Current Affairs

Anurag Jain

Senior IAS officer Anurag Jain took charge as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NITI Aayog on 17 August 2026.

Dhiraj Seth

Indian Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth received and inspected a ceremonial Guard of Honour at the Nepali Army Headquarters in Kathmandu during his three-day official visit to Nepal on 17 August 2026.

The Ministry of Defence

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) on 17 August 2026 signed a contract with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) for leasing two MQ-9B Sea Guardian High-Altitude Long-Endurance (HALE) Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (

Open Natural Ecosystems

India on 17 August 2026 launched its first-ever Guide to Grasslands and Other Open Natural Ecosystems (ONEs) of India at the 17th Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification

Kharif crops

The total area sown under kharif crops in the current season across the country so far is estimated at 1016.57 lakh hectares as on August 14, 2026, compared with the corresponding figure of 1037.52 lakh hectares in the same period last year

BRICS Working Group

India on 17 August 2026 hosted the seventh meeting of the BRICS Working Group for Cooperation in Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in Pune, bringing together delegates from BRICS member countries

Central Board of Direct Taxes

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has notified the Foreign Assets of Small Taxpayers Disclosure Scheme (FAST-DS) Rules, 2026.

Natural Gas Corp

State-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC) has secured a licence from the U.S. Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), allowing it to resume full operations in Venezuela after years of limiting activity because of sanctions-related risks.

CYBER KUSHTI

The National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT), under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), has launched CYBER KUSHTI 2026

Countrys first virtual zoo

The countrys first virtual zoo has been started in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. Along with this, a 14-D cinema theatre and a virtual jungle safari have also been opened at the Indores Kamla

Gallantry Medal for Tyson

Indian Armys assault dog Tyson, who is attached to 2 Para Special Forces, has been honoured during the Independence Day 2026 celebrations for showing “bravery and extraordinary courage”

Earthquake in Indonesia

At least 47 people have been killed after a magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck Indonesia early on 15 August 2026, the nations disaster mitigation agency has said.

SHANTIAct

The Department of Atomic Energy released the draft rules of the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy (SHANTI) Act, 2025. According to the draft rules

Hoisting of the National Flag

The nation commemorated the 80th Independence Day on August 15, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the Independence Day celebrations from the iconic Red Fort in Delhi.

Reliance Industries Ltd

Mukesh Ambanis Reliance Industries Ltd and Rolls-Royce announced they plan to jointly develop a sovereign indigenous combat engine for Indias Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).

Population enumeration

The Centre has notified a set of 40 questions to be asked during the population enumeration phase of Census 2027, including questions on caste, religion, education, employment, migration

Ministry of Defence

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) on 14 August 2026 signed contracts worth approximately Rs.1,577 crore with TATA Advanced Systems Limited and NIBE Private Limited for the procurement of Loiter Munition Systems

Gallantry awards

President Droupadi Murmu has approved 78 gallantry awards, including 13 posthumous honours, for personnel of the Armed Forces and Central Armed Police Forces on the eve of the 80th Independence Day.

Droupadi Murmu

President Droupadi Murmu has approved the conferment of the Presidents Medal for Distinguished Service (PSM) and Medal for Meritorious Service (MSM) on 16 officers

National Flag

In a first-of-its-kind initiative, India Post on 14 August 2026 delivered the National Flag, Tiranga, by drone from Mandi Head Post Office to Rehardhar Branch Post Office in Himachal Pradesh on the eve of Independence Day.

Parliament

Parliament on 13 August 2026 passed the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, which seeks to restrict the power of state governments to levy taxes on mineral rights and mineral-bearing lands.

Merchandise exports

Indias total exports of merchandise and services rose 13.31 percent year-on-year to USD 80.14 billion in July 2026, compared with USD 70.72 billion in the same month last year, (2025 July) according to the latest data released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards

President Droupadi Murmu presented the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowships and Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards for 2024 and 2025 to eminent artists at a ceremony in New Delhi on 13 August 2026.

Global Manufacturing Hub

NITI Aayog has released a report titled “Key Sectors to Position India as a Global Manufacturing Hub”, identifying chemicals, textiles, telecom and networking equipment, and solar photovoltaic

Sara Beysolow

Liberian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sara Beysolow Nyanti held bilateral talks with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in New Delhi during his official visit to India on 13 August 2026.

India Code Portal

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal launched the revamped India Code Portal on 13 August 2026, aimed at making access to laws simpler

International Youth Day

International Youth Day is celebrated every year on August 12, bringing attention to the challenges, opportunities and aspirations of young people around the world.

Supreme Court

The Supreme Court has asked the 19 remaining States and Union Territories to consider declaring cancer a “notifiable disease” to facilitate early detection and ensure proper care of patients

Embassy of India

The Embassy of India in Nepal and various Nepali government bodies inked Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) for the execution of eight projects across the education, health and agriculture sectors utilising Indian grant aid.

Narendra Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 12 August 2026 released the autobiography of former President Ram Nath Kovind, titled “Triumph of the Indian Republic: My Life, My Struggles”, at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi.

