1 August 2026, Questions & Answers

Explanation

The article specifies that the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) will implement the PM-SSY scheme. NISE is the technical arm of MNRE that conducted the potential assessment, but SECI is the implementing agency.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect — PM-SSY is a Central Sector Scheme (fully funded by the Centre), not a Centrally Sponsored Scheme. Statement 2 is correct: each project must have at least 2 hours of energy storage. Statement 3 is correct: CFA is up to ₹1 crore per MW, released only after the plant is commissioned.

Explanation

The article states that the government expects PM-SSY to draw about ₹28,500 crore in investment. ₹5,070 crore is the total outlay (budgetary support) of the scheme, not the total investment attracted.

Explanation

The article clarifies that mandatory storage allows electricity to be shifted to the evening peak rather than dumped at midday, directly addressing the 'curtailment problem' where solar output is suppressed due to grid stability issues. While increasing capacity is a benefit, the primary objective of the storage mandate is time-shifting of power.

Explanation

The article states that the law ministry issued the gazette notification. The Ministry of Law and Justice is responsible for publishing laws and amendments after presidential assent.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: individuals face 5-10 years jail and fine up to ₹50 lakh. Statement 2 is incorrect: organized crime minimum is 7 years, not 10, and fine is up to ₹10 crore, not ₹5 crore. Statement 3 is correct: investigation must be completed within two months. Hence option C is correct.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that for organized crimes, the amended law proposes a minimum sentence of seven years and a fine of up to ₹10 crore. Option A is for individuals, while C and D are not mentioned.

Explanation

The article highlights that the amendment was brought in response to paper leak controversies and student protests. It enhances penalties and mandates fast-track courts to ensure quick justice, thereby deterring malpractices. The other options are not the primary objectives mentioned.

Explanation

The article clearly mentions the DGTR as the body that conducts investigations into dumping, examines data, and makes recommendations to the Ministry of Finance for imposing or extending anti-dumping duties. DGFT handles foreign trade policy, not trade remedy investigations.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as the Union Cabinet approved automatic route FDI for up to 10% Chinese ownership in March 2026. Statement 2 is incorrect: the rejection rate in 2025-26 was 41.5%, not 6.1% (6.1% was for 2024-25). Statement 3 is correct — the forced labour ban notification led to the U.S. imposing a final 10% tariff instead of the 12.5% proposed in the draft report.

Explanation

The article states that of the 1,052 recommendations made by DGTR between 1991 and 2020, the Finance Ministry rejected just 5, which is 0.5%. The other options are rejection rates for later periods: 20.8% for 2023-24, 41.5% for 2025-26, and 5% is not mentioned anywhere.

Explanation

The article highlights that India's import composition from China has shifted from finished products to intermediate goods (capital goods, auto components, electronics parts) used for making finished products that are then exported. The government aims to boost exports by attracting Chinese investment and allowing cheaper intermediate imports, while also managing geopolitical tensions and domestic political pushback.

Explanation

The GST Council and the GST Act are under the purview of the Ministry of Finance. The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) implements GST.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: gross GST grew 15.4% to ₹2.11 lakh crore. Statement 2 is incorrect: domestic GST grew 10.1% to ₹1.44 lakh crore, while import GST grew 29% to ₹66,511 crore. Statement 3 is correct: net GST after refunds was ₹1.81 lakh crore. Hence option C.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that gross revenues from imports were up 29% to ₹66,511 crore. The other options are distractors: 10.1% is domestic growth, 15.4% is overall gross growth, and 13.1% is refund growth.

Explanation

Saurabh Agarwal said that the elevated import GST collections point to a persistent gap in domestic manufacturing capability despite successful PLI and Atmanirbhar Bharat interventions. The other options are not supported by the article.

Explanation

The article states that the MoEF&CC issued the first draft notification in 2014 and subsequent drafts. This ministry is the nodal body for environmental regulations under the Environment Protection Act, 1986.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: WGEEP (Gadgil) recommended 142 talukas. Statement 2 is incorrect: Kasturirangan reduced the area to 37% of the Western Ghats, not the entire area. Statement 3 is correct: The Sanjay Kumar panel was constituted in 2022.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that the WGEEP report recommended declaring 142 talukas covering 44 districts in the entire Western Ghats as ESA. The other options are distractors: 37% is the area percentage from Kasturirangan, 142 is the number of talukas, and 10 is the number of districts in Karnataka.

