Current Affairs MCQs – August 28-29, 2026

With reference to the H-1B visa programme of the United States, consider the following statements:

1. It is a non-immigrant visa that permits U.S. employers to temporarily employ foreign workers in certain specialty occupations requiring specialised knowledge.
2. Eligibility for an H-1B visa generally requires the prospective worker to possess at least a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent in a relevant field.
3. An H-1B visa can be granted for an initial period of up to six years, after which it cannot be extended under any circumstances.

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

• The H-1B is a non-immigrant work visa that allows U.S. employers to temporarily employ foreign workers in specialty occupations requiring specialised knowledge.

Statement 2 is correct

• An H-1B visa generally requires the prospective worker to possess at least a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent in a field related to the specialty occupation.

Statement 3 is incorrect

• H-1B status is generally granted for an initial period of up to three years and can ordinarily be extended for a total period of up to six years, subject to applicable rules. Therefore, it is incorrect to state that it is initially granted for six years and cannot be extended thereafter.

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

 Which one of the following represents the correct order of these lakes from East to West?

1. Lake Ontario – Lake Erie – Lake Huron – Lake Michigan – Lake Superior
2. Lake Ontario – Lake Erie – Lake Michigan – Lake Huron – Lake Superior
3. Lake Erie – Lake Ontario – Lake Huron – Lake Michigan – Lake Superior
4. Lake Ontario – Lake Huron – Lake Erie – Lake Michigan – Lake Superior

Explanation

• U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order renaming Lake Ontario to “Lake America” for federal geographic use following trade standoffs with Canada.

• Lake Ontario is the smallest by surface area (19,011 sq km) and the easternmost of the five Great Lakes (from west to east: Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, Ontario).

Answer: (b) Lake Ontario – Lake Erie – Lake Michigan – Lake Huron – Lake Superior; Difficulty Level: Medium

 With reference to the Western Disturbances, consider the following statements:

1. Western Disturbances are extratropical cyclonic systems that generally originate in the Mediterranean region and move eastward towards the Indian subcontinent.
2. Their eastward movement is primarily associated with the Subtropical Westerly Jet Stream in the upper troposphere.
3. On reaching the Indian subcontinent, the Himalayas facilitate the uplift of moisture-laden air associated with Western Disturbances, resulting in precipitation over parts of northwestern India.

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

• Western Disturbances are extratropical weather systems that generally originate in the Mediterranean region and move eastward towards the Indian subcontinent. They are an important source of winter precipitation in northwestern India.

Statement 2 is correct

• Unlike tropical cyclones, Western Disturbances are not primarily driven by low-level circulation. They are embedded in the Subtropical Westerly Jet Stream (STWJ), which helps steer these systems eastward across West and Central Asia towards South Asia.

Statement 3 is correct

• As Western Disturbances reach the Indian subcontinent, the Himalayas act as an orographic barrier, forcing the associated moist air to rise. This uplift leads to precipitation, particularly over Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana and adjoining regions.

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

 With reference to the Gandaki River system, consider the following statements:

1. The Gandaki enters India through Valmikinagar in Bihar and subsequently flows through Bihar and Uttar Pradesh before joining the Ganga.
2. The Gandaki River was referred to as Sadanira in the Shatapatha Brahmana.

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 Gandaki River, known as the Narayani in Nepal, enters India at Valmikinagar in Bihar. It then flows through the plains of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh before ultimately joining the Ganga near the Patna region.

Statement 2 is correct

• The Gandaki River is identified with the ancient Sadanira River, which finds mention in the Shatapatha Brahmana, an important Vedic text. The reference provides evidence of the river’s significance in the historical geography of northern India.

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

 He was a prominent social reformer from Kerala who worked for the social upliftment, equality and educational rights of marginalised communities. He led the Villuvandi Samaram in 1893 and founded the Sadhu Jana Paripalana Sangham in 1907. Known as the “Grand Old Man of Kerala’s Renaissance”, Mahatma Gandhi bestowed upon him the title “Pulaya Raja” (King of the Pulayas).

Which one of the following personalities is being referred to in the above description?

1. Narayana Guru
2. Mahatma Ayyankali
3. Chattampi Swamikal
4. Vakkom Moulavi

Explanation

Option (b) is correct

• Prime Minister paid homage to Mahatma Ayyankali on his birth anniversary (Jayanti). He was a pioneering social reformer who worked for social justice, equality and the empowerment of marginalised communities in Kerala.
• Known as the “Grand Old Man of Kerala’s Renaissance“, Mahatma Gandhi bestowed upon him the title “Pulaya Raja” (King of the Pulayas).
• Key Contribution
  • Villuvandi Samaram (1893): Rode an ox-cart (bullock cart) on public roads restricted for upper castes to break discriminatory travel bans
  • Agricultural Labourers Strike: Ayyankali organized the first agricultural labor strike in Kerala history. Dalit laborers refused to work in paddy fields until Dalit children were permitted to attend school.
  • Sadhu Jana Paripalana Sangham (SJPS): He founded the SJPS in 1907 to raise funds and promote education for the marginalized.

