Daily Current Affairs Quiz 26 August 2026: 15 Important GK MCQs for UPSC, SSC, Banking & Railways Exams

Question 1

UPI completed 10 years of operations on which date in August 2026?

Accepted Answer

25 August 2026 - UPI completed 10 years of operations on 25 August 2026 . It was launched in 2016 by NPCI under the oversight of the RBI . • Milestone → UPI has become a major component of India's digital payments infrastructure • Institutional framework → NPCI operates the UPI platform under the regulatory framework of RBI Static GK link: National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) is the umbrella organisation for operating retail payment systems in India. The Reserve Bank of India was established on 1 April 1935 under the RBI Act, 1934, and was nationalised in 1949 .

Question 2

Which organisation launched UPI in 2016 under the oversight of the Reserve Bank of India?

Accepted Answer

NPCI - NPCI , the National Payments Corporation of India, launched UPI in 2016 under the oversight of the Reserve Bank of India . The platform subsequently became a major pillar of India's digital public infrastructure. • UPI → enables interoperable digital payments through participating banks and payment applications • 2026 milestone → completion of 10 years of operations Static GK link: NPCI is associated with India's retail payment infrastructure, while SEBI regulates the securities market, IRDAI regulates insurance and PFRDA regulates the pension sector. RBI is India's central bank and was established in 1935 .

Question 3

The NITI Aayog report Reimagining Skilling for Viksit Bharat@2047 estimated how many youth aged 15 to 29 were not studying, working or receiving training?

Accepted Answer

87 million - The NITI Aayog report Reimagining Skilling for Viksit Bharat@2047 estimated that 87 million youth aged 15 to 29 were not studying, working or receiving training. • Age group → 15-29 years • Key concern → strengthening skilling and employment pathways for India's young population • Report theme → skilling requirements linked with the Viksit Bharat@2047 vision Static GK link: NITI Aayog was established on 1 January 2015 , replacing the Planning Commission. Its full form is National Institution for Transforming India . The Prime Minister is its ex-officio Chairperson , and the institution promotes cooperative and competitive federalism.

Question 4

NITI Aayog was established in 2015 after replacing which earlier institution?

Accepted Answer

Planning Commission - NITI Aayog was established on 1 January 2015 , replacing the Planning Commission . It functions primarily as a policy think tank and advisory institution rather than as a constitutional or statutory body. • Full form → National Institution for Transforming India • Approach → cooperative and competitive federalism • Chairperson → the Prime Minister is the ex-officio Chairperson Static GK link: The Planning Commission was set up in 1950 . Unlike a constitutional body, NITI Aayog was created by an executive government resolution. Its work includes policy research, monitoring and coordination involving the Union government and states.

Question 5

What did the August 2026 DRDO decision allow eligible Indian defence industries to use?

Accepted Answer

DRDO-developed missile technologies - The DRDO decision allows eligible Indian defence industries to use DRDO-developed technologies for conventional missile systems through technology transfer arrangements. • Objective → support domestic production and wider industrial participation • Industry role → eligible Indian defence companies can use transferred technologies for production • Strategic significance → strengthens Aatmanirbharta in Defence Static GK link: DRDO stands for Defence Research and Development Organisation. It was established in 1958 and functions under the Department of Defence R&D; of the Ministry of Defence. DRDO develops technologies relating to missiles, electronics, aeronautics, armaments and other defence requirements.

Question 6

The DRDO missile technology transfer decision primarily supports which national objective in the defence sector?

Accepted Answer

Aatmanirbharta in Defence - The DRDO technology-transfer decision supports Aatmanirbharta in Defence by enabling eligible Indian industries to use DRDO-developed missile technologies for conventional missile systems. • Industrial benefit → encourages domestic production of defence equipment • Private-sector role → expands opportunities for Indian defence industries to participate in technology-based manufacturing • Strategic objective → strengthens indigenous defence capability and reduces dependence on external sources Static GK link: DRDO was established in 1958 . Its mandate covers defence research and development across multiple technological domains. Technology transfer from government research organisations to Indian industry is an important mechanism for converting indigenous research into deployable products.

Question 7

Which court delivered the August 2026 judgment clarifying the application of the earlier 'industry' test to pending disputes under the repealed Industrial Disputes Act?

Accepted Answer

Supreme Court of India - A nine-judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court delivered the judgment in State of U.P. v. Jai Bir Singh , addressing the application of the earlier 'industry' test to pending disputes under the repealed Industrial Disputes Act. • Bench → nine judges • Case → State of U.P. v. Jai Bir Singh • Issue → interpretation of the meaning and application of 'industry' in labour-law disputes Static GK link: The Supreme Court of India is the apex judicial court under the Constitution. Constitution Benches are constituted to decide substantial questions of constitutional interpretation or matters of significant legal importance. Article 145(3) requires a minimum of five judges for cases involving substantial questions of constitutional interpretation.

Question 8

In State of U.P. v. Jai Bir Singh, the Supreme Court judgment primarily addressed which legal concept?

Accepted Answer

Meaning of 'industry' - The Supreme Court judgment in State of U.P. v. Jai Bir Singh addressed the meaning and application of the legal concept of 'industry' in the context of pending labour disputes under the repealed Industrial Disputes Act. • Bench → a nine-judge Constitution Bench • Context → clarification of the application of the earlier industry test to pending disputes Static GK link: The Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 was a major Indian labour-law statute dealing with industrial disputes, adjudication and related employment matters. The term 'industry' has historically been important in determining the scope of labour-law protections and dispute-resolution mechanisms.