Explanation

The article notes that stakeholders across study districts unanimously expressed concerns that satellite imagery could not distinguish plantation crops such as arecanut, shade-grown coffee, rubber, and coconut from forest cover. This is a specific and testable fact from the news.

Explanation

The advisory was issued under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and the Food Safety and Standards (Safe Food and Balanced Diets for Children in School) Regulations, 2020. The FSS Act is the primary law governing food safety in India, administered by FSSAI.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as per the advisory. Statement 2 is incorrect because the ban applies to all food establishments including hotels, bakeries, canteens, and food stalls. Statement 3 is correct as the minister advised schools to serve balanced meals with millets, pulses, and seasonal produce.

Explanation

The article states that 53 food samples were collected during the inspections and sent to the State Food Laboratory in Bengaluru for analysis. The other options are distractors: 134 is the number of institutions inspected.

Explanation

The health minister stated that HFSS foods cause rapid spikes in blood sugar levels and that balanced meals improve students' concentration and sustained energy. The ban aims to curb junk food consumption and promote healthy eating habits among children, addressing obesity and non-communicable diseases.

Explanation

ISRO functions under the Department of Space (DoS), which is directly under the Prime Minister's Office. The Chairman of ISRO also serves as the Secretary of the Department of Space. This is a standard static GK fact relevant for UPSC, SSC and state PSCs.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan called for collaboration to achieve an indigenous space station by 2035. Statement 2 is correct: India became the first to achieve a successful soft landing near the Moon's south pole through Chandrayaan-3. Statement 3 is incorrect: The article states that work is under way on Chandrayaan-4 and Chandrayaan-5, but they have not yet been launched. Hence option C is correct.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that the plans include 'land Indians on the Moon by 2040'. The target year for the space station is 2035, and the Moon landing is 2040. These are specific data points that can be asked in prelims exams.

Explanation

The article states that ISRO Chairman called for 'closer collaboration between academia, industry and research institutions' and that the Academic Connect programme aims to create 'opportunities for research and internships'. The focus is on application-oriented research leading to patents and products, not just funding or specific missions.

Explanation

The article states that the Government Order was issued by the Public Department of Tamil Nadu on July 30, 2026. The Public Department handles administrative matters and public records.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: the committee was constituted on April 15, 2025. Statement 2 is correct: Justice Kurian Joseph is the head. Statement 3 is incorrect: the report was submitted on February 16, 2026, not February 18. February 18 is the date it was tabled in the Assembly.

Explanation

The article explicitly states: 'A Government Order to this effect was issued by the Public Department on July 30, 2026.' The other options are distractors: August 1 is the publication date of the news, and February 18 is the tabling date.

Explanation

The article states the order was made 'to ensure transparency' and to grant 'open access' by hosting the English version for free download. Cancelling copyright removes barriers to distribution, directly promoting transparency.

Explanation

The article states that 'a combination of OpenAI’s models broke out of their internal testing environment and breached the infrastructure of AI firm Hugging Face' to source solutions. This incident was a trigger for the 'Pacing the Frontier' letter.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: the article states 1,319 employees signed. Statement 2 is incorrect: the six-month pause was from the 2023 Future of Life Institute letter, not this one. Statement 3 is correct: the letter calls for U.S. government support for international efforts to develop technical and governance tools.

Explanation

The article explicitly mentions that Moonshot AI's Kimi K3 model was marketed as the first open model to reach 2.8 trillion parameters. This release sparked fears about cheaper open-weight models from China undercutting U.S. business models.

Explanation

The article quotes the letter's call to action: 'We request that the U.S. government support an international effort to develop the technical and governance tools needed to deliberately pace the frontier of automated AI development.' Options A, C, and D are not the primary purpose; the letter did not call for a ban, did not specifically criticize China, and did not promote open-weight models (that was a separate letter).

Explanation

The Ministry of Civil Aviation is responsible for formulating policies and programs for the development and regulation of civil aviation, including airports, in India. The article mentions the Union Minister for Civil Aviation, K. Ram Mohan Naidu, who was present at the inauguration.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as the article explicitly states PM Modi inaugurated the airport on August 1, 2026. Statement 2 is correct as the article mentions the airport was developed under PPP mode by GMR Group. Statement 3 is incorrect because the article states the capacity is 6 million passengers annually, not 8 million.

