Dear Readers, Daily Current Affairs Questions Quiz for SBI, IBPS, RBI, RRB, SSC Exam 2026 of  19th 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) Recently in news, which private sector bank received its first international investment-grade issuer credit rating from S&P Global Ratings?

(a) Bandhan Bank

(b) IndusInd Bank

(c) IDFC FIRST Bank

(d) Yes Bank

(e) RBL Bank

2) Recently in news, which bank launched the Onam campaign titled “Onam Orumayude Olam”?

(a) Federal Bank

(b) South Indian Bank

(c) Kerala Gramin Bank

(d) Canara Bank

(e) Bank of Baroda

3) Recently in news, Punjab National Bank (PNB) signed a three-year agreement with which company to create a dedicated digital rewards and offers platform for its credit card customers?

(a) Pine Labs

(b) Razorpay

(c) Paytm

(d) PhonePe

(e) GYFTR Ltd

4) Recently in news, Bajaj General Insurance launched “ProShield” for which group of people?

(a) Senior citizens

(b) Defence personnel

(c) Students

(d) Farmers

(e) Government teachers

5) Recently in news, Paramotor Digital Technology Limited partnered with which bank to issue co-branded prepaid cards across India?

(a) India Post Payments Bank

(b) Airtel Payments Bank

(c) NSDL Payments Bank

(d) Fino Payments Bank

(e) Paytm Payments Bank

 

6) Recently in news, Karnataka Bank launched “KBL Finsurance,” a digital portal powered by which fintech company?

(a) Razorpay

(b) Pine Labs

(c) Perfios

(d) MobiKwik

(e) SprintMoney

7) Recently in news, Eri silk, locally known as “Ryndia,” is an important traditional textile of which state?

(a) Meghalaya

(b) Sikkim

(c) Assam

(d) Arunachal Pradesh

(e) Manipur

8) Recently in news, which State became the 36th State/Union Territory to implement Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), completing its nationwide rollout?

(a) Odisha

(b) Bihar

(c) West Bengal

(d) Jharkhand

(e) Punjab

9) Recently in news, which organisation released the report titled “India’s Services Sector: Insights on Regulatory Regime in Professional Services”?

(a) Ministry of Commerce and Industry

(b) NITI Aayog

(c) Reserve Bank of India

(d) Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation

(e) Confederation of Indian Industry

 

10) Recently in news, consider the following statements regarding the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM):

1. Jal Jeevan Mission was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 15 August 2019.
2. The mission aims to provide every rural household with a Functional Household Tap Connection (FHTC).
3. JJM aims to provide drinking water at 55 litres per capita per day (lpcd).

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) Only 1

(b) Only 2

(c) Only 1 and 2

(d) All the above

(e) None of the above

 

11) Recently in news, the Desert Zoological Park and Night Safari were approved by the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) in which state?

(a) Rajasthan

(b) Gujarat

(c) Madhya Pradesh

(d) Maharashtra

(e) Haryana

12) Recently in news, India launched its first-ever “Guide to Grasslands and Other Open Natural Ecosystems of India” at which event?

(a) COP16 of UNCCD, Riyadh

(b) COP17 of UNCCD, Ulaanbaatar

(c) COP30 of UNFCCC, Belém

(d) CBD COP17, Colombia

(e) World Environment Conference, New Delhi

13) Recently in news, India Strengthens Semiconductor and Artificial Intelligence (AI) Ecosystem to Build Technological Self-Reliance. How many chips had been taped out by 75 institutions by April 2026?

(a) 150

(b) 175

(c) 200

(d) 211

(e) 250

 

14) Recently in news, the world’s Europe’s tallest monument dedicated to the Virgin Mary was unveiled in which country?

(a) Italy

(b) Portugal

(c) Spain

(d) France

(e) Poland

 

15) Recently in news, General Dhiraj Seth was conferred which honorary rank by the President of Nepal?

(a) Honorary Field Marshal of the Nepal Army

(b) Honorary General of the Nepal Army

(c) Honorary Marshal of the Nepal Army

(d) Honorary Lieutenant General of the Nepal Army

(e) Honorary Commander of the Nepal Army

16) Recently in news, how many sportspersons were selected for the Arjuna Award 2025 for outstanding performance in Sports and Games?

(a) 10

(b) 12

(c) 15

(d) 17

(e) 20

17) Recently in news, the Ministry of Defence signed contracts worth approximately ₹1,577 crore with which companies for the procurement of Loiter Munition Systems for the Indian Army?

(a) HAL and BEL

(b) Tata Advanced Systems Limited and NIBE Private Limited

(c) BHEL and Bharat Dynamics Limited

(d) L&T and Mahindra Defence

(e) DRDO and Bharat Electronics Limited

18) Recently in news, who has been appointed as the new Chairperson of Airtel Payments Bank for a three-year term starting from 1 October 2026?

(a) Sunil Bharti Mittal

(b) Shabnam Sinha

(c) Gopal Vittal

(d) Rajesh Sud

(e) Rakesh Sharma

 

19) Recently in news, Divyastra Mk3, described as India’s first indigenous jet-powered loitering munition, was developed by which company?

(a) Kawa UAV Pvt. Ltd. (HoverIt)

(b) Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)

(c) Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL)

(d) Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL)

(e) Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL)

 

20) Recently in news, which Union Territories became the first in India to operationalise food subsidy transfers under PMGKAY through CBDC wallets?

(a) Delhi and Puducherry

(b) Chandigarh and Dadra & Nagar Haveli

(c) Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh

(d) Lakshadweep and Andaman & Nicobar Islands

(e) Chandigarh and Puducherry

 

21) Recently in news, the CBDC-based food subsidy initiative under PMGKAY was first launched as a pilot in which state on 15 February 2026?

(a) Maharashtra

(b) Rajasthan

(c) Puducherry

(d) Kerala

(e) Gujarat

 

22) Recently in news, which organisation launched “Cyber Kushti 2026”, a national-level Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence (AI) Hackathon?

