National Current Affairs From The Hindu

1. The Supreme Court recently reduced the minimum legal practice requirement for candidates seeking entry into the judicial service to how many years?

A. 1 year
B. 2 years
C. 3 years
D. 5 years

Answer: A. 1 year

Explanation: The Supreme Court has trimmed the minimum legal-practice requirement to one year for entry into the judicial service. The decision relates to eligibility requirements for candidates entering the subordinate judiciary and represents a change from the earlier requirement.

2. Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda recently reviewed preparedness for which influenza-related health situation in India?

A. H5N1 influenza
B. H1N1 influenza
C. H3N2 influenza
D. H7N9 influenza

Answer: B. H1N1 influenza

Explanation: Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda reviewed preparedness for H1N1 influenza in the country. The review covered surveillance, testing, treatment capacity, vaccination, and preparedness for seasonal influenza cases. The government also stressed monitoring influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) trends.

3. The Madhya Pradesh government faced protests after several government schools were merged. What was one major concern raised by students and parents regarding the mergers?

A. Students would have to travel longer distances to reach school
B. Students would lose access to scholarships
C. Schools would be converted into colleges
D. Students would be denied mid-day meals

Answer: A. Students would have to travel longer distances to reach school

Explanation: The merger of government schools has raised concerns because students, particularly those from rural areas, may have to travel longer distances to attend school. Parents and students also raised concerns about transportation, safety and the additional burden placed on children.

International Current Affairs

4. Which organisation launched the Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA)?

A. ASEAN
B. European Union
C. Quad
D. BRICS

Answer: C. Quad

Explanation: The Quad (India, Australia, Japan and the United States) launched the Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA) in 2022. The initiative aims to provide partners with greater visibility of maritime activities and strengthen a free, open and secure Indo-Pacific.

Economy & Banking Current Affairs

5. The Union government has cleared 29 foreign direct investment (FDI) proposals worth approximately how much under the new FDI framework?

A. ₹2,895 crore
B. ₹3,895 crore
C. ₹4,895 crore
D. ₹5,895 crore

Answer: C. ₹4,895 crore

Explanation: The Centre has received and cleared 29 foreign direct investment proposals worth ₹4,895 crore under the new FDI framework. The proposals involve investments across sectors, including manufacturing and commerce. The new framework is aimed at facilitating foreign investment while ensuring appropriate scrutiny.

Science & Technology Current Affairs

6. The 14th BRICS Science, Technology and Innovation meeting highlighted cooperation in which of the following areas?

A. Only conventional agriculture
B. Emerging technologies, research and innovation
C. Only defence manufacturing
D. Traditional handicrafts

Answer: B. Emerging technologies, research and innovation

Explanation: The BRICS STI discussions emphasised global technology collaboration, particularly in emerging and high-impact technologies. The meeting also discussed creating greater opportunities for research, innovation and technological cooperation among BRICS nations.

Defence & Security Current Affairs

7. What is the full form of IPMDA, discussed in the context of maritime cooperation in the Indo-Pacific?

A. Indo-Pacific Maritime Defence Agreement
B. Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness
C. International Pacific Maritime Data Alliance
D. Indo-Pacific Marine Development Authority

Answer: B. Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness

Explanation: IPMDA stands for Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness. It is an initiative aimed at strengthening maritime awareness by providing partners with better information about activities at sea, including vessel movements. It is important for combating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, piracy and other maritime threats.

8. The Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA) primarily seeks to strengthen which capability?

A. Nuclear deterrence
B. Maritime domain awareness and information-sharing
C. Deep-sea mining
D. Naval shipbuilding

Answer: B. Maritime domain awareness and information-sharing

Explanation: IPMDA seeks to improve maritime domain awareness through information-sharing, technology and coordinated monitoring. It helps participating countries detect and respond to activities such as illegal fishing, piracy, smuggling and other maritime security threats.

Environment & Climate Change Current Affairs

9. Tamil Nadu has unveiled Vision 2031 for its energy sector with a focus on which major objective?

A. Achieving 100% nuclear power generation
B. Increasing the share of renewable energy to 50%
C. Eliminating all thermal power plants by 2031
D. Making Tamil Nadu completely dependent on hydropower

Answer: B. Increasing the share of renewable energy to 50%

Explanation: The Tamil Nadu Energy Department has announced Vision 2031, targeting a 50% share of renewable energy in the State’s energy mix by 2031. The plan also focuses on strengthening transmission infrastructure, upgrading substations, expanding renewable-energy capacity and improving the State’s power-distribution system.

