NATIONAL AFFAIRS
1. Which ancient Buddhist site was nominated by India for the UNESCO World Heritage List for the 2025-26 cycle?
A) Lumbini
B) Bodh Gaya
C) Sarnath
D) Kushinagar
E) Ajanta Caves
C) Sarnath
2. Where is Sarnath located?
A) At the confluence of the Rivers Yamuna and Gomti in Lucknow, UP
B) At the confluence of the Rivers Ganga and Varuna in Varanasi, UP
C) At the confluence of the Rivers Godavari and Krishna in Andhra Pradesh
D) At the confluence of the Rivers Brahmaputra and Kameng in Assam
E) At the confluence of the Rivers Narmada and Tapi in Madhya Pradesh
B) At the confluence of the Rivers Ganga and Varuna in Varanasi, UP
3. What is the significance of Sarnath in Buddhism?
A) It is the birthplace of Gautama Buddha.
B) It is where Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment.
C) It is where Gautama Buddha delivered his first sermon.
D) It is where Gautama Buddha died.
E) It is the site of the first Buddhist temple.
C) It is where Gautama Buddha delivered his first sermon.
4. How long does the UNESCO World Heritage nomination process typically take from the date of submission?
A) 6 months
B) 1 year
C) 1.5 years
D) 2 years
E) 3 years
C) 1.5 years
5. Who is the Director-General of UNESCO?
A) António Guterres
B) Audrey Azoulay
C) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
D) Kristalina Georgieva
E) Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
B) Audrey Azoulay
6. What was the primary objective of the IT Conclave 2025 inaugurated by Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal?
A) To promote tourism in the maritime sector
B) To showcase digital initiatives for a smart, secure, and transparent maritime ecosystem
C) To launch new shipping routes
D) To develop new maritime training institutes
E) To introduce eco-friendly ships
B) To showcase digital initiatives for a smart, secure, and transparent maritime ecosystem
7. Which platform was launched as part of the IT Conclave 2025 to integrate over 60 maritime services?
A) e-Samudra Platform
B) Digital Maritime Hub
C) Maritime Connect
D) Smart Port System
E) SeaLink Platform
A) e-Samudra Platform
8. Who hosted the IT Conclave 2025 in collaboration with the Company of Master Mariners of India (CMMI)?
A) Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
B) Directorate General of Shipping
C) Indian Coast Guard
D) Ministry of Commerce and Industry
E) National Maritime Foundation
B) Directorate General of Shipping
9. What is the purpose of the Statement of Intent (SoI) signed between AIM and DIBD in August 2025?
A) To promote agricultural innovation
B) To foster vernacular innovation and enhance Indian language inclusivity
C) To develop new AI-based startups
D) To create a digital payment platform
E) To improve cybersecurity in innovation programs
B) To foster vernacular innovation and enhance Indian language inclusivity
10. Which organization’s content will be translated into multiple Indian languages as an initial step under the AIM-DIBD collaboration?
A) United Nations Development Programme
B) World Intellectual Property Organisation
C) World Health Organization
D) International Monetary Fund
E) World Trade Organization
B) World Intellectual Property Organisation
BANKING & FINANCE
11. Which bank received RBI approval in August 2025 to transition from a Small Finance Bank to a Universal Bank?
A) Ujjivan Small Finance Bank
B) AU Small Finance Bank
C) Equitas Small Finance Bank
D) Jana Small Finance Bank
E) ESAF Small Finance Bank
B) AU Small Finance Bank
12. What is the minimum net worth required for a Small Finance Bank to transition to a Universal Bank as per RBI guidelines?
