Answer: B. Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) — The India–UK FTA is formally the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), coming into force on 15 July 2026.
Source: The Hindu, 29 Jun 2026
International Relations
2. Consider the following statements regarding Prime Minister Modi's June 2026 visit to the Seychelles:
I. He addressed the National Assembly of the Seychelles in Victoria.
II. The two sides unveiled 19 outcomes spanning defence, maritime security, space and digital payments.
III. India announced the refit of PS Zoroaster for the Seychelles Coast Guard.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Difficulty: Medium
I and II only
II and III only
I, II and III
I and III only
Answer: C. I, II and III — All three are correct. Modi addressed the National Assembly in Victoria; 19 outcomes were unveiled; and India announced the refit of PS Zoroaster and a Dornier glass-cockpit upgrade.
Source: The Hindu, 29 Jun 2026
Geography
3. Consider the following statements about the Tungabhadra dam, in the news in June 2026:
I. It is located in the Koppal district of Karnataka on the Tungabhadra river.
II. It provides irrigation to about 16.4 lakh acres across Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
III. Its replacement high-grade steel gates were installed at a cost of about ₹51 crore.
How many of the above statements are correct?
Difficulty: Medium
All three
Only two
Only one
None
Answer: A. All three — All three are correct. The Tungabhadra dam in Koppal district, Karnataka, irrigates about 16.4 lakh acres; its new steel gates (60-year life) cost about ₹51 crore.
Source: The Hindu, 29 Jun 2026
Environment
4. A 2026 study on elephant mortality in Kerala (2019-20 to 2024-25) identified which factor as the leading unnatural cause of elephant deaths in the State?
Difficulty: Easy
Poaching for ivory
Train collisions
Electrocution
Poisoning of waterholes
Answer: C. Electrocution — The study led by then Chief Wildlife Warden Pramod G. Krishnan identified electrocution as the leading unnatural cause; 744 wild elephants died between April 2019 and March 2025.
Source: The Hindu, 29 Jun 2026
Economy
5. With respect to the India–UK CETA, consider the following statements:
I. About 99% of UK tariff lines will become duty-free for Indian products.
II. India will remove or reduce tariffs on about 90% of its tariff lines for UK products.
III. The agreement spans 30 chapters, including India's first standalone chapters on anti-corruption, gender and development.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Difficulty: Difficult
I and II only
I, II and III
II and III only
I and III only
Answer: B. I, II and III — All three are correct: 99% of UK lines duty-free for India, India easing tariffs on 90% of its lines, and 30 chapters including India's first standalone anti-corruption, gender and development chapters.
Source: The Hindu, 29 Jun 2026
Rajasthan
6. In June 2026, Rajasthan signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on sharing of Yamuna river water with which state, in the presence of the Union Home Minister?
Difficulty: Easy
Punjab
Haryana
Madhya Pradesh
Gujarat
Answer: B. Haryana — The MoU is between Rajasthan and Haryana. Under it Rajasthan receives its share of water from the Hathnikund Barrage per the 1994 agreement, with a 265-km underground pipeline planned to carry water to the Shekhawati region (Sikar, Jhunjhunu, Churu).
Source: ANI News, June 2026
Rajasthan
7. The Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP) has been renamed as which of the following?
Difficulty: Easy
Vande Ganga Link Project
Amrit Sarovar Link Project
Ram Jal Setu Link Project
Chambal Aqueduct Project
Answer: C. Ram Jal Setu Link Project — The ERCP has been renamed the Ram Jal Setu Link Project. It aims to provide drinking water to nearly 30 million people across 17 districts of eastern Rajasthan and irrigate about 4 lakh hectares; a 2,280-metre aqueduct over the Chambal between Kota and Bundi is under construction.
Source: ANI News, June 2026
Rajasthan
8. With reference to measures announced by the Rajasthan CM on International MSME Day (27 June 2026), consider the following statements:
I. Rajasthan was described as the fourth-largest MSME base in the country, with more than 33 lakh enterprises.
II. Financial support for 25 new startups was announced through the Rajasthan Venture Capital Fund.
III. The capital subsidy period for MSMEs under RIPS was reduced from 10 years to seven years.
How many of the above statements are correct?
Difficulty: Medium
Only one
Only two
None
All three
Answer: D. All three — All three are correct. On International MSME Day the CM said Rajasthan is the fourth-largest MSME base with over 33 lakh enterprises, announced support for 25 startups via the Rajasthan Venture Capital Fund, and reduced the RIPS capital subsidy period from 10 to seven years; the Rajasthan Industrial Development Policy and RAMP Portal were also launched.