Current Affairs MCQs – July 10-11

 With reference to the ULLAS (Understanding Lifelong Learning for All in Society) initiative, consider the following statements:

1. Under the ULLAS initiative, a State or Union Territory is declared fully literate when it achieves at least 95% literacy among the population aged 15 years and above.
2. ULLAS is a centrally sponsored scheme implemented by the Ministry of Education for the period 2022–2027.
3. The scheme is aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and seeks to provide lifelong learning opportunities to adults who missed formal schooling.
4. Puducherry was the first Union Territory to achieve full functional literacy under the ULLAS initiative.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. Only three
4. All four

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• A State or Union Territory is declared fully literate when it achieves at least 95% literacy among persons aged 15 years and above under the ULLAS framework.

Statement 2 is correct

• ULLAS (Understanding Lifelong Learning for All in Society) is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme of the Ministry of Education, implemented for the period 2022–2027 to promote adult education.

Statement 3 is correct

• The scheme is aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and focuses on adults aged 15 years and above who could not complete formal schooling. It covers foundational literacy and numeracy, critical life skills, basic education, vocational skills, and continuing education.

Statement 4 is incorrect

• Ladakh became the first Union Territory to achieve full functional literacy (2024).

Answer: (a) Only three; Difficulty Level: Medium

 With reference to the Astra Mk 1 missile, consider the following statements:

1. Astra Mk 1 is an indigenously developed Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) with an operational range of about 80–110 km.
2. Astra Mk 1 has already been integrated with Tejas Mk 1A and Rafale fighter aircraft.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation

• India and Indonesia signed a deal for the export of Astra Mk 1, marking India’s first-ever export of the Astra missile family.

Statement 1 is correct

• Astra Mk 1 is India’s first indigenously developed Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM). It has a range of 80–110 km, can engage targets at altitudes of up to 20 km, and travels at a speed of Mach 4.5.

Statement 2 is incorrect

• Astra Mk 1 has been integrated with the Su-30 MKI. However, its integration with the Tejas Mk 1A and Rafale fighter aircraft is planned rather than completed.

Answer: (a) 1 only; Difficulty Level: Medium

 Sabang Port, recently seen in the news, is located in which one of the following countries?

1. Malaysia
2. Indonesia
3. Singapore
4. Thailand

Explanation

Option (b) is correct

• India and Indonesia signed an agreement during Prime Minister Modi’s state visit to Jakarta in July 2026 to jointly develop Sabang Port.

• Sabang is a natural deep-water port on Weh Island in Indonesia’s Aceh province, at the northernmost tip of Sumatra. It overlooks the Strait of Malacca and lies just 160 km from Great Nicobar Island.
• The port serves as a node in India’s “Necklace of Diamonds” maritime strategy, countering China’s “String of Pearls” network in the Indian Ocean.
• Working in tandem with India’s $9 billion Great Nicobar Project, Sabang Port enables both nations to secure and monitor both flanks of the northern entrance to the Malacca Strait.

Answer: (b) Indonesia; Difficulty Level: Easy

With reference to the Global Passport Index 2026, consider the following statements:

1. The index is released annually by Global Citizen Solutions (GCS).
2. It evaluates passports based only on visa-free travel access enjoyed by passport holders.
3. According to the 2026 edition, Indian passport holders enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to more than 50 destinations.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• The Global Passport Index 2026 is released annually by Global Citizen Solutions (GCS).

Statement 2 is incorrect

• The index does not evaluate passports solely on the basis of visa-free travel. It uses 14 indicators grouped under three weighted pillars:
  • Enhanced Mobility (50%)
  • Investment (25%)
  • Quality of Living (25%)

Statement 3 is incorrect

• According to the Global Passport Index 2026, Indian passport holders enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 26 destinations, not more than 50.

Answer: (b) 2 only; Difficulty Level: Easy

 With reference to the World Intangible Investment Report 2026, consider the following statements:

1. The report is jointly published by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and Luiss Business School.
2. Software and databases constitute the largest category of intangible investment globally.
3. According to the report, India is the world’s largest investor in intangible assets.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• The World Intangible Investment Report 2026 is jointly published by the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) and Luiss Business School.

Statement 2 is correct

• The report identifies software and databases as the largest category of intangible investment, followed by research and development (R&D), branding and advertising, design, and organisational capital.