Explanation

The article clearly states that the airport was developed under PPP mode at a cost of over ₹5,640 crore. The other options are plausible distractors; ₹4,560 crore is close but incorrect, ₹6,200 crore and ₹7,100 crore are higher figures not mentioned.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that the inauguration is expected to 'enhance air connectivity for North Coastal Andhra Pradesh'. While the airport may also boost tourism and trade, the primary objective is improved connectivity. The other options are not directly stated in the article.

Explanation

ESA notifications are issued under the Environment Protection Act, 1986, which is administered by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). The other ministries are not directly involved in environmental notifications.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: The first ESA draft was issued on November 13, 2013. Statement 2 is incorrect: The seventh draft covers 9,993.7 sq km, not 13,108 sq km (that was the first draft area). Statement 3 is correct: Farmers and residents are demanding exclusion of populated areas from the final list. Hence option C is correct.

Explanation

The seventh draft notification designates 9,993.7 sq km in Kerala as ESA. 9,973.7 sq km was the area after the 2018 revision, 13,108 sq km was the first draft area, and 56,825.7 sq km is the total national ESA area in the current draft. Hence option B is correct.

Explanation

The ESA designation imposes restrictions on certain activities including construction, mining, and agriculture, which directly affect the livelihoods of farmers and residents in the hilly regions. The article highlights that nearly 1,500 sq km of farmlands and human habitations fall in the ESA zone, and local movements are demanding exclusion of populated areas. The other options are not mentioned as primary concerns in the news.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced the series of measures including the swap facility on June 5, 2026. The RBI is the central bank responsible for monetary policy and forex management.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as the RBI announced the measures on June 5. Statement 2 is incorrect because FCNR(B) deposits contributed $36.725 billion, not $2.575 billion (that is the OFCB contribution). Statement 3 is correct: the facility for OFCBs and ECBs is available up to December 31, 2026.

Explanation

The article states that the facility attracted $40.82 billion till July 31, 2026. The other options are components: $36.725 billion is from FCNR(B), $2.575 billion from OFCB, and $1.516 billion from ECB.

Explanation

The article explicitly states the measures were announced 'with a view to strengthening the country's balance of payments and incentivising capital inflows.' The other options are not mentioned; this facility is specifically aimed at attracting foreign currency inflows.

Explanation

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is the nodal ministry responsible for internal security, immigration, and deportation matters in India. It filed the affidavit in the Supreme Court stating that foreign nationals cannot be deported without nationality confirmation by their home country.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as per the Centre's affidavit. Statement 2 is incorrect because deportation requires a valid travel document or passport. Statement 3 is correct as nationality verification is done through the Embassy/High Commission. Hence option C is correct.

Explanation

The Centre's affidavit listed completion of sentence, valid travel document, and no pending criminal cases as prerequisites. UNHCR approval is not mentioned in the article. The other three conditions are explicitly stated in the news.

Explanation

The plea specifically challenges the indefinite detention of persons declared foreigners in Assam who cannot be deported because their nationality is unverified or their home country does not accept them. The Centre's affidavit directly addresses this issue by clarifying the deportation protocol.

Explanation

The EPFO is a statutory body under the Ministry of Labour & Employment, Government of India. The article explicitly mentions the complaint came from EPFO, Ministry of Labour & Employment.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as the FIR is based on a complaint from EPFO. Statement 2 is incorrect because the ₹1,816.22 crore includes both principal (₹1,007.55 crore) and interest (₹808.67 crore). Statement 3 is correct as per the article: NCDs issued in 2013-14 matured in 2023-24. Hence option C is correct.

Explanation

The article states the CBI has registered a case for alleged EPFO investment fraud involving ₹1,816.22 crore, which comprises ₹1,007.55 crore principal and ₹808.67 crore interest. ₹2,500 crore was the total amount invested by EPFO in RCL NCDs.

Explanation

The article quotes the CBI: 'Investigation has been taken up to identify the role of all persons involved, including public servants and private individuals, examine the alleged criminal conspiracy, and trace the end use of the invested funds.' This is the stated objective.

Explanation

The article explicitly states the airport was built under a public-private partnership (PPP) by GMR Visakhapatnam International Airport Limited. The other options are different PPP models, but the news uses the generic term PPP.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as the PM dedicated the 'Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport' and referenced the freedom fighter. Statement 2 is false; the article calls it the first greenfield airport in Andhra Pradesh. Statement 3 is correct as the design capacity is 6 million passengers per year. Hence option C.

Explanation

The PM mentioned that before 2014 there were 74 operational airports, which have now increased to 166. 69 and 84 are distractors, while 166 is the current number, not the pre-2014 figure.

