Pragyesh IAS • Exclusive BPSC Daily Current Affairs
14 August 2026 Exclusive Current Affairs for BPSC
Eight examination-relevant topics covering India-SACU trade talks, archaeology, telecom awareness, biodiversity, Russia-Japan island dispute, Bihar-Telangana agriculture cooperation, Bihar Cabinet decisions and a possible Sangam-age irrigation structure.
14 August 2026 • BPSC Prelims • Gaurav Sir1. India-SACU Sign Terms of Reference for Preferential Trade Agreement Talks
India and the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) have signed the Terms of Reference to begin negotiations for a Preferential Trade Agreement. The framework defines the issues and sectors to be covered during negotiations.
Key Trade Concepts
- SACU members named are South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho and Eswatini.
- SACU is described as the world's oldest customs union.
- The trade basket is stated to contain around 500 items.
- Lower tariffs are expected to improve market access and support export diversification.
- The narration links deeper SACU engagement with the possibility of wider trade relations across Africa.
International Trade Current Affairs MCQ
Question 1 • Select the correct answer
With reference to the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), consider the following statements:
- SACU comprises South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho and Eswatini.
- India and SACU have signed Terms of Reference to begin negotiations for a Preferential Trade Agreement.
- South Africa accounts for nearly 90% of India's trade with SACU, as stated in the narration.
- SACU is a free-trade area without a common external tariff.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
2. Fresh Excavation Planned at Vaishya Tekri Stupa in Ujjain
A fresh excavation is planned at Vaishya Tekri in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh with Archaeological Survey of India support to clarify the site's chronology and examine its possible association with the Mauryan period and Emperor Ashoka.
Earlier Finds
The earlier excavation exposed the main stupa and remains of two smaller stupas, along with unusually large bricks.
Coins
Punch-marked coins and Avanti coins are cited as evidence supporting a broad Mauryan-period association.
Ashoka Link
Ashoka's association is discussed through his governorship of Ujjain and traditions involving his wife Devi, but is not described as conclusively proven archaeologically.
Kanakagiri Tradition
The site is also linked in tradition with Kanakagiri Vihara, though the identification is described as unproven.
Ancient History Current Affairs MCQ
Question 2 • Select the correct answer
With reference to Vaishya Tekri, consider the following statements:
- It is located in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh.
- Archaeological evidence has conclusively proved that the stupa was constructed by Emperor Ashoka.
- Earlier excavations yielded punch-marked coins and Avanti coins.
- The site has been broadly associated with the Mauryan period.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
3. Department of Telecommunications Expands Sanchar Mitra Scheme
The Sanchar Mitra Scheme is presented as a nationwide outreach initiative of the Department of Telecommunications under the Ministry of Communications, engaging student volunteers as digital ambassadors for telecom awareness and digital literacy.
- Selected student volunteers serve as Sanchar Mitras / digital ambassadors.
- The main objectives are telecom awareness, digital literacy and responsible digital behaviour.
- The initiative is designed to build a bridge among youth, educational institutions and the telecom ecosystem.
- The first outreach session mentioned was organised by the Assam LSA at BSNL Bhawan, Guwahati.
- Participants included students and representatives from institutions such as IIT, IIIT and NIT.
- An exam trap highlighted in the narration is that the initiative belongs to the Ministry of Communications, not the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
Governance Current Affairs MCQ
Question 3 • Select the correct answer
With reference to the Sanchar Mitra Scheme, consider the following statements:
- It has been launched by the Department of Telecommunications.
- It seeks to engage students as digital ambassadors for telecom awareness and digital literacy.
- The first outreach session under the expanded scheme was organised by Assam LSA in Guwahati.
- The scheme is implemented under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
4. Three New Cascade Frog Species Identified from Eastern and North-Eastern India
A team led by Delhi University professor S. D. Biju, popularly described as the “Frogman of India”, identified three new cascade-frog species belonging to the genus Amolops after long-term field research.
Amolops amachii
Reported from the Jampui Hills of Tripura; the narration says the name honours Padmini Varghese, affectionately called “Amachi”.
Amolops sendenyou
Reported from Nagaland and described as being named after Sendenyu village.
Amolops bella
Reported from West Bengal; the name is linked with its beautiful green body and mosaic pattern.
How Identified
DNA analysis, field surveys and comparison of adult frogs and tadpoles are cited as identification methods.
- The findings were stated to be published in the Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology.
- The narration highlights the Himalaya and Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspots.
- The discovery is used to underline how much biodiversity in eastern and north-eastern India remains under-documented.
- The rise of the Himalayas is discussed as an important factor shaping the present distribution of these frogs.
Biodiversity Current Affairs MCQ
Question 4 • Select the correct answer
With reference to the three newly identified cascade frog species from India, consider the following statements:
- Amolops amachii was discovered in Tripura.
- Amolops sendenyou was discovered in Nagaland.
- Amolops bella was discovered in West Bengal.
- All three species belong to the genus Amolops.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
5. Putin Visits Iturup Amid Russia-Japan Southern Kuril Dispute
The narration describes a visit by Vladimir Putin to Iturup, an island administered by Russia but claimed by Japan, bringing renewed attention to the long-running dispute over four islands that Japan collectively calls the Northern Territories.
- The four disputed islands named are Iturup, Kunashir, Shikotan and Habomai.
- Japan refers to the group as the Northern Territories, while Russia treats them as part of the southern Kurils.
- The dispute is traced in the narration to the Soviet takeover in 1945.