Statement 3 is incorrect

• The United States, not India, is the world’s largest investor in intangible assets, accounting for nearly half of global intangible investment. India’s achievement lies in recording the fastest growth in intangible investment among the world’s 15 largest economies, highlighting its transition towards a knowledge-driven economy.

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

Consider the following statements:

1. The motion to impeach a Judge of the Supreme Court of India cannot be rejected by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha as per the Judges (Inquiry) Act 1968.
2. The Constitution of India defines and gives details of what constitutes ‘incapacity and proved misbehaviour’ of the Judges of the Supreme Court of India.
3. The details of the process of impeachment of the Judges of the Supreme Court of India are given in the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968.
4. If the motion for the impeachment of a Judge is taken up for voting, the law requires the motion to be backed by each House of the Parliament and supported by a majority of total membership of that House and by not less than two-thirds of total members of that House present and voting.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect, and Statement 3 is correct

• Under the Constitution of India, a judge can be removed only by an order of the President of India after a motion is passed by both Houses of Parliament.
• The detailed procedure for the removal of judges is laid down in the Judges Inquiry Act, 1968. According to the Act, an impeachment motion can originate in either House of Parliament. To initiate the process:
  • At least 100 members of the Lok Sabha must submit a signed notice to the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, or
  • At least 50 members of the Rajya Sabha must submit a signed notice to the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
  • The Speaker or Chairman may then consult relevant individuals and examine the available material before deciding whether to admit or reject the motion.

Statement 2 is incorrect

• A judge may be removed from office through a motion adopted by Parliament on grounds of ‘proven misbehaviour or incapacity’ (not defined in the constitution).

Statement 4 is correct

• The motion for removal of a judge must be passed separately by each House of Parliament of India with a special majority—namely, a majority of the total membership of the House and a majority of at least two-thirds of the members present and voting. If the motion is adopted in one House, it is then sent to the other House for consideration and adoption. Once the motion is passed by both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha with the required majority, it is forwarded to the President of India, who then issues the order for the removal of the judge.

Answer: (c) 3 and 4 only; Difficulty Level: Medium

With reference to the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Prizes, consider the following statements:

1. The WSIS Prizes are led by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to recognise projects that use Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) to advance sustainable development.
2. India’s Samriddh Gram initiative won the 2026 WSIS Prize in the “Action Line C2 – Information and Communication Infrastructure” category.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• The WSIS Prizes, led by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), recognise innovative projects that leverage Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) to promote sustainable development and achieve the objectives of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS).

Statement 2 is incorrect

• India’s Samriddh Gram initiative won the 2026 WSIS Prize in the “Action Line C6 – Enabling Environment” category, not in Action Line C2 – Information and Communication Infrastructure.

Answer: (a) 1 only; Difficulty Level: Medium

The Ankara Summit Declaration, recently seen in the news, is associated with which one of the following summits?

1. ASEAN Summit
2. G20 Summit
3. NATO Summit
4. SCO Summit

Explanation

Option (c) is correct

• The 36^th NATO Summit concluded with the adoption of the Ankara Summit Declaration.

• The summit was held in Ankara, Türkiye, marking Türkiye’s 2^nd NATO Summit after the 2004 Istanbul Summit.

Answer: (c) NATO Summit; Difficulty Level: Easy

With reference to neonatal sepsis, recently seen in the news in the context of the NeoSep1 clinical trial, consider the following statements:

1. Neonatal sepsis can be caused by bacteria, viruses, as well as fungi.
2. Early-onset neonatal sepsis is primarily transmitted from the mother before or during childbirth.
3. In India, Gram-negative bacteria such as Klebsiella pneumoniae are the leading cause of neonatal sepsis.

How many of the statements above are not correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. All three
4. None

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• Neonatal sepsis is a life-threatening infection that can be caused by bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Besides bacteria, pathogens such as Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV), enteroviruses, and fungi like Candida can also cause neonatal sepsis.

Statement 2 is correct

• Early-onset neonatal sepsis occurs within the first 72 hours of life and is primarily acquired through maternal transmission before or during childbirth. In contrast, late-onset sepsis develops after 72 hours (three days) and is usually associated with environmental or healthcare-related exposure.

Statement 3 is correct

• In India, Gram-negative bacteria, particularly Klebsiella pneumoniae, are the leading cause of neonatal sepsis. This differs from many developed countries, where Group B Streptococcus is the predominant pathogen.

Answer: (d) None; Difficulty Level: Hard