Himalayan bee

A rare solitary Himalayan bee, Colletes bhutanicus, has been recorded for the first time in India from Tawang district of Arunachal Pradesh by scientists

Parliament

Parliament on 12 August 2026 passed a bill to rename Kerala as Keralam, with the Rajya Sabha clearing the legislation with a voice vote.

PM E-Drive scheme

The government has extended subsidies for electric two-wheelers under the PM E-Drive scheme till FY28 and raised the allocation for the segment by nearly Rs.1,000 crore.

Explosive Ordnance Disposal

The Indian Navy-US Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Exercise 2026 commenced at the Southern Naval Command, Kochi.

Ministry of Micro

The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to accelerate the commercialisation and global market access of Indias Geographical Indication (GI) products.

Vande Mataram

President Droupadi Murmu on 11 August 2026 gave assent to a Bill that criminalises intentional disruption or prevention of the singing of the national song Vande Mataram, giving it the same legal protection currently accorded to the national anthem.

National Tribunal Commission

The Rajya Sabha on 11 August 2026 passed a Bill to set up a National Tribunal Commission to select chairpersons and members for various tribunals across the country.

NGOPV

The Indian Navys next-generation offshore patrol vessel (NGOPV), Yard 3037, named Shruti, was launched at Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata on 11 August 2026.

India and Namibia

India and Namibia have agreed to deepen trade and economic cooperation, with bilateral merchandise trade rising to USD 592.94 million in 2025-26, from USD 568.40 million in the previous financial year.

World Biofuel Day

World Biofuel Day is celebrated annually on August 10 to highlight the importance of biofuels, which are produced from animal waste, algae, and industrial and agricultural waste.

Earthquake in Colombia

A 7.4-magnitude earthquake rattled western Colombia on 10 August 2026, causing widespread destruction and leaving at least 111 people dead.

Books Evidence Bill

The Rajya Sabha on 10 August 2026 passed the Bankers Books Evidence Bill, 2026, paving the way for replacing the colonial-era Bankers Books Evidence Act, 1891, with a modern legal framework aligned with the countrys

PM-POSHAN

The Centre allocated around 24.15 lakh metric tonnes (MT) of foodgrains to States and Union Territories under the PM-POSHAN scheme during 2025-26, down from 25.31 lakh MT in 2024-25 and 26.82 lakh MT in 2023-24

Shivraj Singh Chouhan

Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on 10 August 2026 launched a National Scholarship Portal-based system for agriculture students, under which more than 6,000 students received

The International Day of the Worlds Indigenous Peoples

The International Day of the Worlds Indigenous Peoples is observed every year on August 9 to raise awareness about the indigenous populations around the globe; educating people about indigenous peoples rights. Indigenous people make up around 6.2 of the worlds population.

Ashmita Chaliha

Indias Ashmita Chaliha won the Korea Masters Super 300 badminton title in Asan on 9 August 2026. She defeated fourth seed Han Qian Xi of China in the womens singles final.

Basant Kumar Meghwal

Indian high jumper Basant Kumar Meghwal created history by winning the silver medal in the mens high jump at the World Athletics U20 Championships in Eugene, Oregon, on 9 August 2026.

The International Institutional Ranking Framework (IIRF) 2026

The International Institutional Ranking Framework (IIRF) 2026 has released its latest rankings of medical colleges across the country on 8 August 2026, with the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, securing the top position once again.

World Athletics U20 Championships

Ashish Yadav won a silver medal in mens javelin throw at the World Athletics U20 Championships, becoming only the second Indian to win a medal in the event at the global junior competition — 10 years after Neeraj Chopras historic triumph.

Justice V Kameswar Rao

The Supreme Court Collegium has recommended the appointment of Delhi High Court Justice V Kameswar Rao as the Chief Justice of Patna High Court. Justice Sudhir Singh is presently the acting Chief Justice for Patna High Court.

President Donald Trump to impose 100 tariffs

The US Senate has approved a bill that will allow President Donald Trump to impose 100 tariffs on the worlds top five purchasers of Russian oil or natural gas, including India and China.

National Handloom Day

National Handloom Day is observed every year on 7 August to commemorate the launch of the Swadeshi Movement in 1905, which gave renewed impetus to indigenous industries and Indias handloom sector.

Mohammed Ashfaq

At the World Athletics Under 20 Championships, Indias Mohammed Ashfaq broke the Under 20 national record in Eugene, United States on 7 August 2026.

Praggnanandhaa

Indian grandmaster R. Praggnanandhaa has clinched the Grand Chess Tour St. Louis Rapid and Blitz title in the United States on 7 August 2026.

