Current Affairs August 2026 - Part 1 - Topic Guide and MCQs

1. Which state ranked first in NITI Aayog's School Education Quality Index (SEQI) 2026, overtaking Kerala?

   1. Tamil Nadu
   2. Himachal Pradesh
   3. Maharashtra
   4. Punjab
   Show answer

   Answer: (D) Punjab

   Explanation: Punjab topped SEQI 2026, released by NITI Aayog, overtaking Kerala. Harjot Singh Bains is Punjab's Education Minister.

2. Under Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains, Punjab has introduced Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a core subject for which classes?

   1. Classes 1 to 12
   2. Classes 6 to 12
   3. Classes 9 to 12
   4. Classes 11 and 12 only
   Show answer

   Answer: (A) Classes 1 to 12

   Explanation: Punjab made AI a core subject from Class 1 to 12. Its Mission Samarth covers 12 lakh students and 70,000 teachers every year.

3. Shri Dinesh Kumar of Punjab Government Victoria Girls Senior Secondary School, selected for the National Teachers Award 2026, is from which district?

   1. Ludhiana
   2. Patiala
   3. Amritsar
   4. Bathinda
   Show answer

   Answer: (B) Patiala

   Explanation: Dinesh Kumar teaches at Punjab Government Victoria Girls Senior Secondary School, Patiala, and was Punjab's awardee for the National Teachers Award 2026.

4. Inspector Baljit Singh of Punjab was honoured with which medal on Independence Day 2026?

   1. President's Medal for Distinguished Service (PSM)
   2. President's Medal for Gallantry
   3. Medal for Meritorious Service (MSM)
   4. Kirti Chakra
   Show answer

   Answer: (A) President's Medal for Distinguished Service (PSM)

   Explanation: Inspector Baljit Singh was Punjab's awardee of the President's Medal for Distinguished Service (PSM); 92 PSMs were announced nationwide in 2026.

5. Shiromani Akali Dal President Sukhbir Singh Badal was injured in a kirpan attack on 13 August 2026 at a gurdwara in which city?

   1. Amritsar, Punjab
   2. Patna, Bihar
   3. Nanded, Maharashtra
   4. Anandpur Sahib, Punjab
   Show answer

   Answer: (C) Nanded, Maharashtra

   Explanation: The incident took place at Gurdwara Mata Sahib Devan Ji, Mugat, in Nanded, Maharashtra. Nanded is also home to Takht Sachkhand Sri Hazur Sahib.

6. Kerala was officially renamed 'Keralam' from 25 August 2026. Under which Article of the Constitution can Parliament change the name of a state?

   1. Article 3
   2. Article 1
   3. Article 5
   4. Article 356
   Show answer

   Answer: (A) Article 3

   Explanation: Article 3 lets Parliament form new states and alter the areas, boundaries or names of existing states; the change was made through the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Act, 2026.

7. Which state announced 365 days of maternity leave for women government employees having a third child?

   1. Kerala
   2. Tamil Nadu
   3. Karnataka
   4. Andhra Pradesh
   Show answer

   Answer: (B) Tamil Nadu

   Explanation: Tamil Nadu's Human Resources Management Minister D. Sarathkumar announced 365 days of maternity leave for women government employees with a third child.

8. A Tiranga Yatra on Independence Day 2026 set two Guinness World Records with a 5-km-long national flag. In which district of Haryana was it held?

   1. Panipat
   2. Karnal
   3. Palwal
   4. Hisar
   Show answer

   Answer: (C) Palwal

   Explanation: The Tiranga Yatra was held in Palwal, Haryana; the flag was 5 km long and 10 feet wide, carried over 6.5 km.

9. Gujarat banned unstandardised analogue paneer, cheese and butter under which law?

   1. Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954
   2. Consumer Protection Act, 2019
   3. Essential Commodities Act, 1955
   4. Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006
   Show answer

   Answer: (D) Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006

   Explanation: The statewide ban was imposed under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 for consumer protection. Amul, India's largest dairy cooperative, is headquartered in Anand, Gujarat.

