Asia Current Affairs Quiz — All time
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
ICMR-SHINE 2026, which opened health research labs to school students on 11–12 August 2026, was held at how many locations?
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Correct answer: A — 83
The second edition of ICMR-SHINE was held across 83 locations for about 30,000 students.
In ICMR-SHINE, what does 'SHINE' stand for?
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Correct answer: B — Science and Health Innovation for NextGen Explorers
SHINE stands for Science and Health Innovation for NextGen Explorers; 2026 is its second edition.
At which shipyard was the Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel 'Shruti' (Yard 3037) launched on 11 August 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers, Kolkata
NGOPV 'Shruti' was launched at GRSE, Kolkata; the class is being built at GRSE and Goa Shipyard Limited.
The name of the Navy's NGOPV 'Shruti', launched in August 2026, refers to what?
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Correct answer: B — The four Vedas
The ship's name 'Shruti' refers to the four Vedas; its crest shows the Ursa Major constellation and a red and white lighthouse.
Consider the following statements about the Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels (NGOPVs): 1. They are being built concurrently at Goa Shipyard Limited and GRSE, Kolkata. 2. Their roles include anti-piracy and HADR missions. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both statements are correct. NGOPVs are being built at GSL Goa and GRSE Kolkata for surveillance, SAR, offshore asset protection, HADR and anti-piracy missions.
What was India's annual milk production in 2024–25, as stated by the Animal Husbandry Minister in August 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 247.87 million tonnes
Milk production reached 247.87 million tonnes in 2024–25, above domestic demand of 243 million tonnes.
Consider the following statements about India's livestock sector, as stated in August 2026: 1. KCC coverage for animal husbandry farmers more than tripled between 2021–22 and FY 2025–26. 2. India's milk production in 2024–25 was below its domestic demand. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only statement 1 is correct. KCC coverage rose from 15.08 lakh to 50.42 lakh, while milk production (247.87 MT) exceeded domestic demand (243 MT).
The Liberian parliamentary delegation's South-South peer learning visit to India in August 2026 was funded through which fund?
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Correct answer: D — IBSA Fund
The visit was funded by India, Brazil and South Africa through the IBSA Fund, administered by the UN Office for South-South Cooperation.
The expansion of which Department of Biotechnology institute, with 50 additional acres from the state, was finalised in the Odisha science roadmap discussed in August 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Institute of Life Sciences, Bhubaneswar
The expansion of the DBT's Institute of Life Sciences, Bhubaneswar, was finalised, with the Odisha government to provide 50 more acres.
Which scheme accounted for the largest share (₹17,224.63 crore) of the ₹19,216.46 crore disbursed in SC scholarships over three years, as told to the Lok Sabha in August 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Post Matric Scholarship for SC Students
The Post Matric Scholarship for SC Students accounted for ₹17,224.63 crore of the total.
What was the theme of MoHUA's National Conference on Affordable Housing Reforms held on 11 August 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Reimagining Affordable Housing: From Scheme to Sustainable Ecosystem
The conference theme was 'Reimagining Affordable Housing: From Scheme to Sustainable Ecosystem'; NITI Aayog Member Rajiv Gauba was chief guest.
Production of which rice variety in Uttar Pradesh's Siddharthnagar district rose more than five-fold between 2018 and 2025, according to the Agriculture Ministry in August 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Kalanamak
Kalanamak rice production in Siddharthnagar rose over five times, and its price climbed from ₹40/kg in 2018 to ₹150/kg in 2026.
On which date is World Lion Day observed, the occasion on which India highlighted its Asiatic lion numbers in 2026?
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Correct answer: A — 10 August
World Lion Day is observed on 10 August; on that day in 2026 the Environment Minister highlighted the rise in Asiatic lion numbers.
According to the Environment Ministry in August 2026, what was India's Asiatic lion population in 2025?
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Correct answer: C — 891
The Asiatic lion population rose from 523 in 2015 to 891 in 2025.
When was 'Project Lion' for the long-term conservation of the Asiatic lion announced by PM Narendra Modi?
