Daily Current Affairs Quiz 7th August 2026 for Banking & Competitive Exams |

Daily Current Affairs: 7 August, 2026

Q1. Which Indian autonomous institution under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare was recognized as the WHO-SEARN Regional Centre of Excellence in Pharmacovigilance and Technical Centre in Quality in August 2026?

(a) Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO)

(b) Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC)

(d) National Institute of Biologicals (NIB)

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

Answer: b

Solution:

The Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC), under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, participated in the 10th Anniversary Meeting of the South-East Asia Regulatory Network (SEARN) held in Kathmandu, Nepal, on 4–5 August 2026.
The meeting brought together representatives of National Regulatory Authorities (NRAs), pharmacopoeias, and international organisations from across the WHO South-East Asia Region to commemorate a decade of regional collaboration and strengthen regulatory systems for ensuring the quality, safety and efficacy of medical products.

Major Achievement

During the meeting, the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) was designated as the WHO-SEARN Regional Centre of Excellence in Pharmacovigilance and the Technical Centre in Quality.
The recognition acknowledges IPC’s sustained contributions to strengthening pharmacovigilance systems, advancing pharmaceutical quality standards, and building regulatory capacity across the WHO South-East Asia Region.
The designation reinforces IPC’s leadership in pharmacopoeial science and standards and promotes collaboration, knowledge sharing and harmonisation among member countries.

About SEARN

The South-East Asia Regulatory Network (SEARN) was established by the World Health Organization (WHO) South-East Asia Regional Office (SEARO) in 2016.
SEARN is a collaborative platform aimed at strengthening regulatory systems across WHO South-East Asia Member States.
The network promotes knowledge sharing, regulatory convergence, capacity building and reliance mechanisms among National Regulatory Authorities (NRAs).
SEARN functions through thematic working groups covering quality assurance, pharmacovigilance, clinical trials oversight, regulatory preparedness, and medical device regulation.

Q2. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) recently approved a one-year service extension for Dr. T.V. Somanathan in which top administrative post beyond August 30, 2026?

(a) Union Finance Secretary

(b) Foreign Secretary

(d) Union Defence Secretary

(e) Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister

Answer: c

Solution:

The Government of India has extended the tenure of Dr. T. V. Somanathan as the Cabinet Secretary by one year.
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved the extension of his service beyond 30 August 2026.
The extension ensures continuity in the country’s highest civil service position.
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has also approved a one-year extension in the tenure of Govind Mohan as the Home Secretary.

Q3. Who was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Air India in August 2026, succeeding Campbell Wilson?

(a) Pieter Elbers

(b) Ilker Ayci

(d) Tewolde Gebremariam

(e) Vinod Kannan

Answer: d

Solution:

Air India appointed Tewolde Gebremariam as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Managing Director (MD) on 5 August 2026.
He will succeed Campbell Wilson, whose resignation took effect in April 2026.
Campbell Wilson is scheduled to demit office on 30 September 2026, following which Tewolde Gebremariam will assume full leadership of the airline.
Tewolde Gebremariam brings extensive experience in the global aviation industry and will lead Air India in its next phase of growth and transformation.

Q4. The Government of India operationalised the Inventory-based Cross-border E-Commerce Export Framework under the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP), 2023 with effect from which date?

(a) July 1, 2026

(b) August 5, 2026

(d) March 31, 2026

(e) September 1, 2026

Answer: b

Solution:

The Government of India has operationalised the Inventory-based Cross-border E-Commerce Export Framework under the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP), 2023.
The framework has been notified through Notification dated 5 August 2026 and Public Notice No. 25/2026-27 dated 5 August 2026.
It provides a comprehensive policy and procedural framework for facilitating inventory-based cross-border e-commerce exports of goods manufactured or produced in India.
The initiative aims to help Indian manufacturers, artisans and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) expand their access to global markets through cross-border e-commerce.
The framework follows the amendment to the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Policy through Press Note No. 3 (2026 Series), which permits inventory-based e-commerce operations exclusively for exports.
The framework enables inventory-based exports while safeguarding the interests of Indian sellers.

Key Features

Eligible e-commerce entities can undertake export-only inventory operations through a registered Exporter-on-Record (EOR).
The Exporter-on-Record (EOR) procures goods from Indian Sellers-on-Record (SORs) against confirmed overseas orders.
The EOR exports the goods in its own name.
The EOR is responsible for export operations and compliance with the regulatory requirements of the destination country.

Q5. Who has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia in August 2026?

(a) Manish Gupta

(b) Rudra Gaurav Shresth

(d) Geetika Srivastava

(e) Sanjeev Jain

Answer: c

Solution:

In August, 2026, Shri Devesh Uttam (IFS: 2003), presently Ambassador of India to the Republic of Lithuania, has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.

Q6. The Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of Culture integrated which new dedicated section into the ‘Incredible India’ portal to encourage screen tourism and showcase real-life locations featured in streaming content?

(a) India on Screen

(b) As Seen on Netflix

(d) Cinematic India

(e) Incredible Locations

Answer: b

Solution:

The Ministry of Tourism, in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and Netflix, hosted a special event to commemorate a decade of Netflix in India.
The event celebrated the power of storytelling in connecting global audiences with India’s rich cultural heritage, diverse landscapes and tourism experiences.
As part of the collaboration, the Ministry of Tourism has integrated “As Seen on Netflix” with the Incredible India digital platform.
The integration enables travellers to discover destinations across India that have been featured in popular Netflix titles.
The initiative showcases India’s breathtaking landscapes, vibrant festivals, rich cultural heritage, diverse wildlife and iconic filming locations.
It aims to encourage audiences to transform their on-screen experiences into real-world travel journeys, thereby promoting film-induced tourism in India.

