Current Affairs Quiz — 21 August 2026
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
What is the budgetary outlay of the Mobile Phone Manufacturing Scheme notified by MeitY in August 2026?
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Correct answer: B — ₹62,500 crore
The Mobile Phone Manufacturing Scheme (MPMS) has a budgetary outlay of ₹62,500 crore.
What is the tenure of the Mobile Phone Manufacturing Scheme (MPMS)?
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Correct answer: D — FY 2026-27 to FY 2030-31
The scheme runs for five years, from FY 2026-27 to FY 2030-31; TS2 applicants may get a one-year gestation period.
Under Target Segment 2 (TS2) of the Mobile Phone Manufacturing Scheme, what incentive do Indian brands get?
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Correct answer: A — 5%, plus an additional 3% for Indian design and R&D
TS2 gives Indian brands 5%, plus an additional 3% for Indian design and R&D; up to 1.5% more is available for domestic sourcing of key components.
Consider the following statements about the Mobile Phone Manufacturing Scheme: 1. It follows the PLI scheme for Large Scale Electronics Manufacturing, whose tenure ended on 31 March 2026. 2. To be eligible under Target Segment 1, a manufacturer needs a minimum turnover of ₹10,000 crore in FY 2025-26. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. TS1 also requires existing brands to add ₹5,000 crore in sales each year over FY 2025-26.
In which city did BRICS Tourism Ministers adopt their 2026 declaration on 21 August 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Jaipur
The BRICS Tourism Ministers' Meeting concluded in Jaipur with the adoption of the Jaipur Declaration.
Who chaired the BRICS Tourism Ministers' Meeting in Jaipur in August 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Gajendra Singh Shekhawat
Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat chaired the meeting.
Consider the following statements about the Jaipur Declaration of BRICS Tourism Ministers: 1. 'Artificial Intelligence and Tourism' was one of the four thematic priorities reflected in it. 2. It was adopted by consensus. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. The other priorities were sustainability, skilling and capacity building, and seamless travel facilitation.
What deep-draft capability did Paradip Port mark in August 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 18.5 metres
The projects inaugurated on 21 August 2026 marked Paradip's 18.5-metre deep-draft capability.
The ₹1,580.36-crore concession agreements signed at Paradip Port in August 2026 aim at:
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Correct answer: D — 100% berth mechanisation by 2030
The three mechanisation projects under these agreements aim at 100% berth mechanisation by 2030.
Consider the following statements about the Paradip Port projects of August 2026: 1. Capital dredging worth ₹352 crore enables the port to handle fully laden Capesize vessels. 2. The projects inaugurated by Sarbananda Sonowal were worth ₹1,580.36 crore. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only statement 1 is correct. The inaugurated projects were worth ₹427.80 crore; ₹1,580.36 crore was the value of the concession agreements.
Which city hosted the 12th BRICS Communications Ministers' Meeting in August 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Pune
The 12th BRICS Communications Ministers' Meeting was held in Pune, Maharashtra, on 21 August 2026.
What is the theme of the ICT Track under India's BRICS Chairship in 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Innovate, Cooperate and Transform (ICT) for a Resilient Future
Scindia introduced the ICT Track theme 'Innovate, Cooperate and Transform (ICT) for a Resilient Future', with four pillars.
On the sidelines of the BRICS ICT Track meeting in Pune in August 2026, India signed a telecommunications and ICT MoU with which country?
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Correct answer: B — Brazil
Jyotiraditya Scindia and Brazil's Communications Minister Frederico de Siqueira Filho signed the MoU.
How many FDI investments had been reported under the revised land-bordering-country framework up to 20 August 2026?
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Correct answer: D — 29
29 FDI investments with proposed FDI of ₹4,895.65 crore had been reported up to 20 August 2026.
Under the revised FDI framework of 2026, investors with non-controlling beneficial ownership from land-bordering countries up to what level can use the automatic route?
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Correct answer: B — 10%
Non-controlling LBC beneficial ownership of up to 10% can now come through the automatic route, subject to sectoral caps and reporting.
Consider the following statements about the revised FDI framework for land-bordering-country ownership: 1. It was introduced through Press Note 2 of 2026. 2. Investors using it no longer need to report any information to the government. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only statement 1 is correct. The investor entity may proceed without other approvals only after reporting the relevant information to the government.
