Daily Current Affairs Quiz 9th August 2026 for Banking & Competitive Exams |

Daily Current Affairs: 9 August, 2026

Q1. Ashish Yadav became the second Indian javelin thrower to finish on the podium at the World Athletics U20 Championships. Who was the first Indian to achieve this milestone by winning gold in 2016?

(a) Kishore Jena

(b) DP Manu

(d) Neeraj Chopra

(e) Sachin Yadav

Answer: d
Solution:

India opened its medal account on the third day of the World Athletics U20 Championships in Eugene, USA, with Ashish Yadav winning the silver medal in the men’s javelin throw.
The 19-year-old Ashish Yadav recorded his best throw of 74.09 metres in his third attempt to finish second.
With this achievement, Ashish Yadav became only the second Indian after Neeraj Chopra to win a silver medal in men’s javelin throw at the World Athletics U20 Championships.
Neeraj Chopra had won the gold medal at the 2016 World Athletics U20 Championships in Poland.
Chopra’s winning throw of 86.48 metres at the 2016 edition established the world junior record, which still stands.
South Africa’s Jan-Hendrik Heymans won the gold medal with a throw of 80.50 metres in his sixth and final attempt.
Heymans’ 80.50-metre throw also became the season’s leading U20 world mark.

Q2. Under the National Mission on Edible Oils – Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) scheme, price protection is extended to oil palm farmers to insulate them from international crude palm oil (CPO) price fluctuations through which financial mechanism?

(a) Minimum Support Price (MSP)

(b) Viability Gap Payment (VGP)

(d) Interest Subvention Scheme (ISS)

(e) Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) Premium

Answer: b

Solution:

The Government has approved the National Mission on Edible Oils – Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme to increase the area and productivity of oil palm, enhance domestic edible oil production and reduce India’s dependence on imports.
The mission was launched in 2021–22 with a total financial outlay of ₹11,040 crore, including a Government of India share of ₹8,844 crore.
The mission initially targeted bringing 6.5 lakh hectares under oil palm cultivation during 2021–22 to 2025–26.
NMEO-OP is being implemented in 15 States: Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Tripura.

Major Interventions

The mission provides assistance for planting material, maintenance of plantations, intercropping, drip irrigation, farm machinery, replanting, establishment of seed gardens and nurseries, and development of oil palm processing infrastructure.
It also provides a price assurance mechanism for farmers through the Viability Gap Payment (VGP).

Progress under NMEO-OP

During 2021–22 to 2025–26, a total area of 2.73 lakh hectares was brought under oil palm cultivation.
During the same period, the Government of India released ₹1,447.21 crore to implementing States under various components of the mission.
NMEO-OP was approved for 2021–22 to 2025–26 with an outlay of ₹11,040 crore.
Subsequently, the Annual Action Plans (AAPs) for 2026–27 of implementing States were approved for ₹1,143.9 crore.

National Mission on Edible Oils – Oilseeds (NMEO-OS)

In addition to NMEO-OP, the National Mission on Edible Oils – Oilseeds (NMEO-OS) was launched on 3 October 2024.
NMEO-OS will be implemented for seven years from 2024–25 to 2030–31 with the objective of increasing domestic oilseed production and promoting self-sufficiency in edible oils.
The mission promotes improved indigenous varieties and hybrids of oilseeds through 100% support for the purchase of breeder seeds.
It also promotes the distribution of certified seeds through Value Chain Clusters.
60 Seed Hubs and 50 specialised seed storage units have been sanctioned for the production of breeder seeds of recently released varieties.

Q3. Abelardo de la Espriella was sworn in in August , 2026, as the 36th President of which country?

(a) Venezuela

(b) Peru

(d) Chile

(e) Ecuador

Answer: c

Solution:

Abelardo de la Espriella was sworn in as the 36th President of Colombia on 7 August 2026.
He will serve as President for the 2026–2030 term.
He succeeded Gustavo Petro, whose administration was Colombia’s first left-wing government at the national level.

Q4. Under the National Mission on Edible Oils–Oilseeds (NMEO-OS), what is the target set by the Government for primary oilseed production by the year 2030–31?

