Bank and government exam current affairs from 17-23 August 2026 covered PM Modi's 80th Independence Day address introducing the Saptadhara framework, India hosting the Badminton World Championships 2026 in New Delhi, and Tamil Nadu becoming the first state to give 365-day maternity leave for a third child — from India's first Virtual Zoo in Indore to Zambia's presidential re-election. This weekly current affairs Q&A is built specifically for exam preparation: quick, accurate revision instead of another long video to sit through. This roundup covers 67 exam-important questions from 17-23 August 2026, each followed by four options, the correct answer, and a short explanation with the key facts you need.

National Affairs & Government Schemes

Q1. Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced which framework for India's development in his 80th Independence Day speech from the Red Fort?

  • a) Panch Pran
  • b) Saptadhara
  • c) Atmanirbhar Bharat Mission
  • d) Vikas Setu

Answer: b) Saptadhara

PM Modi delivered his 13th consecutive Independence Day speech from the Red Fort and introduced the Saptadhara (Seven Streams of Strength) framework to achieve Viksit Bharat 2047. The seven streams are manufacturing, agriculture and food production, technology and innovation, Gati Shakti infrastructure, defence self-reliance, green and blue economy, and India as a global soft power.

Q2. What colour was the Bandhej turban worn by PM Modi during the 2026 Independence Day address?

  • a) Saffron
  • b) Red
  • c) Maroon
  • d) Yellow

Answer: b) Red

PM Modi hoisted the national flag from the Red Fort in New Delhi as part of the 80th Independence Day celebrations, wearing a red Bandhej turban. The address is an annual tradition marking India's independence and outlining the government's priorities for the year ahead.

Q3. India's first Virtual Zoo has been set up in which city?

  • a) Bhopal
  • b) Indore
  • c) Jabalpur
  • d) Gwalior

Answer: b) Indore

India's first Virtual Zoo has been launched inside the Kamla Nehru Zoological Garden in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, using 3D and 4D technology to give visitors an immersive experience of wildlife they cannot view up close in enclosures. It was built under a public-private partnership model at a cost of around ₹4.5 crore across roughly 8,000 square feet.

Q4. The Shakti Act 2025 opens up India's nuclear power sector to which category of participants?

  • a) State governments only
  • b) Private companies and FDI-backed foreign firms
  • c) Only PSUs
  • d) Municipal corporations

Answer: b) Private companies and FDI-backed foreign firms

The Shakti Act 2025 permits private domestic companies and foreign direct investment-backed firms to participate in India's nuclear power sector for the first time. Until now, nuclear power generation in India was restricted almost entirely to government entities such as NPCIL.

Q5. The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana completed how many years in August 2026?

  • a) 10 years
  • b) 11 years
  • c) 12 years
  • d) 15 years

Answer: c) 12 years

PM Jan Dhan Yojana, India's flagship financial inclusion scheme, was launched in 2014 and completed 12 years in August 2026. The scheme has enabled crores of previously unbanked Indians to open zero-balance bank accounts.

Q6. Jal Jeevan Mission's rural household tap water connection coverage has now reached what percentage?

  • a) 75%
  • b) 78%
  • c) 82%
  • d) 90%

Answer: c) 82%

Jal Jeevan Mission, the government's flagship scheme to provide functional household tap connections to every rural home, has now reached 82% coverage nationally. The mission was launched to achieve universal rural tap water access.

Q7. The Union Cabinet approved a permanent bench of which High Court to be established in Ladakh?

  • a) Punjab and Haryana High Court
  • b) Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court
  • c) Delhi High Court
  • d) Himachal Pradesh High Court

Answer: b) Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court

The Union Cabinet, under the Ministry of Home Affairs, approved a permanent bench of the Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court to be set up in Ladakh — its third judicial location after Jammu and Srinagar. The joint High Court dates back to 1928 and was reorganised for both Union Territories under the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019.

Q8. Which state became the first in India to provide 365 days of paid maternity leave for a woman's third child?

