Practice Questions (58 total · Page 1 of 2)
Q1
What was the Assam flood death toll as reported in early August 2026?
Explanation:
The Assam flood death toll rose to 82, with around 1.92 lakh people affected across several districts. The worst-hit districts included Sivasagar, Golaghat, Jorhat, Nagaon and Charaideo. This highlights the recurring monsoon flood challenge in the Brahmaputra valley. Relief and rescue operations continued through the week as the situation gradually improved.
Q2
Which Assam districts were worst-affected by the August 2026 floods?
Explanation:
The worst-affected districts in the August 2026 Assam floods were Sivasagar, Golaghat, Jorhat, Nagaon and Charaideo. Around 1.92 lakh people were affected at the peak of the flooding. Assam faces recurring floods due to the Brahmaputra river and its tributaries. By 3 August, the affected population had eased to about 1.78 lakh as rainfall reduced.
Q3
In which Assam district did BIS raid a fake gold hallmarking centre in August 2026?
Explanation:
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) raided a fake hallmarking centre in Goalpara district, Assam. Hallmarking certifies gold purity and is regulated under the BIS Hallmarking Scheme. Only BIS-licensed Assaying and Hallmarking Centres can legally certify gold jewellery. This is part of BIS's consumer-protection enforcement.
Q4
Glaw Lake, India's 101st Ramsar site, is located inside which protected area?
Explanation:
Glaw Lake, India's 101st Ramsar Site and Arunachal Pradesh's first, is located inside the Kamlang Tiger Reserve and Wildlife Sanctuary in Lohit district. The freshwater lake supports over 150 tree species and 49 orchid species. India's Ramsar tally has grown from 26 in 2014 to 101 now.
Q5
Which Northeastern state launched 'Mission Clouded Leopard' in August 2026?
Explanation:
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma launched Mission Clouded Leopard to protect the Mainland Clouded Leopard, the state animal. A preliminary survey identified 21 individual clouded leopards in the Balpakram landscape. The species is Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List with Schedule I protection under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
Q6
The Rajya Sabha passed a bill raising the Supreme Court's sanctioned judge strength from 34 to how many?
Explanation:
The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026, raised the Court's strength from 34 to 38 judges, including the CJI. It was passed as a Money Bill, replacing a May 2026 Ordinance, and is the first such increase since 2019.
Q7
The EWS reservation, whose eligibility criteria the government clarified in August 2026, was introduced through which constitutional amendment?
Explanation:
The 10% EWS reservation for economically weaker sections not covered under SC/ST/OBC categories was introduced via the 103rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 2019. The government clarified its objective and eligibility criteria in August 2026. This is a key polity topic on reservation policy.
Q8
The government told the Supreme Court that the 'creamy layer' principle, per the Ashoka Kumar Thakur judgment, applies only to which category?
Explanation:
The Union Government told the Supreme Court that the creamy layer principle applies only to OBCs, citing the Ashoka Kumar Thakur judgment, and cannot be extended to SC/ST reservations since those rest on historical and social discrimination rather than economic status alone.
Q9
The Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2026 requires delayed registration beyond two years to be authorised by whom?
Explanation:
Under the amendment, delayed registration of births/deaths beyond two years now requires an order from a Judicial Magistrate First Class after verification, making the process more stringent. Birth registration coverage has improved from about 86% in 2014 to over 99% now.
Q10
The Indian Statistical Institute, at the centre of the ISI Bill 2026 controversy, was founded by whom?
Explanation:
The Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) was founded by P.C. Mahalanobis in 1931 and has played a foundational role in India's statistical system and economic planning methods. The ISI Bill, 2026 proposes governance changes that critics say could reduce its academic autonomy.
Q11
Under the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision, approximately how many names were deleted from Jharkhand's draft electoral rolls?
Explanation:
Jharkhand's draft electoral rolls under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) showed deletion of about 43.61 lakh names, nearly 16.5% of the state's total electors, removing deceased, shifted, and duplicate entries.
Q12
Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj Party won its first assembly seat by winning which Bihar bypoll in August 2026?