A) Rs. 500 crore
B) Rs. 750 crore
C) Rs. 1000 crore
D) Rs. 1500 crore
E) Rs. 2000 crore
C) Rs. 1000 crore
13. What was the net profit of AU Small Finance Bank in the first quarter of the latest financial year mentioned?
A) Rs. 503 crore
B) Rs. 581 crore
C) Rs. 450 crore
D) Rs. 600 crore
E) Rs. 520 crore
B) Rs. 581 crore
14. What is the name of the fund in which IFC committed USD 150 million in August 2025?
A) HDFC Green Housing Fund
B) H-DREAM Fund
C) Affordable Housing Fund
D) EDGE Housing Fund
E) Urban Development Fund
B) H-DREAM Fund
15. What is the total target corpus of the H-DREAM Fund managed by HDFC Capital Advisors?
A) USD 500 million
B) USD 750 million
C) USD 1 billion
D) USD 1.5 billion
E) USD 2 billion
C) USD 1 billion
16. What is the primary objective of the FSSAI Payment Solution launched by Bank of Baroda and FSSAI?
A) To promote agricultural exports
B) To streamline digital payment interfaces for FSSAI stakeholders
C) To provide loans to food businesses
D) To enhance food safety standards
E) To support rural banking
B) To streamline digital payment interfaces for FSSAI stakeholders
17. Which mutual fund launched India’s first Passive Flexi Cap Index Fund in August 2025?
A) SBI Mutual Fund
B) HDFC Mutual Fund
C) DSP Mutual Fund
D) ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund
E) Axis Mutual Fund
C) DSP Mutual Fund
18. How many high-quality stocks does the DSP Nifty500 Flexicap Quality 30 Index Fund pick from each market cap segment?
A) 5
B) 8
C) 10
D) 12
E) 15
C) 10
ECONOMY & BUSINESS
19. Where will BEML set up its manufacturing unit for Vande Bharat, Amrit Bharat, and Metro Rail coaches?
A) Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
B) Umaria, Raisen district, Madhya Pradesh
C) Indore, Madhya Pradesh
D) Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh
E) Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh
B) Umaria, Raisen district, Madhya Pradesh
20. What is the total cost of the BEML manufacturing unit project named BRAHMA?
A) Rs. 1,200 crore
B) Rs. 1,500 crore
C) Rs. 1,800 crore
D) Rs. 2,000 crore
E) Rs. 2,500 crore
C) Rs. 1,800 crore
21. Which German firm partnered with Paras Defence to develop satellite antenna technology in India?
A) Airbus Defence and Space
B) HPS GmbH
C) OHB System AG
D) Thales Alenia Space
E) DLR (German Aerospace Center)
