Daily Current Affairs Quiz 28 & 29 August 2026: 15 Important GK MCQs for UPSC, SSC, Banking & Railways Exams

Question 1

As of 19 August 2026, approximately how many Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana accounts had been opened in India?

Accepted Answer

59.09 crore - As of 19 August 2026 , around 59.09 crore accounts had been opened under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana , with deposits of about Rs 3.17 lakh crore . The scheme completed 12 years on 28 August 2026. • Launch date → 28 August 2014 • Core objective → financial inclusion Static GK link: PMJDY provides access to basic savings accounts, remittance, credit, insurance and pension services. Eligible account holders also receive a RuPay debit card, and the basic account does not require a minimum balance.

Question 2

Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, which completed 12 years in August 2026, was originally launched on which date?

Accepted Answer

28 August 2014 - The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana was launched on 28 August 2014 , so it completed 12 years on 28 August 2026. Its objective is to bring unbanked households into the formal financial system and expand access to affordable financial services. • Basic account → no minimum balance requirement • Eligible overdraft → up to Rs 10,000 Static GK link: PMJDY forms an important part of the JAM Trinity - Jan Dhan, Aadhaar and Mobile. PMJDY accounts can also receive Direct Benefit Transfer payments and connect beneficiaries with insurance and pension schemes.

Question 3

India is scheduled to host the 18th BRICS Summit in September 2026 at which venue and on which dates?

Accepted Answer

Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi - 12 and 13 September - The 18th BRICS Summit is scheduled to be hosted by India at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi , on 12 and 13 September 2026 . India assumed the BRICS Chairship on 1 January 2026 . • Chairship theme → Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability Static GK link: BRICS cooperation began with Brazil, Russia, India and China, while South Africa joined later. The grouping works across political-security, economic-financial and people-to-people cooperation. Annual leaders' summits serve as the grouping's highest-level political forum.

Question 4

The New Development Bank, created by the BRICS countries, has its headquarters in which city?

Accepted Answer

Shanghai - The New Development Bank , commonly called the NDB or BRICS Bank, is headquartered in Shanghai, China . It was established in 2015 after the Agreement on the New Development Bank was signed at the 2014 BRICS Summit in Fortaleza, Brazil. • First President → K. V. Kamath • First regional office → Africa Regional Centre in Johannesburg Static GK link: The NDB finances infrastructure and sustainable-development projects. Its creation was one of the major institutional outcomes of BRICS cooperation and is frequently tested with the bank's headquarters, founding year and first president.

Question 5

In August 2026, RBI allowed banks to access the FCNR(B) dollar-rupee swap facility outside their designated weekly window for transactions above what amount?

Accepted Answer

USD 100 million - The Reserve Bank of India relaxed access to its FCNR(B)-linked dollar-rupee swap facility for transactions exceeding USD 100 million . Banks handling such large qualifying inflows can approach the RBI outside their earlier designated weekly window. • Earlier system → access was tied to a fixed weekly day • Purpose → improve foreign-exchange liquidity and fund-transfer efficiency Static GK link: FCNR(B) stands for Foreign Currency Non-Resident (Bank) . These are foreign-currency term deposits maintained by eligible non-residents with authorised banks in India, helping depositors avoid direct rupee exchange-rate exposure on the principal.

Question 6

Under RBI rules, what is the permitted maturity range for term deposits under the FCNR(B) scheme?

Accepted Answer

One year to five years - Under the FCNR(B) scheme , the permitted maturity for term deposits runs from one year up to five years . RBI directions specify maturity buckets beginning at one year and do not permit banks to accept or renew FCNR(B) deposits beyond five years. • Account form → fixed deposit • Recurring deposits → not permitted under FCNR(B) Static GK link: FCNR(B) accounts may be maintained by eligible NRIs and PIOs in permitted foreign currencies. Interest on these deposits is governed by RBI directions, while the accounts themselves operate within India's foreign-exchange framework under FEMA, 1999 .

Question 7

In SEBI's 100-point IT Resilience Index for Market Infrastructure Institutions, which two parameters carry the highest weightage of 20 points each?

Accepted Answer

Availability and Security - In SEBI's IT Resilience Index , Availability and Security carry the highest weightage at 20 points each . The framework totals 100 points across nine parameters for assessing the resilience of critical technology systems used by Market Infrastructure Institutions. • Integrity, Governance and several continuity-related parameters → 10 points each • Scalability → 5 points Static GK link: Market Infrastructure Institutions include stock exchanges, clearing corporations and depositories . These entities support trading, clearing, settlement and custody functions in India's securities market.

Question 8

The Securities and Exchange Board of India became a statutory body under the SEBI Act in which year?

Accepted Answer

1992 - The Securities and Exchange Board of India became a statutory body in 1992 under the SEBI Act, 1992 . SEBI had first been constituted as a non-statutory body on 12 April 1988 through a Government of India resolution. • Statutory provisions came into force → 30 January 1992 • Head office → Mumbai Static GK link: SEBI's core mandate is to protect investors, promote the development of the securities market and regulate it. This makes its establishment year, governing Act and headquarters common Banking and Economy examination facts.