10. The Kerala Forest Department has decided to prepare a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for which activity in forest areas?

A. Forest fire management
B. Trekking trails
C. Timber transportation
D. Wildlife census

Answer: B. Trekking trails

Explanation: Following several incidents involving trekkers and adventure tourists, the Kerala Forest Department has decided to prepare a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for trekking trails in the State. The move aims to improve safety, regulate access and ensure that trekking activities do not damage fragile forest ecosystems.

Government Schemes Current Affairs

11. The Supreme Court recently described the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) as which of the following?

A. A temporary employment programme
B. A statutory scheme that is neither a freebie nor exploitation of rural workers
C. A centrally sponsored welfare scheme without legal backing
D. A scheme primarily meant for urban employment

Answer: B. A statutory scheme that is neither a freebie nor exploitation of rural workers

Explanation: The Supreme Court described MGNREGA as a salutary statutory scheme that is neither a freebie nor exploitation of rural workers. The observations came while hearing a petition concerning wages paid under MGNREGA and their relationship with minimum wages. MGNREGA provides a legal guarantee of up to 100 days of wage employment in a financial year to rural households willing to undertake unskilled manual work.

12. What is the primary objective of the MGNREGA, which was highlighted in the recent Supreme Court proceedings?

A. To provide permanent government jobs in rural areas
B. To guarantee rural households up to 100 days of wage employment
C. To provide free agricultural inputs to farmers
D. To provide pensions to all rural workers

Answer: B. To guarantee rural households up to 100 days of wage employment

Explanation: MGNREGA is a rights-based rural employment programme that provides a legal guarantee of up to 100 days of wage employment in a financial year to every rural household whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work. The Supreme Court’s observations also underlined that the scheme should not simply be viewed as a government “freebie.”

13. Which government programme provides nutritional support to children studying in government and government-aided schools in India?

A. PM POSHAN
B. PM-KISAN
C. PM SHRI
D. Samagra Shiksha

Answer: A. PM POSHAN

Explanation: PM POSHAN (Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman) provides one hot cooked meal to eligible children in government and government-aided schools. The programme was earlier known as the Mid-Day Meal Scheme and aims to improve children’s nutritional status while encouraging school attendance and retention.

14. The Union government has notified a ₹62,500-crore scheme to promote domestic manufacturing of which product?

A. Semiconductors
B. Mobile phones
C. Solar panels
D. Electric vehicles

Answer: B. Mobile phones

Explanation: The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has notified the ₹62,500-crore Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS) to strengthen domestic electronics manufacturing. It builds on the PLI Scheme for Large Scale Electronics Manufacturing, covering the period from FY 2020-21 to FY 2025-26. The scheme aims to increase domestic value addition, attract investment and strengthen India’s electronics supply chain.

Reports & Indices Current Affairs

15. According to the UDISE+ 2025-26 report, which State recorded the highest Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) at the secondary school level?

A. Uttar Pradesh
B. Bihar
C. West Bengal
D. Meghalaya

Answer: B. Bihar

Explanation: The UDISE+ 2025-26 data highlights significant regional disparities in India’s education system. At the secondary level, Bihar recorded the highest GER at 74% among the States mentioned in the report. The data also points to continuing gaps in enrolment, retention, infrastructure and teacher availability.

16. What does UDISE+ stand for?

A. Unified Digital Information System for Educational Development
B. Unified District Information System for Education Plus
C. Universal District Information System for Education
D. Unified Data Infrastructure for School Education

Answer: B. Unified District Information System for Education Plus

Explanation: UDISE+ (Unified District Information System for Education Plus) is India’s major school-education data system. The UDISE+ 2025-26 report provides information on enrolment, teachers, infrastructure, retention, dropout rates and other indicators across India’s school education system.

17. According to UDISE+ 2025-26, which State recorded the highest Gender Parity Index (GPI) at the primary school level among the States highlighted?