(a) 50.0 million tonnes

(b) 58.5 million tonnes

(d) 69.7 million tonnes

(e) 75.0 million tonnes

Answer: d
Solution:

The National Mission on Edible Oils–Oilseeds (NMEO-OS) was approved on 3 October 2024 to boost domestic oilseed production and promote self-reliance in edible oils.
The mission aims to increase primary oilseed production from 39 million tonnes in 2022–23 to 69.7 million tonnes by 2030–31.
NMEO-OS follows a cluster-based approach with market linkages, with more than 600 Value Chain Clusters operationalised across the country.
These clusters are managed by Value Chain Partners, including Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), cooperatives and other agencies.
Farmers in these clusters receive free high-quality seeds of the latest high-yielding varieties along with training in Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs).
The mission supports the establishment and upgradation of post-harvest infrastructure, including oil mills, to improve oil recovery from primary and secondary sources.
Productivity enhancement is promoted through Frontline Demonstrations (FLDs), Cluster Frontline Demonstrations (CFLDs) and Block-Level Demonstrations (BLDs).
The mission strengthens the availability of certified seeds through 100% support for the purchase of breeder seeds, establishment of new Seed Hubs, and specialised seed storage units in the public sector.
Oilseeds are also procured from farmers at Minimum Support Price (MSP) under the Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA).

Progress under NMEO-OS

During 2025–26, 13.52 lakh hectares were covered under free seed distribution in Value Chain Clusters.
During Kharif 2026, 4.44 lakh hectares have been covered so far under free seed distribution.
60 Seed Hubs and 50 specialised seed storage units have been sanctioned for the production of breeder seeds of recently released varieties.
Oilseed production increased from 413.55 lakh tonnes in 2022–23 to 430.59 lakh tonnes in 2025–26 according to the 3rd Advance Estimate.
Domestic availability of edible oils increased from 124.23 lakh tonnes in 2022–23 to 126.30 lakh tonnes in 2024–25.
Edible oil imports declined from 165.00 lakh tonnes in 2022–23 to 160.72 lakh tonnes in 2024–25.

Q5. The National e-Governance Division (NeGD) under MeitY partnered with AAERI to launch which DigiLocker-integrated digital verification platform for Indian students applying to Australian universities?

(a) AusVerify

(b) EduLocker Global

(d) IndoAus Credentials

(e) DigiStudy Australia

Answer: c

Solution:

The National e-Governance Division (NeGD) under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has partnered with the Association of Australian Education Representatives in India (AAERI) to launch ‘AAERI Verify’.
The platform aims to support Indian students aspiring to pursue higher education in Australia by enabling secure and streamlined verification of their credentials.
AAERI Verify is integrated with DigiLocker and enables secure, paperless and consent-based verification of students’ academic, identity and financial documents.
The platform was officially unveiled at the AAERI Annual Convention in New Delhi on 7 August 2026.
AAERI Verify is a source-verified authentication platform designed to simplify student credential verification for Australian higher education institutions.
Through the integration of DigiLocker with AAERI Verify, students can securely share authentic, issuer-verified digital documents directly from trusted sources.
The initiative is expected to reduce dependence on physical documents and minimise manual verification processes, making the admission and credential-checking process more efficient.

Q6. The historic first commercial sea shipment of GI-tagged Mithila Makhana, sourced from Darbhanga district, was exported to which destination country?

(a) United States

(b) Australia

(d) United Arab Emirates

(e) Canada

Answer: b

Solution:

The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) facilitated the first-ever commercial sea shipment of GI-tagged Mithila Makhana from India to Australia.
A consignment of 18 metric tonnes of GI-tagged Mithila Makhana was exported from the BIADA Industrial Area, Bihta, Bihar, to Australia.
The consignment was sourced from Makhana growers in Darbhanga district of Bihar.
The export is expected to strengthen the international presence of Bihar’s flagship GI-tagged product and expand its access to global markets.
The initiative is also expected to create enhanced income opportunities for farmers through export-led market access.

Q7. Bengaluru-based startup Astrobase Space Technologies unveiled ‘EVEREST’, India’s first privately developed rocket engine featuring which advanced propulsion cycle?

(a) Gas-Generator Cycle

(b) Staged Combustion Cycle

(d) Pressure-Fed Cycle

(e) Expander Cycle

Answer: c
Solution:

Bengaluru-based Astrobase Space Technologies unveiled EVEREST on 7 August 2026, described as India’s first privately developed 800-kilonewton Full-Flow Staged Combustion (FFSC) rocket engine.
The engine belongs to the 80-tonne-class and is designed for reusable medium-lift launch vehicles.
EVEREST is powered by liquid oxygen (LOX) and liquid methane, a propellant combination known as methalox.
The engine is designed to generate approximately 800 kilonewtons (kN) of thrust in vacuum.
The engine architecture is intended to support precision control, faster turnaround and improved launch economics for reusable launch vehicles.

What is Full-Flow Staged Combustion (FFSC)?

