Practice APSC Current Affairs MCQ for 26 August 2026 on AssamSAT, Dihing Patkai National Park, UNCCD COP17, Khelo India Dialogue and INS Nipun.| Important UPSC APSC MCQ
Question 1: AssamSAT – Earth Observation, LEO Satellites, SAR Technology & Disaster Management | Important UPSC APSC MCQ
Consider the following statements regarding AssamSAT:
- AssamSAT is an earth-observation satellite initiative aimed at strengthening disaster management and monitoring the state’s international borders.
- The proposed AssamSAT constellation will comprise at least five satellites in Low-Earth Orbit (LEO), with Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) technology being considered for all-weather imaging.
- AssamSAT is being implemented entirely by ISRO without any participation from private-sector companies.
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 — 1 and 2 only
Explanation: Statements 1 and 2 are correct, while Statement 3 is incorrect.
AssamSAT is proposed as an earth-observation satellite constellation intended to strengthen the state’s capabilities in areas such as disaster response, border monitoring, agriculture and governance.
The initiative envisages a constellation of at least five satellites in Low-Earth Orbit (LEO).
An important technology being considered for the project is Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR).
Why is SAR Important? Unlike conventional optical imaging, SAR can obtain useful images even during cloud cover and darkness. This makes it particularly relevant for a state like Assam, where prolonged cloud cover during the monsoon can limit conventional satellite observations.
Potential applications include flood monitoring, disaster management, agricultural assessment, land-use monitoring and border surveillance.
Statement 3 is incorrect because the proposed project is not envisaged as an initiative implemented exclusively by ISRO.
According to the attached material, it follows a Design-Build-Launch-Operate-Transfer model involving private-sector participation, in collaboration with IN-SPACe and ISRO.
What is LEO? Low-Earth Orbit generally refers to satellite orbits relatively close to Earth. Satellites in LEO can provide frequent observations of the Earth’s surface, making them useful for remote sensing and earth observation.
Question 2: Dihing Patkai National Park – Rainforest, Patkai Hills and Protected Area of Assam | Important UPSC APSC MCQ
Consider the following statements regarding Dihing Patkai National Park:
- Dihing Patkai National Park is located in the Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts of Assam and lies in the Dehing Patkai Landscape.
- The park is situated at the foothills of the Patkai Hill Ranges and is known for its tropical lowland rainforests.
- Dihing Patkai National Park was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 2004 and upgraded to a national park in 2020 by the Government of Assam.
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 — 1, 2 and 3
Explanation: According to the attached material, all three statements are correct.
Dihing Patkai National Park is located in the Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts of Assam and forms part of the larger Dehing Patkai Landscape.
It lies near the foothills of the Patkai Hill Ranges and is especially known for its tropical lowland rainforest ecosystem.
The region is one of the most important rainforest landscapes of Assam and Northeast India.
According to the material provided, the area was declared a Wildlife Sanctuary on 13 June 2004 and was subsequently upgraded to National Park status on 13 December 2020.
Why is Dihing Patkai Important? Tropical rainforests support high levels of biodiversity because of their complex vegetation structure, high rainfall and year-round biological productivity.
The Dihing Patkai landscape is relevant for studying:
Biodiversity conservation, rainforest ecosystems, protected areas of Assam, Patkai Hills, wildlife corridors and Northeast India’s ecological geography.
Question 3: UNCCD COP17 – Ulaanbaatar, Land Degradation, Desertification & “Restoring Land. Restoring Hope.”| Important UPSC APSC MCQ
Consider the following statements regarding the 17th Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the UNCCD:
- COP17 to the UNCCD is being held from August 17 to 28, 2026, in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
- The theme of UNCCD COP17 is “Combating Desertification Through Global Climate Action.”
- COP17 focuses on climate change mitigation and does not address land degradation or desertification.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Correct Answer: A — Statement 1 Only
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct, while Statements 2 and 3 are incorrect.
According to the provided material, UNCCD COP17 is being held from 17–28 August 2026 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
The theme of the conference is “Restoring Land. Restoring Hope.”
Therefore, Statement 2 is incorrect.
Statement 3 is also incorrect because the UNCCD is directly concerned with challenges related to desertification, land degradation and drought.
COP17 covers a wide range of related issues, including:
Land degradation, drought, rangelands, water resilience, food systems, soil health and Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN).
What is UNCCD? UNCCD stands for the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification.
It provides an international framework for addressing degradation of land in drylands and related issues of drought resilience and sustainable land management.
What is Land Degradation Neutrality? Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) broadly refers to a condition in which the quantity and quality of land resources necessary to support ecosystem functions and food security remain stable or increase.
It seeks to balance unavoidable degradation with restoration and sustainable management.
Why is COP17 Important for India? Land degradation has direct connections with agriculture, water security, drought, soil health, food security and climate resilience, making UNCCD negotiations relevant to India’s development and environmental policies.
Question 4: Khelo India Dialogue 2026 – National Sports Day, Youth Engagement & Sports Governance | Important UPSC APSC MCQ
Consider the following statements regarding “Khelo India Dialogue – Khel Ki Baat, Pradhan Mantri Modi Ke Saath”:
- The nationwide initiative will be organised on 29 August 2026 across more than 500 educational institutions to celebrate National Sports Day.
- The programme is designed exclusively as a sports competition for professional athletes, without participation from students or policymakers.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Correct Answer: D — Neither 1 nor 2
Explanation: Both statements are incorrect.
According to the attached material, the Khelo India Dialogue – Khel Ki Baat, Pradhan Mantri Modi Ke Saath is scheduled for 27 August 2026, not 29 August.
It is expected to involve more than 1,500 locations, rather than being restricted to 500 educational institutions.
The initiative is also not exclusively a sporting competition for professional athletes.
Instead, it is designed as a nationwide youth-engagement programme bringing together:
Young people, athletes, educational institutions and policymakers.
The programme therefore combines sports with broader themes such as youth participation, sports culture, awareness and policy engagement.
National Sports Day: In India, National Sports Day is observed on 29 August, commemorating the birth anniversary of hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand.
The distinction between the date of the dialogue programme and National Sports Day itself is an important factual point for Prelims.
Question 5: INS Nipun – Nistar-Class Diving Support Vessel and Submarine Rescue Capability | Important UPSC APSC MCQ
Consider the following statements regarding INS Nipun:
- Nipun is the second Diving Support Vessel (DSV) of the Nistar-class, indigenously designed and constructed by Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), Visakhapatnam.
- Nipun is equipped with modern diving systems and underwater intervention capabilities and can support divers and submarine rescue operations.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Correct Answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Explanation: Both statements are correct.
Nipun is the second Diving Support Vessel (DSV) of the Nistar class, designed and constructed indigenously by Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), Visakhapatnam.
The vessel strengthens the Indian Navy’s capabilities in diving operations, underwater intervention and submarine rescue support.
What is a Diving Support Vessel? A Diving Support Vessel provides specialised facilities to support divers carrying out complex operations beneath the sea.
Such missions may include:
Underwater inspection, maintenance, salvage, repair, intervention and rescue operations.
Modern diving-support ships can also play an important role in supporting submarine rescue missions, where specialised equipment and trained divers may be required during underwater emergencies.
Indigenisation Link: The indigenous design and construction of vessels such as Nipun also support India’s wider objective of increasing self-reliance in defence manufacturing and naval shipbuilding.
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