Current Affairs Quiz — 08 April 2026
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
The 1,200 MW Kalai-II Hydro Electric Project, approved by the CCEA on 8 April 2026, is on which river?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Lohit
The CCEA approved Kalai-II on the Lohit river in Anjaw district; it is the first hydro project in the Lohit basin.
Consider the following statements about the hydro projects approved on 8 April 2026: 1. Kalai-II will be implemented through a joint venture of THDC India Limited and the Government of Arunachal Pradesh. 2. Kamala HEP will be implemented through a joint venture of NTPC Limited and the Government of Arunachal Pradesh. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: Kamala HEP will be implemented by a joint venture of NHPC Limited (not NTPC) and the state government.
Under the Kalai-II and Kamala projects, what share of power will Arunachal Pradesh receive free, plus how much for the Local Area Development Fund?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 12% free power + 1% for LADF
For both projects the state will receive 12% free power and an additional 1% earmarked for the Local Area Development Fund.
Under the Environment (Utilisation of Crop Residue by Thermal Power Plants) Rules, 2023, coal-based thermal plants must use what blend of biomass pellets or briquettes with coal?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 5%
The Rules mandate a 5% blend of biomass pellets or briquettes with coal, with a minimum threshold of 3% prescribed for FY 2024-25.
Which thermal power plant faced the largest Environmental Compensation (about ₹33.02 crore) in CAQM's April 2026 action on biomass co-firing?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Talwandi Sabo Power Limited, Mansa
CAQM listed about ₹33.02 crore on Talwandi Sabo Power Limited (Mansa, Punjab), the highest of the six; Harduaganj had the lowest at about ₹2.74 crore.
Consider the following statements about CAQM's action of April 2026: 1. It covers thermal power plants located within 500 km of Delhi. 2. The minimum co-firing threshold prescribed for FY 2024-25 was 5%. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Neither 1 nor 2
Both are wrong: the six plants are within 300 km of Delhi, and the minimum threshold for FY 2024-25 was 3% (5% is the mandated blend).
Mohsina Kidwai, who died on 8 April 2026, entered national politics by winning the 1978 Lok Sabha by-election from which constituency?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Azamgarh
The Hindu and NDTV both report that she entered national politics after winning the 1978 by-election from Azamgarh in Uttar Pradesh.
Consider the following statements about Mohsina Kidwai: 1. She served as a member of the Legislative Council, the Legislative Assembly, the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha at different points in her career. 2. She entered the Rajya Sabha in 2004. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: The Hindu and NDTV note that she served in four legislatures (MLC, MLA, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) and entered the Rajya Sabha in 2004.
Which memoir did Mohsina Kidwai publish in 2022?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — My Life in Indian Politics
Both reports say she published her memoir 'My Life in Indian Politics' in 2022.
On which date was the Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana launched?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 8 April 2015
The Finance Ministry says PMMY was launched by the Prime Minister on 8 April 2015; it completed 11 years on 8 April 2026.
Under PM Mudra Yojana, collateral-free institutional credit is available up to what amount for non-corporate, non-farm income-generating activities?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — ₹20 lakh
The Finance Ministry says PMMY offers collateral-free loans of up to ₹20 lakh for non-corporate and non-farm income-generating activities.
Consider the following statements about PM Mudra Yojana as of April 2026: 1. Two-thirds of the loans have been sanctioned to women entrepreneurs. 2. More than 57.79 crore loans have been sanctioned, with ₹40.07 lakh crore disbursed. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct, as stated by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on PMMY's 11th anniversary.
According to IRENA's Renewable Energy Statistics 2026, India moved ahead of which country to rank third in installed renewable energy capacity?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Brazil
Pralhad Joshi said India moved ahead of Brazil; IRENA lists India at 250.52 GW and Brazil at 228.20 GW, behind China and the USA.
What was India's total installed non-fossil fuel capacity as on 31 March 2026, according to MNRE?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — 283.46 GW
MNRE put non-fossil capacity at 283.46 GW on 31 March 2026: 274.68 GW renewable (incl. large hydro) plus 8.78 GW nuclear. 250.52 GW is IRENA's renewable figure as of December 2025.
