Daily Current Affairs Quiz 19th July 2026 for Banking & Competitive Exams |

Daily Current Affairs: 19 July, 2026

Q1. Vikram-1, which successfully reached orbit under Mission Aagaman, is India’s first privately developed orbital launch vehicle. Which private aerospace startup designed and built this rocket?

(a) Agnikul Cosmos (Chennai)

(b) Pixxel (Bengaluru)

(d) Dhruva Space (Hyderabad)

(e) Bellatrix Aerospace (Bengaluru)

Answer: c

Soluiton:

In a historic milestone for India’s space sector, Vikram-1, developed by Skyroot Aerospace under Mission Aagaman, successfully reached orbit after completing its final burn and deploying payloads into a 450-km Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
The rocket lifted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
With this achievement, India became the third country in the world to achieve private orbital launch capability, marking a new era in the country’s commercial space industry.
Vikram-1 is India’s first privately developed orbital launch vehicle, designed and built by Hyderabad-based aerospace startup Skyroot Aerospace.
The rocket has been developed to provide cost-effective, reliable, and flexible launch services for small satellites.
It is named after Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, widely regarded as the Father of the Indian Space Programme.
Vikram-1 features three solid-propellant stages and an orbital adjustment module powered by the liquid-fuelled Raman engine, enabling precise orbital insertion and manoeuvring.
The launch demonstrates the growing capabilities of India’s private space sector following the space reforms that opened launch activities to private companies.

About Skyroot Aerospace

Skyroot Aerospace is a Hyderabad-based private aerospace company founded in 2018.
It became the first Indian private company to launch a rocket into space with the Vikram-S suborbital mission in 2022.

Q2. Which apex industry body recently launched the E-Commerce Council of India (ECCI) to serve as a unified national platform for digital trade?

(a) Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI)

(b) Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI)

(d) National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM)

(e) Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)

Answer: b

Solution:

The Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) has launched the E-Commerce Council of India (ECCI), a first-of-its-kind national platform dedicated to strengthening and advancing India’s $120 billion digital commerce ecosystem.
The ECCI has been established as a collaborative platform to facilitate engagement between industry stakeholders, policymakers, researchers, and other key participants in the digital commerce sector.
The ECCI aims to bring together policymakers, e-commerce marketplaces, brands, retailers, logistics providers, technology companies, payment solution providers, startups, exporters, MSMEs, industry experts, and academic institutions on a common platform.
The Council will focus on key areas such as product and service e-commerce, cross-border trade, logistics and supply chains, mobility, travel technology, MSME enablement, digital payments, consumer trust, and artificial intelligence.
The initiative seeks to create a unified voice for India’s digital commerce industry and strengthen cooperation between the government and industry stakeholders.

About IAMAI

The Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) was established in 2004.
It is a not-for-profit industry body registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
IAMAI is India’s leading representative organization for the digital services industry.
The association has more than 500 members, including Indian companies, multinational corporations, digital platforms, and startups.

Q3. The legendary all-rounder Sir Garfield Sobers, who passed away recently at the age of 89, represented which international cricket team during his illustrious twenty-year career spanning from 1954 to 1974?

(a) Australia

(b) England

(d) South Africa

(e) New Zealand

Answer: c

Solution:

Sir Garfield Sobers, widely regarded as one of the greatest all-rounders in the history of cricket, passed away on 18 July 2026 at the age of 89.
The legendary West Indies cricketer represented the West Indies in 93 Test matches between March 1954 and April 1974.
During his illustrious Test career, Sobers scored 8,032 runs at an outstanding average of 57.78, including 26 centuries and 30 half-centuries.
A naturally gifted all-rounder, he was a left-handed batter and a left-arm fast-medium bowler, who also possessed the ability to bowl spin when required.
In Test cricket, he claimed 235 wickets, making him one of the most complete cricketers the game has ever produced.
Sobers also played one One Day International (ODI) for the West Indies, taking one wicket.
He created cricket history in 1968 by becoming the first batter to hit six sixes in a single over in First-Class cricket.
The historic feat was achieved while playing for Nottinghamshire against Glamorgan in England.
Sir Garfield Sobers is remembered not only for his remarkable statistics but also for revolutionizing the role of the all-rounder in international cricket.

Q4. In the “Hilly and North-Eastern States” peer group category of the Investment Friendliness Index, which state captured the peak position, and which states followed in second and third place?

(a) Assam; followed by Sikkim and Tripura

(b) Uttarakhand; followed by Assam and Himachal Pradesh

(d) Arunachal Pradesh; followed by Assam and Mizoram

(e) Uttarakhand; followed by Sikkim and Jammu & Kashmir

Answer: b

Solution:

In July 2026, NITI Aayog released the report titled “Investment Friendliness Index (IFI)”, a comprehensive framework designed to assess how effectively States and Union Territories create, facilitate, and sustain an investment-friendly environment.
The assessment covers all 28 States and 8 Union Territories and offers a comparative analysis of investment attractiveness across the country.

Key Results

Based on overall scores, States and Union Territories have been classified into four categories:
- Top Performers – Score above 50
- Frontrunners – Score between 45 and 50
- Emerging Performers – Score between 40 and less than 45
- Aspiring States – Score below 40
Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Goa, and Odisha emerged as the Top Performers in the overall rankings.
A total of 15 States were classified as Frontrunners.
Eight States/UTs were placed in the Emerging Performers category.
Another eight States/UTs were categorized as Aspiring States.

Peer Group Rankings

To ensure fair comparisons, States and Union Territories were evaluated under three peer groups based on geography, economic scale, and administrative characteristics.
Among the Large States, Gujarat secured the 1st rank, followed by Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.
Among the Hilly and North-Eastern States, Uttarakhand ranked first, followed by Assam and Himachal Pradesh.
Among the Union Territories and City States, Goa secured the top position, followed by Delhi and Chandigarh.

