Daily Current Affairs 20 August 2026

Q1 Who was held responsible by CPI(M) for the circular restricting student participation in protests in Tamil Nadu?

• ATamil Nadu Higher Education Minister
• BTamil Nadu Chief SecretaryCorrect
• CCPI(M) leader Mr. Shanmugam
• DLeft parties' leaders

Explanation CPI(M) held the Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary responsible for the circular, as stated in the source.

Q2 What was the Tamil Nadu Higher Education Minister's stance on the circular about student participation in protests?

• AHe supported the circular's motive
• BHe denied any motive behind the circularCorrect
• CHe blamed the Chief Secretary
• DHe encouraged more protests

Explanation The Minister stated there was no motive behind the circular, which was later withdrawn.

Q3 Which groups' protests were students being prevented from participating in according to the withdrawn circular?

• ABJP and Congress
• BLeft parties and CJPCorrect
• CAIADMK and DMK
• DStudent unions only

Explanation The circular sought to prevent students from participating in protests organised by Left parties and the CJP.

Q1 What is the main purpose of the maritime security pact signed between India and Japan in 2026?

• ATo enhance cooperation in maritime securityCorrect
• BTo establish a free trade agreement
• CTo jointly develop nuclear energy
• DTo promote cultural exchanges

Explanation The pact provides a framework to advance cooperation between India and Japan in maritime security.

Q2 Which Indian official welcomed Japan's review of its defence equipment and technology transfer framework?

• APrime Minister Narendra Modi
• BDefence Minister Rajnath SinghCorrect
• CExternal Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar
• DHome Minister Amit Shah

Explanation Defence Minister Rajnath Singh welcomed Japan's recent review of its defence equipment and technology transfer framework during bilateral talks.

Q3 Who was the Japanese Defence Minister involved in the bilateral talks with India in 2026?

• AFumio Kishida
• BShinjiro KoizumiCorrect
• CTaro Kono
• DYoshihide Suga

Explanation Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi participated in the bilateral talks with India's Defence Minister.

Q1 What type of aircraft were involved in the midair collision near Carlisle Regional Airport?

• AA Cessna 150 and a Bell 407 helicopterCorrect
• BTwo Bell 407 helicopters
• CA Boeing 737 and a Cessna 150
• DTwo Cessna 150 planes

Explanation The collision involved a Cessna 150 small plane and a Bell 407 police helicopter.

Q2 Who is investigating the midair collision near Carlisle Regional Airport?

• AFederal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety BoardCorrect
• BCarlisle Police Department
• CFederal Bureau of Investigation
• DNational Aeronautics and Space Administration

Explanation The FAA and NTSB are investigating the incident.

Q3 What was the outcome for the pilots involved in the collision?

• AThe small plane's pilot was killed; both pilots escaped the wreckageCorrect
• BBoth pilots were killed
• CBoth pilots were unharmed
• DThe helicopter pilot was killed; the small plane pilot escaped

Explanation The small plane's pilot was killed, but both pilots managed to escape the wreckage.

Q1 Who was among the victims in the Kenya helicopter crash?

• AEcuador's national intelligence chief and five AmericansCorrect
• BKenyan President and three Americans
• CEcuador's Transport Minister and two Americans
• DFive Ecuadorians and a Kenyan official

Explanation The crash killed Ecuador's national intelligence chief Michele Sensi-Contugi and five Americans.

Q2 Which organization did one of the victims in the Kenya helicopter crash work for?

• ABBC
• BTelemundoCorrect
• CCNN
• DAl Jazeera

Explanation A senior executive at Telemundo was among those killed in the crash.

Q3 Who confirmed the fatalities in the Kenya helicopter crash?

• AKenyan President
• BEcuador’s Transport Minister Roberto LuqueCorrect
• CUS Secretary of State
• DKenyan Transport Minister

Explanation Ecuador’s Transport Minister Roberto Luque confirmed the deaths of the intelligence chief and others.

Q1 What charge did David Morens plead guilty to in federal court?

• AConspiring to conceal COVID-19 research recordsCorrect
• BFraud related to vaccine distribution
• CObstruction of justice in pandemic response
• DMisuse of government funds

Explanation David Morens pleaded guilty to a conspiracy charge for concealing COVID-19 research records.

Q2 Where did David Morens enter his guilty plea?