  • a) Kerala
  • b) Karnataka
  • c) Tamil Nadu
  • d) Telangana

Answer: c) Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu became the first Indian state to extend 365 days of paid maternity leave to a third child, up from the earlier 84-day (12-week) entitlement, matching what was already given for the first two children. The move is aimed at addressing the state's total fertility rate of below 1.4, well under the replacement level of 2.1.

Q9. What is the name of the All India Girl High Altitude Trekking project that passes through Parangla?

  • a) Aparajita
  • b) Kanyashree
  • c) Himshakti
  • d) Girl Trek India

Answer: a) Aparajita

The All India Girl High Altitude Trekking expedition, named "Aparajita," passes through the Parangla pass and features an all-girls team on a high-altitude Himalayan trek. The project is intended to promote adventure sports participation among young women.

Q10. The National Commission for Women launched "Yashoda AI" from which city?

  • a) Chandigarh
  • b) Jalandhar
  • c) Amritsar
  • d) Ludhiana

Answer: b) Jalandhar

The National Commission for Women launched Yashoda AI from Jalandhar, Punjab, an AI-based initiative to deliver knowledge and information relevant to women. It aims to widen access to safety and welfare information using artificial intelligence.

Q11. Kannauj, famous for its perfume industry, received a GI tag in August 2026 for which product?

  • a) Kannauj Ittar (perfume)
  • b) Kannauj silk
  • c) Kannauj leather
  • d) Kannauj brassware

Answer: a) Kannauj Ittar (perfume)

Kannauj's traditional perfume (Ittar), long known as the "perfume capital of India," was granted a Geographical Indication tag. Kannauj's ittar-making tradition dates back centuries and uses traditional distillation methods.

Q12. Which GI-tagged Kashmiri rice variety was in the news recently over concerns about declining quality due to expanded cultivation?

  • a) Basmati
  • b) Mushk Budji
  • c) Kolam
  • d) Sona Masuri

Answer: b) Mushk Budji

Mushk Budji, a fragrant Kashmiri rice variety, was granted a GI tag in 2023 and is traditionally grown at 5,000–7,000 feet in the Kashmir Valley. Its cultivation has now spread beyond its traditional growing areas, which farmers say is diluting its distinctive taste and quality while also lowering the premium price it once commanded.

Q13. The Suryapath Tiranga Global Rally, launched under the "Rising Sun Mission," began in which country?

  • a) Fiji
  • b) Australia
  • c) Mauritius
  • d) Singapore

Answer: a) Fiji

The Suryapath Tiranga Global Rally began in Fiji and concluded in the United States under the "Rising Sun Mission." The rally was organised around Independence Day 2026 celebrations connecting the Indian diaspora worldwide.

Q14. India's first multilingual speech recognition model supports how many languages?

  • a) 22 languages
  • b) 40 languages
  • c) 65 languages
  • d) 100 languages

Answer: c) 65 languages

India's first multilingual Indian speech recognition model was recently unveiled, supporting 65 languages. It is designed to widen access to voice-based technology across India's linguistic diversity.

Q15. Which ISRO rocket is set to launch the GSAT-1A satellite in September 2026?

  • a) PSLV-C61
  • b) GSLV F17
  • c) LVM3-M5
  • d) SSLV-D3

Answer: b) GSLV F17

ISRO is preparing to use the GSLV F17 rocket to launch the GSAT-1A communication satellite in September 2026. GSLV (Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle) is ISRO's launcher for placing heavier satellites into geosynchronous transfer orbit.

Q16. A series of minor earthquakes recorded across Nashik, Palghar and Nagpur in Maharashtra in August 2026 is referred to as what?

  • a) Earthquake swarm
  • b) Seismic cluster
  • c) Tremor chain
  • d) Fault line activation

Answer: a) Earthquake swarm

Maharashtra recorded 29 minor tremors across Nashik, Palghar and Nagpur with magnitudes ranging from 2 to 4.3 and depths of 5–8 km, a phenomenon known as an earthquake swarm — where a series of tremors of similar intensity occur without any single dominant "main shock." The activity is linked to Maharashtra's location on the Deccan Plateau.

Defence

Q17. Exercise Maitri's 15th edition between India and Thailand is being held in which country in 2026?

