Current Affairs MCQs – August 01-02, 2026

Ceuta, recently seen in the news due to a surge in migrant arrivals from Morocco, is located in which one of the following countries?

Portugal
Morocco
Spain
France

Explanation

Option (c) is correct

Thousands of migrants streamed into the tiny Spanish territory of Ceuta from Morocco, prompting local officials to call on Spain to declare a national emergency.
Spain is a main point of arrival into Europe for migrants seeking better economic opportunities or an escape from violence in their home countries.
Ceuta is an autonomous Spanish city located on the northern coast of Africa, directly across the Strait of Gibraltar from mainland Spain.
Bordered by Morocco, it lies along the boundary between the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. It lies on the African side of the Strait of Gibraltar, just 14 km from mainland Spain across the strait.
Along with Melilla, it is one of Spain’s two autonomous territories on the African continent. It serves as a gateway between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.

Answer: (c) Spain; Difficulty Level: Easy

With reference to the PM Vidyalaxmi Scheme, consider the following statements:

It is a Central Sector Scheme implemented by the Ministry of Education to provide collateral-free and guarantor-free education loans for higher studies.
The scheme is available to students admitted to all institutions recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC).
Families with an annual income of up to ₹4.5 lakh are eligible for 100% interest subvention during the moratorium period for technical and professional courses.
Under the scheme, the National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company provides a 75% credit guarantee for education loans of up to ₹7.5 lakh.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1, 3 and 4 only
1 and 2 only
2, 3 and 4 only
1, 2, 3 and 4

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

PM Vidyalaxmi is a Central Sector Scheme of the Ministry of Education launched to ensure that meritorious students do not face financial barriers in pursuing higher education. The scheme provides collateral-free and guarantor-free education loans, with repayment permitted for up to 15 years (excluding the moratorium period).

Statement 2 is incorrect

The scheme is not available to students of all UGC-recognized institutions. Eligibility is restricted to students securing admission to the top 1,425 Quality Higher Educational Institutions (QHEIs) identified by the Department of Higher Education, and admission must be through merit-based or open competitive examinations.

Statement 3 is correct

Students belonging to families with an annual income of up to ₹4.5 lakh receive 100% interest subvention during the moratorium period for eligible technical and professional courses under the PM-USP Central Sector Interest Subsidy Scheme (PM-USP CSIS). Families with annual incomes between ₹4.5 lakh and ₹8 lakh are eligible for a 3% interest subvention on loans up to ₹10 lakh during the moratorium period.

Statement 4 is correct

To encourage banks to extend education loans, the National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company (NCGTC) provides a 75% credit guarantee for education loans of up to ₹7.5 lakh, thereby reducing the lending risk for financial institutions.

Answer: (a) 1, 3 and 4 only; Difficulty Level: Hard

Consider the following statements regarding the Environmental Performance Index (EPI) 2026:

The Environmental Performance Index (EPI) 2026 evaluates countries using indicators grouped under Ecosystem Vitality, Climate Change Mitigation, and Environmental Health.
India ranked last among all countries in the EPI 2026, while it ranked among the top 25 countries in the Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) 2026.
India has argued that the EPI methodology does not adequately account for the principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC) and relies on certain contested environmental indicators.
Despite its low overall EPI ranking, India achieved its target of 50% non-fossil installed electricity capacity before the timeline specified in its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

How many of the statements given above are correct?

Only one
Only two
Only three
All four

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

The Environmental Performance Index (EPI) 2026) evaluates 177 countries using 47 indicators grouped under three policy objectives—Ecosystem Vitality (45%), Climate Change Mitigation (30%), and Environmental Health (25%). These indicators collectively measure countries’ environmental sustainability and policy outcomes.

Statement 2 is incorrect

India did not rank last in the EPI 2026. It was placed 176th out of 177 countries, ahead of only Laos. In contrast, India performed significantly better in the Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) 2026), where it secured the 23rd rank, highlighting the difference in assessment methodologies.

Statement 3 is correct

India has consistently questioned the EPI methodology, arguing that it does not adequately account for the principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC) and gives insufficient weight to historical emissions. India has also raised concerns regarding the scientific validity and weighting of certain indicators, such as those related to carbon sinks, forest quality, and proxy-based environmental estimates.

Statement 4 is correct

Despite its low overall ranking in the EPI, India achieved 50% non-fossil fuel-based installed electricity capacity in 2025, five years ahead of its 2030 Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) target under the Paris Agreement. This achievement is often cited by India to argue that the EPI does not fully capture its progress in climate action and energy transition.

Answer: (c) Only three; Difficulty Level: Hard

SHetA2 Small-Molecule Therapy, recently seen in the news, is best described as:

An investigational orally administered small-molecule therapy for treating precancerous cervical lesions by targeting host chaperone proteins.
A prophylactic HPV vaccine that prevents cervical cancer by inducing neutralising antibodies against HPV.
A CRISPR-based gene-editing therapy that removes HPV DNA from infected cervical cells.
An mRNA-based immunotherapy that enhances T-cell responses against cervical cancer.

Explanation

ICMR-National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research (NICPR) evaluated the efficacy of SHetA2 (Sulfur Heteroarotinoid A2) and validated its mechanism of action.

