Current Affairs MCQs – August 08-09, 2026

 Consider the following capital cities of Europe:

1. Belgrade
2. Budapest
3. Prague
4. Bratislava

Through how many of the above capital cities does the River Danube flow?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. Only three
4. All four

Explanation

• Danube River recorded its lowest water levels since 1996 amid prolonged drought and heatwaves across Europe.
• Danube is Europe’s second-longest river after the Volga, and the only major river flowing mainly eastward. It is the EU’s longest river.
• The river originates in the Black Forest mountains in Germany and empties into the Black Sea.
• Flows through 10 countries and 4 capital cities: Vienna (Austria), Bratislava (Slovakia), Budapest (Hungary), and Belgrade (Serbia).
• It forms a key trans-European commercial corridor linking the Black Sea to the North Sea through the Rhine-Main-Danube Canal.

• Danube Delta, located in Romania and partially in Ukraine, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Answer: (c) Only three; Difficulty Level: Medium

 Recently, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted a routine user trial of the Agni-4 ballistic missile at the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur, Odisha. Which one of the following best describes the Agni-4 missile?

1. A two-stage, solid-fuel, nuclear-capable, surface-to-surface Medium-Range Ballistic Missile (MRBM) with a range of around 4,000 km
2. A three-stage, solid-fuel, nuclear-capable Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) with a range exceeding 10,000 km
3. A two-stage, liquid-fuel, submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) designed for deployment on nuclear-powered submarines
4. A single-stage, solid-fuel, surface-to-air missile designed primarily for interception of incoming ballistic missiles

Explanation

• The Agni-4 is an indigenous, two-stage, solid-fuel, nuclear-capable, surface-to-surface Medium-Range Ballistic Missile (MRBM) developed by the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO). It has a strike range of around 4,000 km and can carry both conventional and nuclear payloads. The missile can be launched from a road-mobile launcher, which enhances its mobility, survivability and rapid-response capability. It is operated by the Strategic Forces Command (SFC).

Answer: (a) A two-stage, solid-fuel, nuclear-capable, surface-to-surface Medium-Range Ballistic Missile (MRBM) with a range of around 4,000 km; Difficulty Level: Medium

With reference to the GOBARdhan (Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan) Scheme, recently approved by the Union Cabinet, consider the following statements:

1. Under the scheme, City Gas Distribution entities are required to meet specified CBG blending obligations in both CNG (Transport) and PNG (Domestic) segments.
2. The scheme provides for a credit guarantee of up to 85% for eligible MSME-based CBG projects.
3. The scheme aims to promote domestic CBG production primarily for replacing imported Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG).

How many of the statements given above are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. All three
4. None

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• Under the GOBARdhan Scheme, City Gas Distribution (CGD) entities are required to meet specified CBG blending obligations in both the CNG (Transport) and PNG (Domestic) segments. The obligation is 3% in FY 2026–27, 4% in FY 2027–28 and 5% from FY 2028–29 onwards.

Statement 2 is correct

• The scheme provides a credit guarantee of up to 85% for eligible MSME-based CBG projects, helping facilitate access to institutional finance for CBG production.

Statement 3 is correct

• A key objective of the scheme is to promote domestic CBG production and achieve a tenfold increase in production, thereby helping replace imported LNG and strengthen India’s energy security.

Answer: (b) Only two; Difficulty Level: Medium

Consider the following pairs:

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. Only three
4. All four

Explanation

Pair 1 is correctly matched

• The National Handloom Development Program (NHDP) supports handloom infrastructure, including the development of Mega Handloom Clusters.

Pair 2 is correctly matched

• Provides concessional credit at 6% interest for three years to reduce dependence on local intermediaries.

Pair 3 is correctly matched

• Pehchan Cards register handloom workers through the e-Pehchan portal and facilitate their access to various welfare and social-security schemes.

Pair 4 is correctly matched

• The India Handloom Brand (IHB) promotes quality and authenticity of handloom products and helps protect the identity of distinctive regional handloom products.

Answer: (d) All four; Difficulty Level: Easy

With reference to the electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem in India, consider the following statements:

1. The PM E-DRIVE Scheme covers multiple vehicle segments, including electric two-wheelers, three-wheelers, trucks, buses and ambulances.
2. India aims to achieve 30% electric vehicle penetration in all vehicle sales by 2030, in line with the global EV30@30 initiative.

Which of the statements given above is/are not correct?

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

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• The PM E-DRIVE Scheme, implemented by the Ministry of Heavy Industries, covers multiple electric vehicle segments, including electric two-wheelers, three-wheelers, trucks, buses and ambulances. The scheme aims to accelerate EV adoption while supporting the development of the EV ecosystem in India.

Statement 2 is correct

• India aims to achieve 30% electric vehicle penetration in new vehicle sales by 2030, in line with the EV30@30 initiative, which seeks to promote the rapid adoption of electric mobility globally.

Answer: (d) Neither 1 nor 2; Difficulty Level: Medium

 With reference to the growth of solar energy in India, consider the following statements:

1. India became the third-largest solar growth market globally in 2025, after adding around 37 GW of solar capacity during the year.
2. PM-KUSUM promotes solarisation in the agricultural sector, including through standalone and grid-connected solar pumps.
3. The Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) seeks to ensure quality standards for solar photovoltaic equipment used in specified government-supported projects.

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 incorrect

• India added around 37 GW of solar capacity in 2025, surpassing the United States in annual solar capacity additions and becoming the second-largest solar growth market globally. This reflects the rapid expansion of India’s photovoltaic sector.

Statement 2 is correct

• The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) promotes the use of solar energy in agriculture. It supports standalone solar pumps as well as the solarisation of grid-connected agricultural pumps, helping farmers access reliable daytime irrigation while reducing dependence on conventional energy sources.

Statement 3 is correct

• The Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) establishes an eligibility and quality framework for solar photovoltaic (PV) modules and manufacturers in specified government-supported projects. It also supports the development of a reliable domestic solar manufacturing ecosystem.

Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only; Difficulty Level: Medium

With reference to the Commonwealth Games, consider the following statements:

1. The Commonwealth Games were first held in 1930 in London, United Kingdom, under the name British Empire Games.
2. The Commonwealth Games are governed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), with its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
3. The 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad will make India the third country in Asia to host the Commonwealth Games.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. All three
4. None

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect

• The first Commonwealth Games were held in 1930 at Hamilton, Canada, not London. They were known as the British Empire Games at that time.

Statement 2 is incorrect

• The Commonwealth Games are governed by Commonwealth Sport, formerly known as the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), and its headquarters are in London. They are not governed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Statement 3 is incorrect

• The 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad would make India Asia’s first repeat host of the Commonwealth Games, as India had previously hosted the Games in Delhi in 2010. It would not be the third country in Asia to host the event.

Answer: (d) None; Difficulty Level: Medium