Daily Current Affairs Quiz 20 August 2026: 15 Important GK MCQs for UPSC, SSC, Banking & Railways Exams

Question 1

Under the domestic PNG connection incentive announced in August 2026, how much additional lower-priced APM gas will an eligible CGD entity receive for every incremental billed domestic PNG connection?

Accepted Answer

200 Standard Cubic Metres - Eligible City Gas Distribution entities will receive an additional 200 Standard Cubic Metres of lower-priced APM gas for every incremental billed domestic PNG connection above the applicable threshold. The incentive becomes effective from 1 September 2026 and is to be implemented in two tranches over six months . Static GK link: PNG stands for Piped Natural Gas, while APM gas refers to gas supplied under the Administered Price Mechanism. City gas distribution networks are regulated by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board , a statutory regulator for downstream petroleum and natural gas activities.

Question 2

City Gas Distribution networks in India are regulated by PNGRB. The board was established under which legislation?

Accepted Answer

Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board Act, 2006 - The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board is a statutory body constituted under the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board Act, 2006 . It regulates downstream activities such as transportation, distribution and marketing of petroleum products and natural gas, including authorisation of city gas distribution networks. Static GK link: The Act is numbered 19 of 2006 and dates to 31 March 2006 . In the current PNG incentive, eligible CGD entities receive 200 Standard Cubic Metres of additional lower-priced APM gas for each qualifying incremental billed household connection from 1 September 2026 .

Question 3

How many additional projects were approved by MeitY under the Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme in August 2026?

Accepted Answer

31 projects - The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology approved 31 additional projects under the Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme . The projects involve investment of Rs 7,877 crore , projected production worth Rs 82,243 crore and an expected 9,588 direct jobs . Static GK link: ECMS is designed to deepen India's domestic electronics-component supply chain and increase value addition within the country. The scheme was approved by the Union Cabinet in March 2025 with an initial funding outlay of Rs 22,919 crore and is administered by MeitY .

Question 4

India's total exports of merchandise and services were estimated at what value in July 2026?

Accepted Answer

USD 80.14 billion - India's total exports were reported at USD 80.14 billion for July 2026 , making the export figure one of the key economy updates highlighted in the day's current affairs article. The number covers the headline export estimate for the month. Static GK link: External trade is commonly divided into merchandise trade , covering physical goods, and services trade , covering cross-border services. Exports are recorded as credits in the current account of the balance of payments. India's trade-related policy and merchandise export framework are handled primarily by the Department of Commerce under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Question 5

According to the PLFS bulletin for July 2026, what was India's unemployment rate for persons aged 15 years and above?

Accepted Answer

5.1% - India's unemployment rate for persons aged 15 years and above fell to 5.1% in July 2026 from 5.5% in June, according to the Periodic Labour Force Survey bulletin. Rural unemployment stood at 4.5% , while the urban rate was 6.7% . Static GK link: PLFS was launched by the National Statistical Office in April 2017 under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. Major labour-market indicators used in PLFS include Labour Force Participation Rate , Worker Population Ratio and Unemployment Rate .

Question 6

The Periodic Labour Force Survey, which provides key employment and unemployment indicators in India, was launched by the National Statistical Office in which year?

Accepted Answer

2017 - The National Statistical Office launched the Periodic Labour Force Survey in April 2017 to provide labour-force information at more frequent intervals. It tracks indicators including the Labour Force Participation Rate, Worker Population Ratio and Unemployment Rate. Static GK link: NSO functions under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation . In the July 2026 bulletin, unemployment among persons aged 15 years and above was 5.1% , compared with 5.5% in June. The corresponding rural and urban unemployment rates were 4.5% and 6.7% , respectively.

Question 7

How many strategically important items are included in the Ministry of Defence's 6th Positive Indigenisation List notified in August 2026?

Accepted Answer

405 items - The 6th Positive Indigenisation List contains 405 strategically important items with an estimated business potential of Rs 3,070 crore . Of these, 389 items are associated with Defence Public Sector Undertakings and 16 items with the Indian Coast Guard. The policy seeks to replace imports with domestic production. Static GK link: The Ministry of Defence launched the SRIJAN indigenisation portal on 14 August 2020 . The portal enables DPSUs and Service Headquarters to identify imported items that Indian industry, including MSMEs and start-ups, can develop domestically.

Question 8

The SRIJAN portal, linked with India's defence indigenisation drive and Positive Indigenisation Lists, was launched in which year?