• AFederal court in Greenbelt, MarylandCorrect
• BSupreme Court of the United States
• CDistrict Court in New York
• DFederal court in Los Angeles

Explanation The guilty plea was entered in federal court in Greenbelt, Maryland.

Q3 What is the maximum prison sentence David Morens faces?

• AFive yearsCorrect
• BTen years
• CTwo years
• DLife imprisonment

Explanation David Morens faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

Q1 Which country accused Iran of firing ballistic missiles at its territory in August 2026?

• AUnited Arab EmiratesCorrect
• BSaudi Arabia
• CQatar
• DOman

Explanation The United Arab Emirates accused Iran of firing two ballistic missiles at its territory.

Q2 How did Iran respond to the UAE's accusation of missile firing?

• AAdmitted and apologized
• BCategorically rejected the claimCorrect
• CIgnored the accusation
• DDeclared war on UAE

Explanation Iran categorically rejected the UAE's claim, calling it harmful to regional trust and security efforts.

Q3 What did Iran say about the impact of the UAE's missile accusation?

• AIt would strengthen regional security
• BIt would harm regional trust and security effortsCorrect
• CIt would lead to economic sanctions
• DIt would improve diplomatic relations

Explanation Iran stated that the accusation is harmful to regional trust and security efforts.

Q1 What recent change has helped narrow India's reservoir storage deficit?

• ARevival in monsoon rainfallCorrect
• BIncreased groundwater extraction
• CConstruction of new dams
• DGovernment water conservation policies

Explanation The revival in monsoon rainfall has replenished reservoirs, helping to narrow the storage deficit.

Q2 Despite the narrowing deficit, what remains below last year's levels across most regions?

• AReservoir storage levelsCorrect
• BGroundwater levels
• CRainfall amounts
• DHydropower capacity

Explanation Reservoir storage levels remain below last year's levels across most regions.

Q3 Which sectors are under pressure due to the ongoing reservoir storage deficit?

• AIrrigation, rabi sowing, and hydropower generationCorrect
• BUrban water supply and fisheries
• CIndustrial water use and tourism
• DTransportation and mining

Explanation The deficit is putting pressure on irrigation, rabi sowing, and hydropower generation.

Q1 What voluntary pledge has Vantara made under CITES regarding wildlife?

• ATo stop importing big cats and great apesCorrect
• BTo increase imports of endangered species
• CTo focus on captive breeding programs
• DTo ban all wildlife trade globally

Explanation Vantara pledged to stop importing big cats and great apes as part of its voluntary CITES commitment.

Q2 What conservation approach will Vantara emphasize following its pledge?

• AIn situ conservationCorrect
• BEx situ conservation
• CCaptive breeding
• DWildlife trade regulation

Explanation Vantara will place greater emphasis on in situ conservation, which protects wildlife in their natural habitats.

Q1 What action did the Jharkhand High Court take regarding the JPSC exams?

• AStayed the cancellation of the 11th to 13th JPSC examsCorrect
• BUpheld the government's decision to scrap the exams
• COrdered re-examination of all candidates
• DDirected immediate appointment of new candidates

Explanation The Jharkhand High Court stayed the cancellation of the 11th to 13th JPSC exams as per the interim order.

Q2 How many candidates received relief due to the Jharkhand High Court's interim order?

• AAround 450 candidatesCorrect
• BMore than 1000 candidates
• CAbout 200 candidates
• DNo candidates received relief

Explanation The interim order provided relief to around 450 candidates who were newly appointed based on the exams.

Q3 By what date did the Jharkhand High Court direct the state government to submit its response?

• A15 SeptemberCorrect
• B31 August
• C1 October
• D20 August

Explanation The court directed the state government to submit its response by 15 September.

Q1 What did the Supreme Court rule regarding the definition of 'industry' under the Industrial Relations Code, 2020?

• AIt should be interpreted in its own text and contextCorrect
• BIt should follow the 1978 precedent favoring workers
• CIt should exclude collective bargaining rights
• DIt should be decided by individual states

Explanation The Supreme Court ruled that 'industry' under the Industrial Relations Code will be interpreted in its own text and context, overturning the 1978 precedent.

Q2 What was the significance of the 1978 precedent that the Supreme Court overturned?

