Daily Current Affairs 23 August 2026

Q1 What action did UDF MPs from Kerala plan to protest the bifurcation of the Palakkad railway division?

• AOrganize a rally in Thiruvananthapuram
• BStage a fast outside the Divisional Railway Manager’s office at PalakkadCorrect
• CSubmit a memorandum to the Railway Board
• DHold a press conference in Kozhikode

Explanation UDF MPs planned to stage a fast outside the Divisional Railway Manager’s office at Palakkad on August 26 in protest against the bifurcation.

Q2 How did the Kerala State government describe the Railway Board’s decision on the Palakkad railway division?

• AA well-considered plan
• BUnilateral and unacceptableCorrect
• CA collaborative effort
• DA temporary measure

Explanation The Kerala State government described the Railway Board’s decision as unilateral and unacceptable.

Q3 To whom does the Kerala State government plan to raise the issue of the Palakkad railway division bifurcation?

• AUnion Minister Suresh Gopi
• BPrime Minister Narendra ModiCorrect
• CPresident of India
• DRailway Board Chairman

Explanation The State government would take up the issue with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Q1 Where did the Panama-flagged cargo ship sink?

• A240 nautical miles off Odisha's Paradip coastCorrect
• BNear Chennai coast
• COff Mumbai coast
• DNear Kolkata port

Explanation The ship sank about 240 nautical miles from Odisha’s Paradip coast as per the sources.

Q2 What is the nationality of most crew members on the sunken Panama-flagged cargo ship?

• AIndian
• BChineseCorrect
• CPanamanian
• DFilipino

Explanation Most of the 24 crew members on the ship were Chinese.

Q3 Which agencies launched the rescue operation for the sunken ship?

• AIndian Coast Guard and NavyCorrect
• BIndian Air Force
• COdisha State Police
• DIndian Merchant Navy

Explanation The Indian Coast Guard and Navy launched the rescue operation.

Q1 Since when has Karnataka IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar been missing?

• ASince August 20, 2026Correct
• BSince August 22, 2026
• CSince August 18, 2026
• DSince August 25, 2026

Explanation Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar has been missing and unreachable since August 20, 2026.

Q2 Where was Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar last traced before going missing?

• AMumbai airport
• BChennai airport
• CBengaluru airportCorrect
• DDelhi airport

Explanation His movements were last traced to Bengaluru airport.

Q3 What controversy was ongoing when Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar went missing?

• AKarnataka Public Service Commission recruitment rowCorrect
• BKarnataka budget dispute
• CKarnataka education policy debate
• DKarnataka infrastructure project delay

Explanation The incident occurred amid a KPSC recruitment row, though no direct link has been confirmed.

Q1 What action did Karnataka take regarding analogue paneer in August 2026?

• ABanned its manufacture and sale for one yearCorrect
• BAllowed its manufacture with new labeling
• CPromoted its use in frozen desserts
• DReduced taxes on analogue paneer

Explanation Karnataka banned the manufacture and sale of analogue paneer for one year as per the government notification issued on August 17.

Q2 According to Karnataka's notification, what must paneer be derived from?

• AMilkCorrect
• BSoybean
• CFrozen desserts
• DAny dairy substitute

Explanation The notification clarified that paneer must be derived from milk and substitutes cannot be marketed as paneer.

Q3 What was the primary reason cited by Karnataka for banning analogue paneer?

• APublic health concernsCorrect
• BEconomic reasons
• CEnvironmental protection
• DPromoting local farmers

Explanation The ban was imposed citing public health concerns.

Q1 What did Masoud Pezeshkian say about Iran's position on the MoU during the US-Iran war?

• AIran has compromised on some clauses of the MoU
• BIran is not going to bow its head and has not compromised on any MoU clauseCorrect
• CIran is considering renegotiating the MoU
• DIran has withdrawn from the MoU

Explanation Masoud Pezeshkian stated that Iran is not going to bow its head and has not compromised on any clause of the MoU.

Q2 Who considered the MoU the best possible path for Iran?