Accepted Answer

2020 - The SRIJAN portal was launched by the Ministry of Defence on 14 August 2020 as an online platform to support indigenisation and import substitution. It allows DPSUs and Service Headquarters to display items that can be developed by Indian industry, including MSMEs and start-ups. Static GK link: The portal is associated with the Department of Defence Production . The current 6th Positive Indigenisation List covers 405 items , including 389 DPSU items and 16 Indian Coast Guard items , with an estimated business potential of Rs 3,070 crore .

Question 9

MAITREE-XV, the 15th edition of the India-Thailand joint military exercise, is being held in August 2026 at which location?

Accepted Answer

Surat Thani, Thailand - MAITREE-XV , the 15th edition of the India-Thailand joint military exercise, is being held at Surat Thani, Thailand , from 18 to 31 August 2026 . The exercise includes 85 personnel each from the Indian Army and the Royal Thai Army and is intended to strengthen cooperation and interoperability. Static GK link: Thailand is one of the five founding members of ASEAN . ASEAN was established on 8 August 1967 through the Bangkok Declaration , signed by Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.

Question 10

Thailand, India's partner in Exercise MAITREE, was one of the five founding members of ASEAN. Which declaration established ASEAN in 1967?

Accepted Answer

Bangkok Declaration - The Association of Southeast Asian Nations was established through the Bangkok Declaration signed on 8 August 1967 . Its five founding members were Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Static GK link: Thailand is India's partner in the bilateral Army exercise MAITREE . The MAITREE-XV edition is being conducted at Surat Thani from 18 to 31 August 2026 , with 85 personnel each from the Indian Army and Royal Thai Army. ASEAN's establishment in Bangkok makes Thailand particularly relevant to regional diplomacy and security questions.

Question 11

What institutional body is proposed by the Tribunals Reforms Bill 2026 to oversee tribunal appointments and administration?

Accepted Answer

National Tribunals Commission - The Tribunals Reforms Bill 2026 proposes a National Tribunals Commission to oversee tribunal appointments and administration. It also envisages common service frameworks and a National Tribunals Data Grid covering 16 tribunals and authorities , with the broader aim of improving independence, transparency and professional administration. Static GK link: Constitutional provisions relating to tribunals are found in Articles 323A and 323B . These provisions were inserted by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976 . Article 323A deals with administrative tribunals, while Article 323B permits tribunals for certain other specified matters.

Question 12

Articles 323A and 323B, which provide the constitutional basis for tribunals in India, were inserted by which Constitutional Amendment?

Accepted Answer

42nd Amendment Act, 1976 - Articles 323A and 323B were inserted into the Constitution by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976 . Article 323A concerns administrative tribunals, while Article 323B enables tribunals for specified subjects such as taxation and certain other matters within legislative competence. Static GK link: Tribunal independence is central to the Tribunals Reforms Bill 2026 . The Bill proposes a National Tribunals Commission for appointments and administration, common service frameworks and a National Tribunals Data Grid covering 16 tribunals and authorities . These changes seek a more uniform and professionally administered tribunal system.

Question 13

Razorpay's AI payments foundation model Vulcan was trained on approximately how many data points drawn from about 4 billion payments?

Accepted Answer

3 trillion data points - Razorpay Vulcan is an AI payments foundation model designed to improve payment success, transaction routing and fraud detection. It was trained on nearly 3 trillion data points drawn from around 4 billion payments , giving the model a broad base of transaction signals for payment-related decision-making. Static GK link: A major part of India's digital-payments ecosystem is the Unified Payments Interface , developed by the National Payments Corporation of India . UPI's pilot was launched on 11 April 2016 . NPCI acts as an umbrella organisation for retail payment systems and also operates platforms such as RuPay and IMPS.

Question 14

What is the estimated cost of the proposed desert-themed drive-through night safari and zoological park at Deesa in Gujarat?

Accepted Answer

Rs 542.14 crore - The proposed project at Deesa in Banaskantha district, Gujarat has an estimated cost of Rs 542.14 crore and is planned over 103 hectares . It has received approval from the Central Zoo Authority and has been described as Asia's first desert-themed drive-through night safari . Static GK link: The Central Zoo Authority is a statutory body under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. It was established in 1992 under provisions added to the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 and regulates recognition and standards of zoos in India.

Question 15

The Central Zoo Authority, which approved the proposed Deesa night safari project, is a statutory body established under which law?

Accepted Answer

Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 - The Central Zoo Authority is a statutory body established under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 . The relevant provisions were added through an amendment, and the Authority was established in 1992 under the environment ministry. Static GK link: CZA specifies minimum standards for animal housing and veterinary care, evaluates zoos and grants or withdraws recognition. In the current affairs context, it approved the proposed desert-themed zoological park and drive-through night safari at Deesa in Gujarat. The project spans about 103 hectares , is estimated at Rs 542.14 crore and is described as Asia's first desert-themed drive-through night safari .

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