  • a) India
  • b) Thailand
  • c) Myanmar
  • d) Vietnam

Answer: b) Thailand

The 15th edition of Exercise Maitri, a joint military exercise between the Indian and Thai armies, is being held in Thailand from 8 to 31 August 2026, with around 8,585 personnel from both sides participating. The exercise began in 2006 and alternates between the two countries; the 14th edition was held in Meghalaya, India, in 2025.

Q18. "Falcon Strike" refers to which recently developed defence capability?

  • a) India's first hypersonic missile
  • b) The first-ever multinational attack drone exercise
  • c) A new naval frigate class
  • d) An indigenous fighter jet engine

Answer: b) The first-ever multinational attack drone exercise

Falcon Strike has been developed as the first-ever multinational attack drone exercise/operation, bringing together drone capabilities across participating nations. It reflects the growing focus on drone warfare in modern military exercises.

Q19. The Divya Astra Mk3 drone-based system was recently tested from which city?

  • a) Bengaluru
  • b) Lucknow
  • c) Hyderabad
  • d) Pune

Answer: b) Lucknow

The Divya Astra Mk3, a drone-based defence system, was recently tested from Lucknow. It forms part of India's ongoing indigenous drone development efforts for defence applications.

Q20. Indian Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth was conferred the honorary rank of General by which country's army?

  • a) Bhutan
  • b) Nepal
  • c) Sri Lanka
  • d) Bangladesh

Answer: b) Nepal

General Dhiraj Seth, Chief of the Army Staff of the Indian Army, was conferred the honorary rank of General by the Nepal Army, continuing a tradition between the two countries' army chiefs dating back to 1950. General Seth took charge as COAS on 30 June 2026, having earlier served as Vice Chief of the Army Staff.

Q21. Reliance has recently partnered with which company for combat engine development?

  • a) General Electric
  • b) Rolls-Royce
  • c) Safran
  • d) Pratt & Whitney

Answer: b) Rolls-Royce

Reliance has entered into a partnership with Rolls-Royce for combat engine development, adding to India's efforts to build indigenous defence engine manufacturing capability. Rolls-Royce is a major global manufacturer of aerospace and defence engines.

Q22. The Sungal Tunnel, built by the Border Roads Organisation, connects which two districts of Jammu and Kashmir?

  • a) Jammu and Srinagar
  • b) Rajouri and Poonch
  • c) Udhampur and Doda
  • d) Kathua and Samba

Answer: b) Rajouri and Poonch

The Sungal Tunnel, on National Highway 144A, has been opened ahead of schedule following public demand and will provide year-round connectivity between Rajouri and Poonch in Jammu and Kashmir. It has been built by the Border Roads Organisation and spans approximately 2.79 km — note: distance details for this route vary across sources and should be verified against the official BRO release before publishing.

Banking, Finance & Economy

Q23. Romania recently shut down its only nuclear power plant. What is it called?

  • a) Kozloduy
  • b) Cernavodă
  • c) Paks
  • d) Bohunice

Answer: b) Cernavodă

Romania shut down both units of its sole active nuclear power plant, Cernavodă, by 13 August 2026 due to a severe drought that has reduced water levels in the Danube River needed to cool the reactors. Unit 1 was commissioned in 1996 and Unit 2 in 2007.

Q24. Razorpay recently launched an AI foundation model for which purpose?

  • a) Cybersecurity
  • b) Payment systems
  • c) Credit scoring
  • d) Insurance underwriting

Answer: b) Payment systems

Razorpay launched "Vaakan," an AI foundation model built specifically for the payment systems space. It reflects the growing use of AI models tailored to India's fintech and digital payments ecosystem.

Appointments

Q25. Who has been appointed to the Central Board of the Reserve Bank of India, having previously served as ISRO Chairman?

  • a) K. Sivan
  • b) S. Somanath
  • c) A.S. Kiran Kumar
  • d) V. Narayanan

Answer: b) S. Somanath

S. Somanath, former Chairman of ISRO, has been appointed to the Central Board of the Reserve Bank of India. His appointment is one of two recent additions to the RBI's Central Board.

