Current Affairs Quiz — 12 August 2026
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Against which terror syndicate did security agencies carry out a coordinated operation across 14 states on 12 August 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Shahzad Bhatti Network
The operation targeted the Pakistan-based, ISI-backed Shahzad Bhatti Network ahead of Independence Day.
How many people were detained across 14 states in the 12 August 2026 operation against the Shahzad Bhatti Network?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — 253
The operation led to 253 detentions across 14 states, with over 80 FIRs and more than 200 arrests recorded.
Which state recorded the highest number of detentions in the 12 August 2026 crackdown on the Shahzad Bhatti Network?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh had the most detentions (62), followed by Haryana (52), Delhi (51) and Punjab (44).
Consider the following statements about the operation against the Shahzad Bhatti Network: 1. Grenades recovered bore Pakistan Ordnance Factory markings. 2. The operation used a real-time intelligence-sharing system with State Police forces. Which of the above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both statements are correct. Recoveries included grenades with Pakistan Ordnance Factory markings, and the operation relied on real-time intelligence sharing with State Police forces.
With which regional grouping did India sign Terms of Reference for Preferential Trade Agreement negotiations on 12 August 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — SACU
India and the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) signed the ToR for PTA negotiations at Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi.
Consider the following statements about the India–SACU Terms of Reference signed in August 2026: 1. It is India's first ToR signing with the African region. 2. SACU was described as the oldest customs union in the world. Which of the above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both statements are correct, according to Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal; the PTA is envisaged to cover eight chapters.
How many chapters is the proposed India–SACU Preferential Trade Agreement envisaged to cover?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Eight
The PTA is envisaged to cover eight chapters, including trade in goods and market access, rules of origin, customs procedures and trade remedies.
What is the title of former President Ram Nath Kovind's autobiography released by PM Modi on 12 August 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Triumph of the Indian Republic: My Life, My Struggles
The autobiography is titled 'Triumph of the Indian Republic: My Life, My Struggles' and was released at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi.
Where was former President Ram Nath Kovind's autobiography released on 12 August 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi
PM Modi released the autobiography at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi.
At the release of Ram Nath Kovind's autobiography, PM Modi said the former President is still working on which reform?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — One Nation, One Election
The PM said that even after retiring as President, Kovind is working on 'One Nation, One Election', which could start a new chapter in democracy.
National Library Day, on which Amit Shah launched the 'Gramin Gyan Setu' app on 12 August 2026, marks the birth anniversary of whom?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — S. R. Ranganathan
Amit Shah noted that 12 August marks the birth anniversary of S. R. Ranganathan, celebrated as National Library Day.
The 'Gramin Gyan Setu' app launched in August 2026 interconnects village libraries in which Lok Sabha constituency?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Gandhinagar
The app links libraries in the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency of Gujarat; 752 libraries had joined it.
The 'One Herb, One Standard' MoU renewed on 12 August 2026 is between the PCIM&H and which body?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission
The MoU is between the Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine & Homoeopathy (Ayush) and the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (Health Ministry).
How many monographs were developed in the first phase of the 'One Herb, One Standard' initiative?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 50
The renewed three-year framework builds on 50 monographs developed in the first phase.
Three Indian Sanchar Mitras were selected in August 2026 as Generation Connect Youth Envoys of which international organisation?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — International Telecommunication Union
They were selected as ITU Generation Connect Youth Envoys for 2026–2030, in recognition of their work under DoT's Sanchar Mitra scheme.
What was the theme of International Youth Day 2026, observed on 12 August?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Different Contexts, Common Aspirations
International Youth Day 2026 was observed under the theme 'Different Contexts, Common Aspirations', as noted by the Department of Telecommunications.
Under which Article of the Constitution does the National Commission for Scheduled Castes present its report, as it did to the President on 12 August 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Article 338
The NCSC's report on the working of safeguards for Scheduled Castes is presented under Article 338 of the Constitution.
Who led the National Commission for Scheduled Castes delegation that submitted the Annual Report 2024–25 to the President in August 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Kishor Makwana
The delegation was led by NCSC Chairman Kishor Makwana, along with members including Love Kush Kumar.
What was India's CPI-based retail inflation for July 2026, on the new base year 2024?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 4.45%
Combined CPI inflation was 4.45% in July 2026; 4.84% was rural, 3.96% urban and 5.52% food (CFPI) inflation.
What is the base year of the Consumer Price Index series used for the July 2026 inflation data released by MoSPI?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 2024
The CPI series now uses base year 2024=100; the WPI series separately uses base year 2022-23.
Consider the following statements about CPI data for July 2026: 1. Urban inflation was higher than rural inflation. 2. Food inflation (CFPI) was higher than headline CPI inflation. Which of the above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 2 only
Only statement 2 is correct. Rural inflation (4.84%) was higher than urban (3.96%), and food inflation of 5.52% exceeded headline inflation of 4.45%.
Kavach Version 4.0 was approved in August 2026 for 660 route km of the Izzatnagar Division. Which railway zone does this division belong to?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — North Eastern Railway
Izzatnagar Division is part of North Eastern Railway; Kavach 4.0 was approved there at an estimated ₹295 crore.
Consider the following statements about Kavach: 1. Kavach is an indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection system. 2. Kavach is designed to prevent Signal Passed at Danger (SPAD) incidents. Which of the above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both statements are correct. Kavach is India's indigenous ATP system that prevents SPAD incidents and collisions by automatically applying brakes when required.
How many downloads had Indian Railways' RailOne app recorded as of August 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — 4.76 crore
RailOne had 4.76 crore downloads and about 10 lakh average daily ticket bookings as of 2 August 2026.
Which institute, an autonomous body under DST, developed the AI framework announced in August 2026 that detects hidden cancer stem-like cell states?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — S. N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences
Researchers from the S. N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences, with Ashoka University, developed the framework, which identifies three developmental states of cancer stem-like cells.