• AIt limited workers' rights to collective bargaining
• BIt enabled workers in various jobs to seek legal recourse against unfair labour practicesCorrect
• CIt defined 'industry' narrowly to exclude many sectors
• DIt was related to environmental regulations

Explanation The 1978 precedent had enabled workers employed in a wide range of jobs to have legal recourse, including collective bargaining, against unfair labour practices.

Q3 When did the Supreme Court deliver the ruling on the definition of 'industry' under the Industrial Relations Code?

• AAugust 20, 2026Correct
• BAugust 20, 2025
• CJanuary 1, 2026
• DDecember 31, 2025

Explanation The Supreme Court delivered the ruling on August 20, 2026.

Q1 How many kilometers of rail network will be added by the four approved rail projects?

• A310 km
• B410 kmCorrect
• C510 km
• D610 km

Explanation The four rail projects will add 410 km to the network across West Bengal, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh.

Q2 Which highway project was approved by the Cabinet to reduce travel time in Bihar?

• AFour-lane highway between Muzaffarpur and SonbarsaCorrect
• BSix-lane highway between Patna and Gaya
• CFour-lane highway between Muzaffarpur and Patna
• DSix-lane highway between Sonbarsa and Darbhanga

Explanation A four-lane highway in Bihar was approved to cut travel time between Muzaffarpur and Sonbarsa.

Q3 What is the total estimated cost of the rail and highway projects approved by the Cabinet?

• A₹10,041 crore
• B₹11,041 crore
• C₹12,041 crore
• D₹13,041 croreCorrect

Explanation The Cabinet approved rail and highway projects worth ₹13,041 crore.

Q1 Why did the National Company Law Tribunal defer its order on SpiceJet's insolvency pleas?

• ABecause SpiceJet disclosed a last-minute settlement with an aircraft lessorCorrect
• BDue to SpiceJet's failure to appear in court
• CBecause Aviator ML requested more time
• DDue to a technical error in the petitions

Explanation The NCLT deferred its order after SpiceJet disclosed a settlement with an aircraft lessor on the day the order was due.

Q2 What penalty was imposed on SpiceJet and Aviator ML for wasting NCLT's time?

• A₹10 lakh each
• B₹15 lakh eachCorrect
• C₹20 lakh each
• DNo penalty was imposed

Explanation Both SpiceJet and Aviator ML were fined ₹15 lakh each for wasting the tribunal's time.

Q3 How many petitions against SpiceJet were initially covered in the NCLT judgment before the settlement?

• AFive
• BSix
• CSeven
• DEightCorrect

Explanation The NCLT had prepared a judgment covering eight petitions against SpiceJet before one was withdrawn due to the settlement.

Q1 What was the closing value of the Indian rupee against the US dollar on August 20, 2026?

• A95.56
• B95.70Correct
• C98.82
• D90.00

Explanation The rupee settled higher by 3 paise at 95.70 against the US dollar as per the closing data.

Q2 Which factor was mentioned as continuing to pressure India's import bill despite the rupee's strength?

• AWeaker US dollar
• BCrude oil prices above $90Correct
• CLower dollar index
• DRupee depreciation

Explanation Crude oil prices hovering above $90 were noted to keep pressure on India's import bill.

Q3 What was the status of the dollar index on August 20, 2026?

• ATrading higher at 99.00
• BTrading lower at 98.82Correct
• CStable at 95.70
• DNot mentioned

Explanation The dollar index was trading lower at 98.82, indicating a weaker US dollar.

Q1 What was the reason for the consecutive decline in Sensex and Nifty in August 2026?

• ARising crude oil pricesCorrect
• BGovernment policy changes
• CForeign investment inflows
• DCorporate earnings growth

Explanation The decline in Sensex and Nifty was due to rising crude oil prices, which unnerved investors.

Q2 By how many points did the BSE Sensex fall on August 18, 2026?

• A325.78 points
• B412.57 points
• C492.70 pointsCorrect
• D132.75 points

Explanation On August 18, 2026, the Sensex fell by 492.70 points.

Q3 What was the closing value of the BSE Sensex on August 19, 2026?

• A77,235.46
• B76,909.68Correct
• C76,822.89
• D24,154.90

Explanation The Sensex closed at 76,909.68 on August 19, 2026.

Q1 Who invested ₹200 crore in the Indian data centre company CtrlS?

