20th August 2026 Current Affairs MCQ Quiz

CGD companies get a nudge in the form of extra competitively priced domestic natural gas for every new billable home connection they bring online. Keep in mind that this scheme targets unbilled connections; it's overseen by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, which is the nodal ministry for gas infrastructure in India.

Approval of these 31 fresh proposals pushes the cumulative count of sanctioned projects to 106. Since electronic manufacturing is a key pillar of India's Atmanirbhar Bharat push, you might find questions linking this to the PLI schemes monitored by MeitY.

Looking at the MoCI trade data, there was a visible widening of the trade deficit despite the decent performance of merchandise exports. In UPSC exams, don't forget to track the 'Trade Balance' as it directly impacts India's Current Account Deficit (CAD).

That jump in the Labour Force Participation Rate indicates more individuals in the workforce, which is a positive economic signal. Remember that the NSO calculates these metrics using the Current Weekly Status (CWS) methodology, a standard benchmark for Indian labour studies.

This list serves as a strategic roadmap for indigenous production, ensuring local firms take the lead on building critical sub-assemblies. This policy falls under the broader 'Make in India' initiative within the defence sector, often tracked under the DDP guidelines.

That long, high-altitude trek was conducted by the NCC to foster leadership and national spirit among girl cadets. It's interesting to note that the NCC operates under the Ministry of Defence, aiming to develop character and secular outlook in India's youth.

We saw the rebranding of the old USOF into the DBN under the Telecommunications Act of 2023. It’s an essential statutory move to ensure that digital inclusion isn't just a goal but a backed policy commitment for rural connectivity.

These drills emphasize high-level interoperability between the armies, showcasing tactical moves like village isolation and hostage rescue. Such bilateral exercises are usually conducted to bolster defense diplomacy between India and ASEAN member states.

J&K Bank is tapping into HDFC Life's extensive suite of insurance products through this agency agreement to reach more customers. This move perfectly reflects the IRDAI's mission of ensuring insurance penetration across the country by 2047.

That AI model is built on NVIDIA and AWS tech to predict and prevent payment failures before they occur. Fintech innovations like this are under the watchful eye of the RBI, especially given India's massive scale of digital transactions.

Services, which have historically been a primary growth driver, saw a moderation that pulled the overall projection down to 7%. ICRA, like other major agencies, uses the GVA approach to estimate this, which gives a clearer picture of value creation at the grassroots level.

Curiously, there were no takers for the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award this year, a rare occurrence we last saw back in 2014. These awards are overseen by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, with merit evaluated by an independent high-level committee.

This historic structure manages water across the Betwa River system, and it's being celebrated for its lasting contribution to regional farming. Recognition like this from the ICID brings global visibility to India's ancient yet functional irrigation heritage.

That legendary pioneer changed media history in the late 70s by starting the world's first 24-hour sports network. It's fascinating how a concept from a small town in Connecticut grew to become a global media giant.

The theme revolves around personal narratives of home and the feelings attached to those spaces. It’s a global tribute to the invention of the daguerreotype process, which essentially changed how humanity records time and existence.

Every August 20th, the nation commemorates the ideals of unity and goodwill that defined the late PM's vision. It’s a day for promoting peace across different communities, which is fundamental to our constitutional spirit.

Since these players have deep coffers, money isn't their biggest bottleneck; the problem is finding new customers for their output. This study perfectly illustrates the 'animal spirits' concept, showing why interest rates aren't the only levers that matter.

This commission is tasked with the selection and monitoring process to bring harmony between the executive and judiciary. It’s a landmark move designed to fix the long-standing issue of unfilled vacancies that previously plagued our tribunal system.

Moscow has the clear upper hand here since their floating nuclear technology is already functional, while Western counterparts are mostly still in the R&D or design phases. This choice aligns with India's longstanding nuclear cooperation with Russia, notably seen in the Kudankulam project.

This specific rule essentially limits the pool of providers to those who have already 'done the job' elsewhere. While it favors established players like Russia, it’s a standard safety-first approach often used to de-risk national nuclear power transitions.