Explanation:
Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor won the Bankipur assembly bypoll, his electoral debut, defeating BJP's Neeraj Kumar Sinha by 19,324 votes. Bankipur had been a BJP stronghold since 1995, and this was the party's first assembly seat win.
Q13
The Cauvery water-sharing dispute in August 2026 involved Karnataka and which state approaching the Supreme Court?
Explanation:
Tamil Nadu moved the Supreme Court seeking directions to Karnataka to implement the Cauvery Water Management Authority's decision on water release, while Karnataka's CM appealed to withdraw a proposed bandh over the issue.
Q14
How many new ministers were inducted in the Karnataka Cabinet expansion in August 2026?
Explanation:
The Karnataka government under CM D.K. Shivakumar expanded its Cabinet by inducting 19 new ministers in a swearing-in ceremony in Bengaluru, a significant development in state coalition management.
Q15
The Supreme Court directed closure of FIRs against students who protested over which examination's paper leak?
Explanation:
The Supreme Court directed states to close or withdraw FIRs against students involved in the 20 July 2026 protests over the NEET-UG paper leak, except in grave cases. The Centre separately said it is considering a two-stage NEET-UG format similar to JEE.
Q16
The Appropriation Bill, 2026 authorised withdrawal of how much from the Consolidated Fund of India to regularise Excess Grants for FY 2022-23?
Explanation:
The Rajya Sabha passed the Appropriation Bill, 2026, authorising withdrawal of Rs 54,067.44 crore from the Consolidated Fund of India. An Appropriation Bill is required under Article 114, since no money can be withdrawn from the Consolidated Fund without parliamentary approval.
Q17
The Har Ghar Tiranga Campaign 2026 runs nationwide over which dates ahead of Independence Day?
Explanation:
Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat launched the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign 2026, running from 9 to 17 August, encouraging citizens to hoist the National Flag at home ahead of Independence Day.
Q18
The 'Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan' launched by PM Modi runs for how many weeks?
Explanation:
PM Modi launched the 100-week nationwide Jan Bhagidari campaign against youth drug abuse. Over 1 crore youth took the Nasha Mukti Pledge on launch day across more than 28,000 locations, coordinated by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports through MY Bharat.
Q19
India observed which edition of National Handloom Day on 7 August 2026?
Explanation:
India observed the 12th National Handloom Day, marking the anniversary of the 1905 Swadeshi Movement. President Droupadi Murmu attended as Chief Guest, and 22 awards were presented, including 3 Sant Kabir Handloom Awards and 19 National Handloom Awards for 2025.
Q20
Nauru officially changed its name to which of the following in 2026?
Explanation:
The Pacific nation Nauru officially changed its name to the Republic of Naoero, confirmed by President David Adeang following a May 2026 constitutional amendment aimed at restoring indigenous identity. The country code NRO remains unchanged.
Q21
An Indian-flagged merchant vessel carrying 13 Indian nationals was attacked in the Red Sea off the coast of which country?
Explanation:
An Indian-flagged vessel with 13 Indian crew came under attack off Yemen in the Red Sea; all crew were safely rescued and the Ministry of External Affairs condemned the targeting of commercial shipping in the region.
Q22
India hosted the Second BRICS Anti-Corruption Working Group Meeting in which city?
Explanation:
India hosted the Second BRICS Anti-Corruption Working Group (ACWG) Meeting and the Expert Network on Asset Recovery Meeting in Hyderabad, under its BRICS Presidency, focused on strengthening international anti-corruption cooperation.
Q23
India and Sri Lanka finalised a bilateral agreement in August 2026 on which subject?
Explanation:
India and Sri Lanka concluded negotiations on a bilateral Social Security Agreement during Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri's Colombo visit, exempting temporarily employed workers from dual social-security contributions.
Q24
India's gross GST collection for July 2026 stood at approximately how much?
Explanation:
India's gross GST collection reached Rs 2.11 lakh crore in July 2026, recording 15.4% year-on-year growth. Net collections after refunds stood at Rs 1.81 lakh crore, while April-July FY27 gross collection reached Rs 8.43 lakh crore.
