Dear Readers, Daily Current Affairs Questions Quiz for SBI, IBPS, RBI, RRB, SSC Exam 2026 of  16th & 17th 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) As per the news, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has proposed draft rules making external benchmark-linked loans optional for Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs). According to the proposed framework, by which date must all existing loans be migrated to the new interest-rate framework through a one-time mapping exercise?

(a) April 1, 2027

(b) April 1, 2028

(c) April 1, 2029

(d) April 1, 2030

(e) March 31, 2029

 

2) As per the news, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) imposed monetary penalties on multiple entities for non-compliance with its directions. What was the penalty amount imposed on Fusion Finance Limited?

(a) ₹2.70 lakh

(b) ₹6.20 lakh

(c) ₹59.20 lakh

(d) ₹10.00 lakh

(e) ₹15.50 lakh

 

3) As per the news, the Central Government's debt-to-GDP ratio stood at 58.2% in FY26 (2025–26). Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary informed the Lok Sabha about the government's debt-to-GDP position in a written response. What was the government's debt-to-GDP target for FY26?

(a) 54.1%

(b) 55.1%

(c) 56.1%

(d) 57.1%

(e) 58.1%

 

4) As per the news, the Logistics Data Bank (LDB) has tracked 10 crore EXIM containers since its launch in 2016, marking a major milestone in India's technology-driven logistics sector. The LDB provides visibility of 100% of India's EXIM container movement using which technology?

(a) Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)-based technology

(b) Blockchain-based technology

(c) GPS-based technology

(d) Satellite-based tracking technology

(e) Artificial Intelligence-based technology

5) As per the news, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has prescribed a strict, time-bound Grievance Redressal Mechanism for resolving policyholder complaints. Within how many days must insurers provide a resolution to complaints?

(a) 7 days

(b) 14 days

(c) 21 days

(d) 30 days

(e) 45 days

 

6) As per the news, the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), with support from the Gates Foundation and Dalberg Advisors, announced the winners of the National Climate Stack Innovation Challenge. Which organization won the first prize by developing a village-level Climate Vulnerability Index?

(a) Wadhwani AI

(b) CropIn Technology

(c) Ninjacart

(d) SatSure Analytics India Pvt Ltd

(e) DeHaat

7) As per the news, Special Rupee Vostro Account (SRVA) is an additional mechanism for settling international trade in Indian Rupees (INR). What is the key difference between SRVA and a normal Rupee Vostro Account (RVA)?

(a) SRVA can be opened only by Indian banks

(b) SRVA balances can be used for permissible investments

(c) SRVA does not require RBI approval

(d) SRVA can only be used for export transactions

(e) SRVA has a fixed exchange rate

 

8) Under the RBI’s Swap Facility for FCNR(B) Deposits, what is the minimum original tenor of fresh eligible FCNR(B) deposits that a bank must mobilise to undertake an RBI swap for a tenor of less than three years?

One year

Two years

Three years

Four years

Five years

 

9) As per the news, Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced the Saptadhara (Seven Streams) approach during the 2026 Independence Day address. Which of the following is NOT one of the seven streams under Saptadhara?

(a) Manufacturing

(b) Farming and Food Processing

(c) Soft Power

(d) Gati Shakti

(e) Digital India

 

10) As per the news, the Tribunals Reforms Bill, 2026 proposes to establish a National Tribunals Commission (NTC) as a permanent institutional mechanism. How many members will the NTC consist of, including the Chairperson?

(a) 3 Members

(b) 4 Members

(c) 5 Members

(d) 6 Members

(e) 7 Members

11) As per the news, as part of India's BRICS Chairship 2026, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) will lead and organise the BRICS ICT Track in Pune from 17 to 21 August 2026. What is the theme of the BRICS ICT Track 2026?

(a) "Digital India for a Resilient Future"

(b) "Innovate, Cooperate and Transform (ICT) for a Resilient Future"

(c) "Secure and Inclusive Digital Ecosystem"

(d) "Connectivity and Cybersecurity for All"

(e) "Digital Public Infrastructure for Development"

12) Which country became the world’s leading ship recycling nation in 2025, with its global market share increasing from 30.1% in 2024 to 35.4% in 2025?

(a) Bangladesh

(b) Pakistan

(c) Türkiye

(d) China

(e) India

 

13) As per the news, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) facilitated the selection of three Indian Sanchar Mitras as Generation Connect Youth Envoys (GCYE) of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) for the 2026–2030 period. The announcement of their selection coincided with which occasion?

(a) World Telecommunication Day 2026

(b) International Youth Day 2026

(c) Independence Day 2026

(d) National Youth Day 2026

(e) Digital India Day 2026

14) As per the news, the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) is implementing the National Beekeeping and Honey Mission (NBHM) as a Central Sector Scheme through the National Bee Board (NBB). Under NBHM, project-based assistance is provided to eligible Implementing Agencies (IAs) through which agencies?

(a) Central and State Nodal Agencies

(b) District Level Committees

(c) Panchayati Raj Institutions

(d) Cooperative Societies

(e) Self Help Groups

 

15) As per the news, the Gujarat Government has decided to establish 4 new Centres of Excellence (CoEs) to provide advanced training and guidance to farmers in horticulture. With the establishment of these 4 new centres, what will be the total number of Centres of Excellence operationalised by the Horticulture Department in Gujarat?

(a) 11

(b) 13

(c) 15

(d) 17

(e) 19

 

17) As per the news, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has revived the Su-30MKI fighter aircraft production line at its Nashik facility in Maharashtra for the Indian Air Force (IAF). HAL had previously manufactured how many Su-30MKI aircraft under licence from Russia at its Nashik division?