International Affairs

Q26. A 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck near Florence Island in August 2026. Which country does this island belong to?

  • a) Philippines
  • b) Indonesia
  • c) Papua New Guinea
  • d) Malaysia

Answer: b) Indonesia

Florence Island lies in Indonesia, and a 7.7 magnitude earthquake was recorded off its eastern coast in August 2026, killing more than 38 people initially and damaging buildings. Indonesia sits within the Pacific "Ring of Fire," where over 80% of the world's volcanic and seismic activity occurs, and is the world's largest island country with over 17,000 islands.

Q27. Who was recently elected as the 23rd President of Bangladesh?

  • a) Muhammad Yunus
  • b) Mohammed Shahabuddin
  • c) Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir
  • d) Sheikh Hasina

Answer: c) Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir

Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was elected as Bangladesh's 23rd President following the resignation of Mohammed Shahabuddin, the 22nd President, on 24 July 2026 due to health issues linked to his advanced age. The presidential election was held through the country's electoral process after the resignation.

Q28. Who was re-elected President of Zambia for a second term in 2026?

  • a) Edgar Lungu
  • b) Hakainde Hichilema
  • c) Rupiah Banda
  • d) Levy Mwanawasa

Answer: b) Hakainde Hichilema

Hakainde Hichilema was re-elected President of Zambia for a second consecutive term, securing more than 61% of the vote. He first became President in 2021 and leads the United Party for National Development; his new term runs from 2026 to 2031.

Q29. UNCCD COP17, addressing desertification, is being held in which city in 2026?

  • a) Nairobi, Kenya
  • b) Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
  • c) Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
  • d) Abuja, Nigeria

Answer: b) Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

The 17th Conference of Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is being held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, from 17 to 28 August 2026. At the summit, India launched a booklet titled "Guide to Grassland and Other Open Natural Ecosystems of India," detailing the country's 24 types of open natural ecosystems.

Q30. Kenya's National Assembly Speaker recently met with which Indian dignitary?

  • a) President Droupadi Murmu
  • b) Vice President
  • c) Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla
  • d) External Affairs Minister

Answer: c) Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla

Kenya's National Assembly Speaker held a meeting with India's Lok Sabha Speaker, Om Birla, during a visit to India. Discussions also touched on the status of the Indian-origin community in Kenya.

Q31. A disputed island visited recently by the Russian President is contested between Russia and which other country?

  • a) China
  • b) Japan
  • c) South Korea
  • d) Ukraine

Answer: b) Japan

The Russian President recently visited a disputed island in the Kuril Islands chain, an area contested between Russia and Japan, having earlier visited Iturup Island in the same region. Note: the specific island name in the source audio was unclear and should be verified against an official transcript before this question is published.

Q32. Talks between India and Bangladesh on the Teesta Barrage project have resumed largely due to growing proximity between Bangladesh and which country?

  • a) Myanmar
  • b) China
  • c) Pakistan
  • d) Nepal

Answer: b) China

India and Bangladesh have resumed discussions on the Teesta Barrage project, driven partly by concerns over Bangladesh's growing closeness with China on the same river project. The Teesta river project has long been a sensitive point in India-Bangladesh relations.

Q33. India and Bhutan recently signed a tariff protocol connected to which hydroelectric power project?

  • a) Kholongchhu
  • b) Punatsangchhu
  • c) Mangdechhu
  • d) Tala

Answer: b) Punatsangchhu

India and Bhutan signed a tariff protocol linked to the Punatsangchhu hydroelectric power project, part of the two countries' long-standing hydropower cooperation. Bhutan hosts several India-assisted hydropower projects along its rivers.

Q34. Rising Ebola cases in Congo have been linked to which viral strain?

  • a) Zaire strain
  • b) Sudan strain
  • c) Bundibugyo strain
  • d) Reston strain

Answer: c) Bundibugyo strain

Ebola cases have been rising rapidly in the Democratic Republic of Congo, driven by the Bundibugyo strain of the virus. Congo has faced repeated Ebola outbreaks in recent years, requiring sustained international health response.

