Current Affairs MCQs – August 04, 2026

 With reference to the Vessel Communication and Support System (VCSS), recently approved for national rollout under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), consider the following statements:

1. The Vessel Communication and Support System (VCSS) has been developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to strengthen the monitoring, control and surveillance of marine fishing vessels.
2. Under the scheme, eligible marine fishermen will receive indigenously developed transponders free of cost, while the scheme is implemented on a 60:40 cost-sharing basis between the Centre and States, with 100% Central assistance for Union Territories.
3. The ‘Nabhmitra’ application provides real-time communication, weather advisories, SOS alerts, and geo-fencing-based boundary crossing warnings for fishermen.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• The Vessel Communication and Support System (VCSS) has been developed by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). It aims to strengthen the Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) of marine fishing vessels by enabling real-time tracking and communication, thereby improving maritime safety, fisheries management, and regulatory compliance.

Statement 2 is correct

• Under the scheme, eligible marine fishermen will receive indigenously developed transponders free of cost. The scheme follows a 60:40 cost-sharing pattern between the Centre and States, while Union Territories receive 100% Central financial assistance. The transponders enable seamless communication and vessel tracking even beyond the range of conventional mobile networks.

Statement 3 is correct

• The ‘Nabhmitra’ application, developed by ISRO, provides real-time communication, periodic position reporting, two-way messaging, emergency/SOS alerts, automatic geo-fencing-based boundary crossing warnings, and weather and cyclone advisories. These features enhance fishermen’s safety, support faster search and rescue operations, and help prevent inadvertent crossing into the territorial waters of neighbouring countries.

Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3; Difficulty Level: Hard

The recently renamed Republic of Naoero, seen in the news, is located in which one of the following regions?

1. Caribbean Sea
2. Central Pacific Ocean
3. Western Indian Ocean
4. South Atlantic Ocean

Explanation

• Pacific island nation Nauru officially renamed itself the Republic of Naoero, correcting a colonial-era spelling, and rechristened its citizens from Nauruan to dei-Naoero.

• Location: Naoero is a single-island nation in southeastern Micronesia in the Central Pacific, spanning 21 sq km and located ~40 km south of the Equator.
• Formerly under a joint trusteeship by Australia, New Zealand, and the UK, it became the world’s smallest independent republic in 1968.

Answer: (b) Central Pacific Ocean; Difficulty Level: Easy

 With reference to the recently approved Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test (OSAT) project in Visakhapatnam, consider the following statements:

1. It is Andhra Pradesh’s and South India’s first semiconductor manufacturing facility approved under the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM).
2. The facility is being established in partnership with a Japan-based technology partner and will focus exclusively on semiconductor chip design.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation

Statement 1 is Correct

• The ₹2,500 crore Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test (OSAT) project in Visakhapatnam is Andhra Pradesh’s and South India’s first semiconductor manufacturing facility approved under the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM). It marks a significant step towards strengthening India’s semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem.

Statement 2 is Incorrect

• The project is being established in partnership with South Korea-based APACT Co. as the technology partner, not a Japan-based company. Moreover, it is an OSAT (Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test) facility, which is engaged in the assembly, packaging, and testing of semiconductor chips, not in semiconductor chip design. The facility will have an annual production capacity of 96 million chips.

Answer: (a) 1 only; Difficulty Level: Medium

With reference to the recently designated Glaw Lake, consider the following statements:

1. Glaw Lake is Arunachal Pradesh’s first wetland to be designated as a Ramsar Site and is located within the Kamlang Tiger Reserve.
2. The basin of Glaw Lake supports all four big cat species found in India and is home to the Critically Endangered white-bellied heron.
3. India has the second-highest number of Ramsar Sites globally, and Loktak Lake is the only Indian Ramsar Site included in the Montreux Record.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• Glaw Lake has been designated as India’s 101st Ramsar Site and Arunachal Pradesh’s first Ramsar Site under the Ramsar Convention. It is a pristine freshwater lake situated within the Kamlang Tiger Reserve and Wildlife Sanctuary in the Eastern Himalayas. The lake is fed by perennial mountain streams and serves as a major source of the Kamlang River.

Statement 2 is correct

• The lake’s basin supports all four big cat species found in India—the Bengal Tiger, Indian Leopard, Clouded Leopard, and Snow Leopard. It also provides habitat to the Critically Endangered white-bellied heron, making it an ecologically significant wetland with exceptional biodiversity.

Statement 3 is incorrect

• India has the third-highest number of Ramsar Sites in the world, after the United Kingdom (176) and Mexico (144), not the second-highest. Further, both Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan) and Loktak Lake (Manipur) are included in the Montreux Record, not Loktak Lake alone.

Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only; Difficulty Level: Medium

 In what way(s) does the Vizhinjam International Seaport represent a structural shift in India’s maritime trade and logistics policy?

1. By functioning exclusively as a domestic cargo shipping hub to reduce reliance on foreign and eliminate the need for collaborations.
2. By focusing primarily on passenger cruise tourism and heritage shipping to increase Kerala’s profile as a maritime heritage destination.
3. By leveraging its natural deep draft and strategic location to reduce dependence on foreign trans-shipment ports, enhance revenue retention, and reposition India in regional maritime trade.

Select the answer using the code given below:

1. 1 only
2. 1 and 2
3. 2 and 3
4. 3 only

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect

• Recently, the Vizhinjam International Seaport (VIS) was inaugurated in Kerala, marking India’s entry into the deep-water transhipment infrastructure space. It is designed as an international trans-shipment hub, not exclusively as a domestic cargo hub.
  • Deepwater Transshipment Port is a port where containers are transferred between ships en route to final destinations; critical for handling international cargo efficiently.

Statement 2 is incorrect

• The port focuses on ultra-large container vessels and trans-shipment logistics, not passenger cruise tourism or heritage shipping.

Statement 3 is correct

• Significance of Vizhinjam Port:
  • Handles Ultra-Large Vessels: Natural depth of 18-20 meters supports large ships.
  • Low Sand Drift: Its curvilinear coastline minimises siltation, reducing the costs of maintenance and dredging.
  • Geostrategic Location, thus reducing dependency on foreign ports. Previously, 75% of India’s transhipment cargo was routed through Colombo, Singapore or Jebel Ali. Just 10 nautical miles from key international shipping lanes linking Europe, the Gulf and the Far East.
  • Indigenous Tech Integration: Features India’s first semi-automated port system, AI-driven control room and Indigenous Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS).
  • Efficient Turnaround: Real-time traffic updates and optimised ship handling improve turnaround time and operational efficiency.
  • Complements Sagarmala Programme: Strengthens India’s port-led development and integration into global maritime value chains.
  • Readiness for Global Cargo Demand: Ability to serve Ultra Large Container Vessels (ULCVs) directly enhances India’s integration into global supply chains.

Answer: (d) 3 only; Difficulty Level: Easy