Current Affairs Quiz — 18 August 2026
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Who chaired the selection committee for the National Sports Awards 2025, announced on 18 August 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Justice (Retd.) Arun Kumar Mishra
The selection committee was chaired by former Supreme Court judge Justice (Retd.) Arun Kumar Mishra.
Which entity received the Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Army Paralympic Node, Pune
The Army Paralympic Node, Pune, was the sole entity named for the Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar 2025.
Who received the Arjuna Award (Lifetime) 2025, and in which sport?
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Correct answer: A — I. Arumainayagam, football
Footballer I. Arumainayagam received the Arjuna Award (Lifetime); the others are Dronacharya awardees.
Consider the following statements about the National Sports Awards 2025: 1. Chess players Vidit Gujrathi and Divya Deshmukh are among the Arjuna awardees. 2. The Dronacharya Award (regular category) went to coaches in athletics, boxing and shooting. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. The regular Dronacharya awardees are Parveer Singh (athletics), Chhote Lal Yadav (boxing) and Neha Nandkumar Chavan (shooting).
The Parang La pass, crossed by the NCC's 'Aparajita' trek flagged off on 18 August 2026, connects which two regions?
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Correct answer: B — Spiti Valley (HP) and Changthang (Ladakh)
Parang La (5,578 m) connects the Spiti Valley of Himachal Pradesh with the Changthang region of Ladakh.
How many girl cadets are taking part in 'Aparajita - Parang La 2026', and what distance will they cover?
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Correct answer: D — 28 cadets; about 250 km in 30 days
Twenty-eight girl cadets, led by three women officers, will cover about 250 km in 30 days.
What does CAQM's Direction No. 102, approved on 18 August 2026, deal with?
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Correct answer: B — Phased shift to cleaner light goods vehicles in Delhi-NCR
Direction No. 102 mandates phased restrictions on new registration of diesel, petrol and CNG N1 light goods vehicles in Delhi-NCR; Direction No. 103 covers stone crushers.
Consider the following statements about CAQM's Direction No. 102: 1. Light goods vehicles form about 1.2% of the active vehicle stock but contribute about 3.3% of particulate emissions from the fleet. 2. Registration restrictions on diesel, petrol and CNG N1 LGVs begin in Delhi from 1 January 2027. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. In the high vehicle density NCR districts the restrictions start from 1 July 2027.
Who was the main challenger to Hakainde Hichilema in Zambia's 2026 presidential election?
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Correct answer: B — Brian Mundubile
Brian Mundubile received about 38% of the vote, against about 60% for Hichilema.
Consider the following statements about Zambia's 2026 presidential election result: 1. Hakainde Hichilema won a second five-year term. 2. Hichilema won more than 75% of the vote. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only statement 1 is correct. Hichilema won about 60% of the vote.
How many knowledge compendiums were launched at the 12th BRICS Environment Ministers' Meeting on 18 August 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Four
Four knowledge compendiums prepared by the BRICS Environment Working Group were unveiled.
Consider the following statements about the 12th BRICS Environment Ministers' Meeting: 1. It was held in Pune. 2. The Joint Ministerial Statement was adopted by a majority vote, with India abstaining. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — Neither 1 nor 2
Neither is correct. The meeting was held in New Delhi, and the Joint Ministerial Statement was adopted by consensus under India's chairship.
From when is the Incentive Scheme for Promotion of Domestic PNG Connections effective?
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Correct answer: C — 1 September 2026
The scheme, approved on 18 August 2026, is effective from 1 September 2026.
Under the Domestic PNG incentive scheme, how much additional APM gas does a CGD entity get for every incremental billed domestic connection?
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Correct answer: B — 200 SCM
Eligible CGD entities get an additional 200 SCM of domestically produced, lower-priced APM gas per incremental billed connection above the threshold.
Consider the following statements about the Domestic PNG incentive scheme: 1. India currently has about 1.74 crore domestic PNG connections. 2. The scheme runs in four tranches spread over two years. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only statement 1 is correct. The scheme runs in two tranches spanning six months.
How many items are on the sixth Positive Indigenisation List notified by the Department of Defence Production on 18 August 2026?
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Correct answer: D — 405
The sixth PIL has 405 strategically important items with an estimated business potential of ₹3,070 crore.
On which portal is the detailed sixth Positive Indigenisation List available?
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Correct answer: B — SRIJAN
The detailed list is available on the SRIJAN portal (srijandefence.gov.in).
Consider the following statements about the sixth Positive Indigenisation List: 1. It contains 389 items of Defence PSUs and 16 items of the Indian Coast Guard. 2. Its estimated business potential is ₹30,700 crore. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only statement 1 is correct. The estimated business potential is ₹3,070 crore.
How much financial support has been approved for the Amended BharatNet Program in Chhattisgarh under the agreement signed on 18 August 2026?
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Correct answer: A — ₹3,942 crore
₹3,942 crore has been approved for rolling out the Amended BharatNet Program in Chhattisgarh.
Consider the following statements about the Amended BharatNet agreement for Chhattisgarh: 1. The agreement was signed in Raipur. 2. The programme will cover 11,682 gram panchayats. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Only statement 2 is correct. The agreement was signed at Sanchar Bhawan, New Delhi.
Which Indian official visited Armenia on 17-18 August 2026, during which a defence MoU was signed?
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Correct answer: A — Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh
Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh visited Armenia on 17-18 August 2026.
Consider the following statements about the India-Armenia defence engagement of August 2026: 1. The two sides exchanged Terms of Reference for institutionalising Joint Services Staff Talks. 2. An IT Lab at the Armenian Military Academy has been set up with Indian assistance. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. The defence ministries also signed an MoU on joint collaboration, innovation and research.
At which venue did the 65th Subroto Cup International Football Tournament open on 18 August 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Dr B. R. Ambedkar Stadium, New Delhi
The 65th Subroto Cup opened at Dr B. R. Ambedkar Stadium, New Delhi, with 108 teams in three categories.
The Har Ghar Tiranga 2026 celebrations, which closed with a concert at Bharat Mandapam on 18 August 2026, were dedicated to what?
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Correct answer: A — 150 years of Vande Mataram
Har Ghar Tiranga 2026 was dedicated to marking 150 years of Vande Mataram.
The gauge-converted Kailaras-Sabalgarh-Birpur rail section inaugurated on 18 August 2026 is in which state?
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Correct answer: C — Madhya Pradesh
The section is in the Gwalior-Chambal region of Madhya Pradesh and benefits villages in Morena and Sheopur districts.
The 2nd India-Malaysia Joint Working Group meeting held on 18 August 2026 dealt with cooperation in which field?
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Correct answer: D — Public administration and governance reforms
The JWG is on 'Cooperation in the Field of Public Administration and Governance Reforms', co-chaired by DARPG and Malaysia's Public Service Department.
Through which mobile app can commuters buy NHAI's online FASTag Local Pass, extended to 121 toll plazas on 18 August 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Rajmargyatra
Eligible commuters can subscribe to the monthly Local Pass online through the Rajmargyatra mobile app.