Current Affairs 15 August 2026 — Part 2

Attempt the quiz above first, then review every question with its correct answer and a short explanation below.

1. Q1.The government told Parliament on 13 August 2026 that private companies will be permitted how many commercial space launches in FY2026-27?

   • A.1
   • B.2✓ Correct Answer
   • C.4
   • D.6

   Explanation: This will rise to more than 6 launches in FY2027-28; 440 space start-ups are registered in India, of which 18 are IN-SPACe authorised.

2. Q2.India's first university-led National Space Technology Conclave (17-18 August 2026), organised with ISRO, is being hosted by which university?

   • A.IIT Madras
   • B.Chandigarh University✓ Correct Answer
   • C.BITS Pilani
   • D.Amity University

   Explanation: Separately, DRDO is drawing up a roadmap to use ISRO's upcoming spaceport at Kulasekharapatnam, Tamil Nadu.

3. Q3.PM Modi's 2026 Independence Day speech cited India's first indigenous green-hydrogen-powered train, flagged off on which date?

   • A.26 January 2026
   • B.1 May 2026
   • C.17 July 2026✓ Correct Answer
   • D.15 August 2026

   Explanation: It was highlighted as a landmark in clean rail technology and energy self-reliance.

4. Q4.India's 80th Independence Day invitation cards carried the logo of which military operation, along with a watermark of the Chenab bridge?

   • A.Operation Sindoor✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Operation Trident
   • C.Operation Vijay
   • D.Operation Meghdoot

   Explanation: For the first time, military bands performed pan-India at over 140 locations to mark the occasion.

5. Q5.GRSE announced on 11 August 2026 that it will deliver five more warships to the Navy by the end of FY2026-27, including a stealth guided-missile frigate named:

   • A.INS Vindhyagiri✓ Correct Answer
   • B.INS Himgiri
   • C.INS Udaygiri
   • D.INS Dunagiri

   Explanation: The delivery also includes four Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft, alongside two more NGOPVs due for launch this financial year.

6. Q6.Ahead of the 80th Independence Day, Delhi's highest security alert included posters of how many wanted terrorists displayed across the capital?

   • A.9
   • B.13
   • C.19✓ Correct Answer
   • D.25

   Explanation: A multi-layered surveillance grid was also deployed around the Red Fort.

7. Q7.The IMD's mid-August 2026 heavy-rainfall warning, driven by a depression over coastal West Bengal, flagged the most serious rain threat for which state?

   • A.Odisha✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Chhattisgarh
   • C.Bihar
   • D.Jharkhand

   Explanation: A rough-sea/no-fishing advisory was also issued for West Bengal, Odisha and northern Andhra Pradesh coasts until the morning of 15 August.

8. Q8.India's Protected Area network of 570+ wildlife sanctuaries and 106 national parks covers what share of the country's land area?

   • A.More than 2%
   • B.More than 5%✓ Correct Answer
   • C.More than 10%
   • D.More than 15%

   Explanation: India remains the only country home to all five big cats — tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard and cheetah — ahead of the Global Big Cat Summit 2026 to be hosted in India.

9. Q9.In Round 4 of the Sinquefield Cup 2026, Indian GM R Praggnanandhaa beat which opponent, sitting half a point behind the joint leaders?

   • A.Wesley So
   • B.Jorden van Foreest✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Levon Aronian
   • D.Maxime Vachier-Lagrave

   Explanation: The joint leaders were Wesley So, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave and Levon Aronian; the women's Cairns Cup ran in parallel with Vaishali, Divya Deshmukh and Humpy competing.

10. Q10.For India's two-Test series in Sri Lanka beginning 15 August 2026 in Galle, who was named vice-captain under Shubman Gill?

    • A.Rishabh Pant
    • B.KL Rahul✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Ravindra Jadeja
    • D.Yashasvi Jaiswal

    Explanation: Jasprit Bumrah was ruled out through injury, with uncapped pacer Auqib Nabi drafted in as his replacement.

11. Q11.Jamshedpur FC, the 2022 ISL League Shield winners, were sold to Churchill Brothers for how much, and will skip the 2026-27 ISL season?

    • A.₹1
    • B.₹100✓ Correct Answer
    • C.₹1 lakh
    • D.₹1 crore

    Explanation: The nominal sale price underscored the club's exit from the league starting the 2026-27 season.

12. Q12.PM Modi's Independence Day 2026 announcement of a nationwide sports talent-hunt campaign targets village and school-level youth in which age group?

    • A.3 to 10 years
    • B.5 to 15 years✓ Correct Answer
    • C.10 to 18 years
    • D.12 to 20 years

    Explanation: The campaign is tied to India's ambition to bid for the 2036 Olympics.

13. Q13.The 'Surya Path Tiranga' digital relay, part of Har Ghar Tiranga 2026, began on 15 August from which Indian diplomatic mission?

    • A.Fiji✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Tokyo
    • C.Wellington
    • D.Canberra

    Explanation: Fiji is India's easternmost diplomatic mission; the relay travels across 54 Indian missions by time zone, ending at the Consulate General in San Francisco.

14. Q14.India's 80th Independence Day (15 August 2026) coincided with which festival, adding to celebrations especially in Maharashtra and Gujarat?

    • A.Navroz (Parsi New Year)✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Onam
    • C.Baisakhi
    • D.Pongal

    Explanation: The coincidence added extra cultural festivities in these states alongside the national celebrations.

15. Q15.As of July 2026, India has 45 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. How many of these are classified as 'natural' sites?

    • A.1
    • B.7✓ Correct Answer
    • C.37
    • D.45

    Explanation: Of the 45 total, 37 are cultural sites, 7 are natural sites, and 1 is a mixed-category site.