Which edition of the India–UK Defence Consultative Group meeting was held in New Delhi on 21 August 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 25th
The 25th India–UK Defence Consultative Group meeting was held in New Delhi on 21 August 2026.
The Regional Maritime Security Centre of Excellence (RMSCE), noted at the India–UK DCG meeting, was set up under which initiative?
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Correct answer: A — Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI)
The two sides acknowledged the RMSCE established under the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative.
Consider the following statements about the 25th India–UK Defence Consultative Group meeting: 1. It was co-chaired by India's Defence Minister and the UK Defence Secretary. 2. It was held in London. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — Neither 1 nor 2
Both are wrong. It was co-chaired by India's Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and the UK's Permanent Under Secretary for Defence Jeremy Pocklington, in New Delhi.
What stock limit did the Centre impose on sugar dealers from 1 August to 30 November 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 400 tonnes
A stock limit of 400 tonnes was imposed on sugar dealers across the country from 1 August to 30 November 2026.
To improve sugar availability in 2026, the Centre permitted duty-free import of how much raw sugar?
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Correct answer: A — 10 LMT
As a precaution, the government permitted duty-free import of 10 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of raw sugar.
Consider the following statements about the Centre's August 2026 note on sugar prices: 1. The government attributed the price rise mainly to diversion of sugar for ethanol. 2. Sugar production this season is expected to be about 343 LMT. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — Neither 1 nor 2
Both are wrong. The government said ethanol diversion was not the cause (its share fell to about 9%), and output is expected at about 306 LMT; 343 LMT was the states' initial estimate.
Where was the 14th India–Nepal Joint Working Group meeting on border management held in August 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Dehradun
The 14th India–Nepal JWG met in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, on 20–21 August 2026.
Consider the following statements about the 14th India–Nepal Joint Working Group meeting: 1. India's delegation was led by a Joint Secretary of the Ministry of External Affairs. 2. The next meeting will be held in India. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — Neither 1 nor 2
Both are wrong. India's delegation was led by Joint Secretary (BM-I) of the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the next meeting will be in Nepal.
How much is the ADB loan signed in August 2026 for Chennai's water supply and sewerage?
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Correct answer: A — $230 million
India and ADB signed a $230 million loan for the Chennai Climate-Resilient Water Security and Sewerage Project.
Under the ADB-backed project, Chennai will become the first Indian city to implement:
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Correct answer: C — A comprehensive ring-main water supply solution
Chennai will be the first Indian city to implement a comprehensive ring-main solution, a closed-loop plumbing system that balances water pressure.
Consider the following statements about the Chennai Climate-Resilient Water Security and Sewerage Project: 1. It is financed by a World Bank loan. 2. It will lay over 170 km of pipes and upgrade 7 water and 38 sewer pumping stations. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Only statement 2 is correct. The project is financed by a $230 million loan from the Asian Development Bank.
With the CEOs and founders of how many space start-ups did PM Modi interact on 21 August 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 20
The Prime Minister interacted with CEOs and founders of 20 space start-ups at Seva Teerth.
During his August 2026 interaction with space start-ups, PM Modi suggested greater collaboration with which initiative to nurture young minds' interest in space?
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Correct answer: A — Atal Tinkering Labs
He suggested greater collaboration with Atal Tinkering Labs to nurture curiosity and interest in space among young minds.
Which shipyard built 'Mangrol', the Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft delivered to the Navy in August 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Cochin Shipyard Limited
Mangrol is the third ASW Shallow Water Craft built by Cochin Shipyard Limited, Kochi.
The ASW Shallow Water Craft 'Mangrol' is named after a coastal town in which district of Gujarat?
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Correct answer: C — Junagadh
Mangrol is a coastal town and minor port in Junagadh district, Gujarat, known as a fishing harbour.
Consider the following statements about the ship 'Mangrol' delivered in August 2026: 1. It is the first Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft built by Cochin Shipyard. 2. It is propelled by conventional shafts and propellers. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — Neither 1 nor 2
Both are wrong. Mangrol is the third ASW SWC built by CSL, and it is propelled by waterjets.
When and where will the 57th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) be held?
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Correct answer: B — Goa, 20–28 November 2026
The 57th IFFI is scheduled to be held in Goa from 20 to 28 November 2026.
For what conduct did the CCI sanction the Agro Input Dealers Association and Agro Input Welfare Association in August 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Cartelisation
The CCI found them guilty of cartelisation under Section 3(3)(b) read with Section 3(1) of the Competition Act, 2002.