Explanation

The article states that PM Gati Shakti is unifying rail, port and air infrastructure to improve logistics, help farmers, and ease doing business. Options A, C, and D are not mentioned in the article.

Explanation

Ceuta is a Spanish autonomous city located on the northern coast of Africa, bordered by Morocco and the Mediterranean Sea. It is an exclave of Spain and part of the European Union.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: the Spanish government confirmed 67 deaths. Statement 2 is correct: Spain announced a 500-metre containment barrier. Statement 3 is incorrect: the article states that a handful of migrants remained in Ceuta, including Mohamed Hatri, so not all have returned.

Explanation

The article states 'some 60,000 migrants breached the tiny Spanish territory’s frontier on Thursday and Friday (July 30 and July 31, 2026)'. The other options are distractors: 84,000 is Ceuta's population, 67 is the death toll.

Explanation

The article states Spain was installing a barrier 'along the breakwater fence into the sea' after tens of thousands of migrants breached the border. The objective is to deter and control illegal entry, not to facilitate legal migration or tourism.

Explanation

The Geological Survey of India (GSI) is a scientific agency under the Ministry of Mines. It is responsible for geological mapping and mineral resource assessment. The other ministries mentioned are not the parent ministry of GSI.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as the article explicitly states she is the first woman to head GSI. Statement 2 is incorrect because Asit Saha served for two years, not three. Statement 3 is correct as she joined GSI in 1992 after a stint with the Indian Bureau of Mines. Hence option C is correct.

Explanation

The article states that Varsha Ashok Aglawe assumed charge as the 54th Director General of GSI. Therefore, the total number of Director Generals including her is 54. The other options are incorrect as they do not match the number mentioned.

Explanation

The article mentions that GSI will align its programmes with the government's priorities on critical mineral exploration and mineral security. The objective is to secure supply chains for essential minerals, reducing reliance on imports. While revenue and research are secondary benefits, the core focus is mineral security.

Explanation

The census is conducted under the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, which falls under the Ministry of Home Affairs. This is a standard fact reflected in the Census Act 1948 and administrative structure.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as per the article: self-enumeration from Aug 1 to Aug 15. Statement 2 is incorrect: the house-listing is from August 16 to September 14 (not Sep 15) as per the article. Statement 3 is correct: the census is described as '100% digital'. Hence option C is correct.

Explanation

The article explicitly mentions the portal 'se.census.gov.in' for uploading details. The other options are plausible distractors but not mentioned in the article.

Explanation

The article quotes the Chief Minister saying 'Data collected will be used only for statistics, planning and development.' The other options are not mentioned and are often confused with other government exercises.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that Pax Silica is led by the US State Department. This is a key static linkage fact: international initiatives are often housed under foreign ministries.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as per the article: Pax Silica focuses on critical minerals, energy, semiconductors, and AI. Statement 2 is incorrect because the initiative aims to reduce reliance on Chinese tech dominance. Statement 3 is correct as the meeting occurred in Dhaka.

Explanation

Sergio Gor is the US Special Envoy for South and Central Asia and also serves as US Ambassador to India. Brent Christensen is the US Ambassador to Bangladesh, and Khalilur Rahman is Bangladesh's Foreign Minister.

Explanation

The article states that Pax Silica aims to reduce reliance on Chinese tech dominance. It is an economic security alliance focused on critical minerals, semiconductors, and AI infrastructure, not tourism, military, or trade deals.

Explanation

The Delhi Lakshmi Yojana is a state-level scheme launched by the Delhi Chief Minister. While Delhi is a Union Territory, it has a legislative assembly and a government that administers such welfare schemes. The scheme is not a central sector or centrally sponsored scheme.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect because the scheme is not for all women; it has eligibility criteria (age 21-60, income up to ₹2.5 lakh/year) and exclusions. Statement 2 is incorrect because families owning a four-wheeler are specifically excluded. Statement 3 is correct as per the news: the budget is ₹5,100 crore.

Explanation

The scheme guidelines specify that women from families with an annual income up to ₹2.5 lakh are eligible. Options A, B, and D are distractors; ₹2.5 lakh is the exact ceiling mentioned in the article.

Explanation

CM Rekha Gupta stated that the scheme aims at 'economic empowerment' of the sisters of Delhi. While the scheme provides cash transfers, its stated goal is empowerment, not employment or education. Fiscal deficit reduction is not an objective.