• AThe US government
• BIran's Security Council membersCorrect
• CThe United Nations
• DThe European Union

Explanation The MoU was considered the best possible path by all members of Iran's Security Council.

Q3 When did Masoud Pezeshkian make the statement about Iran's stance on the MoU?

• AAugust 23, 2026Correct
• BAugust 23, 2025
• CAugust 22, 2026
• DAugust 24, 2026

Explanation The statement was made on August 23, 2026.

Q1 What is the significance of NSA Ajit Doval's visit to Beijing in August 2026?

• ATo prepare for the first visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to India in seven yearsCorrect
• BTo attend the BRICS Summit in Beijing
• CTo sign a trade agreement with China
• DTo inaugurate a new embassy in Beijing

Explanation Ajit Doval's visit is an indication that both India and China are preparing for Xi Jinping's first visit to India in seven years.

Q2 When is India hosting the BRICS Summit mentioned in the context of Ajit Doval's visit?

• AAugust 23, 2026
• BSeptember 12, 2026Correct
• COctober 1, 2026
• DDecember 31, 2026

Explanation India is hosting the BRICS Summit on September 12, 2026, shortly after Ajit Doval's visit to Beijing.

Q3 Which Chinese leader's visit to India is anticipated following Ajit Doval's Beijing trip?

• AWang Yi
• BXi JinpingCorrect
• CLi Keqiang
• DZhao Leji

Explanation The visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to India is expected for the first time in seven years.

Q1 What is the significance of the final segment installation of the Thilamale Bridge in the Maldives?

• AIt marks the completion of Maldives' largest infrastructure projectCorrect
• BIt is the first bridge built in the Maldives
• CIt connects Maldives directly to India
• DIt is a project funded solely by the Maldives government

Explanation The installation of the final segment of the Thilamale Bridge marks the advancement of Maldives' largest infrastructure project.

Q2 Which country supported the Maldives in the Thilamale Bridge project?

• AIndiaCorrect
• BChina
• CSri Lanka
• DBangladesh

Explanation India supported the Maldives in the Thilamale Bridge project, enhancing regional connectivity.

Q3 What is the primary purpose of the Thilamale Bridge project?

• ATo enhance regional connectivity within the MaldivesCorrect
• BTo provide a direct road link between Maldives and India
• CTo build the first airport in Maldives
• DTo develop a new port in Maldives

Explanation The Thilamale Bridge project aims to enhance regional connectivity within the Maldives.

Q1 Who has been appointed as the Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council?

• AMohsen RezaeeCorrect
• BQasem Soleimani
• CAli Khamenei
• DHassan Rouhani

Explanation Mohsen Rezaee, a former IRGC commander and close confidant of the Supreme Leader, was appointed Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council.

Q2 What was Mohsen Rezaee's role before his appointment as Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council?

• APresident of Iran
• BCommander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard CorpsCorrect
• CMinister of Defence
• DChief of the Judiciary

Explanation Mohsen Rezaee was a former commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) before his new appointment.

Q3 Mohsen Rezaee is known to be a close confidant of which Iranian authority?

• APresident of Iran
• BSupreme LeaderCorrect
• CParliament Speaker
• DForeign Minister

Explanation Mohsen Rezaee is a close confidant of Iran's Supreme Leader.

Q1 Where was Indian national Gurdeep Singh fatally shot in August 2026?

• ANear Stanley Avenue in East New York, New York CityCorrect
• BIn Queens, California
• CNear Connaught Place, New Delhi
• DIn Mumbai, Maharashtra

Explanation Gurdeep Singh was fatally shot near Stanley Avenue in the East New York neighbourhood of New York City.

Q2 When did the fatal shooting of Gurdeep Singh occur?

• AAround 10 p.m. on August 21, 2026Correct
• BAround 10 a.m. on August 21, 2026
• CAround 10 p.m. on August 23, 2026
• DAround 10 a.m. on August 23, 2026

Explanation The shooting took place around 10 p.m. local time on Friday, August 21, 2026.

Q3 What is known about the assailant who shot Gurdeep Singh?