Consider the following statements: 1. India reached 50% of its cumulative installed electricity capacity from non-fossil sources in June 2025, five years ahead of its 2030 NDC target. 2. Wind capacity additions of 6.05 GW in 2025-26 were the highest ever in a single year. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct as per MNRE: the 50% milestone came in June 2025, and 6.05 GW of wind in 2025-26 was the highest ever (4.15 GW the year before).
Which startup's indigenous technology was used for the 1,000-km quantum communication network demonstrated under the National Quantum Mission?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — QNu Labs
DST said the milestone was achieved using indigenous technology developed by QNu Labs, a startup supported under the mission.
What is the National Quantum Mission's target for quantum communication network length over an eight-year period?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — 2,000 km
DST said the 1,000-km demonstration marks progress against the mission's target of 2,000 km over eight years.
What is the approximate tentative budgetary requirement for Nutrient Based Subsidy on P&K fertilisers for Kharif 2026, as approved on 8 April 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — ₹41,533.81 crore
The Cabinet put the Kharif 2026 requirement at about ₹41,533.81 crore, around ₹4,317 crore more than Kharif 2025's ₹37,216.15 crore.
Since when has subsidy on phosphatic and potassic fertilisers been governed by the Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) scheme?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 1 April 2010
The Cabinet release says subsidy on P&K fertilisers has been governed by the NBS scheme with effect from 1 April 2010.
Jaipur Metro Phase-2, approved by the Union Cabinet on 8 April 2026, will be a North–South corridor of what length and how many stations?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 41 km, 36 stations
The Cabinet approved a 41-km North–South corridor from Prahladpura to Todi Mod with 36 stations. 11.64 km with 11 stations is Phase-1.
Consider the following statements about Jaipur Metro: 1. Phase-2 will be implemented by Rajasthan Metro Rail Corporation Limited, a 50:50 joint venture of the Government of India and the Government of Rajasthan. 2. The operational Phase-1 runs along a North–South axis from Prahladpura to Todi Mod. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: Phase-1 runs East–West from Mansarovar to Badi Chaupar; Prahladpura–Todi Mod is the new North–South Phase-2.
By when is Jaipur Metro Phase-2 targeted for completion?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — September 2031
The Cabinet release says Phase-2 is targeted for completion by September 2031.
On departing Malé on 8 April 2026, IOS SAGAR (INS Sunayna) held a Passage Exercise with which Maldivian vessel?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — MNDF Coast Guard Ship Ghazee
The Defence Ministry said the ship held a PASSEX with the MNDF Coast Guard Ship Ghazee on departure.
IOS SAGAR's multinational crew during its April 2026 Maldives visit included personnel from how many friendly foreign countries?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 16
The Defence Ministry said the multinational crew comprised personnel from 16 friendly foreign countries.
Under which operation did the DRI seize about 29.37 kg of gold from 24 women carriers at Mumbai airport in April 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Operation Dhahabu Blitz
The Finance Ministry said the 24 foreign nationals were intercepted under Operation Dhahabu Blitz.
The women carriers intercepted in Operation Dhahabu Blitz at Mumbai airport had arrived from which city?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Nairobi
The DRI said the group of female carriers was arriving from Nairobi.
What mission framework is proposed in NITI Aayog's 'Roadmap for Horticulture Development in the UT of Jammu & Kashmir' (April 2026)?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Operation Golden Greens
NITI Aayog said a key highlight of the roadmap is the proposed mission framework 'Operation Golden Greens'. Operation Greens is a separate existing scheme.
Consider the following statements about NITI Aayog's J&K horticulture roadmap: 1. Its proposed mission framework covers fruits, dry fruits, vegetables, floriculture and minor crops. 2. The report was released at SKUAST in Srinagar. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: the report was released at a workshop at NITI Aayog, New Delhi (SKUAST was among participating institutions).
Where in Egypt is the fourth India–Egypt Joint Special Forces Exercise, Cyclone-IV, being held in April 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Anshas
The Defence Ministry said Cyclone-IV is scheduled at Anshas from 9 to 17 April 2026.
Consider the following statements about Exercise Cyclone-IV: 1. It is the fourth edition of the India–Egypt Joint Special Forces Exercise. 2. The previous edition of the exercise was also held in Egypt. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: the Defence Ministry said Cyclone-IV follows the successful conduct of the previous edition in India.