Current Affairs Quiz — 19 August 2025
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Who co-chaired the 24th round of India–China Special Representatives talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in New Delhi on 19 August 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Ajit Doval
National Security Adviser Ajit Doval co-chaired the 24th meeting of the Special Representatives with Wang Yi during his visit to New Delhi.
At the 24th Special Representatives talks, India and China agreed to set up an Expert Group to explore an 'early harvest' in boundary delimitation under which framework?
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Correct answer: A — Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC)
The MEA statement, as reported, said the two sides agreed to set up an Expert Group under the WMCC to explore early harvest in boundary delimitation.
The India–China Special Representatives talks held in New Delhi on 19 August 2025 were which round of the mechanism?
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Correct answer: C — 24th
PIB and the MEA statement describe the 19 August 2025 meeting co-chaired by Ajit Doval and Wang Yi as the 24th meeting of the Special Representatives.
Consider the following statements about the outcomes of the 24th India–China Special Representatives talks: 1. The two sides agreed to create General-level mechanisms in the eastern and middle sectors, in addition to the existing one in the western sector. 2. They agreed to seek a settlement framework in line with the 2005 Agreement on Political Parameters and Guiding Principles. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both statements are correct: the MEA statement, as reported, refers to new General-level mechanisms in the eastern and middle sectors alongside the existing western-sector mechanism, and to a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable framework in line with the 2005 Agreement on Political Parameters and Guiding Principles.
Consider the following statements about the mechanisms agreed at the 24th India–China Special Representatives talks: 1. The Working Group under the WMCC was set up to explore an early harvest in boundary delimitation. 2. The WMCC, under which the new groups were set up, was created in 2012. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Statement 1 is incorrect: early harvest in boundary delimitation is the task of the Expert Group, while the Working Group is to advance effective border management. Statement 2 is correct: the WMCC was created in 2012.
The Capital Region Ring Road (Bhubaneswar Bypass) approved by the Cabinet on 19 August 2025 will be developed under which mode?
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Correct answer: C — Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM)
The CCEA approved the 6-lane access-controlled Capital Region Ring Road (Bhubaneswar Bypass, 110.875 km) in Odisha on Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM).
What is the total capital cost of the 110.875-km Bhubaneswar Bypass approved by the CCEA on 19 August 2025?
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Correct answer: D — ₹8,307.74 crore
The Capital Region Ring Road (Bhubaneswar Bypass, 110.875 km) was approved at a total capital cost of ₹8,307.74 crore.
Consider the following statements about the Capital Region Ring Road in Odisha approved on 19 August 2025: 1. It is meant to ease congestion on the existing National Highway between Rameshwar and Tangi, which passes through Khordha, Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. 2. Its alignment integrates with only two National Highways and no State Highway. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct: the project addresses congestion on the existing NH between Rameshwar and Tangi through Khordha, Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. Statement 2 is incorrect: the alignment integrates with three National Highways (NH-55, NH-57 and NH-655) and one State Highway (SH-65).
Until what date did the Government exempt raw cotton imports from all customs duties, with effect from 19 August 2025?
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Correct answer: B — 30 September 2025
The Government exempted all customs duties on the import of raw cotton with effect from 19 August 2025 until 30 September 2025.
What was the cumulative import duty on raw cotton that was removed by the exemption announced on 19 August 2025?
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Correct answer: C — 11%
The exemption removed the 5% Basic Customs Duty, the 5% AIDC and a 10% Social Welfare Surcharge on both, cumulatively an 11% import duty on cotton.
Consider the following statements about the customs duty exemption on raw cotton announced in August 2025: 1. The exemption was notified by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT). 2. The exemption took effect from 1 September 2025. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — Neither 1 nor 2
Neither statement is correct: the exemption was notified by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), and it took effect from 19 August 2025, running until 30 September 2025.
INS Tamal arrived at which Greek port on 19 August 2025 during her return passage to India after commissioning in Russia?
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Correct answer: A — Souda Bay
INS Tamal, the latest stealth frigate, arrived at Souda Bay, Greece, on 19 August 2025 during her return passage to India post commissioning in Russia.
During INS Tamal's port call at Souda Bay in August 2025, the crew was to be familiarised with operations at which facility?
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Correct answer: D — NATO Maritime Interdiction Operational Training Centre
The port call included familiarisation with operations and procedures at the NATO Maritime Interdiction Operational Training Centre in Souda Bay.