Full-Flow Staged Combustion (FFSC) is an advanced liquid rocket-engine cycle in which both propellant streams pass through preburners before entering the main combustion chamber.
The architecture is associated with high efficiency, high chamber pressure and greater utilisation of propellants.
It can also offer lower thermal stress compared with simpler engine cycles, making it suitable for high-performance reusable propulsion systems.

Q8. Runima Chetiya Choudhury was conferred the prestigious Sant Kabir Handloom Award 2025 for her exquisite craft in weaving a Muga Silk Saree. Which state does she represent?

(a) Odisha

(b) West Bengal

(d) Manipur

(e) Uttar Pradesh

Answer: c

Solution:

President Droupadi Murmu presented the Sant Kabir Handloom Awards and National Handloom Awards 2025 at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre, New Delhi, on 7 August 2026.
The awards were presented during the celebrations of the 12th National Handloom Day.
A total of 22 awards were presented, comprising 3 Sant Kabir Handloom Awards and 19 National Handloom Awards.
The awards recognise outstanding contributions to craftsmanship, innovation and preservation in India’s handloom sector.

Sant Kabir Handloom Awards 2025

The Sant Kabir Handloom Award is among the highest honours in India’s handloom sector.
Ram Meher – Odisha: Awarded for Bichitpar Khadi Saree.
Runima Chetiya Choudhury – Assam: Awarded for Muga Silk Saree.
Shah Muhammad Ansari – Uttar Pradesh: Awarded for Zarbaft Shewatambari Awadh Jamdhani Saree.

Q9. Which Indian state became the first in the country to formally notify a dedicated ‘Pedestrian Safety and Universal Accessibility Policy’ in August 2026?

(a) Tamil Nadu

(b) Kerala

(d) Karnataka

(e) Andhra Pradesh

Answer: e
Solution:

Andhra Pradesh has become the first state in India to adopt a dedicated Pedestrian Safety and Universal Accessibility Policy.
The Andhra Pradesh Pedestrian Safety and Universal Accessibility Policy, 2026 was approved by the State Cabinet on 6 August 2026 and notified on 7 August 2026.
The policy marks a shift from a vehicle-centric approach to a people-centric model of road planning and development.
It covers urban, peri-urban and rural areas, including satellite towns and urban fringes, and applies to both new infrastructure projects and upgradation of existing roads.

Major Provisions

The policy mandates scientific road safety audits for roads, junctions, pedestrian crossings and other high-footfall locations.
Authorities will identify and prioritise 15–20 accident-prone black spots in each jurisdiction using accident data from the previous 2–3 years.
At least 20% of roads will be surveyed during the first year of implementation.
Uniform standards for pedestrian infrastructure include footpaths with a minimum clear walking width of 2 metres.
The policy provides for wheelchair-accessible ramps, tactile paving for visually impaired persons, audible traffic signals and safer pedestrian crossings.
It also promotes technology-driven monitoring and the use of recycled construction waste in footpath development.

Implementation

The policy directs municipal authorities, revenue officials and state police to work together to create hurdle-free footpaths and pedestrian infrastructure.
It combines pedestrian safety, universal design and statutory accountability within a statewide framework covering roads, footpaths and public spaces.

Supreme Court and Article 21

The policy is linked to the Supreme Court of India’s ruling in S. Rajaseekaran v. Union of India dated 7 October 2025.
The ruling recognised safe and obstruction-free footpaths as part of the Right to Life under Article 21 of the Constitution of India.

Q10. According to recent Reserve Bank of India data, what was the year-on-year credit growth rate recorded by Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) as of June 2026?

(a) 11.1%

(b) 12.5%

(d) 17.9%

(e) 18.6%

Answer: c

Solution:

According to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), credit extended by Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) grew by 14.4% year-on-year (YoY) in June 2026, compared with 11.1% in June 2025.
Total NBFC credit stood at ₹57.8 trillion as of June 2026.
Retail loan growth accelerated to 20.3%, compared with 14.3% a year earlier, taking retail loans to ₹25.6 trillion.
The strong growth in retail lending was driven by housing loans, vehicle loans and loans against gold jewellery.
Gold loans recorded particularly strong growth of 69.3%, while consumer durables loans grew by 46.8%.
Housing loan growth stood at 11%.

Sector-wise Credit Growth

Credit to agriculture and allied activities grew by 17.9% YoY, significantly higher than 5.1% a year earlier.
Credit to the services sector moderated to 17.6%, compared with 22.4% in June 2025.
Credit growth in industry slowed to 6.7%, compared with 10.3% a year earlier.
The moderation in industrial credit was mainly attributed to subdued growth in infrastructure lending, a major component of the industrial credit segment.
Within the services sector, commercial real estate recorded buoyant credit expansion, while growth in lending to trade and transport operators moderated.