(a) CERT-In

(b) National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT)

(c) Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)

(d) National Informatics Centre (NIC)

(e) Indian Computer Emergency Response Team

23) Recently in news, SpaceX set a company record for the shortest gap between two Falcon 9 launches. What was the time gap between the two launches?

(a) 25.5 minutes

(b) 30.5 minutes

(c) 38.5 minutes

(d) 45.5 minutes

(e) 50.5 minutes

24) Recently in news, which organisation developed the RSVC-AMRIT platform in collaboration with the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (OPSA)?

(a) NITI Aayog

(b) DRDO

(c) SIDBI

(d) NABARD

(e) National Informatics Centre (NIC)

25) Recently in news, which Indian company became the first to secure S400 approval from GE Aerospace?

(a) Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)

(b) Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL)

(c) Mishra Dhatu Nigam Limited (MIDHANI)

(d) Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL)

(e) Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL)

26) Recently in news, who won the Esports World Cup (EWC) Chess Championship for the second consecutive year?

(a) Hikaru Nakamura

(b) Denis Lazavik

(c) Alireza Firouzja

(d) Magnus Carlsen

(e) Fabiano Caruana

27) Recently in news, who won the Open Blitz title at the Asian Junior Chess Championship 2026?

(a) Vignesh Vermula

(b) Nandish V S

(c) Sharnarthi Viresh

(d) Akshay Borganokar

(e) Madhavendra Pratap Sharma

28) Recently in news, Chandrashekhar Y. Shilpi, who passed away at the age of 75, was renowned for his expertise in which traditional art form?

(a) Madhubani Painting

(b) Traditional Sculpture

(c) Pattachitra

(d) Kalamkari

(e) Phad Painting

 

29) The currency of Mongolia is_________

(a) Yen

(b) Won

(c) Tögrög

(d) Ruble

(e) Taka

 

30) What is the tagline of Punjab National Bank (PNB)?

(a) Banking for All

(b) The Name You Can Bank Upon

(c) Your Right Partner

(d) Good People to Bank With

(e) India's International Bank

Answers:

1) Answer: C

Short Explanation:

S&P Global Ratings has assigned IDFC FIRST Bank its first international investment-grade issuer credit ratings, marking an important milestone for the bank.

The bank has received a BBB- long-term issuer credit rating and an A-3 short-term issuer credit rating from S&P Global Ratings.

The outlook on the long-term rating is Stable, indicating that S&P expects the bank’s credit profile to remain broadly stable.

Detailed Explanation:

S&P Global Ratings has assigned IDFC FIRST Bank its first international investment-grade issuer credit ratings, marking an important milestone for the bank.

The bank has received a BBB- long-term issuer credit rating and an A-3 short-term issuer credit rating from S&P Global Ratings.

The outlook on the long-term rating is Stable, indicating that S&P expects the bank’s credit profile to remain broadly stable.

The BBB- rating is the lowest investment-grade rating, signifying improved confidence in IDFC FIRST Bank’s creditworthiness.

The new international investment-grade rating could support IDFC FIRST Bank’s business expansion plans and strengthen its position among India’s private-sector lenders.

2) Answer: B

Short Explanation:

South Indian Bank has launched its Onam campaign titled “Onam Orumayude Olam”, celebrating Kerala’s spirit of togetherness and the collective effort to preserve the state’s rich cultural traditions.

The campaign features a 90-second film that highlights the importance of community participation in preserving Kerala’s traditional heritage.

The film narrates the story of a group of youngsters who come together through community crowdfunding to restore a forgotten Chundan Vallam, the traditional snake boat associated with Kerala’s famous boat-racing culture.

Detailed Explanation:

South Indian Bank has launched its Onam campaign titled “Onam Orumayude Olam”, celebrating Kerala’s spirit of togetherness and the collective effort to preserve the state’s rich cultural traditions.

The campaign features a 90-second film that highlights the importance of community participation in preserving Kerala’s traditional heritage.

The film narrates the story of a group of youngsters who come together through community crowdfunding to restore a forgotten Chundan Vallam, the traditional snake boat associated with Kerala’s famous boat-racing culture.

The restoration of the Chundan Vallam inspires veteran oarsmen to return to the waters, highlighting the connection between younger generations and traditional cultural practices.

The boat featured in the film is also being restored as part of the Onam campaign.

The campaign film was directed by Martin Prakkat and scripted by Sarat Prakash, and it features actor Kiran Peethambaran.

3) Answer: E

Short Explanation:

Punjab National Bank (PNB) has signed a three-year agreement with GYFTR Ltd to create a dedicated digital rewards and offers platform for its credit card customers.

Under the partnership, GYFTR Ltd will design, build and operate a white-label digital platform carrying PNB’s branding for eligible credit card holders.

The platform will allow eligible PNB credit card customers to access curated offers from participating consumer brands, providing additional benefits beyond regular credit card transactions.

The digital platform will provide offers across categories such as shopping, food delivery, entertainment, dining and travel.

Detailed Explanation:

Punjab National Bank (PNB) has signed a three-year agreement with GYFTR Ltd to create a dedicated digital rewards and offers platform for its credit card customers.

Under the partnership, GYFTR Ltd will design, build and operate a white-label digital platform carrying PNB’s branding for eligible credit card holders.

The platform will allow eligible PNB credit card customers to access curated offers from participating consumer brands, providing additional benefits beyond regular credit card transactions.

The digital platform will provide offers across categories such as shopping, food delivery, entertainment, dining and travel.

The provisionally listed brands on the platform include Amazon Prime, Swiggy One, SonyLIV, Starbucks, Domino’s, Myntra, Bata and PVR.

The offer catalogue will be updated periodically in consultation with PNB, according to the companies’ announcement.

GYFTR will provide the underlying technology, payment infrastructure and merchant integrations required to operate the platform.

GYFTR will manage the complete customer journey, starting from the PNB-branded digital interface through to offer redemption at participating brand outlets and websites.