Pillars of the Investment Friendliness Index

Infrastructure
Business Climate
Resources
Government Policy
Regulatory Ease
Institutional Environment
Financial Health
Environmental Resilience

Methodology

The IFI framework was developed through a rigorous consultative process involving the review of global and domestic investment benchmarking practices.
The Index is based on 84 indicators.
It combines secondary data with perception-based measures collected through a survey of investors.

Q5. What was the official theme designated for the inaugural All India Media Conference 2026 hosted by the ECI?

(a) Free and Fair Elections in the Digital Era

(b) Media Ethics, Voter Awareness, and Democratic Values

(d) Role of Regional Journalists in Shaping Electoral Transparency

(e) Connecting stakeholders, strengthening democracy: Role of media in elections

Answer: e

Solution:

The Election Commission of India (ECI) organized the first All India Media Conference 2026 on 17 July 2026.
The conference brought together more than 380 media professionals from various States and Union Territories across the country.
The event was organized under the theme “Connecting Stakeholders, Strengthening Democracy: Role of Media in Elections.”
The conference served as a platform for constructive engagement between the Election Commission and media representatives on various aspects of the electoral process.

Q6. The book titled “RSS @100: A Century of Service, Unity & Sacrifice”, which was released by the Vice-President of India at Uprashtrapati Bhavan, has been co-authored by which of the following personalities?

(a) Shri Shyam Jaju and Shri Anupam Trivedi

(b) Shri Ram Bahadur Rai and Shri Pawan Jindal

(d) Shri Tarun Chugh and Shri Alok Kumar

(e) Shri Ratan Sharda and Shri Sunil Ambekar

Answer: a

Solution:

The Vice-President of India, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan, released the book “RSS @100: A Century of Service, Unity & Sacrifice” on 17 July 2026 at Uprashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi.
The book has been authored by Shri Shyam Jaju and Shri Anupam Trivedi.
The publication commemorates the journey of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) as it approaches its centenary year.

Q7. An international surgical seminar named “Saushrutam 2026” held in July, 2026. Which prominent apex institute under the Ministry of Ayush organized this event?

(a) National Institute of Ayurveda (NIA), Jaipur

(b) All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), New Delhi

(d) Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS)

(e) National Institute of Centre-based Medicine

Answer: b

Solution:

The All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), New Delhi, under the Ministry of Ayush, successfully concluded the three-day international seminar “Saushrutam 2026” with its valedictory session held on 17 July 2026.
The seminar was organized from 15 to 17 July 2026 and served as an important platform for academic exchange and collaboration in the fields of surgery, Ayurveda, and healthcare.
The event brought together eminent academicians, surgeons, researchers, and healthcare professionals from across the world to discuss advancements in surgical sciences and traditional healthcare systems.
Experts from Thailand, Israel, Austria, the United Kingdom, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Nepal, Greece, and India participated in the seminar and shared their knowledge, experiences, and research findings.

Q8. The Digital Forensics Laboratory at NFSU Goa was designated as an Examiner of Electronic Evidence under the statutory purview of which Indian legislation?

(a) Bharatiya Sakshya Sanhita (BNS)

(b) The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)

(d) The Information Technology Act

(e) The Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act

Answer: d

Solution:

In July 2026, the Digital Forensics Laboratory at the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU), Goa Campus, received recognition from the Central Government as an Examiner of Electronic Evidence under the Information Technology Act, 2000.
The recognition significantly strengthens Goa’s cyber forensic and digital investigation capabilities and will enhance support for law enforcement agencies and the judiciary in handling cybercrime and digital evidence cases.
With this recognition, the laboratory is authorized to examine, analyze, and certify electronic evidence for use in legal and judicial proceedings.
NFSU Goa has become only the second laboratory under the National Forensic Sciences University to receive this status.
It is also among the 21 laboratories across India that have been granted recognition as an Examiner of Electronic Evidence.

Q9. Who has been appointed by the Union Government as the new Police Commissioner of Delhi?

(a) Sanjay Arora

(b) Anurag Kumar

(d) Kapil Dev Agarwal

(e) Daljit Singh Chawdhary

Answer: b

Solution:

Senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Anurag Kumar has been appointed as the new Commissioner of Delhi Police. He is a 1994-batch IPS officer.
The appointment was announced through an order issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India.

Q10. India commissioned its historic first and deepest geothermal wells under a major green initiative. In which specific region and at what altitude are these wells located?

(a) Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh; at 11,000 feet

(b) Puga Valley, Ladakh; at over 14,000 feet

(d) Chamoli, Uttarakhand; at 10,500 feet

(e) Silent Valley, Kerala; at 8,000 feet

Answer: b

Solution:

In a major milestone for India’s clean energy sector, the country commissioned its first and deepest geothermal wells in Puga Valley, Ladakh, on 17 July 2026.
The two geothermal wells were inaugurated by Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, V.K. Saxena.
The wells have been drilled to a depth of 1,000 metres each at an altitude of more than 14,000 feet, making them the deepest geothermal wells developed in India.
The project has been executed by the ONGC Energy Centre as part of efforts to harness geothermal energy for sustainable power generation.

Puga Valley Geothermal Project

The geothermal wells are linked to a 1 MW Pilot Geothermal Power Project at Puga Valley.
The project will be India’s first demonstration-scale geothermal power project.
The pilot project is designed to evaluate drilling technologies, fluid flow characteristics, temperature profiles, reservoir behaviour, and power conversion systems before scaling up geothermal energy production.
The initiative is expected to play a key role in transforming Ladakh into a clean energy hub powered by renewable energy sources.