(a) 122

(b) 170

(c) 200

(d) 222

(e) 250

18) As per the news, Jinnah-1 is Pakistan's first-ever planned lunar rover, named by the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO). The rover is planned to launch in 2029 aboard which Chinese mission?

(a) Chang'e-6

(b) Chang'e-7

(c) Chang'e-8

(d) Chang'e-9

(e) Chang'e-10

19) As per the news, Meta has released Muse Glimmer, a new 30-billion-parameter open-weight AI model designed to perform advanced agentic tasks directly on consumer devices. Muse Glimmer is designed to operate within which memory range?

(a) 16–20 GB

(b) 24–32 GB

(c) 8–16 GB

(d) 32–40 GB

(e) 40–48 GB

 

20) As per the news, astronomers have proposed a new class of cosmic object called a "black hole star". The newly identified object, MoM-BH-1, was detected by which space telescope during the Mirage or Miracle of MoM survey?

(a) Hubble Space Telescope

(b) Chandra X-ray Observatory

(c) James Webb Space Telescope (JWST)

(d) Spitzer Space Telescope

(e) Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope

 

21) As per the news, Leonardo DiCaprio's conservation organisation Re:wild and the Bezos Earth Fund, led by Jeff Bezos, have launched the Phoenix Species Project. What is the total funding commitment received by the Phoenix Species Project to support the recovery and conservation of 100 of the world's most threatened species?

(a) $100 million

(b) $150 million

(c) $200 million

(d) $250 million

(e) $300 million

 

22) As per the news, the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) is expected to launch E-PRAAPTI by the end of August 2026 to help subscribers trace, link and claim money lying in old or inactive Provident Fund (PF) accounts. What does E-PRAAPTI stand for?

(a) EPF Aadhaar-Based Access Portal for Tracking Inoperative Accounts

(b) Electronic PF Registration and Aadhaar Processing Initiative

(c) EPF Pension and Aadhaar Tracking Interface

(d) Electronic Provident Fund Aadhaar Portal for India

(e) EPF Aadhaar-Based Processing and Tracking Initiative

23) As per the news, the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) manages the Employees' Provident Fund (EPF), Pension (EPS), and Insurance (EDLI) for salaried employees. Who is the current CEO of EPFO?

(a) Sunil Barthwal

(b) Ramesh Krishnamurthi

(c) Alok Kumar

(d) Sanjay Malhotra

(e) T. V. Somanathan

24_ As per the news, the Tribunals Reforms Bill, 2026 proposes that a Tribunal Member will hold office for 5 years or until attaining which age, whichever is earlier?

(a) 67 years

(b) 69 years

(c) 70 years

(d) 72 years

(e) 75 years

 

25) As per the news, the e-Zero FIR system has been introduced to facilitate cyber financial fraud complaints without the need for victims to visit a police station. This system was launched on 27th July 2026 by Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi in which state?

(a) Maharashtra

(b) Rajasthan

(c) Karnataka

(d) Gujarat

(e) Tamil Nadu

 

Answers:

1) Answer: C

Short Explanation:

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has proposed draft rules making external benchmark-linked loans optional for Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) while aiming to ensure fair and transparent interest-rate practices across regulated entities.

Under the proposed framework, a short-term agricultural loan is defined as a loan having an original tenor of up to one year.

All existing loans must be migrated to the new interest-rate framework through a one-time mapping exercise by April 1, 2029.

Detailed Explanation:

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has proposed draft rules making external benchmark-linked loans optional for Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) while aiming to ensure fair and transparent interest-rate practices across regulated entities.

Under the proposed framework, NBFCs, All-India Financial Institutions (AIFIs), Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) and Cooperative Banks may choose to offer floating-rate loans linked to an external benchmark to any category of borrower.

The draft rules state that interest rates on loans up to ₹50,000 should not be usurious, and regulated entities must explicitly prescribe a ceiling on the Annual Percentage Rate (APR) for microfinance and small-value loans.

The APR ceiling must include interest, charges and fees, ensuring greater transparency in the total cost of borrowing for borrowers.

For short-term agricultural loans provided to small and marginal farmers, the total amount of interest, charges and fees cannot exceed the principal amount.

Under the proposed framework, a short-term agricultural loan is defined as a loan having an original tenor of up to one year.

All existing loans must be migrated to the new interest-rate framework through a one-time mapping exercise by April 1, 2029.

 

3) Answer: A

Short Explanation:

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) imposed a monetary penalty of ₹59.20 lakh on IndusInd Bank, for non-compliance with RBI directions on Interest Rate on Deposits and Securitisation of Standard Assets.

RBI imposed a ₹6.20 lakh penalty on Northern Arc Capital for deficiencies under the directions on Disclosures in Financial Statements – Notes to Accounts and Internal Ombudsman for Regulated Entities.

Fusion Finance Limited was fined ₹2.70 lakh for violating the RBI KYC Directions.

Detailed Explanation:

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) imposed a monetary penalty of ₹59.20 lakh on IndusInd Bank, for non-compliance with RBI directions on Interest Rate on Deposits and Securitisation of Standard Assets.

The penalty on IndusInd Bank was imposed after RBI found that the bank had paid interest on deposits maintained in certain current accounts and had undertaken activities in the nature of “Synthetic Securitisation.”

RBI imposed a ₹6.20 lakh penalty on Northern Arc Capital for deficiencies under the directions on Disclosures in Financial Statements – Notes to Accounts and Internal Ombudsman for Regulated Entities.

Northern Arc Capital was found to have disclosed incorrect and incomplete information about customer complaints in its Annual Financial Statements for 2024-25.

Northern Arc Capital also failed to automatically escalate certain rejected complaints to its Internal Ombudsman, resulting in non-compliance with RBI directions.