4) Answer: B

Short Explanation:

Bajaj General Insurance has launched ProShield, a packaged motor insurance solution specially designed to meet the unique insurance needs of defence personnel.

ProShield is aimed at military personnel who frequently face relocations, operational commitments and extended separation from their families due to the nature of their service.

One of the key features of ProShield is Vehicle Relocation Protection, which provides protection when defence personnel relocate their vehicles due to duty-related transfers.

Detailed Explanation:

Bajaj General Insurance has launched ProShield, a packaged motor insurance solution specially designed to meet the unique insurance needs of defence personnel.

ProShield is aimed at military personnel who frequently face relocations, operational commitments and extended separation from their families due to the nature of their service.

One of the key features of ProShield is Vehicle Relocation Protection, which provides protection when defence personnel relocate their vehicles due to duty-related transfers.

ProShield also offers Travel Emergency Protection, which provides reimbursement for missed flight and hotel accommodation expenses arising from a vehicle accident while travelling to the airport, subject to policy terms and conditions.

Document Loss Protection under ProShield provides financial assistance for the replacement of essential vehicle documents, including the Driving Licence and Registration Certificate, for the insured person and their spouse.

 

5) Answer: C

Solution:

Short Explanation:

Paramotor Digital Technology Limited has entered into a co-branded partnership agreement with NSDL Payments Bank to issue prepaid cards across India.

The partnership will support Paramotor’s digital platforms, including SpendPro for consumer spend management, Yayyy.shop for digital gifting, and RewardOn for rewards and loyalty programmes.

Detailed Explanation:

Paramotor Digital Technology Limited has entered into a co-branded partnership agreement with NSDL Payments Bank to issue prepaid cards across India.

The partnership will support Paramotor’s digital platforms, including SpendPro for consumer spend management, Yayyy.shop for digital gifting, and RewardOn for rewards and loyalty programmes.

The collaboration will enable Paramotor to offer industry-specific prepaid card programmes for enterprises and consumers across various use cases.

The partnership will leverage NSDL Payments Bank’s prepaid card issuance services and banking infrastructure to provide secure and RBI-compliant prepaid payment solutions across payment networks.

6) Answer: E

Karnataka Bank has launched “KBL Finsurance”, a comprehensive digital insurance portal designed to streamline the creation, tracking and monitoring of insurance business leads across its branch network.

KBL Finsurance empowers branch personnel with real-time capabilities to generate and track insurance leads and monitor the status of insurance policies.

The portal also enables branch staff to access Business Management Information System (MIS) reports, helping them monitor and manage insurance business more efficiently.

The digital platform is powered by SprintMoney, a fintech company that provides white-labelled digital solutions to banks and financial institutions.

Karnataka Bank has partnered with SprintMoney (Wildflower Business Services Pvt Ltd) to enable seamless integration between the bank and its partner insurance companies through the KBL Finsurance platform.

The KBL Finsurance platform facilitates the integration of Karnataka Bank with its tied-up insurance companies, creating a unified digital channel for insurance business management.

7) Answer: A

Short Explanation:

Meghalaya concluded its celebration of the 12th National Handloom Day at Risai, Integrated Textiles Tourism Complex (ITTC), Nongpoh, Ri-Bhoi district.

Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma inaugurated a Centre of Excellence for weaving and handloom-related activities.

The Centre of Excellence aims to preserve and pass on the traditional skill of Eri silk weaving to future generations while promoting skill development, innovation and sustainable growth in the handloom sector.

Eri silk, locally known as Ryndia, is one of Meghalaya’s important traditional textiles and reflects the state’s indigenous cultural identity and heritage.

Detailed Explanation:

Meghalaya concluded its celebration of the 12th National Handloom Day at Risai, Integrated Textiles Tourism Complex (ITTC), Nongpoh, Ri-Bhoi district.

Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma inaugurated a Centre of Excellence for weaving and handloom-related activities.

The Centre of Excellence aims to preserve and pass on the traditional skill of Eri silk weaving to future generations while promoting skill development, innovation and sustainable growth in the handloom sector.

Eri silk, locally known as Ryndia, is one of Meghalaya’s important traditional textiles and reflects the state’s indigenous cultural identity and heritage.

Eri silk is known for its handwoven nature, distinctive colours, patterns and designs, with each textile reflecting the craftsmanship and traditions of local communities.

An exhibition of handloom products created by weavers from different parts of Meghalaya was also inaugurated during the celebration.

The event highlighted the contribution of Meghalaya’s handloom weavers and artisans in preserving the state’s traditional textile heritage and promoting it to a wider audience.

8) Answer: C

Short Explanation:

West Bengal became the 36th State/Union Territory to implement Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), completing the nationwide rollout of the scheme.

The implementation follows the decision of the Suvendu Adhikari-led West Bengal Government to join AB PM-JAY. Suvendu Adhikari is the Chief Minister of West Bengal since May 2026.

Around 1.5 crore families in West Bengal are expected to benefit from the scheme, which provides cashless health coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year for eligible beneficiaries.

Detailed Explanation:

West Bengal became the 36th State/Union Territory to implement Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), completing the nationwide rollout of the scheme.

The implementation follows the decision of the Suvendu Adhikari-led West Bengal Government to join AB PM-JAY. Suvendu Adhikari is the Chief Minister of West Bengal since May 2026.

Around 1.5 crore families in West Bengal are expected to benefit from the scheme, which provides cashless health coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year for eligible beneficiaries.

Ayushman Bharat cards will be issued free of cost to eligible family members.

Under the scheme, 1,307 private hospitals and 627 government hospitals in West Bengal will provide cashless treatment to beneficiaries.

The scheme covers hospitalisation expenses from 3 days before admission to 15 days after discharge.

9) Answer: B

Short Explanation:

NITI Aayog released its latest report titled “India’s Services Sector: Insights on Regulatory Regime in Professional Services” , examining India’s regulatory framework for professional services and identifying opportunities to strengthen the sector’s contribution to exports, employment and economic growth.

