NATIONAL AFFAIRS
41. Who launched the official logo, brochure, and website of “Bharat Steel 2026”?
A) Prime Minister Narendra Modi
B) Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy
C) Union Minister Pralhad Joshi
D) Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan
E) Union Minister Jitendra Singh
B) Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy
42. Where is the Bharat Steel 2026 conference-cum-exhibition scheduled to be held?
A) Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi
B) Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
C) Pragati Maidan, New Delhi
D) India Habitat Centre, New Delhi
E) Jantar Mantar, New Delhi
B) Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
43. What significant milestone in per capita steel consumption was announced during the Bharat Steel 2026 event?
A) 50 kg
B) 75 kg
C) 100 kg
D) 125 kg
E) 150 kg
C) 100 kg
44. When was the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) officially launched?
A) August 15, 2018
B) August 15, 2020
C) August 15, 2021
D) August 15, 2022
E) August 15, 2023
B) August 15, 2020
45. How many people have been sensitized on substance use under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan as of August 2025?
A) 10.5 crore
B) 12.8 crore
C) 15.3 crore
D) 18.1 crore
E) 20.4 crore
D) 18.1 crore
46. What is the solar PV module manufacturing capacity achieved by India under the ALMM as of August 2025?
A) 50 GW
B) 75 GW
C) 100 GW
D) 125 GW
E) 150 GW
C) 100 GW
47. When was the first ALMM list for solar PV modules issued by the MNRE?
A) January 2019
B) March 2020
C) March 2021
D) December 2022
E) December 2024
C) March 2021
48. What is the duration of the MoU signed between MY Bharat and SOUL for youth leadership development?
A) 2 years
B) 3 years
C) 4 years
D) 5 years
E) 6 years
B) 3 years
49. How many youth leaders does the MY Bharat-SOUL collaboration aim to develop?
A) 50,000
B) 75,000
C) 100,000
D) 125,000
E) 150,000
C) 100,000
50. What is the primary objective of the MoU between IGNCA and BSIP?
A) To promote digital education
B) To create a unified platform for science-culture integration
C) To develop renewable energy projects
D) To enhance cybersecurity measures
E) To improve agricultural research
B) To create a unified platform for science-culture integration
51. Which project will the IGNCA-BSIP collaboration actively support?
A) Project Mausam
B) Project Bharat
C) Project Swadesh
D) Project Atmanirbhar
E) Project Green India
A) Project Mausam
52. Which company became the first Indian oil refinery to receive ISCC CORSIA certification for Sustainable Aviation Fuel production?
A) Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited
B) Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited
C) Indian Oil Corporation Limited
D) Reliance Industries Limited
E) ONGC Petro Additions Limited
C) Indian Oil Corporation Limited
53. Where is the IndianOil refinery that received the ISCC CORSIA certification located?
A) Vadodara, Gujarat
B) Panipat, Haryana
C) Jamnagar, Gujarat
D) Kochi, Kerala
E) Mathura, Uttar Pradesh
B) Panipat, Haryana
BANKING & FINANCE
54. When will Phase-I of the RBI’s Continuous Clearing and Settlement in CTS come into effect?
A) August 15, 2025
B) October 4, 2025
C) January 3, 2026
D) March 1, 2026
E) June 1, 2026
B) October 4, 2025
55. What is the deadline for drawee banks to confirm cheques during Phase-I of the RBI’s CTS transition?
A) 5:00 pm
B) 6:00 pm
C) 7:00 pm
D) 8:00 pm
E) 9:00 pm
C) 7:00 pm
56. Who is the target audience for the HDFC ERGO and PhonePe health insurance partnership?
A) Senior citizens above 60 years
B) Missing Middle, aged 18–30 years
C) Rural farmers
D) Government employees
E) School students
B) Missing Middle, aged 18–30 years
57. What is the annual premium for the HDFC ERGO-PhonePe health insurance plan offering Rs. 3 lakh coverage?
A) Rs. 3,000
B) Rs. 3,500
C) Rs. 4,380
D) Rs. 5,000
E) Rs. 5,500
C) Rs. 4,380
58. What type of insurance plan is SBI Life-Smart Shield Plus?
A) Health insurance plan
B) Non-linked, non-participating, pure risk term insurance plan
C) Endowment plan
D) Unit-linked insurance plan
E) Pension plan
B) Non-linked, non-participating, pure risk term insurance plan
59. What is the maximum life coverage age under the Whole Life option of SBI Life-Smart Shield Plus?
A) 65 years
B) 75 years
C) 79 years
D) 85 years
E) 100 years
E) 100 years
APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS
60. Who was appointed as the first Indian woman GCC-India Trade Commissioner in August 2025?
A) Priyanka Chopra
B) H.E. Zeenat Kureshi
C) Deepika Padukone
D) Anushka Sharma
E) Kangana Ranaut
B) H.E. Zeenat Kureshi
61. How many countries are members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)?
A) 4
B) 5
C) 6
D) 7
E) 8
C) 6
ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS
62. What is the value of Infosys’ acquisition of a 75% stake in Versent Group?
A) USD 100 million
B) USD 125 million
C) USD 153 million
D) USD 175 million
E) USD 200 million
C) USD 153 million
63. Which company retains a 25% stake in Versent Group after Infosys’ acquisition?
A) Wipro
B) Telstra
C) TCS
D) HCL Technologies
E) Accenture
B) Telstra
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
64. What is the purpose of the MoU between Astrophel Aerospace and IN-SPACe?
A) To develop satellite communication systems
B) To collaborate on reusable rocket engine technology
C) To enhance cybersecurity for space missions
D) To promote space tourism
E) To develop lunar exploration technology
B) To collaborate on reusable rocket engine technology
65. How much funding has Astrophel Aerospace raised for its reusable launch hopper project?
A) Rs. 4.84 crore
B) Rs. 5.84 crore
C) Rs. 6.84 crore
D) Rs. 7.84 crore
E) Rs. 8.84 crore
C) Rs. 6.84 crore
66. How many satellites are in the Geely-04 constellation after the August 2025 launch?
A) 30
B) 41
C) 50
D) 60
E) 72
B) 41
67. What is the payload capacity of the Smart Dragon-3 rocket to a 500 km Sun-Synchronous Orbit?
A) 1,000 kg
B) 1,200 kg
C) 1,500 kg
D) 1,800 kg
E) 2,000 kg
C) 1,500 kg
SPORTS
68. Where was the Asian Surfing Championships 2025 held?
A) Goa, India
B) Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu
C) Kovalam, Kerala
D) Mumbai, Maharashtra
E) Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
B) Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu
69. Who won India’s first-ever individual medal at the Asian Surfing Championships 2025?
A) Kishore Kumar
B) Ramesh Budihal
C) D. Srikanth
D) Kanoa Heejae
E) Pajar Ariyana
B) Ramesh Budihal
70. What was the score of Ramesh Budihal in the Open Men’s final at the Asian Surfing Championships 2025?
A) 10.50 points
B) 11.60 points
C) 12.60 points
D) 13.60 points
E) 14.60 points
C) 12.60 points
71. Who became India’s 89th chess Grandmaster in August 2025?
A) S. Rohith Krishna
B) Artur Davtyan
C) Kishore Kumar
D) Ramesh Budihal
E) D. Srikanth
A) S. Rohith Krishna
72. Where did S. Rohith Krishna achieve his final Grandmaster norm?
A) Dubai Open, UAE
B) Almaty Masters Qonaev Cup, Kazakhstan
