Current Affairs Quiz — 28 August 2026
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
What was India's IIP growth rate (quick estimate) for July 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 6.7%
The quick estimate put IIP growth for July 2026 at 6.7%; 7.3% was the June 2026 figure and the manufacturing growth rate.
Which IIP sector recorded a contraction in July 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Mining & Quarrying
Mining & quarrying contracted 0.9%, while the other sectors grew.
Consider the following statements about the IIP quick estimate for July 2026: 1. The index is compiled on the base year 2022-23=100. 2. MoSPI releases the IIP quick estimate on the 28th of every month (or the next working day). Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: the index uses base 2022-23=100 and is released on the 28th of every month, or the next working day if the 28th is a holiday.
As of its 12th anniversary in August 2026, roughly how many accounts had been opened under PM Jan-Dhan Yojana?
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Correct answer: C — Over 59 crore
More than 59 crore Jan-Dhan accounts have been opened.
What share of PM Jan-Dhan Yojana accounts belong to women, as of August 2026?
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Correct answer: A — 56%
56% of the accounts belong to women; 78% is the share in villages and small towns.
Consider the following statements about PM Jan-Dhan Yojana as of August 2026: 1. Deposits in Jan-Dhan accounts have crossed ₹3.1 lakh crore. 2. In the JAM trinity, 'M' stands for MGNREGA. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: JAM stands for Jan Dhan–Aadhaar–Mobile.
Where was the inaugural India–Kuwait Joint Defence Committee meeting held in August 2026?
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Correct answer: D — New Delhi
The first JDC meeting was held in New Delhi on 28 August 2026.
Consider the following statements about India–Kuwait relations: 1. India and Kuwait established diplomatic relations in 1971. 2. The India–Kuwait relationship was upgraded to a Strategic Partnership during the Indian Prime Minister's visit to Kuwait in December 2024. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Statement 1 is wrong: diplomatic relations were established in 1962. Statement 2 is correct.
By which year does India aim to eliminate malaria, as reaffirmed at the Health Ministry review of August 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 2030
India's target, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals, is malaria elimination by 2030.
According to the Health Ministry, the number of high-burden malaria districts in India fell from 155 to how many between 2015 and 2025?
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Correct answer: A — 33
High-burden districts fell from 155 to 33; 160 is the number of districts with zero indigenous cases in 2022–2025.
Consider the following statements about India's malaria situation as reviewed in August 2026: 1. The 33 high-burden districts accounted for 64% of malaria cases and 54% of malaria deaths in 2025. 2. The 33 high-burden districts are spread across nine States and Union Territories. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: the 33 districts across nine States/UTs accounted for 64% of cases and 54% of deaths in 2025.
The 'Gnani Artha' sovereign AI stack launched in August 2026 comprises which two components?
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Correct answer: B — Evon 3.3 and Plexus
Gnani Artha comprises Evon 3.3, a large language model, and Plexus, a platform connecting AI with real-world work.
Who launched the 'Gnani Artha' sovereign AI stack at Uprashtrapati Bhavan on 28 August 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan
Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan launched Gnani Artha at Uprashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi.
What is the financial outlay of the PRIP scheme for pharma and MedTech research?
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Correct answer: D — ₹5,000 crore
The Promotion of Research and Innovation in Pharma & MedTech (PRIP) scheme has an outlay of ₹5,000 crore.
The PRIP scheme is administered by which ministry/department?
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Correct answer: A — Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers
PRIP is run by the Department of Pharmaceuticals under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers.
Consider the following statements about the PRIP scheme's second call (August 2026): 1. Early-stage projects of startups and MSMEs can receive up to ₹5 crore per project. 2. Later-stage projects can receive up to ₹100 crore, with no limit on the share of project cost. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: later-stage assistance of up to ₹100 crore is capped at 35% of the approved project cost.
Sanchar Saathi, which crossed 75,000 handset recoveries in a single month in 2026, is an initiative of which department?
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Correct answer: A — Department of Telecommunications
Sanchar Saathi is the Department of Telecommunications' citizen-centric initiative.
By how much did monthly handset recoveries through Sanchar Saathi rise between April 2025 and July 2026?
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Correct answer: D — 201%
Monthly recoveries rose 201% between April 2025 and July 2026.
Under the August 2026 reforms, the validity of the defence Open General Export Licence (OGEL) was changed to:
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Correct answer: B — Three years
OGEL validity was increased from two to three years.
What was India's record defence export figure for FY 2025-26, cited by the Ministry of Defence in August 2026?
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Correct answer: C — ₹38,424 crore
Defence exports touched a record ₹38,424 crore in FY 2025-26; ₹1.78 lakh crore was defence production.
Consider the following statements about the defence export reforms of August 2026: 1. The OGEL requires exporters to seek a separate authorisation for each consignment. 2. Stakeholder consultation has been dispensed with for exports of all items meant for international tenders and exhibitions. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Statement 1 is wrong: OGEL lets eligible exporters self-generate authorisations for multiple consignments without a separate authorisation for each. Statement 2 is correct.
Which social reformer, remembered on 28 August 2026, was credited with paving the way for social transformation through education in Keralam and improving the lives of agricultural workers?
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Correct answer: B — Mahatma Ayyankali
The PM and Home Minister paid homage to Mahatma Ayyankali on his birth anniversary, citing his work for education of the marginalised and agricultural workers in Keralam.
Consider the following statements about the tributes paid on 28 August 2026: 1. The Prime Minister paid tributes to Sree Narayana Guru on his birth anniversary. 2. The Prime Minister paid homage to Mahatma Ayyankali on his death anniversary. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: 28 August 2026 was Mahatma Ayyankali's birth anniversary, not his death anniversary.
In August 2026, Justice Biswaroop Chowdhury was appointed a permanent judge of which High Court?
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Correct answer: D — Calcutta High Court
Justice Biswaroop Chowdhury, an additional judge, was appointed a permanent judge of the Calcutta High Court.
Consider the following statements about India's telecom subscription data at the end of July 2026: 1. Total telephone subscribers stood at about 1,354 million. 2. Rural telephone subscribers outnumbered urban subscribers. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Statement 1 is wrong: urban subscribers (796.68 million) outnumbered rural (557.59 million). Statement 2 is correct (1,354.28 million).