Current Affairs Quiz 25th and 26th July 2026 Quiz

Exp. Centre Approves Two Electronics Manufacturing Clusters in Tamil Nadu Worth ₹1,012 Cr

The Centre has approved two Electronics Manufacturing Clusters (EMCs) in Tamil Nadu with a combined investment of over ₹1,012 crore to strengthen the state’s electronics manufacturing ecosystem and promote self-reliance.

The Manallur EMC will be developed over 474.3 acres at a cost of ₹587.47 crore, while the Pillapaikkam EMC will cover 379.3 acres with an investment of ₹424.55 crore.

India’s electronics manufacturing has grown significantly, with production increasing from ₹1.9 lakh crore (2014-15) to ₹13.11 lakh crore (2025-26) and exports rising from ₹38,000 crore to ₹4.24 lakh crore, supported by PLI schemes, liberalised FDI, tax reforms, and labour reforms.

India now manufactures 99.2% of the mobile phones sold domestically, with mobile phone production reaching ₹6.27 lakh crore and exports ₹2.59 lakh crore. The sector provides employment to around 25 lakh people, while Tamil Nadu has emerged as a major electronics manufacturing hub.

About Tamil Nadu

• Formation – 26 January 1950
• Capital – Chennai
• Chief Minister – Joseph Vijay (Thalapathy)
• Governor – Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar

Exp. India Becomes the World’s Second Most Electrified Major Railway Network with 99.6% Broad Gauge Electrificatio

India has electrified 99.6% of its broad gauge railway network, making it the second most electrified major railway system in the world after Switzerland (100%). The remaining routes are currently under electrification.

Railway electrification has accelerated significantly since 2014, with 48,072 route km electrified between 2014–2026, compared to 21,801 route km electrified over nearly six decades before 2014.

India now surpasses several major railway networks in electrification, including China (82%), Spain (67%), Japan (64%), France (60%), and the United Kingdom (39%).

Railway electrification has promoted sustainable transport, as rail emits only 11.5 grams of CO₂ per tonne-km, nearly 89% lower than road transport (101 grams). Diesel consumption has also declined from 293 crore litres (2015–16) to 108 crore litres (2024–25).

Indian Railways is expanding renewable energy use, with 1,161 MW of solar power and 103 MW of wind power commissioned by June 2026, taking the total renewable energy capacity to over 1,260 MW.

Fifteen Railway Zones, including Central, Northern, Eastern, Western, South Central, East Coast Railways, Konkan Railway, and Kolkata Metro, have achieved 100% electrification. Several states and UTs, including Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha, Telangana, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, and Delhi, have also achieved complete railway electrification.

Exp. NABARD and MAHAPREIT Sign MoU to Promote Green and Climate-Resilient Rural Infrastructure

NABARD and Mahatma Phule Renewable Energy and Infrastructure Technology (MAHAPREIT) signed an MoU to finance and promote green, climate-resilient, and sustainable infrastructure in rural India, with a special focus on Maharashtra.

The partnership aims to identify, develop, structure, and finance sustainable projects that enhance rural prosperity, climate resilience, village infrastructure, and strengthen Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs).

Recent MoUs Signed in Banking Sector

• BITS Pilani and Axis Bank Partner for Innovation Park
• IIT Bombay & SBI Life Establish ‘Bharat AI & Cyber Innovation Hub for Insurance’
• West Bengal Gramin Bank Partners with Canara HSBC Life Insurance to Expand Rural Insurance Coverage
• Mahindra & Mahindra and DBS Bank India signed an MoU to launch India’s first sustainability-linked dealer financing programme in the automotive sector.

Exp. Carnelian Asset Management Receives SEBI Approval to Launch Mutual Fund Business

Carnelian Asset Management & Advisors has received SEBI approval to launch its mutual fund business, enabling the company to expand its investment offerings to a broader base of retail investors.

The approval strengthens Carnelian’s position as an integrated wealth and asset management company, allowing it to offer a comprehensive range of investment products across different investor segments.

India’s mutual fund industry continues to witness strong growth, with over 20 crore folios, around 10 crore active SIP accounts, and Assets Under Management (AUM) exceeding ₹82 lakh crore as of June 2026.

Exp. Rajnath Singh Hails First-Ever Tri-Services All-Women Global Circumnavigation Expedition ‘Samudra Pradakshina’

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh virtually flagged off the first-ever tri-services all-women circumnavigation expedition, ‘Samudra Pradakshina’, onboard IASV Triveni.

Led by Lieutenant Colonel Anuja Varudkar, with Squadron Leader Shraddha P. Raju as Deputy Expedition Leader, the expedition was flagged off from Gateway of India, Mumbai, on 11 September 2025 and successfully completed a 25,500+ nautical mile voyage around the globe.

The crew crossed the Equator twice, rounded the three Great Capes—Cape Leeuwin (Australia), Cape Horn (South America), and Cape of Good Hope (Africa)—and completed the journey via an open-ocean route without using the Panama or Suez Canals.

Exp. V.S. Rathanvel Becomes India’s 99th Chess Grandmaster

V.S. Rathanvel from Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, became India’s 99th Grandmaster (GM) after crossing the 2500 Elo rating mark at the Guwahati Smart City International Open 2026.