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Correct answer: D — 15 August 2020
PM Modi announced Project Lion on 15 August 2020; the lion range has since expanded from about 30,000 sq km to nearly 35,000 sq km.
Consider the following statements about Asiatic lion conservation, as stated in August 2026: 1. The lion range has expanded to nearly 35,000 sq km from around 30,000 sq km in 2020. 2. The lion population more than doubled between 2015 and 2025. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only statement 1 is correct. The range grew to nearly 35,000 sq km, but the population rose from 523 to 891, which is less than double.
Which nationwide short code did Government e Marketplace (GeM) introduce for its helpdesk on its 10th Foundation Day in August 2026?
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Correct answer: A — 14550
GeM introduced the short code 14550 for helpdesk services and launched a customised 'My Stamp' on its 10th Foundation Day.
Where was the 10th Foundation Day of Government e Marketplace (GeM) celebrated on 10 August 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Bharat Mandapam
GeM's 10th Foundation Day was held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, with Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal.
Over which region did scientists detect an unusually high stratospheric ozone concentration, as reported in August 2026?
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Correct answer: A — North Bay of Bengal
The unusual ozone layer was detected over the North Bay of Bengal during the Phase-I NetRAD-ASMA campaign.
The indigenous 206.5 MHz Stratosphere–Troposphere Radar used in the 2026 study on stratospheric ozone over the Bay of Bengal is located at which institute?
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Correct answer: C — Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences, Nainital
The 206.5 MHz ST Radar is at ARIES, Nainital, an autonomous DST institute; similar radars at Haringhata, Gadanki and Kochi also contributed data.
In August 2026, the DRI busted a clandestine amphetamine manufacturing unit in Jewar. In which district is Jewar?
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Correct answer: D — Gautam Buddha Nagar
The facility was in a residential premises in Jewar, Gautam Buddha Nagar district, Uttar Pradesh.
Which agency busted the clandestine amphetamine lab in Jewar, Uttar Pradesh, in August 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Directorate of Revenue Intelligence
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized about 30 kg of amphetamine and 30 kg of precursor chemicals and arrested two people.
Who launched NITI Aayog's report 'India's Services Sector: Insights on Regulatory Regime in Professional Services' on 10 August 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Ashok Kumar Lahiri
NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Ashok Kumar Lahiri launched the report, in the presence of CEO Nidhi Chhibber and MoSPI Secretary Saurabh Garg.
Professional services account for roughly what share of India's total services exports, according to NITI Aayog's August 2026 report?
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Correct answer: C — About one-quarter
Professional services account for nearly a quarter of India's total services exports.
Consider the following statements about NITI Aayog's August 2026 report on professional services: 1. It is the first report in NITI Aayog's Services Thematic Series. 2. It benchmarks India's regulatory framework against select foreign jurisdictions. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Only statement 2 is correct. The report is the third in the Services Thematic Series, and it benchmarks India's framework against select foreign jurisdictions.
What was the urban unemployment rate (age 15+) in the PLFS quarterly bulletin for April–June 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 6.7%
The urban unemployment rate stayed broadly stable at 6.7% in April–June 2026.
Which organisation conducts the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS)?
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Correct answer: D — National Statistics Office, MoSPI
The PLFS is conducted by the National Statistics Office (NSO) under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.
Consider the following statements about the PLFS bulletin for April–June 2026: 1. The overall LFPR rose compared with the previous quarter. 2. The share of regular wage/salaried employees rose in both rural and urban areas. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Only statement 2 is correct. Overall LFPR fell from 55.5% to 54.6%, while the regular wage share rose in rural (16.1%) and urban (49.3%) areas.
After the Home Ministry notified 11 more ports in August 2026, how many international ports allow entry of e-Visa holders?
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Correct answer: C — 88
The total rose to 88: 37 airports, 38 seaports and 13 land ports.
Of the 11 international ports newly notified for e-Visa entry in August 2026, how many are land ports?
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Correct answer: A — Nine
The 11 new ports comprise 9 land ports and 2 airports.
