Daily Current Affairs Quiz 12 August 2026: 15 Important GK MCQs for UPSC, SSC, Banking & Railways Exams

Question 1

What is the revised PM E-DRIVE incentive for electric two-wheelers?

Accepted Answer

Rs 2,500 per kWh, capped at Rs 5,000 - Under the PM E-DRIVE Scheme , the revised incentive for electric two-wheelers is Rs 2,500 per kWh , subject to a maximum incentive of Rs 5,000 per vehicle . The revision forms part of the government's support framework for accelerating electric mobility and adoption of cleaner transport technologies. Static GK link: PM E-DRIVE is administered by the Ministry of Heavy Industries . E-DRIVE stands for Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement . The scheme was notified in 2024 as a successor-stage policy supporting electric mobility, charging infrastructure and selected categories of electric vehicles.

Question 2

Up to which date has implementation of the PM E-DRIVE Scheme been extended?

Accepted Answer

31 March 2028 - Implementation of the PM E-DRIVE Scheme has been extended up to 31 March 2028 . The extension provides a longer implementation window for supported electric-mobility measures. For electric two-wheelers, the revised demand incentive is Rs 2,500 per kWh , capped at Rs 5,000 per vehicle . Static GK link: The scheme comes under the Ministry of Heavy Industries . Government support for electric mobility has included demand incentives as well as measures relating to charging infrastructure and domestic manufacturing. Such policies are intended to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and encourage lower-emission road transport.

Question 3

What unemployment rate was reported by the PLFS for persons aged 15 years and above during April-June 2026?

Accepted Answer

5.4% - The Periodic Labour Force Survey reported an unemployment rate of 5.4% for persons aged 15 years and above during the April-June 2026 quarter. The figure measures the share of unemployed persons within the labour force under the survey framework. Static GK link: PLFS is conducted by the National Statistical Office (NSO) under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) . In labour statistics, the labour force consists of persons who are either employed or unemployed but seeking or available for work. The unemployment rate is therefore calculated with reference to the labour force, not the entire population.

Question 4

What was the overall Labour Force Participation Rate reported for April-June 2026 in the PLFS?

Accepted Answer

54.6% - The overall Labour Force Participation Rate for persons aged 15 years and above was reported at 54.6% for April-June 2026 . During the same quarter, the unemployment rate was 5.4% . Static GK link: LFPR represents the percentage of the population that is part of the labour force, meaning those who are employed or are unemployed and seeking or available for employment. It is different from the Worker Population Ratio , which measures only employed persons as a proportion of the population. PLFS statistics are compiled by the NSO under MoSPI .

Question 5

Which organisation launched India's first accreditation scheme for Mobile Food Testing Laboratories?

Accepted Answer

National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories - The National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) launched India's first accreditation scheme for Mobile Food Testing Laboratories . The initiative provides an accreditation framework for mobile laboratories used for food-testing activities and aims to strengthen confidence in their testing competence. Static GK link: NABL is a constituent board of the Quality Council of India (QCI) . Accreditation of testing and calibration laboratories is commonly associated with the requirements of ISO/IEC 17025 , the international standard covering competence, impartiality and consistent operation of such laboratories. Accreditation differs from certification because it specifically provides formal recognition of technical competence for defined activities.

Question 6

NABL, which introduced the Mobile Food Testing Laboratory accreditation scheme, is a constituent board of which organisation?

Accepted Answer

Quality Council of India - NABL is a constituent board of the Quality Council of India (QCI) . In August 2026, NABL was in news for introducing India's first accreditation scheme for Mobile Food Testing Laboratories , expanding the quality-assurance framework available to mobile testing facilities. Static GK link: NABL stands for National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories . Laboratory accreditation evaluates whether a laboratory is technically competent to perform specified tests or calibrations. ISO/IEC 17025 is an important international standard for testing and calibration laboratories, while medical laboratories are generally associated with ISO 15189 . QCI operates through specialised constituent boards covering different areas of quality and accreditation.

Question 7

Which port became India's first Scope-2 emission-free major port in 2026?

Accepted Answer

V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority - V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority at Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu , became India's first Scope-2 emission-free major port . The milestone highlights the port's transition towards cleaner energy use and sustainability-oriented operations. Static GK link: Under greenhouse-gas accounting, Scope 1 generally refers to direct emissions from sources controlled by an organisation, while Scope 2 covers indirect emissions associated with purchased electricity, steam, heat or cooling. V.O. Chidambaranar Port is located on India's southeastern coast in Tamil Nadu and operates under the Union government's maritime administration. It was earlier widely known as Tuticorin Port .

Question 8

Which energy-management certification was secured by V.O. Chidambaranar Port alongside its Scope-2 emission-free milestone?

Accepted Answer

ISO 50001:2018 - V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority secured ISO 50001:2018 certification for its Energy Management System . The development accompanied its recognition as India's first Scope-2 emission-free major port at Thoothukudi in Tamil Nadu. Static GK link: ISO 50001 provides a framework for organisations to establish, implement, maintain and improve an Energy Management System. It focuses on systematic improvement in energy performance, including energy efficiency and energy use. Do not confuse it with ISO 14001 , which relates to environmental management systems, or ISO 9001 , which deals with quality management systems.