Q35. Pakistan's highest civilian award will be conferred on two doctors for which reason?

  • a) Developing a new vaccine
  • b) Keeping Muhammad Ali Jinnah's health condition secret
  • c) Leading Pakistan's polio eradication drive
  • d) Pioneering cardiac surgery in Pakistan

Answer: b) Keeping Muhammad Ali Jinnah's health condition secret

Two doctors are set to receive Pakistan's highest civilian award, to be conferred next year, for having kept the health condition of Muhammad Ali Jinnah confidential during his illness. Jinnah was Pakistan's founding leader, and his declining health was reportedly concealed from the public at the time.

Q36. NASA has extended the use of which spacecraft for another year due to remaining fuel reserves?

  • a) Voyager 1
  • b) Voyager 2
  • c) New Horizons
  • d) Cassini

Answer: b) Voyager 2

NASA has extended the operational life of Voyager 2 by another year, as the spacecraft still has usable fuel remaining. Voyager 2 continues to function as a deep space probe, providing data from interstellar space.

Q37. NASA has effectively ended funding for which space telescope mission after declaring it a failure?

  • a) Hubble
  • b) Kepler
  • c) Swift
  • d) Spitzer

Answer: c) Swift

NASA has decided to discontinue funding for the Swift Telescope mission after declaring it a failure, choosing instead to focus resources on newer missions or existing telescopes such as the James Webb Space Telescope. Swift was originally launched to study gamma-ray bursts and other high-energy cosmic events.

Q38. According to the Hunger Hotspots 2026 report, how many countries have been flagged as being in a severe hunger crisis?

  • a) 10
  • b) 13
  • c) 16
  • d) 20

Answer: b) 13

The Hunger Hotspots 2026 report has identified 13 countries as facing severe food insecurity conditions. The report is typically jointly issued to flag regions at highest risk of worsening hunger crises.

Q39. SpaceX recently launched two Falcon 9 missions how many minutes apart?

  • a) 20 minutes
  • b) 38 minutes
  • c) 45 minutes
  • d) 60 minutes

Answer: b) 38 minutes

SpaceX launched two separate Falcon 9 rocket missions just 38 minutes apart, demonstrating its rapid launch turnaround capability. Falcon 9 is SpaceX's workhorse reusable rocket used for a majority of its commercial and government launches.

Sports

Q40. The Badminton World Championships 2026 are being hosted by which Indian city?

  • a) Hyderabad
  • b) Mumbai
  • c) New Delhi
  • d) Bengaluru

Answer: c) New Delhi

The Badminton World Championships 2026, the third edition to be held, began on 17 August at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi and concluded on 23 August. This marks the first time in 17 years that India has hosted the tournament, having previously hosted it in Hyderabad in 2009.

Q41. Who won the Esports World Cup Chess title for the second consecutive time in 2026?

  • a) Hikaru Nakamura
  • b) Magnus Carlsen
  • c) R Praggnanandhaa
  • d) Denis Lazavik

Answer: b) Magnus Carlsen

Magnus Carlsen of Norway won the Esports World Cup Chess title for the second consecutive year, defeating Denis Lazavik of Belarus in the final, with Hikaru Nakamura of the USA finishing third. This was the second edition of the chess event within the Esports World Cup (the first was held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia), while the overall Esports World Cup itself is now in its third edition, held in Paris with a prize pool of $250,000.

Q42. Who won the Sinquefield Cup 2026 chess title?

  • a) Wesley So
  • b) Magnus Carlsen
  • c) R Praggnanandhaa
  • d) Fabiano Caruana

Answer: a) Wesley So

Wesley So of the USA won the Sinquefield Cup 2026, defeating R Praggnanandhaa of India in the final via an Armageddon tiebreak game. The tournament is held annually in St. Louis, USA, and features some of the world's top grandmasters.

Q43. The 65th Subroto Cup international football tournament is being hosted in which two Indian cities?

