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13 August 2026 Exclusive Current Affairs for BPSC

Seven examination-relevant topics covering state-name change procedure, railway branding, international physics awards, compressed biogas, India-US space cooperation, Bihar infrastructure financing and Bihar mineral resources.

13 August 2026 • BPSC Prelims • Gaurav Sir
Polity and Constitution

1. Parliament Passes Bill to Rename Kerala as Keralam

The transcript states that Parliament passed a bill to rename Kerala as Keralam, with Presidential assent described as the remaining step before the name becomes official.

Article 3Power to alter the name of a state
Article 4Simple-majority framing stated
1st ScheduleAmended after completion
Simple MajorityNo special majority stated

Procedure Explained in the Narration

1. State ResolutionThe state passes a resolution seeking the change.
2. PresidentThe proposal goes to the President and Presidential recommendation is described as mandatory for introduction.
3. State ViewsThe bill is referred to the concerned State Legislature for its views; Parliament is stated not to be bound by those views.
4. ParliamentThe bill may be introduced in either House and must be passed by both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
5. AssentAfter Presidential assent, the name change becomes official and the First Schedule is amended.
  • The narration links the power to alter the name of a State to Article 3 of the Constitution.
  • It states that a State Legislature's views are not binding on Parliament.
  • The process is described as not requiring the special-majority procedure under Article 368.
  • Previous examples mentioned include Madras to Tamil Nadu, Mysore to Karnataka, Orissa/Odisha and Uttaranchal to Uttarakhand.

Polity Current Affairs MCQ

Question 1 • Select the correct answer

Question 1

With reference to the constitutional process for changing the name of a State in India, consider the following statements:

  1. Parliament has the power to alter the name of a State under Article 3.
  2. Such a bill can be introduced in Parliament only on the recommendation of the President.
  3. The views of the concerned State Legislature are binding on Parliament.
  4. A State-name change does not require the special-majority procedure under Article 368.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Score: 0/1
Railways and Economy

2. Lucknow-New Delhi Tejas Express Set to Run as “Sprite Tejas Express”

The narration describes the Lucknow-New Delhi IRCTC Tejas Express as India's first train to be commercially branded after a private brand, with branding rights stated to have been awarded for six months.

6 monthsBranding period stated
82501Train number stated
82502Return train number stated
IRCTCOperator and branding-rights provider stated
  • The train is the Lucknow-New Delhi IRCTC Tejas Express.
  • The transcript says the train will be announced and displayed as Sprite Tejas Express at originating and en-route stations during the branding period.
  • Tracks, stations and hauling arrangements with Indian Railways are stated to remain unchanged.
  • The narration explicitly says that commercial branding does not mean privatisation.
  • The significance highlighted is the possibility of raising non-fare revenue through commercial branding.

Railways Current Affairs MCQ

Question 2 • Select the correct answer

Question 2

Which train is set to run as India's first commercially branded train under the name “Sprite Tejas Express” in the supplied narration?

Score: 0/1
Science and Technology

3. Physicist Deepak Dhar Wins 2026 Dirac Medal

The transcript states that physicist Deepak Dhar was named a co-recipient of the 2026 Dirac Medal for contributions in theoretical physics and complex systems.

2026Dirac Medal year
1985Medal instituted, as stated
2022Boltzmann Medal year
1951Birth year stated
  • The Dirac Medal is described as honouring outstanding contributions to theoretical physics.
  • The awarding institution is referred to in the narration as the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP), located in Italy.
  • The medal is stated to be named after Paul Dirac.
  • The transcript says Deepak Dhar became the first Indian to receive the Boltzmann Medal in 2022.
  • His research area is described as theoretical physics and complex systems, including models relevant to earthquakes, traffic jams and financial-market fluctuations.
  • The narration mentions education and research associations with IIT Kanpur, University of Allahabad, Caltech, TIFR Mumbai and institutions in Pune and Bengaluru.

Science Current Affairs MCQ

Question 3 • Select the correct answer

Question 3

With reference to Deepak Dhar and major international physics awards, consider the following statements:

  1. Deepak Dhar was named as a co-recipient of the 2026 Dirac Medal.
  2. He became the first Indian to receive the Boltzmann Medal in 2022.
  3. The Dirac Medal is awarded by the international theoretical-physics centre referred to in the narration as ICTP.
  4. The Dirac Medal is named after Ludwig Boltzmann.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Score: 0/1
Environment, Energy and Circular Economy

4. GOBARdhan / National Circular Bio-Energy Scheme and CBG Expansion

The narration discusses a Union Cabinet-approved National Circular Bio-Energy Scheme / GOBARdhan Scheme focused on sharply increasing domestic compressed biogas production.

₹23,731 croreOutlay stated after narrator's correction
10-foldCBG production increase target
~300Existing CBG plants stated
~5,000Plant scale target stated
  • The full form given for GOBARdhan is Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan.
  • The nodal ministry is stated as the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
  • Feedstocks mentioned include agricultural residue, cattle dung, press mud, municipal organic waste and other biomass.
  • The process described is organic waste to biogas, purification of the biogas and then compression into CBG.
  • The narration says CBG can be blended with CNG and supplied through gas networks for cooking and can also be used in automobiles.
  • Benefits highlighted include waste-to-wealth, rural jobs, circular economy, energy security and lower dependence on fossil-fuel imports.
Transcript Detail: The speaker explicitly corrects an earlier displayed figure and states the outlay as ₹23,731 crore. This page preserves that corrected narration.

