8th August 2026 Current Affairs MCQ Quiz

Clearly, the RBI has included them as an Upper Layer entity while their de-registration request is still being reviewed. If that request gets approved later, they might just bypass the mandatory listing requirement. You should know that NBFC-UL status is governed by RBI’s SBR framework, which aims to prevent systemic risks akin to those monitored in banks under the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.

Hitting that massive one-lakh crore mark in assets effectively triggers this classification, according to the RBI's simplified identification metrics. These stringent layers were brought in to manage 'shadow banks' whose potential collapse could trigger wider market turmoil. It's essentially about ensuring that entities large enough to impact the economy operate with capital buffers comparable to those of traditional lenders.

Reports indicate that a surprising number of selected companies share investment history with those sitting on the selection board. Such scrutiny is vital because the RDI Fund functions under the ANRF, a statutory body set up via the Ministry of Science and Technology. Safeguarding public capital against cronyism is a recurring theme in government procurement oversight.

Essentially, this bill could allow providers to charge merchants a percentage-based fee for digital payments above a certain turnover. While users might worry about a 'UPI tax,' the Ministry clarifies it’s designed as a business-to-bank fee to help cover the massive infrastructure costs involved. Keep in mind that India's digital payment ecosystem has thrived under zero-MDR, but banks argue current subsidies don't fully recover their maintenance expenses.

Demographically speaking, as our fertility rate dips below replacement levels, there are simply fewer children in the school-going age bracket. Schools aren't just shuttering randomly; many states are consolidating smaller institutions into larger 'school complexes' as suggested by the NEP 2020. This shift highlights a transition where efficiency in resources is being prioritized over maintaining extremely small, possibly under-equipped rural centers.

Perched on an island, this ancient Shiva shrine showcases beautiful Kalinga-style architecture. Its history stretches back over a thousand years, though later rulers were responsible for the structural form we see today. Notably, its two-tiered roof made of terracotta tiles makes it a standout site for researchers of Odisha's temple history.

Under the Ministry of Culture's direction, this body manages the creation of innovative hubs and planetariums to spark scientific interest in the public. It’s an outreach-heavy initiative meant to decentralize science education outside of traditional classrooms. The organization functions as an autonomous society dedicated specifically to the promotion of scientific culture across the nation.

This elusive mountain herbivore was recently spotted again in Himachal, giving conservationists a reason to celebrate after a long absence. Being listed as 'Near Threatened,' it faces significant risks from shrinking habitats and illegal hunting. These creatures are protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, ensuring they get the highest level of legal safeguards in India.

Flowing right through Chennai, this river picks up surplus water from countless urban tanks before reaching the Bay of Bengal. Since 1987, the estuary has been treated as a protected reserve to conserve its delicate ecosystem. Unfortunately, urban runoff often complicates these environmental efforts, necessitating regular cleanup drives by the state.

When these vital motor neurons fail, they essentially stop communicating with our muscles, leading to gradual weakness and movement loss. It's often referred to as Lou Gehrig's disease, a name that's become globally synonymous with the condition. Medical science hasn't found a cure yet, though current research into environmental factors like pesticide exposure is gaining serious traction.

Even though it's situated within Idukki, the dam is operated by Tamil Nadu under a long-standing historical lease from the British era. This unique arrangement is a major source of friction between the two states due to safety concerns. You should note that its construction utilized traditional materials like Surkhi, which was a standard mortar technique in the 19th century.

Essentially, this scholarship is a tool to stop dropouts at the secondary level by keeping bright students from weaker economic backgrounds in the classroom. While selection happens based on an eighth-grade test, the actual scholarship awardees begin receiving their funding once they reach Class IX. Note that residential institutions like KVS or Navodaya Vidyalayas are excluded from this specific central sector initiative.

Targeting a ten-fold increase in Compressed Biogas production, the scheme is a huge step for India’s green energy goals. It’s managed by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas and focuses on creating infrastructure for energy out of agricultural waste. A key aspect is the pricing stability it offers, which helps de-risk the investment for small and medium enterprises involved in the sector.

Built by the DRDO, this surface-to-surface weapon is a pillar of India's strategic deterrent. It uses advanced ring laser gyro-based navigation to hit targets up to 4,000 km away with impressive precision. Its ability to be moved on road-mobile launchers makes it incredibly versatile for deployment during a crisis.

Located in Kishtwar, this run-of-the-river project will generate substantial energy once fully operational. It represents a massive joint venture between state and national power entities. Because it's on the Marusudar—a tributary of the Chenab—it's part of a broader push to harness the hydropower potential of the Jammu & Kashmir region.

Washington has occasionally pressured India, arguing that domestic systems favor local players over US-based giants like Visa or Mastercard. Even though giants like Google Pay process massive volumes of Indian UPI payments, trade officials continue to monitor these policies as potential 'barriers.' This fits a larger global trend where the US challenges various national instant payment platforms that resemble UPI.

The SPF was explicitly set up to act as the holder of the massive Rs. 1 lakh crore RDI fund, ensuring proper stewardship under the ANRF structure. By using Second-Level Fund Managers (SLFMs) like the TDB, the system tries to create an institutional layer between the government and the research entities. Effective financial oversight here is essential for supporting India's 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' aspirations.

Rather than just cutting numbers, the policy emphasizes building complexes where students can access proper laboratories, sports, and libraries—things often absent in one-teacher schools. It’s an attempt to ensure that 'neighbourhood schools' are actually functional centers of learning. Balancing this with accessibility for students in remote or tribal regions remains the biggest practical challenge for states.

This complex navigation tech allows the missile to map its path in real-time, drastically reducing its Circular Error Probability (CEP). Having high accuracy is critical for modern deterrent weapons, which must be able to hit targets with extreme consistency. The system essentially makes the weapon less reliant on external data, keeping it resistant to jamming attempts.

The government has mapped out a trajectory where distributors must mix a mandatory share of CBG into their supplies, starting with 3% in FY27. This move is meant to create guaranteed demand, effectively making biogas a mainstream fuel choice across the nation. By providing capital assistance for these plants, the government is essentially building a market that didn't exist at scale before.