National Current Affairs From The Hindu

1. The Supreme Court invoked which Article of the Constitution to quash criminal cases registered against Gen Z protesters following the NEET-UG 2026 question paper leaks?

A. Article 32
B. Article 136
C. Article 142
D. Article 226

Answer: C. Article 142

Explanation: The Supreme Court invoked its extraordinary powers under Article 142 to do “complete justice” and ordered that the FIRs registered in connection with the protests should not be investigated further.

2. Retired journalists in West Bengal who have attained the age of 60 years will receive a monthly pension of

A. ₹3,000
B. ₹5,000
C. ₹7,500
D. ₹10,000

Answer: B. ₹5,000

Explanation: The West Bengal government announced a monthly pension of ₹5,000 for journalists who have attained the age of 60 years as part of new social security initiatives.

3. The Mullaperiyar Dam dispute primarily involves which two Indian States?

A. Kerala and Karnataka
B. Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh
C. Kerala and Tamil Nadu
D. Karnataka and Tamil Nadu

Answer: C. Kerala and Tamil Nadu

Explanation: Although the Mullaperiyar Dam is located in Kerala, it is operated under an agreement involving Tamil Nadu. The dispute mainly concerns dam safety and water management.

4. The Supreme Court sought the Centre’s response on the use of “totalisers” in EVM vote counting. What is the primary purpose of a totaliser?

A. To verify voter identity
B. To consolidate votes from multiple EVMs without revealing booth-wise voting patterns
C. To replace EVMs with paper ballots
D. To conduct online voting

Answer: B. To consolidate votes from multiple EVMs without revealing booth-wise voting patterns

Explanation: A totaliser is designed to aggregate votes from multiple EVM control units, thereby concealing booth-wise voting trends. Supporters argue that this can protect voters from possible reprisals.

5. A totaliser, as discussed by the Supreme Court in connection with EVM vote counting, connects a cluster of how many EVM control units?

A. 10
B. 12
C. 14
D. 16

Answer: C. 14

Explanation: According to the report, a totaliser can connect a cluster of 14 EVM control units used at 14 polling stations and provide a consolidated result.

International Current Affairs

6. Which country took over the chairmanship of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation for 2026–27?

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

Answer: C. Pakistan

Explanation: Pakistan took over the SCO chairmanship for the 2026–27 period. India has consistently raised concerns regarding cross-border terrorism in the region.

7. The SCO, recently in news, was founded in 2001 and is headquartered in which city?

A. Beijing
B. Moscow
C. Astana
D. Shanghai

Answer: A. Beijing

Explanation: The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) was established in 2001 and has its headquarters in Beijing, China. India became a full member of the organisation in 2017.

Economy & Banking Current Affairs

8. India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth in the April–June quarter of 2026–27 was estimated at

A. 6.5%
B. 7.2%
C. 7.8%
D. 8.1%

Answer: C. 7.8%

Explanation: India recorded 7.8% GDP growth in the April–June quarter of 2026–27, despite concerns regarding global war and instability.

9. Which of the following best describes a “gig worker”?

A. A permanent government employee
B. A worker engaged in short-term, flexible or task-based work arrangements
C. A person employed exclusively in agriculture
D. A worker employed only by public sector undertakings

Answer: B. A worker engaged in short-term, flexible or task-based work arrangements

Explanation: Gig workers generally work outside traditional long-term employment arrangements and are often engaged through digital platforms for task-based or short-term work.

10. India’s Gross Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections in August 2026 increased by 14.8% to nearly:

A. ₹1 lakh crore
B. ₹1.5 lakh crore
C. ₹2 lakh crore
D. ₹2.5 lakh crore

Answer: C. ₹2 lakh crore

Explanation: India’s gross GST revenue grew 14.8% in August 2026 to nearly ₹2 lakh crore. The growth was driven by increased domestic transactions, while revenue from imports grew at a slower rate.

Science & Technology Current Affairs

11. India’s data centre capacity is projected to reach approximately how much by 2030?

A. 2.5 GW
B. 4 GW
C. 6.5 GW
D. 10 GW

Answer: C. 6.5 GW

Explanation: India’s data centre capacity is projected to reach around 6.5 GW by 2030, driven by the expansion of cloud computing, Artificial Intelligence and digital services.

Environment & Climate Change Current Affairs

12. The Mullaperiyar Dam, whose safety evaluation has begun, is built across which river?

A. Periyar River
B. Bharathapuzha River
C. Pamba River
D. Chalakudy River

Answer: A. Periyar River

Explanation: The Mullaperiyar Dam is constructed across the Periyar River. Its safety and water-sharing issues have long been a matter of dispute involving Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

13. The Karnataka Parks (Preservation) (Amendment) Bill, 2026, mentioned in the news, seeks to permit the use of up to what percentage of park and garden land for public infrastructure?