The report was launched by Ashok Kumar Lahiri, Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog, at the forum of the High-Powered ‘Education to Employment and Enterprise’ Standing Committee.

Nidhi Chhibber, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), NITI Aayog, and Dr Saurabh Garg, Secretary, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), were present at the launch.

Detailed Explanation:

NITI Aayog released its latest report titled “India’s Services Sector: Insights on Regulatory Regime in Professional Services” , examining India’s regulatory framework for professional services and identifying opportunities to strengthen the sector’s contribution to exports, employment and economic growth.

The report was launched by Ashok Kumar Lahiri, Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog, at the forum of the High-Powered ‘Education to Employment and Enterprise’ Standing Committee.

Nidhi Chhibber, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), NITI Aayog, and Dr Saurabh Garg, Secretary, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), were present at the launch.

The report provides a factual and comparative assessment of India’s regulatory framework for professional services and benchmarks it against selected foreign jurisdictions.

It is based on extensive stakeholder consultations involving Union ministries and departments, State Governments, industry associations, experts and academics.

Professional services account for nearly one-fourth of India’s total services exports, highlighting their importance to India’s external sector, economic growth and global services competitiveness.

Professional services are largely high-value and knowledge-intensive activities such as consulting, legal services, accounting, financial services, architecture, engineering and other specialised services.

The sector contributes to employment generation, entrepreneurship, innovation and remittance inflows, while also supporting other sectors through specialised expertise.

10) Answer: D

Short Explanation:

Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), the flagship rural drinking water programme of the Government of India, was launched by PM Narendra Modi on 15 August 2019 with the objective of providing every rural household with safe and adequate drinking water through a Functional Household Tap Connection (FHTC) on a regular and long-term basis.

JJM aims to provide drinking water in adequate quantity of 55 litres per capita per day (lpcd) and prescribed quality as per Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS): 10500, on a regular and long-term basis.

Detailed Explanation:

Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), the flagship rural drinking water programme of the Government of India, was launched by PM Narendra Modi on 15 August 2019 with the objective of providing every rural household with safe and adequate drinking water through a Functional Household Tap Connection (FHTC) on a regular and long-term basis.

At the time of its launch, only 3.23 crore rural households (16.72%) had tap water connections. As of 2026, more than 15.91 crore rural households (82.24%) have tap water supply.

Since the launch of JJM, more than 12.68 crore additional rural households have been provided with tap water connections, significantly improving access to safe drinking water in rural India.

A total of 188 districts, 1,090 blocks, 1.01 lakh Gram Panchayats and 2.04 lakh villages have been certified as Har Ghar Jal (HGJ).

The Mission has also provided tap water connections to 9.34 lakh schools (90.86%) and 9.73 lakh Anganwadi centres (86.21%), strengthening access to safe drinking water for children.

JJM aims to provide drinking water in adequate quantity of 55 litres per capita per day (lpcd) and prescribed quality as per Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS): 10500, on a regular and long-term basis.

Jal Jeevan Mission marked a paradigm shift from habitation-level coverage to household-level service delivery, focusing on Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTCs), service quality and sustainability.

 

11) Answer: B

Short Explanation:

Gujarat has received approval for the Desert Zoological Park and Night Safari at Juna Deesa in Banaskantha district, marking a major addition to the state’s wildlife and eco-tourism infrastructure.

The Central Zoo Authority (CZA) approved the project on 12 August 2026 under the Gujarat Forest Department.

The project will be developed over approximately 103 hectares of contiguous government land and is planned as Asia’s first desert-themed drive-through night safari.

Detailed Explanation:

Gujarat has received approval for the Desert Zoological Park and Night Safari at Juna Deesa in Banaskantha district, marking a major addition to the state’s wildlife and eco-tourism infrastructure.

The Central Zoo Authority (CZA) approved the project on 12 August 2026 under the Gujarat Forest Department.

The project will be developed over approximately 103 hectares of contiguous government land and is planned as Asia’s first desert-themed drive-through night safari.

The estimated project cost is ₹542.14 crore and the facility is expected to house around 2,700 animals and birds belonging to nearly 83 species.

The proposed layout includes a separate day zoo and 5 dedicated night safari enclosures, allowing visitors to observe nocturnal wildlife after sunset under controlled conditions.

The planned animal collection will include Indian species such as chinkara, blackbuck and Indian wild ass, along with African species such as cheetah, giraffe and zebra and Australian species such as kangaroo and emu.

12) Answer: B

Short Explanation:

India launched its first-ever “Guide to Grasslands and Other Open Natural Ecosystems of India” at the 17th Session of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) Conference of the Parties (COP17) in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

The Guide highlights the diversity, ecological significance and socio-economic importance of India’s grasslands, savannas, deserts and other Open Natural Ecosystems (ONEs).

Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav stated that the Guide is an important step towards recognising India’s open natural ecosystems and called for their science-based conservation alongside forests.

Detailed Explanation:

India launched its first-ever “Guide to Grasslands and Other Open Natural Ecosystems of India” at the 17th Session of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) Conference of the Parties (COP17) in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

The Guide highlights the diversity, ecological significance and socio-economic importance of India’s grasslands, savannas, deserts and other Open Natural Ecosystems (ONEs).

Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav stated that the Guide is an important step towards recognising India’s open natural ecosystems and called for their science-based conservation alongside forests.

It provides comprehensive information on major Open Natural Ecosystems across India, including their geographical settings, ecological characteristics, biodiversity and associated communities and tribes.

The publication is expected to serve as an important resource for policymakers, researchers, conservation practitioners, development agencies and local communities involved in the conservation, restoration and sustainable management of grasslands and other Open Natural Ecosystems.

 

13) Answer: D

Short Explanation:

India is integrating semiconductor and Artificial Intelligence (AI) capabilities to strengthen technological self-reliance, supply-chain resilience, innovation and high-value employment, supporting the vision of Viksit Bharat.

Semicon 1.0 was launched with an outlay of ₹76,000 crore to establish India’s semiconductor ecosystem.

