Current Affairs Quiz — 08 August 2025
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
What is the central outlay for the four new components of Special Development Packages for Assam and Tripura approved on 8 August 2025?
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Correct answer: B — ₹4,250 crore
The Centre will provide ₹4,250 crore under the Central Sector Scheme of SDPs: ₹4,000 crore for Assam and ₹250 crore for Tripura.
The ₹250-crore Tripura component of the Special Development Packages approved in August 2025 follows a Memorandum of Settlement with which groups?
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Correct answer: C — NLFT and ATTF
The ₹250 crore is for development of tribals of Tripura under the MoS signed with the NLFT and ATTF (National Liberation Front of Twipra and All Tripura Tiger Force).
Consider the following statements about the Special Development Packages components approved in August 2025: 1. The Assam government will contribute ₹3,000 crore from its own resources. 2. The ₹500-crore component for the NCHAC area relates to a settlement with the Dimasa groups DNLA/DPSC. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both statements are correct. Of the ₹7,250 crore total, ₹3,000 crore will be contributed by the Assam government, and ₹500 crore is for the NCHAC area inhabited by DNLA/DPSC groups.
Consider the following statements about the Memoranda of Settlement behind the new SDP components: 1. The settlement with the ULFA groups was signed in 2022. 2. The settlement with the NLFT/ATTF was signed in 2024. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Statement 1 is incorrect: the ULFA settlement was signed in 2023 (it was the Adivasi groups' settlement that was signed in 2022). Statement 2 is correct: the NLFT/ATTF settlement was signed in 2024.
How much compensation did the Union Cabinet approve in August 2025 for public sector OMCs' losses on domestic LPG?
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Correct answer: D — ₹30,000 crore
The Cabinet approved ₹30,000 crore as compensation to IOCL, BPCL and HPCL for under-recoveries on domestic LPG.
In how many tranches will the ₹30,000-crore LPG compensation to oil marketing companies be paid?
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Correct answer: B — 12
The compensation will be paid in 12 tranches, with distribution among the OMCs done by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
The MERITE scheme approved by the Union Cabinet in August 2025 relates to which sector?
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Correct answer: A — Technical education
MERITE stands for Multidisciplinary Education and Research Improvement in Technical Education and covers technical institutions.
Which international institution is providing a ₹2,100-crore loan for the MERITE scheme?
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Correct answer: C — World Bank
Of the ₹4,200-crore outlay of MERITE, ₹2,100 crore is a loan from the World Bank.
Consider the following statements about the MERITE scheme: 1. It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with cost-sharing between the Centre and States. 2. It is expected to support about 275 government and government-aided technical institutions. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Statement 1 is incorrect: MERITE is a Central Sector Scheme, with funds transferred from the Centre to participating entities through a Central Nodal Agency. Statement 2 is correct: about 275 government and government-aided technical institutions are expected to be supported.
The 4-lane Marakkanam–Puducherry project approved by the CCEA on 8 August 2025 is on which national highway?
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Correct answer: C — NH-332A
The project upgrades about 46 km of NH-332A from Marakkanam to Puducherry to four lanes.
The Marakkanam–Puducherry highway project approved in August 2025 will be developed on which mode?
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Correct answer: A — Hybrid Annuity Mode
The project will be developed on Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM) at a total capital cost of ₹2,157 crore.
Consider the following statements about the Marakkanam–Puducherry project: 1. It includes a greenfield, access-controlled Puducherry bypass. 2. It will connect with the minor port of Cuddalore. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both statements are correct. The project includes a greenfield, access-controlled Puducherry bypass, and the upgraded corridor will connect two railway stations, two airports and the minor port of Cuddalore.
During his phone call with President Putin on 8 August 2025, PM Modi invited him to India for which edition of the India–Russia Annual Summit?
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Correct answer: D — 23rd
PM Modi invited President Putin to India later in the year for the 23rd India–Russia Annual Summit.
How is the India–Russia partnership officially described in the readout of the Modi–Putin call of 8 August 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership
The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to further deepen the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between India and Russia.
What Gross Merchandise Value did the Government e Marketplace (GeM) record in FY 2024-25?
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Correct answer: A — ₹5.4 lakh crore
GeM recorded ₹5.4 lakh crore in Gross Merchandise Value in FY 2024-25.
Consider the following statements about GeM's 9th Foundation Day in August 2025: 1. The celebration was held on the theme 'Ease, Access and Inclusion'. 2. Caution money for sellers was doubled to curb non-performance. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct: the theme was 'Ease, Access and Inclusion'. Statement 2 is incorrect: caution money for sellers was eliminated, not doubled.
Till when has the PM E-DRIVE scheme been extended, as announced in August 2025?
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Correct answer: A — 31 March 2028
The Ministry of Heavy Industries extended the PM E-DRIVE scheme by two years, from 31 March 2026 to 31 March 2028.
What is the total outlay of the PM E-DRIVE scheme, which was kept unchanged when the scheme was extended in August 2025?
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Correct answer: A — ₹10,900 crore
The scheme was originally notified on 29 September 2024 with an outlay of ₹10,900 crore, and the extension is within the same outlay.
Consider the following statements about the extension of the PM E-DRIVE scheme in August 2025: 1. Support for registered electric two-wheelers will also continue till 31 March 2028. 2. The extension is meant for e-trucks, e-buses and testing agencies. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Statement 1 is incorrect: the terminal date for registered e-2Ws, e-rickshaws and e-carts, and e-3Ws (L5) remains 31 March 2026. Statement 2 is correct: the extension to 31 March 2028 is for e-trucks, e-buses and testing agencies.
What targeted subsidy per 14.2-kg LPG cylinder will PMUY beneficiaries get in 2025-26 under the Cabinet decision of 8 August 2025?
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Correct answer: D — ₹300
PMUY beneficiaries will get a targeted subsidy of ₹300 per 14.2-kg cylinder for up to 9 refills a year.
Up to how many refills a year are covered by the PMUY targeted subsidy for 2025-26?
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Correct answer: D — 9
The ₹300 subsidy applies to up to 9 refills per year (pro-rated for 5-kg cylinders).
Consider the following statements about the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana as of 2025: 1. It was launched in May 2016 to give deposit-free LPG connections to adult women from poor households. 2. India imports about 60% of its LPG requirement. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both statements are correct. PMUY was launched in May 2016 to provide deposit-free LPG connections to adult women of poor households, and India imports about 60% of its LPG requirement.
The CATCH Grant Program launched by IndiaAI and the National Cancer Grid in August 2025 supports AI innovations in which area?
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Correct answer: D — Cancer screening, diagnosis and treatment
CATCH (Cancer AI & Technology Challenge) supports AI innovations in cancer screening, diagnosis and treatment.