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Daily Current Affairs
11 & 12 August, 2026
1. The 13th BRICS Education Ministers’ Meeting — adopting the “Bhubaneswar Declaration” under India’s BRICS Chairship 2026 — was chaired by which Union Minister?
A. Dharmendra Pradhan
B. Pralhad Joshi
C. S. Jaishankar
D. Jitendra Singh
E. Ashwini Vaishnaw
View Answer
Explanation: Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi chaired the meeting in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, calling for a “people-centric and humanity-first” approach. India’s 2026 Chairship theme: “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.” The 3rd BRICS Education Senior Officials’ Meeting (5 August, Bhubaneswar) finalised the draft. Priorities align with NEP 2020 — FLN under NIPUN Bharat, multidisciplinary learning, internationalisation, digital transformation.
2. India will host the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on which dates?
A. 15-16 August 2026
B. 12-13 September 2026
C. 2-3 October 2026
D. 26-27 November 2026
E. 12-13 December 2026
View Answer
Explanation: India (BRICS Chair 2026) hosts the 18th Summit in New Delhi, 12-13 September 2026. BRICS evolution: Brazil-Russia-India-China (2009), South Africa (2010), expansion from 2024 — Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, UAE — and Indonesia (2025); Saudi Arabia invited. Institutions: New Development Bank (Shanghai; President Dilma Rousseff) and the Contingent Reserve Arrangement.
3. The NCDC (Amendment) Bill, 2026 changes NCDC’s core mandate from planning programmes “through co-operative societies” to:
A. “through federations”
B. “for co-operative development”
C. “with state governments”
D. “for rural development”
E. “through PACS only”
View Answer
Explanation: The Bill broadens NCDC’s mandate, allows direct loans/grants to cooperative societies OR non-cooperative entities (specialised agencies, statutory bodies) supporting cooperative development, permits share capital participation (with Central Government approval), widens “foodstuffs” to processed/notified items, removes geographical restrictions on industrial goods financing, and adds Sections 9A and 13A (incidental powers + credit information sharing with Centre, RBI and banks). NCDC: statutory apex financial-developmental body, established 1963 under the NCDC Act 1962, now under the Ministry of Cooperation (created 2021), HQ New Delhi.
4. NASA invited ISRO to join its Moon Base programme during the 9th India-US Civil Space Joint Working Group meeting held at:
A. NASA HQ, Washington
B. ISRO headquarters, Bengaluru
C. New Delhi
D. Houston
E. Sriharikota
View Answer
Explanation: The invitation came at the 9th CSJWG meeting (Bengaluru, 5-6 August 2026), building on India’s Artemis Accords participation. The NASA-led Moon Base (announced 2026) targets humanity’s first permanent lunar outpost near the lunar SOUTH POLE — elevated ridges get near-continuous sunlight for solar power while shadowed craters hold water ice. Features: In-Situ Resource Utilisation (regolith + water ice → oxygen, water, propellant), commercial partners (Astrobotic, Blue Origin, Firefly, Intuitive Machines), phased modular habitats, open scientific data under Artemis — a stepping stone to crewed Mars missions.
5. “Shruti” (Yard 3037) — the Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel launched for the Indian Navy — was built at which shipyard?
A. Mazagon Dock, Mumbai
B. Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata
C. Goa Shipyard
D. Cochin Shipyard
E. Hindustan Shipyard, Vizag
View Answer
Explanation: Shruti — an indigenously designed NGOPV of the Shachi class, named after the four Vedas (Shruti) — was launched at GRSE, Kolkata. Role: multi-domain coastal and deep-sea operations — ocean surveillance, offshore asset protection, anti-piracy, counter-infiltration and HADR.
6. “Prakriti Gyan Dham” — India’s first eco-educational hub, a “walkable classroom” dedicated by Dr. Jitendra Singh — was developed by which institution at Banthra, Lucknow?
A. Botanical Survey of India
B. CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute (CSIR-NBRI)
C. Forest Research Institute
D. Wildlife Institute of India
E. ICFRE
View Answer
Explanation: Located at the Maharishi Parashar Bioresource Centre (MPBC), Banthra, Lucknow. Features: PAaVan Path (Plants and Associated Vegetations for Appreciating Nature) heritage trail; Indian Heritage Garden with QR audio-guides and cloned descendants of sacred/freedom-struggle trees; the Bamboosteum (43 bamboo species as carbon-sequestering bioresources); and conservation enclaves — Vibhav (Rare, Endangered and Threatened plants) and Bhairav (living map of all States’/UTs’ official State Plants). Plant-based technologies were also transferred for women-led entrepreneurship.
