Current Affairs Questions with Answers

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari awarded the 'Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak' to 12 rat-hole miners for their courage and selfless service during the Silkyara Tunnel rescue operation. The 'Jeevan Raksha Padak' is awarded to individuals who display courage in saving human lives and comprises three categories: Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak, Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padak, and Jeevan Raksha Padak.

Indian Grandmaster R. Praggnanandhaa won the 2026 St. Louis Rapid & Blitz title with a score of 23.5/36, finishing 1.5 points ahead of Javokhir Sindarov. This victory earned him US$50,000 and 13 GCT points, strengthening his position for the 2026 GCT Finals.

'Quit India Movement Day' is observed annually on August 8th because the Quit India Resolution was passed on this day in 1942 at the Gowalia Tank Maidan (now known as August Kranti Maidan) in Mumbai. Launched following Mahatma Gandhi's call of "Do or Die," this movement became a decisive mass movement in the Indian struggle for independence and paved the way for the end of British rule.

The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has deployed the National Joint Outbreak Response Team (NJORT) to Gujarat and Rajasthan to tackle the Chandipura virus (CHPV) outbreak. Several institutions, including the NCDC, ICMR, NIV, and NIE, are conducting joint research to control the virus, and active surveillance, laboratory testing, and vector control measures have been intensified under the IDSP.

The US state of Massachusetts and the city of Boston have officially declared August 15 as "India Day" to honor India's 79th Independence Day and the contributions of the Indian-American community. This initiative is considered significant for further strengthening India-US relations, the role of the Indian diaspora, and India's soft power on the global stage.

The upper stage of SpaceX's Falcon-9 rocket is projected to collide near the Moon's Einstein Crater on August 5, 2026, offering an opportunity to study lunar geology and impact physics. This event has also highlighted the importance of space debris, the Kessler Syndrome, and the safe disposal of post-mission spacecraft.

According to the Randstad Employer Brand Research (REBR) 2026, Google has emerged as India's most attractive employer, while Tata Group and Amazon secured the second and third positions, respectively. The report highlights that Indian employees now place greater importance on work-life balance, career growth, an inclusive work culture, and employee well-being, alongside salary.

The Tata Group has appointed Tewolde Gebremariam, the former CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Air India. His leadership will provide fresh momentum to Air India's global expansion, operational efficiency, customer service improvements, and the strategy to transform India into a global aviation hub.

The objective of the Uttar Pradesh Private Business Park Development Scheme, 2025 is to provide world-class infrastructure to IT, GCC, AI, Fintech, and other knowledge-based industries by developing modern 'Plug-and-Play' business parks through PPP and DBFOT models. This scheme is a significant initiative towards attracting investment, creating employment, boosting the digital economy, and developing Uttar Pradesh into a service- and innovation-led industrial hub.

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved a one-year extension to the tenures of Cabinet Secretary Dr. T.V. Somanathan and Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan. This decision was taken with the aim of ensuring administrative continuity, national security, and effective governance.

National Handloom Day is observed annually on August 7; it was initiated by the Government of India in 2015 to commemorate the Swadeshi Movement of 1905. Its objective is to promote 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' (Self-reliant India), 'Vocal for Local', and sustainable development by fostering the handloom tradition, the weaving community, and the indigenous textile industry.

TRAI launched a revised version of the TRAI MyCall app on August 3, 2026, enabling consumers to provide real-time feedback on voice call quality. This app will facilitate the assessment of telecom service quality, network improvements, and effective regulatory monitoring based on data related to QoE and QoS.

Glow Lake in Arunachal Pradesh has been declared India's 101st Ramsar site, making it the state's first Ramsar site. Located within the Kamlang Tiger Reserve, this wetland is crucial for biodiversity conservation, water security, climate change adaptation, and sustainable development.

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has developed the country's first indigenous African Swine Fever (ASF) vaccine, which was launched by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on ICAR Foundation Day 2026. Developed by ICAR-NIHSAD, Bhopal, this live-attenuated vaccine will strengthen livestock safety, biosecurity, and India's veterinary research capabilities.

Veteran Indian cinema actor Pradeep Rawat passed away on August 4, 2026, at the age of 74. He carved a distinct niche for himself in Indian cinema through his portrayal of Ashwatthama in 'Mahabharat' and powerful performances in films such as *Sarfarosh*, *Lagaan*, and *Ghajini*.

The Uttar Pradesh government presented a supplementary budget of ₹59,019.54 crore for the financial year 2026-27, placing special emphasis on providing additional financial support for development projects and infrastructure. 70.5% of the budget has been allocated for capital expenditure, and it was presented to meet additional financial requirements under Article 115 of the Constitution.

In its August 2026 monetary policy, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) kept the repo rate unchanged at 5.25% and maintained a 'neutral' monetary policy stance. The RBI has projected a GDP growth rate of 6.7% and CPI-based inflation of 5.0% for the financial year 2026-27.

The Ministry of Finance has proposed reintroducing the Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on certain digital transactions via UPI and RuPay to develop a sustainable revenue model for the digital payment system. This proposal is likely to apply primarily to large merchants, while small merchants and consumers are expected to receive relief.

Nathan Thomas from the USA set the Guinness World Record by becoming the world's youngest male professor at the age of 18 years and 346 days. He has been appointed as an engineering lecturer at Miami Dade College and is currently also pursuing a law degree (JD) at the University of Miami. Q#8. What was the name of the first atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima?

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Hiroshima Day (Anti-Nuclear Day) is observed every year on August 6th; it commemorates the first atomic bomb attack on Hiroshima in 1945 and is dedicated to the message of nuclear disarmament. India supports global peace as a responsible nuclear power, adhering to the policies of 'No First Use' and 'Credible Minimum Deterrence'.

The Candere Hurun India Women's Leadership List 2026 features 117 influential women leaders across 12 sectors, with BIBA founder Meena Bindra ranking first. Avani Lekhara became the youngest woman to make it to the top 10 at the age of just 24, highlighting the growing role of women's leadership and empowerment.