10. 'Kanda Express', launched on 24 August 2026 to control rising onion prices, transports onions from which place?

    1. Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh
    2. Alwar, Rajasthan
    3. Indore, Madhya Pradesh
    4. Nashik, Maharashtra
    Show answer

    Answer: (D) Nashik, Maharashtra

    Explanation: Kanda Express carries onions from Nashik to Delhi, Chennai, Kochi and Guwahati; procurement is done by NAFED and NCCF.

11. The National Security Guard (NSG) launched its first Mahila Commando Conversion Course at its Training Academy in which place?

    1. Manesar, Haryana
    2. Hyderabad, Telangana
    3. Mount Abu, Rajasthan
    4. Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh
    Show answer

    Answer: (A) Manesar, Haryana

    Explanation: The 12-week course at the NSG Training Academy, Manesar, trains women personnel from state police forces and CAPFs in hostage rescue and counter-terror operations. NSG ('Black Cats') was raised in 1984.

12. Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the 'Gujarat Gaurav Sarovar', with a storage capacity of 400 million litres, in which district of Gujarat?

    1. Rajkot
    2. Amreli
    3. Bhavnagar
    4. Junagadh
    Show answer

    Answer: (B) Amreli

    Explanation: Gujarat Gaurav Sarovar in Amreli covers 21 acres and stores 400 million litres, supporting agriculture, drinking water and groundwater recharge.

13. Under the Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act, 2026, which received Presidential assent, how much prior notice must be given to the District Magistrate?

    1. 30 days
    2. 60 days
    3. 45 days
    4. 90 days
    Show answer

    Answer: (B) 60 days

    Explanation: The Act requires 60 days' prior notice to the District Magistrate and aims to stop conversions through coercion, fraud, allurement or marriage promises. President Droupadi Murmu gave assent.

14. The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026 raises the sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court to how many judges, including the CJI?

    1. 34
    2. 36
    3. 38
    4. 40
    Show answer

    Answer: (C) 38

    Explanation: The strength rises from 34 to 38 judges (including the CJI) to reduce pendency. In 1950 the Supreme Court began with 8 judges (CJI + 7).

15. The Supreme Court extended the compulsory third-party insurance period for new private vehicles. What is the new period for two-wheelers?

    1. 5 years
    2. 4 years
    3. 6 years
    4. 3 years
    Show answer

    Answer: (C) 6 years

    Explanation: For new two-wheelers it rose from 5 to 6 years, and for new cars from 3 to 4 years.

16. The Tribunals Reforms Bill, 2026 proposes a National Tribunals Commission (NTC). How many major tribunals will the NTC oversee?

    1. 12
    2. 19
    3. 25
    4. 16
    Show answer

    Answer: (D) 16

    Explanation: The proposed National Tribunals Commission will oversee 16 major tribunals.

17. The Supreme Court reduced the minimum legal practice requirement for entry-level judicial service examinations to how long?

    1. 2 years
    2. 3 years
    3. 1 year
    4. 6 months
    Show answer

    Answer: (C) 1 year

    Explanation: The mandatory practice requirement was cut from 3 years to 1 year.

18. The Union Cabinet approved a bench of which High Court to be set up in Ladakh?

    1. Himachal Pradesh High Court
    2. High Court of Jammu & Kashmir
    3. Punjab & Haryana High Court
    4. Delhi High Court
    Show answer

    Answer: (B) High Court of Jammu & Kashmir

    Explanation: A bench of the Jammu & Kashmir High Court (which serves J&K and Ladakh) was approved for Ladakh to improve access to justice.

19. Under the 'Samudra Manthan' National Offshore Exploration Scheme (outlay Rs 84,084 crore), domestic oil and gas production is targeted to rise from 62 MMTOE to what level?