  • a) Mumbai and Pune
  • b) New Delhi and Bengaluru
  • c) Chennai and Hyderabad
  • d) Kolkata and Guwahati

Answer: b) New Delhi and Bengaluru

The 65th edition of the Subroto Cup, a junior international school-level football tournament, is being held in New Delhi and Bengaluru from 18 August to 24 September 2026. First held in 1960, it is organised by the Air Force Sports Control Board and named after Air Marshal Subroto Mukerjee, India's first Chief of Air Staff.

Q44. Rishabh Pant recently became the first Indian batter to achieve which Test cricket milestone?

  • a) 50 sixes
  • b) 100 sixes
  • c) 10,000 Test runs
  • d) 500 Test wickets

Answer: b) 100 sixes

Rishabh Pant became the first Indian batter to complete 100 sixes in Test cricket, achieving the milestone in his 51st Test, against Sri Lanka. In doing so, he broke the previous record held by Adam Gilchrist of Australia; other batters who have crossed the 100-six mark include Ben Stokes (138 sixes) and Brendon McCullum (107 sixes).

Q45. Sports development efforts ahead of a possible 2036 Olympic bid are focusing on which age group?

  • a) 5 to 15 years
  • b) 10 to 20 years
  • c) 15 to 25 years
  • d) 8 to 18 years

Answer: a) 5 to 15 years

Grassroots sports development initiatives are focusing on the 5 to 15 years age group as India works toward a possible bid to host the 2036 Olympics. Early talent identification in this age range is seen as key to building a stronger medal pipeline.

Q46. The Asian Junior Billiards title in 2026 was won by which Indian players?

  • a) Pankaj Advani and Dhruv Sitwala
  • b) Saranya and Vignesh
  • c) Sourav Kothari and Rupesh Shah
  • d) Aditya Mehta and B. Bhaskar

Answer: b) Saranya and Vignesh

Saranya and Vignesh won the Asian Junior Billiards titles in the women's and men's categories respectively. The championship showcases rising junior talent in cue sports from across Asia.

Awards, Recognition & Research

Q47. The Arjuna Award (Lifetime category) 2025 was given to footballer I. Arumainayagam. In which sport did he compete?

  • a) Hockey
  • b) Football
  • c) Athletics
  • d) Boxing

Answer: b) Football

I. Arumainayagam, a former Indian footballer, received the Arjuna Award in the Lifetime category as part of the National Sports Awards 2025 announced by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. In the regular Arjuna Award category, 17 players were honoured this year across disciplines including athletics, badminton, chess, hockey, boxing, kabaddi and shooting.

Q48. In the National Sports Awards 2025, which coach received the Dronacharya Award (Lifetime category) for boxing?

  • a) Chhotelal Yadav
  • b) Parveen Singh
  • c) Dharmendra Singh Yadav
  • d) Neha Nandkumar Chavan

Answer: c) Dharmendra Singh Yadav

Dharmendra Singh Yadav received the Dronacharya Award in the Lifetime category for boxing coaching, alongside Virender Kumar for wrestling. In the regular Dronacharya Award category, Parveen Singh (athletics), Chhotelal Yadav (boxing) and Neha Nandkumar Chavan (shooting) were honoured; the Dronacharya Award was instituted in 1985 to recognise sports coaches.

Q49. The Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar 2025 was awarded to which organisation?

  • a) Services Sports Control Board
  • b) Army Paralympic Node, Pune
  • c) Sports Authority of India
  • d) National Sports Federation

Answer: b) Army Paralympic Node, Pune

The Army Paralympic Node, Pune, received the Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar 2025, an award instituted in 2009 to recognise organisations, institutions or companies that promote sport. Notably, the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award — the highest sporting honour — was not conferred to anyone this year.

Q50. Dr. Padma Gurmet was conferred the UT Ladakh State Award 2025 for her contribution to which traditional medicine system?

  • a) Ayurveda
  • b) Unani
  • c) Sowa-Rigpa
  • d) Siddha

Answer: c) Sowa-Rigpa

Dr. Padma Gurmet, Director of the National Institute of Sowa-Rigpa in Leh, was conferred the UT Ladakh State Award 2025 for her contribution to preserving Sowa-Rigpa, a traditional Himalayan medicine system that uses herbs found across the Himalayan range. The award was presented by Ladakh's Lieutenant Governor, Vinai Kumar Saxena.

