Daily Current Affairs Quiz 12th August 2026 for Banking & Competitive Exams |

Daily Current Affairs: 12 August, 2026

Q1. Which designated society under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways is responsible for implementing the Sagarmala Startup and Innovation Initiative?

(a) Sagarmala Development Company Limited (SDCL)

(b) Maritime India Foundation (MIF)

(d) National Technology Centre for Ports, Waterways and Coasts (NTCWCP)

(e) Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA)

Answer: b

solution:

The Sagarmala Startup and Innovation Initiative (S2I2) was launched on 19 March 2025 to establish an innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem for India’s maritime sector.
The Maritime India Foundation (MIF) is the designated agency for implementing S2I2.
MIF is a society registered under the Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act, 1975 and functions under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW).
Under S2I2, Maritime Innovation Hubs (MIHs) have been established at IIT Madras, IIT Bombay, IIT Kharagpur and Indian Maritime University (IMU), Chennai.
The MIHs support technology development, testing, validation, capacity building and handholding of startups for the development and demonstration of innovative maritime solutions.
The initiative provides a structured pathway from port-led problem identification to pilot execution and scale-up of startup solutions.
S2I2 aims to strengthen the alignment of startup innovation with the priorities and requirements of India’s maritime ecosystem.

Q2. According to recent government data, what was the total export value of Indian textiles and apparel (including handicrafts) in FY 2025–26?

(a) ₹2,49,250 crore

(b) ₹2,85,400 crore

(d) ₹3,25,339 crore

(e) ₹3,50,120 crore

Answer: d

Solution:

India’s exports of textiles and apparel, including handicrafts, recorded a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of about 4.5% during 2019–20 to 2025–26.
The value of exports increased from ₹2,49,250 crore in 2019–20 to ₹3,25,339 crore in 2025–26.

Q3. To which international destination was the first-ever 1 Metric Tonne consignment of Tripura’s Mustard Honey exported?

(a) Abu Dhabi, UAE

(b) Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

(d) Doha, Qatar

(e) Muscat, Oman

Answer: c

Solution:

In August 2026, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) facilitated the first-ever export of Mustard Honey from Tripura.
A consignment of 1 metric tonne of Mustard Honey was exported by Dergang Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO) from Tripura to Dubai.
The export marks a significant milestone for the Dergang FPO and the region by providing local beekeepers and farmers an opportunity to access international markets through organised, export-oriented production.
The shipment represents the first-ever export of Mustard Honey from the area and is expected to create new avenues for diversification of Tripura’s honey value chain.

Q4. Who has officially assumed charge as the Secretary of the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), Government of India, in August 2026?

(a) Dr. M. Ravichandran

(b) Dr. N. Kalaiselvi

(d) Dr. K. Sivan

(e) Dr. Samir V. Kamat

Answer: c

Solution:

Dr. Srinivasa Kumar Tummala, an eminent oceanographer and distinguished scientist, has officially assumed charge as the Secretary of the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), Government of India.
He succeeds Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, who was holding the responsibilities of the Ministry under additional charge.
The position was previously held on a full-time basis by Dr. M. Ravichandran.

Q5. With the Ministry of Home Affairs notifying 11 additional international ports for e-visa holders in August 2026, what is the total number of designated e-visa entry ports in India?

(a) 65

(b) 77

(d) 92

(e) 104

Answer: c

Solution:

The Government of India has notified 11 additional International Ports through which foreign nationals holding an E-Visa can enter India.
The newly added ports include 9 land ports and 2 airports.
The addition of these 11 International Ports is aimed at further enhancing the attractiveness and utility of India’s E-Visa facility.
India processes approximately 95% of E-Visa applications within 72 hours, making the facility faster and more accessible for international travellers.
With the latest addition, the total number of International Ports enabling entry of foreign nationals holding e-visas has increased to 88, including 37 airports, 38 seaports and 13 land ports

Q6. Who among the following pre-university students won the sole Gold Medal for India at the 23rd International Linguistics Olympiad (IOL) 2026 held in Bucharest, Romania?

(a) Aarav Anil Rao

(b) Shrilakshmi Venkatraman

(d) Advay Misra

(e) Soham Amit Pednekar

Answer: b

Solution:

India won one gold medal, three bronze medals and one Honourable Mention at the 23rd International Linguistics Olympiad (IOL) 2026, held in Bucharest, Romania.
Shrilakshmi Venkatraman won the gold medal.
Aarav Anil Rao, Nishanth Shankar Lakshmanan and Advay Misra secured bronze medals.
Soham Amit Pednekar received an Honourable Mention.
The competition featured 255 individual competitors from more than 40 countries and tested students’ ability to analyse unfamiliar languages using logic, grammar, analytical reasoning and pattern recognition.
The IOL is an annual academic competition for secondary school students, with problems covering areas such as phonetics, morphology, syntax, semantics and language comparison.
India has participated in the International Linguistics Olympiad since 2009 and has consistently secured recognition at the competition.
The Indian contingent was selected through the Panini Linguistics Olympiad (PLO), which serves as the national-level screening and preparation competition for the IOL.
According to the Panini Linguistics Olympiad at IIIT Hyderabad, India’s cumulative record at the IOL includes 37 medals: 6 Gold, 9 Silver and 22 Bronze, along with 9 Best Solution Awards and 19 Honourable Mentions.