Question 9

Who was selected for the 47th Sarala Puraskar for the 2024 poetry collection Bishwas De Pruthwi?

Accepted Answer

Dr. Ashutosh Parida - Odia poet and former CSIR-IMMT scientist Dr. Ashutosh Parida was selected for the 47th Sarala Puraskar for his 2024 poetry collection Bishwas De Pruthwi . • Award → 47th Sarala Puraskar • Work → Bishwas De Pruthwi • Field → Odia poetry Static GK link: The Sarala Puraskar is an important literary honour associated with Odisha and is awarded for outstanding contribution to Odia literature. Literary awards are useful for competitive examinations because questions may connect the recipient with the language, state, work or edition of the award.

Question 10

The Sarala Puraskar is primarily associated with which Indian language literature?

Accepted Answer

Odia - The Sarala Puraskar is associated with Odia literature . In August 2026, Dr. Ashutosh Parida was selected for the 47th edition for his poetry collection Bishwas De Pruthwi . • Recipient → Odia poet and former CSIR-IMMT scientist Dr. Ashutosh Parida • Recognised work → Bishwas De Pruthwi Static GK link: Odia is one of the 22 languages currently listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. The Eighth Schedule originally contained 14 languages at the commencement of the Constitution. Sindhi was added through the 21st Constitutional Amendment, 1967 , followed by further additions in 1992 and 2003.

Question 11

Who won the men's singles title at the 2026 BWF World Championships?

Accepted Answer

Alex Lanier - France's Alex Lanier won the men's singles title at the 2026 BWF World Championships , becoming the first Frenchman to win the world championship in men's singles . • Country → France • Event → BWF World Championships men's singles • Historic achievement → first Frenchman to win the men's singles world title Static GK link: BWF stands for Badminton World Federation, the international governing body for badminton. The World Championships are among the sport's major individual events. Badminton is played in singles and doubles formats, with men's singles, women's singles, men's doubles, women's doubles and mixed doubles forming the principal competitive categories.

Question 12

Alex Lanier's 2026 BWF World Championships men's singles victory was historic for which country?

Accepted Answer

France - France achieved the historic milestone when Alex Lanier won the men's singles title at the 2026 BWF World Championships . He became the first Frenchman to win the world championship in this category. • Sport → badminton • Event → BWF World Championships • Category → men's singles Static GK link: BWF is the international governing body for badminton. The organisation was formerly known as the International Badminton Federation before adopting its present name. In competitive badminton, a standard singles match is played as the best of three games, with each game normally played to 21 points under the rally-point scoring system.

Question 13

What is the main purpose of Odisha's Bidesh Sikhyabruti scheme?

Accepted Answer

To support overseas higher education for meritorious SC and ST students - Bidesh Sikhyabruti is an Odisha scholarship scheme for meritorious SC and ST students pursuing higher education abroad. • Target group → meritorious students belonging to Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities • Purpose → support higher education outside India • Financial support → up to Rs 25 lakh per year for selected beneficiaries Static GK link: Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes are constitutionally recognised categories. The Constitution contains specific provisions for their welfare and representation. Articles 341 and 342 respectively deal with the specification of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

Question 14

Under the Bidesh Sikhyabruti scheme, the maximum reported annual support for selected beneficiaries is up to what amount?

Accepted Answer

Rs 25 lakh - Selected beneficiaries under Odisha's Bidesh Sikhyabruti scheme can receive support of up to Rs 25 lakh per year . The scheme is intended for meritorious SC and ST students pursuing higher education abroad. • State → Odisha • Beneficiaries → meritorious SC and ST students • Objective → facilitate access to overseas higher education Static GK link: Article 46 of the Constitution directs the State to promote the educational and economic interests of weaker sections, particularly Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, and protect them from social injustice and exploitation. Articles 341 and 342 concern the constitutional specification of SCs and STs.

Question 15

Operation Economic Outcast announced by the US Treasury in August 2026 targeted entities, individuals and vessels linked to which country?

Accepted Answer

Iran - Operation Economic Outcast was described as a US Treasury economic action targeting Iran-linked entities, individuals and vessels and sectors associated with strategic activities. • Action type → economic measures and sanctions-related targeting • Target → Iran-linked networks and sectors • Authority → US Treasury Static GK link: The US Department of the Treasury is the federal department responsible for matters including public finance, currency and financial sanctions. The Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) administers and enforces economic and trade sanctions based on US foreign-policy and national-security objectives.

Question 16

Which US department announced Operation Economic Outcast against Iran-linked entities and individuals in August 2026?

Accepted Answer

US Department of the Treasury - The US Department of the Treasury announced Operation Economic Outcast , an economic action targeting Iran-linked entities, individuals and vessels and sectors associated with strategic activities. • Nature → economic and sanctions-related action • Target → Iran-linked networks, persons and vessels • Department involved → US Treasury Static GK link: The Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) administers and enforces US economic and trade sanctions. The US Department of State primarily handles diplomacy and foreign relations, while the Department of Commerce focuses on areas such as trade, industry and economic development.

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