Dear Readers, Daily Current Affairs Questions Quiz for SBI, IBPS, RBI, RRB, SSC Exam 2026 of  08th August  2026. Daily GK quiz online for bank & competitive exam. Here we have given the Daily Current Affairs Quiz based on the previous days Daily Current Affairs updates. Candidates preparing for IBPS, SBI, RBI, RRB, SSC Exam 2026 & other competitive exams can make use of these Current Affairs Quiz.

 

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1) Consider the following statements regarding the 62nd and 3rd Bi-monthly Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) Meeting of FY 2026–27:

1. The RBI kept the Policy Repo Rate unchanged at 5.25%.
2. The Standing Deposit Facility (SDF) Rate remained unchanged at 5.00%.
3. The Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) Rate and Bank Rate remained unchanged at 5.50%.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) All the above

(e) None of the above

 

2) As per the news, the Department of Financial Services (DFS) – Insurance Division secured which position in the CPGRAMS Monthly Report for June 2026 grievance redressal rankings?

(a) 1st

(b) 2nd

(c) 3rd

(d) 5th

(e) 6th

 

3) Which company signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Swiss Re Corporate Solutions to explore a partnership in India's commercial insurance segment?

(a) Bajaj General Insurance Limited

(b) ICICI Lombard General Insurance

(c) HDFC ERGO General Insurance

(d) New India Assurance Company Limited

(e) SBI General Insurance

 

4) Which company recently received SEBI approval for its proposed Initial Public Offering (IPO), expected to be around US$1 billion?

(a) Narayana Health Limited

(b) Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited

(c) Max Healthcare Institute Limited

(d) Fortis Healthcare Limited

(e) Manipal Health Enterprises (MHE)

 

5) Who has been appointed to head the committee constituted by the Tamil Nadu Government to review existing government programmes and improve their implementation?

(a) M. S. Ahluwalia

(b) N. Marie Wilson

(c) R. Venkataramani

(d) Amitabh Kant

(e) Arvind Panagariya

 

6) Consider the following statements regarding tomato production in India as per the First Advance Estimates 2025–26:

1. Madhya Pradesh is the largest tomato-producing state in India, with a production of 36.18 lakh tonnes.
2. Andhra Pradesh ranks second in tomato production with 27.03 lakh tonnes.
3. India is the second-largest tomato producer in the world, after China.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) All the above

(e) None of the above

 

7) Which scheme launched by the Assam Government primarily aims to eradicate child marriage by encouraging girls to continue higher education?

(a) Mukhya Mantrir Nijut Moina Scheme

(b) Mukhya Mantrir Nijut Babu Scheme

(c) Orunodoi Scheme

(d) Assam Aponar Apon Ghar Scheme

(e) Assam Abhinandan Education Loan Subsidy Scheme

 

8) Who conferred the Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak on the 12 rat miners for their exceptional courage during the Silkyara Tunnel Rescue Operation?

(a) Harsh Malhotra

(b) Narendra Modi

(c) Nitin Gadkari

(d) Amit Shah

(e) Pushkar Singh Dhami

 

9) Where was the 16th BRICS Health Ministers' Meeting held under India's BRICS Chairship 2026?

(a) Mumbai

(b) New Delhi

(c) Hyderabad

(d) Chandigarh

(e) Bengaluru

 

10) Which country received the first-ever export of 24 MT of frozen French fries from Kashipur, Uttarakhand, facilitated by Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA)?

(a) UAE

(b) Iraq

(c) Saudi Arabia

(d) Iran

(e) Qatar

 

11) Who has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director (CEO & MD) of Air India?

(a) Tewolde Gebremariam

(b) Campbell Wilson

(c) Ilker Ayci

(d) Nipun Aggarwal

(e) Rajesh Dogra

 

12) Who has been granted a one-year extension in service beyond 30 August 2026 as the Cabinet Secretary of India?