Environment Current Affairs MCQ

Question 4 • Select the correct answer

Question 4

With reference to the National Circular Bio-Energy Scheme / GOBARdhan Scheme, consider the following statements:

  1. The scheme is stated to have an outlay of ₹23,731 crore.
  2. It seeks to increase domestic compressed biogas production nearly ten-fold.
  3. Agricultural residue, cattle dung, press mud and municipal organic waste can be used as feedstock.
  4. CBG cannot be blended with CNG or supplied through gas networks.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Score: 0/1
Space and International Cooperation

5. NASA Invites ISRO to Join Moon-Base Programme

The transcript says NASA invited ISRO to participate in a programme aimed at creating the infrastructure needed for a permanent and sustainable human presence on the Moon.

2023India joined Artemis Accords
27thIndia's signatory position stated
9thIndia-US Civil Space Joint Working Group meeting
2040Indian human Moon-landing goal stated
  • The offer is stated to have been discussed at the 9th India-US Civil Space Joint Working Group meeting in Bengaluru.
  • The Artemis framework is described as guiding peaceful civil exploration of outer space.
  • The narration says India joined the Artemis Accords in 2023.
  • NISAR is described as a joint NASA-ISRO Earth-observation mission.
  • The transcript links India-US cooperation with astronaut training and refers to Gaganyaan as India's human-spaceflight programme.
  • The broader trend highlighted is movement from satellite missions toward human spaceflight and lunar exploration.

Space Current Affairs MCQ

Question 5 • Select the correct answer

Question 5

With reference to India-US space cooperation, consider the following statements:

  1. India joined the Artemis Accords in 2023.
  2. NISAR is described as a joint Earth-observation mission of NASA and ISRO.
  3. The Artemis programme aims only at short-duration crewed Moon missions without establishing sustained human presence.
  4. India has a stated long-term goal of achieving an Indian human landing on the Moon by 2040.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Score: 0/1
Bihar Economy and Infrastructure

6. Bihar Signs ₹21,000 Crore Infrastructure Financing Pact with NABARD

The narration describes a ₹21,000 crore long-term financing programme between the Bihar Government's Road Construction Department and NABARD for roads, bridges and rural connectivity.

₹21,000 crorePact size stated
<8%Interest-rate request stated
1982NABARD establishment year stated
MumbaiNABARD headquarters stated
  • The focus areas are stated as roads, bridges and rural connectivity.
  • The agreement is described as being between the Bihar Government's Road Construction Department and NABARD.
  • NABARD is expanded in the narration as the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development.
  • The transcript names Shaji K. V. as NABARD's chairman and Pankaj Kumar Pal in connection with Bihar's Road Construction Department.
  • The Bihar Government is stated to have requested that the long-term financing rate be kept below 8%.
  • The significance highlighted is stronger funding capacity for road and bridge projects, improved rural connectivity and economic activity.

Bihar Current Affairs MCQ

Question 6 • Select the correct answer

Question 6

With reference to the ₹21,000 crore long-term financing agreement between the Government of Bihar and NABARD, consider the following statements:

  1. The agreement is primarily intended to finance road and bridge infrastructure projects in Bihar.
  2. The agreement was signed on behalf of the Bihar Government by the Road Construction Department.
  3. The Bihar Government requested NABARD to keep the long-term financing rate below 8%.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Score: 0/1
Bihar Geography, Mining and Economy

7. Mineral Mining Preparations in Gaya and Rohtas

The transcript says the Union Government identified 14 major mineral blocks in Bihar, with Gaya and Rohtas highlighted for important mineral deposits.

14Major mineral blocks stated
GayaMagnetite and vanadium
RohtasGlauconite
₹5,000 croreExpected revenue stated

Magnetite

Identified with Gaya in the narration and described as an iron ore.

Vanadium

Also linked with Gaya; the narration mentions its use in high-strength alloy steel.

Glauconite

Linked with Rohtas and described as a source associated with potassium/potash.

Fertiliser Link

The narration connects potash derived from the Rohtas mineral resource with fertiliser use.

  • The Union Ministry of Mines is stated to have made 14 major mineral blocks in Bihar available for auction.
  • The narration links the development with Bihar's mineral potential, industrial use, revenue and possible employment generation.
  • For BPSC, the speaker stresses remembering both location-mineral pairs and the industrial use of the minerals.

Bihar Geography MCQ

Question 7 • Select the correct answer

Question 7

With reference to the recently identified mineral blocks in Bihar, consider the following statements:

  1. Magnetite and vanadium deposits are stated to have been identified in Gaya district.
  2. Glauconite found in Rohtas district is described as a source associated with potash used for fertiliser production.
  3. The Union Ministry of Mines is stated to have made 14 major mineral blocks in Bihar available for auction.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Score: 0/1
👨‍🏫 Faculty: Gaurav Sir | 📅 Date: 13 August 2026 | 🎯 Target: BPSC Prelims | Bihar Current Affairs | Daily MCQs | General Studies
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