Question 9

Which Indian theoretical physicist was named a recipient of the 2026 ICTP Dirac Medal?

Accepted Answer

Deepak Dhar - Indian theoretical physicist Professor Deepak Dhar was named a recipient of the 2026 ICTP Dirac Medal . He was recognised for major contributions to theoretical and statistical mechanics , including influential work on complex systems and statistical-physics models. Static GK link: The International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) was founded in 1964 by Nobel laureate Abdus Salam and is based in Trieste, Italy . The Dirac Medal honours physicist Paul A. M. Dirac , who shared the 1933 Nobel Prize in Physics with Erwin Schrodinger for work associated with atomic theory.

Question 10

In which year was the ICTP Dirac Medal first awarded?

Accepted Answer

1985 - The ICTP Dirac Medal was first awarded in 1985 . The medal is presented in honour of theoretical physicist P. A. M. Dirac and recognises significant contributions to theoretical physics. In 2026 , Indian physicist Deepak Dhar was among the recipients. Static GK link: ICTP was established in 1964 in Trieste, Italy , through the efforts of physicist Abdus Salam . The Dirac Medal is traditionally awarded on 8 August , Dirac's birthday. Paul Dirac was one of the pioneers of quantum mechanics and shared the 1933 Nobel Prize in Physics with Erwin Schrodinger.

Question 11

Which Indian institution was the country's highest-ranked university in the QS World University Rankings 2027?

Accepted Answer

IIT Delhi - IIT Delhi was the highest-ranked Indian institution in the QS World University Rankings 2027 , securing the 118th position globally . India had 52 institutions represented in the rankings, reflecting the country's expanding presence in the global higher-education table. Static GK link: IIT Delhi began as the College of Engineering in 1961 . It was subsequently declared an Institution of National Importance under the Institutes of Technology framework and renamed Indian Institute of Technology Delhi. The institute is located at Hauz Khas, New Delhi . QS rankings assess universities using a set of academic, research, employment and internationalisation indicators.

Question 12

IIT Delhi, India's top institution in the QS World University Rankings 2027, was originally established in 1961 under what name?

Accepted Answer

College of Engineering - IIT Delhi was originally established in 1961 as the College of Engineering . It later became an Indian Institute of Technology and was declared an Institution of National Importance . In the QS World University Rankings 2027, it ranked 118th globally , the highest position among Indian institutions. Static GK link: The institute was renamed Indian Institute of Technology Delhi following the Institutes of Technology legislative framework in 1963 . IIT Delhi is situated at Hauz Khas, New Delhi . India's IIT system consists of institutions established as centres of excellence in engineering, technology, science, research and higher education.

Question 13

What does S.H.I.N.E. stand for in the DHR-ICMR programme held in August 2026?

Accepted Answer

Science, Health and Innovation for NextGen Explorers - S.H.I.N.E. stands for Science, Health and Innovation for NextGen Explorers . The 2026 edition was organised by the Department of Health Research and the Indian Council of Medical Research to expose school students to health research, laboratories and interaction with scientists. Static GK link: The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) traces its origins to the Indian Research Fund Association (IRFA) , established in 1911 . IRFA was renamed the Indian Council of Medical Research in 1949 . ICMR functions within the health-research framework of the Government of India and is a key national body for biomedical and health research.

Question 14

S.H.I.N.E. 2026 was organised across how many locations and targeted approximately how many school students?

Accepted Answer

83 locations and 30,000 students - S.H.I.N.E. 2026 was organised across 83 locations and was designed to reach around 30,000 school students from Classes 9 to 12 . The nationwide programme enabled students to explore laboratories, observe demonstrations and interact directly with researchers. Static GK link: SHINE is an initiative of the Department of Health Research (DHR) and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) . ICMR's institutional history dates to 1911 , when the Indian Research Fund Association was established; it acquired its present name in 1949 . The programme's broader objective is linked with promoting scientific temper and encouraging interest in biomedical and health research.

Question 15

What is the principal purpose of the Bankers' Books Evidence Bill, 2026?

Accepted Answer

To modernise rules governing banking records used as court evidence - The Bankers' Books Evidence Bill, 2026 seeks to modernise the legal framework governing the use of banking records as evidence in court proceedings. It recognises physical, electronic and virtual banking records and broadens coverage to newer financial entities such as NBFCs, payment aggregators and fintech companies . Static GK link: The Bill is intended to repeal and replace the Bankers' Books Evidence Act, 1891 . The older law enabled certified copies of entries in bankers' books to be admitted as evidence without routinely requiring production of the original records. Updating the framework reflects the transformation of banking from predominantly physical ledgers to digital and electronically maintained records.

Daily Current Affairs Quiz 12 August 2026: 15 Important GK MCQs for UPSC, SSC, Banking & Railways Exams

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