HPSC HCS Current Affairs Quiz — Last 3 months
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Until when has lending under the restructured PM SVANidhi scheme been extended?
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Correct answer: D — 31 March 2030
Lending under the restructured scheme, approved on 27 August 2025, runs until 31 March 2030.
What is the maximum credit limit of the UPI-linked RuPay Credit Card introduced for street vendors under restructured PM SVANidhi?
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Correct answer: B — ₹30,000
Eligible vendors get a UPI-linked RuPay Credit Card with a limit of up to ₹30,000; 27,077 had been approved.
Consider the following statements about PM SVANidhi: 1. The scheme was launched on 1 June 2020 to provide collateral-free working capital loans to urban street vendors. 2. The restructured scheme aims to benefit 1.15 crore street vendors, including 50 lakh new beneficiaries. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct.
Samarthak, delivered to the Indian Navy on 27 August 2026, is the first of which class of vessel?
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Correct answer: A — Multi-Purpose Vessel
Samarthak is the first Multi-Purpose Vessel (MPV), built by L&T at Kattupalli.
Consider the following statements about the Multi-Purpose Vessel Samarthak: 1. It was built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers. 2. It has over 75% indigenous content and is conceived as a trial and evaluation platform. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Statement 1 is wrong: Samarthak was built by Larsen & Toubro at Kattupalli. Statement 2 is correct.
Vice Admiral Damian Fernando, who visited India from 26 to 29 August 2026, heads which navy?
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Correct answer: B — Sri Lanka Navy
Vice Admiral Damian Fernando is the Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy; this was his maiden visit to India in that role.
The flash flood that devastated central Nepal on 26 August 2026 came down which river from the Nepal–Tibet border?
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Correct answer: B — Bhote Koshi
The flood swept down the Bhote Koshi river, which flows from Tibet into Nepal, hitting Rasuwa and districts downstream.
According to the US Geological Survey, what caused the Nepal–Tibet border flash flood of 26 August 2026?
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Correct answer: D — A glacial collapse and debris flow
The USGS confirmed the flood was caused by a glacial collapse and debris flow.
As Nepal's floodwater reached India on 26 August 2026, Bihar opened all 36 gates of which barrage?
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Correct answer: A — Gandak barrage
Bihar opened all 36 gates of the Gandak barrage as floodwater from Nepal entered the Gandak river system.
Consider the following statements about India's response to the Nepal flash flood of 26 August 2026: 1. Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah and offered humanitarian assistance. 2. The Union Home Minister spoke to the Chief Ministers of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, and NDRF teams in border areas were put on high alert. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both statements are correct.
Who represented India at the India–Chile CEPA meeting in Santiago on 26 August 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal
Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal met Chilean Vice-Minister Paula Estévez Weinstein in Santiago.
What does CEPA stand for in the India–Chile trade negotiations?
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Correct answer: D — Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement
CEPA stands for Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.
Which of the following Japanese cities was NOT part of Piyush Goyal's August 2026 Japan visit?
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Correct answer: D — Kyoto
Piyush Goyal's engagements were held in Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka.
At the India–Japan Startup Roundtable in Tokyo on 26 August 2026, what global rank did Piyush Goyal give India's startup ecosystem?
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Correct answer: B — Third-largest
Piyush Goyal said India is the world's third-largest startup ecosystem, with nearly 2.5 lakh startups set up over the last decade.
Consider the following statements made during Piyush Goyal's Japan visit of August 2026: 1. A target of JPY 10 trillion in Japanese private investment in India over a decade was agreed during the Prime Minister's 2025 visit to Japan. 2. India's semiconductor demand is projected to reach USD 150 billion by 2032. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both statements are correct as per the Commerce Ministry release.
The Russian–Indian Roundtable on Snow Leopard Study and Conservation on 26 August 2026 was held at which institution?
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Correct answer: B — A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution
The roundtable was held at the A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences in Moscow.
Consider the following statements about the Moscow snow leopard roundtable of 26 August 2026: 1. The roundtable was organised under a partnership agreement between the Interregional Association 'Irbis' and the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA). 2. The Irbis–IBCA partnership agreement was signed in December 2023. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: the Irbis–IBCA partnership agreement was signed in December 2025.
Who led India's delegation at its 11th periodic review before the UN CERD in Geneva in August 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Solicitor General Tushar Mehta
India's inter-ministerial delegation was led by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta.
The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) monitors the implementation of which treaty?
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Correct answer: B — ICERD
CERD monitors the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD).
Consider the following statements about India and the UN CERD in August 2026: 1. India's 11th periodic review under ICERD was held in Geneva on 11–12 August 2026. 2. India accepted the Committee's observations and said no response was needed. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: India rejected the 'politically motivated' references and said it would respond through the established procedure.
Which city hosted the 17th Conference of Parties (COP17) of the UNCCD in August 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Ulaanbaatar
UNCCD COP17 was held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, from 17 to 28 August 2026.
What was the theme of UNCCD COP17 held in August 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Restoring Land. Restoring Hope
COP17 was held under the theme 'Restoring Land. Restoring Hope'.