(a) P. K. Mishra

(b) Govind Mohan

(c) Rajiv Gauba

(d) Ajit Doval

(e) T. V. Somanathan

 

13) Match the following senior bureaucratic appointments with the respective international organisations:

List I – Officer	List II – Organisation
1. Rahul Jain	A. Asian Development Bank (ADB)
2. Baldeo Purushartha	B. International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
3. Satyajit Mohanty	C. International Monetary Fund (IMF)

Select the correct answer using the code below:

(a) 1-C, 2-A, 3-B

(b) 1-A, 2-B, 3-C

(c) 1-B, 2-C, 3-A

(d) 1-C, 2-B, 3-A

(e) 1-A, 2-C, 3-B

 

14) Consider the following statements regarding the Offer for Sale (OFS) of Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC):

1. The Government of India launched an OFS to divest up to 6.5% stake in LIC, making it the largest OFS-based disinvestment in India’s history.
2. Under the base offer, the government is selling a 2.5% stake, with a greenshoe option for an additional 4% stake.
3. SEBI allowed LIC additional time to achieve the minimum 10% public shareholding requirement by 16 May 2027.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) All the above

(e) None of the above

 

15) Consider the following statements regarding “Dharavi Didi”:

1. Dharavi Didi is an AI-powered conversational assistant launched by Adani Navbharat Developers Private Limited (ANDPL) for the Dharavi Redevelopment Project.
2. The AI assistant is available 24×7 through WhatsApp chat, voice calls and video calls.
3. It currently supports Hindi, Marathi, Tamil and Telugu languages.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) All the above

(e) None of the above

 

16) Which solar power project was reviewed by India and Sri Lanka during their bilateral meeting on power sector cooperation?

(a) Sampur Solar Power Project

(b) Pavagada Solar Power Project

(c) Bhadla Solar Power Project

(d) Kurnool Ultra Mega Solar Park

(e) Rewa Solar Power Project

 

17) Which of the following hydropower projects was discussed during the India–Bhutan bilateral meeting on power sector cooperation?

(a) Nathpa Jhakri Hydropower Project

(b) Tehri Hydropower Project

(c) Sardar Sarovar Project

(d) Punatsangchhu-I Hydropower Project

(e) Koyna Hydropower Project

18) Who won the Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz title in the 2026 Grand Chess Tour (GCT)?

(a) R. Praggnanandhaa

(b) Javokhir Sindarov

(c) Wesley So

(d) Magnus Carlsen

(e) Fabiano Caruana

 

19) In news, Justice Manmohan Singh Liberhan, who passed away recently, had served as the Chief Justice of which two High Courts?

(a) Kerala High Court and Karnataka High Court

(b) Delhi High Court and Bombay High Court

(c) Madras High Court and Andhra Pradesh High Court

(d) Punjab and Haryana High Court and Rajasthan High Court

(e) Allahabad High Court and Madhya Pradesh High Court

 

20) Recently in news, which date is observed as both National Handloom Day and National Javelin Day in India?

(a) 7 August

(b) 5 August

(c) 8 August

(d) 15 August

(e) 29 August

Answers:

1) Answer: D

Short Explanation:

The RBI MPC unanimously decided to keep the Policy Repo Rate unchanged at 5.25% under the Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF).

The Standing Deposit Facility (SDF) Rate remained unchanged at 5.00%.

The Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) Rate and Bank Rate continued at 5.50%.

The RBI maintained the Monetary Policy Stance as “Neutral” after assessing macroeconomic and financial developments.

The Real GDP Growth Forecast for FY 2026-27 was revised upward to 6.7% from the earlier estimate of 6.6%, showing confidence in India’s domestic growth outlook.

Detailed Explanation:

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) conducted the 62nd and 3rd Bi-monthly Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) Meeting of FY 2026-27 from August 3–5, 2026 under the chairmanship of RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra.

The MPC meeting was attended by members Dr. Nagesh Kumar, Saugata Bhattacharya, Prof. Ram Singh, Dr. Poonam Gupta and Indranil Bhattacharyya.

The RBI MPC unanimously decided to keep the Policy Repo Rate unchanged at 5.25% under the Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF).

The Standing Deposit Facility (SDF) Rate remained unchanged at 5.00%.

The Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) Rate and Bank Rate continued at 5.50%.

The RBI maintained the Monetary Policy Stance as “Neutral” after assessing macroeconomic and financial developments.

The Real GDP Growth Forecast for FY 2026-27 was revised upward to 6.7% from the earlier estimate of 6.6%, showing confidence in India’s domestic growth outlook.

The GDP Growth Projection for FY27 quarters was estimated at Q1: 7.0%, Q2: 6.4%, Q3: 6.5%, and Q4: 6.8%.

The Real GDP Growth Forecast for Q1 FY 2027-28 was projected at 7.3%.

