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CURRENT AFFAIRS : BANKING, FINANCE & BUSINESS

Directorate General of Foreign Trade Eases Rupee-Based Export Rules to Give Indian Exporters Greater Payment Flexibility

• The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), functioning under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI), has eased rules for rupee-based export transactions to provide Indian exporters greater flexibility in receiving export payments.
• Under the revised rules, exporters can invoice overseas sales and receive export payments in Indian Rupees (INR) or foreign currencies, subject to applicable regulations.
• The relaxation has been introduced through amendments to certain provisions of the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2023.
• The revised provisions have been aligned with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)’s Foreign Exchange Management (Manner of Receipt and Payment) Regulations, 2023.
• Export contracts and invoices for countries outside the Asian Clearing Union (ACU) can now be denominated in any foreign currency or Indian Rupees (INR).
• The revised rules provide greater currency flexibility for Indian exporters conducting international trade.
• Rupee payments for exports to countries other than Nepal and Bhutan will qualify for applicable FTP benefits and will also count towards the fulfilment of export obligations.
• Nepal and Bhutan have been specifically excluded from the provision allowing eligible rupee payments to qualify for FTP benefits and export-obligation fulfilment.
• Exports financed through Export-Import Bank of India (EXIM Bank) or Government of India (GoI) lines of credit can also be invoiced in Indian Rupees (INR).

State Bank of India to Levy ₹15 Fee on Cash Withdrawals Exceeding Four Monthly Transactions from October 1, 2026

• State Bank of India (SBI), India’s largest public sector bank, has revised the cash withdrawal charges for Basic Savings Bank Deposit (BSBD) accounts opened through the branch channel.
• The revised charges will come into effect from 1 October 2026, as announced by SBI through a public notice.
• Under the revised structure, eligible BSBD account holders will continue to receive 4 free cash withdrawals per month.
• Every cash withdrawal beyond the 4 free transactions will attract a charge of ₹15 + applicable GST.
• For example, if a customer makes 5 cash withdrawals in a month, the 5th withdrawal will attract a charge of ₹15 + GST.
• If a customer makes 6 cash withdrawals, the charge of ₹15 + GST will apply to the 5th and 6th withdrawals.
• Customers who frequently withdraw cash will therefore need to track their monthly cash withdrawals to avoid additional charges.
• Digital transactions will remain free under the revised structure and will have no monthly transaction limit.
• The revised rules specifically change the treatment of Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AePS) transactions, which will now be counted under the revised withdrawal rules.
• The change applies specifically to BSBD accounts opened through SBI branches and does not mean that every SBI savings-account holder will be charged ₹15 for cash withdrawals.
• Customers making four or fewer cash withdrawals per month will not face any additional cash-withdrawal charge under the revised structure.
• Customers who depend heavily on cash withdrawals may face higher monthly banking costs after crossing the 4-withdrawal free limit.
• BSBD accounts are basic savings accounts designed to provide essential banking facilities with minimal charges, particularly for customers requiring access to basic banking services.

About State Bank of India (SBI):

• Founded Year: 1955
• Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
• Chairman: Challa Sreenivasulu Setty
• Slogan: "The Banker to Every Indian"

Razorpay Launches Multi-Currency Exchange Earners’ Foreign Currency Account to Help Exporters Retain Foreign Earnings

• Razorpay, an omnichannel payments platform, introduced the Multi-Currency Exchange Earners’ Foreign Currency (EEFC) Account to help exporters and international businesses retain their foreign-currency earnings without immediately converting them into Indian Rupees (INR).
• The solution is designed to help exporters reduce foreign exchange (forex/FX) conversion costs and gain greater control over their international earnings and global payments.
• Razorpay launched the Multi-Currency EEFC Account in partnership with RBL Bank.
• The facility supports settlements in five currencies: United States Dollar (USD), Euro (EUR), British Pound Sterling (GBP), United Arab Emirates Dirham (AED) and Singapore Dollar (SGD).
• The solution enables businesses to retain foreign currencies, improve cash flow, simplify cross-border payments and manage currency conversion more efficiently.
• To use the facility, businesses must maintain an active EEFC account with an RBI-authorised bank.
• An EEFC (Earners’ Foreign Currency) Account allows eligible businesses to retain certain foreign-currency earnings instead of converting them immediately into Indian Rupees.

Recent News :

• In Aug 2026, Razorpay, a leading Indian fintech company, launched “Razorpay Vulcan”, India’s first Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered payments foundation model.

About Razorpay :

• Founded : 2014 by Harshil Mathur and Shashank Kumar.
• Razorpay is a Bengaluru, Karnataka-based fintech company that provides payment and financial technology solutions to businesses.

Bank of India New Zealand Launches “BOINZ – Freedom” Mobile Banking App

• Bank of India (New Zealand) Limited (BOINZ) launched a new mobile banking application named “BOINZ – Freedom” to strengthen its digital banking services and provide customers with greater convenience and control.
• The “BOINZ – Freedom” app was launched in Auckland, New Zealand, on the occasion of India’s 80th Independence Day.
• The launch event was attended by around 500 guests and was formally inaugurated by the Consul General of India in Auckland.
• The application enables customers to make domestic remittances within New Zealand and international remittances to India.
• Other features of BOINZ – Freedom include scheduled payments, biometric authentication and secure m-PIN login.
• The launch reflects Bank of India’s “Relationship Beyond Banking” philosophy, combining its 12+ decade banking legacy with modern technology and digital banking services.

About Bank of India (New Zealand) Limited :

• It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of India (BOI).
• It has been operating in New Zealand since 2011.
• BOINZ currently has branches in Auckland and Papatoetoe, New Zealand.