7. Under the RBI Act, 1934, which section gives the RBI the SOLE RIGHT to issue banknotes, while Section 25 requires the design/form/material to be approved by the Central Government?
A. Section 17
B. Section 20
C. Section 22
D. Section 26
E. Section 31
View Answer
Explanation: Section 22 — RBI’s sole note-issue right; Section 25 — design, form and material approved by Central Government on Central Board recommendations (the route used for the 1 billion each â‚ą10/â‚ą20 polymer trial notes, to be issued ALONGSIDE paper notes); Section 24 — permitted denominations â‚ą2 to â‚ą10,000. Polymer rationale: 2-5x durability (hence lowest denominations where soiling is worst), moisture/dirt resistance, advanced security (transparent windows, optically variable devices), lifetime cost savings despite higher unit cost.
8. Fitch affirmed India’s sovereign rating at BBB- (stable). Which agency currently rates India one notch HIGHER at BBB?
A. Moody’s
B. S&P Global Ratings
C. AM Best
D. JCR
E. R&I
View Answer
Explanation: Current sovereign ratings: Fitch BBB- (lowest investment grade, stable), Moody’s Baa3 (stable), S&P BBB (stable), Morningstar DBRS BBB (stable). Fitch’s strengths cited: robust growth outlook, solid external finances, macro stability and policy credibility despite the energy shock. Constraints: weak fiscal metrics (high deficits/debt/debt service), lagging governance indicators and GDP per capita — plus NEET paper-leak protests signalling youth employment concerns that could pressure fiscal spending.
9. NABARD’s National Climate Stack Innovation Challenge (with Gates Foundation and Dalberg Advisors) advances which platform as Digital Public Infrastructure for rural climate resilience?
A. AgriStack
B. DiCRA (Data in Climate Resilient Agriculture)
C. KisanSetu
D. e-NAM 2.0
E. BhuNaksha
View Answer
Explanation: The challenge (winners announced under NABARD Chairman Shaji Krishnan V) mobilises India’s innovation ecosystem for near-term climate hazard forecasting and decision-ready applications. Winners: 1st — SatSure Analytics (composite climate vulnerability index — exposure + sensitivity + adaptive capacity — dynamic village-level risk scores); 2nd — EXPERIQS (block-level drought intelligence: drought indices + vegetation signals + projections → crop-cycle impact and farmer financial stress signals via APIs); 3rd — VARSAPRADAYA (3-km, 20-year hazard scoring/advisory engine on DiCRA — irrigation scheduling, crop-risk alerts, rural credit assessment, afforestation planning).
10. India donated five peacocks — including a rare white-feathered male — to the UN Office at Geneva, reviving a tradition dating back to which year?
A. 1955
B. 1972
C. 1981
D. 1995
E. 2001
View Answer
Explanation: The five peacocks were formally handed over by Arindam Bagchi to UNOG Director-General Tatiana Valovaya — reviving the tradition since 1981, when India first gifted a breeding pair to Geneva.
11. Prof. Deepak Dhar became the FIRST Indian physicist to win the Dirac Medal (2026), awarded by which institution?
A. Royal Society, London
B. International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP)
C. CERN
D. American Physical Society
E. Institute of Physics, UK
View Answer
Explanation: Deepak Dhar received the ICTP’s 2026 Dirac Medal for pioneering work in statistical mechanics, stochastic processes and complex physical systems — shared with Bernard Derrida, Marc MĂ©zard and Haim Sompolinsky. He is the first Indian physicist to win it.
12. The Sangeet Natak Akademi’s HIGHEST honour — “Akademi Ratna” (Fellowship) — is limited to how many living eminent personalities at a time?
A. 25
B. 30
C. 40
D. 50
E. 60
View Answer
Explanation: The President will confer SNA Fellowships (Akademi Ratna — capped at 40 living eminent personalities) and SNA Awards (Akademi Puraskar) for 2024 and 2025 at Vigyan Bhawan, honouring outstanding contributions to India’s performing arts.