C) Stockholm North GM Round-Robin, Sweden
D) Chennai Open, India
E) Baku Chess Olympiad, Azerbaijan
B) Almaty Masters Qonaev Cup, Kazakhstan
OBITUARY
73. Where did Dr. Vece Paes, former Indian hockey player, pass away in August 2025?
A) Mumbai, Maharashtra
B) Kolkata, West Bengal
C) Chennai, Tamil Nadu
D) Goa
E) Delhi
B) Kolkata, West Bengal
74. In which year did Dr. Vece Paes win a bronze medal at the Hockey World Cup?
A) 1966
B) 1971
C) 1972
D) 1975
E) 1980
B) 1971
75. What is the title of the dictionary compiled by Njattyela Sreedharan?
A) Dravida Bhasha Sangam
B) Chathur Dravida Bhasha Padhaparichayam
C) Malayalam-Tamil Lexicon
D) Dravidian Language Compendium
E) South Indian Language Dictionary
B) Chathur Dravida Bhasha Padhaparichayam
76. When was the first edition of Njattyela Sreedharan’s dictionary published?
A) November 2018
B) November 2019
C) November 2020
D) May 2022
E) May 2023
C) November 2020
IMPORTANT DAYS
77. When was Partition Horrors Remembrance Day first observed in India?
A) August 14, 2019
B) August 14, 2020
C) August 14, 2021
D) August 14, 2022
E) August 14, 2023
C) August 14, 2021
78. Who officially designated August 14 as Partition Horrors Remembrance Day?
A) Union Home Minister Amit Shah
B) Prime Minister Narendra Modi
C) President Droupadi Murmu
D) Union Minister Rajnath Singh
E) Union Minister Nitin Gadkari
B) Prime Minister Narendra Modi
STATE NEWS
79. Which state became the third in India to implement the HAWK wildlife crime management system?
A) Maharashtra
B) Tamil Nadu
C) Andhra Pradesh
D) Odisha
E) Gujarat
B) Tamil Nadu
80. Who developed the HAWK wildlife crime management system?
A) ISRO and TCS
B) Wildlife Trust of India and NTT DATA
C) DRDO and Infosys
D) BARC and Wipro
E) CDAC and HCL Technologies
B) Wildlife Trust of India and NTT DATA
Current Affairs Today: 15 August 2025
NATIONAL AFFAIRS
- Bharat Steel 2026 Launch
- Event: August 13, 2025; Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy (MoS, MHI) launched logo, brochure, and website for Bharat Steel 2026 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.
- Details:
- Event: International conference-cum-exhibition on April 16-17, 2026, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
- Aim: Position India as a global hub for sustainable, advanced steel production.
- Milestone: Per capita steel consumption crossed 100 kg, as announced by Secretary Sandeep Poundrik.
- Significance: Boosts steel sector innovation, aligns with India’s industrial growth.
- Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) Completes 5 Years
- Event: August 15, 2025; MoSJE’s NMBA marked 5 years with an event at KV School No.2, New Delhi, in collaboration with NCT Delhi.
- Details:
- Launch: August 15, 2020, under NAPDDR; initially in 272 vulnerable districts, now nationwide.
- Impact: Sensitized 18.1 crore people, including 6.02 crore youth, 4.08 crore women.
- Role: MoSJE coordinates drug abuse prevention, monitoring, and awareness.
- Significance: Strengthens fight against substance abuse, promotes healthier society.
- India Achieves 100 GW Solar PV Manufacturing Capacity
- Event: August 2025; Union Minister Pralhad Joshi (MNRE) announced 100 GW solar PV module capacity under ALMM.
- Details:
- ALMM: Introduced January 2, 2019; first list (March 2021, 8.2 GW); now 123 manufacturers.
- Amendment: December 2024 added ALMM List-II for solar PV cells.
- Growth: From 2.3 GW (2014) to 100 GW (2025).
- Significance: Supports Atmanirbhar Bharat, 500 GW non-fossil target by 2030.
- MY Bharat-SOUL MoU for Youth Leadership
- Event: August 2025; 3-year MoU between MY Bharat (DoYA, MYAS) and SOUL.
- Details:
- Target: Develop 1 lakh youth leaders (18–29 years) via programs in governance, public policy, social entrepreneurship, digital/financial literacy.
- Implementation: Merit-based quizzes, inclusive selection (rural, urban, tribal, women); starts September 2025.
- Activities: Leadership programs, conclaves, workshops, fellowships, policy advocacy.
- Significance: Empowers youth, fosters leadership for national development.
- IGNCA-BSIP MoU for Science-Culture Integration
- Event: August 2025; MoU signed in New Delhi between IGNCA (Ministry of Culture) and BSIP (DST, MoS&T).
- Details:
- Signatories: Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi (IGNCA), Prof. Mahesh G. Thakkar (BSIP); nodal officers: Dr. Achal Pandya, Dr. Shilpa Pandey.