B) HPS GmbH
22. What is the initial term of the Teaming Agreement between Paras Defence and HPS GmbH?
A) 1 year
B) 2 years
C) 3 years
D) 4 years
E) 5 years
B) 2 years
APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS
23. Who was announced as the brand ambassador of Zomato in August 2025?
A) Aamir Khan
B) Shah Rukh Khan
C) Salman Khan
D) Ranbir Kapoor
E) Akshay Kumar
B) Shah Rukh Khan
24. In which Zomato campaign was Shah Rukh Khan featured prior to becoming its brand ambassador?
A) Taste of India
B) Fuel Your Hustle
C) Foodie Fiesta
D) Zomato Premier
E) Hunger Heroes
B) Fuel Your Hustle
ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS
25. What was the value of the 1.46% stake divested by Antfin Singapore in Eternal Limited?
A) Rs. 2,500 crore
B) Rs. 3,000 crore
C) Rs. 4,097 crore
D) Rs. 5,000 crore
E) Rs. 6,000 crore
C) Rs. 4,097 crore
26. What was Antfin Singapore’s stake in Eternal Limited after the divestment in August 2025?
A) 0.49%
B) 1.00%
C) 1.46%
D) 1.95%
E) 2.50%
A) 0.49%
ENVIRONMENT
27. What is the name of the new marine nematode species discovered by ZSI in Chilika Lake, Odisha?
A) Chilikaensis admirandus
B) Admirandus odishaensis
C) Nematoda chilika
D) Odishaensis marinus
E) Admirandus chilikaensis
B) Admirandus odishaensis
28. What does the term ‘Admirandus’ in the species name Admirandus odishaensis signify?
A) Odisha
B) Marine
C) Admirable
D) Nematode
E) Brackish
C) Admirable
OBITUARY
29. Who was the former Acting President of Myanmar that passed away in August 2025?
A) Min Aung Hlaing
B) Myint Swe
C) U Nyo Saw
D) Aung San Suu Kyi
E) Thein Sein
B) Myint Swe
30. What was the cause of Myint Swe’s death?
A) Cardiac arrest
B) Neurological illness
C) Respiratory failure
D) Cancer
E) Accident
B) Neurological illness
IMPORTANT DAYS
31. Why is National Javelin Day observed in India on August 7?
A) To celebrate India’s independence
B) To commemorate Neeraj Chopra’s Olympic gold medal in javelin throw
C) To promote athletics in schools
D) To honor the Athletics Federation of India
E) To mark the establishment of the Sports Authority of India
B) To commemorate Neeraj Chopra’s Olympic gold medal in javelin throw
32. What significant event does Nagasaki Day, observed on August 9, commemorate?
A) Japan’s independence
B) The atomic bombing of Nagasaki in 1945
C) The end of World War II
D) The establishment of the United Nations
E) The Hiroshima bombing
B) The atomic bombing of Nagasaki in 1945
33. When was the first Nagasaki Day ceremony held?
A) 1945
B) 1946
C) 1947
D) 1948
E) 1949
C) 1947
34. What was the key factor contributing to the launch of the Quit India Movement in 1942?
A) The success of the Cripps Mission
B) The failure of the Cripps Mission
C) The formation of the Indian National Army
D) The outbreak of World War II
E) The partition of India
B) The failure of the Cripps Mission
STATE NEWS
35. Which village in Maharashtra is set to become India’s first Smart Intelligent Village?
A) Satnavri
B) Pimpalgaon
C) Shirdi
D) Alandi
E) Lonavala
A) Satnavri
36. Who approved the Smart Intelligent Village project in Satnavri, Nagpur?
A) Nitin Gadkari
B) Devendra Fadnavis
C) Uddhav Thackeray
D) Ajit Pawar
E) Eknath Shinde
B) Devendra Fadnavis
37. What was the commodity traded in the first interstate agricultural trade via eNAM between J&K and Maharashtra?
A) Wheat
B) Apples and pears
C) Rice
D) Mangoes
E) Potatoes
B) Apples and pears
38. What is the primary benefit of the eNAM platform for farmers?
A) Subsidized farming equipment
B) Direct market access
C) Free agricultural training
D) Loan waivers
E) Crop insurance
B) Direct market access
Current Affairs Today: 9 August 2025
NATIONAL AFFAIRS
- India Nominates Sarnath for UNESCO World Heritage List
- Event: August 2025; ASI (MoC) nominates Sarnath (Varanasi, UP) for UNESCO World Heritage List 2025-26 cycle.
- Details: Located at Ganga-Varuna confluence; site of Buddha’s first sermon post-enlightenment, marking Buddhism’s origin. One of four sacred Buddhist sites (Lumbini, Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, Kushinagar).
- Process: Under 1972 World Heritage Convention; one site per country annually; 1.5-year evaluation.
- Significance: Enhances India’s cultural heritage globally; joins 42 existing UNESCO sites in India (33 cultural, 7 natural, 2 mixed).
- Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal Unveils Digital Maritime Initiatives
- Event: August 7, 2025; IT Conclave 2025 in New Delhi, hosted by DGS (MoPSW) with CMMI.
- Initiatives:
- Revamped DGS Website: GIGW 3.0-compliant, multilingual, mobile-responsive; aids seafarers, shipowners, institutes.
- e-Samudra Platform (Phase 1): Cloud-native; integrates 60+ maritime services for streamlined governance.
- Vision Booklet: Outlines tech roadmap for maritime sector.
- Objective: Builds smart, secure, transparent maritime ecosystem; strengthens India’s global maritime role.
- NITI Aayog’s AIM and DIBD Sign SoI for Vernacular Innovation
- Event: August 2025; AIM (NITI Aayog) and DIBD (MeITY) sign SoI in New Delhi.