Asian Development Bank Provides ₹1,750 Crore Assistance to Develop 500 Karnataka Public Schools

• Karnataka has signed an agreement with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for the comprehensive development of 500 government schools as Karnataka Public Schools (KPS).
• The total investment under the programme is ₹2,500 crore, comprising ₹1,750 crore from ADB and ₹750 crore from the Karnataka Government.
• The programme will be implemented over four years, up to 2029–30.
• The agreement was signed at Vidhana Soudha, Bengaluru, in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Parameshwara, School Education and Literacy Minister Madhu Bangarappa, and senior officials of the Karnataka Government and ADB.
• The programme aims to provide free and quality education from LKG to Class 12 on a single campus at each Karnataka Public School.
• Each selected KPS is targeted to have the capacity to accommodate at least 1,200 students.
• 500 schools were selected based on parameters including grade coverage, student enrolment, land availability and existing infrastructure.
• The selected schools are expected to have the potential to attract a large number of students and serve as integrated school complexes.
• Under the school-complex integration process, potential schools have been identified in clusters, while nearby sub-scale schools within a 3–5 km radius have been mapped for possible consolidation.
• Around 100 Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) have already been prepared for the programme.
• The investment will cover civil works, infrastructure development, classroom furniture, laboratory equipment, IT infrastructure and other essential school facilities.
• The programme’s recurring expenditure will cover teacher salaries, non-teaching staff, student transport, administration, utilities, maintenance and other school-level operational requirements.

Recent News :

• In Aug 2026, The Government of India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a $230 million loan agreement to modernise and expand Chennai’s water supply and sanitation infrastructure.

About ADB :

• Formation : 19 December 1966
• Headquarters : Philippines
• President : Masato Kanda
• Members : 69 countries

Punjab National Bank Signs Exclusive Memorandum of Understanding with Indian Army to Offer Special Credit Cards to Serving Personnel

• Punjab National Bank (PNB) signed an exclusive Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Army to provide specially designed credit cards with curated benefits to serving Army personnel.
• Under the partnership, PNB will offer the PNB LUXURA Metal Credit Card to Army Officers.
• The PNB Parakram Credit Card will be offered to Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs) and other ranks of the Indian Army.
• The cards will provide 3% cashback on purchases at Canteen Stores Department (CSD)
• Cardholders will receive complimentary domestic and international airport lounge access.
• The cards will offer zero forex markup, benefiting personnel making eligible international transactions.
• Cardholders will also receive Buy One Get One (BOGO) movie ticket offers as part of the lifestyle benefits.
• The cards will additionally provide complimentary golf lessons and other reward and lifestyle benefits.
• The PNB Parakram Credit Card features a biodegradable card design, providing an environmentally conscious alternative.
• The MoU was signed at the Indian Army Headquarters in Delhi by Maj Gen VK Purohit and PNB General Manager, Credit Card Division, Deepak Kumar.
• The signing ceremony was attended by senior officials including Lt Gen Viresh Pratap Singh Kaushik, Lt Gen Rajeev Puri, PNB MD & CEO Ashok Chandra, and PNB Chief General Manager Sudhir Dalal.

About Punjab National Bank (PNB) :

• It is an Indian public sector bank headquartered in New Delhi.
• PNB was established in May 1894, making it one of India’s long-established public sector banks.
• Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) : Ashok Chandra

Frequently Asked Questions on Exchange Earners’ Foreign Currency Account

• EEFC stands for Exchange Earners’ Foreign Currency Account, which is a foreign-currency-denominated current account maintained with an Authorised Dealer Category-I bank authorised to deal in foreign exchange.
• An EEFC Account enables eligible foreign exchange earners, including exporters, professionals, individuals and businesses, to retain their foreign-currency earnings instead of immediately converting them into Indian Rupees (INR).
• The EEFC facility operates under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) and the relevant Foreign Exchange Management (Foreign Currency Accounts by a Person Resident in India) Regulations.
• Resident individuals, companies, sole proprietors, partnership firms and LLPs earning foreign exchange can open an EEFC Account, subject to applicable regulations.

Key Highlights :

• An EEFC Account can be maintained only as a current account, and no interest is payable on the balance.
• Eligible account holders can credit 100% of their foreign exchange earnings into the EEFC Account, subject to the applicable RBI conversion requirements.
• The accruals during a calendar month are required to be converted into Indian Rupees by the last day of the succeeding calendar month, after adjusting for permitted utilisation and forward commitments.
• Special Economic Zone (SEZ) units cannot open EEFC Accounts; however, eligible SEZ units can maintain a separate Foreign Currency Account with an Authorised Dealer in India, subject to applicable conditions.
• Cheque facility is available for operating an EEFC Account.
• Permissible credits include inward remittances through normal banking channels, export proceeds, advance export remittances, professional earnings such as consultancy fees, directors’ fees, lecture fees and honorariums, and certain other permitted foreign-currency receipts.
• Foreign exchange earnings received through an international credit card may also be credited to an EEFC Account when the reimbursement has been made in foreign exchange through normal banking channels.
• Permissible debits include payments for eligible current-account and capital-account transactions, payments for certain goods and services, customs duty, permitted trade-related loans or advances, and payments in foreign exchange to residents in India for eligible goods and services.
• There is no restriction on withdrawal in Indian Rupees from an EEFC Account; however, the amount withdrawn in INR cannot subsequently be converted into foreign currency and re-credited to the EEFC Account.
• EEFC balances can be hedged against exchange-rate risk, and balances sold forward must remain earmarked for delivery; eligible contracts can be rolled over.
• A resident individual can include a resident relative as a joint holder in an EEFC Account on a “former or survivor” basis, subject to applicable rules.
• Foreign payments can be received through SWIFT and other international payment channels, and the bank can credit the funds to the EEFC Account in the original foreign currency.
• A key feature of an EEFC Account is that foreign currency received is not automatically converted into INR, allowing the account holder to use the foreign currency for permitted transactions.
• Major benefit: EEFC Accounts help exporters and other foreign-exchange earners reduce foreign-exchange conversion costs by avoiding unnecessary conversion of foreign currency into INR and subsequent reconversion.
• Forex risk management: Businesses can retain foreign currency and use it to meet eligible foreign-currency expenses, creating a natural hedge against exchange-rate fluctuations.
• Lower transaction costs: Retaining and directly using foreign currency can reduce repeated currency-conversion charges and bank spreads, potentially improving business margins.
• International payments: EEFC balances can help businesses make eligible payments to overseas vendors, SaaS providers, platforms and other foreign suppliers.
• Operational efficiency: Direct foreign-currency transactions can reduce conversion-related paperwork, bank coordination and processing delays.
• Major limitation: EEFC Accounts are non-interest-bearing, so account holders do not earn interest on foreign-currency balances.
• Conversion deadline: The applicable month-end conversion requirement limits the ability to hold foreign currency indefinitely in the EEFC Account.
• Bank charges: Account holders may incur SWIFT fees, currency-conversion charges and other transaction or statement charges, depending on the bank and transaction.
• No credit facilities: Banks generally cannot provide overdrafts or loans against EEFC balances, limiting the use of the balance as collateral.
• Compliance requirement: Account holders must maintain proper documentation and records for credits and debits and comply with applicable RBI/FEMA regulations.

 CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL AND STATE NEWS

Uttar Pradesh Approves 180-Day Maternity Leave Twice During Service for Women Employees

• The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet on 22 August 2026 approved a policy allowing female state government employees to avail 180 days of paid maternity leave twice during their service career.
• The decision also extends the 180-day maternity leave benefit to adoptive mothers who adopt children.

Key Highlights

• The Cabinet amended Rule 153(1) of the Uttar Pradesh Financial Handbook, Volume II, Parts 2 to 4.
• The amendment removes the earlier mandatory two-year gap between the first and second maternity leaves.
• The decision follows recent judgments of the Allahabad High Court, including the Lucknow Bench judgment of 14 August 2026 and the Allahabad Bench judgment of 28 July 2026, which held that state executive rules cannot override the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 and the Code on Social Security, 2020.
• Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 is the central legislation governing maternity benefits for eligible women employees in India.
• Code on Social Security, 2020 is one of the four Labour Codes enacted by Parliament and consolidates provisions relating to social security, including maternity benefits.
• The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet also approved funding for the production of 1 crore (10 million) national flags for the Har Ghar Tiranga Abhiyan 2026 in urban areas.

About Uttar Pradesh:

• Chief Minister: Yogi Adityanath
• Governor: Anandiben Patel
• Capital: Lucknow
• National Parks: Dudhwa National Park
• Wildlife Sanctuaries: Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary, Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary, Hastinapur Wildlife Sanctuary, Chandraprabha Wildlife Sanctuary, Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary, Bakhira Wildlife Sanctuary, Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary, Okhla Bird Sanctuary

RECENT NEWS

• India is the world’s largest milk-producing country, and among Indian states, Uttar Pradesh ranks first in milk production. According to the Basic Animal Husbandry Statistics (BAHS) 2025, Uttar Pradesh contributed 15.66% of India’s total milk production in 2024–25, followed by Rajasthan with 14.82%. 

Andhra Pradesh Approves ₹31,387 Crore Green Artificial Intelligence Data Centre in Visakhapatnam

• The Andhra Pradesh Government has approved the proposal of AM AI Factory Pvt. Ltd. to establish a 512-Megawatt (MW) Green Integrated Artificial Intelligence (AI) Data Centre in Visakhapatnam district.
• The project involves an investment of over ₹31,387 crore and will be developed at Amanam village, Bheemunipatnam mandal, Visakhapatnam.

Key Highlights

• The facility is expected to be completed within 2 years and 4 months, as specified in the Government Order (GO) issued by the state government.
• According to Bhaskar Katamneni, Information Technology (IT) Secretary, Andhra Pradesh, the project is expected to create employment opportunities for up to 1,000 people.
• The project is aimed at strengthening Artificial Intelligence computing infrastructure, digital capacity and large-scale digital infrastructure in Andhra Pradesh and India.
• The Andhra Pradesh Government will provide non-fiscal support, including power infrastructure and water supply, to facilitate the establishment of the data centre.
• The state government will also provide fiscal incentives, including exemption from stamp duty and electricity duty, as specified in the Government Order.
• The project is expected to generate additional indirect economic activity through supporting infrastructure, technology services and other allied activities.
• The approval reflects Andhra Pradesh’s efforts to attract large-scale technology and digital infrastructure investments and strengthen Visakhapatnam as a technology and Artificial Intelligence hub.

About Andhra Pradesh:

• Chief Minister: Chandrababu Naidu
• Governor: S. Abdul Nazeer
• Capital: Amaravati
• National Parks: Papikonda National Park, Sri Venkateswara National Park, Rajiv Gandhi (Rameswaram) National Park
• Wildlife Sanctuaries: Coringa, Kolleru, Krishna, Kambalakonda, Rollapadu Wildlife Sanctuaries

RECENT NEWS

• Andhra Pradesh state government has announced the first Mushroom Mission with the investment around the ₹13,000 crore. Announcement was led by the Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and this initiative aims to transform the state into the India’s largest mushroom producer

CURRENT AFFAIRS : INTERNATIONAL NEWS

India and Singapore Strengthen Comprehensive Strategic Partnership at 4th Ministerial Roundtable