- The unresolved territorial issue is cited as a reason Russia and Japan still lack a formal post-World War II peace treaty.
- Japan's historical argument is linked to the Treaty of Shimoda; the narration stresses that Japan does not claim the entire Kuril chain.
- The North Pacific location is described as strategically and economically important because of fisheries and possible mineral resources.
International Relations Current Affairs MCQ
Question 5 • Select the correct answer
With reference to the Russia-Japan dispute over the Southern Kuril Islands / Northern Territories, consider the following statements:
- Iturup is administered by Russia but claimed by Japan.
- Japan claims the entire Kuril island chain from Russia.
- The territorial dispute has prevented Russia and Japan from signing a formal post-war peace treaty.
- Japan refers to the four disputed islands collectively as the Northern Territories.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
6. Bihar and Telangana Agree on Agricultural Cooperation
Bihar and Telangana agreed to deepen agricultural cooperation through technology sharing, innovation, training, institutional knowledge exchange and the transfer of successful farming practices between the two states.
Bihar Farmers
Exposure and training in Telangana are planned around oil-palm cultivation, processing and oil extraction.
Telangana Farmers
Exposure in Bihar is planned around makhana cultivation, value addition, processing and marketing.
Capacity Building
Training and study visits are intended to provide practical field exposure and strengthen farmer skills.
Technology Transfer
Scientists, experts and technical institutions are expected to support faster knowledge and technology transfer.
- The narration names Bihar agriculture minister Vijay Kumar Sinha and Telangana agriculture minister Tummala Nageswara Rao in connection with the meeting.
- The cooperation aims to move beyond cultivation into processing, value addition and marketing.
- Expected benefits include farmer capacity building, field exposure, higher value realisation, crop diversification and climate-smart agriculture.
Bihar Agriculture Current Affairs MCQ
Question 6 • Select the correct answer
With reference to the recent Bihar-Telangana agricultural cooperation initiative, consider the following statements:
- Bihar farmers will receive exposure to oil-palm cultivation, processing and oil-extraction techniques in Telangana.
- Telangana farmers will study makhana cultivation, value addition and marketing practices in Bihar.
- The initiative also envisages cooperation among scientists, experts and technical institutions.
- The agreement is primarily aimed at promoting wheat cultivation in both states.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
7. Bihar Cabinet Approves 11 Major Decisions with Youth and Solar Focus
The Bihar Cabinet is described as approving 11 major proposals focused on youth skills, higher education, rooftop solar support, compressed biogas, power-sector staffing and urban infrastructure.
Youth, Education and Skills
- The Kushal Yuva Programme is stated to receive ₹430.08 crore and to be extended up to 2031.
- The Bihar Student Credit Card Scheme is stated to receive ₹950 crore and to be extended up to 2031.
- For private ITI admissions, 50% of seats are stated to be filled through a common entrance examination to promote transparency and merit.
- More than 300 B.Ed teacher-training institutions are discussed in connection with conversion into multidisciplinary degree colleges under the National Education Policy framework.
Energy, CBG and Infrastructure
PM Surya Ghar Support
Residential consumers are stated to receive an additional state subsidy of ₹10,000 per kW, subject to a maximum of ₹20,000, through direct benefit transfer.
CBG Plants
Compressed-biogas plants are proposed in Gaya, Muzaffarpur, Bhagalpur and Bihar Sharif, with municipal waste highlighted as the primary feedstock.
Land Support
The narration states that industries would receive 10 acres of land support on a 25-year lease for the CBG initiative.
Other Decisions
Land sale-purchase restrictions for a greenfield satellite township are described as being lifted after the final plan, and 221 new technical posts are mentioned for the state power transmission company.
Bihar Cabinet Current Affairs MCQ
Question 7 • Select the correct answer
With reference to the recent Bihar Cabinet decisions, consider the following statements:
- The Kushal Yuva Programme has been extended up to 2031.
- An allocation of ₹950 crore has been approved for the Bihar Student Credit Card Scheme.
- Under the state support for PM Surya Ghar, residential consumers can receive an additional subsidy of ₹10,000 per kW, subject to a maximum of ₹20,000.
- The Cabinet approved filling all seats in private ITIs through a common entrance examination.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
8. Possible Sangam-Age Irrigation Structure Found in the Kollidam River System
Brick-and-stone remains exposed in the Kollidam River in Tiruchi district, Tamil Nadu are described in a preliminary ASI assessment as possibly belonging to the early historic period and potentially to the Sangam age.
- Villagers are described as first noticing the brick-and-stone structure before an ASI team inspected the remains.
- The preliminary assessment suggests an early historic period, possibly the Sangam age.
- The find is presented as possible evidence of ancient irrigation and water-management systems.
- The Kollidam River is described as part of the Kaveri river system.
- The Kaveri delta is highlighted for its long history of irrigation, with the Kallanai / Grand Anicut cited as a traditional reference associated with Karikala Chola.
- The exact date and function of the newly exposed structure are explicitly described as not yet conclusively established.
History and Geography Current Affairs MCQ
Question 8 • Select the correct answer
With reference to the possible Sangam-age irrigation structure discovered in the Kollidam River, consider the following statements:
- The structure was found in Tiruchi district of Tamil Nadu.
- The Kollidam is part of the Kaveri river system.
- The structure has been conclusively identified by ASI as a Sangam-age dam.
- Kallanai / Grand Anicut is traditionally associated with Karikala Chola.
Which of the statements given above are correct?