- Signatories: Deepak Bagla (AIM Director), Amitabh Nag (DIBD CEO).
- Purpose: Embed language tech in AIM’s programs; enhance Indian language inclusivity in innovation/entrepreneurship.
- Key Initiatives:
- Translate WIPO Academy IPR content into Indian languages using DIBD’s AI tools.
- Support startups/innovators via AICs, ACICs, and Language Inclusive Program for Innovation (LIPI).
- Impact: Fosters multilingual digital solutions; aligns with WIPO collaboration.
BANKING & FINANCE
- AU Small Finance Bank Gets RBI Approval for Universal Bank Transition
- Event: August 2025; RBI grants in-principle approval for AU SFB to become a Universal Bank (first in 11 years).
- Background: AU SFB (licensed 2015, operations 2017) applied in September 2024 under RBI’s on-tap licensing and April 2024 SFB-to-UB framework.
- Eligibility:
- Net worth: ≥Rs. 1,000 crore.
- Scheduled status, 5-year track record, listed on stock exchange.
- Financials: Net profit (FY24: Rs. 1,535 crore; Q1 FY25: Rs. 581 crore vs. Rs. 503 crore); GNPA ≤3%, NNPA ≤1%, CRAR ≥15%.
- Significance: Enhances lending scope, deposit base; evaluated by SEAC (chaired by MK Jain).
- IFC Commits USD 150M to HDFC Capital’s H-DREAM Fund
- Event: August 7, 2025; IFC invests USD 150M (Rs. 1,300 crore) in H-DREAM Fund (HDFC Capital Advisors, Mumbai).
- Fund Details: USD 1B target (USD 500M primary + USD 500M greenshoe); USD 350M committed; aims for 25,000 EDGE-certified affordable/mid-income homes in Tier-I/II cities.
- Objective: Address 18M-unit housing deficit; promote green housing; create jobs, enhance urban livability.
- Significance: First global fund for green affordable housing via private credit; buildings sector (33% global electricity, 24% residential).
- BoB & FSSAI Sign MoU for Payment Platform
- Event: August 2025; MoU signed by Cdr Sharad Aggarwal (FSSAI) and Mini TM (BoB CGM, Delhi Zone).
- Platform: FSSAI Payment Solution (web-based).
- Features: Automates grants, vendor payments, MIS; monitors nodal/State Child/District Sub-Child accounts.
- Objective: Streamlines digital payments for FSSAI stakeholders; promotes ease of doing business.
- BoB Role: Offers personal/corporate/international/SME/rural/NRI/treasury banking services.
- DSP Mutual Fund Launches India’s First Flexi Cap Index Fund
- Event: August 7, 2025; DSP Nifty500 Flexicap Quality 30 Index Fund launched with NSE.
- Details: Passive fund; replicates Nifty 500 Flexicap Quality 30 Index (30 stocks: 10 each from large/mid/small caps; based on ROE, low debt, earnings growth).
- Features: Dynamic allocation (33% or 67% to SMID/large caps quarterly); equal stock weighting; addresses quality stock selection, low-cost automation.
- Significance: First passive flexicap fund; reduces active management reliance.
ECONOMY & BUSINESS
- BEML to Set Up Train Coach Manufacturing Unit in MP
- Event: August 2025; announced by CM Mohan Yadav for Goharganj, Umaria, Raisen (MP).
- Details: Project BRAHMA (Rs. 1,800 crore); manufactures Vande Bharat, Amrit Bharat, metro coaches; initial output 125–200 coaches/year, scaling to 1,100 in 5 years.
- Significance: Boosts rail infra, local economy; aligns with Viksit Bharat vision.
- Paras Defence & HPS GmbH Teaming Agreement
- Event: August 7, 2025; Paras Defence (India) and HPS GmbH (Germany) sign 2-year agreement (extendable) for satellite antenna subsystems.
- Components: Reflector/arm assemblies, HDRMs, deployment electronics, thermal hardware.
- Objective: Co-develop/supply deployable antenna reflectors; supports Atmanirbhar Bharat in space tech.
APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS
- Zomato Appoints Shah Rukh Khan as Brand Ambassador
- Event: August 2025; Shah Rukh Khan (Bollywood actor, Padma Shri 2005, 14 Filmfare Awards) joins Zomato.
- Background: Featured in ‘Fuel Your Hustle’ campaign with A.R. Rahman, Jasprit Bumrah, Mary Kom.
- Purpose: Emphasizes hard work, ambition; aligns with Zomato’s vision of supporting journeys via food delivery.
ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS
- Antfin Singapore Divests 1.46% Stake in Eternal Limited
- Event: August 7, 2025; Antfin sells 14.13 crore shares (1.46%) for Rs. 4,097 crore (USD 612M) at Rs. 289.91/share via open-market.
- Details: Eternal Limited (Zomato rebranded, Mar 2025; includes Zomato, Blinkit, Hyperpure, District); Antfin’s stake drops from 1.95% to 0.49%.
- Impact: Reduces foreign ownership; strengthens Zomato’s domestic investor base.
ENVIRONMENT
- ZSI Discovers New Marine Nematode in Chilika Lake
- Event: August 2025; ZSI and Berhampur University discover Admirandus odishaensis in Chilika Lake, Odisha.
- Details: First species in Admirandus genus (Kingdom Animalia); free-living, non-parasitic, marine sediment dweller; name reflects “admirable” traits and Odisha origin.
- Significance: Highlights Chilika’s biodiversity; prompts further marine ecosystem research.
OBITUARY
- Myint Swe, Former Acting President of Myanmar
- Event: Died August 7, 2025, aged 74, in Naypyitaw military hospital (neurological illness).
- Career: First Vice-President (2016–21); Acting President (2021–24) post-2021 coup; military officer turned politician.
- Context: 2021 Myanmar coup ousted Aung San Suu Kyi; interim govt under PM U Nyo Saw formed (Min Aung Hlaing as Acting President).
IMPORTANT DAYS
- National Javelin Day – August 7, 2025
- Details: 4th observance; celebrates Neeraj Chopra’s Tokyo 2020 gold (87.58m, first Asian javelin Olympic gold; second Indian individual gold).
- Origin: Declared by AFI in 2021 to promote javelin throw; first observed 2022.
- Nagasaki Day – August 9, 2025
- Details: 80th anniversary of 1945 Nagasaki atomic bombing; promotes peace.
- Events: Memorial Service at Peace Statue Plaza, Nagasaki Peace Park (10m bronze statue); UNU exhibition (Jul 11–Aug 17, 2025) in Tokyo.
- Origin: First ceremony in 1947 by Japan govt.
- Quit India Movement Day – August 8, 2025
- Details: 83rd anniversary of 1942 movement (August Kranti Diwas); led by Gandhi post-Cripps Mission failure.
- Key Events: Quit India Resolution by Nehru, seconded by Patel; ratified at AICC (Gowalia Tank, Bombay, Aug 8, 1942); mass arrests followed.
- Significance: Pivotal for India’s independence; demanded British withdrawal.
STATE NEWS
- India’s First Smart Intelligent Village in Satnavri, Nagpur
- Event: Approved June 2025 by CM Devendra Fadnavis; ready by August 15, 2025.
- Details: Satnavri (1,800 residents) to integrate drone-assisted farming, smart irrigation, mobile banking, digitized schools, surveillance; partners with VOICE and tech associations.
- Significance: Pilot for digitally empowered, self-sustaining rural model; scalable across India.
- J&K and Maharashtra Conduct First eNAM Interstate Trade
- Event: August 2025; 11 metric tonnes of apples/pears from J&K to Pune’s Gultekdi APMC (Maharashtra).
- Details: Via eNAM (MoA&FW); connects APMCs for transparent pricing, quality assurance, reduced intermediaries.
- Benefits: Eliminates trader travel; real-time transactions; direct market access for farmers.
- Significance: Advances eNAM’s vision of unified national agri-market.