A. 2%
B. 5%
C. 10%
D. 15%

Answer: B. 5%

Explanation: The proposed amendment allows the alienation of up to 5% of park and garden land for public infrastructure projects, which has generated opposition from environmental and citizen groups.

14. A 100 MW data centre can consume approximately how much water per day, according to the article?

A. 2 lakh litres
B. 20 lakh litres
C. 2 million litres
D. 20 million litres

Answer: C. 2 million litres

Explanation: Data centres require large quantities of water, mainly for cooling. Their growing concentration in water-stressed regions has raised concerns regarding sustainable water management.

Government Schemes Current Affairs

15. Under which health insurance scheme will journalists in West Bengal who are not covered under Ayushman Bharat receive medical coverage of up to ₹5 lakh?

A. Swasthya Sathi
B. Mukhyamantri Swasthya Bima Yojana
C. Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana
D. West Bengal Health for All Scheme

Answer: B. Mukhyamantri Swasthya Bima Yojana

Explanation: The West Bengal government announced that journalists not covered under Ayushman Bharat would be entitled to health insurance coverage of up to ₹5 lakh under the Mukhyamantri Swasthya Bima Yojana.

16. According to the report, the Union Budget 2025–26 announced healthcare coverage for gig workers under which scheme?

A. Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY
B. Employees’ State Insurance Scheme
C. Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana
D. Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana

Answer: A. Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY

Explanation: The Union Budget 2025–26 announced healthcare coverage for gig workers under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, recognising the growing contribution of the gig economy.

17. The proposed ‘CIE scheme’ aims primarily to promote which sector in India?

A. Renewable energy manufacturing
B. Semiconductor manufacturing
C. Construction equipment manufacturing
D. Defence equipment manufacturing

Answer: C. Construction equipment manufacturing

Explanation: The proposed Construction Equipment Incentive (CIE) scheme aims to boost domestic manufacturing of construction equipment and reduce India’s dependence on imports.

Sports Current Affairs

18. The Duleep Trophy, recently in news, is associated with which sport?

A. Hockey
B. Cricket
C. Football
D. Tennis

Answer: B. Cricket

Explanation: The Duleep Trophy is a major domestic first-class cricket competition in India and is organised under the aegis of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

19. Which Indian sprinter broke the men’s National Youth 100m record with a timing of 10.46 seconds?

A. Anshu Rajak
B. Neil Samraj R.
C. Pushpendar Kumar
D. Amlan Borgohain

Answer: B. Neil Samraj R.

Explanation: Tamil Nadu sprinter Neil Samraj R. won the men’s 100m gold at the National Youth Athletics Championships in 10.46 seconds, surpassing the previous youth national record of 10.63 seconds set by Anshu Rajak in 2023.

20. Mrithika of Tamil Nadu won the women’s 100m gold at the National Youth Athletics Championships with which timing?

A. 11.58 seconds
B. 11.78 seconds
C. 12.03 seconds
D. 12.08 seconds

Answer: B. 11.78 seconds

Explanation: Mrithika clocked 11.78 seconds to win the women’s 100m gold, bettering the previous meet record of 11.80 seconds set by Dutee Chand in 2012.

Summits & Conferences Current Affairs

21. Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for dismantling the entire “ecosystem of terrorism” at the summit of which organisation?

A. BRICS
B. ASEAN
C. Shanghai Cooperation Organisation
D. BIMSTEC

Answer: C. Shanghai Cooperation Organisation

Explanation: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) must dismantle the entire ecosystem supporting terrorism and send a strong message against countries practising terrorism as state policy.

Apps, Portals & Digital Initiatives Current Affairs

22. The e-Shram portal was launched primarily for which purpose?

A. Registration of farmers
B. Tracking and providing a unified database of unorganised workers
C. Registration of government employees
D. Monitoring industrial production

Answer: B. Tracking and providing a unified database of unorganised workers

Explanation: The e-Shram portal was launched to create a national database of unorganised workers and facilitate their access to social security and welfare benefits.

Places in News Current Affairs

23. The 26th summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation mentioned in the news was held in

A. Astana
B. Bishkek
C. Tashkent
D. Dushanbe

Answer: B. Bishkek

Explanation: The 26th SCO Summit was held in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan. The summit discussed terrorism, regional security, Afghanistan and global geopolitical developments.

24. Vembanad Lake, recently in the news due to the spread of water hyacinth, is located in

A. Tamil Nadu
B. Kerala
C. Karnataka
D. Andhra Pradesh

Answer: B. Kerala

Explanation: Vembanad Lake is India’s longest lake and an important wetland ecosystem in Kerala. The spread of water hyacinth has affected inland navigation, fishing and tourism in the region.