Semicon 2.0, approved in July 2026 with an outlay of ₹1,27,500 crore, aims to scale India’s semiconductor ecosystem towards global leadership.

By April 2026, 211 chips had been taped out by 75 institutions, while 7 chips had been successfully fabricated, including chips at advanced nodes such as 12 nanometres (nm).

Detailed Explanation:

India is integrating semiconductor and Artificial Intelligence (AI) capabilities to strengthen technological self-reliance, supply-chain resilience, innovation and high-value employment, supporting the vision of Viksit Bharat.

Semicon India Programme is building capabilities across the semiconductor value chain, including chip design, fabrication, advanced packaging, testing, equipment, materials, research and skilled talent.

Semicon 1.0 was launched with an outlay of ₹76,000 crore to establish India’s semiconductor ecosystem.

Semicon 2.0, approved in July 2026 with an outlay of ₹1,27,500 crore, aims to scale India’s semiconductor ecosystem towards global leadership.

Six strategic pillars of Semicon India 2.0 include: Chip design, Semiconductor equipment and materials, Fabrication facilities, Advanced packaging, Research and Development, and Talent development

12 semiconductor projects have been approved across 6 States, involving investment commitments of more than ₹1.64 lakh crore.

The approved projects include silicon and compound semiconductor fabrication plants, display fabrication facilities and advanced packaging units. Three facilities have commenced commercial production.

Under the Chips to Start-up (C2S) Programme, Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools have been deployed in 320 academic institutions, while more than 68,000 students have been trained.

24 semiconductor design projects have received approval for financial support, while 105 start-ups/Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) have received support for EDA tools under the Design Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme.

By April 2026, 211 chips had been taped out by 75 institutions, while 7 chips had been successfully fabricated, including chips at advanced nodes such as 12 nanometres (nm).

Semicon India 2025 witnessed participation from 48 countries and regions, with 350+ exhibitors/participants, 35,000 registrations, 30,000 footfalls and 25,000 online viewers. 12 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were also announced.

14) Answer: E

Short Explanation:

Poland has unveiled a giant Virgin Mary statue in the village of Konotopie, located about 190 km north-west of Warsaw, the capital of Poland.

The monument has a total height of 55 metres, making it Europe’s tallest monument dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

The Virgin Mary statue itself is 40.6 metres tall and stands on a 15-metre pedestal designed in the shape of a crown.

Detailed Explanation:

Poland has unveiled a giant Virgin Mary statue in the village of Konotopie, located about 190 km north-west of Warsaw, the capital of Poland.

The monument has a total height of 55 metres, making it Europe’s tallest monument dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

The Virgin Mary statue itself is 40.6 metres tall and stands on a 15-metre pedestal designed in the shape of a crown.

The monument was consecrated on 15 August 2026, marking the completion of the large religious monument in Konotopie, Poland.

The project was funded through donations from Roman Karkosik, a 75-year-old Polish businessman, who is known as one of Poland’s wealthy businessmen and prominent stock market investors.

 

15) Answer: B

Short Explanation:

Indian Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth was conferred the rank of Honorary General of the Nepal Army by Nepal President Ramchandra Paudel during an investiture ceremony at Sheetal Niwas, Kathmandu.

The conferral of the honorary rank continues the India–Nepal military tradition dating back to 1950, under which the two countries confer the honorary rank of General on each other’s Army Chiefs.

General Dhiraj Seth is on an official visit to Nepal at the invitation of Nepal Army Chief General Ashok Raj Sigdel.

Detailed Explanation:

Indian Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth was conferred the rank of Honorary General of the Nepal Army by Nepal President Ramchandra Paudel during an investiture ceremony at Sheetal Niwas, Kathmandu.

The conferral of the honorary rank continues the India–Nepal military tradition dating back to 1950, under which the two countries confer the honorary rank of General on each other’s Army Chiefs.

General Dhiraj Seth is on an official visit to Nepal at the invitation of Nepal Army Chief General Ashok Raj Sigdel.

During his visit, General Seth held discussions with General Ashok Raj Sigdel at Nepal Army Headquarters on matters of mutual interest and strengthening bilateral defence and military cooperation.

General Seth also met India’s Ambassador to Nepal Naveen Srivastava at the Indian Embassy and discussed ways to further strengthen India–Nepal comprehensive relations.

As part of the visit, General Dhiraj Seth handed over military and medical equipment to the Nepal Army, highlighting India’s defence cooperation and capacity-building support to Nepal.

He also planted a sapling at the Nepal Army Headquarters and received and inspected the Guard of Honour.

16) Answer: D

Short Explanation:

The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MoYAS) announced the National Sports Awards 2025, which are presented annually to recognise and reward excellence in sports and contributions towards the promotion and development of sports in India.

The awards were decided based on the recommendations of a Selection Committee chaired by former Supreme Court Judge Justice (Retd.) Arun Kumar Mishra.

Arjuna Award 2025: A total of 17 sportspersons were selected for outstanding performance in Sports and Games.

Detailed Explanation:

The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MoYAS) announced the National Sports Awards 2025, which are presented annually to recognise and reward excellence in sports and contributions towards the promotion and development of sports in India.

The awards were decided based on the recommendations of a Selection Committee chaired by former Supreme Court Judge Justice (Retd.) Arun Kumar Mishra.

The Selection Committee comprised eminent sportspersons, sports administrators and persons with experience in sports journalism.

Applications for the awards were invited online through a dedicated portal, allowing sportspersons, coaches and entities to self-apply.

A large number of applications were received and examined by the Selection Committee.

Arjuna Award 2025: A total of 17 sportspersons were selected for outstanding performance in Sports and Games.

The Arjuna Award is given for good performance over the previous four years, along with leadership, sportsmanship and a sense of discipline.

Arjuna Award (Lifetime) 2025: I Arumainayagam was selected in Football.

The Arjuna Award (Lifetime) honours sportspersons who have contributed through their performances and continued to promote sports after retirement from active sporting careers.

