1. BNHS and the Indian Army have sterilised more than 2,950 free-ranging dogs in Ladakh since 2022 to safeguard the Black-necked Crane. What makes this bird unique among the world's 15 crane species?
Answer: E. It is the sole crane that lives only in alpine habitats, and it is Ladakh's State Bird and IUCN Near Threatened. Dogs preying on its chicks led to the BNHS-Army sterilisation campaign.
2. India's fertiliser subsidy continues to climb even though crops absorb only about what portion of the nutrients applied?
Answer: A. Only around 40% of applied nutrients are taken up, and the remainder pollutes groundwater and air, wastes nutrients and raises the subsidy bill. This shows why nutrient-use efficiency must improve.
3. PM Vishwakarma 2.0 is expected on 17 September, Vishwakarma Jayanti. How many traditional trades does the original 2023 Central Sector scheme from the MSME Ministry cover?
Answer: B. The original scheme supports artisans above 18 years in 18 traditional trades with collateral-free credit, skill training, modern tools and market linkage. The second phase aims to strengthen credit access and markets.
4. PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, begun in February 2024 under MNRE with a target of 1 crore households by March 2027, gives households up to how many free units of electricity each month?
Answer: C. Rooftop solar generation under the scheme can yield up to 300 free units a month. States such as UP, Andhra Pradesh and Bihar are adding their own support for households unable to afford installation, to reduce power-subsidy losses.
5. In his 2026 Independence Day speech the PM described "Shakti Ki Saptadhara", seven streams of national strength. Which item listed below is NOT among them?
Answer: D. The seven streams are manufacturing, farming and food processing, technology and innovation, Gati Shakti and connectivity, Raksha Shakti, the green and blue economy, and soft power. Space militarisation does not appear among them.
6. PMJDY completed 12 years, with over 58 crore accounts and deposits near ₹3 lakh crore. On what date was it formally launched, after being announced from the Red Fort on 15 August 2014?
Answer: E. The scheme was announced on 15 August 2014 and began on 28 August 2014. It offers zero-balance accounts, a free RuPay card with accident cover and overdraft up to ₹10,000, forming the first layer of the JAM trinity.
7. Banks mobilised how much under RBI's FCNR(B) swap window, opened on 8 June 2026, before RBI shut it a month early?
Answer: A. Deposits of $52.3 billion by 13 August led to closure on 31 August. Under the swap, banks sell NRI dollars to RBI for rupees and reverse at the same rate, so RBI absorbs the hedging cost.
8. L&T won a ₹10,000-15,000 crore order to build a large AI computing facility at its Chennai data-centre campus for "Together AI". Which GPUs will be installed, 10,000 in number?
Answer: B. The Chennai facility will host 10,000 NVIDIA B300 GPUs for AI training, inference and fine-tuning of models.
9. The NCLT began e-Inspection and e-Certified Copy services as part of which programme?
Answer: C. Case records can now be inspected and certified copies obtained through the NCLT e-Filing portal under e-Courts 2.0, cutting physical visits. The tribunal was set up on 1 June 2016 under the Companies Act, 2013.
10. The White House report "The Great Transshipment Scam" put India in which tier of "China's Shadow Transshipment Network", and for what reason?
Answer: D. India falls in Tier 1 with Mexico, Canada and the EU because their trade with the US is so large that suspect shipments can hide within it, not because of lax enforcement. Tier 2 covers countries closely tied to China, and Tier 3 those with weak customs.
11. India stands fifth in the WIPO ranking for Generative AI patent filings. Which country leads, with more than 70% of GenAI patents in 2024-25?
Answer: E. China holds over 70% of global GenAI patents, ahead of the US at about 10%, Japan at 6.5% and South Korea at 3.7%. India's fifth place, with 2%, is not safe since Germany, the UK, Canada and Switzerland are catching up.
12. BHEL entered a strategic partnership on PEM electrolyser manufacturing in India with "Hystar AS". From which country is this company?
Answer: A. Hystar is Norwegian, and the tie-up on Proton Exchange Membrane electrolysers lets BHEL provide both PEM and alkaline options for the National Green Hydrogen Mission.
13. PM Modi gave his 13th straight Red Fort address on the 80th Independence Day (15 August 2026). Who was the only earlier PM to deliver 13 consecutive speeches?
Answer: B. Modi is the second prime minister after Nehru to make 13 consecutive Independence Day speeches. The celebrations marked 150 years of Vande Mataram, with the theme "Yuva Shakti – Leading the Journey to Viksit Bharat@2047".
14. Which company heads the consortium that IN-SPACe approved for India's first fully commercial Earth Observation satellite constellation under a PPP model?
Answer: C. A PixxelSpace-led group including Dhruva Space, PierSight Space and SatSure Analytics will build 12 satellites using panchromatic, multispectral, hyperspectral and SAR technology. Investment exceeds ₹1,200 crore, with operations targeted for 2029.
15. How many people were awarded the Shaurya Chakra in the 2026 Independence Day honours?
Answer: D. There were 19 recipients: 11 from the Army, 1 from the Navy, 1 from the Air Force and 6 from the Police or Central Armed Forces. Lance Naik Narender Sindhu of 9 Rashtriya Rifles was honoured posthumously.