Consider the following statements about e-Visa entry ports in India as of August 2026: 1. Seaports outnumber airports among the ports allowing e-Visa entry. 2. India processes about 95% of e-Visa applications in under 72 hours. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both statements are correct. There are 38 seaports and 37 airports among the 88 ports, and about 95% of e-Visa applications are processed in under 72 hours.
Under TRAI's August 2026 direction, which number series will be used for service and transactional calls by utilities, courier and logistics firms?
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Correct answer: C — 1601
The 1601 series is for non-BFSI, non-government entities, starting with utilities, courier and logistics in Phase-I; the 1600 series is for BFSI and government.
Within how many days must telecom service providers onboard Phase-I entities onto the 1601 series under TRAI's August 2026 direction?
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Correct answer: D — 90 days
Telecom service providers must complete migration and onboarding of Phase-I entities within 90 days of the order.
Who assumed charge as Secretary of the Ministry of Earth Sciences in August 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Srinivasa Kumar Tummala
Oceanographer Srinivasa Kumar Tummala, former Director of INCOIS, took over from N. Kalaiselvi, who held additional charge.
NABL, which launched India's first accreditation scheme for mobile food testing laboratories in August 2026, is a constituent board of which body?
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Correct answer: C — Quality Council of India
NABL is a constituent board of the Quality Council of India (QCI).
'GrivaVision', supported by the Technology Development Board in August 2026, is an AI-assisted device for screening which disease?
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Correct answer: D — Cervical cancer
GrivaVision is a portable AI-assisted digital colposcope for early detection of cervical pre-cancerous lesions; it will be made at Kollam, Kerala.
How much was disbursed to over 6,000 agriculture students through NSP-DBT when the Agriculture Minister launched the National Scholarship Portal in August 2026?
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Correct answer: B — ₹21.35 crore
Over 6,000 agriculture students received ₹21.35 crore in scholarships through NSP-DBT.
From which state did Dergang FPO make the first-ever export of mustard honey to Dubai, facilitated by APEDA in August 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Tripura
Dergang FPO from Tripura exported 1 MT of mustard honey to Dubai with APEDA's facilitation.
India's non-fossil fuel installed power capacity crossed which milestone as on 31 July 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 300 GW
Non-fossil capacity reached 300.50 GW, over 60% of the 500 GW target for 2030.
Which source contributes the second-largest share of India's non-fossil power capacity as on 31 July 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Wind
Wind (58.14 GW) is second after solar (164.59 GW), just ahead of hydro (57.24 GW).
What share of India's total installed electricity capacity came from non-fossil sources as of July 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Over 54%
Non-fossil sources make up over 54% of India's total installed capacity of around 552 GW.
Consider the following statements about India's non-fossil power capacity as on 31 July 2026: 1. Nuclear power capacity exceeds bio-power capacity. 2. A record 55.29 GW of non-fossil capacity was added in 2025-26. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Only statement 2 is correct. Nuclear capacity (8.78 GW) is lower than bio-power (11.75 GW); a record 55.29 GW was added in 2025-26.
How much did the National Biodiversity Authority disburse under the Access and Benefit Sharing mechanism, as announced on 9 August 2026?
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Correct answer: B — About ₹3.79 crore
The NBA disbursed close to ₹3.79 crore to 33 SBBs/UTBCs and national institutes.
Which foreign government body paid an Access and Benefit Sharing amount to India for Sahiwal cattle semen, as reported in August 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Sri Lanka's Department of Animal Production and Health
An ABS amount arose from Sri Lanka's Department of Animal Production and Health for access to Sahiwal cattle semen.
India's Access and Benefit Sharing framework is implemented under which law?
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Correct answer: D — Biological Diversity Act, 2002
India's ABS framework is implemented under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 and is aligned with the Nagoya Protocol.
August Kranti Diwas, observed on 9 August, commemorates which movement?
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Correct answer: D — Quit India Movement
August Kranti Diwas commemorates the Quit India Movement of 1942.
