Current Affairs 08 August 2026

Hero stone (veeragallu) found in Karnataka

A centuries-old veeragallu (hero stone) carrying a Kannada inscription has been discovered at Neeragunda village in Arsikere taluk, Karnataka. The inscription could help resolve a long-standing historical debate over the date of death of the Hoysala ruler Vishnuvardhana.

According to the inscription, the hero stone commemorates a soldier who died shortly after Vishnuvardhana’s death at Bankapura, in present-day Haveri district. The date recorded on the inscription has been interpreted as corresponding to December 11, 1141, in the Gregorian calendar. This finding is significant because scholars have previously proposed different years, including 1149 and 1152, for Vishnuvardhana’s death.

Vishnuvardhana was one of the most important rulers of the Hoysala dynasty, which is renowned for its distinctive temple architecture. The Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas at Belur, Halebidu, and Somanathapura were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2023.

Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana–Gramin (PMAY-G)

Under the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana–Gramin (PMAY-G), 3.12 crore houses had been completed as of August 3, 2026, against 4.18 crore houses allocated to States and Union Territories. Of the allocated target, 3.91 crore houses had been sanctioned, while about 79 lakh sanctioned houses were under construction.

During 2025–26, 32.47 lakh houses were sanctioned and 26.57 lakh houses were completed, including houses sanctioned in earlier financial years. PMAY-G is implemented by the Ministry of Rural Development to provide pucca houses with basic amenities to eligible rural households. The beneficiary constructs the house either personally or under his or her supervision.

States and Union Territories can provide beneficiaries with house designs suited to local climate, construction materials and technologies. The Ministry has also developed PAHAL, a compendium of rural housing typologies accessible through the AwaasApp. The Rural Mason Training Programme supports quality construction by training masons in rural areas.

PMAY-G follows a convergence approach for basic services. Beneficiaries can receive piped drinking water through the Jal Jeevan Mission, electricity through relevant Central or State schemes and LPG connections through the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana. Up to 5% of PMAY-G targets may be reserved for Special Projects, including rehabilitation or relocation of families affected by natural hazards.

At the national level, a minimum of 60% of the PMAY-G target is earmarked for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe households, subject to the availability of eligible beneficiaries. Rural housing support for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) is also being provided as an intervention under PM-JANMAN.

Key Points for Exams:

• Rural housing typology compendium: PAHAL
• Mobile platform: AwaasApp
• Minimum national target earmarked for SC/ST households: 60%
• Up to 5% of targets may be reserved for Special Projects, including rehabilitation or relocation of families affected by natural hazards.
• Drinking-water convergence: Jal Jeevan Mission
• LPG convergence: Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana
• PVTG housing is also supported under PM-JANMAN.

16th BRICS Trade Ministers’ Meeting Concludes in Jaipur

The 16th BRICS Trade Ministers’ Meeting concluded in Jaipur, Rajasthan, on August 7, 2026, under India’s BRICS Chairship. The meeting was chaired by Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and was held under the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.”

A major outcome was the Jaipur Consensus, under which BRICS members agreed to study a BRICS Invoice Discounting Mechanism to improve access to trade finance for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). Ministers also adopted Guiding Principles for Credit Assessment Frameworks for export-oriented MSMEs, encouraging assessment based on cash flow rather than assets and collateral. The measures seek to address the global trade-finance gap of about $2.5 trillion.

The meeting also adopted a Global Value Chains Action Plan for 2026–30, including proposals such as a BRICS Technical Council, BRICS Connect and a BRICS GVC Joint Study. Another outcome was the adoption of principles to facilitate safe and secure digitally delivered services across borders.

Boss Scam

The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) under the Ministry of Home Affairs has warned companies and finance professionals about a rapidly spreading cyber fraud known as the “Boss Scam” or CEO impersonation fraud. The campaign uses malicious files disguised as account statements or communications from institutions such as the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) to hijack WhatsApp accounts and commit high-value financial fraud.

Q1. The recently discovered veeragallu (hero stone) referring to Hoysala ruler Vishnuvardhana was found in which State?
A. Tamil Nadu
B. Karnataka
C. Telangana
D. Maharashtra

Q2. The “Jaipur Consensus”, adopted at the 16th BRICS Trade Ministers’ Meeting in 2026, is primarily associated with which of the following?
A. Establishing a common BRICS currency
B. Improving trade finance access for MSMEs
C. Creating a joint BRICS defence force
D. Establishing a common agricultural market

Q3. The “Boss Scam”, recently highlighted by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), primarily involves which of the following?
A. Stealing ATM cards through fake courier services
B. Hijacking executives’ WhatsApp accounts to authorise fraudulent fund transfers
C. Creating fake cryptocurrency exchanges
D. Manipulating stock-market trading applications

Q4. Under PMAY-G, what minimum percentage of the national target is earmarked for Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) households, subject to availability of eligible beneficiaries?
A. 40%
B. 50%
C. 60%
D. 75%