Daily Current Affairs Quiz 19th August 2026 for Banking & Competitive Exams |

Daily Current Affairs: 19 August, 2026

Q1. Who became the first Indian cricketer to hit 100 sixes in Test cricket?

(a) Rohit Sharma

(b) Rishabh Pant

(d) MS Dhoni

(e) Ravindra Jadeja

Answer: b

Solution:

Rishabh Pant became the first Indian and only the fourth player in the world to hit 100 sixes in Test cricket.
The wicketkeeper-batter achieved the milestone during the fourth day of the opening Test against Sri Lanka.
Pant reached the landmark in just his 51st Test match, becoming the fastest player to hit 100 sixes in Test cricket.
With this achievement, Pant joined an elite group of players who have hit at least 100 sixes in Tests.

Q2. Who among the following has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Republic of Iraq in August 2026?

(a) Shri Ajay A. Kumar

(b) Shri Vikram Misri

(d) Shri Prashant Pise

(e) Shri Randhir Jaiswal

Answer: a

Solution:

Recently, in August, 2026, Shri Ajay A. Kumar (IFS: 2001), has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Republic of Iraq.

Q3. Who among the following has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to Switzerland in August 2026?

(a) Shri Ajay A. Kumar

(b) Shri Soumendu Bagchi

(d) Shri Prashant Pise

(e) Shri Gopal Baglay

Answer: b

Solution:

Recently, in August, 2026, Shri Soumendu Bagchi (IFS: 1993), has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to Switzerland.

Q4. Chief Information Commissioner Shri Raj Kumar Goyal recently launched AppCoMS 2.0, an upgraded online portal to streamline the digital processing of Second Appeals and Complaints under the RTI Act, 2005. In which year was the first version of the Appeal and Complaint Management System (AppCoMS) initially introduced by the Central Information Commission (CIC)?

(a) 2005

(b) 2011

(d) 2016

(e) 2020

Answer: d

Solution:

The Central Information Commission (CIC) launched its upgraded Appeal and Complaint Management System (AppCoMS 2.0) on 17 August 2026.
The upgraded portal was launched by Shri Raj Kumar Goyal, Chief Information Commissioner.
AppCoMS 2.0 aims to strengthen the digital infrastructure of the CIC and streamline the processing of Second Appeals and Complaints filed under the Right to Information Act, 2005.

About AppCoMS

The Appeal and Complaint Management System (AppCoMS) is an online web application portal introduced by the CIC in September 2016.
It enables citizens to file Second Appeals and Complaints online and facilitates their end-to-end digital processing.
The system covers processes such as case registration, scheduling of hearings, issuance of decisions and uploading of decisions.

Q5. Which entity was awarded the ‘Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar’ under the National Sports Awards 2025?

(a) Tata Steel Sports Academy

(b) Army Paralympic Node, Pune

(d) Railway Sports Promotion Board (RSPB)

(e) Reliance Foundation Youth Sports

Answer: b

Solution:

The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports has announced the National Sports Awards 2025 to recognise and reward excellence in sports.
The awards have been decided based on the recommendations of the Selection Committee chaired by Justice (Retd.) Arun Kumar Mishra, former Judge of the Supreme Court of India.
India’s leading women’s badminton doubles pair, Treesa Jolly and Pullela Gayatri Gopichand, along with 15 other sportspersons from various disciplines, will receive the Arjuna Award for outstanding performance in Sports and Games.
Veteran Indian footballer Isaiah Arumainayagam will receive the Arjuna Award (Lifetime).
Athletics coach Parveer Singh, Boxing coach Chhote Lal Yadav, and Shooting coach Neha Nandkumar Chavan will be honoured with the Dronacharya Award.
The Army Paralympic Node, Pune will receive the Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar for its role in promoting and developing sports.

Q6. Where did India launch its first-ever “Guide to Grasslands and Other Open Natural Ecosystems (ONEs) of India” in August 2026?

