Current Affairs Quiz — 24 August 2026
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Under Tamil Nadu's 'Annapoorani Super Six' scheme announced on 24 August 2026, how many LPG cylinders a year will the state pay for?
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Correct answer: B — Three
The state will reimburse eligible families for three domestic LPG cylinders a year from Pongal 2027, as a first phase of the six-cylinder promise.
Tamil Nadu's expanded free bus travel scheme for women, announced in August 2026, is now called:
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Correct answer: D — Vettri Payanam
The scheme, earlier called Vidiyal Payanam, has been renamed Vettri Payanam and extended to express, LSS, deluxe and mofussil buses from 2 October 2026.
Consider the following statements about Tamil Nadu's welfare announcements of 24 August 2026: 1. The Annapoorani Super Six scheme will be launched on Pongal Day in 2027. 2. The expanded women's free bus travel will carry an income ceiling of ₹2.5 lakh. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only statement 1 is correct. The expanded bus scheme has no income ceiling and no limit on the number of trips.
According to India's Second Progress Report on the Bonn Challenge, presented at UNCCD COP17 in August 2026, how much land did India bring under restoration during 2011–2020?
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Correct answer: D — 21.76 million hectares
India brought 21.76 million hectares under restoration during 2011–2020, generating about 1.22 billion person-days of employment.
Under its enhanced Bonn Challenge commitment, India aims to restore how much degraded and deforested land by 2030?
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Correct answer: C — 26 million hectares
India's initial 2015 Bonn Challenge commitment was later enhanced to 26 million hectares by 2030.
India's next Bonn Challenge reporting cycle, for 2021–2025, is being carried out in collaboration with which two bodies?
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Correct answer: A — ICFRE Centre of Excellence on Sustainable Land Management and IUCN
Yadav said the 2021–2025 cycle is being done with the ICFRE Centre of Excellence on Sustainable Land Management and IUCN, tracking area restored, financial flows and employment.
As noted at the 3rd India–Cambodia JWGTI in August 2026, what was India–Cambodia bilateral trade in 2025-26?
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Correct answer: A — USD 406.78 million
Trade grew by over 36% to USD 406.78 million in 2025-26, up from USD 299 million in the previous year.
Consider the following statements about India–Cambodia economic ties as of August 2026: 1. Cambodia is India's 8th largest trading partner in ASEAN. 2. UPI acceptance at KHQR-enabled merchants in Phnom Penh was launched in June 2026. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. Cambodia accounts for 0.31% of India's trade with ASEAN, and UPI acceptance at KHQR merchants in Phnom Penh began on 2 June 2026.
Where did the Ministry of Tribal Affairs begin the National Conclave on Tribal Languages and Museums on 24 August 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Mysuru
The three-day conclave began in Mysuru, Karnataka, organised with the Karnataka State Tribal Research Institute and CIIL.
'Jago', launched at the Mysuru conclave in August 2026, is:
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Correct answer: A — The official AI conversational assistant of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs
Jago is the ministry's official AI assistant, designed to make information on tribal welfare schemes easier to find and understand.
Consider the following statements about the upgraded Adi Vaani platform launched in August 2026: 1. It was launched with a new Android-only app. 2. Five new languages were added to it. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Only statement 2 is correct. The upgrade added a new iOS application, five new languages and a logo.
How much foreign exchange had the RBI's special USD-INR swap facility mobilised as of 21 August 2026?
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Correct answer: B — USD 73 billion
The facility mobilised USD 73 billion in under eleven weeks, of which FCNR(B) deposits made up USD 65.40 billion.
The RBI's 2026 USD-INR swap facility was compared with a similar FCNR(B) swap scheme of which earlier year that raised about USD 26 billion?
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Correct answer: D — 2013
The 2013 FCNR(B) swap scheme raised about USD 26 billion over roughly three months; the 2026 facility raised USD 73 billion in under eleven weeks.
Consider the following statements about the RBI's 2026 USD-INR swap facility: 1. It was launched on 8 June 2026. 2. The RBI extended the FCNR(B) window from 31 August to 30 September 2026. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only statement 1 is correct. The RBI advanced the closure of the FCNR(B) window from 30 September to 31 August 2026 because the target was met early.
In which state did the Vice-President launch India's first non-GMO, high-expansion popcorn maize hybrid seed on 24 August 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Andhra Pradesh
The seed was launched at Musunuru in Eluru district, Andhra Pradesh.
Which company was commended by the Vice-President for developing India's first indigenous non-GMO popcorn maize hybrid?
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Correct answer: B — Gourmet Popcornica
The Vice-President commended Gourmet Popcornica and its farmers for developing the indigenous hybrid that reduces reliance on imported technology.
Where was the 4th India–Argentina Joint Trade Committee meeting held on 24 August 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Buenos Aires
The 4th JTC was held at Palacio San Martín in Buenos Aires.
KABIL's lithium mining activities in Argentina, reviewed at the August 2026 JTC, are located in which province?
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Correct answer: D — Catamarca
KABIL's project in Catamarca is the first lithium mining initiative by an Indian company in Argentina and has completed Phase II drilling; Salta and Jujuy are being explored next.
Consider the following statements about the 4th India–Argentina JTC: 1. India–Argentina trade crossed USD 6.5 billion in 2025. 2. Argentina committed to work towards upgrading India from Annex II to Annex I in its pharmaceutical regulatory framework. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. India is also now Argentina's fifth-largest trading partner.
Which edition of the National Security Strategies (NSS) Conference was inaugurated by Amit Shah in New Delhi on 24 August 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 9th
Amit Shah inaugurated the 9th two-day NSS Conference-2026, held in hybrid format with over 850 participants.
At the NSS Conference-2026, the Home Minister directed AI-based analysis of information on which platform to create SOPs against national security threats?
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Correct answer: A — Multi Agency Centre (MAC)
Amit Shah directed that information available on MAC platforms be analysed using AI to create SOPs for national security challenges.
Consider the following statements about the National Security Strategies Conference: 1. It has been held every year in hybrid format since 2015. 2. The 2026 edition was a one-day event held entirely in virtual mode. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — Neither 1 nor 2
Both are wrong. The conference has been held annually in hybrid format since 2021, and the 2026 edition was a two-day hybrid event.
Where was the 2nd India–New Zealand Defence Strategic Dialogue held on 24 August 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Wellington
The second Defence Strategic Dialogue was held in Wellington on 24 August 2026.
The 2nd India–New Zealand Defence Strategic Dialogue discussed implementing which roadmap?
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Correct answer: B — Strategic Partnership Roadmap 2030
The talks focused on implementing the targets in the India–New Zealand Strategic Partnership Roadmap 2030, after ties were elevated to a Strategic Partnership.
Of the six envoys who presented credentials to President Murmu on 24 August 2026, which country's envoy was designated High Commissioner rather than Ambassador?
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Correct answer: D — Nigeria
Muhammad Saidu Dahiru presented credentials as High Commissioner of Nigeria; the envoys of South Sudan, the UAE, Moldova, Germany and Sweden are Ambassadors.
In Trump v. California (24 August 2026), what did the US Supreme Court do regarding the President's executive order on mail-in voting?
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Correct answer: C — Stayed a district court injunction that had blocked parts of the order
The Court granted a stay of the Massachusetts district court's injunction, holding the order itself does not harm the states; it did not rule on the order's lawfulness.
Consider the following statements about Trump v. California (August 2026): 1. The ruling was unanimous. 2. The challenge had been brought by 23 states and the District of Columbia. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Only statement 2 is correct. The decision was 6–3, with Justice Sotomayor (joined by Justice Kagan) among the dissenters.