The CPI Inflation Forecast for FY 2026-27 was revised downward to 5.0% from the earlier projection of 5.1%.

 

2) Answer: C

Short Explanation:

The Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) released the Centralized Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS) Monthly Report for June 2026, analysing the types, categories and disposal status of public grievances.

As per the CPGRAMS June 2026 Report, the Department of Financial Services (DFS) – Insurance Division secured the 3rd position in grievance redressal rankings.

The Department of Financial Services (DFS) – Banking Division secured the 6th position in the CPGRAMS rankings.

The Department of Financial Services (DFS) has been consistently ranked among the Top 10 Ministries/Departments in GRAI (Grievance Redressal Assessment Index) rankings since November 2025.

Detailed Explanation:

The Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) released the Centralized Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS) Monthly Report for June 2026, analysing the types, categories and disposal status of public grievances.

As per the CPGRAMS June 2026 Report, the Department of Financial Services (DFS) – Insurance Division secured the 3rd position in grievance redressal rankings.

The Department of Financial Services (DFS) – Banking Division secured the 6th position in the CPGRAMS rankings.

The Department of Financial Services (DFS) has been consistently ranked among the Top 10 Ministries/Departments in GRAI (Grievance Redressal Assessment Index) rankings since November 2025.

During June 2026, the Department of Financial Services successfully disposed of more than 30,000 public grievances, reflecting its commitment towards timely and effective grievance resolution.

Senior officials of the Department of Financial Services (DFS) are personally reviewing randomly selected grievances regularly to improve the quality of grievance handling.

The DFS regularly conducts workshops on “Effective Grievance Redressal Mechanism” to promote best practices and strengthen public service delivery.

These grievance redressal workshops help in improving stakeholder coordination, technology adoption and customer-centric governance.

 

3) Answer: A

Short Explanation:

Bajaj General Insurance Limited (formerly Bajaj Allianz General Insurance Company) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Swiss Re Corporate Solutions to explore a partnership in India’s commercial insurance segment.

Swiss Re Corporate Solutions is the commercial insurance arm of Swiss Re Group, a Switzerland-based global reinsurance and risk solutions company.

The partnership aims to provide international insurance programmes for Indian companies with overseas operations and help them manage risks across multiple jurisdictions.

Detailed Explanation:

Bajaj General Insurance Limited (formerly Bajaj Allianz General Insurance Company) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Swiss Re Corporate Solutions to explore a partnership in India’s commercial insurance segment.

Swiss Re Corporate Solutions is the commercial insurance arm of Swiss Re Group, a Switzerland-based global reinsurance and risk solutions company.

The partnership aims to provide international insurance programmes for Indian companies with overseas operations and help them manage risks across multiple jurisdictions.

The proposed collaboration will combine Bajaj General Insurance’s local market presence with Swiss Re’s global risk expertise and commercial capabilities.

The partnership will focus on providing underwriting expertise for important sectors such as high technology and manufacturing industries.

Under the proposed arrangement, both companies will leverage Swiss Re’s International Programs Platform to develop structured insurance solutions for Indian businesses operating globally.

 

4) Answer: E

Short Explanation:

Manipal Health Enterprises (MHE), backed by Temasek, has received approval from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) for its proposed Initial Public Offering (IPO).

Manipal Health Enterprises is one of India’s largest private hospital operators and manages a wide network of healthcare facilities across the country.

The company is expected to file an updated Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP) with SEBI before proceeding with the public issue.

The proposed IPO size is expected to be around US$1 billion, although the final issue size may vary depending on market conditions and ongoing discussions.

Detailed Explanation:

Manipal Health Enterprises (MHE), backed by Temasek, has received approval from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) for its proposed Initial Public Offering (IPO).

Manipal Health Enterprises is one of India’s largest private hospital operators and manages a wide network of healthcare facilities across the country.

The company is expected to file an updated Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP) with SEBI before proceeding with the public issue.

The proposed IPO size is expected to be around US$1 billion, although the final issue size may vary depending on market conditions and ongoing discussions.

The company is targeting a stock market listing by the end of July, marking a major milestone in its growth journey.

The proposed listing could become one of India’s biggest healthcare IPOs and may become the first billion-dollar public issue in India in 2026.

The IPO approval comes at a time when India’s equity capital market activity is showing signs of recovery after a relatively slow beginning in 2026.

