Daily Current Affairs — 18 July 2026
Daily Current Affairs · 18 July 2026
10 fully-analysed topics · 30 bilingual MCQs · 3 embedded videos · built for UPSC Prelims & Mains
🎯 30 MCQs
🎬 3 Videos
🇮🇳 Hindi + English
UPSC Current Affairs MCQ — 18 July 2026
10 UPSC-standard bilingual MCQs covering today's top stories · 10-sec timer per question
Score yourself as you go. Get a feel for how UPSC-level questions are framed around the day's news.
Economy
Draft National Health Research Policy 2026
The Department of Health Research (DHR) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare released the Draft National Health Research Policy 2026 for public consultation.
- The draft marks India's first attempt at creating a unified national framework that bridges biomedical science
- National Health Research Agenda (NHRA): The policy proposes establishing the NHRA to periodically identify and prioritise research based on India's…
- Three-Tier Governance Structure: To ensure seamless coordination
- Department of Health Research (DHR): Will serve as the nodal implementing and coordinating agency.
Show 6 more facts
- Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR): Will act as the scientific and technical lead.
- The policy expands the ICMR Impact of Research and Innovation Scale (ICMR-IRIS)
- Long-term national targets have also been proposed for research investment, medical science PhDs, and approved indigenous health technologies.
- Fragmented Health Research Governance: Health research in India remains fragmented across institutions such as the Indian Council of Medical Research…
- Concentration of Research Capacity: India's research ecosystem remains concentrated in premier institutions such as ICMR
- Misalignment with India's Disease Burden: Research priorities often fail to reflect India's epidemiological transition
Discuss the significance of the Draft National Health Research Policy 2026 in strengthening India's health research ecosystem and promoting evidence-based public health governance.
Which statement correctly describes Draft National Health Research Policy 2026?
✅ Correct! That fact belongs to this topic.
❌ Not quite — that fact is from another headline. The green option is right.
History
India’s Battle Against Tuberculosis
The Prime Minister chaired a high-level review meeting on the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) and emphasized the need for targeted
- NTEP: In 2020, the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Program (RNTCP) was renamed the NTEP with the goal to eliminate TB in India by 2025, five…
- The program is guided by the National Strategic Plan (2017-2025) under the strategic pillars: Detect – Treat – Prevent – Build (DTPB).
- The NTEP focuses on early diagnosis, quality-assured treatment, engaging private providers, contact tracing in high-risk areas, and addressing social…
- The programme recorded its highest-ever case notifications, reporting 25.5 lakh TB cases in 2023 and 26.07 lakh cases in 2024.
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- Under NTEP, India introduced improved drug-resistant TB treatments, including a safer, shorter all-oral Bedaquiline regimen, increasing success rates…
- PMTBMBA is the world's largest crowd-sourcing initiative for TB patient nutrition.
- The Ni-Kshay Mitra initiative, part of the PMTBMBA, encourages individuals, NGOs, and corporations to support TB patients with nutritional, social…
- The Ni-Kshay Portal helps health workers manage TB cases, track treatment, and report real-time data for India's TB surveillance.
- Reduction in TB Incidence and Mortality: The World Health Organization (WHO) Global TB Report 2024 highlighted that TB incidence in India declined by…
- In 2023, India alone accounted for over 26% of global TB cases and deaths.
Which statement correctly describes India’s Battle Against Tuberculosis?
✅ Correct! That fact belongs to this topic.
❌ Not quite — that fact is from another headline. The green option is right.
History
ICMR’s 'First in the World Challenge' for Innovation
Recently, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has announced the "First in the World Challenge" aimed at encouraging innovative solutions to pressing health issues.
- This initiative seeks to foster novel, out-of-the-box ideas and promote the discovery and development of breakthrough health technologies, including…
- Proposals must present bold, impactful global health research concepts, not 'incremental innovations' or 'process innovation'
- This initiative aims to position India as a leader in the clinical development of pharmaceutical agents and innovative health solutions.
- It comes under the Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoH&FW).
Which statement correctly describes ICMR’s 'First in the World Challenge' for…?
✅ Correct! That fact belongs to this topic.
❌ Not quite — that fact is from another headline. The green option is right.
S&T
Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR)
Recently, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) celebrated its 81st Foundation Day.
- Achievements of Indians in Science & Technology
- About: CSIR is the largest research and development (R&D) organisation in India
- CSIR is funded by the Ministry of Science and Technology and it operates as an autonomous body through the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
- CSIR covers a wide spectrum of streams – from radio and space physics
Show 6 more facts
- Vice President: Union Minister of Science and Technology (Ex-officio)
- Governing Body: The Director-General is the head of the governing body. The other ex-officio member is the finance secretary (expenditures).
- Promotion, guidance and coordination of scientific and industrial research in India including the institution and the financing of specific…
- Establishment and award of research studentships and fellowships.
- Utilization of the results of the research conducted under the auspices of the Council towards the development of industries in the country.
- Establishment, maintenance and management of laboratories, workshops, institutes and organisations to further scientific and industrial research.
Which statement correctly describes Council of Scientific & Industrial Research…?
✅ Correct! That fact belongs to this topic.
❌ Not quite — that fact is from another headline. The green option is right.
Economy
Anusandhan National Research Foundation
Recently, the first meeting of the governing board of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) was chaired by the Prime Minister.
- It focused on initiatives to enhance India's research capabilities and establish a strong research culture across institutions.
- Partnerships for Accelerated Innovation and Research (PAIR)
- The immediate priority areas for support under MAHA are EV Mobility and Advanced Materials.
Which statement correctly describes Anusandhan National Research Foundation?
✅ Correct! That fact belongs to this topic.
❌ Not quite — that fact is from another headline. The green option is right.