Q7. Which major port in India became the first in the country to achieve Scope-2 Emission-Free status in August 2026?

(a) Deendayal Port Authority, Kandla

(b) Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority, Mumbai

(d) Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata

(e) V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority, Thoothukudi

Answer: e

Solution:

V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority (VOC Port) in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, has become the first port in India to receive ISO 50001:2018 certification for its Energy Management System.
The certification marks a significant milestone in the port’s efforts towards energy efficiency and sustainable port operations.
On 10 August 2026, VOC Port also became India’s first major port to achieve Scope-2 Emission-Free status.
Scope-2 emissions are indirect greenhouse gas emissions arising from the consumption of purchased electricity, steam, heating or cooling.
A port can achieve zero Scope-2 emissions when its renewable energy generation is sufficient to offset or exceed its electricity consumption during the defined assessment period.
Independent verification for the fourth quarter of FY 2025–26 confirmed that VOC Port’s renewable energy generation exceeded its electricity consumption.
During the entire FY 2025–26, renewable energy accounted for 93.89% of the port’s total electricity consumption.

Q8. What is the name of the first-of-its-kind Eco-Educational Hub established by CSIR-NBRI at the Maharishi Parashar Bioresource Centre in Banthra, Lucknow?

(a) Prakriti Vatika

(b) Prakriti Gyan Dham

(d) Vasundhara Gyan Kendra

(e) Paryavaran Upavan

Answer: b

Solution:

The Union Minister of State for Science and Technology dedicated the first-of-its-kind CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute (CSIR-NBRI) Eco-Educational Hub, ‘Prakriti Gyan Dham’, to the nation.
The Eco-Educational Hub is located at the Maharishi Parashar Bioresource Centre (MPBC), Banthra, Lucknow.
It has been developed by the CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute (CSIR-NBRI).
The hub provides a direct interface between scientific knowledge and public engagement through experiential and interactive learning.

Major Features

PAaVan Path (Plants and Associated Vegetations for Appreciating Nature): An interpretive heritage trail that takes visitors through curated plant collections representing diverse ecological regions and associated vegetation.
Vibhav Enclave: A Threatened Plants of India Garden dedicated to rare, endangered and threatened plant species. It promotes awareness about biodiversity loss, habitat degradation, climate change and conservation of plant genetic resources.
Bhairav Enclave: A State Plants of India Garden showcasing the officially designated State Plants of States and Union Territories, along with their ecological, cultural and symbolic significance.

Q9. Eminent theoretical physicist Prof. Deepak Dhar has been awarded the Dirac Medal for his contributions to statistical physics. Which international research organization confers this honor?

(a) European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN)

(b) Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP)

(d) International Union of Pure and Applied Physics (IUPAP)

(e) Princeton Institute for Advanced Study (IAS)

Answer: b

Solution:

Deepak Dhar, a theoretical physicist from Uttar Pradesh, has been named a co-recipient of the Dirac Medal, one of the highest honours in the field of theoretical physics.
The Dirac Medal was first awarded in 1985 and is named in honour of P.A.M. Dirac, one of the greatest physicists of the 20th century.
The award is given annually on 8 August, the birthday of Paul Dirac, to scientists who have made significant contributions to theoretical physics.
The medal is awarded by the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) in Trieste, Italy.
The winners are selected by an international committee of distinguished scientists from a list of nominated candidates.
The Dirac Medal carries a cash prize of US$5,000.
The award is not given to Nobel Laureates, Fields Medallists or Wolf Foundation Prize winners, although several former Dirac Medallists have subsequently received these honours.
Deepak Dhar is the second Indian to receive the Dirac Medal, after renowned string theorist Ashoke Sen.
Dhar is known for his pioneering work on Abelian sandpiles, a concept in statistical physics.
In 2022, Deepak Dhar became the first Indian recipient of the Boltzmann Medal.
With the Dirac Medal and Boltzmann Medal, Dhar joins a select group of ten scientists who have received both honours.

About ICTP

The International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) is an international research institute dedicated to physical and mathematical sciences.
It was established in 1964.
ICTP operates under a tripartite agreement between the Government of Italy, UNESCO and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
It is a UNESCO Category 1 Institute and is located in Trieste, Italy.

Q10. Which constituent board of the Quality Council of India (QCI) launched India’s first-of-its-kind Accreditation Scheme for Mobile Food Testing Laboratories?

(a) National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL)

(b) National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH)

(d) Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)

(e) Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)

Answer: a

solution:

The National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL), a constituent board of the Quality Council of India (QCI), has launched India’s first-of-its-kind Accreditation Scheme for Mobile Food Testing Laboratories.
The scheme was launched under the Integrated Assessment Programme at the ‘Gunvatta Samanvaya – A Multilateral MoU Exchange Ceremony’ held at Hotel Ashoka, New Delhi.
The initiative aims to expand access to reliable, quality-assured and internationally benchmarked food testing services closer to communities.
The accreditation framework developed by NABL enables mobile food testing laboratories to provide quality-assured testing services beyond conventional laboratory settings.
The initiative is expected to strengthen food safety surveillance, improve access to quality testing, facilitate faster regulatory interventions and enhance consumer confidence.
The event also witnessed a Multilateral MoU Exchange among participating organisations to promote greater regulatory convergence, coordinated assessments and an integrated quality infrastructure.