Current Affairs MCQs – August 30-31, 2026

With reference to the UNESCO World Heritage Convention and the World Heritage List, consider the following statements:

1. A property must be included in a country’s Tentative List before it can be nominated for inscription on the World Heritage List.
2. A nominated property must possess Outstanding Universal Value and satisfy at least one of the ten selection criteria prescribed under the Operational Guidelines.
3. The International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) evaluates cultural and mixed properties proposed for inscription on the World Heritage List.
4. The World Heritage Convention, concerning the Protection of World Cultural and Natural Heritage, was adopted by UNESCO in 1972.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

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

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• Being included in the Tentative List is a mandatory preliminary step before a property can be considered for nomination to the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Statement 2 is correct

• For inscription, a property must demonstrate Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) and meet at least one of the ten selection criteria laid down in the Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention.

Statement 3 is correct

• ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites) evaluates cultural and mixed properties proposed for inscription and provides its recommendations to the World Heritage Committee.

Statement 4 is correct

• The World Heritage Convention, officially titled the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, was adopted by UNESCO in 1972.

Answer: (c) 1, 2, 3 and 4; Difficulty Level: Hard

With reference to the Multi-Purpose Vessel (MPV) Samarthak, consider the following statements:

1. Samarthak is the first indigenously designed and built Multi-Purpose Vessel (MPV) and is the first of two MPVs contracted between Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) and the Ministry of Defence.
2. The vessel is powered by a dual-diesel-engine system, has a maximum speed of 15 knots, and an operational range of 4,500 nautical miles.

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

Only statement 2 is correct

• Larsen & Toubro (L&T) successfully delivered Samarthak to the Indian Navy at its Kattupalli Shipyard near Chennai.

• Samarthak is the first indigenously designed and built Multi-Purpose Vessel (MPV). It’s the first of 2 MPVs contracted between L&T and the Ministry of Defence; the second is called Utkarsh.
• The vessel features over 75% indigenous content, supporting Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
• Propulsion: Powered by a dual-diesel-engine system, it reaches a maximum speed of 15 knots and an operational range of 4,500 nautical miles.
• Capabilities: Maritime surveillance, indigenous weapon and sensor trials, UAV recovery, Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) exercises, and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations.

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

Consider the following countries:

1. Pakistan
2. Iran
3. Turkmenistan
4. Uzbekistan
5. Tajikistan
6. China
7. Kyrgyzstan

How many of the above countries share a land boundary with Afghanistan?

1. Only four
2. Only five
3. Only six
4. All seven

Explanation

• Afghanistan is a landlocked country bounded by the:
  • East & south by Pakistan and 106 km border length with India.
  • West by Iran
  • North by Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan & Tajikistan
  • It also has a short border with Xinjiang, China, at the end of Wakhan Corridor

Answer: (c) Only six; Difficulty Level: Easy

With reference to the World Water Week 2026, consider the following statements:

1. The World Water Week 2026 is being held in Stockholm, Sweden, under the theme “Water for People and Progress.”
2. The World Water Week is organized annually by the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) and serves as a global platform for addressing water-related issues.

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

Both statements are correct

• Ministry of Rural Development participated in World Water Week 2026 being held in Stockholm, Sweden under the theme of “Water for People and Progress”.
• Key element of India’s approach presented at the forum was National Initiative on Water Security (NIWS), that prioritizes expenditure on water-related works based on groundwater conditions across blocks.
• World Water Week is organized annually by Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI), representing a leading global platform.

Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2; Difficulty Level: Medium

ADxFluor, recently seen in the news, is primarily related to which of the following?

1. Early detection of Alzheimer’s disease
2. Treatment of Parkinson’s disease
3. Diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases
4. Detection of infectious diseases

Explanation

• Indian scientists developed ADxFluor, a portable smartphone-based platform for cheaper, accessible early detection of Alzheimer’s disease (AD).

• The system uses TZ-48, a tiny fluorescence-responsive molecule that detects amyloid-β (Aβ), a biomarker whose aggregation drives neurodegeneration in AD.
• Mechanism: When TZ-48 interacts with Aβ, its fluorescence intensity changes, which the dedicated smartphone app then captures and quantifies.

• Significance: It offers a portable, affordable alternative to PET scans, MRIs, and blood tests, supporting screening in aging populations at primary healthcare centers.