Fusion Finance Limited was fined ₹2.70 lakh for violating the RBI KYC Directions.3


3) Answer: C

Short Explanation:

The Central Government’s debt-to-gross domestic product (GDP) ratio stood at 58.2% in FY26 (2025–26), which was 210 basis points higher than the government’s target of 56.1%.

The government missed its FY26 debt-to-GDP target partly because of a downward revision in nominal GDP following the introduction of a new GDP series with FY23 as the base year.

For FY27 (2026–27), the government has set a debt-to-GDP target of 55.6% in the Budget Estimates (BE).

Detailed Explanation:

The Central Government’s debt-to-gross domestic product (GDP) ratio stood at 58.2% in FY26 (2025–26), which was 210 basis points higher than the government’s target of 56.1%.

Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary informed the Lok Sabha about the government’s debt-to-GDP position in a written response.

Despite missing its FY26 debt target, the government has achieved fiscal consolidation, with the fiscal deficit declining sharply from 9.2% of GDP in FY21 (2020–21) to 4.4% of GDP in FY26, based on provisional actuals.

The Central Government’s total outstanding liabilities also declined from 61.5% of GDP in FY21 to 58.2% of GDP in FY26.

The government missed its FY26 debt-to-GDP target partly because of a downward revision in nominal GDP following the introduction of a new GDP series with FY23 as the base year.

For FY27 (2026–27), the government has set a debt-to-GDP target of 55.6% in the Budget Estimates (BE).

 

4) Answer: A

Short Explanation:

The Logistics Data Bank (LDB) has tracked 10 crore EXIM containers since its launch in 2016, marking a major milestone in India’s technology-driven logistics sector.

The LDB provides visibility of EXIM (Export-Import) container movement across India through technology-based tracking systems.

The platform provides visibility across the entire logistics chain and supplies container movement information to stakeholders for effective monitoring.

The LDB provides visibility of 100% of India’s EXIM container movement using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)-based technology.

The LDB network covers 19 ports and 32 container terminals across India.

Its network also extends to 103 Inland Container Depots (ICDs), 439 Container Freight Stations (CFSs), Empty Yards, Parking Plazas and Industrial Zones.

Detailed Explanation:

The Logistics Data Bank (LDB) has tracked 10 crore EXIM containers since its launch in 2016, marking a major milestone in India’s technology-driven logistics sector.

The LDB provides visibility of EXIM (Export-Import) container movement across India through technology-based tracking systems.

The platform provides visibility across the entire logistics chain and supplies container movement information to stakeholders for effective monitoring.

The LDB provides visibility of 100% of India’s EXIM container movement using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)-based technology.

The LDB network covers 19 ports and 32 container terminals across India.

Its network also extends to 103 Inland Container Depots (ICDs), 439 Container Freight Stations (CFSs), Empty Yards, Parking Plazas and Industrial Zones.

The LDB network covers 89 Manufacturing Special Economic Zones (SEZs), 5,569 railway stations, 269 toll plazas and 3 Integrated Check Posts (ICPs).

The platform provides analytics on dwell time, transit time, port performance and terminal performance, helping stakeholders monitor logistics operations.

LDB analytics help stakeholders identify bottlenecks and improve the efficiency of logistics operations and supply chains.

 

5) Answer: B

Short Explanation:

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has prescribed a strict, time-bound Grievance Redressal Mechanism for resolving policyholder complaints.

Policyholders facing unfair claim rejection, claim delays, mis-selling or other service-related issues should follow the prescribed grievance escalation process.

The CMS of insurers and the IRDAI’s Bima Bharosa Portal are integrated to facilitate effective monitoring of policyholder grievances.

Insurers must acknowledge complaints immediately and provide a resolution within 14 days.

Detailed Explanation:

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has prescribed a strict, time-bound Grievance Redressal Mechanism for resolving policyholder complaints.

Policyholders facing unfair claim rejection, claim delays, mis-selling or other service-related issues should follow the prescribed grievance escalation process.

At the insurer level, the Grievance Redressal Officer (GRO) is the nodal officer responsible for dealing with policyholder grievances.

Every office of an insurer must designate one of its officials as a Grievance Redressal Officer (GRO).

Every insurer has a Policyholder Protection, Grievance Redressal and Claims Monitoring Committee (PPGR & CM Committee), which is the Board-level Committee responsible for ensuring efficient and effective grievance redressal.

Every grievance received through the insurer’s digital interface, direct correspondence or call centre is registered in the insurer’s Complaints Management System (CMS).

The CMS of insurers and the IRDAI’s Bima Bharosa Portal are integrated to facilitate effective monitoring of policyholder grievances.

Insurers must acknowledge complaints immediately and provide a resolution within 14 days.

 

6) Answer: D

Short Explanation:

The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), with support from the Gates Foundation and Dalberg Advisors, announced the winners of the National Climate Stack Innovation Challenge.

The National Climate Stack Innovation Challenge is a national initiative aimed at strengthening DiCRA (Data in Climate Resilient Agriculture) as a Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for climate-resilient rural development.

The challenge encouraged startups, academic institutions, researchers and private-sector innovators to develop practical digital solutions for farmers, rural lenders, insurers, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and government agencies.

SatSure Analytics India Pvt Ltd won the first prize by developing a village-level Climate Vulnerability Index.

Detailed Explanation:

The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), with support from the Gates Foundation and Dalberg Advisors, announced the winners of the National Climate Stack Innovation Challenge.

The National Climate Stack Innovation Challenge is a national initiative aimed at strengthening DiCRA (Data in Climate Resilient Agriculture) as a Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for climate-resilient rural development.

The challenge was launched to mobilise India’s scientific, academic and innovation ecosystem to develop near-term climate hazard forecasting models and decision-ready digital applications.