National Handloom Awards

The President of India, Droupadi Murmu presented the Sant Kabir Handloom Awards and National Handloom Awards 2025 at the Handloom Awards Ceremony organised on the occasion of the 12th National Handloom Day

IIT Madras Global Research Foundation

The Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology of Indonesia is partnering with IIT Madras Global Research Foundation (IITM Global) to strengthen strategic cooperation in higher education

16th BRICS Trade Ministers Meeting

India on 7 August 2026 successfully concluded the 16th BRICS Trade Ministers Meeting in Jaipur under its BRICS Chairship 2026, with member countries endorsing a series of

GOBARdhan

The Union Cabinet approved GOBARdhan, the National Circular Bioenergy Scheme, with a total outlay of Rs.23,731 crore on 6 August 2026.

Jal Jeevan Mission

More than 82 of rural households across India now have access to tap water under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), while the Centre has strengthened measures to ensure the quality

Bose Institute

Scientists at the Bose Institute, Kolkata, have developed a new theoretical framework that could significantly improve the efficiency of future quantum communication networks by enabling stronger long-distance

Agni-4

India successfully test-fired the Agni-4 Medium-Range Ballistic Missile (MRBM) from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur in Odisha on 6 August 2026.

BharatNet project

More than 2.21 lakh Gram Panchayats across the country have been made service-ready under the BharatNet project, while 5.01 lakh Common Service Centres (CSCs) are delivering digital

Tewolde Gebremariam

Air India on 5 August 2026 announced the appointment of Tewolde Gebremariam as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Managing Director (MD).

BRICS

India successfully hosted the Second Meeting of the BRICS Anti-Corruption Working Group and the Second Meeting of the BRICS Expert Network on Asset Recovery in Hyderabad

Parliament

Parliament on 5 August 2026 passed the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026, paving the way for an increase in the sanctioned strength of Supreme Court judges from 33 to 37

India and Lesotho

India and Lesotho reviewed the full spectrum of their bilateral relationship during the sixth meeting of the India-Lesotho Joint Bilateral Commission for Cooperation (JBCC) held in New Delhi

Clouded Leopard Conservation Action Plan

India has launched the Clouded Leopard Conservation Action Plan (CAP) to reaffirm its commitment to the conservation of one of Asias most elusive wild cats, Environment Ministry officials said on 4 August 2026.

MSME Sustainable

The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) is promoting quality-driven and environmentally sustainable manufacturing through the MSME Sustainable

Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill

The Rajya Sabha on 4 August 2026 passed the Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2026 by a voice vote.

PM Surya Ghar

More than 50.6 lakh households across the country have installed rooftop solar systems under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) said on 4 August 2026.

Solar energy

India has witnessed one of the fastest expansions of solar energy in the world over the past decade.

PM-VBRY

The Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rojgar Yojana (PM-VBRY), the Centres flagship employment-linked incentive scheme, has completed one year of implementation

Hybrid magneto-rheometer

Scientists at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Patna have developed an innovative hybrid magneto-rheometer that promises to advance research and applications of magnetorheological (MR) fluids smart materials

Organ transplants

India carried out a record 20,138 organ transplants in 2025, the highest ever in a single year, the government said on 3 August 2026 as it marked the 16th Indian Organ Donation Day.

Glaw Lake

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav has announced the designation of Glaw Lake in Arunachal Pradesh as Indias 101st Ramsar Site.

Varsha Ashok Aglawe

Varsha Ashok Aglawe has assumed charge as its 54th director general of the Geological Survey of India (GSI). She became the first woman to head Indias premier geoscientific organisation in its 176-year history.

Lokmanya Tilak National Award 2026

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval was conferred with the Lokmanya Tilak National Award 2026 at a function held at Pune.

Tanvi Sharma

Teen Indian sensation Tanvi Sharma won her maiden BWF World Tour title after defeating Vietnams sixth seed Thuy Linh Nguyen 21-16 21-16 in the womens singles final of the Taipei Open Super 300 badminton tournament in Taipei on 2 August 2026.

India concluded its campaign at the Commonwealth Games 2026

India concluded its campaign at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow with 39 medals — 13 gold, 17 silver and nine bronze — to finish fourth in the overall standings despite competing in a significantly reduced programme that excluded medal-rich sports such as wrestling, badminton, table tennis, hockey and shooting.

Andhra Pradesh and Australia

The Governments of Andhra Pradesh and Australia have signed four Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) in Amaravati on 2 August 2026 to strengthen cooperation in clean energy, advanced manufacturing, inclusive education, student mental health and skill development.

2026 Commonwealth Games

Indian boxers won seven gold and three silver medals at the 2026 Commonwealth Games on 1 August 2026. No country has won more gold medals in boxing at a single edition of the Commonwealth Games.

The Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC)

The Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) hosted the second edition of the Defence MSME Manufacturers Forum (DMMF) under the theme “Make in India for the World: Empower MSMEs for Indias Defence Aerospace Future,” in Hyderabsd on 1 August 2026.

Indias gross Goods and Services Tax (GST)

Indias gross Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections rose 15.4 percent year-on-year to Rs.2.11 lakh crore in July 2026, according to data released by the Goods and Services Tax Department. Gross GST revenue stood at Rs.1.83 lakh crore in July 2025.

Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram in the Vizianagaram district of Andhra Pradesh on 1 August 2026.