16 August 2026, Questions & Answers

Explanation

The article clearly states that the 'Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry' issued the order on August 13, 2026. This ministry oversees all oil and gas production, refining, and distribution in India.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: the combined target is 63,810 tonnes/day. Statement 2 is incorrect: no target was set for Reliance's export-only refinery; the 18,000 tonnes/day target applies to its DTA (Domestic Tariff Area) refinery. Statement 3 is correct: the schedule will be updated every six months (Jan 1 and July 1). Hence option C is correct.

Explanation

The article states: 'India consumed 33.2 million tonnes of LPG in the 2025-26 fiscal year (about 91,000 tonnes per day).' 13.1 MT was domestic production and 21.3 MT was imported, making 33.2 MT the total consumption.

Explanation

The article explicitly states the framework aims to ensure 'a future disruption to overseas LPG supplies does not translate into the shortages and rationing seen during the recent crisis' (the 2026 Iran war). The 64% import dependence and Strait of Hormuz vulnerability drove this structural reform.

Explanation

The article states that NASA invited ISRO to participate in the Moon Base programme during the 9th India-U.S. Civil Space Joint Working Group meeting at ISRO headquarters. ISRO is India's national space agency under the Department of Space.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: NASA’s Moon Base is to be built near the south pole with a target of ~2030. Statement 2 is correct: China and Russia announced ILRS in 2021 with a target of 2035. Statement 3 is incorrect: India signed the Artemis Accords in 2023, not 2025.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that the Moon Base is targeted to take shape around 2030. The other options are distractors: 2027 is for Artemis III (crewed test flight), 2028 for Artemis IV (lunar landing), and 2035 is the target for China’s ILRS.

Explanation

The article argues that India’s increasing embedding in the U.S.-led technological ecosystem will increase the cost of engaging with China’s ILRS in the future, potentially compromising India’s strategic autonomy. This is the central strategic dilemma discussed.

Explanation

The article states: 'On 7 August 2026, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye signed a landmark defence agreement.' The agreement was named the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement. UAE and Bahrain appear in the context of the 2020 Abraham Accords, not in this pact.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct because the article calls Mecca the birthplace of Prophet Muhammad. Statement 2 is incorrect—the 2020 Abraham Accords were between Israel, UAE and Bahrain, not Saudi Arabia. Statement 3 is correct: the article describes a 'clever division between the symbolic frame and legal text' that provides a shield against domestic pushback.

Explanation

The first line of the article says: 'On 7 August 2026, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye signed a landmark defence agreement.' 20 October 2020 is the date of Steven Mnuchin's speech on the Abraham Accords; 16 August 2026 is the article's publication date.

Explanation

The article argues that a treaty title is a deliberate 'frame' designed to guide public and global perception. Invoking Mecca draws on religious legitimacy and projects pan-Islamic solidarity, while the actual legal liabilities remain technical and limited. The other options introduce motives not supported by the article.

Explanation

The article states that ONGC received a license from the U.S. Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). OFAC is the agency responsible for administering economic sanctions.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: ONGC Videsh holds 40% in San Cristobal. Statement 2 is correct: PDVSA is Venezuela's state-owned oil company. Statement 3 is incorrect because the article mentions a pending dividend of 'more than $500 million', not exactly $500 million.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that 'San Cristobal produced around 0.265 million tonnes of oil equivalent in FY26'. Options B and C are incorrect multipliers; option D changes the unit to barrels.

Explanation

The article mentions that ONGC is seeking to potentially take over operatorship from PDVSA and recovering more than $500 million in pending dividends is a key objective. The license also allows investment to raise production in Venezuela, not to exit or focus on the US.

Explanation

The article specifies that Hara forests consist mainly of grey mangrove trees (Avicennia marina), known for their salt-excreting leaves and root filtration system. Other options are common mangroves but not the dominant species in Hara.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: Hara mangroves are a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, not a World Heritage Site. Statements 2 and 3 are directly from the article: the Minoan Pioneer was struck by a projectile, and the slick is 160 km long.

Explanation

The article explicitly states 'The slick stretches 160 km long.' The other options are close distractors; 150 km and 170 km are plausible but incorrect.

Explanation

The article states that Hara forests serve as an important nursery for marine life, sheltering shrimp, crabs, and numerous fish species that sustain the region's fisheries. While tourism is mentioned, the direct link to fisheries is through their role as a nursery.