The solutions developed under the challenge are intended to support decision-making in agriculture, rural finance, insurance and public planning.

The challenge encouraged startups, academic institutions, researchers and private-sector innovators to develop practical digital solutions for farmers, rural lenders, insurers, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and government agencies.

SatSure Analytics India Pvt Ltd won the first prize by developing a village-level Climate Vulnerability Index.

SatSure’s solution combines climate exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity to generate dynamic village-level climate-risk scores.

 

7) Answer: B

Short Explanation:

Special Rupee Vostro Account (SRVA) is an additional mechanism for settling international trade in Indian Rupees (INR) and is different from the normal Rupee Vostro Account (RVA) provided under the Foreign Exchange Management (Deposit) Regulations, 2016.

The key difference is that SRVA balances can be used for permissible investments, which distinguishes SRVA from a normal Rupee Vostro Account.

An Indian branch of a foreign bank can open an SRVA for its headquarters or another foreign branch, provided the Indian branch is an Authorised Dealer (AD) bank.

Detailed Explanation:

Special Rupee Vostro Account (SRVA) is an additional mechanism for settling international trade in Indian Rupees (INR) and is different from the normal Rupee Vostro Account (RVA) provided under the Foreign Exchange Management (Deposit) Regulations, 2016.

The key difference is that SRVA balances can be used for permissible investments, which distinguishes SRVA from a normal Rupee Vostro Account.

An Indian branch of a foreign bank can open an SRVA for its headquarters or another foreign branch, provided the Indian branch is an Authorised Dealer (AD) bank.

Existing Rupee Vostro Accounts cannot be converted into or used as SRVAs, because the nature and functions of the two accounts are different.

A foreign bank or its branches can maintain multiple SRVAs with different AD banks in India.

An AD bank in India can open multiple SRVAs for different banks from the same foreign country; it is not restricted to opening only one SRVA per country.

The INR–foreign currency exchange rate under SRVA is market-determined.

8) Answer: C

Short Explanation:

Indian banks, including their overseas branches, are permitted to extend loans to non-residents or issue Standby Letters of Credit (SBLCs) in favour of overseas lenders against FCNR(B) deposits mobilised under the June 8, 2026 Circular on “Swap Facility for FCNR(B) Deposits”.

Under the swap facility, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) provides a Forex Swap for the FCNR(B) deposits received by banks through a plain buy/sell foreign exchange swap.

A bank can undertake an RBI swap for a tenor of less than three years if it has mobilised fresh eligible FCNR(B) deposits with a minimum original tenor of three years under the scheme.

Detailed Explanation:

Indian banks, including their overseas branches, are permitted to extend loans to non-residents or issue Standby Letters of Credit (SBLCs) in favour of overseas lenders against FCNR(B) deposits mobilised under the June 8, 2026 Circular on “Swap Facility for FCNR(B) Deposits”.

This permission is without prejudice to normal lending or issuance of SBLCs by Authorised Dealer (AD) Banks on a secured or unsecured basis.

Banks are permitted to extend loans to FCNR(B) account holders and the lending institution may mark a lien on the FCNR(B) deposits.

Under the swap facility, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) provides a Forex Swap for the FCNR(B) deposits received by banks through a plain buy/sell foreign exchange swap.

The RBI Forex Swap covers only the principal amount of the FCNR(B) deposits and does not cover the interest component.

A bank can undertake an RBI swap for a tenor of less than three years if it has mobilised fresh eligible FCNR(B) deposits with a minimum original tenor of three years under the scheme.

Therefore, even if the residual maturity is less than three years when the swap is availed, the deposit can qualify provided its original tenor was at least three years.

Banks may offer differential rates of interest on FCNR(B) deposits, subject to compliance with Paragraph 32(2) of the RBI (Commercial Banks – Interest Rate on Deposits) Directions, 2025.

9) Answer: E

Short Explanation:

The approximately 75-minute address focused on Aatmanirbharta, critical minerals, energy security, Artificial Intelligence, semiconductor manufacturing, defence, sports, women’s representation and youth empowerment.

The 2026 Independence Day celebrations marked the 150th year of Vande Mataram.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted Yuva Shakti as a key force for achieving Viksit Bharat by 2047 and introduced the Saptadhara (Seven Streams) approach.

Saptadhara (Seven Streams) comprises Manufacturing, Farming and Food Processing, Technology and Innovation, Gati Shakti, Raksha Shakti, Green and Blue Economy, and Soft Power.

India aims to achieve 100 Gigawatts (GW) of nuclear power generation capacity by 2047 to strengthen long-term energy security, with plans to commission five new nuclear reactors within the current decade and further strengthen nuclear infrastructure.

Detailed Explanation:

The approximately 75-minute address focused on Aatmanirbharta, critical minerals, energy security, Artificial Intelligence, semiconductor manufacturing, defence, sports, women’s representation and youth empowerment.

The 2026 Independence Day celebrations marked the 150th year of Vande Mataram.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted Yuva Shakti as a key force for achieving Viksit Bharat by 2047 and introduced the Saptadhara (Seven Streams) approach.

Saptadhara (Seven Streams) comprises Manufacturing, Farming and Food Processing, Technology and Innovation, Gati Shakti, Raksha Shakti, Green and Blue Economy, and Soft Power.

India aims to achieve 100 Gigawatts (GW) of nuclear power generation capacity by 2047 to strengthen long-term energy security, with plans to commission five new nuclear reactors within the current decade and further strengthen nuclear infrastructure.

India achieved a significant milestone in Fast Breeder Reactor technology, which was highlighted as an important step towards self-reliance in nuclear fuel and energy security.

₹85,000 crore has been earmarked for deep-sea exploration under the Samudra Manthan initiative, with emphasis on exploring offshore resources and strengthening domestic energy security.

