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Daily Current Affairs
13 August, 2026
1. “Srijan: Voices from the Loom” — celebrating women weavers with 100+ participants from six handloom clusters — is organised by which ministry?
A. Ministry of Culture
B. Ministry of Textiles
C. Ministry of MSME
D. Ministry of Rural Development
E. Ministry of Women and Child Development
View Answer
Explanation: Srijan (New Delhi) brings 100+ women weavers from six clusters for first-person narratives, with an anthology release. Why women: handloom is India’s largest cottage industry and second-largest rural employer after agriculture, with ~35 lakh workers of whom ~70% are WOMEN — the highest female participation of any Indian industry. Key framework: National Handloom Day 7 August (Swadeshi 1905), NHDP, Raw Material Supply Scheme, Weavers’ Comprehensive Welfare Scheme, India Handloom Brand/Handloom Mark, Handloom Reservation Act 1985, Shilp Didi and Samarth.
2. The babirusa (“pig-deer”) — in news after the birth of piglet “Rana” at Chester Zoo — is endemic EXCLUSIVELY to four islands of which country?
A. Philippines
B. Indonesia
C. Malaysia
D. Papua New Guinea
E. Thailand
View Answer
Explanation: The babirusa (genus Babyrousa; Malay: babi = pig, rusa = deer, for its stag-like upper tusks) is endemic to four Indonesian islands — Sulawesi, Togian, Sula and Buru — inhabiting rainforests, swamps and wetlands. IUCN status: Vulnerable; threats include African swine fever, habitat loss and hunting.
3. Parliament passed the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026 renaming Kerala as “Keralam”. Under which Article is such a law NOT deemed a constitutional amendment (hence passed by simple majority)?
A. Article 2
B. Article 3
C. Article 4
D. Article 368
E. Article 249
View Answer
Explanation: Article 3 empowers Parliament to form new States, alter boundaries or change names; the law modifies First Schedule Entry 15; Article 4 expressly excludes it from Article 368 — so simple majority suffices (“indestructible Union of destructible States”). Procedure: State Assembly resolution (Kerala’s was unanimous) → Bill introduced only on the President’s prior recommendation → President refers to the affected State Assembly (consultation MANDATORY but views NOT binding) → simple-majority passage → assent and Gazette notification. Precedents: Orissa→Odisha (2011), Uttaranchal→Uttarakhand, Pondicherry→Puducherry, Madras→Tamil Nadu, Mysore→Karnataka.
4. The “One Herb, One Standard” (OHOS) initiative — renewed for three more years — harmonises herb monographs between PCIM&H (Ministry of Ayush) and which autonomous body under MoHFW?
A. CDSCO
B. Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC)
C. ICMR
D. National Medicinal Plants Board
E. FSSAI
View Answer
Explanation: OHOS (PCIM&H under Ayush + IPC under MoHFW) creates unified, scientifically synchronised monographs for medicinal plants — eliminating conflicting quality parameters across the Indian Pharmacopoeia and ASU&H Pharmacopoeias. Phase one (from 2022) delivered 50 single-herb monographs. It covers plant-origin single drugs across FIVE recognised systems: Ayurveda, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa, Unani and Homoeopathy — aligning with global benchmarks for export credibility.
5. UPI completed 10 years. It was launched as a pilot in April 2016 and is built on which underlying protocol?
A. NEFT
B. RTGS
C. Immediate Payment Service (IMPS)
D. AEPS
E. SWIFT
View Answer
Explanation: UPI (RBI-NPCI; pilot April 2016, fully operational August 2016) is India’s real-time interoperable system built on IMPS, using VPAs and QR codes for instant bank-to-bank transfers. Growth drivers: RBI’s 2012-13 payment vision, demonetisation (2016) and the pandemic (2020) pushing QR adoption, VC inflows into Paytm/PhonePe (2019-21), and the 2020 zero-MDR mandate following the Nandan Nilekani Committee.
6. Under the proposed calibrated MDR framework post the Taxation Bill 2026, a nominal MDR (~0.05% to 0.3-0.6%) would apply ONLY to:
A. All UPI transactions
B. P2P transfers above â‚ą500
C. P2M transactions exceeding â‚ą2,000 at LARGE commercial enterprises
D. Kirana store payments
E. All merchant payments regardless of size
View Answer
Explanation: The threshold-based design: consumers and P2P transfers stay 100% free; small merchants (turnover below ~â‚ą1-1.5 crore, incl. kiranas) keep zero fees; only large enterprises face a nominal MDR on P2M transactions above â‚ą2,000. The Bill’s amendment to PSS Act Section 10A removed the statutory prohibition, enabling — not imposing — such charges.
7. Beforest — the regenerative land restoration initiative (founded 2018, CEO Sunith Reddy) — operates six “collectives” across ~1,300 acres. What is the minimum land requirement for a collective?
