Online Current Affairs Test - Current Affairs Test - Random(last 1 month)

The Bukhman International Booker Prize is the new name of the International Booker Prize following a decade-long funding commitment by Bukhman Philanthropies. Along with the renaming, the winner's prize money was doubled from £50,000 to £100,000, while each shortlisted title now receives £5,000. The award continues to recognise the collaborative efforts of authors and translators by sharing the prize equally between them. The first winner under the new name will be announced in May 2027, and the prize remains dedicated to fiction translated into English and published in the United Kingdom or Ireland.

Lieutenant General Mohit Malhotra assumed the appointment of General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) of the Jaipur-based South Western Command after serving as the Chief of Staff at Headquarters Eastern Command. Commissioned into the 47 Armoured Regiment in June 1989, he has held several key command assignments, including service in the Siachen Glacier, command of an Armoured Division, and the Desert Corps. He has extensive expertise in operational planning, military intelligence, and technology absorption. For his distinguished service to the nation, he has been awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) and the Sena Medal (SM).

India's merchandise trade deficit reached $30.43 billion in June 2026, compared to $19.10 billion in June 2025, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 59%. During the month, merchandise exports stood at $40.41 billion, while imports were significantly higher at $70.84 billion, resulting in a wider trade gap. The increase was driven by elevated import costs, weaker export momentum compared to the previous month, and challenging global economic conditions. A persistently high trade deficit can put pressure on the current account, currency stability, and inflation, making trade policy and export growth key priorities.

India's gross GST collections recorded a year-on-year growth of 13.9% in June 2026, reaching ₹1,94,812 crore compared to ₹1,71,105 crore in June 2025. After accounting for refunds, net GST collections stood at ₹1,62,377 crore, reflecting an annual growth of 11.2%. The increase was driven mainly by strong import-related GST revenue, which surged by 34.6%, while domestic GST collections grew by 6.5%. The robust revenue performance highlights improved tax compliance, effective digital tax administration, and sustained economic activity despite global uncertainties, reinforcing the strength of India's GST framework.

Ahmedabad created a Guinness World Record by planting 361,000 saplings in just one hour using the Miyawaki afforestation method. The plantation drive was organised by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) on July 12, 2026, at Bhadaj near the Gota-Godhavi Canal with the participation of more than 25,000 volunteers. Around 35 indigenous tree species suitable for Gujarat's climate were planted to promote biodiversity and ecological restoration. The Miyawaki method enables dense forest growth in smaller areas with minimal maintenance, making it an effective approach for increasing green cover and combating climate change.

Income Tax Day is observed every year on July 24 to commemorate the introduction of income tax in India by Sir James Wilson on July 24, 1860. In 2026, the observance marks 167 years of India's income tax system. The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) officially began celebrating the day in 2010 to recognise the contributions of honest taxpayers and promote tax awareness. The occasion also highlights the transformation of India's tax administration from a paper-based system to a modern digital platform featuring online ITR filing, faceless assessments, e-verification, pre-filled tax returns, and faster refund processing, making compliance simpler, transparent, and taxpayer-friendly.

Kenya received 4.5 tonnes of life-saving medical supplies and personal protective equipment (PPE) from India on July 24, 2026, under India's Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) framework. The relief package included PPE, emergency fluid management kits, and infection prevention supplies to enhance preparedness against Ebola and other infectious disease outbreaks. The assistance was coordinated through the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Indian High Commission in Nairobi. The initiative also strengthens India's ongoing cooperation with the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), reinforcing healthcare resilience, regional disease surveillance, and India's commitment to supporting global public health and humanitarian efforts.

France has passed a landmark law that will prohibit children under the age of 15 from using social media platforms, with full implementation beginning in January 2027. The legislation requires mandatory age verification for both new and existing user accounts and aims to protect minors from harmful online content, cyberbullying, exploitation, and mental health risks. Introduced as part of President Emmanuel Macron’s child safety initiative, France became the first European country to adopt such a nationwide measure. The move reflects a growing global trend toward stricter online safety regulations for children, although concerns remain regarding privacy, data protection, and effective enforcement.

India introduced the new Letter of Authorisation (LoA) regime to promote sustainable high-seas fishing, improve fishermen’s incomes, and strengthen the country’s Blue Economy. The initiative enables Indian fishing vessels to operate in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and beyond while ensuring responsible exploitation of marine resources. It also aims to reduce pressure on coastal fisheries, increase seafood exports, create employment opportunities, and support fishing cooperatives and Fish Farmer Producer Organisations. With a coastline exceeding 11,000 km and a vast EEZ of nearly 24 lakh square kilometres, the initiative seeks to unlock India's untapped deep-sea fishing potential and enhance its position in the global seafood market.

India was ranked 125th out of 197 countries in the Global Passport Index 2026. Although the country's overall score improved to 45.1, its highest in the past five years, it slipped one place from the previous year's ranking due to stronger improvements made by other countries. The index evaluates passports using three key factors: enhanced mobility, quality of living, and investment opportunities. India showed progress in quality of life and investment potential, but limited visa-free travel access to major destinations affected its mobility score, preventing a higher overall ranking despite the improved performance.