• AThe assailant is unidentifiedCorrect
• BThe assailant was arrested immediately
• CThe assailant was a known acquaintance
• DThe assailant was identified as a local resident

Explanation The assailant who fatally shot Gurdeep Singh remains unidentified.

Q1 What did Pope Leo call for in relation to the Ebola outbreak?

• AIncreased efforts to stop Ebola in DR CongoCorrect
• BFinancial aid for Ebola victims in West Africa
• CDeployment of peacekeepers in DR Congo
• DDevelopment of a new Ebola vaccine

Explanation Pope Leo called for more efforts to stop Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Q2 Which incident in the Central African Republic did Pope Leo express sympathy for?

• AA flood in Bangui
• BA mine collapse in ZamboyeCorrect
• CAn earthquake in Bangui
• DA drought affecting farmers

Explanation Pope Leo expressed closeness to those mourning victims of a mine collapse in Zamboye, Central African Republic.

Q1 What was the reason given by Judge Jeannette Vargas for striking down Trump's 75-country visa ban?

• AIt was contrary to lawCorrect
• BIt was too lenient
• CIt was supported by Congress
• DIt was a temporary measure

Explanation Judge Jeannette Vargas called the policy 'contrary to law' as the reason for striking it down.

Q2 Who was said to have exceeded statutory authority in issuing the 75-country visa suspension?

• APresident Donald Trump
• BSecretary of State Marco RubioCorrect
• CJudge Jeannette Vargas
• DThe US Congress

Explanation The judge stated that Secretary of State Marco Rubio exceeded his statutory authority in issuing the visa suspension.

Q3 What was the Trump administration's justification for suspending visas for nationals of 75 countries?

• AThey were deemed likely to require public assistance in the USCorrect
• BThey had security threats
• CThey were involved in criminal activities
• DThey requested visa suspension

Explanation The policy targeted nationals of 75 countries deemed likely to require public assistance in the United States.

Q1 Who was elected as the President of Bangladesh in August 2026?

• AMirza Fakhrul Islam AlamgirCorrect
• BTarique Rahman
• CShafiqur Rahman
• DMuhammad Yunus

Explanation Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was elected as Bangladesh's new President in August 2026.

Q2 Where did Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir take his oath as Bangladesh's President?

• ANational Parliament
• BDarbar Hall of BangabhabanCorrect
• CSupreme Court
• DPrime Minister's Office

Explanation He took the oath at the Darbar Hall of Bangabhaban on August 21.

Q3 Which of the following dignitaries was NOT mentioned as present at the oath ceremony of Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir?

• APM Tarique Rahman
• BOpposition Leader Shafiqur Rahman
• CFormer Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus
• DPresident HasinaCorrect

Explanation The sources mention PM Tarique Rahman, Opposition Leader Shafiqur Rahman, and Muhammad Yunus as attendees, but not President Hasina.

Q1 What was the time achieved by the Chinese humanoid robot in the 100-meter sprint at the Beijing Robot Games?

• A9.58 seconds
• B9.39 secondsCorrect
• C10.00 seconds
• D8.95 seconds

Explanation The Chinese humanoid robot completed the 100-meter sprint in 9.39 seconds, beating the human record of 9.58 seconds.

Q2 Which human high jump record did the Chinese humanoid robot surpass at the Beijing Robot Games?

• A2.88 meters by Javier Sotomayor
• B2.45 meters by Javier SotomayorCorrect
• C2.50 meters by Usain Bolt
• D2.40 meters by Usain Bolt

Explanation The humanoid robot achieved a standing high jump of 2.88 meters, surpassing the human record of 2.45 meters set by Javier Sotomayor.

Q3 Where were the humanoid robots that broke human athletic records showcased?

• ATokyo Robot Expo
• BBeijing Robot GamesCorrect
• CShanghai Tech Fair
• DSeoul Robotics Summit

Explanation The records were set at the Beijing Robot Games.

Q1 What is the primary purpose of Elon Musk promoting Starlink in India?

