Daily current-affairs MCQs for the RPSC RAS exam, dated 11 July 2026 — with answers and explanations.
Society / Demography
1. With reference to World Population Day, observed on 11 July, consider the following statements:
(I) World Population Day is observed every year on 11 July.
(II) It is observed under the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
(III) India is currently the world's most populous country.
(IV) India accounts for about 40% of the world's population.
Select the correct answer using the codes below:
I and IV only
II and IV only
I, II and III only
I, II, III and IV
Answer: C. I, II and III only — Statement IV is false: India has about 17-18% of the world's population, not 40%. Statements I-III are correct — World Population Day is observed on 11 July under UNFPA, and India is now the most populous country.
Source: UNFPA / World Population Day, 11 July 2026
Polity / Elections
2. With reference to the 'One Nation, One Election' proposal, consider the following statements:
(I) The High-Level Committee on simultaneous elections was headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind.
(II) It recommends holding Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assembly elections simultaneously.
(III) Implementing simultaneous elections requires amendments to the Constitution.
(IV) The proposal seeks to replace the parliamentary system with a presidential system.
Select the correct answer using the codes below:
I and IV only
II and IV only
I, II and III only
I, II, III and IV
Answer: C. I, II and III only — Statement IV is false: the proposal is about synchronising election cycles, not changing the form of government; India would remain a parliamentary democracy. Statements I-III are correct.
Source: High-Level Committee on Simultaneous Elections (Kovind Committee)
Art & Culture / IR
3. With reference to the return of ancient antiquities to India, consider the following statements:
(I) Australia is returning ancient Tamil-era antiquities (idols) to India.
(II) The illegal export of antiquities is regulated under the Antiquities and Art Treasures Act, 1972.
(III) The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) works under the Ministry of Culture.
(IV) The Archaeological Survey of India functions under the Ministry of Defence.
Select the correct answer using the codes below:
I and IV only
II and IV only
I, II and III only
I, II, III and IV
Answer: C. I, II and III only — Statement IV is false: the ASI works under the Ministry of Culture, not the Ministry of Defence. Statements I-III are correct.
Source: Ministry of Culture / ASI; press, July 2026
International Relations
4. With reference to the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), consider the following statements:
(I) IORA was established in 1997.
(II) India is a member of IORA.
(III) It promotes regional cooperation among the littoral states of the Indian Ocean.
(IV) IORA is a military alliance headquartered in Brussels.
Select the correct answer using the codes below:
I and IV only
II and IV only
I, II and III only
I, II, III and IV
Answer: C. I, II and III only — Statement IV is false: IORA is a regional economic-cooperation grouping of Indian Ocean rim states (secretariat in Mauritius), not a military alliance based in Brussels. Statements I-III are correct.
Source: Indian Ocean Rim Association (static)
Science & Technology / Economy
5. With reference to Research and Development (R&D) spending in India, consider the following statements:
(I) India's gross expenditure on R&D is less than 1% of its GDP.
(II) This share is lower than that of leading economies such as the United States, China and South Korea.
(III) Higher R&D investment is generally associated with greater innovation and patent output.
(IV) India's R&D expenditure as a share of GDP is among the highest in the world.
Select the correct answer using the codes below:
I and IV only
II and IV only
I, II and III only
I, II, III and IV
Answer: C. I, II and III only — Statement IV is false: India's R&D spend is under 1% of GDP — among the lower shares for a major economy, not the highest. Statements I-III are correct.