Below are 10 important multiple-choice (MCQ) current affairs questions for Saturday, 18 July 2026 with detailed answers and explanations. Click SHOW ANSWER to reveal the correct answer.

1Which state recently launched the digital platforms Kaushal Setu and Kaushal Sarathi to strengthen its skill development ecosystem?
(A) Madhya Pradesh
(B) Rajasthan
(C) Uttar Pradesh
(D) Gujarat

Answer: (C) Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh launched the 'Kaushal Setu' and 'Kaushal Sarathi' digital platforms to strengthen youth skilling, bringing training, career guidance and industry linkages onto a single platform to improve employability.

2NIPU-2026 primarily aims to promote investment in which of the following sectors?
(A) Phosphate fertilizer production units
(B) Organic fertilizer manufacturing units
(C) Bio-fertilizer production facilities
(D) Gas-based urea manufacturing plants

Answer: (D) Gas-based urea manufacturing plants

NIPU (New Investment Policy for Urea) is designed to encourage investment in gas-based urea manufacturing plants, boosting domestic urea output and reducing India's dependence on imports.

3The recently identified monkey species Colobus congoensis was discovered in which country?
(A) Cameroon
(B) Congo
(C) Gabon
(D) Angola

Answer: (B) Congo

This new colobus monkey species was identified in the rainforests of Congo (Democratic Republic of the Congo), highlighting the rich biodiversity of Central Africa.

4When was World Snake Day observed in July 2026?
(A) 14 July
(B) 15 July
(C) 16 July
(D) 17 July

Answer: (C) 16 July

World Snake Day is observed every year on 16 July to raise awareness about snake conservation and their important ecological role.

5The newly recorded hawkmoth species were discovered in which Indian state?
(A) Karnataka
(B) Tamil Nadu
(C) Goa
(D) Kerala

Answer: (D) Kerala

The new hawkmoth species were recorded in the Western Ghats region of Kerala, underscoring the richness of this biodiversity hotspot.

6Which former ISRO Chairman recently joined the board of Agnikul Cosmos as an observer?
(A) S. Somanath
(B) G. Madhavan Nair
(C) K. Sivan
(D) V. Narayanan

Answer: (A) S. Somanath

Former ISRO Chairman S. Somanath joined the board of the private space startup Agnikul Cosmos as an observer, bringing his experience and guidance to India's growing private space sector.

7Who inaugurated the international seminar 'Saushrutam 2026' at the All India Institute of Ayurveda, New Delhi?
(A) Narendra Modi
(B) Droupadi Murmu
(C) Jagdeep Dhankhar
(D) Prataprao Jadhav

Answer: (B) Droupadi Murmu

President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the international seminar 'Saushrutam 2026' at the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), New Delhi, dedicated to the surgical traditions of Ayurveda.

8What is the total outlay approved for Semicon Mission 2.0?
(A) ₹62,500 crore
(B) ₹92,000 crore
(C) ₹1.00 lakh crore
(D) ₹1.27 lakh crore

Answer: (D) ₹1.27 lakh crore

The government approved an outlay of about ₹1.27 lakh crore for the Semicon India Mission 2.0, aimed at strengthening the country's semiconductor manufacturing and design ecosystem.

9Which state recently received Geographical Indication (GI) tags for Bhagaiya silk, Kuchai silk, Manda jewellery and a special bamboo craft?
(A) Jharkhand
(B) Chhattisgarh
(C) Odisha
(D) West Bengal

Answer: (A) Jharkhand

Jharkhand received GI tags for Bhagaiya silk, Kuchai silk, Manda jewellery and a special bamboo craft, giving legal recognition and protection to the state's traditional crafts and handicrafts.

10Bharat Tex 2026, the world's largest integrated event, was recently inaugurated in July 2026 by which Union Minister?
(A) Piyush Goyal
(B) Amit Shah
(C) Giriraj Singh
(D) Jitan Ram Manjhi

Answer: (C) Giriraj Singh

Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh inaugurated Bharat Tex 2026, the world's largest integrated textile event that brings the entire textile value chain onto one platform.