 

5) Answer: A

Short Explanation:

Tamil Nadu Finance Minister N. Marie Wilson presented the first Budget of the TVK Government in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly.

The government has set an ambitious target of transforming Tamil Nadu into a $1.5 trillion economy by 2031, with a projected economic growth rate of 9%.

A committee headed by M. S. Ahluwalia has been constituted to review existing government programmes, improve implementation, and ensure better outcomes from welfare schemes.

Detailed Explanation:

Tamil Nadu Finance Minister N. Marie Wilson presented the first Budget of the TVK Government in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly.

The government has set an ambitious target of transforming Tamil Nadu into a $1.5 trillion economy by 2031, with a projected economic growth rate of 9%.

The state government has reported a fiscal deficit of ₹78,324 crore and an outstanding debt exceeding ₹10.43 lakh crore.

The government aims to generate an additional ₹15,000 crore revenue and reduce financial pressure by improving revenue collection and preventing leakages.

A committee headed by M. S. Ahluwalia has been constituted to review existing government programmes, improve implementation, and ensure better outcomes from welfare schemes

 

6) Answer: D

Short Explanation:

According to the First Advance Estimates 2025–26, India produced 21.32 million tonnes of tomatoes, making it the second-largest tomato producer in the world after China (71.70 million tonnes). Tomatoes account for 11.04% of India's total vegetable production.

Top 5 Tomato Producing States (2025–26)

Rank	State	Production
1	Madhya Pradesh	36.18 lakh tonnes
2	Andhra Pradesh	27.03 lakh tonnes
3	Karnataka	23.92 lakh tonnes
4	Gujarat	16.64 lakh tonnes
5	Odisha	15.06 lakh tonnes

Detailed Explanation:

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announced during the Balram Krishi Mahotsav in Betul that the state has emerged as a leading horticulture state, with a focus on modern farming technologies to enhance agricultural productivity, farmers' income, and exports.

The state has witnessed significant growth in the cultivation of fruits, vegetables, spices, flowers, and medicinal plants, while promoting micro-irrigation, protected cultivation, precision farming, mechanisation, and climate-resilient agriculture.

Farmers are being encouraged to cultivate high-value horticultural crops through the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), supported by cold-chain infrastructure and food processing facilities.

According to the First Advance Estimates 2025–26, India produced 21.32 million tonnes of tomatoes, making it the second-largest tomato producer in the world after China (71.70 million tonnes). Tomatoes account for 11.04% of India's total vegetable production.

Top 5 Tomato Producing States (2025–26)

Rank	State	Production
1	Madhya Pradesh	36.18 lakh tonnes
2	Andhra Pradesh	27.03 lakh tonnes
3	Karnataka	23.92 lakh tonnes
4	Gujarat	16.64 lakh tonnes
5	Odisha	15.06 lakh tonnes

 

7) Answer: A

Short Explanation:

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma launched the application process for the Mukhya Mantrir Nijut Moina Scheme and Mukhya Mantrir Nijut Babu Scheme.

The schemes aim to provide financial assistance to students pursuing Higher Secondary, Undergraduate (UG), and Postgraduate (PG) education in the state.

The Mukhya Mantrir Nijut Moina Scheme primarily aims to eradicate child marriage by encouraging girls to continue higher education.

Detailed Explanation:

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma launched the application process for the Mukhya Mantrir Nijut Moina Scheme and Mukhya Mantrir Nijut Babu Scheme.

The schemes aim to provide financial assistance to students pursuing Higher Secondary, Undergraduate (UG), and Postgraduate (PG) education in the state.

The Mukhya Mantrir Nijut Moina Scheme primarily aims to eradicate child marriage by encouraging girls to continue higher education.

The Mukhya Mantrir Nijut Babu Scheme provides financial assistance to male students, with a comparatively lower stipend than the Nijut Moina Scheme.

Under the Nijut Moina Scheme:

Around 1.6 lakh girl students benefited during 2024–25.

Beneficiaries increased to 4 lakh during 2025–26.

An additional 1 lakh girl students are expected to be covered during 2026–27, taking the total to 5 lakh beneficiaries.

The Assam Government also announced flood relief measures:

₹15.86 crore released to 793 flood-affected schools in Sivasagar, Charaideo, Jorhat, and Golaghat districts.