• India and Singapore reinforced their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) during the 4th India–Singapore Ministerial Roundtable (ISMR) held in Singapore.
• The 4th ISMR focused on expanding bilateral cooperation in semiconductors, digital connectivity, fintech, healthcare, green economy, food security and advanced manufacturing.
• India and Singapore agreed to strengthen cooperation in semiconductors, digital payments, fintech, green hydrogen, sustainable shipping and clean energy to promote innovation and sustainable development.
• Both countries also explored collaboration in space technology, Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and cybersecurity.
• A key initiative is the Green Lane Initiative for Semiconductors, aimed at strengthening cooperation in the semiconductor ecosystem.
• India and Singapore are working towards developing a green hydrogen supply chain as part of their cooperation in clean energy and sustainable development.
• The 4th Singapore-India Hackathon is scheduled to be held in Singapore from 15–17 November 2026, promoting innovation and technological collaboration between the two countries.
• The Singapore Business Federation has established an office in Bengaluru, Karnataka, supporting stronger business and economic ties between India and Singapore.
• The Roundtable was attended by key Indian ministers, including Nirmala Sitharaman, Jaishankar, Piyush Goyal and Jitin Prasada, along with their respective Singaporean counterparts.
• Nirmala Sitharaman represents the Ministry of Finance (MoF) and Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), while Jaishankar represents the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
• Piyush Goyal represents the Ministry of Commerce & Industry (MoCI), while Jitin Prasada serves as Minister of State for Commerce & Industry and Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY).
• The ministers witnessed the exchange of two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and one Letter of Intent (LoI) as key outcomes of the meeting.

About Singapore:

• Capital: Singapore
• Currency: Singapore Dollar (SGD)
• President: Tharman Shanmugaratnam
• Prime Minister: Lawrence Wong

CURRENT AFFAIRS: AWARDS AND HONOURS

Pakistan Nominates Two Indian Doctors for Nishan-e-Imtiaz for Keeping Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s Illness Confidential

• Pakistan has nominated two Mumbai-based Parsi doctors — Dr Jal Ratanji Patel and Dr Jal Dhaybho-Koo — for the Nishan-e-Imtiaz, Pakistan’s highest civilian award, for maintaining confidentiality about Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s terminal illness.
• Dr Jal Ratanji Patel was a physician, while Dr Jal Dhaybho-Koo was a radiologist. Both doctors had examined Jinnah’s X-ray in 1946 and diagnosed him with advanced tuberculosis (TB).

Key Highlights

• According to the account cited from Freedom at Midnight by Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre, the doctors concluded that Jinnah might have only one or two years to live.
• The doctors maintained strict professional confidentiality regarding Jinnah’s condition, which was considered significant because knowledge of his deteriorating health could potentially have affected the timing and course of the Partition of India in 1947.
• Ahsan Iqbal, Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives and Chairman of the Awards Committee, announced their nomination and described their actions as a “quiet but extraordinary service.”
• The Nishan-e-Imtiaz is the highest civilian honour of Pakistan.
• The award is scheduled to be formally conferred posthumously in March 2027.
• Muhammad Ali Jinnah suffered from tuberculosis and died on 11 September 1948, about a year after the creation of Pakistan.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: MOUS AND AGREEMENT

Jindal Steel and Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad Sign Memorandum of Understanding to Establish Centre of Excellence for Advanced Steel Solutions

• Jindal Steel and Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IIT Hyderabad) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish the Jindal Steel Centre of Excellence (CoE) at the IIT Hyderabad campus.
• The Centre of Excellence will focus on high-strength, value-added and value-engineered steel products and solutions.
• It will combine IIT Hyderabad’s technical expertise with Jindal Steel’s manufacturing, metallurgical and engineering capabilities.

Key Highlights

• The Centre will focus on application development, technical demonstrations, industry training, knowledge sharing and wider adoption of advanced steel grades.
• Key application areas include infrastructure, engineering, construction, defence, power, transportation and heavy engineering.
• Applications will cover buildings and bridges, penstocks, large-diameter pipes, defence equipment, heavy machinery, power plants, refineries and transportation.
• The advanced steel solutions are expected to provide higher performance, lower material consumption, reduced weight, faster execution, improved durability and better lifecycle economics.
• Jindal Steel will invest in developing the physical Centre of Excellence at the IIT Hyderabad campus.
• The Centre will facilitate collaboration among designers, consultants, engineers, fabricators, Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) companies, equipment manufacturers and project developers.
• The partnership will also support workshops, symposia, demonstration projects, internships, placements, academic modules and industry-academia training.
• B. S. Murty, Director of IIT Hyderabad, highlighted that the Centre will enable faculty and students to work closely with industry on real-world applications.
• VR Sharma, Managing Director of Jindal Steel, said the partnership would help expand the adoption of high-strength and value-engineered steel across India's infrastructure and industrial sectors.

India–Mauritius Sign Five-Year Fuel Supply Agreement with Indian Oil Corporation Limited

• India and Mauritius agreed to strengthen their energy partnership, with Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) set to meet Mauritius’ entire import requirement of petrol, diesel and Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF).
• The agreements were signed during the visit of Hardeep Singh Puri, Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, to Mauritius on 20–21 August 2026.

Key Highlights

• IOCL signed a five-year long-term supply agreement with Mauritius for:
  • Motor Spirit (Petrol)
  • High Speed Diesel (HSD)
  • Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF)
• The agreement will provide Mauritius with a reliable and stable source of petroleum products and help protect the island nation from international price volatility.
• The agreement is significant as it is described as the first long-term fuel supply agreement by an Indian Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) oil marketing company outside South Asia in recent times.
• The agreement supports IOCL’s strategy to expand petroleum product exports in Africa, particularly through its partnership with the State Trading Corporation (STC) of Mauritius.
• Hardeep Singh Puri also participated in the groundbreaking ceremony for a 27.5 thousand metric tonne (TMT) bunker marine fuel storage facility at Mer Rouge, Port Louis.
• The marine fuel facility will be developed by India Oil (Mauritius) Limited, strengthening Mauritius’ marine fuel and bunkering infrastructure.
• Under the India–Mauritius Oil and Gas Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), both countries will cooperate in training, capacity building and biofuels.
• India and Mauritius are also working towards developing a “Biofuels Country Landscape Policy” framework to strengthen cooperation in the biofuels sector.
• Mauritius is a founding member of the Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA), an initiative launched with India’s leadership during its G20 Presidency in 2023.