Consider the following statements made by India at UNCCD COP17 on 26 August 2026: 1. India has around 25,000 community-protected sacred groves covering about 0.6 million hectares. 2. India has about 10 million hectares of permanent pastures and grazing lands. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both statements are correct as per India's address at the ministerial dialogue.
Where was the 25th round of India–China Special Representatives talks on the boundary question held on 25 August 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Beijing
NSA Ajit Doval and Wang Yi held the 25th round of SR talks in Beijing on 25 August 2026.
Consider the following statements about the 25th India–China Special Representatives talks: 1. The two sides agreed to hold the 26th round in China in 2027. 2. The talks were guided by a 2003 agreement on Political Parameters and Guiding Principles. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — Neither 1 nor 2
Both are wrong. The 26th round will be held in India in 2027, and the framework is the 2005 Agreement on Political Parameters and Guiding Principles.
Under the eight-point consensus of August 2026, which two bodies under the WMCC are to advance an 'early and substantial harvest'?
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Correct answer: A — Expert Group on Boundary Delimitation and Working Group on Border Management
The consensus tasks the Expert Group on Boundary Delimitation and the Working Group on Border Management, both under the WMCC; their first task is to agree terms of reference.
The 25th India–China Special Representatives talks reaffirmed that the boundary question will be handled within which 2005 framework?
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Correct answer: C — Agreement on the Political Parameters and Guiding Principles for the Settlement of the India–China Boundary Question
Both sides said they would work in accordance with the political parameters and guiding principles agreed in 2005.
UPI, which completed ten years on 25 August 2026, was developed and launched by which organisation?
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Correct answer: B — National Payments Corporation of India
UPI was launched on 25 August 2016 by NPCI under the regulatory oversight of the RBI.
As of August 2026, in how many countries is UPI accepted, according to the government?
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Correct answer: C — 11
UPI is accepted in 11 countries, with Greece and the Maldives the latest to adopt it.
Consider the following statements about the evolution of UPI: 1. UPI was piloted in April 2016 with 44 member banks. 2. The BHIM app was launched in August 2016 along with UPI's public rollout. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — Neither 1 nor 2
Both are wrong. The April 2016 pilot had 21 member banks (44 banks were live in FY 2016-17), and BHIM was launched in December 2016.
What does the acronym PRAGATI, the platform whose 53rd meeting the PM chaired on 25 August 2026, stand for?
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Correct answer: A — Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation
PRAGATI is the ICT-enabled, multi-modal platform for Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation.
The six projects reviewed at the 53rd PRAGATI meeting had a cumulative cost of more than:
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Correct answer: C — ₹30,000 crore
The six Railway, Road and Power projects, spread over nine states, cost more than ₹30,000 crore in total.
Consider the following statements about the 53rd PRAGATI meeting: 1. The six projects reviewed were from the Railway, Road and Ports sectors. 2. AgriStack was reviewed as part of the National e-Governance Plan. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — Neither 1 nor 2
Both are wrong. The projects were from the Railway, Road and Power sectors, and AgriStack falls under the Digital Agriculture Mission.
Who co-chaired the 7th India–Morocco Joint Commission for India in August 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Jitin Prasada
MoS for Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada co-chaired the 7th Joint Commission with Morocco's Omar Hejira.
India-Maroc Phosphore (IMACID), visited by Jitin Prasada in August 2026, is a joint venture of Indian partners with which Moroccan company?
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Correct answer: D — OCP Group
IMACID is a joint venture of Morocco's OCP Group with Indian partners in phosphates and fertilisers.
Consider the following statements about the 7th India–Morocco Joint Commission: 1. The two sides agreed to double bilateral trade within five years. 2. A Joint Working Group will explore a preferential trade agreement. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. The two sides also agreed to mark the 70th anniversary of ties in 2027 and hold the 8th Joint Commission in New Delhi.
In August 2026, the Defence Minister approved transfer of DRDO technologies to Indian industry for which category of missiles?
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Correct answer: C — All conventional missile systems
The approval covers the transfer of DRDO-developed technologies of all conventional missile systems for production in India.
Consider the following statements about the DRDO missile transfer of technology approved on 25 August 2026: 1. It covers DRDO's strategic nuclear-capable missiles. 2. One stated aim is to bring Indian MSMEs into the missile supply chain. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Only statement 2 is correct. The approval covers conventional missile systems; it aims to create opportunities for MSMEs and other technology partners.
What record net profit did Regional Rural Banks report for FY 2025-26, according to the Finance Ministry review of 25 August 2026?
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Correct answer: D — ₹10,176 crore
RRBs' net profit rose to an all-time high of ₹10,176 crore in FY 2025-26, up from ₹6,820 crore in FY 2024-25.
As per the August 2026 review, how many Regional Rural Banks are currently operating in India?
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Correct answer: A — 28
28 RRBs operate through 22,273 branches across 26 states and 3 Union Territories, covering about 700 districts.
Consider the following statements about Regional Rural Banks in FY 2025-26: 1. Their gross NPA fell to an all-time low of 5.3%. 2. Their credit-deposit ratio reached an all-time high of 75.2%. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. GNPA fell to 5.3% (NNPA 2.1%) and the credit-deposit ratio rose to 75.2%.