Answer: (a) Early detection of Alzheimer’s disease; Difficulty Level: Easy

 Consider the following statements regarding the PARIVARTAN Scheme:

1. The PARIVARTAN Scheme seeks to facilitate the replacement of BS-IV or older commercial vehicles with BS-VI or electric vehicles in Delhi and selected districts of the National Capital Region.
2. The scheme is implemented by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, while its funding is provided through the National Capital Region Planning Board under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.

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

• The PARIVARTAN Scheme is a clean-mobility initiative aimed at reducing transport-related air pollution and emissions in Delhi-NCR by accelerating the replacement of older, polluting commercial vehicles.

Statement 1 is correct

• The scheme targets the replacement of BS-IV or older commercial trucks and buses with cleaner BS-VI or electric vehicles in Delhi and selected NCR districts. The scheme aims to replace more than 2 lakh vehicles.

Statement 2 is correct

• The scheme is implemented by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), while the financial support is provided through the National Capital Region Planning Board (NCRPB) under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA).

Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2; Difficulty Level: Easy

Javelin Missile System, recently seen in the news, is associated with which one of the following countries?

1. Russia
2. United States of America
3. France
4. Israel

Explanation

• The Indian Army signed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) with the US to acquire Javelin (FGM-148) systems via the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) route.

• The Javelin is a third-generation, man-portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) developed by US defense majors Lockheed Martin and Raytheon (RTX) to destroy tanks and armoured vehicles.
• Uses fire-and-forget technology with an Imaging Infrared (IIR) seeker, allowing the operator to move immediately after launch.
• Has an effective range of ~2.5 km, with upgraded variants reaching up to 4 km; its soft-launch system enables firing from confined spaces with reduced backblast.

Answer: (b) United States of America; Difficulty Level: Easy

With reference to the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY), consider the following statements:

1. Har Khet Ko Pani (HKKP) is primarily concerned with expanding irrigation coverage and improving last-mile connectivity, while Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) focuses on improving water-use efficiency through micro-irrigation.
2. Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP) seeks to expedite the completion of major and medium irrigation projects, whereas the Watershed Development Component (WDC) primarily targets rainfed areas through soil and moisture conservation.
3. PDMC and WDC are both implemented by the Department of Water Resources under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, as they deal with water conservation and irrigation efficiency.

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

• HKKP focuses on expanding irrigation coverage and ensuring last-mile connectivity, whereas PDMC promotes efficient water use through technologies such as drip and sprinkler irrigation.

Statement 2 is correct

• AIBP aims to accelerate the completion of major and medium irrigation projects and create irrigation potential. WDC, on the other hand, focuses on rainfed-area treatment, including soil and moisture conservation, water harvesting and groundwater recharge.

Statement 3 is incorrect

• The two components are implemented by different departments. PDMC is implemented by the Department of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, while WDC is implemented by the Department of Land Resources, Ministry of Rural Development. They are not both implemented by the Department of Water Resources.

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

Consider the following statements regarding the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY):

1. PMFBY provides crop insurance coverage to both loanee and non-loanee farmers, including eligible tenant farmers and sharecroppers.
2. Under PMFBY, farmers are required to pay a maximum premium of 2% for Kharif crops and 1.5% for Rabi foodgrain and oilseed crops, while the remaining premium is shared equally by the Central and State Governments in all States and Union Territories.
3. The scheme provides coverage for prevented sowing and certain post-harvest losses, in addition to yield losses caused by specified non-preventable natural risks.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• PMFBY covers both loanee and non-loanee farmers. Eligible tenant farmers and sharecroppers can also be covered, provided they meet the prescribed conditions and have an insurable interest.

Statement 2 is incorrect

• Although farmers pay a maximum premium of 2% for Kharif and 1.5% for Rabi foodgrain and oilseed crops, the government subsidy is not shared equally in all States/UTs. For North-Eastern and Himalayan States/UTs, the Central and State Governments contribute in a 90:10 ratio, while the general sharing pattern is 50:50.

Statement 3 is correct

• PMFBY covers various stages of crop loss, including prevented sowing, standing crop/yield losses, localized calamities, and specified post-harvest losses. Post-harvest coverage applies to crops kept in cut-and-spread condition for drying in the field for up to 14 days against specified risks.

Answer: (b) 1 and 3 only; Difficulty Level: Medium