Daily Current Affairs Quiz 17th August 2026 for Banking & Competitive Exams |

Daily Current Affairs: 17 August, 2026

Q1. Which autonomous body under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) launched the national cybersecurity and AI hackathon named ‘Cyber Kushti 2026’?

(a) C-DAC (Centre for Development of Advanced Computing)

(b) NIELIT (National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology)

(d) STQC (Standardisation Testing and Quality Certification)

(e) NIC (National Informatics Centre)

Answer: b

Solution:

The National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT) has launched Cyber Kushti 2026, a national Cyber Security and Artificial Intelligence hackathon.
The hackathon is designed to test and recognise human judgement in cyber security assessment.
Participation is free and open to students and independent researchers.
Participants will compete in teams of three.
The winning team will receive the title ‘Cyber Kesari 2026’ along with the traditional Gada (गदा).
The runners-up will be recognised with the titles ‘Rustam’ and ‘Pahalwan’.

Q2. World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen defeated which Belarusian Grandmaster 2–0 to win the Esports World Cup Chess title for the second consecutive year in 2026?

(a) Hikaru Nakamura

(b) Alireza Firouzja

(d) Nodirbek Abdusattorov

(e) Ian Nepomniachtchi

Answer: c

Solution:

World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen has won the Esports World Cup chess title for the second consecutive year.
The 35-year-old Norwegian Grandmaster defeated Belarusian Grandmaster Denis Lazavik 2–0 in the final held in Paris, France.
Representing Team Liquid, Carlsen remained undefeated throughout the tournament.

Q3. Which authority notified the ‘Foreign Assets of Small Taxpayers – Disclosure Scheme (FAST-DS) Rules, 2026’ to enable voluntary declaration of undisclosed foreign assets?

(a) Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC)

(b) Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT)

(d) Enforcement Directorate (ED)

(e) Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)

Answer: b

Solution:

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has notified the Foreign Assets of Small Taxpayers – Disclosure Scheme (FAST-DS) Rules, 2026.
The scheme will come into force on 16 August 2026.
The last date for filing a declaration is 31 December 2026. No declaration can be filed after this date.
FAST-DS 2026 is a one-time voluntary disclosure scheme contained in Chapter IV of the Finance Act, 2026.
The scheme enables eligible taxpayers to declare certain undisclosed foreign assets, undisclosed foreign income or undeclared foreign assets on payment of the specified tax or fee.
The Income Tax Department has also issued a comprehensive FAQ document explaining the scheme and its rules to improve taxpayer awareness and facilitate understanding among taxpayers and other stakeholders.

Q4. The ‘RSVC AMRIT’ platform was launched by Principal Scientific Adviser Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood to promote technology-led rural development. Which organization co-developed this platform alongside the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (OPSA)?

(a) NITI Aayog

(b) NABARD

(d) CSIR

(e) ICAR

Answer: b

Solution:

Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, launched the RSVC AMRIT platform on 15 August 2025, the 80th Independence Day.
The platform was developed by NABARD in collaboration with the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (OPSA) to the Government of India.
AMRIT serves as the digital backbone of the RuTAGe Smart Village Centre (RSVC) ecosystem.
The platform aims to strengthen technology-led rural development by supporting rural innovation, technology transfer and wider adoption of appropriate technologies in rural areas.

Q5. Puducherry observes De Jure Transfer Day on 16 August. In which year did the former French territory of Puducherry receive legal recognition (de jure transfer) as part of the Union of India?

(a) 1947

(b) 1950

(d) 1962

(e) 1971

Answer: d

Solution:

Puducherry observes De Jure Transfer Day on 16 August 2026, commemorating the legal transfer and integration of Puducherry into India.
Puducherry Home Minister A. Namassivayam hoisted the national flag at Keezhur, the site associated with the historic referendum on the merger with India.
The referendum was held at Keezhur on 18 October 1954.
In the referendum, 170 representatives voted in favour of joining India, while 8 voted against.
Following the completion of the required legal procedures, the merger of Puducherry with India received legal recognition on 16 August 1962