• ANikhil KamathCorrect
• BSreeram Reddy Vanga
• CBoth Nikhil Kamath and Sreeram Reddy Vanga
• DNeither

Explanation Nikhil Kamath invested ₹200 crore in CtrlS, as stated in the source.

Q2 What is the primary reason for CtrlS expanding its infrastructure?

• ARising demand for AI and cloud servicesCorrect
• BGovernment mandate
• CCompetition from foreign firms
• DDecline in traditional data storage

Explanation CtrlS is expanding its infrastructure due to rising demand for AI and cloud services.

Q3 How much total funding did CtrlS secure from Nikhil Kamath and Sreeram Reddy Vanga?

• A₹200 crore
• B₹250 croreCorrect
• C₹150 crore
• D₹300 crore

Explanation CtrlS secured ₹250 crore from Nikhil Kamath and Sreeram Reddy Vanga.

Q1 What caused Marvell's shares to jump by 12%?

• AGoogle secured the right to buy up to $12.2 billion in sharesCorrect
• BMarvell launched a new AI chip
• CGoogle acquired Marvell completely
• DMarvell announced a merger with another company

Explanation Marvell shares surged 12% after Google secured the right to buy up to $12.2 billion in shares under an expanded AI chip deal.

Q2 What is the value of the stake Google secured the right to buy in Marvell?

• A$1.2 billion
• B$12.2 billionCorrect
• C$22 billion
• D$2.2 billion

Explanation Google secured the right to buy up to $12.2 billion in shares as part of the AI chip deal with Marvell.

Q3 The investment by Google in Marvell is primarily related to which technology?

• ARenewable energy
• BAI chip technologyCorrect
• CCloud computing
• DMobile applications

Explanation The deal involves an expanded AI chip agreement, indicating the investment is related to AI chip technology.

Q1 What was the final score when India defeated Pakistan in the Hockey World Cup 2026 match?

• A5-3Correct
• B4-2
• C3-1
• D6-4

Explanation India defeated Pakistan with a final score of 5-3 as reported in the sources.

Q2 Which Indian player scored two penalty corners in the Hockey World Cup 2026 match against Pakistan?

• AHarmanpreet SinghCorrect
• BAbhishek
• CFulton
• DManpreet Singh

Explanation Harmanpreet Singh converted two penalty corners during the match.

Q3 What was the significance of India's victory over Pakistan in the Hockey World Cup 2026?

• AIndia qualified for the next roundCorrect
• BIndia won the tournament
• CIndia hosted the next match
• DIndia lost the next round

Explanation India's win ensured their qualification to the next round of the Hockey World Cup 2026.

Q1 What was the result of the Indian women's hockey team against South Africa in the 2026 Hockey World Cup?

• AIndia won 6-1Correct
• BIndia lost 1-6
• CMatch ended in a draw
• DIndia won 5-3

Explanation The Indian women's hockey team defeated South Africa 6-1, marking their biggest win in the tournament.

Q2 Which team did the Indian men's hockey team defeat 5-3 in the 2026 Hockey World Cup?

• ASouth Africa
• BEngland
• CPakistanCorrect
• DChina

Explanation India's men's hockey team beat Pakistan 5-3 in the World Cup.

Q3 What does the Indian women's hockey team need in their final pool game against England to advance to the second round?

• AA win
• BA drawCorrect
• CA loss
• DNo match is scheduled

Explanation The women's team needs only a draw against England in their final pool game to seal a spot in the second round.

Q1 What is the tenure of the bonds issued by IDFC First Bank in its maiden international bond offering?

• AOne year
• BTwo years
• CThree yearsCorrect
• DFive years

Explanation The bonds issued by IDFC First Bank have a tenure of three years as stated in the sources.

Q2 What is the fixed coupon rate of the $500 million bonds issued by IDFC First Bank?

• A4.5%
• B5.625%Correct
• C6.75%
• D7%

Explanation The bonds carry a fixed coupon rate of 5.625% according to the information provided.

Q3 Through which unit did IDFC First Bank issue its maiden international bonds?

• AMumbai Branch
• BIFSC Banking Unit at GIFT CityCorrect
• CNew Delhi Office
• DChennai Branch

Explanation The bonds were issued through the bank's IFSC Banking Unit at GIFT City.