Challenge your APSC CCE and UPSC Prelims preparation with the Daily Current Affairs Challenge – 12 August 2026, featuring important MCQs on the Assam CM-FLIGHT Programme, elephant conservation and SAIEE 2021–25, SNA SPARSH, e-Gram Swaraj Portal, and former President Ram Nath Kovind’s autobiography.
Each question is followed by the correct answer, detailed explanation and exam-focused key facts to help aspirants strengthen both current affairs and related static concepts.
Question 1: Assam CM-FLIGHT Programme and ₹1.5 Lakh Foreign-Language Training Scholarship
Consider the following statements regarding Assam’s CM-FLIGHT Programme and the State Cabinet’s decision on foreign-language training:
- The CM-FLIGHT Programme aims to train and place 50,000 youth by 2030, with the target extendable to 1 lakh.
- Under the programme’s financial model, the Assam Government provides a subsidy of ₹1 lakh, while Japan contributes ₹50,000 and the candidate contributes ₹30,000 towards the reduced cost.
- The State Cabinet has decided to provide a ₹1.5 lakh scholarship to interested youth for foreign-language training under the Chief Minister’s Foreign Language Initiative for Global Human Talent.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Correct Answer: D
Explanation
All three statements are correct.
- Statement 1 is correct: The CM-FLIGHT Programme aims to train and place 50,000 youth by 2030, with the possibility of extending the target to 1 lakh youth.
- The programme is aimed at developing the foreign-language and employability skills required by Assam’s youth for international employment opportunities.
- Statement 2 is correct: The original training cost of ₹3.6 lakh has been reduced to ₹1.8 lakh.
- Under the financial arrangement:
- Assam Government: ₹1 lakh subsidy
- Japan: ₹50,000 contribution
- Candidate: ₹30,000
- Loan support through Axis Bank is also envisaged under the programme.
- Statement 3 is correct: The Assam Government has also decided to provide a ₹1.5 lakh scholarship to interested youth for foreign-language training under the Chief Minister’s Foreign Language Initiative for Global Human Talent.
Key Facts for APSC
CM-FLIGHT stands for the Chief Minister’s Foreign Language Initiative for Global Human Talent.
The programme is important from the perspective of:
- Skill development in Assam
- Overseas employment
- Human-resource development
- Foreign-language training
- Youth employability
- Assam’s engagement with international labour markets
For APSC preparation, aspirants should remember the full form of CM-FLIGHT, target beneficiaries, financial assistance and its employment-oriented objective.
Question 2: Elephant Population in India, SAIEE 2021–25 and Elephant Corridors in Assam
Consider the following statements regarding elephant conservation in India:
- India is home to nearly 60% of the world’s wild Asian elephant population.
- The SAIEE 2021–25 estimated India’s wild elephant population at 22,446.
- Assam has five notified Elephant Reserves and five identified elephant corridors.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Correct Answer: A
Explanation
Statements 1 and 2 are correct, while Statement 3 is incorrect.
- Statement 1 is correct: India supports around 60% or more of the global wild Asian elephant population, making the country one of the most important landscapes globally for Asian elephant conservation.
- Statement 2 is correct: The Synchronous All India Population Estimation of Elephants (SAIEE) 2021–25estimated India’s wild elephant population at 22,446.
- The latest assessment represents an important methodological advancement because it uses a DNA-based population estimation approach. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has described it as India’s first DNA-based elephant census.
- Assam was estimated to have 4,159 elephants under the assessment, making it one of India’s major elephant-bearing states.
- Statement 3 is incorrect: Although Assam has important notified Elephant Reserves, the assertion that the State has only five identified elephant corridors does not correspond with the latest official national assessment.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change’s ground-validated list identifies 10 corridors located specifically in Assam:
- Deosur Corridor
- Bogapani Corridor
- Panbari Corridor
- Kotha Buridehing Corridor
- Kanchanjuri Corridor
- Hatidandi Corridor
- Haldhibari Corridor
- Golai–Pawai Corridor
- Kukurakata–Bagser at Amguri
- Charduar–Singri Hill
Two additional corridors — D’ering–Dibru Saikhowa and Kalapahar–Doigrung — are shared between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.
What is SAIEE?
SAIEE stands for Synchronous All India Population Estimation of Elephants.
The SAIEE 2021–25 exercise was conducted by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) under Project Elephant and estimated 22,446 wild elephants in India.
Why are Elephant Corridors Important?
Elephant corridors provide ecological connectivity between otherwise fragmented habitats, allowing elephants to move between feeding, breeding and shelter areas.
Protecting these corridors is important for:
- Maintaining habitat connectivity
- Reducing population isolation
- Facilitating seasonal elephant movement
- Conserving viable elephant populations
- Reducing human-elephant conflict
Key Facts for APSC
Remember the following:
- Species: Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus)
- SAIEE 2021–25 population estimate: 22,446
- Assam elephant estimate: 4,159
- Project Elephant: Major Government of India elephant conservation programme
- Assam is one of India’s most important elephant landscapes.
Question 3: SNA SPARSH and Just-in-Time Fund Release under Centrally Sponsored Schemes
Consider the following statements regarding SNA SPARSH:
- It is a digital cash-management module built on the Public Financial Management System (PFMS).
- It is designed to facilitate Just-in-Time (JIT) release and tracking of funds under Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS).
- It is primarily designed for the direct transfer of subsidies to individual beneficiaries under Central Sector Schemes.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Correct Answer: A
Explanation
Statements 1 and 2 are correct, while Statement 3 is incorrect.
- SNA SPARSH is a digital cash-management mechanism operating through the Public Financial Management System (PFMS).
- It has been designed to enable Just-in-Time release and monitoring of funds under Centrally Sponsored Schemes.