• ATo provide satellite internet to underserved rural regionsCorrect
• BTo launch a new space mission from India
• CTo compete with Indian telecom companies
• DTo establish a manufacturing unit in India

Explanation Elon Musk promoted Starlink as a solution to bring internet connectivity to underserved and rural areas in India.

Q2 What is causing the delay in the launch of Starlink services in India?

• ATechnical issues with satellites
• BRegulatory and satellite communication rulesCorrect
• CLack of demand in India
• DFinancial constraints of SpaceX

Explanation The launch faces delays due to regulatory and satellite communication (satcom) rules in India.

Q3 Which company is behind the Starlink satellite internet service?

• ASpaceXCorrect
• BISRO
• COneWeb
• DBlue Origin

Explanation Starlink is a satellite internet service developed by SpaceX, founded by Elon Musk.

Q1 What major organisational change did DMK chief M K Stalin announce after the party's poll setback?

• AIntroduction of age caps and mandatory two-term limits for postsCorrect
• BA complete merger with another political party
• CRemoval of all term limits for party posts
• DReduction of organisational districts from 110 to 78

Explanation M K Stalin announced the introduction of age caps and mandatory two-term limits for party posts as part of the organisational overhaul.

Q2 How many organisational districts will DMK have after the announced expansion?

• A78
• B110Correct
• C150
• D90

Explanation The DMK will expand its organisational districts from 78 to 110 to strengthen grassroots mobilisation.

Q3 What is the primary focus of the DMK's organisational overhaul announced by M K Stalin?

• AIncreasing party membership fees
• BFocusing on young blood and grassroots mobilisationCorrect
• CForming alliances with national parties
• DShifting the party headquarters

Explanation The overhaul focuses on bringing in young blood and strengthening grassroots mobilisation.

Q1 Which top American universities are considering establishing campuses in India?

• AHarvard and NYUCorrect
• BMIT and Stanford
• CYale and Princeton
• DColumbia and UCLA

Explanation Harvard and New York University (NYU) are the universities mentioned as considering campuses in India.

Q2 What is the primary reason for US universities planning campuses in India?

• AHigh demand from Indian studentsCorrect
• BGovernment incentives
• CLower operational costs
• DPartnerships with Indian companies

Explanation The universities are motivated by high demand from Indian students for quality education.

Q3 Who highlighted the interest of US universities in establishing campuses in India?

• AUS Ambassador Sergio GorCorrect
• BIndian Education Minister
• CHarvard President
• DNYU Chancellor

Explanation US Ambassador Sergio Gor spoke about this interest at a recent forum.

Q1 How much glacier melt water is channeled daily to villages in Ladakh?

• A90 million litresCorrect
• B50 million litres
• C120 million litres
• D30 million litres

Explanation The model channels 90 million litres of glacier melt daily to 12 villages in Ladakh.

Q2 What is the primary purpose of channeling glacier melt water in Ladakh?

• ATo generate hydroelectric power
• BTo address water shortages for farmingCorrect
• CTo supply drinking water to cities
• DTo support tourism activities

Explanation The water is channeled to address shortages of water for farming in many parts of Ladakh.

Q3 What does the successful glacier melt water channeling model in Ladakh represent?

• AA temporary solution
• BA blueprint for water resource managementCorrect
• CA government policy
• DAn international project

Explanation The model is described as a blueprint for managing water resources effectively in the region.

Q1 What is the approximate decline in sugar tender prices per quintal in India as reported?

• A₹100-200
• B₹400-500Correct
• C₹600-700
• DNo decline reported

Explanation The sources report a decline of ₹400-500 per quintal in sugar tender prices.

Q2 According to the Food Secretary, what is the reason for the rise in retail sugar prices?

• AFundamental supply shortage
• BIncreased production costs
• CNot driven by fundamentalsCorrect
• DGovernment price controls

Explanation The Food Secretary stated that the retail price rise is not driven by fundamentals.

Q3 What action has the government taken in response to the sugar price situation?

• AReduced sugar imports
• BIncreased monitoring of pricesCorrect
• CSubsidized sugar production
• DImposed export restrictions

Explanation The government has tightened monitoring of sugar prices as per the sources.