions will set 99% or 100% as traps. The specific quarter was disclosed to Lok Sabha on July 22, 2026 by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.

Mistake 4: Conflating Indonesia and Australia agreements.

14 bilateral agreements were signed with Indonesia including Sabang Port, Prambanan conservation, BrahMos, critical minerals. The uranium deal was signed with Australia, not Indonesia. The India-Australia nuclear cooperation agreement dates to 2014. These facts will be set as a confusion question.

Mistake 5: Missing the para-sport first at Glasgow 2026.

India fielded its first-ever para team-sport athletes at the CWG 2026, in 3×3 Wheelchair Basketball. This “first” is exactly the type of fact exam setters love so do not confuse Jhandu Kumar’s para powerlifting bronze with this team debut.

FAQs

Closing Thoughts

July 2026 current affairs asked you to track a prime minister across three countries, a missile launched over the Bay of Bengal, a weightlifter in Glasgow chasing a third gold, and the quiet bureaucratic fact that 99.6% of India’s railways now run on electricity. These are not separate stories. They are the same country, moving on multiple fronts at the same time.

That is what current affairs preparation actually trains you to do, hold complexity without confusion, connect facts across categories, and answer quickly under pressure. July 2026 gave you plenty to practise on.

UPSC Mains is on August 21. That is 26 days away. You are not behind. You are here, reading this, doing the work. That is enough. Keep going.

All the best. 💪

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