International Current Affairs from the Hindu

1. Bangladesh has expressed openness to joining which defence arrangement, according to a recent statement by its Foreign Minister?

A. QUAD
B. Mecca Defence Pact
C. AUKUS
D. Five Eyes Alliance

Answer: B. Mecca Defence Pact

Explanation: Bangladesh has said that it will consider joining the Mecca Pact, a defence arrangement signed by Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan.

2. Which agreement between the United States and the Taliban is associated with the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan?

A. Camp David Agreement
B. Doha Agreement
C. Bonn Agreement
D. Tashkent Agreement

Answer: B. Doha Agreement

Explanation: The Doha Agreement, signed between the United States and the Taliban in 2020, laid the foundation for the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan.

3. India and Canada have re-committed to conclude negotiations on which major trade agreement by the end of 2026?

A. Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA)
B. Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)
C. South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA)
D. Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)

Answer: A. Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA)

Explanation: India and Canada have reiterated their commitment to conclude negotiations on a Canada-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) by the end of 2026. The two countries also discussed strengthening trade, investment and economic cooperation.

Economy & Banking Current Affairs

4. India’s Index of Industrial Production (IIP) growth stood at what rate in July 2026?

A. 5.9%
B. 6.7%
C. 7.3%
D. 8.8%

Answer: B. 6.7%

Explanation: India’s industrial growth, measured through the Index of Industrial Production (IIP), stood at 6.7% in July 2026, compared with 8.8% growth in June. Manufacturing remained an important contributor to industrial growth.

5. The Centre has decided to replace the existing monthly sugar allocation system with which new system from September?

A. Weekly sugar allocation system
B. Quarterly sugar allocation system
C. Fortnightly sugar allocation system
D. Annual sugar allocation system

Answer: C. Fortnightly sugar allocation system

Explanation: The government has decided to introduce a fortnightly sugar allocation system in place of the existing monthly quota system to enable closer monitoring of demand and supply and help prevent artificial shortages.

6. Under the new sugar allocation system, sugar mills will have to sell at least what percentage of their allocation in the first week?

A. 25%
B. 40%
C. 50%
D. 75%

Answer: B. 40%

Explanation: Under the new system, sugar mills will have to sell at least 40% of their allocated sugar in the first week, with the remaining quantity to be sold during the succeeding period.

Science & Technology Current Affairs

7. Ola Electric recently launched the S1Z scooter range featuring which indigenous battery technology?

A. Sodium-ion cell technology
B. Bharat Cell LFP technology
C. Nickel-Cadmium technology
D. Solid-state nuclear battery technology

Answer: B. Bharat Cell LFP technology

Explanation: Ola Electric announced the S1Z scooter range, bringing its indigenously developed Bharat Cell LFP technology to a mass-market electric scooter range. The technology was developed at the company’s Battery Innovation Centre.

Defence & Security Current Affairs

8. The Ministry of Defence has simplified export and licensing norms for defence items under the revised Defence Export Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). The revised norms mainly ease the export of which type of defence items to most destinations?

A. Nuclear-capable defence systems
B. Lethal defence equipment
C. Non-lethal defence items
D. Ballistic missiles

Answer: C. Non-lethal defence items

Explanation: Under the revised Defence Export SOP, stakeholder consultation has been dispensed with for the export of non-lethal defence items to most destinations, simplifying the export and licensing process.

9. India recently signed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) with the United States to procure which anti-tank guided missile system?

A. Javelin
B. Spike
C. BrahMos
D. Akash

Answer: A. Javelin

Explanation: India signed an LOA with the United States to procure Javelin anti-tank guided missile systems through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales route. The Javelin is a medium-range, fire-and-forget anti-tank guided missile.

Environment & Climate Change Current Affairs

10. What is a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF)?

A. Flood caused by excessive monsoon rainfall in glaciers
B. Sudden release of water from a glacial lake due to the failure of its natural dam
C. Flood caused by melting sea ice
D. Flood occurring only in polar regions

Answer: B. Sudden release of water from a glacial lake due to the failure of its natural dam

Explanation: A GLOF occurs when water stored in a glacial lake is suddenly released, often because of the failure or breach of a moraine or ice dam. Such events can cause devastating floods downstream.

Government Schemes Current Affairs

11. Under the new job scheme, approximately how many active workers are required to undergo e-KYC verification?

A. 27 lakh
B. 57 lakh
C. 75 lakh
D. 1 crore

Answer: B. 57 lakh

Explanation: Around 57 lakh active workers are required to undergo e-KYC verification under the new rural employment scheme. The verification process is intended to ensure that benefits are provided to genuine beneficiaries and to prevent irregularities.

12. The e-KYC verification drive mentioned in the news is associated with which rural employment scheme that replaced MGNREGS?

A. PM-KISAN
B. PMAY-G
C. Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission-Gramin (VB-G RAM G)
D. Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana

Answer: C. Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission-Gramin (VB-G RAM G)

Explanation: The Centre’s new rural employment scheme, Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission-Gramin (VB-G RAM G), has introduced e-KYC verification for workers as part of efforts to ensure greater transparency and accountability.