Dronacharya Award 2025: The award is given to coaches for outstanding and meritorious work on a consistent basis and for enabling sportspersons to excel in international events.

Dronacharya Award – Regular Category:

Parveer Singh – Athletics

Chhote Lal Yadav – Boxing

Neha Nandkumar Chavan – Shooting

Dronacharya Award – Lifetime Category:

Dharmendra Singh Yadav – Boxing

Virender Kumar – Wrestling

Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar 2025: Army Paralympic Node, Pune was selected for its contribution to sports promotion and development.

17) Answer: B

Short Explanation:

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed contracts worth approximately ₹1,577 crore with Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and NIBE Private Limited for the procurement of Loiter Munition Systems for the Indian Army (IA).

The contracts were signed in New Delhi on 14 August 2026 in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh.

Both TASL and NIBE are required to complete the delivery of the procured systems within 12 months from the date of advance payment.

Detailed Explanation:

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed contracts worth approximately ₹1,577 crore with Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and NIBE Private Limited for the procurement of Loiter Munition Systems for the Indian Army (IA).

The contracts were signed in New Delhi on 14 August 2026 in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh.

Both TASL and NIBE are required to complete the delivery of the procured systems within 12 months from the date of advance payment.

The procurement covers 84 Loiter Munition Systems, 840 loitering munitions, and associated accessories for the Indian Army.

The Loiter Munition Systems will provide the Indian Army with a precision-strike capability of up to 100 km, helping bridge the existing gap in long-range precision strike capability.

The systems are intended to strengthen the battlefield and precision-strike capabilities of the Indian Army and improve the operational preparedness of Artillery Regiments

 

18) Answer: B

Short Explanation:

Airtel Payments Bank has appointed Shabnam Sinha as its new Chairperson, replacing Sunil Bharti Mittal, who will complete his tenure as Non-Executive Chairman and step down from the Board on 30 September 2026.

Shabnam Sinha will assume the Chairperson position for a three-year term beginning 1 October 2026, following her appointment by the Board and approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

Detailed Explanation:

Airtel Payments Bank has appointed Shabnam Sinha as its new Chairperson, replacing Sunil Bharti Mittal, who will complete his tenure as Non-Executive Chairman and step down from the Board on 30 September 2026.

Shabnam Sinha will assume the Chairperson position for a three-year term beginning 1 October 2026, following her appointment by the Board and approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

Sinha is currently an Independent Director on the Board of Airtel Payments Bank and will take over the leadership role after receiving the required RBI approval.

Sunil Bharti Mittal, the Founder and Chairman of Bharti Enterprises, had served as the Non-Executive Chairman of Airtel Payments Bank since April 2016 and oversaw its expansion into a major digital banking and payments platform.

19) Answer: A

Short Explanation:

Kawa UAV Pvt. Ltd. (HoverIt) successfully conducted the maiden flight of Divyastra Mk3, described as India’s first indigenous jet-powered loitering munition.

The maiden flight of Divyastra Mk3 was conducted at the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor (UPDIC), Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.

Divyastra Mk3 was developed indigenously in India by Kawa UAV Pvt. Ltd. (HoverIt) with an indigenous jet engine developed by DG Propulsion.

The system was developed completely in India without an imported jet engine or foreign critical subsystems, supporting the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative in defence manufacturing.

Detailed Explanation:

Kawa UAV Pvt. Ltd. (HoverIt) successfully conducted the maiden flight of Divyastra Mk3, described as India’s first indigenous jet-powered loitering munition.

The maiden flight of Divyastra Mk3 was conducted at the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor (UPDIC), Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.

Divyastra Mk3 was developed indigenously in India by Kawa UAV Pvt. Ltd. (HoverIt) with an indigenous jet engine developed by DG Propulsion.

The system was developed completely in India without an imported jet engine or foreign critical subsystems, supporting the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative in defence manufacturing.

Unlike conventional loitering munitions that generally use propeller-based propulsion, Divyastra Mk3 uses a jet engine, providing higher speed, extended range, and reduced reaction time for enemy air-defence systems.

The Divyastra Mk3 programme achieved its maiden flight within one calendar year of programme initiation, highlighting the rapid pace of indigenous defence innovation.

DRDO has also completed the final deliverable configuration development trials of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Launched Precision Guided Missile (ULPGM)-V3.

The ULPGM-V3 trials were conducted in both Air-to-Ground and Air-to-Air modes at a DRDO test range near Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh.

20) Answer: B

Short Explanation:

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, who holds the portfolios of Education, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, and New & Renewable Energy, formally inaugurated the Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC)-based Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) of food subsidies under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY).

The CBDC-based food subsidy programme was launched in the Union Territories of Chandigarh and Dadra & Nagar Haveli, marking the first large-scale application of CBDC in a Central Government-backed welfare programme.

With the rollout, Chandigarh and Dadra & Nagar Haveli became the first State/Union Territory in India to operationalise food subsidy transfers to all eligible PMGKAY beneficiaries directly through CBDC wallets.

Detailed Explanation:

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, who holds the portfolios of Education, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, and New & Renewable Energy, formally inaugurated the Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC)-based Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) of food subsidies under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY).

The CBDC-based food subsidy programme was launched in the Union Territories of Chandigarh and Dadra & Nagar Haveli, marking the first large-scale application of CBDC in a Central Government-backed welfare programme.

With the rollout, Chandigarh and Dadra & Nagar Haveli became the first State/Union Territory in India to operationalise food subsidy transfers to all eligible PMGKAY beneficiaries directly through CBDC wallets.

The programme was also inaugurated in the presence of Gulab Chand Kataria, Governor of Punjab and Administrator of UT Chandigarh, and Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Union Minister of Rural Development and Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.

Under the new system, the government transfers the food subsidy directly into the beneficiary’s Digital Rupee wallet, replacing the conventional transfer to a bank account.

The subsidy is purpose-bound, meaning beneficiaries can use the Digital Rupee tokens specifically to purchase foodgrains from empanelled merchants.