Q51. Renowned sculptor Chandrashekhar Y. Shilpi, known for depicting South Indian dynastic architecture in his work, recently passed away at what age?

  • a) 68
  • b) 72
  • c) 75
  • d) 80

Answer: c) 75

Sculptor Chandrashekhar Y. Shilpi passed away at the age of 75 in Karnataka, the state he belonged to. His sculptures, in wood, stone and metal, reflected the architectural traditions of dynasties such as the Chalukyas, Hoysalas, Cholas, Rashtrakutas and Pallavas, and he had received the National Award for Master Craftsperson in 2024.

Q52. Laxmanan Mayappan, of Indian origin and Dubai-based, set which Guinness World Record?

  • a) Youngest male Chartered Accountant
  • b) Youngest male company secretary
  • c) Youngest investment banker
  • d) Youngest stock exchange listing advisor

Answer: a) Youngest male Chartered Accountant

Laxmanan Mayappan, of Tamil Nadu origin and now based in Dubai, was recognised by Guinness World Records as the world's youngest male Chartered Accountant. He completed his CA qualification on 30 June 2021, at the age of 16 years and 170 days, with the record formally registered in Dubai.

Q53. The Madras High Court recently granted "legal person" status to which river?

  • a) Kaveri
  • b) Vaigai
  • c) Tamiraparani
  • d) Palar

Answer: c) Tamiraparani

The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court granted legal person status to the Tamiraparani River in Tamil Nadu, giving it legal rights to enable easier legal action against pollution and damage. The river flows approximately 128 km, originating in the Pothigai Hills of the Western Ghats and emptying into the Gulf of Mannar.

Q54. A newly named Himalayan flowering plant, "Impatiens purtsaii," has been dedicated to which mountaineer?

  • a) Nirmal Purja
  • b) Edmund Hillary
  • c) Tenzing Norgay
  • d) Reinhold Messner

Answer: a) Nirmal Purja

The newly named Himalayan plant Impatiens purtsaii has been dedicated to mountaineer Nirmal Purja, who died during a Broad Peak expedition in the Pakistan-administered region of the Himalayas. The naming honours his contributions to high-altitude mountaineering.

Q55. A recently released postal stamp featured which historic fort in Telangana?

  • a) Golconda Fort
  • b) Medak Fort
  • c) Warangal Fort
  • d) Bhongir Fort

Answer: b) Medak Fort

A postal stamp was released featuring Medak Fort, located in Telangana. Such stamp releases are typically issued to commemorate historically significant monuments.

Q56. The National Anubhav Awards, given in the field of pensions, were recently conferred on how many people?

  • a) 10
  • b) 12
  • c) 15
  • d) 18

Answer: c) 15

The National Anubhav Awards, given in the pension sector, were conferred on 15 individuals. The awards recognise contributions and excellence in the field of pension administration and services.

Q57. The 47th Sarala Puraskar, awarded for literature in which language, will be conferred on Ashutosh Parida in October 2026?

  • a) Bengali
  • b) Assamese
  • c) Odia
  • d) Telugu

Answer: c) Odia

The 47th Sarala Puraskar, a prestigious literary award given for contributions to Odia language literature, will be conferred on Ashutosh Parida in October 2026 — note: the awardee's name should be verified against the official announcement before publishing, as source audio was unclear on the exact spelling.

Q58. The Paricha weir, located near Jhansi, has been recognised as what type of heritage structure?

  • a) UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • b) World Heritage Irrigation Structure
  • c) National Monument
  • d) Ramsar Wetland

Answer: b) World Heritage Irrigation Structure

The Paricha weir near Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, has been recognised as a World Heritage Irrigation Structure. It is a centuries-old dam that continues to serve irrigation purposes in the region.

Q59. Asia's first desert-themed night safari is being developed in which Indian state?