Question 9

India's first dedicated Quantum and Artificial Intelligence University campus approved in August 2026 is being established at which place by which institution?

Accepted Answer

Amaravati - NIELIT - The first dedicated Quantum and Artificial Intelligence University campus is being developed at Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh , by NIELIT . The proposed campus covers about 8.5 acres and has an estimated investment of Rs 730.70 crore over five years . • Focus → quantum technologies and artificial intelligence Static GK link: NIELIT stands for National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology . It is an Autonomous Scientific Society under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and works in technology education, examination, certification and digital-skilling programmes.

Question 10

What does NIELIT stand for, and under which Union ministry does it function?

Accepted Answer

National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology - Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology - NIELIT stands for National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology . It is an Autonomous Scientific Society under the administrative control of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology , commonly abbreviated as MeitY. • Earlier name → DOEACC Society • Headquarters → New Delhi Static GK link: NIELIT works in formal and non-formal education, examination and certification in Information, Electronics and Communications Technology. Its programmes cover areas such as AI, cyber security, cloud computing, IoT and electronics system design, making the institution relevant to both technology and government-skilling current affairs.

Question 11

Indian Railways' high-density network expansion plan announced in August 2026 proposes four-laning approximately how much route length?

Accepted Answer

11,000 km - Indian Railways' high-density network expansion plan proposes four-laning about 11,000 km of heavily used routes. The capacity-expansion push is intended to strengthen the network for growing passenger and freight movement on busy corridors. • Planned configuration → four railway lines on high-density stretches • Core objective → greater carrying capacity and lower congestion Static GK link: Indian Railways functions under the Ministry of Railways . Four-laning is a capacity-augmentation measure in which additional tracks are provided on an existing corridor; it is different from gauge conversion, which changes the distance between the rails.

Question 12

Which of the following correctly lists the three elephant corridors notified by Tamil Nadu in the Hosur region in August 2026?

Accepted Answer

Jawalagiri-Ulibanda-Thaggatti, Jawalagiri-Panai-Anchetty and Billikkal-Jawalagiri - Tamil Nadu notified the Jawalagiri-Ulibanda-Thaggatti , Jawalagiri-Panai-Anchetty and Billikkal-Jawalagiri elephant corridors in the Hosur region. Together, the three corridors cover more than 10,300 hectares and are intended to preserve seasonal movement and habitat connectivity between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. • Forest landscape → Hosur forest division and the Cauvery North landscape • Conservation purpose → safer elephant movement and reduced habitat fragmentation Static GK link: The Asian elephant is protected under India's wildlife law, while elephant corridors are landscape linkages that connect habitats used by herds for movement, feeding and breeding.

Question 13

Project Elephant, the centrally sponsored conservation scheme linked to elephant habitats and corridors, was launched by the Government of India in which year?

Accepted Answer

1992 - The Government of India launched Project Elephant in 1992 as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme. Its core objectives include protecting elephants, their habitats and corridors, reducing human-elephant conflict and promoting the welfare of captive elephants. • Nodal ministry → Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change • Conservation approach → financial and technical support to elephant-range states Static GK link: Project Elephant uses a landscape approach because elephant populations move across administrative boundaries. Elephant reserves and corridors therefore complement protected areas by maintaining ecological connectivity between feeding grounds, water sources and seasonal habitats.

Question 14

The Aravalli engine being developed through SAFHAL belongs to which power class and is intended for which future helicopter platforms?

Accepted Answer

3,500-4,000 shp - IMRH and DBMRH - The Aravalli is a new-generation helicopter engine in the 3,500-4,000 shp power class. It is intended for HAL's future Indian Multi-Role Helicopter and the naval Deck-Based Multi-Role Helicopter . • Developer → SAFHAL Helicopter Engines • Engine class → high-power turboshaft Static GK link: IMRH stands for Indian Multi-Role Helicopter , while DBMRH stands for Deck-Based Multi-Role Helicopter . A turboshaft engine converts gas-turbine energy mainly into shaft power, which is suited to driving a helicopter's rotor system.

Question 15

SAFHAL Helicopter Engines, which is developing the Aravalli engine, is a joint venture between which two companies?

Accepted Answer

HAL and Safran Helicopter Engines - SAFHAL Helicopter Engines is the joint venture through which Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and Safran Helicopter Engines are developing the Aravalli programme. The engine is designed in the 3,500-4,000 shp power class for India's future IMRH and DBMRH platforms. • Indian partner → HAL • Foreign partner → Safran Helicopter Engines of France Static GK link: HAL is headquartered in Bengaluru and is a major Indian aerospace and defence public-sector enterprise. Safran is a French aerospace group with a long-standing helicopter-engine partnership with HAL.

Daily Current Affairs Quiz 28 & 29 August 2026: 15 Important GK MCQs for UPSC, SSC, Banking & Railways Exams

Daily Current Affairs 28 October 2026: Important GK Updates for UPSC, SSC, Banking & Railways Exams

Bharathi

Recent quizzes

Recent posts

Latest job notifications