About Mauritius

• Capital: Port Louis
• Currency: Rupee
• The Prime Minister of Mauritius is Navin Ramgoolam, and the President of Mauritius is Dharam Gokhool

CURRENT AFFAIRS : DEFENCE NEWS

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and West Bengal Chief Minister Perform Bhumi Pujan for Five Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited and Yantra India Limited Expansion Projects

• Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh, along with West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, presided over the Bhumi Pujan ceremony for three expansion projects of Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited (GRSE) and two projects of Yantra India Limited (YIL) on 23 August 2026.

Key Highlights :

• The five projects involve a total investment of approximately ₹3,500 crore and aim to strengthen India’s defence manufacturing and indigenous production capabilities.
• The ceremony was held virtually from GRSE Bhavan, Kolkata, with projects located at Kidderpore in Kolkata, Shalimar in Howrah, Raichak in South 24-Parganas, and Metal and Steel Factory (MSF), Ishapore.
• The GRSE projects will strengthen India’s shipbuilding and ship-repair capabilities, while the YIL projects will enhance indigenous metallurgical and advanced manufacturing capabilities.
• Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh described the five projects as a strategic expansion of India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem and called for greater participation of Defence PSUs, private industry, MSMEs and academic institutions.
• The projects support the objectives of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India by expanding domestic capabilities in warship construction, ship repair, commercial vessel manufacturing and defence production.
• GRSE has signed lease agreements with Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata (SMPK) for two unused small shipyards and a 32-acre riverside property at Raichak.
• The Raichak shipyard has a 356-metre waterfront, an existing 96-metre jetty and a draught of 8–10 metres, making it suitable for ship construction.
• GRSE plans to invest over ₹2,500 crore to develop Raichak as a major shipbuilding hub.
• The Raichak facility will be capable of constructing warships up to 200 metres long and commercial vessels of up to 60,000 tonnes deadweight tonnage (DWT), including Supramax vessels.
• The Raichak facility will include a 200-metre dry dock, 200-metre slipway, 200-metre ship-launching pad, two jetties of 120 metres and 86 metres, block fabrication and consolidation facilities, hull repair shops, stores and administrative offices.
• The Timber Pond facility at Shalimar, Howrah, covers four acres and has been acquired on a 30-year lease from SMPK.
• GRSE plans to invest nearly ₹100 crore to develop the Shalimar facility into a shipbuilding and ship-repair facility for medium-sized vessels.
• The Shalimar project includes restoration of a 130-metre dry dock, construction of a 120-metre slipway, shoreline protection, a dry-dock gate, gantry crane, block fabrication facilities, stores and workshops.
• GRSE has also acquired an old workshop and 25-metre waterfront at Kidderpore Docks (KPD), Kolkata, on a 30-year lease from SMPK.
• The Damodar facility at Kidderpore will receive an investment of about ₹70 crore and will be used for medium-sized vessel repairs, electric ferries and other small craft construction.
• The three GRSE expansion projects are expected to create employment opportunities and provide greater opportunities for ancillary industries and MSMEs, contributing to industrial development in West Bengal.
• The two YIL projects at Metal and Steel Factory (MSF), Ishapore involve a combined investment of over ₹750 crore.
• The YIL projects will strengthen indigenous manufacturing capabilities for heavy ordnance, Railways, nuclear infrastructure and advanced weapon systems.
• The first YIL project is a 3,000-tonne Heavy-Duty Hydraulic Open Die Forging Press equipped with two integrated rail-bound manipulators.
• The new 3,000-tonne forging press will replace the ageing 2,650-tonne press that has been operating since 1976.
• The new forging press is scheduled for completion within 26 months and will support high-precision production of gun barrels, ammunition components and heavy defence forgings.
• The 3,000-tonne press is projected to generate annual savings of ₹25.58 crore by reducing downtime and maintenance costs, while supporting an annual turnover of approximately ₹500 crore.
• The forging press has an estimated payback period of 11 years and an Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of 7.3%.
• The second YIL project is a Radial Forging Plant with comprehensive upstream and downstream facilities, involving an investment of ₹473.84 crore and an execution period of 30 months.
• The Radial Forging Plant will introduce advanced radial forging technology at MSF Ishapore and expand YIL’s ability to manufacture super-alloy forgings, hollow tubes for aerial bombs, critical ordnance hardware, high-strength railway axles and nuclear reactor components.
• The radial forging facility will incorporate Industry 4.0 standards, energy-efficient operations and precision engineering.
• The Radial Forging Plant is projected to generate an annual profit of approximately ₹69 crore, with an IRR of 10.58% and a payback period of around 6 years.
• The project will help reduce import dependence on strategic forgings and railway infrastructure components and strengthen India’s self-reliance in defence manufacturing.