Although Rathanvel had completed his three Grandmaster norms in 2022, he achieved the GM title only after fulfilling the 2500 Elo rating requirement, overcoming years of perseverance and mental resilience.

Previous Chess Grand Masters

• 98th Grandmaster – Aswath S (Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu)
• 97th Grandmaster – Harshavardhan G.B. (Chennai, Tamil Nadu)
• 96th Grandmaster – Ethan Vaz (Goa)
• 95th – Aronya Ghosh (Kolkata, West Bengal)

Exp. 22 July – National Mango Day

National Mango Day is observed every year on 22 July to celebrate the mango, India’s national fruit, and to highlight its cultural, nutritional, and economic significance.

India is the largest producer of mangoes in the world, contributing around 40% of global mango production, with major producing states including Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana, Bihar, and Maharashtra.

Exp. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Becomes Youngest Player to Score a T20I Fifty

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi became the youngest player to score a T20I fifty, achieving the feat at the age of 15 years and 118 days against Zimbabwe in Harare.

Playing only his fourth T20I for India, Sooryavanshi smashed a 19-ball half-century (officially reaching the milestone in 18 balls), hitting 4 fours and 4 sixes, surpassing the previous youngest-record holder.

The previous record was held by Gibraltar’s Louis Bruce, who scored a T20I fifty at the age of 16 years and 56 days against Malta in August 2021. Sooryavanshi broke the record by more than 300 days.

Exp. Viswanathan Anand Takes Charge as Interim President of FIDE

Five-time World Chess Champion Viswanathan Anand has taken charge as the Interim President of FIDE (International Chess Federation) after FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich was placed on the European Union’s sanctions list.

Anand will serve as Interim President for as long as Arkady Dvorkovich remains subject to the restrictive measures imposed under the applicable Swiss and European Union laws and regulations.

Exp. Union Cabinet Approves ₹3,030 Crore BHAVYA Rasayan Scheme for Three Chemical Parks

The Union Cabinet approved the Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojana Rasayan (BHAVYA Rasayan) scheme with an outlay of ₹3,030 crore to establish three dedicated chemical parks across India during FY 2026–27 to FY 2030–31.

Under the scheme, ₹3,000 crore has been allocated for common infrastructure development within the chemical parks, while ₹30 crore has been earmarked for administrative expenses. The Centre will provide up to ₹1,000 crore assistance for each park.

The chemical parks will be selected through a challenge-based process and developed by state governments. Each park must have at least 2,000 acres (8 sq. km.) of contiguous, encumbrance-free land, with the respective state contributing a minimum of ₹500 crore.

The parks will adopt a plug-and-play industrial model and include facilities such as Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs), Treatment, Storage and Disposal Facilities (TSDFs), water supply systems, and logistics infrastructure to promote sustainable chemical manufacturing.

Exp. Andhra Pradesh Approves State’s First Private Women’s University

The Andhra Pradesh Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, has approved the establishment of Vishnu Women’s University, the first private women’s university in the state.

The Cabinet approved a proposal to promulgate an ordinance amending the Schedule to the Andhra Pradesh Private Universities (Establishment and Regulation) Act, 2016, to facilitate the university’s establishment.

The initiative aims to expand higher education opportunities for women and strengthen the state’s private higher education ecosystem through the establishment of a dedicated women’s university.

Exp. PNB Partners with Andhra Pradesh to Set Up India’s First Quantum Finance Innovation Hub

Punjab National Bank (PNB) signed an MoU with the Andhra Pradesh Quantum Mission to establish a Quantum Finance Innovation Hub at the Amaravati Quantum Computing Centre, becoming the first bank in India to partner with a state government for such an initiative.

The proposed hub will develop quantum technology-based solutions for the banking sector, focusing on cybersecurity, fraud detection, secure digital banking, and promoting research in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies.

The initiative supports the Andhra Pradesh Government’s vision of making Amaravati a global hub for quantum technology and deep-tech innovation, while fostering collaboration among banks, industries, startups, academic institutions, research organisations, and government agencies.

Exp. Kerala Bank Launches ‘Gen Z Tech Loan’ Scheme for Students at 6.99% Interest

Kerala State Cooperative Bank (Kerala Bank) will launch the ‘Gen Z Tech Loan’ scheme on 27 July to help undergraduate and higher-level students purchase laptops and tablets for educational purposes.

Under the scheme, students can avail of loans up to ₹1 lakh at an interest rate of 6.99%, with a 30-month repayment period, while the parent of the student must act as the guarantor.

Borrowers under the Gen Z Tech Loan scheme will also receive a 0.5% concession on the interest rate of educational loans, making higher education financing more affordable.

Exp. 25 July – World Embryologist Day

World Embryologist Day is observed every year on 25 July to recognise the contribution of embryologists in the field of reproductive medicine, assisted reproductive technologies (ART), and fertility treatments.

Theme 2026 – Creating Hope, Advancing Fertility, Transforming Lives.

The day commemorates the birth of the world’s first “test-tube baby”, Louise Brown, who was born on 25 July 1978 in the United Kingdom through In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) technology.

Embryologists play a crucial role in IVF procedures, including the handling of eggs and sperm, embryo development, embryo selection, and improving success rates of fertility treatments.