How many mobile toilets were installed along the Amarnath Yatra 2025 route, according to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs?
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Correct answer: D — Over 1,600
To cater to hygiene needs across the route, over 1,600 mobile toilets were installed, each cleaned twice daily.
The zero-waste Amarnath Yatra 2025 was aligned with the goals of which mission?
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Correct answer: A — Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0
The Ministry said the 2025 Amarnath Yatra aligned with the goals of Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0 through scientific waste management and plastic-free practices.
Among the ECI initiatives listed on 19 August 2025, what is the maximum number of voters now set per polling station?
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Correct answer: A — 1,200
The ECI listed a polling station limit of 1,200 voters to reduce crowding and shorten queues.
ECINET, listed by the Election Commission among its recent initiatives, subsumes how many apps and websites?
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Correct answer: C — 40+
ECINET is described as a one-stop digital platform subsuming 40+ apps and websites for electors and other stakeholders.
Consider the following statements about the ECI initiatives listed on 19 August 2025: 1. Under a new SOP, EPICs are to be delivered within 30 days of an update in the electoral rolls. 2. Honorarium has been provided to EROs and AEROs for the first time. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Statement 1 is incorrect: the new SOP enables delivery of EPICs within 15 days of an update in the electoral rolls. Statement 2 is correct: honorarium was provided to EROs and AEROs for the first time.
Wang Yi handed over President Xi Jinping's invitation to Prime Minister Modi on 19 August 2025 for the SCO Summit being held in which Chinese city?
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Correct answer: C — Tianjin
Wang Yi handed over a message and invitation from President Xi for the SCO Summit being held in Tianjin, and the Prime Minister conveyed his acceptance.
While receiving Wang Yi on 19 August 2025, Prime Minister Modi welcomed progress in India–China ties since his meeting with President Xi held last year in which city?
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Correct answer: D — Kazan
PIB states the Prime Minister welcomed the steady and positive progress in bilateral ties since his meeting with President Xi in Kazan last year.
Consider the following statements about Wang Yi's call on Prime Minister Modi on 19 August 2025: 1. Wang Yi shared his assessment of his meeting with EAM S. Jaishankar and of the 24th Special Representatives meeting. 2. The Prime Minister cited the resumption of the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra as part of the progress in ties. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both statements are correct: Wang Yi shared his positive assessment of the meeting with EAM Jaishankar and the 24th SR meeting, and the Prime Minister referred to the resumption of the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra while welcoming progress since Kazan.
The greenfield airport at Kota-Bundi approved by the Cabinet on 19 August 2025 is being designed to suit which type of aircraft?
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Correct answer: B — A-321
The Rajasthan government transferred 440.06 ha to AAI for a greenfield airport suitable for operation of A-321 type aircraft.
How much land has the Rajasthan government transferred to the Airports Authority of India for the Kota-Bundi greenfield airport?
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Correct answer: A — 440.06 hectares
The Government of Rajasthan has transferred 440.06 hectares of land to AAI for development of the greenfield airport.
Which runway specification is planned for the new Kota-Bundi greenfield airport?
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Correct answer: D — Runway 11/29, 3,200 m x 45 m
The project includes Runway 11/29 of 3,200 m x 45 m; Runway 08/26 of 1,220 m x 38 m belongs to the existing Kota airport.
Judicial officer Ramesh Kumari was appointed as an Additional Judge of which High Court, as notified on 19 August 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Punjab and Haryana High Court
The President, after consultation with the Chief Justice of India, appointed Ramesh Kumari, judicial officer, as an Additional Judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
Which edition of the National Anubhav Awards, honouring retired government employees, was held at Vigyan Bhawan on 19 August 2025?
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Correct answer: D — 8th
Dr Jitendra Singh presented awards at the 8th National Anubhav Awards ceremony held with the 57th Pre-Retirement Counselling Workshop at Vigyan Bhawan; the awards were launched in 2015.
At the 20th Central Monitoring Committee meeting on river rejuvenation (19 August 2025), which State was noted as having no polluted river stretches in the latest CPCB assessment?
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Correct answer: A — Sikkim
The Committee noted that Sikkim emerged as a State with no polluted river stretches in the latest CPCB assessment, while Assam and Punjab were cited for floodplain demarcation.