The CBDC-based subsidy can be used through a secure, traceable and real-time digital payment mechanism, improving transparency in the utilisation of welfare funds.

 

21) Answer: E

Short Explanation:

The CBDC-based food subsidy initiative was first launched as a pilot in Gujarat on 15 February 2026.

The second pilot was launched in Puducherry on 26 February 2026, and the experiences from the Gujarat and Puducherry pilots helped the government expand the initiative to Chandigarh and Dadra & Nagar Haveli.

The initiative combines DBT with CBDC technology to ensure that public funds reach beneficiaries instantly and are used for their intended purpose.

The rollout is envisaged as a proof-of-concept for the nation and a scalable template for other States and Union Territories seeking to integrate CBDC with welfare schemes.

Detailed Explanation:

The CBDC-based food subsidy initiative was first launched as a pilot in Gujarat on 15 February 2026.

The second pilot was launched in Puducherry on 26 February 2026, and the experiences from the Gujarat and Puducherry pilots helped the government expand the initiative to Chandigarh and Dadra & Nagar Haveli.

The initiative combines DBT with CBDC technology to ensure that public funds reach beneficiaries instantly and are used for their intended purpose.

The rollout is envisaged as a proof-of-concept for the nation and a scalable template for other States and Union Territories seeking to integrate CBDC with welfare schemes.

The initiative is expected to provide operational experience in integrating CBDC with government welfare programmes and support the government’s vision of strengthening Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and delivering citizen-centric services.

22) Answer: B

Short Explanation:

The National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT) under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) launched Cyber Kushti 2026, a national-level Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence (AI) Hackathon.

Cyber Kushti 2026 was launched on 15 August 2026 as part of the technical programme of the 3rd National Conference on Cyber Security, Digital Forensics and Intelligence (NCCDFI 2026).

The 3rd NCCDFI 2026 was organised by NIELIT at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi, on 9–10 October 2026.

Detailed Explanation:

The National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT) under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) launched Cyber Kushti 2026, a national-level Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence (AI) Hackathon.

Cyber Kushti 2026 was launched on 15 August 2026 as part of the technical programme of the 3rd National Conference on Cyber Security, Digital Forensics and Intelligence (NCCDFI 2026).

The 3rd NCCDFI 2026 was organised by NIELIT at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi, on 9–10 October 2026.

The hackathon was formally launched by Prof. (Dr.) M. M. Tripathi, Director General, NIELIT and Vice Chancellor, NIELIT Deemed to be University.

The main objective of Cyber Kushti 2026 is to evaluate and recognise human judgment in cybersecurity assessment, particularly in AI-driven cybersecurity scenarios, rather than testing only basic vulnerability detection.

NIELIT is organising the hackathon in collaboration with the Information Sharing and Analysis Center (ISAC) Foundation under the National Security Database (NSD).

Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) is the Knowledge Partner for Cyber Kushti 2026.

The competition will be conducted in three rounds, namely Akhada, Dangal, and the Kesari Final.

The Akhada round is scheduled for 15 September 2026, while the Dangal round will be held on 24 September 2026.

The Kesari Final is scheduled for 9 October 2026.

23) Answer: C

Short Explanation:

Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX) launched two Falcon 9 rockets carrying separate missions from Florida and California, USA.

The two Falcon 9 launches set a SpaceX company record for the shortest launch gap, with only 38.5 minutes between the two launches.

The 1st Falcon 9 was launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, carrying eight Globalstar satellites.

The eight satellites were successfully deployed into their designated Low Earth Orbit (LEO) for Globalstar, a telecommunications company based in Louisiana, USA.

Detailed Explanation:

Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX) launched two Falcon 9 rockets carrying separate missions from Florida and California, USA.

The two Falcon 9 launches set a SpaceX company record for the shortest launch gap, with only 38.5 minutes between the two launches.

The 1st Falcon 9 was launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, carrying eight Globalstar satellites.

The eight satellites were successfully deployed into their designated Low Earth Orbit (LEO) for Globalstar, a telecommunications company based in Louisiana, USA.

The Globalstar booster (B1090) successfully landed at Landing Zone 40 (LZ-40) at Cape Canaveral nearly 8 minutes after launch.

The successful landing marked the booster’s 14th space mission, demonstrating the reusability of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 system.

The 2nd Falcon 9 was launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, carrying the classified USSF-366 mission for the United States Space Force (USSF).

24) Answer: D

Short Explanation:

Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India (GoI), Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, launched the RSVC-AMRIT platform on 15 August 2026, the 80th Independence Day of India.

The RSVC-AMRIT platform was developed by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) in collaboration with the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (OPSA) to strengthen rural innovation and technology transfer.

RSVC-AMRIT serves as the digital backbone of the RuTAGe Smart Village Centre (RSVC) ecosystem, supporting technology discovery, validation, deployment tracking, monitoring and knowledge management.

Detailed Explanation:

Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India (GoI), Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, launched the RSVC-AMRIT platform on 15 August 2026, the 80th Independence Day of India.

The RSVC-AMRIT platform was developed by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) in collaboration with the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (OPSA) to strengthen rural innovation and technology transfer.

RSVC-AMRIT serves as the digital backbone of the RuTAGe Smart Village Centre (RSVC) ecosystem, supporting technology discovery, validation, deployment tracking, monitoring and knowledge management.

The platform connects innovators, startups, technology providers, academic institutions, funding agencies and rural communities to promote the grassroots adoption of appropriate technologies.

The RSVC initiative facilitates the transfer of affordable and appropriate technologies from research institutions, innovators and startups to rural communities through village-level technology hubs.

The RSVC ecosystem covers sectors such as agriculture, rural enterprises, renewable energy, education, assistive technologies, water and sanitation, and citizen services.

25) Answer: C

Short Explanation:

Mishra Dhatu Nigam Limited (MIDHANI), a state-owned defence and aerospace materials manufacturer under the Ministry of Defence (MoD), became the first Indian company to secure S400 approval from GE Aerospace, a leading American aerospace company.