Indian Air Force Completes Major Multinational Exercises Pitch Black and Udara Shakti 2026

• The Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully concluded its participation in two major international air exercises: Exercise Pitch Black 2026 in Australia and Exercise Udara Shakti 2026 in Malaysia.
• The dual-country deployment highlighted the IAF’s operational reach, advanced tactical coordination and commitment to strengthening strategic defence partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region.
• Exercise Pitch Black 2026 was hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) in Australia.
• During Exercise Pitch Black 2026, the IAF deployed its frontline Rafale fighter aircraft and operated alongside air forces from more than 20 participating nations.
• The exercise involved complex Large Force Employment (LFE) missions conducted in a high-threat, multi-domain operational environment.
• Exercise Pitch Black enhanced tactical integration, cross-learning and interoperability among participating air forces.
• After completing its operations in Australia, the IAF contingent deployed directly to Subang, Malaysia, to participate in Exercise Udara Shakti 2026.
• Exercise Udara Shakti 2026 was conducted bilaterally with the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF).
• During Udara Shakti, IAF aircrew conducted high-intensity combat sorties and joint tactical manoeuvres alongside and against Malaysian Su-30MKM and F/A-18 Hornet aircraft.
• The bilateral exercise focused on improving air-combat tactics, Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEE) and combined operational flexibility.
• The IAF’s participation in both exercises extended beyond flying operations to include maintenance practices, mission-planning exchanges and cultural interactions.
• These joint activities helped strengthen professional camaraderie, operational understanding and interoperability between participating air forces.
• The exercises demonstrate India’s focus on strengthening regional stability and collaborative security initiatives through regular joint military training.

Indian Defence Startup D-Propulse Demonstrates First Indigenous 5 kN Air-Breathing Rotating Detonation Engine

• D-Propulse Aerospace Pvt. Ltd., an Indian defence propulsion startup, successfully demonstrated India’s first indigenously developed 5 kilo-Newton (kN) air-breathing Rotating Detonation Engine (RDE) integrated with an aerospike nozzle.
• The demonstration was conducted at a Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) test facility in Hyderabad, Telangana.
• The successful test validated Technology Readiness Level-5 (TRL-5), marking a significant milestone in India’s advanced propulsion technology.
• The 5 kN air-breathing RDE uses pressure-gain combustion, unlike conventional jet engines, to improve thermodynamic efficiency.
• RDE technology eliminates moving parts inside the combustor, resulting in a simpler engine architecture.
• The new RDE is expected to provide 15–25% higher thermodynamic efficiency compared with conventional air-breathing propulsion systems.
• The technology relies on precision machining instead of complex turbine assemblies, which is expected to reduce production costs and manufacturing time.
• The RDE was incubated at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
• The newly demonstrated RDE is scheduled for launch by December 2027.

About D-Propulse Aerospace Pvt. Ltd :

• Founded : July 2025 by Ramanujachari and Saurav Jha.
• The company is headquartered in New Delhi, Delhi, and focuses on developing next-generation Rotating Detonation Engines for high-supersonic and hypersonic flight.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports Plans National Coach Accreditation Board to Standardise Sports Coaching in India

• The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) announced plans to establish a National Coach Accreditation Board (NCAB) to standardise coaching quality and strengthen India’s sports ecosystem.
• The proposal for the NCAB was recommended by a task force led by Pullela Gopichand, former Indian badminton player and coach.
• The announcement was made by Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, during the 63rd Governing Body Meeting of the Sports Authority of India (SAI) in New Delhi, Delhi.
• The NCAB will function as the apex authority for establishing coaching standards, approving coaching pathways, accrediting institutions and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the coaching system.
• The proposed composition of the NCAB includes the President of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), the Sports Secretary, a nationally eminent person with cross-ministerial influence, and an academic expert in pedagogy and education systems.
• The proposed Board aims to create a more standardised and quality-driven coaching framework across India.
• Another proposed initiative is a Two-Stage Talent Scouting System (TSS) to develop a National Talent Repository (NTR) for identifying and nurturing sporting talent.
• The government also proposed expanding sports academies and athlete-development programmes through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
• The initiatives are aimed at strengthening talent identification, athlete development, sports academies and coaching standards in India.

About Sports Authority of India (SAI) :

• Established : 1984 under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS).
• Headquarters : New Delhi, Delhi
• Director General (DG) : Hari Ranjan Rao

About Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports :

• Cabinet Minister : Mansukh Mandaviya
• Minister of State : Raksha Khadse

Ministry of Rural Development Introduces National Campaign on Entrepreneurship-II Under DAY-NRLM

• The Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) launched the National Campaign on Entrepreneurship-II under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana–National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM).
• The campaign will run for three months, from 21 August to 21 November 2026, to promote rural women entrepreneurship.
• The campaign supports the government’s vision of creating 6 crore Lakhpati Didis, focusing on increasing the income and entrepreneurial capabilities of rural women.
• The launch coincided with World Entrepreneurs Day, observed globally on 21 August.
• The National Campaign on Entrepreneurship-II focuses on promoting farm and non-farm enterprises, strengthening Self-Help Group (SHG) women entrepreneurship, supporting enterprise formalisation, encouraging digital adoption, and strengthening producer groups.
• Community Resource Persons for Enterprise Promotion (CRP-EPs) and Business Development Service Providers (BDSPs) will be recognised as “Udyam Sakhis” to support rural enterprises.
• Market access for SHG enterprises will be expanded through the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) and Government e-Marketplace (GeM).
• The campaign aims to orient 50,000 community cadres to strengthen grassroots entrepreneurship support.
• It targets the training of 5 lakh SHG women in entrepreneurship and enterprise development.
• The campaign aims to formalise 50,000 enterprises, helping rural businesses become more organised and commercially viable.
• It seeks to add 2 lakh producer group members to strengthen collective rural enterprises and market linkages.
• The campaign aims to promote agro-ecological practices among 20 lakh women, supporting sustainable agricultural livelihoods.
• It also targets onboarding 25,000 SHG members onto e-commerce platforms to improve their access to digital markets.
• During the event, Rohit Kansal, Secretary, Department of Rural Development, launched ‘Sankalp Shakti’, described as the first Rural Enterprise Technical Bulletin.
• Sankalp Shakti focuses on Lakhpati Didi empowerment and rural enterprise development.