A. 25 acres
B. 50 acres
C. About 100 acres
D. 250 acres
E. 500 acres
View Answer
Explanation: A collective = people co-owning and co-managing a single landscape (minimum ~100 acres); Beforest has six collectives across Kodagu, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Bhopal (1,300 acres, 196 members). Its cycle: water security first → succession (green cover, biodiversity) → diversity boosts seed dispersal → more cover → more diversity. Concept distinctions: organic farming = absence of synthetic inputs (certification-based); natural farming (ZBNF) = low-cost on-farm preparations like jeevamrit; agroforestry = trees + crops/livestock; REGENERATIVE agriculture = outcome-defined — is soil carbon, water retention and biodiversity improving?
8. ICAR’s Network Programme on Precision Agriculture (ICAR-NePPA) involves how many ICAR Research Institutes?
A. 10
B. 12
C. 16
D. 20
E. 25
View Answer
Explanation: ICAR-NePPA (16 institutes) applies sensors, remote sensing (ground-drone-satellite), AI and ICTs across five domains: crop & soil, post-harvest (mango, banana, pulses, rice), vertical farming (IoT), aquaculture, and livestock. Precision agriculture = right input quantity, right place, right time. Technologies: drip fertigation, drone spraying, variable rate fertiliser applicator, hydroponics-aeroponics, agrivoltaic farming, SPAD meter 2.0, Aflatoxin-B1 rapid detection, digital-twin fruit monitoring, blockchain banana traceability, Dweep Microclimate Monitor, RPTO Dehradun for UAV training, and a super-intensive precision shrimp system (120-150 t/ha/year over three cycles).
9. India’s retail inflation (CPI) rose to what level in July 2026 — a 19-month high?
A. 4.15%
B. 4.45%
C. 4.75%
D. 5.05%
E. 5.45%
View Answer
Explanation: July 2026 CPI hit 4.45% — a 19-month high driven mainly by food and fuel prices, signalling renewed inflationary pressure on household consumption.
10. President Murmu gave assent to the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, extending legal protection to:
A. The State Emblem
B. Vande Mataram
C. The Constitution’s Preamble
D. The National Calendar
E. Regional anthems
View Answer
Explanation: With Presidential assent, the amendment now criminalises intentional disruption or prevention of the singing of Vande Mataram — extending it protection similar to the national anthem’s under the 1971 Act.
11. SBI Research raised its Q1 FY27 GDP growth projection to around 8% based on how many high-frequency indicators?
A. 36
B. 41
C. 54
D. 60
E. 72
View Answer
Explanation: SBI Research’s ~8% Q1 FY27 projection (vs RBI’s 7% estimate for the quarter) rests on 54 high-frequency indicators spanning agriculture, industry and services — supported by strong consumption, industrial output, services activity and government capex. Separately, PMS Bazaar partnered NSDL Database Management Ltd (NDML) to simplify SEBI Accredited Investor certification, and IBM tied up with MIT-Bengaluru and CHRIST University for AI centres (GenAI, ML, cybersecurity, LLMs, responsible AI).
12. The 2026 Hurun India Most Valuable Family Businesses list is topped by the Ambani family with what valuation?
A. â‚ą18.6 lakh crore
B. â‚ą21.4 lakh crore
C. â‚ą25.8 lakh crore
D. â‚ą30.2 lakh crore
E. â‚ą15.9 lakh crore
View Answer
Explanation: Ambani family (Mukesh Ambani) tops at â‚ą25.8 lakh crore; Birla family 2nd, Jindal family 3rd. India’s top 300 family businesses are together worth ~â‚ą138 lakh crore.
13. Hungary’s Parliament elected which former Supreme Court chief as the country’s new President (140-6 votes, assuming office 19 August 2026)?
A. Viktor Orbán
B. András Baka
C. Katalin Novák
D. Tamás Sulyok
E. PĂ©ter Magyar
View Answer
Explanation: Former Supreme Court chief András Baka was elected Hungary’s President with 140 votes for and 6 against, taking office on 19 August 2026 for a term of up to five years.
14. “Shruti” is the SECOND of four NGOPVs being built by GRSE Kolkata under a programme worth:
A. â‚ą6,500 crore
B. â‚ą8,200 crore
C. â‚ą9,781 crore
D. â‚ą11,300 crore
E. â‚ą12,650 crore
View Answer
Explanation: Shruti is the second of four Next-Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels under the ₹9,781-crore NGOPV programme at GRSE — strengthening indigenous warship-building and maritime security.
15. Skyroot Aerospace signed a Multi-Launch Agreement with HEX20 for three dedicated missions of which launch vehicle series, starting Q4 2027?
A. Agnibaan
B. Vikram
C. SSLV
D. Prithvi
E. Garuda
View Answer
Explanation: The Skyroot-HEX20 agreement covers three dedicated Vikram-series missions (Earth observation, payload demos, rideshare), with launches from Q4 2027.