Q25
India's fiscal deficit during Q1 FY27 (April-June) stood at what percentage of the full-year target?
Explanation:
India's fiscal deficit reached Rs 3.1 trillion during Q1 FY27, accounting for 18.2% of the full-year target of Rs 16.96 trillion. The government retained its fiscal deficit target of 4.3% of GDP for the year.
Q26
India's forex reserves reached what level for the week ended 24 July 2026?
Explanation:
India's foreign exchange reserves rose to $682.35 billion for the week ended 24 July 2026, an increase of $6.12 billion, driven mainly by growth in Foreign Currency Assets and gold reserves.
Q27
The Centre released an additional amount as tax devolution to states in August 2026 — how much?
Explanation:
The Central Government released an additional Rs 1.09 lakh crore to states as tax devolution, their constitutionally mandated share of central taxes under Finance Commission recommendations, strengthening states' fiscal position.
Q28
The RBI's Monetary Policy Committee kept the repo rate unchanged at what level in its August 2026 policy?
Explanation:
The MPC, chaired by RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra, unanimously kept the repo rate unchanged at 5.25% for the fourth consecutive time, with a neutral stance, projecting 6.7% real GDP growth and 5.00% CPI inflation for 2026-27.
Q29
The RBI announced plans to introduce which type of currency notes from FY 2027-28?
Explanation:
The RBI announced plans to introduce polymer currency notes from FY 2027-28, subject to successful trials. Polymer notes last longer, resist counterfeiting, and are already used in Australia, Canada, and the UK.
Q30
The RBI classified which entity as an NBFC-Upper Layer in August 2026?
Explanation:
The RBI classified Tata Sons as an NBFC-Upper Layer under its Scale-Based Regulatory Framework, subjecting it to stricter capital, governance, and risk-management norms as a systemically important entity, raising expectations of a future listing.
Q31
Cabinet's Samudra Manthan National Offshore Exploration Scheme has what total outlay?
Explanation:
The Union Cabinet approved Samudra Manthan with an outlay of Rs 84,084 crore till FY 2030-31, aiming to expand India's hydrocarbon resource base from 1.6 billion TOE to 2.2 billion TOE through offshore seismic surveys and deepwater exploration wells.
Q32
The extended PM-KISAN scheme, running till 2030-31, has a total financial outlay of how much?
Explanation:
The Union Cabinet approved continuation of PM-KISAN till 2030-31 with a total outlay of Rs 3.15 lakh crore. Eligible farmer families continue receiving Rs 6,000 annually in three DBT instalments; over Rs 4.47 lakh crore has been disbursed since the scheme's 2019 launch.
Q33
The GOBARdhan Scheme approved by the Cabinet in August 2026 has what outlay?
Explanation:
The Cabinet approved GOBARdhan with a Rs 23,731 crore outlay running 2026-27 to 2035-36, aiming to increase Compressed Biogas production nearly tenfold from organic waste, with rising CBG blending targets for City Gas Distribution companies.
Q34
As per a third-party assessment, every Re 1 invested under KCC-MISS contributes how much to net value addition in agriculture?
Explanation:
A third-party assessment found every Re 1 invested under the Kisan Credit Card-Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (KCC-MISS) contributes Rs 2.30 to net value addition in the agriculture and allied sector, highlighting the scheme's economic multiplier effect.
Q35
The MSME Development (Amendment) Bill, 2026 was passed by which body?
Explanation:
Parliament passed the MSME Development (Amendment) Bill, 2026, updating the legal framework for MSME classification and regulation. MSMEs are classified based on investment and turnover; the sector is a major contributor to employment and GDP.
Q36
Container train operators can now operate across all Indian routes under what kind of licence?
Explanation:
The Ministry of Railways announced that container train operators can now operate across all routes under a single all-India licence, improving ease of doing business in rail freight logistics.
Q37
ICAR-NIHSAD developed India's first indigenous vaccine against which disease?
Explanation:
ICAR-National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases, Bhopal, developed India's first indigenous ASF vaccine, a live attenuated vaccine based on the MA-104 cell line, dedicated to the nation by Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. ASF has caused heavy losses in the Northeast since 2020.