₹4.26 crore released from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF) for 21,025 students in Sivasagar and Charaideo to purchase educational materials lost during the floods.

 

8) Answer: C

Short Explanation:

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari conferred the Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak on 12 rat miners for their exceptional courage and selfless service during the Silkyara Tunnel Rescue Operation.

The awards were presented at an investiture ceremony in New Delhi.

Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways Harsh Malhotra and other senior officials attended the ceremony.

The Silkyara Tunnel Rescue Operation is regarded as one of the most challenging rescue missions undertaken in recent years.

Detailed Explanation:

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari conferred the Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak on 12 rat miners for their exceptional courage and selfless service during the Silkyara Tunnel Rescue Operation.

The awards were presented at an investiture ceremony in New Delhi.

Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways Harsh Malhotra and other senior officials attended the ceremony.

The Silkyara Tunnel Rescue Operation is regarded as one of the most challenging rescue missions undertaken in recent years.

The 12 rat miners played a crucial role in manually digging through the final section of debris, enabling the successful rescue of the trapped workers.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi closely monitored the rescue operation and ensured that all necessary resources were mobilised for the safe evacuation of the workers.

Nitin Gadkari described the Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak as a recognition of the miners’ extraordinary bravery, dedication, and commitment to saving human lives.

9) Answer: D

Short Explanation:

The 16th BRICS Health Ministers' Meeting was successfully concluded in Chandigarh, India under India’s BRICS Chairship 2026 to strengthen cooperation among BRICS countries on global health challenges.

The meeting was conducted under India’s BRICS Chairship theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability” focusing on resilient health systems, innovation, pandemic preparedness and Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

The meeting brought together Health Ministers, Heads of Delegation, senior officials and public health experts from BRICS member countries to enhance global health cooperation.

Detailed Explanation:

The 16th BRICS Health Ministers' Meeting was successfully concluded in Chandigarh, India under India’s BRICS Chairship 2026 to strengthen cooperation among BRICS countries on global health challenges.

The meeting was conducted under India’s BRICS Chairship theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability” focusing on resilient health systems, innovation, pandemic preparedness and Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

The meeting brought together Health Ministers, Heads of Delegation, senior officials and public health experts from BRICS member countries to enhance global health cooperation.

Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda addressed the meeting virtually and highlighted India’s efforts in strengthening healthcare through people-centric policies, digital public infrastructure and expanded healthcare access.

BRICS countries emphasized the need for stronger cooperation to address infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases (NCDs), climate-related health risks and emerging technological challenges.

10) Answer: B

Short Explanation:

Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, facilitated the first-ever export of 24 Metric Tonnes (MT) of Frozen French Fries from Kashipur, Udham Singh Nagar district, Uttarakhand, to Iraq.

The export consignment was shipped by Virun Global Trade Pvt. Ltd., marking a significant milestone in promoting value-added agricultural exports from Uttarakhand.

The consignment consisted of a 40-foot reefer (refrigerated) container carrying 24 MT of ready-to-fry frozen French fries, ensuring product quality during transportation.

Detailed Explanation:

Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, facilitated the first-ever export of 24 Metric Tonnes (MT) of Frozen French Fries from Kashipur, Udham Singh Nagar district, Uttarakhand, to Iraq.

The export consignment was shipped by Virun Global Trade Pvt. Ltd., marking a significant milestone in promoting value-added agricultural exports from Uttarakhand.

The consignment consisted of a 40-foot reefer (refrigerated) container carrying 24 MT of ready-to-fry frozen French fries, ensuring product quality during transportation.

The raw potatoes used for processing were cultivated by more than 400 small and marginal farmers from the plains of Udham Singh Nagar, Uttarakhand, promoting farmer participation in global trade.

The potatoes were processed and flash-frozen at a state-of-the-art processing facility in Kashipur, meeting international quality and phytosanitary standards for export.

The initiative supports India’s Agriculture Export Policy (AEP), which focuses on shifting agricultural exports from low-value raw commodities to high-value, value-added processed food products.

The export strengthens India’s processed food export basket and opens new international market opportunities for food processors based in Uttarakhand.

APEDA supported the exporter by facilitating participation in major international trade exhibitions such as SIAL, Gulfood, IndusFood, and World Food India, helping expand global market access and buyer engagement.