About Ministry of Rural Development :

• Cabinet Minister : Shivraj Singh Chouhan
• Minister of State : Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, Kamlesh Paswan

CURRENT AFFAIRS: SPORTS NEWS

Ahmedabad to Host 2nd Commonwealth Cue Sports Championships 2026

• Ahmedabad, Gujarat will host the 2nd Commonwealth Cue Sports Championships in October 2026 at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex.
• The announcement was made by Ishaun Singh, President of the World Pool Association (WPA).

Key Highlights

• The championship will witness participation from athletes representing 45 countries.
• The tournament will feature 5 disciplines and 10 medal events across men’s and women’s categories.
• Disciplines: 10-Ball, Heyball, Blackball, Snooker and English Billiards.
• Participation format:
  • 10-Ball, Heyball, Blackball and Snooker: 16 athletes per gender.
  • English Billiards: 8 athletes per gender.
• Each Commonwealth country will receive one guaranteed unranked entry, while the remaining positions will be allotted based on world rankings.
• The event will be organised under the aegis of the Billiards and Snooker Federation of India (BSFI) and the World Confederation of Billiards Sports (WCBS).
• Apex Sports Promotion will manage the event.
• World Pool Association (WPA): Established in 1987 and headquartered in Gauteng, South Africa.
• The WPA is the global governing body for pocket billiards/pool and functions under the umbrella of the World Confederation of Billiards Sports (WCBS).

Lando Norris Wins Dutch Grand Prix 2026; Kimi Antonelli Extends Formula 1 Championship Lead

• Lando Norris of McLaren won the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, securing his second consecutive Formula 1 victory.
• Norris defeated Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes by 536 seconds, while George Russell finished third.

Key Highlights

• McLaren secured its third consecutive Dutch Grand Prix victory at Zandvoort.
• Kimi Antonelli finished second and extended his lead in the 2026 Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship to 59 points.
• Max Verstappen suffered an early retirement after crashing on the opening lap of his home race.
• The top five finishers were:
  1. Lando Norris – McLaren
  2. Kimi Antonelli – Mercedes
  3. George Russell – Mercedes
  4. Lewis Hamilton – Ferrari
  5. Charles Leclerc – Ferrari
• Oscar Piastri finished sixth, while Liam Lawson finished seventh after receiving a 10-second penalty.
• Drivers’ Championship standings after the Dutch Grand Prix: Kimi Antonelli – 242 points, George Russell – 183, Lewis Hamilton – 183, Lando Norris – 159, and Charles Leclerc – 155.

Indian Women Wrestlers Win Three Medals at Under-20 World Championships 2026

• India won three medals in women’s wrestling at the Under-20 World Championships 2026 held in Slovakia.
• Mansi Lather won the silver medal in the 68 kg category.

Key Highlights

• Mansi Lather lost the final 1–2 to China’s Chenling Song in a closely contested bout.
• Tanvi Gundesh Magdum secured a bronze medal in the 57 kg category after defeating Canada’s Agnia Krakovska 10–4.
• Komal won the bronze medal in the 59 kg category, defeating Hungary’s Eda Balazs 5–2.
• Medal tally from women’s wrestling: 1 Silver + 2 Bronze = 3 Medals.

India’s Men’s Kabaddi Team Announced for Asian Games 2026

• India has announced its 12-member men’s kabaddi team for the 2026 Asian Games, to be held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
• Asian Games 2026 will be held from 19 September to 4 October 2026, while the kabaddi events are scheduled from 21–26 September 2026 at the Nagoya City Trade & Industry Centre.

Key Highlights

• Ayan Lohchab and Devank Dalal, the top raiders from the previous Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) season, will lead India’s raiding department.
• Pawan Sehrawat and Aslam Inamdar, both Asian Games 2023 gold medallists, are included as all-rounders.
• Four members of India’s gold-medal-winning team at the Hangzhou Asian Games 2023 have been retained: Arjun Deshwal, Sunil Kumar, Pawan Sehrawat and Aslam Inamdar.
• Indian Men’s Kabaddi Team: Ashu Malik, Ayan Lohchab, Devank Dalal, Arjun Deshwal, Sunil Kumar, Jaideep Dahiya, Rahul Sethpal, Gaurav Khatri, Sumit Sangwan, Ankit Jaglan, Pawan Sehrawat and Aslam Inamdar.
• Indian Women’s Kabaddi Team: Ritu Negi, Pushpa Rana, Sonali Shingate, Sanju Devi, Pooja Kajla, Ritu Sheoran, Jyoti Thakur, Pinki Roy, Manisha Kumari, Bhavna Thakur, Rajrani and Nikita Kumari.
• Sunil Kumar will spearhead the defensive unit, while Arjun Deshwal and Ashu Malik will provide additional strength in the raiding department.

Mitchell Starc Becomes Leading Wicket-Taker in ICC World Test Championship History

• Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc became the leading wicket-taker in International Cricket Council (ICC) World Test Championship (WTC) history, surpassing teammates Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon.

Key Highlights

• Starc achieved the milestone during the second Test against Bangladesh at Mackay, Australia, where he registered a 10-wicket match haul.
• His bowling figures in the match were:
  • 1st innings – 6/12
  • 2nd innings – 4/39
  • Total – 10 wickets
• With this performance, Starc reached 234 WTC wickets, surpassing Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon, who have 228 wickets each.
• Top WTC wicket-takers:
  • Mitchell Starc – 234 wickets
  • Pat Cummins – 228 wickets
  • Nathan Lyon – 228 wickets
• Starc is the only bowler to cross 230 wickets in WTC history, while Starc, Cummins and Lyon are the only three bowlers with 200+ WTC wickets.
• Starc's WTC record includes 11 four-wicket hauls, 8 five-wicket hauls and best bowling figures of 7/58, with a bowling average of 25.
• During the ongoing 2025–27 World Test Championship cycle, Starc has taken 58 wickets in 10 matches, making him the leading wicket-taker of the cycle.
• The performance also took Starc's overall Test wickets to 445, helping him surpass South Africa’s Dale Steyn and enter the top 10 wicket-takers in Test cricket history.