At UNCCD COP17 on 25 August 2026, India's Environment Minister addressed a ministerial dialogue on which theme?
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Correct answer: A — Accelerating Drought Resilience
Bhupender Yadav addressed the Ministerial Dialogue on 'Accelerating Drought Resilience' in Ulaanbaatar, calling drought a predictable, preventable risk.
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.
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.
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.
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.
What is the name of Kazakhstan's new single-chamber parliament, first elected on 23 August 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Kurultai
The Kurultai is the new 145-member unicameral parliament created by Kazakhstan's 2026 constitution.
Which party won Kazakhstan's first Kurultai election in August 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Adilet
The newly formed pro-government Adilet party won over 71% of the vote; it had absorbed the former ruling party Amanat.
Consider the following statements about Kazakhstan's August 2026 election: 1. The Kurultai is a two-chamber legislature. 2. Voter turnout was about 74%. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Only statement 2 is correct. The Kurultai is a single-chamber body that replaced the earlier two-chamber parliament.
The August 2026 restriction covers all fixed dose combinations of chlorpheniramine maleate with which other drug?
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Correct answer: C — Phenylephrine hydrochloride
The restriction applies to all FDCs containing chlorpheniramine maleate and phenylephrine hydrochloride.
Below what age must the restricted chlorpheniramine–phenylephrine FDCs not be used, as per the mandatory warning?
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Correct answer: A — 4 years
The label must say: 'Fixed Dose Combination shall not be used in children below four years of age.'
Consider the following statements about the August 2026 FDC restriction: 1. The notification was issued under the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897. 2. The decision followed recommendations of an Expert Committee and the Drugs Technical Advisory Board. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Only statement 2 is correct. The notification was issued under Section 26A of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
Where were the 17–21 August 2026 talks between DR Congo and AFC/M23 held?
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Correct answer: D — Switzerland
The talks were held in Switzerland; the joint statement was released on 22 August 2026.
When was the Doha Framework for a Comprehensive Peace Agreement between DR Congo and AFC/M23 signed?
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Correct answer: A — 15 November 2025
The Doha Framework for a Comprehensive Peace Agreement was signed in Doha on 15 November 2025.
Consider the following statements about the DR Congo–AFC/M23 joint statement of 22 August 2026: 1. Togo took part as the African Union mediator. 2. The parties agreed that the order of negotiating protocols does not dictate the order of implementing them. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. The statement was also issued with Qatar, the US, Switzerland and the AU Commission.
Exercise Pitch Black 2026, in which the IAF took part, was hosted by the air force of which country?
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Correct answer: A — Australia
Pitch Black 2026 was hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force, with air forces from more than 20 nations.
Where was Exercise Udara Shakti 2026 held?
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Correct answer: C — Subang, Malaysia
After Pitch Black, the IAF contingent moved directly to Subang, Malaysia, for Udara Shakti 2026 with the Royal Malaysian Air Force.
Consider the following statements about the IAF's August 2026 deployments: 1. The IAF deployed Su-30MKI fighters to Exercise Pitch Black 2026. 2. Exercise Udara Shakti 2026 was a trilateral exercise with Australia and Malaysia. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — Neither 1 nor 2
Both are wrong. The IAF deployed Rafale aircraft to Pitch Black, and Udara Shakti was a bilateral exercise with the Royal Malaysian Air Force.
How much did the National Biodiversity Authority disburse under the Access and Benefit-Sharing mechanism in August 2026?
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Correct answer: D — ₹2.82 crore
The NBA disbursed ₹2.82 crore: ₹2.80 crore to State and UT biodiversity bodies and about ₹2.01 lakh to ICAR-IIHR.
Which state received the largest share of the NBA's August 2026 ABS disbursement?
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Correct answer: B — Gujarat
Gujarat received the largest share (₹44.59 lakh), followed by West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh.
Consider the following statements about the NBA's August 2026 ABS disbursement: 1. The funds came from a payment by Advanta Enterprises for genetic resources behind hybrids of cauliflower, hot pepper, okra and tomato. 2. The money was released to 27 State Biodiversity Boards and 3 UT Biodiversity Councils, besides ICAR-IIHR. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. Since the resources could not be traced to specific farmers or communities, the money was shared by crop cultivation area.
INS Sudarshini, which reached Lisbon in August 2026 on the Lokayan 26 expedition, is a:
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Correct answer: B — Sail training ship
INS Sudarshini is the Indian Navy's sail training ship, a three-masted barque.
The Lisbon stop on 22 August 2026 was INS Sudarshini's which port visit of the Lokayan 26 expedition?
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Correct answer: C — 15th
Lisbon was the ship's 15th port visit in seven months of voyage.
'Vigyan Pragati', the Hindi science magazine that completed 75 years in 2026, is published by:
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Correct answer: A — CSIR-NIScPR
Vigyan Pragati, launched in 1952, is published by CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research.