Q38
As per Department of Science and Technology data, what share of India's total R&D spending did the private sector account for in 2023-24?
Explanation:
Private industry accounted for 51.8% of India's total R&D expenditure in 2023-24, overtaking combined government spending for the first time and now employing more core researchers than government research institutions.
Q39
IBM's partnership with Sarvam aims to build what kind of AI solutions for India?
Explanation:
IBM and Indian AI startup Sarvam announced a partnership to build Sovereign AI solutions, with IBM providing its Sovereign Core platform and Sarvam contributing multilingual and voice AI models, targeting banking, healthcare, and public services.
Q40
The new catfish species Pseudolaguvia khairii, discovered in Odisha, is named after which famous tigress?
Explanation:
Pseudolaguvia khairii, discovered in the Budhabalanga River, Odisha, and published in Zootaxa, is named after conservationist Saroj Raj Choudhury's famous tigress Khairi, highlighting the biodiversity of the Similipal landscape.
Q41
IIT Gandhinagar's research on high-strength aluminium alloys targets which sectors?
Explanation:
IIT Gandhinagar's research paves the way for indigenous high-strength aluminium alloys for defence, aerospace, and strategic sector applications, supporting India's Atmanirbhar Bharat push in critical materials.
Q42
The PSB Hackathon Grand Finale 2026 for banking-sector innovation was held at which institute?
Explanation:
The grand finale of the PSB (Public Sector Bank) Hackathon was held at IIT Gandhinagar, bringing young innovators together to solve banking-sector challenges, reflecting continued fintech innovation among India's public sector banks.
Q43
Kerala's heavy rains and landslides in late July-August 2026 recorded the highest rainfall at which location?
Explanation:
The highest rainfall of 320 mm was recorded at Ayyankunnu in Kannur district during Kerala's late-July/early-August 2026 rain spell, which triggered landslides and flash floods, with the death toll eventually rising to 15.
Q44
The Supreme Court ruled that a 10-km mining buffer zone applies to which category of protected areas?
Explanation:
The Supreme Court clarified that the 10-km mining buffer zone rule applies to all wetland reserves, not just specific categories, strengthening ecological protection for sensitive wetland ecosystems from mining activity nationwide.
Q45
PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana crossed which milestone in rooftop solar installations by August 2026?
Explanation:
PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, India's flagship rooftop solar subsidy scheme for households, achieved a milestone of over 50 lakh installations nationwide, administered by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
Q46
The Pradhan Mantri Surya Sarovar Yojana (floating solar scheme) targets how much capacity by 2030-31?
Explanation:
PM-SSY, approved with a Rs 5,070 crore outlay, targets 5,000 MW of floating solar capacity by 2030-31 on reservoirs, lakes, and dams, with mandatory energy storage of at least 2 hours. India currently has only about 700 MW of floating solar capacity.
Q47
All districts of which state were brought under the National Horticulture Mission in August 2026?
Explanation:
All districts of Rajasthan have been covered under the National Horticulture Mission, a centrally sponsored scheme promoting holistic growth of the horticulture sector under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
Q48
The PM E-DRIVE Scheme's Rs 2,000 crore allocation in August 2026 is meant for what purpose?
Explanation:
An allocation of Rs 2,000 crore has been made under the PM E-DRIVE Scheme for deployment of Electric Vehicle Public Charging Stations (EVPCS) on a pan-India basis, administered by the Ministry of Heavy Industries.
Q49
Ajit Doval received the Lokmanya Tilak National Award 2026 in recognition of his contribution to what field?
Explanation:
NSA Ajit Doval received the Lokmanya Tilak National Award 2026, presented by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Pune, recognising his contribution to national security and strategic affairs. Doval is India's longest-serving NSA.
Q50
The Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport, inaugurated by PM Modi, is Andhra Pradesh's first what?
Explanation:
PM Modi inaugurated the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram, Andhra Pradesh's first greenfield international airport after the state's bifurcation, built by GMR Group at over Rs 5,640 crore under the PPP model.