Semiconductor Manufacturing: India has established three major semiconductor facilities, with production already beginning for exports, while 5–8 additional semiconductor plants are expected to commence operations in the coming 7–8 years.

The Prime Minister highlighted the achievements of the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) and various Khelo India initiatives, including the Khelo India Games, University Games, Beach Games and Winter Games, along with sports training, sports medicine and sports nutrition.

10) Answer: C

Short Explanation:

The Tribunals Reforms Bill, 2026 aims to make India’s tribunal system more independent, transparent, efficient and professionally administered, while reducing executive discretion and strengthening accountability.

The Bill proposes to repeal the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2021 and establish a new National Tribunals Commission (NTC) as a permanent institutional mechanism for appointments, performance review and disciplinary oversight of tribunals.

The Bill follows the principles laid down by the Supreme Court in the Madras Bar Association judgments concerning the independence of tribunals and proposes a judiciary-led framework for tribunal administration.

The National Tribunals Commission (NTC) will consist of 1 Chairperson and 4 Members, including 2 Judicial Members and 2 Technical Members.

Detailed Explanation:

The Tribunals Reforms Bill, 2026 aims to make India’s tribunal system more independent, transparent, efficient and professionally administered, while reducing executive discretion and strengthening accountability.

The Bill proposes to repeal the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2021 and establish a new National Tribunals Commission (NTC) as a permanent institutional mechanism for appointments, performance review and disciplinary oversight of tribunals.

The Bill follows the principles laid down by the Supreme Court in the Madras Bar Association judgments concerning the independence of tribunals and proposes a judiciary-led framework for tribunal administration.

The National Tribunals Commission (NTC) will consist of 1 Chairperson and 4 Members, including 2 Judicial Members and 2 Technical Members.

The Chairperson of the NTC must be a former Supreme Court Judge or Chief Justice of a High Court, while the 2 Judicial Members must have served as Chief Justice or Judge of a High Court.

The 2 Technical Members must have at least 25 years of experience in fields such as public administration, finance, law, accountancy, banking, management or technology.

The Central Government will formally appoint the Chairperson and Judicial Members of the NTC after consultation with the Chief Justice of India.

The NTC will conduct selections for Chairpersons and Members of tribunals, monitor tribunal performance, prepare annual reports, supervise inquiries into complaints against tribunal members and maintain the National Tribunals Data Grid containing case-related information of 16 tribunals.

11) Answer: B

Short Explanation:

As part of India’s BRICS Chairship 2026, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) will lead and organise the BRICS Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Track in Pune from 17 to 21 August 2026.

Theme: “Innovate, Cooperate and Transform (ICT) for a Resilient Future.”

The five-day ICT Track will bring together Communications Ministers, senior government officials and ICT experts from BRICS member countries to strengthen cooperation in ICT and promote a secure, inclusive and resilient digital future.

BRICS comprises 11 countries — Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The 7th BRICS Working Group for Cooperation in Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) will be held from 17 to 19 August 2026.

Detailed Explanation:

As part of India’s BRICS Chairship 2026, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) will lead and organise the BRICS Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Track in Pune from 17 to 21 August 2026.

Theme: “Innovate, Cooperate and Transform (ICT) for a Resilient Future.”

The five-day ICT Track will bring together Communications Ministers, senior government officials and ICT experts from BRICS member countries to strengthen cooperation in ICT and promote a secure, inclusive and resilient digital future.

BRICS comprises 11 countries — Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The 7th BRICS Working Group for Cooperation in Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) will be held from 17 to 19 August 2026.

The Working Group will focus on universal, meaningful, affordable, sustainable and resilient connectivity, trusted and secure digital environments, digital skills and capacity development, innovation and startups, Artificial Intelligence (AI), next-generation communications, Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), cybersecurity, child online protection and digital ecosystem cooperation.

The Digital BRICS Forum and Expo will be held on 20 August 2026 in Pune to discuss and showcase cooperation in emerging digital technologies and resilient ICT ecosystems.

The Digital BRICS Forum will include discussions on Cybersecurity and Trustworthy ICTs, Child Online Protection, and Sustainable and Resilient Digital and ICT Ecosystems.

12) Answer: E

Short Explanation:

India became the world’s leading ship recycling nation in 2025, with its global market share increasing from 30.1% in 2024 to 35.4% in 2025.

India’s ship recycling volume increased from 1.86 million Gross Tonnes (GT) in 2024 to 2.99 million GT in 2025, registering nearly 60% growth.

India achieved the Maritime India Vision (MIV) 2030 target of becoming the world’s leading ship recycling nation five years ahead of schedule.

The Alang-Sosiya ship recycling cluster in Gujarat accounts for approximately 98% of India’s ship recycling activity and has an annual recycling capacity of around 6 million GT.

Ship Recycling Act, 2019, Ship Recycling Rules, 2021, and Ship Recycling Regulations, 2026 provide the regulatory framework for safe and environmentally sound ship recycling in India.

The Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping) is the National Authority under the Ship Recycling Act, 2019.

Detailed Explanation:

India became the world’s leading ship recycling nation in 2025, with its global market share increasing from 30.1% in 2024 to 35.4% in 2025.

India’s ship recycling volume increased from 1.86 million Gross Tonnes (GT) in 2024 to 2.99 million GT in 2025, registering nearly 60% growth.

India achieved the Maritime India Vision (MIV) 2030 target of becoming the world’s leading ship recycling nation five years ahead of schedule.

The Alang-Sosiya ship recycling cluster in Gujarat accounts for approximately 98% of India’s ship recycling activity and has an annual recycling capacity of around 6 million GT.