(a) UNFCCC COP30 in Belém, Brazil

(b) UNCCD COP17 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

(d) UNEP Global Assembly in Nairobi, Kenya

(e) World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi, UAE

Answer: b

Solution:

India launched its first-ever Guide to Grasslands and Other Open Natural Ecosystems (ONEs) of India at the 17th Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).
The guide was launched on 17 August 2026 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
The document highlights the rich diversity, ecological significance and socio-economic importance of India’s grasslands, savannas, deserts and other open natural ecosystems.
The guide marks an important step towards strengthening the conservation, restoration and sustainable management of these ecosystems.

Q7. What was the average Priority Sector Lending (PSL) achievement recorded by Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) against their prescribed RBI target of 75% in FY 2025–26?

(a) 75.0% of ANBC

(b) 82.4% of ANBC

(d) 91.7% of ANBC

(e) 95.2% of ANBC

Answer: d

Solution:

During FY 2025–26, Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) strengthened their role in rural economic development and financial inclusion by expanding credit delivery and maintaining a strong focus on Priority Sector Lending (PSL).
Gross loans outstanding of RRBs increased by 10.3%, from ₹5,24,163 crore in FY 2024–25 to ₹5,78,349 crore in FY 2025–26.
Under the RBI’s Priority Sector Lending framework, the average achievement against the overall PSL target of 75% reached 91.7% of Adjusted Net Bank Credit (ANBC).
Almost all RRBs achieved the overall PSL target, highlighting their focus on priority sectors and financial inclusion.

Agriculture and Allied Activities

Agriculture and allied activities remained the largest component of the RRB credit portfolio.
Outstanding credit to agriculture and allied activities stood at ₹3.78 lakh crore, accounting for 77% of total Priority Sector Lending.
Farm credit constituted nearly 98% of agricultural lending, supporting crop cultivation, allied agricultural activities and investment in the rural economy.

MSME Lending

Credit to the MSME sector stood at ₹66,978 crore, accounting for 13.6% of total PSL.
More than 95% of MSME lending was directed towards micro enterprises.
This reflects the focus of RRBs on financing first-generation entrepreneurs, self-employed individuals, artisans and small business units in rural and semi-urban areas.
Within MSME lending, the services sector accounted for the largest share, followed by manufacturing enterprises and Khadi & Village Industries.

Lending to Weaker Sections

RRBs extended ₹3.49 lakh crore in credit to weaker sections, reinforcing their role in financial inclusion and equitable access to institutional credit.
RRB lending in areas such as housing, education, renewable energy and social infrastructure also supported inclusive and sustainable development.

Q8. Who among the following has been re-elected as the President of Zambia for a second five-year term?

(a) Edgar Lungu

(b) Hakainde Hichilema

(d) Cyril Ramaphosa

(e) William Ruto

Answer: b

Solution:

In August, 2026, Hakainde Hichilema has been re-elected as the President of Zambia for a second five-year term.
The Electoral Commission of Zambia announced the election result.
Hichilema secured more than 51% of the votes, winning the presidential election outright and therefore avoiding a run-off.

Q9. Which state hosted the Asian Open Short Track Speed Skating Trophy 2026 in August 2026?

(a) Himachal Pradesh

(b) Ladakh

(d) Sikkim

(e) Uttarakhand

Answer: e

Solution:

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated the Asian Open Short Track Speed Skating Trophy 2026 in Dehradun on 17 August 2026.
The competition will continue until 20 August 2026.
A total of 272 players from 14 Asian countries are participating in the event.
India is represented by 130 players.

Q10. What is the official theme for the 5th edition of SEMICON India 2026 scheduled to be held at Yashobhoomi (IICC), New Delhi?

(a) Shaping the Semiconductor Future

(b) Silicon to Systems: Building the Ecosystem

(d) Designing the Chip Ecosystem for Global Growth

(e) Next-Gen Electronics: India’s Semiconductor Rise

Answer: b

Solution:

The 5th edition of SEMICON India 2026 is scheduled to be held from 17–19 September 2026 at Yashobhoomi (IICC), Dwarka, New Delhi.
The theme of the conference and exhibition is “Silicon to Systems: Building the Ecosystem.”
The event is being jointly organised by the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) and SEMI.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the three-day event.
More than 500 exhibitors and around 240 exhibiting companies from over 40 countries are expected to participate.
Prime Minister Modi will also chair a roundtable conference with global CEOs from the United States, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Germany, the Netherlands and Malaysia.