Answer: (b) Mahatma Ayyankali; Difficulty Level: Medium

 Consider the following statements regarding the Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana (PMJDY):

1. PMJDY was launched in 2014 as the National Mission for Financial Inclusion, with the objective of providing universal access to banking and other financial services to the unbanked population.
2. While the scheme initially aimed at providing a bank account to every household, its focus was expanded in 2018 to ensure access to a bank account for every unbanked adult.
3. Under PMJDY, eligible account holders are provided a RuPay debit card, which carries an accident insurance cover of ₹2 lakh for all PMJDY accounts, irrespective of when the account was opened.
4. The scheme provides an overdraft facility of up to ₹10,000 to eligible account holders.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

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

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• The Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) was launched on 15 August 2014 as the National Mission for Financial Inclusion. Its objective is to provide universal access to banking facilities, particularly to the poor, unbanked and underserved sections of society.

Statement 2 is correct

• Initially, PMJDY focused on providing a bank account to every household. In 2018, the approach was broadened to ensure that every unbanked adult has access to a bank account.

Statement 3 is incorrect

• Eligible PMJDY account holders are provided RuPay debit cards, which carry an accident insurance cover. However, the coverage is ₹1 lakh for accounts opened before 28 August 2018 and ₹2 lakh for new accounts opened after 28 August 2018. Therefore, ₹2 lakh does not apply to all PMJDY accounts.

Statement 4 is correct

• PMJDY provides an overdraft facility of up to ₹10,000 to eligible account holders, thereby providing access to short-term credit and strengthening financial inclusion.

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

 With reference to the PM SVANidhi Scheme, consider the following statements:

1. PM SVANidhi is a Central Sector Scheme that provides collateral-free working capital loans to street vendors.
2. Under the restructured PM SVANidhi scheme, the coverage has been expanded beyond statutory urban limits to include census towns and peri-urban areas.
3. The scheme provides loans in three successive tranches of up to ₹15,000, ₹25,000 and ₹50,000, with access to higher tranches linked to repayment of the preceding loan.
4. The interest subsidy of 7% per annum is credited to beneficiaries through Direct Benefit Transfer for timely repayment of EMIs.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

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

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• PM SVANidhi is a Central Sector micro-credit scheme launched in 2020 to provide collateral-free working capital loans to street vendors, enabling them to restart or expand their businesses.

Statement 2 is correct

• Under the restructured phase (2025–2030), the scheme adopts a city-region approach, expanding its coverage beyond statutory urban areas to include census towns and peri-urban areas.

Statement 3 is correct

• The scheme provides credit through three successive loan tranches. Vendors can initially avail a loan of up to ₹15,000, followed by ₹25,000 and subsequently ₹50,000, subject to repayment of the earlier loan and other eligibility conditions.

Statement 4 is correct

• Beneficiaries are eligible for an interest subsidy of 7% per annum for timely repayment of their loans. The subsidy is credited through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), thereby reducing the effective cost of borrowing for street vendors.

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

 With reference to the composition of the Lok Sabha, consider the following statements:

1. The Constitution fixes the maximum strength of the Lok Sabha at 545 members, comprising 525 members from the States and 20 members from the Union Territories.
2. The 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976 froze the inter-State allocation of Lok Sabha seats on the basis of the 2001 Census.
3. The 87th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2003 allowed the total number of Lok Sabha seats allocated to each State to be altered on the basis of the 2001 Census.
4. The 104th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2019 abolished the provision for nomination of Anglo-Indian members to the Lok Sabha and simultaneously introduced one-third reservation of seats for women.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

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

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect

• Article 81 provides for a constitutional maximum of 550 members—not 545—with not more than 530 members from the States and 20 members from the Union Territories.

Statement 2 is incorrect

• The 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976 froze the inter-State allocation of Lok Sabha seats based on the 1971 Census, not the 2001 Census.

Statement 3 is incorrect

• The 87th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2003 permitted the readjustment of constituencies based on the 2001 Census, but without altering the total number of seats allocated to each State.

Statement 4 is incorrect

• The 104th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2019 ended the provision for nomination of Anglo-Indian members to the Lok Sabha. One-third reservation of seats for women was provided later through the 106th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2023, which inserted Article 330A.

Answer: (d) None; Difficulty Level: Medium

 Consider the following pairs of countries and geographical features:

1. Morocco and Spain — Strait of Gibraltar
2. India and Sri Lanka — Palk Strait
3. Iran and Oman — Strait of Hormuz
4. Russia and Alaska (USA) — Bering Strait

Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

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

Explanation

Pair 1 is correctly matched

• The Strait of Gibraltar separates Morocco in North Africa from Spain in Europe and connects the Atlantic Ocean with the Mediterranean Sea.

Pair 2 is correctly matched

• The Palk Strait separates India and Sri Lanka.

Pair 3 is correctly matched

• The Strait of Hormuz lies between Iran and Oman and connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman.

Pair 4 is correctly matched

• The Bering Strait separates Russia and the United States (Alaska) and connects the Arctic Ocean with the Pacific Ocean.

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