  • a) Rajasthan
  • b) Gujarat
  • c) Madhya Pradesh
  • d) Haryana

Answer: b) Gujarat

Asia's first desert-themed night safari is being developed in Gujarat. It is intended to be a unique wildlife tourism attraction combining desert ecology with nocturnal wildlife viewing.

Q60. The BRICS ICT Track meeting, at which an India-Brazil MoU on ICT cooperation was signed, was held in which Indian city?

  • a) Hyderabad
  • b) Pune
  • c) Bengaluru
  • d) Chennai

Answer: b) Pune

The BRICS ICT (Information and Communication Technology) Track meeting was held in Pune, where India and Brazil signed a Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation in the ICT sector. BRICS working groups periodically hold sector-specific meetings across member and partner nations.

Q61. The BRICS Youth Council meeting was recently held in which Indian city?

  • a) Ahmedabad
  • b) Surat
  • c) Gandhinagar
  • d) Vadodara

Answer: c) Gandhinagar

The BRICS Youth Council meeting was held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, bringing together youth representatives from BRICS member nations. Such meetings focus on youth engagement and policy dialogue within the BRICS framework.

Q62. West Bengal's first Kaushal Mahotsav was held at which location in Kolkata?

  • a) Princep Ghat
  • b) Belur Ghat
  • c) Babughat
  • d) Millennium Park

Answer: b) Belur Ghat

West Bengal's first Kaushal Mahotsav (skill festival) was held at Belur Ghat in Kolkata, drawing large public participation. The event showcased skill development initiatives and vocational training programmes in the state.

Q63. A black leopard cub was recently spotted at which wildlife sanctuary in West Bengal?

  • a) Buxa Tiger Reserve
  • b) Sajnekhali Wildlife Sanctuary
  • c) Jaldapara National Park
  • d) Gorumara National Park

Answer: b) Sajnekhali Wildlife Sanctuary

A black leopard cub was recently spotted at Sajnekhali Wildlife Sanctuary in West Bengal, part of the Sundarbans Tiger Reserve region. Sightings of melanistic (black) leopards are considered rare and draw significant wildlife interest.

Important Days

Q64. Onam, the state festival of Kerala, is celebrated in which Malayalam calendar month?

  • a) Chingam
  • b) Kanni
  • c) Thulam
  • d) Medam

Answer: a) Chingam

Onam, Kerala's ten-day harvest festival, is celebrated in the Malayalam month of Chingam, which typically falls in August–September. In 2026, Onam ran from 16 to 27 August, with the first day known as Atham and the tenth and final day as Thiruvonam.

Q65. The Hareli festival is traditionally celebrated in which Indian state?

  • a) Chhattisgarh
  • b) Jharkhand
  • c) Odisha
  • d) Madhya Pradesh

Answer: a) Chhattisgarh

The Hareli festival is celebrated in Chhattisgarh, marking the beginning of the agricultural season and honouring farming tools and cattle. It is one of the most significant traditional festivals in the state.

Q66. ISRO, India's space agency, was founded in which year?

  • a) 1962
  • b) 1969
  • c) 1972
  • d) 1975

Answer: b) 1969

ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) was founded on 15 August 1969. It has since become India's national space agency, responsible for the country's space research and satellite launch programmes.

Q67. Sadbhavana Diwas, observed on 20 August, is dedicated to which leader?

  • a) Lal Bahadur Shastri
  • b) Rajiv Gandhi
  • c) Jawaharlal Nehru
  • d) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

Answer: b) Rajiv Gandhi

Sadbhavana Diwas is observed on 20 August, the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, to promote communal harmony and national integration. The same date is also observed globally as World Mosquito Day, while World Humanitarian Day falls a day earlier, on 19 August.

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Conclusion & Summary

This week's current affairs reflected India's Independence Day announcements under the Saptadhara framework, major sporting moments including the Badminton World Championships in New Delhi and Rishabh Pant's 100-six Test milestone, key defence developments like Exercise Maitri and the Sungal Tunnel, and significant international shifts from Bangladesh's presidential transition to Romania's nuclear plant closure. Bookmark this weekly current affairs page for quick revision before your bank or government exam, and check back every Sunday for the next roundup.