13. PM Modi inaugurated the “Param Pragya” AI-enabled supercomputing facility at which institution’s Sonipat campus during its 57th convocation?
A. IIT Bombay
B. IIT Delhi
C. IIT Kanpur
D. IIIT Delhi
E. IIT Roorkee
View Answer
Explanation: Param Pragya — an AI-enabled high-performance supercomputing facility — was inaugurated at IIT Delhi’s Sonipat campus during the institute’s 57th convocation, strengthening AI, data science and advanced computing research. Separately, Amit Shah flagged off the Har Ghar Tiranga Yatra in Puducherry (campaign launched 2022 under Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav; this year also marking 150 years of Vande Mataram) and presented the President’s Colours to Puducherry Police.
14. NeGD and AAERI launched “AAERI Verify” — a DigiLocker-integrated platform that reduces document verification time for Indian students applying to universities of which country?
A. Canada
B. Australia
C. UK
D. Germany
E. USA
View Answer
Explanation: AAERI Verify (NeGD + Association of Australian Education Representatives in India) digitally verifies documents for Australia-bound students — cutting verification from days to ~120-240 seconds via DigiLocker. Separately, DPIIT signed five MoUs (Cashfree Payments, Darwin Dynamics, Vultr India, Cars24, Council for Startup India) for startup access to digital infrastructure, mentorship, investment and global markets, with Tier-II/III and rural focus.
15. CCRAS signed an MoU with BIS for AYUSH quality standards — notable as BIS’s ____ MoU and its FIRST with an AYUSH organisation.
A. 50th
B. 75th
C. 100th
D. 125th
E. 150th
View Answer
Explanation: The CCRAS-BIS MoU — the 100th signed by BIS and its first with an AYUSH body — targets globally recognised standards, scientific research and conformity assessment for safe, validated traditional medicine.
16. RBI’s 101st Survey of Professional Forecasters projected India’s real GDP growth for FY27 at:
A. 6.4%
B. 6.5%
C. 6.6%
D. 6.8%
E. 7.0%
View Answer
Explanation: The 101st SPF pegs FY27 real GDP growth at 6.6% (up from 6.5% in the previous survey), FY28 at 7.0%, and Q1 FY27 at 6.8%.
17. IndusInd Bank launched a lifetime-free Platinum RuPay credit card (UPI-linkable) with which dining platform?
A. Zomato
B. EazyDiner
C. Swiggy Dineout
D. Dineout Pro
E. MagicPin
View Answer
Explanation: The EazyDiner IndusInd Bank Platinum RuPay Credit Card — lifetime free (no joining/annual fees), UPI-linkable, with dining and entertainment rewards. Separately, Indel Remit (forex arm of Indel Money) received a PERPETUAL AD-II licence from RBI, expanding forex and trade-remittance services for MSMEs and traders.
18. The ACC extended the tenure of which Enforcement Directorate Director by one year (until 13 August 2027)?
A. Sanjay Kumar Mishra
B. Rahul Navin
C. Praveen Sood
D. Tapan Deka
E. Y.C. Modi
View Answer
Explanation: Rahul Navin — 1993-batch IRS officer, in the ED since 2019 (joined as Special Director) — got a one-year extension as ED Director until 13 August 2027 or further orders.
19. Astrobase Space Technologies unveiled “EVEREST” — India’s first private 800 kN rocket engine. It uses which propellant combination and cycle?
A. Kerosene-LOX; gas generator
B. LOX-methane; Full-Flow Staged Combustion (FFSC)
C. Hydrazine; pressure-fed
D. LH2-LOX; expander cycle
E. Solid composite; single stage
View Answer
Explanation: EVEREST — an 800 kN LOX-methane FFSC engine for reusable medium-lift launch vehicles and orbital missions. Astrobase plans full-scale hot-fire testing in 2026 and first launch by December 2028. Separately, Vietnam’s VinSpace signed a SpaceX deal to launch its first satellites via a 2027 Transporter rideshare (shared Falcon 9) mission.
20. Manipur’s Ariha Pangambam won India’s FIRST-ever senior women’s individual gold at the 2026 Asian Aerobic Gymnastics Championships (19.100 points), held in:
A. Bangkok, Thailand
B. Tagaytay City, Philippines
C. Tokyo, Japan
D. Hanoi, Vietnam
E. Jakarta, Indonesia
View Answer
Explanation: Ariha Pangambam scored 19.100 for India’s first senior women’s individual aerobic gymnastics gold in Asia; Thailand’s Chanyapit Manee took silver and Japan’s Mahiro Kishibe bronze.