16. Legendary NBA coach Don Nelson passed away at 86. As a PLAYER he won five NBA championships with which team?
A. LA Lakers
B. Boston Celtics
C. Chicago Bulls
D. Golden State Warriors
E. New York Knicks
View Answer
Explanation: Don Nelson won five NBA titles as a Boston Celtics player, coached 31 years with 1,335 regular-season wins, and entered the Hall of Fame in 2012. Also in obituaries: nuclear scientist M.P. Parameswaran (91) — BARC scientist, science communicator, key figure of the Kerala Sastra Sahitya Parishad.
17. PM Modi released former President Ram Nath Kovind’s autobiography, published by Rupa Publications, titled:
A. My Journey to Raisina Hill
B. Triumph of the Indian Republic: My Life, My Struggles
C. From Kanpur to the Capital
D. A Republic’s Servant
E. The People’s President
View Answer
Explanation: The autobiography covers Kovind’s early life, legal career, public service and tenure as India’s 14th President.
18. The theme of International Youth Day 2026 (12 August) was:
A. Youth Building Peace
B. Different Contexts, Common Aspirations
C. From Clicks to Progress
D. Green Skills for Youth
E. Intergenerational Solidarity
View Answer
Explanation: International Youth Day (12 August; first observed 2000) had the 2026 theme “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations.”
19. On World Elephant Day (12 August, first observed 2012), PM Modi highlighted that India is home to approximately what share of the world’s wild Asian elephants?
A. Over 40%
B. Over 50%
C. Over 60%
D. Over 75%
E. Over 80%
View Answer
Explanation: India hosts ~60%+ of the world’s wild Asian elephants (also flagged by MoS Kirti Vardhan Singh). World Elephant Day was conceptualised by Patricia Sims, Michael Clarke and Sivaporn Dardarananda; elephants — the largest land animals — have a gestation of ~22 months.
20. Gujarat approved â‚ą20 crore (2026-27) for four Centres of Excellence in Natural Farming, located at:
A. Rajkot, Surat, Vadodara, Mehsana
B. Navsari, Morbi, Bhavnagar, Chhota Udepur
C. Anand, Junagadh, Kutch, Dahod
D. Gandhinagar, Amreli, Patan, Valsad
E. Banaskantha, Kheda, Porbandar, Narmada
View Answer
Explanation: The four CoEs will offer training, technology support, soil testing, value addition and post-harvest facilities for natural farming.
21. The National Biodiversity Authority released over â‚ą15 crore under the Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) mechanism arising from which genetic resource?
A. Turmeric
B. Mustard
C. Neem
D. Basmati rice
E. Ashwagandha
View Answer
Explanation: The â‚ą15+ crore ABS proceeds from mustard genetic resources will be distributed among 26 State Biodiversity Boards and 3 UT Biodiversity Councils — operationalising fair benefit-sharing from biological resource use. Also: Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh paid tributes to Ahilyabai Holkar (heritage restoration, social welfare) on her death anniversary; Shah launched the Gramin Gyan Setu app integrating libraries in the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency; and 50,000+ saplings were planted on Hariyali Amavasya under ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ with Vriksh Mitra Parivar, led by Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
22. Indian Railways approved Kavach 4.0 installation on 660 route km of the Izzatnagar Division (North Eastern Railway) at an estimated cost of:
A. â‚ą195 crore
B. â‚ą295 crore
C. â‚ą395 crore
D. â‚ą495 crore
E. â‚ą595 crore
View Answer
Explanation: Kavach — India’s indigenous Automatic Train Protection system — gets Version 4.0 on 660 route km of NER’s Izzatnagar Division for â‚ą295 crore.
23. India and Nepal signed MoUs for EIGHT development projects (Indian grant assistance) covering which sectors?
A. Defence, energy, mining
B. Education, health and agriculture
C. Railways, aviation, tourism
D. IT, space, banking
E. Hydropower, roads, telecom
View Answer
Explanation: The eight India-Nepal projects — funded through Indian grant assistance — span education, health and agriculture, deepening people-centric development partnership.
24. For the first time, 18 metric tonnes of GI-tagged Mithila Makhana were exported from Bihar to which country, procured directly from Darbhanga farmers?
A. UAE
B. Australia
C. USA
D. UK
E. Singapore
View Answer
Explanation: The maiden 18 MT export of GI-tagged Mithila Makhana to Australia — procured directly from Darbhanga farmers — expands global markets for Bihar’s GI agricultural products.
25. India signed Terms of Reference for a Preferential Trade Agreement with SACU — the world’s OLDEST customs union. When was SACU established and where is its secretariat?
A. 1948; Pretoria, South Africa
B. 1910; Windhoek, Namibia
C. 1902; Gaborone, Botswana
D. 1925; Maseru, Lesotho
E. 1960; Mbabane, Eswatini
View Answer
Explanation: SACU (est. 1910; secretariat Windhoek, Namibia) has five members — South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho and Eswatini. The India-SACU ToR signing is India’s FIRST with the African region, opening PTA negotiations.