SHetA2 is an investigational, orally administered small-molecule therapy designed to prevent precancerous cervical lesions from progressing to cervical cancer.
- Small-Molecule Therapy: A chemically synthesised, low-molecular-weight compound that penetrates cells easily and is readily absorbed by the body.
Application: Unlike the preventive HPV vaccine, SHetA2 treats patients who already have precancerous lesions or invasive cervical cancer.

Answer: (a) An investigational orally administered small-molecule therapy for treating precancerous cervical lesions by targeting host chaperone proteins.; Difficulty Level: Medium

Consider the following statements regarding Shaheed Udham Singh:

Deeply affected by the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, Udham Singh later joined the Ghadar Party and was also associated with the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA).
He assassinated Michael O’Dwyer, the former Lieutenant Governor of Punjab, at Caxton Hall in London as an act of retribution for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

The 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre profoundly influenced Udham Singh’s revolutionary journey. He became associated with the Ghadar Party to mobilise overseas Indians against British rule and, inspired by Bhagat Singh, later worked with the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA) after returning to India in 1927.

Statement 2 is correct

On 13 March 1940, Udham Singh assassinated Michael O’Dwyer, the former Lieutenant Governor of Punjab, at Caxton Hall, London. He considered O’Dwyer responsible for endorsing the brutal repression that culminated in the Jallianwala Bagh massacre of 1919.

Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2.; Difficulty Level: Easy

Consider the following statements regarding India’s Gross Expenditure on Research and Development (GERD):

In FY 2023–24, private industry emerged as the largest contributor to India’s Gross Expenditure on Research and Development (GERD), accounting for more than half of the total R&D expenditure.
Despite recording its highest GERD in 15 years, India’s expenditure on research and development as a share of GDP remains below 1% and is lower than that of China.
The Government of India has set a long-term target of increasing GERD to 2% of GDP to strengthen the country’s innovation ecosystem.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1 and 2 only
2 and 3 only
1 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

In FY 2023–24, private industry became the largest contributor to India’s GERD for the first time, accounting for 51.8% of total R&D expenditure (₹1.26 lakh crore), overtaking public sector funding.

Statement 2 is correct

India’s GERD increased to 0.84% of GDP, the highest level in the last 15 years, reversing a decade-long decline. However, it remains below 1% of GDP and is still significantly lower than countries such as China (2.4%), the United States (3.5%), and Israel (5%).

Statement 3 is correct

India has articulated a long-term objective of raising GERD to 2% of GDP, recognising that higher investment in research and innovation is essential for achieving the status of a knowledge-based and technology-driven economy.

Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3; Difficulty Level: Medium

Consider the following pairs regarding Inter-State River Water Disputes in India:

River	States involved
Cauvery	Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry
Krishna	Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh
Mahadayi (Mandovi)	Goa, Karnataka and Kerala
Vamsadhara	Andhra Pradesh and Odisha

How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

Only one
Only two
Only three
All four

Explanation

Pair 1 is correctly matched

The Cauvery river water dispute involves Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and the Union Territory of Puducherry.

Pair 2 is correctly matched

The Krishna river water dispute involves Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh, and is adjudicated through the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal.

Pair 3 is incorrectly matched

The Mahadayi (Mandovi) dispute involves Goa, Karnataka, and Maharashtra, not Kerala.

Pair 4 is correctly matched

The Vamsadhara river water dispute is between Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, mainly concerning the construction of barrages and sharing of river waters.

Answer: (c) Only three; Difficulty Level: Easy

Consider the following statements regarding the Mahanadi River:

The Mahanadi River originates in the Sihawa Hills of Chhattisgarh, and drains into the Bay of Bengal, forming a fertile delta near Paradip.
Tel, Ong, Jonk, and Ib are major right-bank tributaries of the Mahanadi.
The Mahanadi River flows only through Chhattisgarh and Odisha, and the ongoing inter-state river water dispute is between these two states.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1 and 2 only
2 and 3 only
1 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

The Mahanadi River originates from the Sihawa Hills in Dhamtari district of Chhattisgarh. It flows for about 851 km before emptying into the Bay of Bengal near Paradip, where it forms one of the most fertile deltas on the eastern coast of India.

Statement 2 is correct

The major left-bank tributaries of the Mahanadi are Seonath, Hasdeo, and Mand, while the principal right-bank tributaries include Ong, Tel, Jonk, and Ib. These tributaries contribute significantly to the river’s drainage basin.

Statement 3 is incorrect

Although the inter-state water dispute is between Odisha and Chhattisgarh, the Mahanadi basin is not confined to these two states. The river basin also extends into a small part of Jharkhand. Therefore, the statement that the river flows only through Chhattisgarh and Odisha is incorrect.

Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only; Difficulty Level: Easy

Doxxing, recently seen in the news, is best described as:

The malicious practice of publicly revealing an individual’s personal or sensitive information online without their consent, often to facilitate harassment or intimidation.
A cyberattack in which hackers encrypt a victim’s files and demand payment for restoring access.
A technique used to impersonate trusted websites or organisations to steal users’ login credentials and financial information.
The use of artificial intelligence to generate highly realistic but fabricated audio or video content for deception.

Explanation

Doxxing (or doxing) refers to the unauthorised collection and public disclosure of an individual’s personal or identifiable information, such as their home address, phone number, workplace, financial details, or family information, usually through online platforms. The objective is often to harass, threaten, intimidate, or incite others to target the victim. It poses significant risks to privacy, cybersecurity, and personal safety.