Daily Current Affairs 5 August 2026
Daily current affairs for 5 August 2026 — 10 verified news items across National, Economy, International & more, with exam-angle notes, keywords and practice…
In this digest · 10 items
National
Indian Statistical Institute Bill 2026 Faces Criticism Over Reform Process

The Indian Statistical Institute Bill, 2026, which aims to reform the premier Indian Statistical Institute, has triggered criticism. The government argues that the institute's regulations are prescriptive, requiring approval from the General Body even for minor reforms. This has raised concerns among stakeholders about the rigidity of the reform process and the potential impact on the institute's autonomy and functioning.
Source PRS Legislative Research
Practice MCQs
Q1 What is a key reason for criticism of the Indian Statistical Institute Bill, 2026?
- AIt requires General Body approval for even small reformsCorrect
- BIt abolishes the General Body of the institute
- CIt privatizes the Indian Statistical Institute
- DIt reduces funding for the institute
Explanation The government states that the regulations are prescriptive, requiring General Body approval for even minor reforms, which has drawn criticism.
Q2 What does the Indian Statistical Institute Bill, 2026 primarily aim to do?
- AReform the Indian Statistical InstituteCorrect
- BMerge the institute with another university
- CConvert the institute into a private entity
- DIncrease the number of students admitted
Explanation The Bill seeks to reform the premier Indian Statistical Institute.
Q3 Who must approve reforms under the Indian Statistical Institute Bill, 2026 according to the government?
- AThe General BodyCorrect
- BThe Prime Minister
- CThe Ministry of Education
- DThe Board of Trustees
Explanation The government contends that reforms require the approval of the General Body as per the Bill.
IRDAI directs insurers to expedite claim settlements for Assam floods

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has instructed insurers to mobilise resources and expedite the settlement of insurance claims arising from the recent floods in Assam. Insurers have been advised to immediately communicate the nomination of a Senior Executive to the Chief Secretary of Assam to ensure speedy processing and settlement of claims for the affected flood victims.
Source BusinessLine
Practice MCQs
Q1 What directive did IRDAI give to insurers regarding the Assam floods?
- ATo mobilise resources for speedy settlement of flood claimsCorrect
- BTo increase insurance premiums in Assam
- CTo halt all claim settlements temporarily
- DTo focus only on new insurance policies
Explanation IRDAI instructed insurers to mobilise resources for speedy settlement of flood claims in Assam.
Q2 Who are insurers advised to communicate the nomination of a Senior Executive to?
- AThe Prime Minister
- BThe Chief Secretary of AssamCorrect
- CThe Finance Minister
- DThe IRDAI Chairman
Explanation Insurers have been advised to communicate the nomination of a Senior Executive to the Chief Secretary of Assam.
Q3 What is the primary purpose of nominating a Senior Executive by insurers as per IRDAI's instruction?
- ATo oversee new policy sales
- BTo ensure speedy processing and settlement of flood claimsCorrect
- CTo conduct flood relief operations
- DTo manage premium collections
Explanation The Senior Executive is nominated to ensure speedy processing and settlement of flood claims.
Indian Vessel MSV Faize Noore Oliya Sinks After Projectile Attack Off Yemen Coast

The Indian-flagged mechanised sailing vessel MSV Faize Noore Oliya sank off the coast of Yemen after being hit by a projectile. All 13 Indian crew members aboard were rescued safely. The incident highlights the increasing risks to commercial shipping in West Asian waters despite enhanced safety measures by the Indian government. The attack caused the vessel to capsize and sink near Yemeni waters, as confirmed by Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal.
Source Livemint
Practice MCQs
Q1 What was the name of the Indian vessel that sank off the coast of Yemen after a projectile attack?
- AMSV Faize Noore OliyaCorrect
- BINS Vikrant
- CMV Seaman Guard Ohio
- DINS Arihant
Explanation The Indian vessel that sank after the projectile attack off Yemen was the mechanised sailing vessel MSV Faize Noore Oliya.
Q2 How many Indian crew members were rescued after the sinking of the vessel off Yemen?
- A10
- B13Correct
- C15
- D20
Explanation All 13 Indian crew members aboard the vessel were rescued safely after it sank.
Q3 Who confirmed the sinking of the Indian vessel MSV Faize Noore Oliya near Yemeni waters?
- APrime Minister of India
- BUnion Minister Sarbananda SonowalCorrect
- CIndian Navy Chief
- DMinister of External Affairs
Explanation Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal confirmed the sinking of the vessel near Yemeni waters.
Supreme Court Seeks Centre's Plan to Stop Fuel Sales to Uninsured Vehicles

The Supreme Court of India has sought a plan from the Centre to stop fuel sales to vehicles without insurance. The court stated that implementing such a system would help identify uninsured and unregistered vehicles and encourage vehicle owners to keep their insurance active.
Source Livemint
Practice MCQs
Q1 What measure has the Supreme Court sought from the Centre regarding uninsured vehicles?
- ATo stop fuel sales to uninsured vehiclesCorrect
- BTo increase insurance premiums
- CTo ban uninsured vehicles from highways
- DTo provide free insurance to vehicle owners
Explanation The Supreme Court sought a plan to stop fuel sales to uninsured vehicles.
Q2 According to the Supreme Court, what is a benefit of stopping fuel sales to uninsured vehicles?
- AIt will reduce fuel prices
- BIt will help identify uninsured and unregistered vehiclesCorrect
- CIt will increase vehicle registrations
- DIt will promote electric vehicles
Explanation The court said such a system would help identify uninsured and unregistered vehicles.
Q3 Why does the Supreme Court want to encourage vehicle owners to keep their insurance active?
- ATo reduce traffic congestion
- BTo ensure road safety and legal complianceCorrect
- CTo increase government revenue
- DTo promote public transport
Explanation The court aims to encourage owners to keep their insurance active, which ensures legal compliance and road safety.
Kerala Schools Closed on 5 August in 10 Districts Due to IMD Orange Alert

Kerala has closed schools, colleges, and anganwadis in 10 districts on 5 August following an orange alert issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting heavy rainfall. The state has been severely affected by floods, which have resulted in 25 deaths and displaced over 18,000 people.
Source Livemint
Practice MCQs
Q1 Why were schools, colleges, and anganwadis closed in 10 districts of Kerala on 5 August?
- ADue to a strike by teachers
- BBecause of an orange alert issued by IMD forecasting heavy rainfallCorrect
- CFor a state holiday
- DDue to a power outage
Explanation The India Meteorological Department issued an orange alert forecasting heavy rainfall, leading to the closure of educational institutions.
Q2 How many people have been displaced in Kerala due to floods as mentioned in the report?
- AOver 18,000Correct
- BAbout 5,000
- CMore than 50,000
- DLess than 1,000
Explanation The floods in Kerala have displaced over 18,000 people according to the report.
Q3 How many deaths have been reported in Kerala due to floods as per the source?
- A10
- B25Correct
- C50
- D100
Explanation The floods have killed 25 people in Kerala as mentioned in the source.
Economy
ICAR Develops Indigenous Vaccine to Combat African Swine Fever

Scientists at ICAR-National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (ICAR-NIHSAD), Bhopal, have developed an indigenous vaccine against African Swine Fever (ASF) using a novel attenuated ASFV Genotype II virus. ASF is a highly devastating trans-boundary disease affecting domestic and wild pigs worldwide. The vaccine is expected to bolster India's biosecurity by protecting the swine population from this severe disease.
Source The Hindu
Practice MCQs
Q1 Which organization developed the indigenous vaccine for African Swine Fever in India?
- AICAR-National Institute of High Security Animal DiseasesCorrect
- BIndian Veterinary Research Institute
- CNational Institute of Virology
- DCentral Drug Research Institute
Explanation The vaccine was developed by scientists at ICAR-NIHSAD, Bhopal.
Q2 What type of virus was used to develop the African Swine Fever vaccine by ICAR?
- ANovel attenuated ASFV Genotype II virusCorrect
- BLive attenuated Influenza virus
- CInactivated Rabies virus
- DRecombinant Dengue virus
Explanation The vaccine was developed using a novel attenuated ASFV Genotype II virus.
Q3 African Swine Fever primarily affects which animals?
- ADomestic and wild pigsCorrect
- BCattle and buffaloes
- CPoultry birds
- DSheep and goats
Explanation ASF is a disease affecting domestic and wild pigs worldwide.
Taxation and Other Laws Amendment Bill Aims to Attract Global Capital

The Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill proposes reforms to ease regulations for offshore funds, cloud computing firms, Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs), and electronics manufacturing. These changes aim to strengthen India's appeal as an investment destination and boost initiatives like Make in India by attracting more global capital.
Source Livemint
Practice MCQs
Q1 What is the primary objective of the Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill?
- ATo increase taxes on electronics manufacturing
- BTo ease rules for offshore funds and boost Make in IndiaCorrect
- CTo restrict foreign investments in India
- DTo abolish REITs and InvITs
Explanation The Bill seeks to ease rules for offshore funds, cloud firms, REITs, InvITs, and electronics manufacturing to attract global capital and boost Make in India.
Q2 Which sectors are targeted for regulatory easing under the Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill?
- APharmaceuticals and textiles
- BOffshore funds, cloud firms, REITs, InvITs, and electronics manufacturingCorrect
- CAgriculture and mining
- DAutomobiles and steel
Explanation The Bill proposes easing rules specifically for offshore funds, cloud firms, REITs, InvITs, and electronics manufacturing.
Q3 How does the Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill aim to impact India's investment environment?
- ABy making investment rules more stringent
- BBy strengthening India's investment appealCorrect
- CBy limiting foreign capital inflow
- DBy increasing compliance burdens
Explanation The Bill aims to strengthen India's investment appeal by easing regulations and attracting global capital.
International
Iran denies talks with US amid Trump's insistence on ongoing negotiations

On August 4, 2026, Iran's Foreign Ministry denied that any negotiations with the United States were taking place. Contrarily, former US President Donald Trump insisted that talks were ongoing, stating, "We are talking right now." Trump also mentioned that talks with Iran would happen on the same day but did not specify a deadline for any agreement. This conflicting information highlights the uncertainty surrounding diplomatic efforts between the two countries amid tensions in West Asia.
Source The Hindu
Practice MCQs
Q1 What was Iran's Foreign Ministry's position on negotiations with the United States in August 2026?
- AThey confirmed ongoing negotiations
- BThey denied that negotiations were taking placeCorrect
- CThey announced a ceasefire agreement
- DThey requested immediate talks
Explanation Iran's Foreign Ministry denied that any negotiations with the United States were taking place.
Q2 What did Donald Trump say about the talks with Iran on August 4, 2026?
- AHe denied any talks were happening
- BHe insisted that talks were currently ongoingCorrect
- CHe announced a deadline for the agreement
- DHe called for a wider war
Explanation Donald Trump insisted that talks with Iran were currently ongoing, stating, 'We are talking right now.'
Q3 Did Donald Trump set a deadline for the Iran-US agreement in August 2026?
- AYes, he set a deadline for the next day
- BNo, he declined to set a deadlineCorrect
- CYes, he set a deadline for the end of the month
- DNo, he refused to talk about any agreement
Explanation Trump mentioned talks would happen but declined to set a deadline for any agreement.
Government Schemes
FSSAI Bans Dabur Honey and Coconut Milk Over Misleading 100% Claims

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has banned certain products from Dabur India, including Dabur Honey and coconut milk, for using misleading '100 per cent' claims on their labels. The regulator stated that such labeling violates the law and amounts to false advertising. This action is part of FSSAI's efforts to ensure truthful representation of food products in the market.
Source Livemint
Practice MCQs
Q1 Why did the FSSAI ban Dabur Honey and coconut milk products?
- AFor using misleading '100 per cent' claims on labelsCorrect
- BFor containing harmful ingredients
- CFor not having proper licenses
- DFor being imported without approval
Explanation FSSAI banned the products because they used misleading '100 per cent' claims, which violates the law and constitutes false advertising.
Q2 What does the FSSAI consider the use of '100 per cent' claims on Dabur products to be?
- AA marketing strategy
- BA violation of law and false advertisingCorrect
- CAn endorsement by the government
- DA quality certification
Explanation The FSSAI stated that such labeling violates the law and constitutes false advertising.
Sports
West Indies fight back in 2nd Test against Pakistan with strong batting

In the 2nd Test match between West Indies and Pakistan, West Indies were bowled out for 344 runs. Justin Greaves top-scored with 73, while captain Roston Chase contributed a defiant 70. On Day 2, Pakistani batsmen Babar and Shafique built a strong partnership of 183 runs before West Indies took three wickets for five runs. Despite Babar's continued century drought in Tests, the West Indies showed resilience in their fight back against Pakistan.
Source The Hindu
Practice MCQs
Q1 Who top-scored for West Indies in the 2nd Test against Pakistan?
- ABabar
- BJustin GreavesCorrect
- CRoston Chase
- DShafique
Explanation Justin Greaves top-scored with 73 runs for West Indies in the 2nd Test.
Q2 What was the partnership run total between Babar and Shafique on Day 2?
- A183Correct
- B70
- C344
- D73
Explanation Babar and Shafique stretched their partnership to 183 runs on Day 2.
Q3 What notable batting milestone did Babar continue to struggle with during the match?
- ACentury drought in TestsCorrect
- BDouble century in Tests
- CFastest fifty
- DHighest score in ODIs
Explanation Babar's century drought in Tests continued during this match.
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