Kamarajar Port became India's second major port to achieve an 18-metre operational draft after the successful completion of the ₹440 crore Capital Dredging Phase VI project. The upgraded infrastructure allows the port to handle fully laden Capesize vessels carrying up to 1,70,000 DWT, significantly improving cargo handling efficiency. The project included deepening approach channels, entrance channels, berths, and navigational areas, transforming the port into a Cape Compliant Port. This achievement is expected to reduce logistics costs, improve turnaround time, enhance India's global maritime competitiveness, and strengthen the country's export-import (EXIM) trade.

Norway partnered with the Government of Arunachal Pradesh to establish India's first 500-kW River Kinetic Energy Demonstration Project under the India–Norway Green Partnership. The Memorandum of Understanding was signed on July 14, 2026, between the Centre for Earth Sciences & Himalayan Studies (CES&HS) and Norway's Tidal Sail AS. The project is supported by India's Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) and Innovation Norway. It aims to harness the kinetic energy of Himalayan rivers to generate clean electricity, strengthen renewable energy research, and promote sustainable infrastructure through international collaboration.

Parashurampuri is the new name approved for Jalalabad town in Uttar Pradesh by the state Cabinet led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The renaming was carried out after the Central Government raised no objections to the proposal. The decision was taken in response to the demand of local residents and aims to recognise the town's historical, religious, and cultural significance. The government considers the town to be associated with Lord Parashuram, who is regarded as the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, and the new name reflects this traditional identity.

The world's first hydrogen production facility based on the Copper–Chlorine (Cu–Cl) thermochemical cycle was inaugurated by the Department of Atomic Energy on June 26, 2026, at the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR) in Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu. The facility utilises heat from the Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR) to produce carbon-free hydrogen with improved thermodynamic efficiency at lower operating temperatures. The technology was indigenously developed by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Mumbai, and supports India's three-stage nuclear programme by extending the use of nuclear energy beyond electricity generation into clean hydrogen production.

Hokato Hotozhe Sema achieved the World No. 1 ranking in the men's Shot Put F57 category on July 02, 2026, marking a significant milestone for Indian para athletics. Hailing from Nagaland, he serves as a Subedar in the 9 Assam Rifles and has earned recognition for his outstanding achievements in sports. He won a bronze medal in the men's Shot Put F57 event at the Paris Paralympics 2024 and became the first Paralympian to receive the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM). He is also a recipient of the Arjuna Award for excellence in sports.

West Bengal introduced new legal provisions that authorise preventive detention without trial and permit the attachment of properties belonging to individuals identified as rioters. Under these provisions, detention orders must receive approval from the State Government within 15 days, while every case is to be reviewed by an Advisory Board within three weeks. The board must be chaired by a serving or retired High Court judge. These measures operate within the constitutional framework of preventive detention provided under Article 22 of the Constitution of India, which also lays down safeguards regarding the duration and review of detention.

Chhattisgarh became the first Indian state to enact the Ease of Doing Business Act, 2026, introducing a comprehensive trust-based and risk-based business permission framework. The Act classifies businesses according to risk levels, allowing low-risk enterprises to obtain approvals through self-certification or certification by licensed professionals. It also introduces an auto-approval mechanism when departments fail to act within prescribed timelines, removes annual renewal requirements for certain licenses, and initially covers 43 services across eight departments. The reform is expected to reduce compliance costs and simplify business operations for nearly 1.5 million MSMEs in the state.

The Borjuli site in the Sonitpur district of Assam was notified as a Biodiversity Heritage Site on 2nd July 2026 to conserve Oryza rufipogon, a wild rice species that is vital for developing climate-resilient and high-yielding rice varieties. The project, titled "In-situ Conservation and Management of Wild Rice," is funded by the National Rainfed Area Authority (NRAA) and implemented in collaboration with the Assam State Biodiversity Board and ICAR–National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (ICAR-NBPGR). The initiative supports biodiversity conservation, sustainable agriculture, and the preservation of valuable plant genetic resources for future food security.

Spain's Submer Group announced a $2 billion investment to strengthen the semiconductor and data centre ecosystem in Madhya Pradesh. The project is expected to create around 5,000 direct employment opportunities and includes the development of Global Capability Centres along with advanced technological infrastructure. About 15 acres of land have been allotted in the Acharpura industrial area for the data centre project, with the approval and land allotment completed in a record six days. The investment is expected to boost industrial growth, technology development, and employment in the region.

IIT Kanpur is establishing the Centre of Excellence on Innovative and Integrated Ecosystem for Green Hydrogen (ECOGEN) under the Uttar Pradesh Green Hydrogen Policy 2024. Approved by the Uttar Pradesh Government and supported by UPNEDA, the centre will focus on green hydrogen production, storage, utilisation, and system integration. It aims to develop affordable hydrogen technologies, encourage industrial adoption, promote research and innovation, strengthen collaboration between academia and industry, and support India's transition to clean energy. The initiative also contributes to the country's sustainability objectives and long-term net-zero emissions goals.