National Current Affairs From The Hindu

1. Which State Cabinet cleared Bills providing for a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and protection of trees, to be introduced during the Monsoon Session of its Assembly?

A. Gujarat
B. Rajasthan
C. Madhya Pradesh
D. Uttarakhand

Answer: B. Rajasthan

Explanation: The Rajasthan Cabinet cleared the Rajasthan UCC Bill and a Bill for protection of trees. The proposed UCC would regulate matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance and maintenance while providing for marriages according to customs and traditions of different religions and communities.

2. Karnataka told the Supreme Court that good rainfall had helped it meet its Cauvery water release obligations to Tamil Nadu. What percentage of the allocated Cauvery water did Karnataka say it had released?

A. 9.49%
B. 19.49%
C. 29.49%
D. 39.49%

Answer: B. 19.49%

Explanation: Karnataka informed the Supreme Court that good rainfall had helped it release 1,64,080 cusecs of Cauvery water between July 29 and August 10. It said this represented 19.49% of the allocated Cauvery water. The Cauvery water-sharing dispute involves Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry.

3. The Karnataka Cabinet cleared a Bill to regulate the activities of private bodies in which setting?

A. Private educational institutions
B. Public spaces
C. Industrial zones
D. Religious institutions

Answer: B. Public spaces

Explanation: The proposed Karnataka Regulation of Use of Government Premises and Public Property Bill, 2026 seeks to regulate activities of private bodies in public spaces. It proposes requiring government permission for such activities and aims to address concerns relating to unauthorised use of public premises and transparency.

4. The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, has been passed by Parliament. What is one of the major concerns raised by the Opposition regarding the Bill?

A. It abolishes all mineral royalties
B. It restricts the powers of States to levy taxes on mineral rights and mineral-rich lands
C. It transfers all mining rights to local governments
D. It prohibits private participation in mining

Answer: B. It restricts the powers of States to levy taxes on mineral rights and mineral-rich lands

Explanation: Parliament cleared the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026. The Opposition argued that the legislation could restrict the fiscal powers of States and affect the federal structure. The Union government maintained that the Bill seeks to ensure uniform mineral rates across the country and that States would continue to retain powers over 49 minor minerals.

5. According to the Union Law Minister, how many cases were pending in fast-track courts across India?

A. Over 5 lakh
B. Over 10 lakh
C. Over 17.5 lakh
D. Over 25 lakh

Answer: C. Over 17.5 lakh

Explanation: More than 17.5 lakh cases were pending in fast-track courts across the country. The government stated that 884 fast-track courts were functioning across States and Union Territories, with a combined pendency of about 17.55 lakh cases. The data has renewed concerns about judicial delays and the effectiveness of fast-track courts.

6. Air India has decided to introduce mandatory screening for pilots for which of the following?

A. Alcohol only
B. Banned substances and medicines
C. Infectious diseases
D. Sleep disorders

Answer: B. Banned substances and medicines

Explanation: Air India CEO Campbell Wilson said the airline would introduce mandatory screening for banned substances and medicines for pilots, replacing random testing. The move follows concerns over pilot compliance with safety rules and comes after an incident involving a flight between Phuket and Delhi.

Economy & Banking Current Affairs

7. The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government’s first major investment conclave attracted investment commitments of approximately how much?

A. ₹27,542 crore
B. ₹47,542 crore
C. ₹67,542 crore
D. ₹97,542 crore

Answer: C. ₹67,542 crore

Explanation: At the first major investment conclave of the TVK government in Tamil Nadu, 97 MoUs involving more than ₹67,542 crore in investment were signed. The government said cumulative investment commitments during its first 100 days would cross ₹1 lakh crore, potentially generating more than 1.2 lakh jobs.

8. Which country was the largest destination for India’s pharmaceutical exports in the first quarter of FY 2026-27?

A. Germany
B. United Kingdom
C. United States
D. Japan

Answer: C. United States

Explanation: India’s pharmaceutical exports increased by around 7% year-on-year in the first quarter of FY 2026-27. The United States remained the largest export destination, accounting for a significant share of India’s pharmaceutical exports.

Science & Technology Current Affairs

9. Which AI speech recognition model, developed by researchers at IISc in collaboration with ARTPARK and Google, has been trained on 65 Indian languages and dialects?

A. Bhashini
B. SraVaNi
C. Sarvam-1
D. VaaniGPT

Answer: B. SraVaNi

Explanation: Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), in collaboration with ARTPARK and Google, released SraVaNi, a multilingual AI speech-recognition model trained on 65 Indian languages and dialects. It covers 20 scheduled languages and 45 regional languages and dialects, aiming to improve speech-to-text capabilities for languages poorly supported by existing systems.

10. Which of the following is correctly associated with the SraVaNi AI speech-recognition model?

A. It covers only the 22 Scheduled Languages of India
B. It covers 20 scheduled languages and 45 regional languages and dialects
C. It is designed exclusively for English and Hindi
D. It is an AI model developed by ISRO for satellite communication

Answer: B. It covers 20 scheduled languages and 45 regional languages and dialects

Explanation: SraVaNi extends speech-recognition capabilities beyond dominant Indian languages. It supports languages including Garo, Angika, Chakma, Kokborok, Tulu, Bundeli and Bajika. The model is publicly available on Hugging Face under an MIT licence.

Awards & Honours Current Affairs

11. The West Bengal government withdrew the Banga Bibhushan award given to which Rajya Sabha MP following controversy over remarks on Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose?

A. Ananta Maharaj
B. Derek O’Brien
C. Sukhendu Sekhar Ray
D. Shantanu Thakur

Answer: A. Ananta Maharaj

Explanation: The West Bengal government withdrew the Banga Bibhushan conferred upon Rajya Sabha MP Nagendra Roy, popularly known as Ananta Maharaj. He had made controversial remarks describing Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose as a “war criminal” and questioning aspects of the Azad Hind Fauj and the freedom struggle.

Appointments & Resignations Current Affairs

12. N. Chandrasekaran has resigned from which position, prompting Tata Trusts to begin the process of finding his successor?

A. Chairman of Tata Sons
B. Chairman of Tata Trusts
C. Managing Director of Tata Consultancy Services
D. Chairman of the Tata Group Executive Council

Answer: B. Chairman of Tata Trusts

Explanation: N. Chandrasekaran resigned as Chairman of Tata Trusts, effective August 12, 2026. The Sir Dorabji Tata Trust accepted his resignation and initiated the process of identifying his successor. Chandrasekaran had served as chairman of Tata Sons since 2017 and played a significant role in the Tata Group’s leadership.

13. Gautam Rangarajan has been appointed as an adviser to the U.K. Prime Minister on which of the following?

A. Defence and National Security
B. Structure and Process
C. Foreign Affairs and Trade
D. Artificial Intelligence and Innovation

Answer: B. Structure and Process

Explanation: Gautam Rangarajan, a British-Indian professional with experience in corporate strategy and transformation, has been appointed as an adviser on Structure and Process to U.K. Prime Minister David Burnham. He has previously worked in senior roles at organisations including Group Director at Strategy and Corporate Development.

Sports Current Affairs

14. India won five team gold medals at the 2026 Commonwealth Fencing Championships. In which country was the event held?

A. India
B. Nigeria
C. Ghana
D. South Africa

Answer: B. Nigeria

Explanation: Indian fencers won five team gold medals at the 2026 Commonwealth Fencing Championships in Lagos, Nigeria. India also secured silver medals in the men’s epee and women’s foil events, among others.

15. Which Indian Grandmaster defeated Vincent Keymer in the Sinquefield Cup, ending his unbeaten run?

A. R. Praggnanandhaa
B. Arjun Erigaisi
C. Gukesh D
D. Vidit Gujrathi

Answer: A. R. Praggnanandhaa

Explanation: R. Praggnanandhaa suffered a defeat against Germany’s Vincent Keymer in the Sinquefield Cup. Keymer capitalised on a strong position to score the victory, while Praggnanandhaa had been in good form before the setback.

Important Days & Themes Current Affairs

16. What is the theme of India’s 80th Independence Day celebrations in 2026?

A. Viksit Bharat @ 2047
B. Atmanirbhar Bharat
C. Yuva Shakti
D. Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat

Answer: C. Yuva Shakti

Explanation: ‘Yuva Shakti’ is the theme for the 80th Independence Day celebrations in 2026. The theme highlights the contribution and aspirations of India’s youth and their role in building the nation’s future.

Obituaries Current Affairs

17. Sumit Sarkar, who died at the age of 87, was renowned for his contribution to which field?

A. Ancient Indian archaeology
B. Modern Indian history
C. Indian classical music
D. Constitutional law

Answer: B. Modern Indian history

Explanation: Sumit Sarkar was an eminent historian of modern India and a prominent scholar of the Indian freedom movement. He taught history at the University of Delhi and Oxford and authored important works including Modern India 1885–1947 and Swadeshi Movement in Bengal 1903–1908.