Q7. Who has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Republic of Armenia in August 2026?

(a) Devesh Uttam

(b) Vishwesh Negi

(d) Manish Gupta

(e) Rudra Gaurav Shresth

Answer: c

Solution:

In August, 2026, Shri T. Armstrong Changsan (IFS: 1997), presently Ambassador of India to the Republic of Cuba, has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Republic of Armenia.

Q8. Which Indian educational institution was recently granted an Indian patent for “HYDERACENE,” an indigenous dual-action material developed for solid rocket propellants?

(a) IIT Madras

(b) IISc Bengaluru

(d) IIT Bombay

(e) JNTU Hyderabad

Answer: c

Solution:

The University of Hyderabad (UoH) has secured an Indian patent for HYDERACENE, a novel polymer-based material developed for solid rocket propellants used in defence and space applications.
The innovation is expected to strengthen India’s self-reliance in strategic defence technologies by reducing dependence on imported materials while delivering comparable or superior performance.
HYDERACENE was developed by Mutyalanaidu Ganivada, Sourav Jana, and Tushar Jana of the School of Chemistry, with the University of Hyderabad as the patentee.

About HYDERACENE

HYDERACENE is a novel polymer-based material designed for use in solid rocket propellants for defence and space applications.
The patented material is formally described as Ferrocene Polyethylene Glycidyl Grafted Hydroxyl-Terminated Polybutadiene (HTPB).
It was synthesised using the ring-opening polymerisation technique.

Significance of the Innovation

In conventional solid rocket propellants, two separate components are generally required:
- Binder – a polymer that binds all propellant components together and provides structural integrity.
- Catalyst – a chemical additive that controls and accelerates the burning rate.
HYDERACENE combines both functions by acting as a polymer binder-cum-catalyst.
The dual-function material prevents the separation of the catalyst from the binder, improving long-term stability.
It enables more controlled, efficient and reliable combustion in solid rocket motors.
HYDERACENE has been developed as an indigenous alternative to BUTACENE, a commercially used material in aerospace and defence applications.
BUTACENE is largely imported from European countries.
Named after the city of Hyderabad, the material is intended for high-performance rocket propellants and other advanced defence applications requiring controlled burn rates and improved propulsion efficiency

Q9. Indian Railways has recently modified the Model Concession Agreement (MCA) for Container Train Operators (CTOs) by replacing route-wise licensing with which structure?

(a) Zonal-level concession model

(b) Single All-India License

(d) State-wise registration framework

(e) Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) exclusive license

Answer: b

Solution:

Indian Railways has approved modifications to the Model Concession Agreement (MCA) governing permissions for Container Train Operators (CTOs) to operate container trains on the Indian Railways network.
The revised framework aims to simplify licensing, reduce regulatory complexity, and promote ease of doing business in rail-based container transportation.
The amendments will be brought into effect through a Gazette Notification.

Major Changes

Container Train Operators (CTOs) will now be permitted to operate container trains across the entire Indian Railways network under a Single All India Licence.
The earlier system of route-wise licence categories has been abolished.
A uniform non-refundable registration fee of ₹25 crore will apply to all new applicants, replacing the earlier system of different fees for different route categories.
The permission granted to a CTO may be extended by another 20 years after the expiry of the concession period, subject to satisfactory performance.
No extension fee will be charged for the extension or any future extensions granted to the same operator.

Relief for Existing Operators

Category I operators may continue under their existing licence until the end of the concession period.
On renewal or extension under the new licensing system, Category I operators will not have to pay any additional fee.
Category II, III and IV operators may also continue under their existing licences until the concession period expires.
For renewal, extension or early migration to the new licence, Category II, III and IV operators will pay ₹15 crore, representing the difference between the new ₹25 crore fee and the ₹10 crore already paid.
Existing operators may also opt for early migration to the new licensing regime before completing their current 20-year concession period by paying the same ₹15 crore.

Q10. The “GI and Beyond 2.0 Summit” was organized in August 2026 at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi, by which Ministry?

(a) Ministry of Culture

(b) Ministry of Commerce and Industry

(d) Ministry of External Affairs

(e) Ministry of Textiles

Answer: e

Solution:

The Ministry of Textiles organised the GI & Beyond 2.0 Summit on 4–5 August 2026 at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi.
The summit was organised by the Office of the Development Commissioner (Handlooms), Ministry of Textiles, in association with the Handloom Export Promotion Council (HEPC).
Minister of State for Textiles Pabitra Margherita inaugurated the event.
The summit aimed to showcase India’s GI-tagged handloom and handicraft products, promote their visibility, and strengthen their presence in domestic and international markets.
The event featured more than 100 GI-registered handloom and handicraft products from across the country.
It also showcased thematic displays highlighting India’s diverse weaving traditions and live demonstrations of handloom weaving and handicraft making by artisans and weavers.
The exhibition provided visitors with an opportunity to experience the craftsmanship, cultural richness and diversity of India’s Geographical Indication (GI) products.
The summit brought together overseas buyers from around 10 countries, along with Indian exporters and multinational corporations, to promote market linkages and exports of GI products