- The mechanism seeks to make government fund flow more efficient by improving the timing, monitoring and utilisation of funds.
- Statement 3 is incorrect because SNA SPARSH is not primarily a system for transferring subsidies directly to individual beneficiaries under Central Sector Schemes.
PFMS separately recognises the Single Nodal Agency (SNA) mechanism for Centrally Sponsored Schemes and the Central Nodal Agency (CNA) mechanism for Central Sector Schemes.
SNA SPARSH vs DBT: Do Not Confuse
For Prelims, aspirants should differentiate between:
SNA SPARSH
- Concerned with government fund-flow management
- Linked to Centrally Sponsored Schemes
- Uses a Just-in-Time approach
Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT)
- Transfers eligible benefits or subsidies directly into beneficiaries’ bank or postal accounts
- Primarily concerned with beneficiary-level payments
Key Facts for APSC & UPSC
- PFMS: Public Financial Management System
- SNA: Single Nodal Agency
- CSS: Centrally Sponsored Schemes
- Core concept associated with SNA SPARSH: Just-in-Time fund release
Question 4: e-Gram Swaraj Portal and Digital Governance of Panchayats
Which of the following best describes the e-Gram Swaraj Portal?
A. A Central Government platform for monitoring only rural employment under MGNREGA
B. A digital platform for Panchayats covering planning, budgeting, accounting, monitoring, asset management and online payments
C. A financial portal exclusively used by State Governments for transferring funds to District Rural Development Agencies
D. A digital platform primarily designed for conducting elections to Panchayati Raj Institutions
Correct Answer: B
Explanation
e-Gram Swaraj is a comprehensive digital governance platform for Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs).
It was launched in 2020 under the e-Panchayat Mission Mode Project of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj.
The platform supports several important aspects of Panchayat administration, including:
- Decentralised planning
- Budgeting
- Accounting
- Progress monitoring
- Asset management
- Financial reporting
- Online payments
The official e-Gram Swaraj platform describes itself as a comprehensive digital-governance platform developed to strengthen e-Governance in Panchayati Raj Institutions across India.
It is also integrated with PFMS, helping improve transparency and efficiency in Panchayat-level financial management and payments.
Why is e-Gram Swaraj Important?
The platform supports the larger objective of strengthening grassroots governance through digitisation.
It can contribute to:
- Greater transparency in Panchayat finances
- Better planning of local development activities
- Monitoring of developmental works
- Improved accounting and financial management
- Digital availability of Panchayat-level information
- Greater accountability in local governance
Prelims Alert: e-Gram Swaraj vs MGNREGA
Do not confuse e-Gram Swaraj with portals specifically associated with rural employment programmes.
e-Gram Swaraj has a much wider Panchayat governance mandate covering planning, accounting, monitoring and financial management.
Key Facts for APSC & UPSC
- Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Panchayati Raj
- Launched: 2020
- Project: e-Panchayat Mission Mode Project
- Target institutions: Panchayati Raj Institutions
- Key purpose: Integrated digital governance of Panchayats
Question 5: Who Wrote Triumph of the Indian Republic: My Life, My Struggles?
“Triumph of the Indian Republic: My Life, My Struggles” is an autobiography that presents the life journey, personal struggles, experiences in public service and reflections on Indian democracy of a former President of India who rose from a humble background in Kanpur Dehat to occupy the country’s highest constitutional office.
Who is the author of this autobiography?
A. Pranab Mukherjee
B. Ram Nath Kovind
C. Hamid Ansari
D. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
Correct Answer: B — Ram Nath Kovind
Explanation
Former President of India Ram Nath Kovind is the author of Triumph of the Indian Republic: My Life, My Struggles.
The autobiography recounts his:
- Personal struggles and formative experiences
- Journey from a humble background
- Experiences in public life
- Commitment to public service
- Reflections on Indian society and democracy
Why is Triumph of the Indian Republic in News?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi released the autobiography on 12 August 2026 at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi.
The book therefore becomes particularly relevant for current affairs, books and authors, personalities and Indian polity-related questions in competitive examinations.
About Ram Nath Kovind
Ram Nath Kovind served as the President of India and has held several important public positions during his career.
The autobiography presents his personal journey alongside his experiences of India’s democratic institutions and public life.
Key Facts for APSC & UPSC
- Book: Triumph of the Indian Republic: My Life, My Struggles
- Author: Ram Nath Kovind
- Genre: Autobiography
- Released: 12 August 2026
- Release venue: Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi
- Released by: Prime Minister Narendra Modi
For Prelims, remember the book–author combination.
Quick Revision: 12 August 2026 Current Affairs
Before you finish today’s challenge, revise these five facts:
- CM-FLIGHT: Assam initiative for foreign-language training and global employment opportunities.
- SAIEE 2021–25: Estimated 22,446 wild elephants in India.
- SNA SPARSH: Enables Just-in-Time fund flow for Centrally Sponsored Schemes through PFMS.
- e-Gram Swaraj: Integrated digital-governance platform for Panchayati Raj Institutions.
- Triumph of the Indian Republic: My Life, My Struggles: Autobiography of Ram Nath Kovind.
Strengthen Your APSC Current Affairs Preparation
Current affairs questions in APSC CCE Prelims increasingly require aspirants to connect recent developments with related static concepts.
Instead of merely memorising the correct option, focus on:
- Important schemes and their objectives
- Government institutions and implementing ministries
- Assam-specific developments
- Environment and conservation data
- Digital-governance initiatives
- Important books, authors and personalities
Follow the Lucent IAS Daily Current Affairs Challenge regularly for exam-oriented MCQs, explanations and important facts relevant to APSC CCE and UPSC preparation.