- Objectives: Joint research, heritage preservation, digitization, public outreach via documentaries; supports Project Mausam (climate impact on maritime history).
- Significance: First initiative integrating India’s scientific-cultural heritage.
- IndianOil’s Panipat Refinery Gets ISCC CORSIA Certification
- Event: August 2025; IndianOil’s Panipat refinery (Haryana) received India’s first ISCC CORSIA certification for SAF production, awarded by Cotecna.
- Details:
- Standard: ISCC CORSIA (ICAO) ensures sustainability, carbon reduction, feedstock traceability.
- Process: Rigorous evaluation of SAF’s carbon emissions, sustainability.
- Significance: Enables SAF adoption by Indian airlines, boosts biofuel investment.
BANKING & FINANCE
- RBI’s Continuous Clearing in CTS
- Event: August 13, 2025; RBI announced transition to continuous clearing with on-realization-settlement in CTS.
- Details:
- Timeline:
- Phase-I (October 4, 2025): Drawee banks confirm cheques by 7:00 PM same day; else approved.
- Phase-II (January 3, 2026): Confirmation within T+3 hours; else approved.
- Current: CTS processes cheques in up to 2 working days.
- Timeline:
- Significance: Speeds up cheque clearing, enhances banking efficiency.
- HDFC ERGO-PhonePe Health Insurance Partnership
- Event: August 13, 2025; HDFC ERGO and PhonePe partnered to offer affordable health insurance.
- Details:
- Target: ‘Missing Middle’ (40 crore Indians, 18–30 years).
- Premium: Rs. 12/day or Rs. 4,380/year for Rs. 3 lakh coverage.
- Features: Cashless hospitalization, OPD, personal accident, vector-borne disease coverage; purchasable via PhonePe app.
- Significance: Expands health insurance access, targets underserved youth.
- SBI Life Launches Smart Shield Plus
- Event: August 14, 2025; SBI Life (SBI-BNP Paribas Cardif JV) launched SBI Life-Smart Shield Plus term insurance.
- Details:
- Type: Individual, non-linked, non-participating, pure risk plan.
- Options: Level Cover (fixed sum), Increasing Cover (5% annual increase, up to 100%), Level Cover with Future Proofing (increases at life events).
- Coverage: Up to 100 years (whole life) or 79 years (other terms).
- Significance: Adapts to evolving customer needs, enhances financial security.
APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS
- H.E. Zeenat Kureshi as GCC-India Trade Commissioner
- Event: August 2025; Zeenat Kureshi appointed first Indian woman GCC-India Trade Commissioner.
- Details:
- Role: Builds partnerships in luxury markets (fashion, jewelry, arts, hospitality, real estate).
- GCC: 6 Arab countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE), est. 1981.
- Significance: Strengthens India-GCC economic ties, promotes luxury trade.
ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS
- Infosys Acquires 75% Stake in Versent Group
- Event: August 14, 2025; Infosys to acquire 75% stake in Versent Group (Telstra subsidiary) for USD 153 million (~Rs. 1,300 crore).
- Details:
- Structure: Infosys (75%), Telstra (25%); JV for AI-powered cloud/digital services.
- Assets: Includes Versent, Epicon, Telstra Purple Digital, Cloud Access; leverages Infosys Topaz, Cobalt, Missing Link.
- Timeline: Completion in H2 FY26, subject to FIRB, ACCC approvals.
- Significance: Enhances Infosys’ global AI/cloud capabilities, strengthens Australia presence.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
- Astrophel Aerospace-IN-SPACe MoU
- Event: August 13, 2025; MoU signed for reusable rocket engine development.
- Details:
- Signatories: Witnessed by Dr. Pawan Goenka, Dr. Prafulla Kumar Jain (IN-SPACe).
- Access: ISRO facilities for testing, validation; collaboration via JPIP.
- Subsystems: Valves, turbo pumps, avionics for defence, clean energy, industrial use.
- Funding: Rs. 6.84 crore raised; USD 5 million planned.
- Milestone: Astrophel’s semi-cryogenic engine test-fired August 15, 2023.
- Significance: Advances India’s reusable launch tech, boosts space innovation.
- China’s Geely-04 Satellite Constellation Launch
- Event: August 2025; 11 LEO satellites launched via Smart Dragon-3 from Rizhao, Shandong, China.