Ship Recycling Act, 2019, Ship Recycling Rules, 2021, and Ship Recycling Regulations, 2026 provide the regulatory framework for safe and environmentally sound ship recycling in India.

The Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping) is the National Authority under the Ship Recycling Act, 2019.

The Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships (HKC) came into force on 26 June 2025.

India provided ₹53.5 crore financial assistance for modernisation of ship recycling yards, helping 115 facilities achieve compliance with the Hong Kong Convention.

35 ship recycling yards at Alang, Gujarat, have applied for European Union (EU) green-listing, with the EU initiating the inspection process.

Shree Ram Vessel Scrap and Y. S. Investments have been included in the draft 16th European List of Ship Recycling Facilities.

13) Answer: B

Short Explanation:

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications, Government of India facilitated the selection of three Indian Sanchar Mitras (youth volunteers) as Generation Connect Youth Envoys (GCYE) of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) for the 2026–2030 period.

The three Indian youth selected for the third cohort of ITU Generation Connect Youth Envoys are Ankit Kumar Pal from Delhi, Manish Kumar Mandal from Bengaluru and Susmita Sain from Guwahati.

Their selection recognises their contributions under the Sanchar Mitra Scheme and reflects the growing role of Indian youth in shaping the global digital future.

The announcement coincided with International Youth Day 2026, celebrated under the theme “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations”.

Detailed Explanation:

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications, Government of India facilitated the selection of three Indian Sanchar Mitras (youth volunteers) as Generation Connect Youth Envoys (GCYE) of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) for the 2026–2030 period.

The three Indian youth selected for the third cohort of ITU Generation Connect Youth Envoys are Ankit Kumar Pal from Delhi, Manish Kumar Mandal from Bengaluru and Susmita Sain from Guwahati.

Their selection recognises their contributions under the Sanchar Mitra Scheme and reflects the growing role of Indian youth in shaping the global digital future.

The announcement coincided with International Youth Day 2026, celebrated under the theme “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations”.

The Generation Connect Youth Envoys (GCYE) Programme provides young people opportunities to participate in national, regional and global discussions and initiatives related to Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), digital transformation and inclusive digital development.

The Sanchar Mitra Scheme of the Department of Telecommunications aligns with the Generation Connect programme by engaging youth in telecom and digital initiatives and providing exposure to national and international platforms, including the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

14) Answer: A

Short Explanation:

The Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) is implementing the National Beekeeping and Honey Mission (NBHM) as a Central Sector Scheme through the National Bee Board (NBB).

The main objectives of NBHM are to promote scientific beekeeping, ensure the holistic growth of the beekeeping industry, increase the production of honey and beehive products, generate income and employment, provide livelihood support to farm and non-farm households, promote women empowerment through beekeeping, strengthen beekeepers through an institutional framework based on a collective approach and enhance agricultural and horticultural production.

Under NBHM, project-based assistance is provided to eligible Implementing Agencies (IAs) through Central and State Nodal Agencies for various beekeeping-related activities.

Detailed Explanation:

The Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) is implementing the National Beekeeping and Honey Mission (NBHM) as a Central Sector Scheme through the National Bee Board (NBB).

The main objectives of NBHM are to promote scientific beekeeping, ensure the holistic growth of the beekeeping industry, increase the production of honey and beehive products, generate income and employment, provide livelihood support to farm and non-farm households, promote women empowerment through beekeeping, strengthen beekeepers through an institutional framework based on a collective approach and enhance agricultural and horticultural production.

Under NBHM, project-based assistance is provided to eligible Implementing Agencies (IAs) through Central and State Nodal Agencies for various beekeeping-related activities.

The scheme supports the establishment of Integrated Beekeeping Development Centres, honey testing laboratories, bee disease diagnostic laboratories and Quality Nucleus Stock Development Centres, along with capacity building, technology demonstration and women empowerment through beekeeping.

NBHM also supports marketing, branding, value addition and Research and Development (R&D) in the beekeeping sector.

NBHM supplements the efforts of State Governments, Implementing Agencies and stakeholder organisations to increase honey production, promote scientific beekeeping and enhance agricultural productivity through a project-based approach.

 

15) Answer: D

Short Explanation:

The Gujarat Government has decided to establish 4 new Centres of Excellence (CoEs) to provide advanced training and guidance to farmers in horticulture.

The 4 new Centres of Excellence will be established in Amreli, Dahod, Banaskantha and Gandhinagar districts with a total investment of ₹40 crore.

With the establishment of these 4 new centres, the total number of Centres of Excellence operationalised by the Horticulture Department in Gujarat will increase to 17.

Detailed Explanation:

The Gujarat Government has decided to establish 4 new Centres of Excellence (CoEs) to provide advanced training and guidance to farmers in horticulture.

The 4 new Centres of Excellence will be established in Amreli, Dahod, Banaskantha and Gandhinagar districts with a total investment of ₹40 crore.

The initiative aims to promote modern methods of horticultural crop cultivation to meet the growing demand for horticultural products.

The Centres of Excellence will organise training programmes and practical demonstrations on modern horticultural techniques for farmers.

With the establishment of these 4 new centres, the total number of Centres of Excellence operationalised by the Horticulture Department in Gujarat will increase to 17.

The centres will provide modern facilities including technology-based demonstrations for vegetable, fruit and spice crops, modern nurseries, crop nurseries, conservation farming demonstrations, training centres, micro-irrigation systems, water-harvesting structures, integrated pack houses and storage systems.

Raghavji Patel, Gujarat’s Agriculture Minister, announced the decision and stated that the initiative will help farmers adopt modern horticultural practices

 

16) Answer: B

Short Explanation:

Tripura’s Dergang Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO) has exported 1 metric tonne of mustard honey to Dubai, marking the first-ever international shipment of mustard honey from the region.