The S400 approval authorises MIDHANI to conduct a wide range of chemical, mechanical and metallurgical testing of high-performance metallic materials and aerospace alloys.

S400 is a specialised material testing laboratory specification and certification programme developed by GE Aerospace.

Detailed Explanation:

Mishra Dhatu Nigam Limited (MIDHANI), a state-owned defence and aerospace materials manufacturer under the Ministry of Defence (MoD), became the first Indian company to secure S400 approval from GE Aerospace, a leading American aerospace company.

The S400 approval authorises MIDHANI to conduct a wide range of chemical, mechanical and metallurgical testing of high-performance metallic materials and aerospace alloys.

S400 is a specialised material testing laboratory specification and certification programme developed by GE Aerospace.

The S400 programme is used by GE Aerospace to approve and audit Certified Material Test Laboratories (CMTLs) and ensure quality, process control and testing standards for high-performance aerospace alloys.

The approval will enable MIDHANI to expand its capabilities in advanced aerospace materials, including superalloys and titanium alloys.

The recognition will strengthen MIDHANI’s capabilities in metallic material testing, aerospace-grade qualification and quality assurance systems.

26) Answer: D

Short Explanation:

World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen of Norway won the Esports World Cup (EWC) Chess Championship for the second consecutive year, defeating Belarusian Grandmaster (GM) Denis Lazavik 2–0 in the final in Paris, France.

Representing Team Liquid, the 35-year-old Magnus Carlsen remained undefeated throughout the entire tournament, showcasing his dominance in the rapid online chess format.

Denis Lazavik finished as the runner-up after losing the final 0–2 to Carlsen.

American Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura secured 3rd position, defeating Alireza Firouzja 4–1 in the bronze-medal match.

Detailed Explanation:

World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen of Norway won the Esports World Cup (EWC) Chess Championship for the second consecutive year, defeating Belarusian Grandmaster (GM) Denis Lazavik 2–0 in the final in Paris, France.

Representing Team Liquid, the 35-year-old Magnus Carlsen remained undefeated throughout the entire tournament, showcasing his dominance in the rapid online chess format.

Denis Lazavik finished as the runner-up after losing the final 0–2 to Carlsen.

American Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura secured 3rd position, defeating Alireza Firouzja 4–1 in the bronze-medal match.

The bronze-medal match was affected by technical issues and internet disconnections, leading to repeated disruptions during the contest.

The championship followed a best-of-three sets format. The first two sets consisted of 4 games each, while a final 2-game set was used as a tiebreaker if required.

Carlsen’s back-to-back EWC Chess titles further underline his status as one of the dominant figures in modern chess.

Key exam facts: Winner – Magnus Carlsen; Country – Norway; Runner-up – Denis Lazavik; 3rd – Hikaru Nakamura; Represented Team – Team Liquid; Result – Carlsen defeated Lazavik 2–0; Venue – Paris, France; Title – Esports World Cup Chess Championship.

 

27) Answer: A

Short Explanation:

India made a strong start to the Asian Junior Chess Championship 2026, with Vignesh Vermula and Saranya Devi winning the Open Blitz and Girls’ Blitz titles, respectively.

Vignesh Vermula emerged as the Open Blitz champion, producing a major upset after entering the tournament as the 23rd seed.

Vermula finished level on points with fellow Indians Sharnarthi Viresh and Nandish V S, but secured the title on the basis of superior tie-break scores.

Sharnarthi Viresh finished 2nd, while Nandish V S secured 3rd position. Akshay Borganokar and Madhavendra Pratap Sharma completed the top five in 4th and 5th positions, respectively.

Detailed Explanation:

India made a strong start to the Asian Junior Chess Championship 2026, with Vignesh Vermula and Saranya Devi winning the Open Blitz and Girls’ Blitz titles, respectively.

Vignesh Vermula emerged as the Open Blitz champion, producing a major upset after entering the tournament as the 23rd seed.

Vermula finished level on points with fellow Indians Sharnarthi Viresh and Nandish V S, but secured the title on the basis of superior tie-break scores.

Sharnarthi Viresh finished 2nd, while Nandish V S secured 3rd position. Akshay Borganokar and Madhavendra Pratap Sharma completed the top five in 4th and 5th positions, respectively.

Vermula's victory is significant as he overcame his 23rd-seed starting position through consistent performances and strong decision-making in the fast-paced blitz format.

Saranya Devi won the Girls’ Blitz title, giving India a double championship victory in the two premier blitz categories.

28) Answer: B

Short Explanation:

Renowned sculptor and master craftsman Chandrashekhar Y. Shilpi passed away in Kalaburagi, Karnataka, at the age of 75.

He was born in Kakkera village in Yadgir district, Karnataka.

He was known for preserving traditional sculptural heritage through intricate wood, stone, and Panchaloha art, rooted in classical Indian temple architecture, particularly in the Kalyana Karnataka region.

Detailed Explanation:

Renowned sculptor and master craftsman Chandrashekhar Y. Shilpi passed away in Kalaburagi, Karnataka, at the age of 75.

He was born in Kakkera village in Yadgir district, Karnataka.

He was known for preserving traditional sculptural heritage through intricate wood, stone, and Panchaloha art, rooted in classical Indian temple architecture, particularly in the Kalyana Karnataka region.

He underwent 18 years of Gurukul training in wood sculpture at Gonal village under master craftsman Nadoja Naganna Monappa Badiger.

He received the National Award for Master Craftspersons 2024 for his contribution to traditional craftsmanship.

He was honoured with the Karnataka Rajyotsava Award in 2014 and the Karnataka Shilpakala Academy Honorary Award in 2012.

 

29) Answer: C

About Mongolia

Capital: Ulaanbaatar

Currency: Mongolian Tögrög

President: Ukhnaagiin Khürelsükh

30) Answer: B

About Punjab National Bank (PNB):

Founded: 1894

Headquarters: New Delhi, India

Managing Director & CEO: Ashok Chandra

Tagline: "The Name You Can Bank Upon"