Current Affairs Quiz — 19 August 2026
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
What are the cost and length of the Muzaffarpur-Sitamarhi-Sonbarsa NH-22 four-laning approved by the Cabinet on 19 August 2026?
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Correct answer: C — ₹3,590.73 crore; 82.578 km
The project covers 82.578 km at a total capital cost of ₹3,590.73 crore.
On which mode will the Muzaffarpur-Sitamarhi-Sonbarsa section of NH-22 be developed?
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Correct answer: A — Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM)
The CCEA approved the project on Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM).
Consider the following statements about the NH-22 Muzaffarpur-Sitamarhi-Sonbarsa project: 1. It links the India-Nepal border at Sonbarsa with Muzaffarpur on NH-27 (East-West Corridor). 2. It is designed for a speed of 120 kmph. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only statement 1 is correct. The road is designed for 100 kmph, with an average speed of 80 kmph.
On which route was the proof of concept for domestic-to-international transshipment cargo run from 20 June 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Chennai-Delhi-Frankfurt
The proof of concept ran on the Chennai-Delhi-Frankfurt sector using DIAL's Transshipment Excellence Centre, with Air India operating end-to-end.
By how much did the transshipment proof of concept reduce average end-to-end transit time?
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Correct answer: D — From 60 hours to 20 hours
Ram Mohan Naidu said the proof of concept cut average end-to-end transit time from 60 hours to 20 hours.
Consider the following statements about the transshipment cargo reform at IGI Airport: 1. London and Copenhagen were added as new international destinations on 19 August 2026. 2. The framework allowing secured transshipment cargo to move without re-screening was notified by the DGCA. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only statement 1 is correct. The framework was notified by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) through Addendum-II to AVSEC Circular No. 6/2024 on 21 July 2025.
How many women-only bus services did the Delhi government launch on 19 August 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 56
Delhi launched 56 women-only services: 30 Ladies Special trips on 15 routes and 26 University Ladies Special trips on 13 routes.
Consider the following statements about Delhi's bus induction on 19 August 2026: 1. With 200 new buses, Delhi's electric bus fleet crossed 5,000. 2. All 200 new buses are 12-metre electric buses. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only statement 1 is correct. The 200 buses comprise 88 twelve-metre e-buses and 112 nine-metre DEVI buses.
Which institutions developed the 'smart' cancer drug RK-251 announced in August 2026?
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Correct answer: C — IASST Guwahati and IIT Guwahati
RK-251 was developed by researchers from the Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST), Guwahati, and IIT Guwahati.
What triggers the activation of the cancer drug RK-251 inside cancer cells?
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Correct answer: B — High levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS)
Cancer cells produce high levels of reactive oxygen species; these trigger RK-251 to release the anticancer compound NBDHEX.
Consider the following statements about RK-251: 1. On activation it releases the anticancer compound NBDHEX. 2. In preclinical studies it showed strong activity against triple-negative breast cancer cells. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. Zebrafish embryo tests showed no obvious toxicity, but more studies are needed before patient trials.
What was the theme of the OCHA-led World Humanitarian Day 2026 campaign?
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Correct answer: A — Families of Fallen Humanitarians
The 2026 OCHA-led campaign focused on 'Families of Fallen Humanitarians'.
World Humanitarian Day on 19 August commemorates which event?
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Correct answer: C — The 2003 bombing of the Canal Hotel in Baghdad
On 19 August 2003, a bomb attack on the Canal Hotel in Baghdad killed 22 humanitarian workers, including UN envoy Sergio Vieira de Mello.
Consider the following statements about World Humanitarian Day: 1. It was designated by a resolution of the UN Security Council. 2. The annual campaign is led by the World Health Organization. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — Neither 1 nor 2
Neither is correct. The day was designated by UN General Assembly resolution 63/139, and the campaign is led by OCHA. The UN Security Council link in 2026 is the 10th anniversary of Resolution 2286 on health care in armed conflict.
The four railway multitracking projects approved by the Cabinet on 19 August 2026 have what total cost and will add roughly how much to the network?
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Correct answer: D — About ₹9,450 crore; about 410 km
The four projects cost about ₹9,450 crore and will add about 410 km to the Indian Railways network.
Which of the four multitracking projects approved on 19 August 2026 spans Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu?
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Correct answer: B — Gummidipundi-Gudur 3rd and 4th lines
The 90-km Gummidipundi-Gudur 3rd and 4th lines span Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu; the other three are in Odisha or West Bengal-Odisha.
Consider the following statements about the four railway projects approved on 19 August 2026: 1. They will improve connectivity to about 6,448 villages with a population of about 60 lakh. 2. The added capacity is expected to carry about 76 MTPA of additional freight. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. The projects cover eight districts and are to be completed by 2030-31.
At what level did the RBI's Monetary Policy Committee keep the policy repo rate at its 3-5 August 2026 meeting, as recorded in the minutes released on 19 August?
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Correct answer: B — 5.25%
The MPC unanimously kept the repo rate at 5.25%; the SDF rate is 5.00% and the MSF rate and Bank Rate are 5.50%.
The RBI Monetary Policy Committee meeting held from 3 to 5 August 2026 was its
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Correct answer: D — 62nd meeting
The minutes describe it as the sixty-second meeting of the MPC.
Consider the following statements about the RBI MPC minutes released on 19 August 2026: 1. The minutes are published under Section 45ZL of the RBI Act, 1934. 2. The MPC changed its stance from neutral to accommodative. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only statement 1 is correct. The MPC decided to continue with the neutral stance.
In which city was the 2nd BRICS 2026 Tourism Working Group meeting held on 19 August 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Jaipur
The Ministry of Tourism hosted the 2nd BRICS 2026 Tourism Working Group meeting in Jaipur, Rajasthan.
In which city did the DRI bust an ivory artefact trafficking syndicate and seize 54 artefacts on 19 August 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Lucknow
The DRI operation was carried out in Lucknow; the four accused and the artefacts were handed to the UP Forest Department.
Consider the following statements about the DRI ivory seizure of 19 August 2026: 1. The seized artefacts and the accused were handed over to the CBI. 2. The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 prohibits trade in elephant ivory and articles made from it. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Only statement 2 is correct. The artefacts and accused were handed over to the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department.
Which edition of the Coast Guard Global Summit will India host in New Delhi in February 2027?
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Correct answer: D — 5th
India will host the 5th Coast Guard Global Summit in February 2027, coinciding with the Indian Coast Guard's golden jubilee.
On which Kolkata street did a hotel fire kill nine people, including five Bangladeshi nationals, on 19 August 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Mirza Ghalib Street
The fire broke out at a hotel on Mirza Ghalib Street (Free School Street) in central Kolkata's New Market area.
Where were the BRICS Youth Council Meeting and BRICS Youth Summit held on 19 August 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Gandhinagar
Both events were held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, under India's BRICS Chairship.