The export was facilitated by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

The shipment marks a significant milestone for Dergang FPO and local beekeepers by creating opportunities to access international markets.

Detailed Explanation:

Tripura’s Dergang Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO) has exported 1 metric tonne of mustard honey to Dubai, marking the first-ever international shipment of mustard honey from the region.

The export was facilitated by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

The shipment marks a significant milestone for Dergang FPO and local beekeepers by creating opportunities to access international markets.

The export is expected to provide local beekeepers and farmers with better access to international buyers and improved price-realisation opportunities.

The initiative is expected to open new avenues for diversification of Tripura’s honey value chain and strengthen the state’s apiculture sector.

The export is expected to encourage farmers and Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) to adopt organised production and export-oriented practices.

The initiative will encourage greater focus on quality standards, value addition and export-quality honey production among farmers and FPOs.

17) Answer: D

Short Explanation:

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has revived the Su-30MKI fighter aircraft production line at its Nashik facility in Maharashtra for the Indian Air Force (IAF).

HAL plans to manufacture 12 new Su-30MKI fighter aircraft, with deliveries scheduled up to 2029, and the first aircraft is expected in 2027–2028.

The contract value has been reported at around ₹11,000 crore, while some reports have cited the value as ₹13,500 crore.

The new Su-30MKI aircraft are expected to have around 50% to 62.6% indigenous content, strengthening India’s Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat objectives.

HAL’s Nashik division had previously manufactured 222 Su-30MKI aircraft under licence from Russia.

Detailed Explanation:

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has revived the Su-30MKI fighter aircraft production line at its Nashik facility in Maharashtra for the Indian Air Force (IAF).

HAL plans to manufacture 12 new Su-30MKI fighter aircraft, with deliveries scheduled up to 2029, and the first aircraft is expected in 2027–2028.

The order for the 12 additional Su-30MKI aircraft was signed in December 2024 to replace Su-30MKI aircraft lost in accidents.

The contract value has been reported at around ₹11,000 crore, while some reports have cited the value as ₹13,500 crore.

The new Su-30MKI aircraft are expected to have around 50% to 62.6% indigenous content, strengthening India’s Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat objectives.

The Su-30MKI is a twin-engine, multirole fighter aircraft operated by the Indian Air Force and was developed under a licence-production arrangement with Russia.

HAL has been involved in the assembly and production of Su-30MKI aircraft in India under the licence-production arrangement with Russia.

HAL’s Nashik division had previously manufactured 222 Su-30MKI aircraft under licence from Russia.

The Nashik production line was later paused, as the facility shifted its focus towards aircraft repair and maintenance activities and production of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas.

18) Answer: C

Short Explanation:

Jinnah-1 is Pakistan’s first-ever planned lunar rover and has been named by the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO).

Jinnah-1 is planned to launch in 2029 aboard China’s Chang’e-8 mission and will explore the Moon’s south polar region.

SUPARCO is Pakistan’s national space agency, established in 1961, and it works in satellite development, space science and remote sensing.

SUPARCO also represents Pakistan in civil space cooperation with other countries.

The name Jinnah-1 honours Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who founded Pakistan in 1947.

Chang’e-8 is a Chinese lunar mission under the broader Chang’e programme, which focuses on China’s robotic exploration of the Moon.

Detailed Explanation:

Jinnah-1 is Pakistan’s first-ever planned lunar rover and has been named by the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO).

Jinnah-1 is planned to launch in 2029 aboard China’s Chang’e-8 mission and will explore the Moon’s south polar region.

SUPARCO is Pakistan’s national space agency, established in 1961, and it works in satellite development, space science and remote sensing.

SUPARCO also represents Pakistan in civil space cooperation with other countries.

The name Jinnah-1 honours Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who founded Pakistan in 1947.

The name Jinnah-1 was selected through a nationwide public naming competition that received more than 4,000 proposals/submissions.

Seven participants proposed the name “Jinnah-1”, and the final winner was selected through a lucky draw.

Tayyab Karim, a 17-year-old from Bahawalnagar, won the naming competition by proposing Jinnah-1 and received a cash prize of Rs 100,000.

According to the SUPARCO Chairman, the name Jinnah-1 pays tribute to Muhammad Jinnah and symbolises Pakistan’s resolve, progress and new space horizons.

Chang’e-8 is a Chinese lunar mission under the broader Chang’e programme, which focuses on China’s robotic exploration of the Moon.

 

19) Answer: B

Short Explanation:

Meta has released Muse Glimmer, a new 30-billion-parameter open-weight AI model designed to perform advanced agentic tasks directly on consumer devices such as laptops and personal computers.

Muse Glimmer differs from traditional AI models because it is designed not only to generate responses to prompts, but also to plan and execute multi-step tasks.

The model can use developer-approved tools, verify the results of its actions, and recover from failed steps, making it suitable for agentic AI applications.

Muse Glimmer is designed to operate within a 24–32 GB memory range, enabling it to run on certain consumer-grade computing devices.

Detailed Explanation:

Meta has released Muse Glimmer, a new 30-billion-parameter open-weight AI model designed to perform advanced agentic tasks directly on consumer devices such as laptops and personal computers.

Muse Glimmer differs from traditional AI models because it is designed not only to generate responses to prompts, but also to plan and execute multi-step tasks.

The model can use developer-approved tools, verify the results of its actions, and recover from failed steps, making it suitable for agentic AI applications.

Muse Glimmer is designed to operate within a 24–32 GB memory range, enabling it to run on certain consumer-grade computing devices.

The model can operate on Apple Mac computers powered by M4 or M5 chips and systems equipped with Nvidia RTX 5090 graphics cards.

The release is significant because open-weight AI models can be downloaded, customised and operated locally by users and developers.