Where did Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan launch the Har Ghar Tiranga Abhiyan on 9 August 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Sri Vijaya Puram, Andaman & Nicobar Islands
The Vice-President hoisted the flag at Flag Point, Sri Vijaya Puram, to launch the campaign on August Kranti Diwas.
While launching Har Ghar Tiranga in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands in August 2026, the Vice-President recalled that Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose hoisted the Indian National Flag in the islands on which date?
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Correct answer: C — 30 December 1943
The Vice-President recalled that Netaji hoisted the Indian National Flag in the islands on 30 December 1943.
How many houses had been sanctioned under PMAY-Urban and PMAY-U 2.0 as of August 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Over 1.25 crore
Over 1.25 crore houses had been sanctioned, of which more than 1 crore were completed and delivered.
How many houses were sanctioned at the 8th CSMC meeting under PMAY-U 2.0 held on 6 August 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Over 2.09 lakh
The 8th CSMC meeting sanctioned over 2.09 lakh houses for EWS families, 2.03 lakh of them allotted to women.
Consider the following statements about PMAY-Urban as of August 2026: 1. About 1 crore of the sanctioned houses are allotted to women, as female heads or in joint ownership. 2. The Central Sanctioning and Monitoring Committee under PMAY-U 2.0 is chaired by the Union Housing Minister. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only statement 1 is correct. 1 crore houses are allotted to women; the 8th CSMC was chaired by Satendra Singh, Secretary, Department of Urban Development, not the Minister.
How many members of the Jharkhand Public Service Commission resigned on 9 August 2026 amid student protests?
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Correct answer: D — Three
All three JPSC members resigned amid protests over alleged irregularities in the 14th JPSC examination and other tests.
The student protests in Ranchi that led to the resignation of JPSC members in August 2026 were over alleged irregularities in which JPSC examination?
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Correct answer: C — 14th JPSC
The protests concerned alleged irregularities, including paper leaks, in the 14th JPSC examination and other recruitment tests.
Which Indian shuttler won the women's singles title at the Korea Masters 2026, her maiden BWF World Tour title?
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Correct answer: C — Ashmita Chaliha
Ashmita Chaliha beat China's Han Qian Xi 14-21, 21-14, 21-14 in the Korea Masters Super 300 final on 9 August 2026.
Whom did Ashmita Chaliha defeat in the Korea Masters 2026 women's singles final?
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Correct answer: A — Han Qian Xi of China
Chaliha beat fourth seed Han Qian Xi of China 14-21, 21-14, 21-14 in 53 minutes.
Consider the following statements about Ashmita Chaliha's Korea Masters 2026 title: 1. She became the first Indian woman to win a BWF Super 300 or higher title. 2. The win came a week after Tanvi Sharma won the Taipei Open. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Only statement 2 is correct. Chaliha is the fifth Indian woman with a Super 300+ title, after Saina Nehwal, P. V. Sindhu, Devika Sihag and Tanvi Sharma; Tanvi had won the Taipei Open the previous week.
Which police force received the President's Colours from Union Home Minister Amit Shah on 9 August 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Puducherry Police
Amit Shah presented the President's Colours to Puducherry Police.
Who presented the President's Colours to Puducherry Police in August 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Amit Shah
Union Home Minister Amit Shah presented the President's Colours to Puducherry Police on 9 August 2026.
Across how many geographically separated regions does the Puducherry Police maintain law and order, as noted at the President's Colours ceremony in August 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Four
Amit Shah noted that the Puducherry Police maintain law and order across Puducherry's four geographically separated regions.
Where did Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurate the 'Sindoor Maharaktadan Yatra' blood donation camp on 9 August 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Base Hospital, Delhi Cantt
The camp was inaugurated at Base Hospital, Delhi Cantt, with 1,000 sportspersons from Maharashtra among the donors.
Under the aegis of which department was the Indian Cost Accounts Service (ICoAS) Foundation Day organised on 9 August 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Department of Expenditure
The ICoAS Foundation Day was organised under the aegis of the Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance.