Daily Current Affairs 17 August 2026

Q1 What is the maximum amount of crop loan waiver announced by Tamil Nadu CM Vijay?

• ARs 50,000
• BRs 75,000Correct
• CRs 1,00,000
• DRs 25,000

Explanation Tamil Nadu CM Vijay announced a full waiver on crop loans up to Rs 75,000.

Q2 How much additional financial support is Tamil Nadu government providing to farmers despite financial constraints?

• ARs 500 crore
• BRs 953.06 croreCorrect
• CRs 1,000 crore
• DRs 750 crore

Explanation The government is extending additional support of Rs 953.06 crore to farmers.

Q3 Who announced the full waiver on farm loans in Tamil Nadu?

• APrime Minister Narendra Modi
• BTamil Nadu CM VijayCorrect
• CFinance Minister of India
• DGovernor of Tamil Nadu

Explanation Tamil Nadu CM Vijay announced the full waiver on farm loans.

Q1 What is the main objective of Tamil Nadu's 'Presence-less Registration' system launched in 2026?

• ATo improve efficiency and transparency in property registrationCorrect
• BTo increase property taxes
• CTo build more Sub-Registrar offices
• DTo privatize property registration services

Explanation 'Presence-less Registration' aims to improve efficiency and transparency by enabling online property registration without visiting registrar offices.

Q2 Who are the primary users allowed to register properties online in the first phase of Tamil Nadu's new system?

• AFlat and plot promoters, bankers, and financial institutionsCorrect
• BIndividual home buyers only
• CReal estate agents and brokers
• DGovernment officials exclusively

Explanation The first phase allows flat and plot promoters, bankers, and financial institutions to register properties online.

Q3 When was the 'Presence-less Registration' system launched in Tamil Nadu?

• AAugust 17, 2026Correct
• BJanuary 1, 2025
• CDecember 31, 2026
• DAugust 17, 2025

Explanation The system was launched on August 17, 2026, as per the sources.

Q1 What was the reported cause of the stampede at Ashokdham Temple in Bihar?

• ALack of crowd management and rumor of an electric pole snappingCorrect
• BSudden heavy rainfall
• CFire breakout in the temple
• DEarthquake tremors

Explanation Eyewitnesses stated that the stampede happened due to lack of crowd management and a rumor about an electric pole snapping.

Q2 How many people died in the stampede at Ashokdham Temple in Lakhisarai?

• AFive
• BSevenCorrect
• CTen
• DTwelve

Explanation Seven people died in the stampede-like incident at Ashokdham Temple.

Q3 What were the devotees primarily doing when the stampede occurred at Ashokdham Temple?

• AOffering sacred water to Lord ShivaCorrect
• BAttending a religious sermon
• CParticipating in a festival procession
• DWaiting for train arrivals

Explanation Devotees, mostly women, rushed to offer sacred water to Lord Shiva when the stampede occurred.

Q1 Why were Air India pilots mandated to undergo drug screening in August 2026?

• ADue to a mid-air incident on a Phuket-New Delhi flightCorrect
• BAs part of routine annual health checks
• CFollowing a government aviation safety directive unrelated to any incident
• DBecause of a pilot strike affecting flights

Explanation The drug screening mandate was issued following a mid-air incident on the Phuket-New Delhi Air India flight.

Q2 What was the result of the preliminary drug test for the two Air India pilots?

• AThey passed the test with no issues
• BThey failed the test and were flagged in non-negative psychoactive-substance screeningCorrect
• CThey refused to take the test
• DThe test results were inconclusive

Explanation Two pilots failed the preliminary drug test and were flagged in a non-negative psychoactive-substance screening.

Q3 What is the next step after the preliminary drug test failure of the Air India pilots?

• AImmediate dismissal of the pilots
• BConfirmatory testing to verify the preliminary resultsCorrect
• CNo further action required
• DSuspension without further testing

Explanation Confirmatory testing is awaited to determine the final outcome after the preliminary test failure.

Q1 Where did the fire break out in Mumbai's Aayakar Bhavan?

• ABasement and ground floorCorrect
• BTop floor
• CSecond and third floors
• DEntire building

Explanation The fire was confined to the basement and ground floor of the seven-floor Aayakar Bhavan.

Q2 How many people were rescued during the fire at Mumbai's Aayakar Bhavan?

• A29Correct
• B15
• C50
• D10

Explanation Emergency services rescued 29 people from the building during the fire incident.

Q3 At what time did the Mumbai Fire Brigade receive the initial call about the fire?

• A2:01 pmCorrect
• B2:10 pm
• C1:45 pm
• D3:00 pm

Explanation The Mumbai Fire Brigade received the initial call at 2:01 pm and declared the blaze a Level-I fire at 2:10 pm.

Q1 What did Rahul Gandhi emphasize in his letter to Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren regarding the student protests?

• AThe students’ demands were legitimate and their peaceful protest deserved government supportCorrect
• BThe protests should be immediately stopped by force
• CThe government should ignore the protests
• DThe students should be arrested for protesting

Explanation Rahul Gandhi stated that the students’ demands were legitimate and their peaceful protest deserved the government’s support.

Q2 What action did Rahul Gandhi urge Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren to take in response to the student protests?

• AMeet the protesting students and resolve their issuesCorrect
• BIncrease police presence to control protests
• CDelay any meetings with the students
• DAnnounce new education policies immediately

Explanation Rahul Gandhi urged Hemant Soren to meet the protesting students and resolve their issues through dialogue.

Q1 Who joined the protest against the Bombay High Court clerk recruitment exam?

• AAbhijeet Dipke, CJP convenorCorrect
• BA senior Bombay HC judge
• CThe Chief Justice of India
• DThe Maharashtra State Governor

Explanation Abhijeet Dipke, convenor of the Confederation of Judicial Personnel (CJP), joined the protest.

Q2 What was the main reason for the protest by Bombay HC clerk recruitment candidates?

• ADelay in exam results
• BTechnical issues and server glitches during the online typing testCorrect
• CChange in exam syllabus
• DIncrease in exam fees

Explanation Candidates alleged technical issues and server glitches caused many to be unfairly declared unsuccessful.

Q3 What did the Bombay HC clerk recruitment candidates demand following the exam issues?

• ACancellation of the recruitment process
• BA retest to address the technical malfunctionsCorrect
• CIncrease in the number of vacancies
• DExtension of application deadline

Explanation They demanded a retest due to the impact of server glitches on their exam results.

Q1 When have the protesting students in Jharkhand agreed to hold fresh talks with the state government?

• AAugust 15
• BAugust 16
• CAugust 17Correct
• DAugust 18

Explanation The students agreed to hold fresh talks with the Jharkhand government on August 17.

Q2 What condition did the students set for the fresh talks with the Jharkhand government?

• AMeeting to be held in the presence of their legal adviserCorrect
• BWithdrawal of all demands
• CGovernment to cancel the recruitment exams
• DMeeting to be held without media

Explanation The students insisted that the meeting will be held in the presence of their legal adviser.

Q3 What is the students' stance regarding their demands during the fresh talks with the Jharkhand government?

• AThey will withdraw all demands
• BThey will maintain their demandsCorrect
• CThey will postpone their demands
• DThey have not stated any stance

Explanation The students have maintained that they will not withdraw their demands.

Q1 What caused the injury to two staff members at Varanasi airport?

• AA passenger's licensed firearm accidentally dischargedCorrect
• BA security breach by an unarmed passenger
• CA fire outbreak in the terminal
• DA stampede during boarding

Explanation Two staff members were injured when a passenger's licensed firearm accidentally discharged during security checks.

Q2 What action was taken against the passenger whose firearm went off at Varanasi airport?

• AThe passenger was detained for investigationCorrect
• BThe passenger was allowed to proceed after warning
• CThe passenger was fined and released
• DNo action was taken

Explanation The passenger who declared the weapon and whose pistol discharged was detained as authorities investigated the incident.

Q3 At what time did the accidental firearm discharge occur at Varanasi airport?

• AAround 9:30 amCorrect
• BAround 12:00 pm
• CAround 6:00 pm
• DAround 3:00 pm

Explanation The incident occurred around 9:30 am during security screening.

Q1 Who was named in the FIR related to the alleged attack on an RPF personnel aboard the Aravali Express?

• AActor Antarra Banerjee
• BThane-based model Antara Soham BanerjeeCorrect
• CKasauti Zindagi Kay director
• DRPF personnel

Explanation The FIR names Thane-based model Antara Soham Banerjee, not actor Antarra Banerjee.

Q2 What was the response of actor Antarra Banerjee's team regarding the alleged attack on the Aravali Express?

• AThey confirmed her involvement
• BThey denied her involvementCorrect
• CThey had no comment
• DThey blamed the RPF personnel

Explanation Antarra Banerjee’s team denied her involvement in the alleged attack.

Q3 On which train did the alleged attack on the RPF personnel take place?

• AAravali ExpressCorrect
• BRajdhani Express
• CShatabdi Express
• DGarib Rath Express

Explanation The alleged attack occurred aboard the Aravali Express.

Q1 Who was Asish Banerjee, mourned by Mamata Banerjee?

• AA five-term MLA and former Deputy SpeakerCorrect
• BA current Chief Minister
• CA famous Bollywood actor
• DA renowned scientist

Explanation Asish Banerjee was a five-term MLA and former Deputy Speaker, as stated by Mamata Banerjee.

Q2 Which areas did Asish Banerjee serve during his political career?

• ARampurhat and BirbhumCorrect
• BKolkata and Howrah
• CDelhi and Mumbai
• DChennai and Coimbatore

Explanation Asish Banerjee served the people of Rampurhat and Birbhum.

Q3 What issue did Mamata Banerjee highlight regarding Asish Banerjee before his death?

• AMental pressureCorrect
• BFinancial problems
• CHealth issues due to accident
• DPolitical rivalry

Explanation Mamata Banerjee flagged the mental pressure faced by Asish Banerjee before his death.

Q1 What is the primary purpose of the high-level panel on 'Banking for Viksit Bharat' proposed by the Government of India?

• ATo review and align the banking sector with India's next phase of growthCorrect
• BTo privatize all public sector banks
• CTo increase foreign direct investment in banking
• DTo merge all regional rural banks

Explanation The panel is intended to comprehensively review the banking sector and align it with India's next phase of growth, as proposed in the Budget.

Q2 Who proposed the formation of the high-level committee on 'Banking for Viksit Bharat'?

• AThe Prime Minister
• BThe Finance MinisterCorrect
• CThe Reserve Bank of India Governor
• DThe Ministry of Commerce

Explanation The Finance Minister proposed the high-level committee in this year's Budget.

Q3 When is the Government of India expected to announce the high-level panel on 'Banking for Viksit Bharat'?

• AIt has already been announced last year
• BSoon, as per recent reportsCorrect
• CAfter the next general elections
• DNo announcement is planned

Explanation Reports state that the Government will soon announce the high-level panel.

Q1 What was the general public reaction to Flipkart's Freedom Sale advertisement?

• AWidely praised for creativity
• BMixed reactions with some finding it insensitiveCorrect
• CIgnored by social media users
• DCelebrated as a patriotic campaign

Explanation The ad received mixed reactions; many found it awkward and insensitive, while some saw it as a creative play on sales pressure.

Q2 What aspect of Flipkart's Freedom Sale ad was criticized by netizens?

• AIts high production cost
• BBeing self-serving and insensitiveCorrect
• CLack of promotional offers
• DPoor visual quality

Explanation Netizens criticized the ad for being self-serving and insensitive.

Q3 According to some social media users, what was the reason not to outrage over Flipkart's ad?

• AIt was a creative play on the pressure to end salesCorrect
• BIt was a government-endorsed campaign
• CIt featured popular celebrities
• DIt was a traditional advertisement

Explanation Some users noted the ad's creative play on the pressure to end sales as a reason not to outrage.

Q1 Who did Jared Kushner meet to advance Gaza ceasefire talks?

• AIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
• BHamas chiefCorrect
• CUS President
• DEgyptian President

Explanation Jared Kushner met with the Hamas chief to push forward ceasefire talks.

Q2 What was Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's response to the US-backed 15-point roadmap?

• AAccepted it
• BRejected itCorrect
• CProposed amendments
• DDelayed decision

Explanation Netanyahu rejected the 15-point US-backed roadmap aimed at ceasefire and disarmament.

Q3 What were the main components of the US-backed roadmap for Gaza?

• ACeasefire, Hamas disarmament, Israeli military withdrawalCorrect
• BEconomic aid, border opening, prisoner exchange
• CUN peacekeeping deployment, ceasefire, elections
• DHumanitarian aid, ceasefire, international sanctions

Explanation The roadmap included ceasefire, Hamas disarmament, and Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza.

Q1 What did former Iran President Khatami warn against?

• AProlonged warCorrect
• BEconomic sanctions
• CNuclear disarmament
• DPolitical reforms

Explanation Khatami warned against a prolonged war, emphasizing its serious challenges for Iran.

Q2 According to Khatami, what has the Islamic Republic of Iran survived?

• AForeign aggressionCorrect
• BEconomic collapse
• CNatural disasters
• DPolitical instability

Explanation Khatami stated that Iran had survived foreign aggression and remained resilient.

Q3 What did Khatami urge to resolve conflicts?

• ADiplomacy with the US and IsraelCorrect
• BMilitary escalation
• CEconomic sanctions
• DIsolationism

Explanation He urged diplomacy with the US and Israel to avoid prolonged war.

Q1 What recent issue did Pope Leo XIV address regarding the West Bank?

• AIncrease in settler violence and Israeli settlement expansionCorrect
• BEconomic development projects
• CEnvironmental conservation efforts
• DTourism promotion

Explanation Pope Leo XIV addressed the sharp increase in settler violence and Israeli settlement expansion in the West Bank.

Q2 What solution did Pope Leo XIV urge the international community to support?

• AOne-state solution
• BTwo-state solutionCorrect
• CMilitary intervention
• DEconomic sanctions

Explanation The Pope appealed for international action to support a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict.

Q3 Which region's violence did Pope Leo XIV call to end?

• AGaza Strip
• BWest BankCorrect
• CEast Jerusalem
• DSinai Peninsula

Explanation Pope Leo XIV called for an end to violence in the West Bank.

Q1 How many drones did Ukraine launch at Russia during the recent escalation?

• A822Correct
• B500
• C1000
• D750

Explanation Ukraine launched 822 drones targeting Russia as part of the recent escalation.

Q2 What was the outcome of the Russian strikes in Ukraine during the escalation?

• AAt least five people killed and several woundedCorrect
• BNo casualties reported
• COnly property damage occurred
• DTen people killed and no injuries

Explanation Russian strikes killed at least five people and wounded several others in Ukraine.

Q3 Which NATO member's airspace was involved when a NATO jet intercepted a drone?

• ARomaniaCorrect
• BPoland
• CHungary
• DBulgaria

Explanation A NATO jet intercepted a drone over Romania during the conflict escalation.

Q1 What type of visa did the Indian techie secure after three H-1B rejections?

• AO-1 visa for extraordinary abilityCorrect
• BF-1 student visa
• CB-2 tourist visa
• DL-1 intra-company transfer visa

Explanation The Indian techie secured an O-1 visa, which is granted for individuals with extraordinary ability.

Q2 How many pages of supporting evidence did the Indian techie compile for the O-1 visa application?

• AOver 700 pagesCorrect
• BAbout 100 pages
• CAround 300 pages
• DLess than 50 pages

Explanation The techie compiled a massive portfolio consisting of more than 700 pages of supporting evidence.

Q3 Approximately how much did the Indian techie spend on legal fees for the visa process?

• A₹12 lakhCorrect
• B₹5 lakh
• C₹20 lakh
• D₹1 lakh

Explanation The preparation process cost him approximately ₹12 lakh in out-of-pocket legal fees.

Q1 What did US President Donald Trump say about his relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un?

• AThey get along great despite unfriendly looksCorrect
• BThey have no communication
• CThey are hostile towards each other
• DThey have signed a peace treaty

Explanation Trump stated that he and Kim Jong Un get along great despite their unfriendly looks.

Q2 The throwback photo shared by Trump was posted amid renewed interest in which area?

• AUS-North Korea diplomacyCorrect
• BUS-China trade talks
• CUS-Russia arms control
• DUS-India economic partnership

Explanation The post came amid renewed interest in US-North Korea diplomacy.

Q3 What concurrent event was mentioned alongside the renewed US-North Korea diplomacy?

• ATensions over US-South Korea military drillsCorrect
• BUS withdrawal from Afghanistan
• CNorth Korea joining the UN
• DUS-China border disputes

Explanation The renewed diplomacy coincided with tensions over US-South Korea military drills.

Q1 What is the primary focus of PSB Confluence 2026 held in New Delhi?

• AYouth engagement and increasing depositsCorrect
• BPrivatization of public sector banks
• CDigital currency implementation
• DForeign investment in Indian banks

Explanation PSB Confluence 2026 focuses on youth engagement and increasing deposits as per the event details.

Q2 How many senior leaders from PSBs and public financial institutions are participating in PSB Confluence 2026?

• AAbout 50
• BNearly 125Correct
• CMore than 200
• DAround 75

Explanation Nearly 125 senior leaders from PSBs and public financial institutions are attending the event.

Q3 Which government department is hosting PSB Confluence 2026?

• AMinistry of Finance
• BDepartment of Financial ServicesCorrect
• CReserve Bank of India
• DSecurities and Exchange Board of India

Explanation The Department of Financial Services is hosting PSB Confluence 2026.

Q1 When was Sania Mirza and Shoaib Malik's son Izhaan Mirza Malik born?

• AOctober 2018Correct
• BJanuary 2020
• CDecember 2019
• DAugust 2017

Explanation Izhaan Mirza Malik was born in October 2018 as stated in the source.

Q2 Where does Izhaan Mirza Malik currently live after Sania Mirza and Shoaib Malik's separation?

• AWith Sania Mirza in IndiaCorrect
• BWith Shoaib Malik in Pakistan
• CWith grandparents
• DIn a boarding school abroad

Explanation The source states that Izhaan currently lives with Sania Mirza in India.

Q3 In which year did Sania Mirza and Shoaib Malik officially announce their separation?

• A2024Correct
• B2023
• C2022
• D2025

Explanation The couple officially announced their separation in 2024 according to the source.