11) Answer: A

Air India appointed Tewolde Gebremariam, former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ethiopian Airlines Group, as its new Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director (CEO & MD) on 5 August 2026.

Tewolde Gebremariam succeeded Campbell Wilson, whose resignation took effect in April 2026 and whose departure is scheduled for 30 September 2026.

The appointment was approved by the Air India Board of Directors after a global search involving both internal and international candidates.

During 2025–26, India exported 7,26,874.70 MT of processed vegetables, valued at ₹8,238.78 crore (US$ 932.25 million).

The meeting reaffirmed commitment towards achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and building inclusive, equitable and sustainable healthcare systems.

The Silkyara Tunnel is located in Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand, where 41 workers were successfully rescued after being trapped following the tunnel collapse in November 2023.

 

12) Answer: E

Short Explanation:

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved a one-year extension in the service of T. V. Somanathan, Cabinet Secretary of India.

T. V. Somanathan, a 1987-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Tamil Nadu cadre, will continue as Cabinet Secretary beyond 30 August 2026 for another one year.

T. V. Somanathan assumed charge as the 33rd Cabinet Secretary of India on 30 August 2024, succeeding Rajiv Gauba.

Detailed Explanation:

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved a one-year extension in the service of T. V. Somanathan, Cabinet Secretary of India.

T. V. Somanathan, a 1987-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Tamil Nadu cadre, will continue as Cabinet Secretary beyond 30 August 2026 for another one year.

T. V. Somanathan assumed charge as the 33rd Cabinet Secretary of India on 30 August 2024, succeeding Rajiv Gauba.

The Cabinet Secretary is the senior-most civil servant in the Government of India (GoI) and serves as the head of the Cabinet Secretariat.

The Cabinet Secretary plays a key role in coordinating among ministries and ensuring the smooth functioning of the Union Government.

The service extension of T. V. Somanathan was approved by relaxing provisions under Fundamental Rule 56(d) and Rule 16(1A) of the All India Services (Death-cum-Retirement Benefits) Rules, 1958.

The ACC also approved a one-year extension for Govind Mohan, Union Home Secretary, beyond 22 August 2026 until 22 August 2027.

13) Answer: A

Short Explanation:

The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions (MoPP&P) approved key foreign postings of senior bureaucrats through the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC).

Rahul Jain, a 2005-batch IAS officer of Madhya Pradesh cadre, was appointed as Senior Adviser to the Executive Director (India), IMF, Washington D.C. for a period of 3 years.

Baldeo Purushartha, a 2002-batch IAS officer of Punjab cadre, was appointed as Senior Adviser to the Executive Director, Asian Development Bank (ADB), Manila, Philippines for 3 years.

Satyajit Mohanty was appointed as Representative of India in the Council of International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Montreal, Canada for 3 years.

Detailed Explanation:

The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions (MoPP&P) approved key foreign postings of senior bureaucrats through the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC).

The approved postings are for important international organisations including the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Asian Development Bank (ADB), World Bank (WB), World Trade Organization (WTO), and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

Rahul Jain, a 2005-batch IAS officer of Madhya Pradesh cadre, was appointed as Senior Adviser to the Executive Director (India), IMF, Washington D.C. for a period of 3 years.

Rahul Jain is currently serving as Joint Secretary, Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MoCA) before his appointment to the IMF.

Baldeo Purushartha, a 2002-batch IAS officer of Punjab cadre, was appointed as Senior Adviser to the Executive Director, Asian Development Bank (ADB), Manila, Philippines for 3 years.

Baldeo Purushartha is currently serving as Joint Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) under the Ministry of Finance.

Satyajit Mohanty was appointed as Representative of India in the Council of International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Montreal, Canada for 3 years.

Satyajit Mohanty is currently serving as Joint Secretary, Ministry of Defence (MoD).

14) Answer: D

Short Explanation:

The Government of India (GoI) launched an Offer for Sale (OFS) to divest up to 6.5% stake in Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), making it the largest OFS-based disinvestment in India’s history.

Under the base offer, the government is selling a 2.5% stake of LIC (31.6 crore shares) with a greenshoe option for an additional 4% stake (50.6 crore shares).

Through the greenshoe option, the total possible stake sale in LIC may increase to 6.5% of the company’s equity capital.

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) allowed LIC additional time to achieve the minimum 10% public shareholding requirement by 16 May 2027.

