Current Affairs Based on The Assam Tribune
1. Iran is set to reopen which strategic maritime passage and sell oil freely under a tentative agreement with the United States?
A) Strait of Malacca
B) Strait of Hormuz
C) Bab el-Mandeb
D) Suez Canal
See: Daily Current Affairs 17 June 2026
Answer: B
Explanation:
Reports indicate that Iran will immediately take steps to reopen the Strait of Hormuz once a tentative deal with the US to end the ongoing war is formally signed in Switzerland. The agreement allows Tehran to sell its oil without previous restrictions and includes US support for Iran to receive at least USD 300 billion for post-war reconstruction. It also envisions restarting negotiations on Iran’s nuclear programme while lifting American and UN sanctions.
Related Information:
The deal additionally covers ending hostilities in Lebanon between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah. It marks a shift from earlier US policy under President Trump that had withdrawn from the 2015 nuclear deal. The interim arrangement provides a two-month window for final nuclear talks before full implementation.
2. According to the CAG Report on State Finances 2024-25, Assam’s total combined liabilities increased by what percentage between 2015-16 and 2024-25?
A) 190 per cent
B) 341 per cent
C) 205 per cent
D) 415 per cent
Answer: B
Explanation:
The report states that Assam recorded a 341 per cent rise in total liabilities over the ten-year period, the third highest among all states. Internal debt also rose sharply, with borrowings from the Central government increasing by 1,369 per cent during the same period. This growth outpaced the all-India average increase of 190 per cent.
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Assam was among 14 states that witnessed a substantial rise in fiscal deficit in 2024-25 compared to the previous year. Post-GST implementation, revenue expenditure growth exceeded states’ own tax revenue growth in most states, though Assam was among the exceptions where this gap was narrower.
3. Who welcomed the G7 leaders’ recent statement opposing any unilateral attempt to change the status quo in the Taiwan Strait by force or coercion?
A) Chinese President Xi Jinping
B) Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te
C) US President Donald Trump
D) French President Emmanuel Macron
Answer: B
Explanation:
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te welcomed the G7 statement issued during the summit in Evian, France. The G7 reaffirmed its opposition to any unilateral change in the status quo across the Taiwan Strait and in the East and South China Seas. Taiwan stated it would continue working with partners to maintain regional peace and prosperity.
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The statement comes amid increased frequency and scale of Chinese military exercises around Taiwan in recent years. China continues to assert that Taiwan is part of its territory and must be reunified, by force if necessary. The G7 emphasised peaceful resolution through dialogue.
4. Tributes were paid to which Assamese cultural icon on his birthday through music, poetry, dance performances and a district-level dance competition in Doomdooma?
A) Dr. Bhupen Hazarika
B) Rupkonwar Jyotiprasad Agarwala
C) Bishnu Prasad Rabha
D) Hemchandra Barua
Answer: B
Explanation:
The legacy of Rupkonwar Jyotiprasad Agarwala was celebrated on 17 June in Doomdooma with a vibrant cultural programme organised by Shishu Bhaskar Hemanta Raj Moran Child Development Fund in collaboration with Doomdooma Moina Parijat. The event featured songs, poems, recitations and creative dance performances inspired by his works, along with an online solo dance competition.
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Jyotiprasad Agarwala is regarded as one of Assam’s greatest cultural icons for his contributions to music, poetry, drama and films. The celebration began with the hoisting of the ceremonial flag by Mridul Gogoi, president of Diphu Nrityalaya. Mriganki Hazarika of Doomdooma Moina Parijat won first position in the dance competition.
5. Which city is scheduled to host the BRICS Heads of Anti-Drug Agencies meeting on 6 and 7 July 2026?
A) New Delhi
B) Guwahati
C) Mumbai
D) Kolkata
Answer: B
Explanation:
Guwahati will host the meeting with confirmed participation from China, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Russia, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates. The event aims to deepen collaboration on intelligence exchange, operational coordination and capacity enhancement among anti-drug agencies of BRICS nations.
Related Information:
Hosting the meeting in Guwahati holds strategic significance because the Northeast region has historically been vulnerable to cross-border narcotics trafficking. The gathering is expected to strengthen regional mechanisms to combat drug-related threats through multilateral cooperation.
6. Arunachal Pradesh recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement with which organisation for the development of the 3097-MW Etalin Hydropower Project in Dibang Valley district?
A) NTPC
B) NHPC
C) SJVN
D) THDC India Ltd
Answer: B
Explanation:
The MoA was signed in the presence of Chief Minister Pema Khandu and senior officials of both the state government and NHPC. The project is expected to generate around 11,600 million units of clean energy annually while creating livelihood opportunities and strengthening the national grid.
Related Information:
NHPC Chairman Bhupender Gupta stated that the project reflects the shared vision of sustainable and environmentally responsible development with active participation of local communities. It is seen as a transformative initiative that will bring infrastructure, jobs and investment to remote areas of Arunachal Pradesh.
7. Which country has offered India access to the Tomtor rare earth metals deposit located in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia)?
A) China
B) Russia
C) Australia
D) United States
Answer: B
Explanation:
Russia has offered India access to the Tomtor deposit, one of the world’s largest undeveloped sources of rare earth elements. Indian Rare Earths Ltd (IREL) is holding confidential talks with Rosneft for preliminary processing and sample analysis before detailed testing in India.
Related Information:
The move supports India’s efforts to diversify critical mineral supply chains and reduce dependence on China, which currently dominates global rare earth processing. India possesses the world’s third-largest rare earth reserves and approved a major programme in November 2025 to build domestic processing and magnet production capacity.
Daily Current Affairs 18 June 2026 | Based on The Assam Tribune