Current Affairs 16 August 2026 — Part 1

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

1. Q1.PM Modi's 'Sapta Dhara' roadmap, unveiled during his 80th Independence Day address, is built around how many pillars for Viksit Bharat 2047?

   • A.Five
   • B.Six
   • C.Seven✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Eight

   Explanation: The seven streams are manufacturing, agriculture, technology, Gati Shakti infrastructure, defence self-reliance, the green-blue economy and soft power; Modi linked all seven to India's 2047 development goal.

2. Q2.PM Modi's Independence Day 2026 announcement of a massive, modern Civil Defence volunteer force follows the civilian mobilisation seen during which 2025 military operation?

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

   Explanation: Civil defence volunteers were mobilised and nationwide mock drills held during the India-Pakistan tensions that followed Operation Sindoor in May 2025.

3. Q3.NITI Aayog's report 'Key Sectors to Position India as a Global Manufacturing Hub' shortlisted 12 priority sectors from an initial pool of how many?

   • A.36
   • B.48
   • C.62✓ Correct Answer
   • D.75

   Explanation: The 12 sectors -- including automobiles, electronics, defence & drones and solar PV -- were shortlisted by NITI Aayog with Crisil Intelligence from 62 candidate sectors, based on attractiveness and value-chain potential.

4. Q4.The Union Cabinet's 'Samudra Manthan' National Offshore Exploration Scheme has an approved outlay of about how much, through FY2030-31?

   • A.Rs 44,084 crore
   • B.Rs 64,084 crore
   • C.Rs 84,084 crore✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Rs 1,04,084 crore

   Explanation: The Rs 84,084-crore (~$8.81 billion) scheme funds offshore seismic surveys, 60 deepwater exploration wells and common infrastructure hubs, targeting over 600 million tonnes of oil-equivalent reserve accretion.

5. Q5.Effective 15 August 2026, the Finance Ministry scrapped the export duty entirely on which petroleum product?

   • A.Diesel
   • B.Petrol✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF)
   • D.Crude oil

   Explanation: Petrol's export duty was cut to nil from Rs 3.5/litre, while diesel's levy was reduced to Rs 24/litre and ATF's to Rs 19.5/litre -- not eliminated.

6. Q6.Under the FAST-DS 2026 scheme, small taxpayers disclosing undisclosed foreign assets/income up to Rs 1 crore must pay a total levy of what percentage?

   • A.30%
   • B.45%
   • C.60%✓ Correct Answer
   • D.75%

   Explanation: The total outgo is 60% -- 30% tax plus a matching 30% penalty; the disclosure window runs from 16 August to 31 December 2026.

7. Q7.Effective 1 July 2026, the Rural Development Ministry raised the daily wage for unskilled workers building homes under PM Awas Yojana-Gramin to how much per day?

   • A.Rs 200
   • B.Rs 250
   • C.Rs 300✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Rs 350

   Explanation: The wage hike to Rs 300/day for manual labour was aimed at giving relief to beneficiaries constructing their own permanent homes under the scheme.

8. Q8.As of August 2026, how many Van Dhan Vikas Kendras have been sanctioned under the PM-JANMAN mission for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups?

   • A.1,172
   • B.2,172
   • C.4,172✓ Correct Answer
   • D.6,172

   Explanation: The 4,172 sanctioned kendras benefit 12.48 lakh PVTG members, supporting livelihoods through tribal produce value-addition.

9. Q9.As of 1 July 2026, how many LPG connections had the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana issued to eligible beneficiaries?

   • A.8.58 crore
   • B.9.58 crore
   • C.10.58 crore✓ Correct Answer
   • D.11.58 crore

   Explanation: Ujjwala Yojana, launched in 2016, has provided free LPG connections mainly to women from poor households, crossing 10.58 crore connections by mid-2026.

10. Q10.President Droupadi Murmu conferred the Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards for 2024-25 at Vigyan Bhavan, honouring which Odissi exponent for scholarship in performing arts?

    • A.Sonal Mansingh
    • B.Shubhada Varadkar✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Madhavi Mudgal
    • D.Kelucharan Mohapatra

    Explanation: The awards were conferred on 13 August 2026, India's highest honour in performing arts, recognising Varadkar's contribution to Odissi dance.

11. Q11.On the 80th Independence Day, how many personnel from police, fire services, Home Guard & Civil Defence, and correctional services were conferred gallantry and service medals?

    • A.557
    • B.757
    • C.1,057✓ Correct Answer
    • D.1,257

    Explanation: The 1,057 medals recognised bravery and long service across these uniformed services as part of Independence Day 2026 honours.

12. Q12.In Haryana's mid-August 2026 IAS reshuffle affecting 17 officers, which officer was given additional charge as Additional Chief Secretary, Youth Empowerment and Entrepreneurship?

    • A.Anurag Agarwal
    • B.G. Anupama✓ Correct Answer
    • C.C G Rajini Kaanthan
    • D.Anupama Anjali

    Explanation: G. Anupama (1991-batch) took on the additional charge alongside her existing responsibilities for Social Justice & Empowerment and Civil Aviation.

13. Q13.Kerala's 2026 Onam festivities, beginning 16 August, feature which traditional snake boat race?

    • A.Vallamkali✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Pulikali
    • C.Theyyam
    • D.Kalaripayattu

    Explanation: Vallamkali (snake boat races) run alongside Pulikali (tiger-dance processions) and Kathakali performances during the ten-day Onam celebrations through 25 August.

14. Q14.On 14 August 2026, the Supreme Court stayed a Madras High Court order concerning government jobs for the kin of victims of which incident?

    • A.Karur stampede✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Hathras stampede
    • C.Coimbatore blast
    • D.Chennai floods

    Explanation: The High Court had struck down Tamil Nadu's decision to grant government jobs to kin of the Karur stampede victims; the Supreme Court's stay gave the state relief.

15. Q15.14 August is observed each year in India as which remembrance day, marked in 2026 by a UP CM-led rally in Lucknow?

    • A.Partition Horrors Remembrance Day✓ Correct Answer
    • B.National Unity Day
    • C.Martyrs' Day
    • D.Kargil Vijay Diwas

    Explanation: Partition Horrors Remembrance Day has been observed since 2021; in 2026, UP CM Yogi Adityanath led a rally from the Sardar Patel statue to Lok Bhavan in Lucknow.