Explanation

PM Modi said that daughters graduating from the NDA are demonstrating the capability to lead the nation's military with confidence and authority. The NDA is India's joint-services academy for Army, Navy and Air Force cadets.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as the PM called for developing drones and counter-drone systems and taking leadership in hypersonic defence. Statement 2 is incorrect because the PM said Mission Sudarshan Chakra was announced some years ago, not in the 2026 address. Statement 3 is correct as he said defence exports have risen and Indian weapons are reaching about 100 countries.

Explanation

The PM informed that India's defence exports have risen significantly and Indian weapons are reaching about 100 countries. This is a key statistical fact for Prelims, often distorted with close distractors.

Explanation

PM Modi argued that relying on cheaper or quicker foreign options does not build India's own capabilities or test their strength. Aatmanirbharta in defence is therefore aimed at strengthening national capacity and self-protection, even as global powers prioritise their own interests.

Explanation

The article states that BCI is a statutory body established by Parliament under the Advocates Act, 1961. The Constitution does not create BCI, and the older Acts are not the source of its establishment.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as Section 7 includes laying down standards of professional conduct. Statement 3 is correct as BCI promotes legal education and lays down its standards in consultation with universities and State Bar Councils. Statement 2 is incorrect because enrolment is done by State Bar Councils under Section 6, not by BCI.

Explanation

The article states that members from State Bar Councils are elected for a period of five years. The Chairman and Vice-Chairman, however, are elected for only two years from among BCI members.

Explanation

Under Section 6, State Bar Councils admit persons as advocates on their roll. Section 26 gives BCI a narrow role only when an enrolment committee proposes to reject an application. This is why BCI's order to stop enrolment of an entire batch raised a legal question and was withdrawn.

Explanation

The CAG is the constitutional authority under Article 148 that audits government accounts. The report titled 'Passenger Amenities and Sanitation at Non-Suburban Railway Stations' was prepared by the CAG.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: E. coli was found at 8 stations. Statement 2 is incorrect: CAG recommended stricter adherence to protocols, not discontinuation of water supply. Statement 3 is correct: The report stated chemical testing was not done at 179 stations.

Explanation

The CAG report states that it collected samples from 49 stations across eight zones in 2022-23. In 2023-24, 56 stations were audited. The other options are distractors: 8 is the number of stations with E. coli, 179 is the number of stations without chemical testing.

Explanation

The presence of E. coli and total coliforms indicates faecal contamination, which can cause serious illnesses. The CAG's report focuses on the violation of water quality norms that directly affect the health of millions of passengers using railway stations.

Explanation

The court explicitly applied the Minimum Wages Act, 1948, holding that the nature of work and control over volunteers established an employment relationship, entitling them to the statutory minimum wage.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: the HC dismissed BMC's petitions. Statement 2 is incorrect: the volunteers work 5 hours daily, not 8. Statement 3 is correct: the court explicitly stated that the label 'honorarium' does not exclude them from the Act.

Explanation

The article states that the volunteers receive ₹14,000 as honorarium. The court held that despite this label, they are entitled to the notified minimum wage under the Act.

Explanation

The court emphasised that calling payment 'honorarium' does not exclude workers from statutory wage protections. This sets a precedent for similar community health workers and informal labourers, enhancing social security coverage.

Explanation

The FAST-DS is a tax compliance scheme launched by the Income Tax Department, which operates under the Ministry of Finance. The scheme was announced by the Finance Minister in the Union Budget 2026.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: Category 1 of FAST-DS requires 30% tax plus 30% additional tax for undisclosed income up to Rs 1 crore. Statement 2 is incorrect: The scheme has specific limits (Rs 1 crore for undisclosed income, Rs 5 crore for undeclared assets) and excludes assets representing proceeds of crime under PMLA. Statement 3 is correct: Category 2 allows disclosure of taxed/non-resident assets up to Rs 5 crore with a Rs 1 lakh fee.

Explanation

The article explicitly states that the valuation date is March 31, 2026. FMV of assets proposed to be declared must be computed as on this date. August 16, 2026 is the scheme launch date, and December 31, 2026 is the closing date.

Explanation

The article states that FAST-DS is a 'one-time voluntary disclosure window' aimed at 'addressing practical issues of small taxpayers' and provides 'immunity from prosecution under the Black Money Act, 2015'. While it generates revenue, its core objective is compliance and regularization, not punishment or revenue maximization.