Local operation of open-weight models could potentially reduce dependence on expensive cloud-based AI services and provide greater flexibility for AI deployment.

20) Answer: C

Short Explanation:

Astronomers have proposed a new class of cosmic object called a “black hole star” (BH), according to a study published in Nature.

The newly identified object, MoM-BH-1, was detected by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) during the Mirage or Miracle of MoM survey.

MoM-BH-1 existed less than 660 million years after the Big Bang, making it an extremely distant object from the early universe.

A black hole star is a proposed early-universe cosmic object consisting of a central black hole surrounded by a dense envelope of hydrogen and helium gas.

Unlike ordinary stars, which generate energy mainly through nuclear fusion in their cores, a black hole star is proposed to be powered by its central black hole.

MoM-BH-1 is described as the most distant black hole star identified so far.

The object is approximately the size of the Solar System and contains a central black hole with a mass of about 100,000 times the mass of the Sun.

Detailed Explanation:

Astronomers have proposed a new class of cosmic object called a “black hole star” (BH), according to a study published in Nature.

The newly identified object, MoM-BH-1, was detected by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) during the Mirage or Miracle of MoM survey.

MoM-BH-1 existed less than 660 million years after the Big Bang, making it an extremely distant object from the early universe.

A black hole star is a proposed early-universe cosmic object consisting of a central black hole surrounded by a dense envelope of hydrogen and helium gas.

Unlike ordinary stars, which generate energy mainly through nuclear fusion in their cores, a black hole star is proposed to be powered by its central black hole.

MoM-BH-1 is described as the most distant black hole star identified so far.

The object is approximately the size of the Solar System and contains a central black hole with a mass of about 100,000 times the mass of the Sun.

MoM-BH-1 appears to exist without a surrounding galaxy, making it significant for understanding the formation of early cosmic structures.

The discovery is connected with “Little Red Dots” (LRDs), which are compact, red and high-redshift objects observed in the early universe.

MoM-BH-1 exhibits a deep Balmer break, which is a sharp decrease in brightness at particular wavelengths associated with hydrogen absorption.

Observations indicate that MoM-BH-1 has an energy output approximately 100 billion times greater than that of any known star.

21) Answer: C

Short Explanation:

Leonardo DiCaprio’s conservation organisation Re:wild and the Bezos Earth Fund, led by Jeff Bezos, have launched the Phoenix Species Project.

The Phoenix Species Project has received a commitment of $200 million to support the recovery and conservation of 100 of the world’s most threatened species.

The programme aims to strengthen existing local conservation efforts by providing long-term funding, rather than replacing ongoing conservation initiatives.

Detailed Explanation:

Leonardo DiCaprio’s conservation organisation Re:wild and the Bezos Earth Fund, led by Jeff Bezos, have launched the Phoenix Species Project.

The Phoenix Species Project has received a commitment of $200 million to support the recovery and conservation of 100 of the world’s most threatened species.

The programme aims to strengthen existing local conservation efforts by providing long-term funding, rather than replacing ongoing conservation initiatives.

The project will provide scientific and technical support to help conservation organisations improve the protection and recovery of threatened species.

Major measures under the initiative include habitat protection, population monitoring and other conservation actions required to prevent critically endangered species from becoming extinct.

The Phoenix Species Project covers a diverse range of threatened animals from different parts of the world, making it a global conservation initiative.

The golden-crowned sifaka, a threatened species found in Madagascar, is among the animals selected for support under the project.

 

22) Answer: A

Short Explanation:

The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) is expected to launch E-PRAAPTI by the end of August 2026 to help subscribers trace, link and claim money lying in old or inactive Provident Fund (PF) accounts.

E-PRAAPTI stands for “EPF Aadhaar-Based Access Portal for Tracking Inoperative Accounts” and was announced by Union Labour and Employment Minister Mansukh Mandaviya in April 2026.

Detailed Explanation:

The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) is expected to launch E-PRAAPTI by the end of August 2026 to help subscribers trace, link and claim money lying in old or inactive Provident Fund (PF) accounts.

E-PRAAPTI stands for “EPF Aadhaar-Based Access Portal for Tracking Inoperative Accounts” and was announced by Union Labour and Employment Minister Mansukh Mandaviya in April 2026.

The E-PRAAPTI platform is designed as a dedicated digital platform for the identification, tracking, UAN linking and activation of old EPF accounts.

The platform is expected to use Aadhaar-based authentication to help members securely identify old PF accounts that are not linked to a Universal Account Number (UAN).

Through E-PRAAPTI, members will be able to update their profile details, link old accounts with UAN, activate eligible accounts and access eligible PF funds with reduced paperwork.

 

23) Answer: B

About EPFO:

Under: Ministry of Labour & Employment, Government of India.

Key Purpose: Manages Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF), Pension (EPS), and Insurance (EDLI) for salaried employees.

CEO: Ramesh Krishnamurthi

Headquarters: New Delhi

 

24) Answer: A

The National Tribunals Data Grid will serve as a central repository of case-related information relating to the tribunals covered under the Bill.

The term of the NTC Chairperson and Members will be 5 years or until attaining 70 years of age, whichever is earlier.

A Tribunal Member will hold office for 5 years or until attaining 67 years of age, whichever is earlier.

The Bill permits reappointment, with the candidate’s previous service and performance taken into consideration.

25) Answer: D

The e-Zero FIR system has been introduced by the Gujarat Government to facilitate cyber financial fraud complaints without the need for the victims to visit a police station. Honorable This system was launched on 27th July 2026, by Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi in Gandhinagar, and it aims to enable quick investigations, enhance the possibility of to recovering the amount that was defrauded, and ease the reporting of cybercrime cases.