Detailed Explanation:

The Government of India (GoI) launched an Offer for Sale (OFS) to divest up to 6.5% stake in Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), making it the largest OFS-based disinvestment in India’s history.

Under the base offer, the government is selling a 2.5% stake of LIC (31.6 crore shares) with a greenshoe option for an additional 4% stake (50.6 crore shares).

Through the greenshoe option, the total possible stake sale in LIC may increase to 6.5% of the company’s equity capital.

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) allowed LIC additional time to achieve the minimum 10% public shareholding requirement by 16 May 2027.

Currently, the Government of India holds a 96.5% stake in LIC after partial disinvestment.

The government had earlier divested 3.5% stake in LIC through an Initial Public Offering (IPO) in May 2022, raising around ₹21,000 crore.

LIC’s IPO price band was ₹902–949 per share, and it was one of India’s largest public offerings.

 

15) Answer: A

Short Explanation:

Adani Navbharat Developers Private Limited (ANDPL), the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) implementing the Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP), launched "Dharavi Didi", an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered conversational assistant for project-related information.

Dharavi Didi is a 24×7 interactive AI companion designed to provide verified, official and real-time information to nearly one million Dharavi residents regarding the redevelopment and rehabilitation project.

Dharavi Didi currently supports Hindi, Marathi and English, while Tamil, Telugu and Gujarati are planned to be added in future phases.

Detailed Explanation:

Adani Navbharat Developers Private Limited (ANDPL), the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) implementing the Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP), launched "Dharavi Didi", an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered conversational assistant for project-related information.

Dharavi Didi is a 24×7 interactive AI companion designed to provide verified, official and real-time information to nearly one million Dharavi residents regarding the redevelopment and rehabilitation project.

The primary objective of Dharavi Didi is to combat rumours, misinformation and conflicting claims by providing a single trusted source of authenticated information directly from project authorities.

The AI chatbot is accessible through WhatsApp chat, voice calls and video calls, enabling residents to obtain information anytime in a simple and conversational manner.

Dharavi Didi currently supports Hindi, Marathi and English, while Tamil, Telugu and Gujarati are planned to be added in future phases.

The chatbot provides official information related to survey status, survey procedures, eligibility criteria, required documentation, rehabilitation process, resettlement process and official project updates.

The platform has been developed by ANDPL in collaboration with YAAP Digital, which designed the resident engagement ecosystem and user experience.

 

16) Answer: A

Short Explanation:

Union Minister of Power and Housing & Urban Affairs Manohar Lal and Sri Lanka's Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation & Minister of Energy Anura Karunathilake held a bilateral meeting in New Delhi to review cooperation in the power sector.

The Ministers reviewed the progress of key bilateral projects, including the India–Sri Lanka High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) Interconnection and the Sampur Solar Power Project.

Detailed Explanation:

Union Minister of Power and Housing & Urban Affairs Manohar Lal and Sri Lanka's Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation & Minister of Energy Anura Karunathilake held a bilateral meeting in New Delhi to review cooperation in the power sector.

The Ministers reviewed the progress of key bilateral projects, including the India–Sri Lanka High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) Interconnection and the Sampur Solar Power Project.

Both sides discussed expanding cooperation in cross-border electricity trade, renewable energy, transmission infrastructure, and capacity building to strengthen regional energy security and support the clean energy transition.

India shared its experience in transmission system development through the Tariff-Based Competitive Bidding (TBCB) framework implemented under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.

The two countries reviewed the progress made under existing bilateral institutional mechanisms and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in the power sector.

17) Answer: A

Short Explanation:

Union Minister of Power and Housing & Urban Affairs Manohar Lal held a bilateral meeting with Bhutan's Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Lyonpo Gem Tshering, in New Delhi.

The meeting reaffirmed the long-standing India–Bhutan partnership in the power sector, which remains a key pillar of bilateral relations between the two countries.

Key hydropower projects discussed included Punatsangchhu-I, Punatsangchhu-II, Sankosh, and Chukha Hydropower Projects.

Detailed Explanation:

Union Minister of Power and Housing & Urban Affairs Manohar Lal held a bilateral meeting with Bhutan's Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Lyonpo Gem Tshering, in New Delhi.

The meeting reaffirmed the long-standing India–Bhutan partnership in the power sector, which remains a key pillar of bilateral relations between the two countries.