- Details:
- Operator: Geespace (Geely subsidiary, est. 2018); constellation now 41 satellites, targets 72 by 2025.
- Purpose: IoT, inter-vehicle communication, maritime operations, remote sensing.
- Rocket: SD-3 (31m, 140 tonnes, 1,500 kg to 500 km SSO), developed by China Rocket.
- Significance: Enhances global connectivity, supports autonomous driving.
SPORTS
- Asian Surfing Championships 2025
- Event: August 3–12, 2025; hosted in Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu; qualifier for 2026 Asian Games (Aichi-Nagoya, Japan).
- Details:
- Participants: 150+ surfers, 20 countries, 4 categories (Open Men/Women, U-18 Boys/Girls).
- India’s Performance: Ramesh Budihal won bronze (Open Men, 12.60 points); Kishore Kumar reached semifinals; D. Srikanth reached quarterfinals.
- Women’s Team: 8th (1,200 points); Japan, Indonesia, Thailand led.
- Significance: India’s first ASC hosting, first individual medal, secured full Asian Games quotas.
- S. Rohith Krishna Becomes 89th Chess Grandmaster
- Event: August 2025; S. Rohith Krishna (Chennai, 19) became India’s 89th GM with 2516 FIDE rating.
- Details:
- Final Norm: Almaty Masters Qonaev Cup, Kazakhstan (6/9 points, defeated Artur Davtyan).
- Previous Norms: Stockholm North GM Round-Robin (February 2025, 6.5/9), Dubai Open (June 2025).
- Prior Title: International Master (2022).
- GM Criteria: 3 norms, 2500+ Elo, international play, ~2600 performance rating.
- Significance: Strengthens India’s chess legacy.
OBITUARY
- Dr. Vece Paes Passes Away
- Event: August 14, 2025; former Indian hockey player Dr. Vece Paes died at 80 in Kolkata.
- Details:
- Career: Debuted 1966 (Hamburg International Cup); bronze medals at 1971 Hockey World Cup, 1972 Munich Olympics.
- Roles: Sports medicine doctor (ACC, BCCI, Davis Cup); President, Indian Rugby Football Union (1996–2002).
- Significance: Iconic figure in Indian sports, father of Leander Paes.
- Njattyela Sreedharan Passes Away
- Event: August 13, 2025; self-taught linguist Njattyela Sreedharan died at 87 in Kannur, Kerala.
- Details:
- Work: Compiled Chathur Dravida Bhasha Padhaparichayam (860 pages, 1 lakh+ words; Malayalam, Kannada, Tamil, Telugu); published November 2020, 2nd edition May 2023.
- Career: Kerala PWD, Irrigation Dept. (retired 1994).
- Awards: Dr. T.P. Sukumaran Master, Dr. Hermann Gundert, India Reading Olympiad.
- Recognition: Featured in 2021 National Film Award-winning documentary Dreaming of Words.
- Significance: Pioneered Dravidian linguistics, cultural preservation.
IMPORTANT DAYS
- Partition Horrors Remembrance Day – August 14, 2025
- Details:
- Event: 5th commemoration to honor 1947 Partition victims, reflect on suffering, resilience.
- Declared: 2021 by PM Narendra Modi; first observed August 14, 2021.
- Context: Partition (announced June 3, 1947, by Lord Mountbatten; boundaries by Cyril Radcliffe) caused ~20 million migrations, mass violence.
- 2025 Events: Ministry of Culture, MoR held exhibitions at railway stations.
- Significance: Promotes historical awareness, unity.
- Details:
STATE NEWS
- Tamil Nadu Launches HAWK System
- Event: August 2025; MoS Kirti Vardhan Singh (MoEF&CC) launched customized HAWK for TN Forest Department.
- Details:
- Developed: By WTI and NTT DATA; TN is 3rd state after Kerala, Karnataka.
- Modules: Peregrine, Shikra implemented (of 4: Peregrine, Shikra, Harrier, Kestrel).
- Features: Named Entity Recognition, network analysis, predictive modeling for poaching hotspots.
- Significance: Enhances wildlife crime prevention, protects endangered species.