21. World Biofuel Day (10 August) commemorates whose 1893 demonstration of an engine running on peanut oil?
A. Karl Benz
B. Rudolf Diesel
C. Nikolaus Otto
D. Henry Ford
E. Gottlieb Daimler
View Answer
Explanation: World Biofuel Day (10 August; observed by the Petroleum Ministry since 2015) marks Rudolf Diesel’s 1893 peanut-oil engine demonstration. World Lion Day also falls on 10 August — initiated in 2013 by Big Cat Rescue, co-founded by Dereck and Beverly Joubert, for Panthera leo conservation.
22. Under the revised PM E-DRIVE Scheme (total outlay â‚ą11,900 crore), the incentive for electric two-wheelers is now limited to â‚ą2,500 per kWh, capped at what amount per vehicle?
A. â‚ą2,500
B. â‚ą5,000
C. â‚ą7,500
D. â‚ą10,000
E. â‚ą15,000
View Answer
Explanation: The Ministry of Heavy Industries capped e-2W incentives at â‚ą2,500/kWh, maximum â‚ą5,000 per vehicle, for April 2025-March 2028. PM E-DRIVE (â‚ą11,900 crore) supports EV adoption, charging infrastructure and domestic EV manufacturing.
23. On completing 10 years, GeM launched a nationwide five-digit helpdesk number. What is it?
A. 14400
B. 14550
C. 15100
D. 14444
E. 12550
View Answer
Explanation: Government e-Marketplace completed 10 years — Piyush Goyal honoured top buyers/sellers, launched helpdesk 14550 and a commemorative ‘My Stamp’, with plans for a more AI-enabled GeM.
24. Per the Quarterly PLFS Bulletin (April-June 2026), the unemployment rate for persons aged 15+ rose to:
A. 4.9%
B. 5.1%
C. 5.4%
D. 5.8%
E. 6.1%
View Answer
Explanation: The NSO’s Quarterly PLFS (Apr-Jun 2026): unemployment rate (15+) rose to 5.4%; overall LFPR 54.6% — rural 56.9%, urban 50.2%.
25. The MSME Ministry-DPIIT MoU will connect GI producers with ONDC and GeM under which banner?
A. GI Bharat
B. Bharat GI
C. Desi GI
D. GI Mart
E. One District One GI
View Answer
Explanation: Under ‘Bharat GI’, the MoU accelerates commercialisation, standardisation and market access of GI products via ONDC and GeM, supporting artisans, weavers and the ODOP ecosystem. Other MoUs/launches: Shivraj Singh Chouhan disbursed ~â‚ą21.35 crore in scholarships via DBT to 6,000+ agriculture students through the National Scholarship Portal; NABL launched India’s first Accreditation Scheme for Mobile Food Testing Laboratories; MoSPI signed MoUs with IDEAS and ISI Kolkata (GDP nowcasting tool + harmonised indicator framework); Airtel Business partnered ITI Limited (data centres, sovereign cloud, AI, LEO satellite services); Adani Airport City incorporated AACL Global IFSC Limited as a Global Treasury Centre under IFSCA.
26. Which port became India’s FIRST with ISO 50001:2018 (Energy Management System) certification, also recognised as a Scope-2 Emission-Free Port with 93.89% renewable electricity in FY26?
A. Deendayal Port, Kandla
B. V.O. Chidambaranar Port, Tamil Nadu
C. Paradip Port
D. JNPA, Mumbai
E. Visakhapatnam Port
View Answer
Explanation: V.O.C. Port (Thoothukudi) became India’s first ISO 50001:2018-certified port — also a Scope-2 Emission-Free Port with renewables meeting 93.89% of its FY26 electricity needs.
27. World Steelpan Day (11 August) honours the national musical instrument of which country?
A. Jamaica
B. Trinidad and Tobago
C. Barbados
D. Cuba
E. Bahamas
View Answer
Explanation: World Steelpan Day (11 August) — adopted by the UNGA via Resolution A/RES/77/316 in 2023 — celebrates the steelpan, Trinidad and Tobago’s national instrument, and its contribution to cultural heritage and sustainable development.