Both Ministers reviewed the progress of ongoing cooperation and discussed strengthening collaboration in:

Hydropower development

Cross-border electricity trade

Transmission connectivity

Renewable energy

Institutional cooperation and capacity building

The Ministers also reviewed progress under the bilateral institutional mechanisms established to promote regular engagement and enhance cooperation in the energy sector.

Key hydropower projects discussed included Punatsangchhu-I, Punatsangchhu-II, Sankosh, and Chukha Hydropower Projects.

18) Answer: A

Short Explanation:

Indian Grandmaster (GM) R. Praggnanandhaa won his first Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz title in the 2026 Grand Chess Tour (GCT), United States.

The 20-year-old secured the championship with one round to spare, showcasing a dominant performance throughout the tournament.

Praggnanandhaa finished with 23.5 points, emerging as the tournament champion.

Detailed Explanation:

Indian Grandmaster (GM) R. Praggnanandhaa won his first Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz title in the 2026 Grand Chess Tour (GCT), United States.

The 20-year-old secured the championship with one round to spare, showcasing a dominant performance throughout the tournament.

Praggnanandhaa finished with 23.5 points, emerging as the tournament champion.

Javokhir Sindarov (Uzbekistan) finished second with 22 points, while Wesley So (United States) secured the third position with 20.5 points.

Praggnanandhaa won the Rapid section and lost only one game in the Blitz section, scoring 11.5 points out of 18 in the blitz rounds.

Following his victory, Praggnanandhaa moved to second place in the overall Grand Chess Tour standings, significantly improving his chances of qualifying for the Grand Chess Tour Finals 2026.

19) Answer: C

Short Explanation:

Justice Manmohan Singh Liberhan, former Chief Justice (CJ) of the Madras High Court (HC) and Andhra Pradesh High Court (HC), passed away on 2 August 2026 at the age of 87.

He was born on 11 November 1938 near Chandigarh.

He began his legal practice at the Punjab and Haryana High Court in 1964.

He was elected as a Member of the Punjab and Haryana Bar Council in August 1970 and served until 11 February 1987.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court is a Constitutional Court established under Article 214 of the Constitution of India.

Detailed Explanation:

Justice Manmohan Singh Liberhan, former Chief Justice (CJ) of the Madras High Court (HC) and Andhra Pradesh High Court (HC), passed away on 2 August 2026 at the age of 87.

He was born on 11 November 1938 near Chandigarh.

He began his legal practice at the Punjab and Haryana High Court in 1964.

He was elected as a Member of the Punjab and Haryana Bar Council in August 1970 and served until 11 February 1987.

He served as Secretary of the Punjab and Haryana Bar Council from January 1976 to June 1983.

He was elevated as a Judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court on 11 February 1987.

He was appointed Chief Justice of the Madras High Court on 7 July 1997 and later became Chief Justice of the Andhra Pradesh High Court on 28 February 1998.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court is a Constitutional Court established under Article 214 of the Constitution of India.

20) Answer: A

Short Explanation:

National Handloom Day is observed every year on 7 August to honour the handloom weaving community and create awareness about the importance of India's traditional handloom sector.

The first National Handloom Day was celebrated on 7 August 2015 and was inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi.

National Javelin Day 2026 marks the 5th observance of the occasion, with grassroots and state-level javelin competitions organised across the country to encourage youth participation.

The first National Javelin Day was officially observed on 7 August 2022.

Detailed Explanation:

National Handloom Day is observed every year on 7 August to honour the handloom weaving community and create awareness about the importance of India's traditional handloom sector.

National Handloom Day 2026 marks the 12th observance of the occasion, which was initiated by PM Narendra Modi on 7 August 2015.

The first National Handloom Day was celebrated on 7 August 2015 and was inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi.

National Javelin Day is observed annually on 7 August to commemorate Neeraj Chopra's historic gold medal in the Men's Javelin Throw at the Tokyo Olympics 2020, achieved on 7 August 2021.

National Javelin Day 2026 marks the 5th observance of the occasion, with grassroots and state-level javelin competitions organised across the country to encourage youth participation.

The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) declared 7 August as National Javelin Day in 2021 to honour Neeraj Chopra's achievement and promote the sport of javelin throw in India.

The first National Javelin Day was officially observed on 7 August 2022.