    1. 75 MMTOE
    2. 80 MMTOE
    3. 100 MMTOE
    4. 90 MMTOE
    Show answer

    Answer: (B) 80 MMTOE

    Explanation: The scheme (FY 2026–27 to 2030–31) aims to raise production from 62 to 80 MMTOE and hydrocarbon resources from 1.6 to 2.2 billion TOE, cutting import dependence.

20. The GOBARdhan National Circular Bioenergy Scheme, approved with an outlay of Rs 23,731 crore, mainly aims to increase production of what?

    1. Compressed Biogas (CBG)
    2. Green Hydrogen
    3. Ethanol
    4. Solar Power
    Show answer

    Answer: (A) Compressed Biogas (CBG)

    Explanation: GOBARdhan promotes Compressed Biogas (CBG) from agricultural residue, cattle dung, municipal organic waste and biomass; it runs from FY 2026–27 to 2035–36.

21. How much monthly financial assistance will eligible women get under the Delhi Lakshmi Yojana?

    1. Rs 1,500
    2. Rs 2,100
    3. Rs 2,500
    4. Rs 3,000
    Show answer

    Answer: (C) Rs 2,500

    Explanation: Eligible women aged 21–60 will get Rs 2,500 a month by direct transfer; the scheme was launched by the Delhi Government led by CM Rekha Gupta.

22. Under the Swami Vivekananda Yuva Sashaktikaran Yojana, how many free tablets will the Uttar Pradesh Government distribute?

    1. 25 lakh
    2. 10 lakh
    3. 50 lakh
    4. 1 crore
    Show answer

    Answer: (A) 25 lakh

    Explanation: The UP Cabinet approved 25 lakh tablets with a budget of Rs 2,374.60 crore (2026–27) to promote digital education and skills.

23. West Bengal organised its first Kaushal Mahotsav on 18 August 2026 at which venue?

    1. Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata
    2. Kanchenjunga Stadium, Siliguri
    3. Durgapur Stadium, Paschim Bardhaman
    4. Balurghat Stadium, Dakshin Dinajpur
    Show answer

    Answer: (D) Balurghat Stadium, Dakshin Dinajpur

    Explanation: The first Kaushal Mahotsav was held at Balurghat Stadium, Dakshin Dinajpur, by the Skill Development Ministry, NSDC and the state government, offering over 7,000 job opportunities.

24. What was the theme of the Har Ghar Tiranga Campaign 2026, celebrated nationwide from 9 to 17 August?

    1. 80 years of Independence
    2. Viksit Bharat @2047
    3. Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat
    4. 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram
    Show answer

    Answer: (D) 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram

    Explanation: The 2026 campaign, launched by Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, marked 150 years of 'Vande Mataram', written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay.

25. The Tamil Nadu Assembly resolved that 'Tamil Thai Vazhthu' will be the first song played at all official functions in the state. What is 'Tamil Thai Vazhthu'?

    1. The state's official dance form
    2. A new state welfare scheme
    3. The state song (invocation to Mother Tamil)
    4. The state's official emblem
    Show answer

    Answer: (C) The state song (invocation to Mother Tamil)

    Explanation: Tamil Thai Vazhthu is Tamil Nadu's state song, an invocation to Mother Tamil; the resolution was passed on 10 August 2026 and applies to government offices, universities and PSUs.

Current Affairs August 2026 - Part 1 is factual rather than analytical: you either recall it in seconds or you lose the mark to somebody who did. That makes it one of the cheapest sections to convert - a handful of short sittings usually settles the whole cluster.

Expect one-line recall questions - definitions, stand-for expansions, identifiers and the ordering of things. Practise the wording as well as the concept: these papers test terminology, and the set above uses the same four-option shape they do.

Past papers reuse clusters like this almost verbatim across years and posts. Run the same set until every distractor is familiar - previous-year style questions stop being recall and start being free marks.