Daily Current Affairs MCQ – 26 August 2026
UPSC & State PCS
Q1. The recently discussed “Aravalli” is related to which of the following?
A. Long-range ballistic missile
B. Helicopter engine
C. Anti-drone system
D. Naval radar
Answer: B. Helicopter engine
Explanation: Aravalli is a 3,500–4,000 shaft-horsepower helicopter engine being developed through the HAL–Safran joint venture SAFHAL. It is intended for future platforms such as the Indian Multi-Role Helicopter (IMRH) and DBMRH.
Q2. Consider the following statements regarding SAFHAL:
- It is a joint venture between HAL and Safran Helicopter Engines.
- It is associated with the development of the Aravalli engine.
- Safran is a Japanese aerospace company.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 1 and 2 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: B. 1 and 2 only
Explanation: Safran is a French aerospace and defence company. SAFHAL is the HAL–Safran joint venture working on the Aravalli helicopter engine.
Extra Fact: HAL is a defence public-sector aerospace company under India's Ministry of Defence.
Q3. The India–Japan Startup Roundtable held in August 2026 primarily focused on:
A. Agricultural subsidies
B. Startup investment and deep-technology cooperation
C. Nuclear-disarmament negotiations
D. Fisheries management
Answer: B. Startup investment and deep-technology cooperation
Explanation: Discussions focused on startups, investors, universities, incubators and deep-tech sectors such as AI, semiconductors, robotics and advanced manufacturing.
Q4. With reference to India–Japan relations, consider the following statements:
- India and Japan have a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.
- India and Japan are members of the Quad.
- India–Japan CEPA came into force in 2011.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: D. 1, 2 and 3
Extra Fact: Quad members are India, Japan, Australia and the United States.
Q5. With reference to the e-Shram Portal, consider the following statements:
- It creates a National Database of Unorganised Workers.
- Registered workers receive a 12-digit Universal Account Number.
- Gig and platform workers are excluded from the portal.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 1 and 2 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: B. 1 and 2 only
Explanation: Gig and platform workers are included within e-Shram's coverage.
Extra Fact: e-Shram was launched on 26 August 2021 by the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
Q6. NDUW, often mentioned in connection with e-Shram, stands for:
A. National Digital Union of Workers
B. National Database of Unorganised Workers
C. National Department for Urban Workforce
D. National Development Unit for Workers
Answer: B. National Database of Unorganised Workers
Q7. Consider the following statements about rangelands:
- They may include grasslands.
- They may include shrublands and drylands.
- Every natural rangeland should ideally be converted into forest.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 1 and 2 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: B. 1 and 2 only
Explanation: Natural rangelands are valuable ecosystems in their own right. Blanket afforestation can damage native grassland or savanna biodiversity.
Extra Fact: 2026 is the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists.
Q8. UNCCD primarily deals with:
A. Marine pollution
B. Desertification, land degradation and drought
C. Nuclear safety
D. Ozone-layer depletion
Answer: B. Desertification, land degradation and drought
Explanation: UNCCD is one of the three major Rio Conventions.
Extra Fact: The other two are UNFCCC for climate change and CBD for biodiversity.
Q9. UNCCD COP17 in 2026 is being held in:
A. Nairobi, Kenya
B. Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
C. Dubai, UAE
D. Brasília, Brazil
Answer: B. Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Q10. The Meta settlement reported on 26 August 2026 is mainly related to concerns regarding:
A. Cryptocurrency mining
B. Social-media harms and children's online safety
C. Semiconductor exports
D. Satellite communications
Answer: B. Social-media harms and children's online safety
Explanation: The settlement concerns allegations involving Facebook and Instagram, including child safety, platform design and collection of children's personal information.
Extra Fact: COPPA is a US law dealing with children's online privacy.
Q11. The Strait of Hormuz connects which of the following?
A. Red Sea and Gulf of Aden
B. Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman
C. Black Sea and Mediterranean Sea
D. Mediterranean Sea and Red Sea
Answer: B. Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman
Explanation: The Strait of Hormuz lies between Iran and Oman and is one of the world's most important maritime energy chokepoints.
Q12. Which of the following correctly describes India's vulnerability to disruption in the Strait of Hormuz?
A. It affects only India's coal imports.
B. It can raise oil, LPG and LNG transport and insurance costs.
C. It has no impact on India's current account.
D. It is relevant only to European countries.
Answer: B. It can raise oil, LPG and LNG transport and insurance costs.
Explanation: Hormuz disruption can increase freight, insurance and energy-import costs, affecting inflation, current account and energy security.
Q13. ICAT, seen in the news recently, is primarily associated with:
A. Telecom regulation
B. Automotive testing and certification
C. Agricultural exports
D. Nuclear research
Answer: B. Automotive testing and certification
Extra Fact: ICAT is located at Manesar, Haryana.
Q14. AVGC-XR refers to:
A. Advanced Vehicle Grid Control–Extended Range
B. Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics and Extended Reality
C. Automated Virtual Governance and Cyber Exchange Regulation
D. Artificial Vision and Geospatial Computing Research
Answer: B. Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics and Extended Reality
Q15. Consider the following pairs:
| Current Affair | Correct Association |
|---|---|
| Aravalli | Helicopter engine |
| NDUW | Unorganised workers database |
| COP17 | Ulaanbaatar |
| ICAT | Automotive testing |
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
A. Only one
B. Only two
C. Only three
D. All four
Answer: D. All four
Score Guide
13–15: Excellent
10–12: Very good
7–9: Revise today's major topics once
Below 7: Re-read the 26 August compilation
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