13. ECLGS 5.0, recently announced to support MSMEs and non-MSMEs affected by the West Asia war, will be implemented until the guarantee cover reaches what amount?

A. ₹1 lakh crore
B. ₹1.5 lakh crore
C. ₹2.5 lakh crore
D. ₹5 lakh crore

Answer: C. ₹2.5 lakh crore

Explanation: The Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) 5.0 will be implemented until the ₹2.5 lakh crore guarantee cover is reached. The scheme aims to provide credit support to eligible businesses.

Appointments & Resignations Current Affairs

14. Who is heading the task force constituted to recommend reforms for India’s examination system?

A. Amitabh Kant
B. Nandan Nilekani
C. K. Kasturirangan
D. Prahlad Joshi

Answer: B. Nandan Nilekani

Explanation: Former Infosys Chairman Nandan Nilekani is heading the task force constituted to recommend reforms aimed at making India’s examination system more secure, transparent and technology-driven.

Sports Current Affairs

15. Who became the first Indian to win a prestigious Grand Chess Tour event by defeating defending champion Fabiano Caruana in the final?

A. D. Gukesh
B. R. Praggnanandhaa
C. Arjun Erigaisi
D. Viswanathan Anand

Answer: B. R. Praggnanandhaa

Explanation: Indian Grandmaster R. Praggnanandhaa won the Grand Chess Tour title after defeating defending champion Fabiano Caruana in the final. The victory made him the first Indian to win a Grand Chess Tour event.

16. Velan Sebby became the fastest Indian in the 400 metres by clocking what time?

A. 44.89 seconds
B. 45.21 seconds
C. 46.10 seconds
D. 47.05 seconds

Answer: A. 44.89 seconds

Explanation: India’s Velan Sebby created a national record in the men’s 400 metres, clocking 44.89 seconds and becoming the fastest Indian in the event.

17. Hockey India announced a cash award of ₹50 lakh each for members of the women’s team following its historic performance at the World Cup. The team had achieved which result?

A. Won the gold medal
B. Won the silver medal
C. Reached the semifinals
D. Finished fourth

Answer: D. Finished fourth

Explanation: Hockey India announced a cash award of ₹50 lakh each for members of the women’s team after their historic fourth-place finish at the World Cup. The team defeated Germany 3-1 in the third-place play-off to achieve the result.

18. Who is set to be inducted into the Tennis Hall of Fame, according to the report?

A. Rafael Nadal
B. Novak Djokovic
C. Roger Federer
D. Andy Murray

Answer: C. Roger Federer

Explanation: Swiss tennis legend Roger Federer is set to be inducted into the Tennis Hall of Fame. Federer is regarded as one of the greatest tennis players in history and won 20 Grand Slam singles titles during his career.

19. Alexandra Eala, who recently won her first-ever WTA Tour title at the Mubadala DC Open, represents which country?

A. Thailand
B. Indonesia
C. Philippines
D. Malaysia

Answer: C. Philippines

Explanation: Alexandra Eala is a 21-year-old tennis player from the Philippines. Her recent performances have made her one of the most prominent emerging tennis stars from Asia.

20. Lisa Sthalekar became the first woman cricketer to achieve which milestone in One-Day Internationals?

A. 5,000 runs and 100 wickets
B. 1,000 runs and 100 wickets
C. 2,000 runs and 200 wickets
D. 1,000 runs and 50 wickets

Answer: B. 1,000 runs and 100 wickets

Explanation: Lisa Sthalekar became the first woman to complete the ODI double of 1,000 runs and 100 wickets, highlighting her achievements as an all-rounder.

Books & Authors Current Affairs

21. What is the title of the autobiography of Sonia Gandhi that was recently in the news over its publication in India?

A. My Truth
B. Belonging: A Journey of Love
C. My Life in India
D. The Long Road Home

Answer: B. Belonging: A Journey of Love

Explanation: Sonia Gandhi’s autobiography, Belonging: A Journey of Love, was in the news after Penguin Random House India announced that it would not publish the book in India. Its international publisher, Alfred A. Knopf, is expected to publish it for international readers.

22. Malala Yousafzai’s book I Am Malala was recently in the news after a group attacked a reading session in which city?

A. Mumbai
B. Ahmedabad
C. New Delhi
D. Hyderabad

Answer: B. Ahmedabad

Explanation: A reading session of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai’s memoir I Am Malala was attacked in Ahmedabad. The incident was reportedly linked to objections over the book-reading event.

Persons in News Current Affairs

23. King Haakon VIII became the new monarch of which European country following the death of King Harald?

A. Sweden
B. Denmark
C. Norway
D. Finland

Answer: C. Norway

Explanation: King Haakon VIII automatically succeeded to the Norwegian throne following the death of his father, King Harald. He became the new face of Norway’s monarchy and retained the royal motto, “All for Norway.”

Places in News Current Affairs

24. The Nuagama Khap Panchayat, which was recently in the news for issuing diktats on marriage and personal choices, is located in which State?

A. Punjab
B. Haryana
C. Rajasthan
D. Uttar Pradesh

Answer: B. Haryana

Explanation: The Nuagama Khap Panchayat in Jind district of Haryana was in the news after issuing resolutions concerning love marriages, live-in relationships and certain personal choices.