💰 Indian Economy MCQ Quiz · भारतीय अर्थव्यवस्था
10 bilingual MCQs · Indian Economy · Members Only on YouTube
Today's rotation: Indian Economy. Take this break between news topics to sharpen the core concept.
S&T
Bharatiya Antariksh Station
The Indian government is planning to establish a fully operational Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) by 2035 and launch an Indian crewed mission to the Moon by 2040, ahead of the vision of 'Viksit Bharat' by 2047.
- Achievements of Indians in Science & Technology
- About: Planned similar to the International Space Station (ISS), BAS will orbit 400–450 km above Earth and support scientific research.
- Components: It will consist of 5 modules built in phases, with the Base Module scheduled for 2028 and the station becoming fully operational by 2035.
- Significance: Elevate India's global space stature
Show 3 more facts
- Support long-duration human space missions, enhance Earth observation for disaster monitoring, and strengthen the space economy while inspiring STEM…
- The ISS, the largest habitable satellite in LEO, serves as a global space laboratory for research and cooperation.
- A joint venture of 15 countries led by NASA, Roscosmos, European Space Agency, JAXA, and Canadian Space Agency, it hosts 3,000+ experiments from 108+…
Which statement correctly describes Bharatiya Antariksh Station?
✅ Correct! That fact belongs to this topic.
❌ Not quite — that fact is from another headline. The green option is right.
Economy
US Military’s Mandatory Testosterone Screening
The US Department of Defense (DoD) has announced mandatory annual testosterone screening for all active-duty personnel aged 30 years and above…
- Service members diagnosed with low testosterone may opt for Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) after clinical evaluation
- Testosterone: It is the primary male sex hormone
- TRT can improve sexual function, muscle mass, bone density, mood, and energy, but requires monitoring due to risks such as high red blood cell…
- Evidence that testosterone screening or TRT improves long-term military performance remains inconclusive
Which statement correctly describes US Military’s Mandatory Testosterone Screening?
✅ Correct! That fact belongs to this topic.
❌ Not quite — that fact is from another headline. The green option is right.
Economy
Testosterone rules for female athletes
Disorders of sex development (DSDs) are a group of rare conditions where the reproductive organs and genitals don't develop as expected.
- Achievements of Indians in Science & Technology
- The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) dismissed an appeal by Olympic 800-metres champion Caster Semenya against the introduction of regulations to…
- The court ruled the regulations were needed for athletes with differences in sexual development (DSDs) to ensure fair competition
- People with a DSD do not develop along typical gender lines.
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- Their hormones, genes, reproductive organs may be a mix of male and female characteristics, which can lead to higher levels of testosterone – a…
- not clearly male or female (ambiguous or atypical)
- she must be recognised at law either as female or as intersex (or equivalent).
- she must reduce her blood testosterone level to below 5 nmol/L for a continuous period of at least six months (e.g.
- thereafter she must maintain her blood testosterone level below 5 nmol/L continuously for so long as she wishes to remain eligible.
- Athletes with differences of sexual development (DSD) have higher levels of natural testosterone
Which statement correctly describes Testosterone rules for female athletes?
✅ Correct! That fact belongs to this topic.
❌ Not quite — that fact is from another headline. The green option is right.
Economy
Anabolic Steroids
Two of India's track-and-field Tokyo Olympians failed dope tests for using banned anabolic steroids.
- About: Anabolic steroids are usually used by bodybuilders.
- They are essentially lab-made versions of the male hormone testosterone and have a similar effect of increasing muscle mass as the natural hormone…
- It also increases male characteristics in a person, such as facial hair and a deeper voice.
- Anabolic steroids, however, very different from the steroids that are prescribed by doctors for inflammations, several autoimmune diseases, or to…
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- These medicines/steroids are called corticosteroids and are lab-made molecules that mimic the action of the hormone called cortisol that controls the…
- Unlike corticosteroids, anabolic steroids have limited medical use.
- The anabolic steroids have a very limited medical role and are mainly used by doctors to help patients gain weight after a severe illness or injury.
- It could also be prescribed in small doses to the elderly to build muscle mass and in some cases also helps to treat anemia.
- Doctors may also prescribe the medicine to men who have low levels of natural testosterone.
- Some doctors use it for the treatment of osteoarthritis (a condition where bones wear down over time).
Which statement correctly describes Anabolic Steroids?
✅ Correct! That fact belongs to this topic.
❌ Not quite — that fact is from another headline. The green option is right.
Environment
Ecological Recovery of J&K’s Manasbal Lake
Manasbal Lake in Jammu and Kashmir is undergoing a significant ecological recovery, evidenced by the resurgence of diverse migratory bird populations following targeted habitat restoration and hydrological management.
- Geographical Profile: Manasbal Lake, an alkaline, spring-fed freshwater lake in Ganderbal district, Jammu & Kashmir, is India's deepest freshwater…
- This is supported by the installation of mechanized gates and gauge meters to maintain optimal ecological water levels.
- Wular Lake is Asia's 2nd largest freshwater lake and a Ramsar Site that plays a vital role in flood regulation and fisheries.
- Dal Lake is Kashmir's iconic urban lake, renowned for its houseboats, shikaras, and Mughal gardens, while Manasbal Lake is India's deepest freshwater…
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- Surinsar–Mansar Lakes, designated as Ramsar Sites, are important freshwater lakes known for their ecological significance, scenic beauty, and…
Which statement correctly describes Ecological Recovery of J&K’s Manasbal Lake?
✅ Correct! That fact belongs to this topic.
❌ Not quite — that fact is from another headline. The green option is right.
Simple Current Affairs MCQ — 18 July 2026
10 accessible MCQs covering the same topics · great for quick revision
End your study session with these simpler MCQs to lock in recall of today's current affairs.