A. Kerala
B. West Bengal
C. Chhattisgarh
D. Meghalaya

Answer: D. Meghalaya

Explanation: The UDISE+ data shows considerable variation in Gender Parity Index (GPI) across States and educational levels. Meghalaya recorded a GPI of 1.15 at the primary level, indicating relatively higher female participation compared with male participation at that level.

18. The UDISE+ 2025-26 report highlighted which major challenge facing India’s school education system?

A. Excessive availability of teachers
B. Universal availability of digital infrastructure
C. Regional disparities in enrolment, retention, infrastructure and teacher availability
D. Declining demand for school education

Answer: C. Regional disparities in enrolment, retention, infrastructure and teacher availability

Explanation: The UDISE+ 2025-26 report highlights significant regional and social disparities in school education. Differences remain in enrolment, retention, dropout rates, school infrastructure, teacher availability and access to digital resources. The report emphasises the need for equity, inclusion and quality in educational development.

Awards & Honours Current Affairs

19. How many teachers are set to be honoured by the President on Teachers’ Day 2026?

A. 48
B. 50
C. 55
D. 60

Answer: A. 48

Explanation: Forty-eight teachers will be honoured by the President on September 5, 2026, which is observed as Teachers’ Day in India to commemorate the birth anniversary of former President and philosopher Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan.

Appointments & Resignations Current Affairs

20. Which former senior government official headed the construction committee for the Ram Temple project at Ayodhya?

A. Nripendra Misra
B. NITI Aayog CEO
C. Rajiv Gauba
D. P. K. Mishra

Answer: A. Nripendra Misra

Explanation: Nripendra Misra, former Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, headed the construction committee of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. According to Champat Rai, Misra played an important role in resolving obstacles and coordinating the construction of the temple.

Summits & Conferences Current Affairs

21. The inaugural BRICS meeting on Science, Technology and Innovation was held in which country in August 2026?

A. India
B. Brazil
C. China
D. Russia

Answer: A. India

Explanation: The inaugural BRICS meeting on Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) was held in Chennai, India. The meeting focused on strengthening collaboration among BRICS countries in areas such as emerging technologies, innovation, research and development, and inclusive technological growth.

Places in News Current Affairs

22. Which reservoir in Karnataka is a major source of Cauvery water for irrigation and a key point of contention between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu?

A. Krishnarajasagar (KRS) Reservoir
B. Tungabhadra Reservoir
C. Almatti Reservoir
D. Kabini Reservoir

Answer: A. Krishnarajasagar (KRS) Reservoir

Explanation: The Krishnarajasagar (KRS) Reservoir in Karnataka is a major reservoir in the Cauvery basin. Water releases from Karnataka’s reservoirs, including KRS, are closely linked to the interstate Cauvery water-sharing issue with Tamil Nadu.

23. The Mettur Dam, which is central to irrigation in the Cauvery delta, is built across which river?

A. Krishna
B. Cauvery
C. Godavari
D. Tungabhadra

Answer: B. Cauvery

Explanation: Mettur Dam is built across the Cauvery River in Tamil Nadu. Its reservoir, known as Stanley Reservoir, is one of the major sources of irrigation water for the Cauvery delta. The timing and adequacy of water release from Mettur are particularly important for farmers growing paddy.

Art & Culture Current Affairs

24. In 2026, India is commemorating the 150th anniversary of which national song?

A. Jana Gana Mana
B. Sare Jahan Se Achha
C. Vande Mataram
D. Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon

Answer: C. Vande Mataram

Explanation: 2026 marks 150 years of Vande Mataram, written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay. The song played an important role during India’s freedom struggle and is recognised as India’s National Song. The government has planned commemorative programmes to mark the anniversary.

Obituaries Current Affairs

25. Which veteran South Indian actor, known for her work in Tamil, Telugu and Kannada cinema, passed away at the age of 94 in August 2026?

A. Sowcar Janaki
B. B. Saroja Devi
C. Jayabharathi
D. Kanchana

Answer: A. Sowcar Janaki

Explanation: Veteran actor Sowcar Janaki passed away at the age of 94. She had a career spanning several decades and acted in around 450 films across Tamil, Telugu and Kannada. She began her career as a drama artist in All India Radio and made her film debut in Shavukaru in 1950.