Pranesh M Wins Group A Title at Kanizsa Open 2026 in Hungary

• Indian Grandmaster (GM) Pranesh M won the Group A title at the Kanizsa Open 2026 held in Nagykanizsa, Hungary.
• The 19-year-old Tamil Nadu player from Karaikudi defeated Germany’s Vadim Petrovskiy in the ninth and final round to finish with 7 points from 9 rounds.

Key Highlights

• Pranesh shared the top score with Israel’s Or Bronstein, Ukraine’s Andrei Volokitin and India’s Karthik Venkataraman, but won the title on the basis of a superior tiebreak score.
• Final top positions:
  • 1st – Pranesh M (India)
  • 2nd – Or Bronstein (Israel)
  • 3rd – Andrei Volokitin (Ukraine)
  • 4th – Karthik Venkataraman (India)
• Pranesh is rated 2673 and was ranked 44th in the Fédération Internationale des Échecs (FIDE) rankings for August 2026.
• Karthik Venkataraman had a chance to win the tournament outright but drew against Andrei Volokitin in the final round, leaving both players on 7 points.
• Other Indian performances: Neelash Saha – 10th (6.5 points); Nitish Belurkar – 20th, Ajay Santhosh Parvathareddy – 21st, and Bhattacharyya Soham – 23rd (6 points each).
• Kanizsa Open 2026 Group A featured 226 players and was conducted over 9 rounds.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : OBITUARIES

Veteran Actress Sowcar Janaki Passed away at 94 in Chennai

• Veteran Indian actress Sankaramanchi Janaki, popularly known as “Sowcar Janaki”, passed away at the age of 94 at a private hospital in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, on 21 August 2026, due to age-related illness.

About Sowcar Janaki :

• Sowcar Janaki was born on 12 December 1931 in Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh (AP) and was renowned for her versatile performances in Indian cinema.
• She had a career spanning over seven decades and made significant contributions to Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi
• She made her film debut at the age of 18 with the landmark Telugu film Shavukaru (1950), directed by V. Prasad.
• The success of Shavukaru earned her the prefix “Sowcar”, which remained associated with her throughout her career.
• She acted in more than 400 feature films and performed in over 300 theatrical stage productions during her career.
• Her notable Tamil films included Panam Paduthum Padu (1954), Puthiya Paravai (1964), Neerkumizhi (1965), Edhir Neechal (1968), Uyarndha Manithan (1968), Iru Kodugal (1969), Kaviya Thalaivi (1970), Thillu Mullu (1981) and Vettri Vizhaa (1989).
• Her notable Telugu films included Rojulu Marayi (1955), Kanyasulkam (1955), Panduranga Mahatyam (1957), Doctor Chakravarty (1964), Akka Chellelu (1970) and Badi Panthulu (1972).
• Her last Telugu film was Anni Manchi Sakunamule (2023), directed by V. Nandini Reddy, while her last Tamil appearance was Biskoth (2020).

Awards & Honors :

• In 2022, she was conferred the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award, by the Government of India (GoI) in the field of Art for her contribution to Indian cinema.
• She was also honoured with the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award, two Nandi Awards and the Kalaimamani Award.

Iconic Sri Lankan Singer Nanda Malini Passed away at 82 Near Colombo

• Iconic Sri Lankan singer Nanda Malini passed away at the age of 82 at her home in Nawala, near Colombo, Sri Lanka, just days before her 83rd birthday.
• Nanda Malini was born on 23 August 1943 in a village in British Ceylon and was the fourth of nine children.
• She began her musical journey after winning a poetry singing competition in Colombo in 1956.
• As a young artist, she travelled to India to study music at the Bhatkhande College of Hindustani Music in Lucknow.
• Malini had a long and influential music career and became one of the most prominent figures in the Sinhala music industry.
• Her voice and songs became closely associated with Sri Lanka’s political and social upheavals of the 1970s and 1980s.
• She became known for songs promoting social justice, criticising corruption and inequality, and encouraging people to overcome racial and religious divisions.
• Her 1987 album Pawana addressed social issues and encouraged people to stand against injustice.
• Several songs from Pawana were banned from Sri Lankan national radio broadcasts in the 1980s during a period of political turmoil.
• Despite the broadcasting ban, her songs remained popular, with fans continuing to listen to her music and attend her concerts.
• Her music reflected the political environment marked by youth unemployment, social inequality, anti-establishment movements and ethnic tensions in Sri Lanka.
• The period of turmoil eventually contributed to the outbreak of the Sri Lankan Civil War in 1983.
• In 2022, during large-scale anti-government protests amid Sri Lanka’s economic crisis, Nanda Malini publicly supported the movement and performed for demonstrators.
• The 2022 protests eventually contributed to the toppling of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

Former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar, Convicted in 1984 Anti-Sikh Riots Cases, Passed away at 80

• Sajjan Kumar, former Indian National Congress (INC) Member of Parliament (MP), who was convicted in cases related to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, passed away at the age of 80 in New Delhi, Delhi.
• He was born on 23 September 1945 in Delhi.
• Sajjan Kumar began his political career by joining the INC and was elected as a councillor of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) in 1977.
• He was elected three times as a Lok Sabha MP from the Outer Delhi
• He was first elected to the Lok Sabha in 1980, and was subsequently elected in 1991 and 2004.
• In December 2018, the Delhi High Court (HC) sentenced Sajjan Kumar to life imprisonment in a case related to the killing of five Sikhs and the burning of a Gurdwara during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.
• In February 2025, a Delhi court convicted him in another case concerning the killing of two Sikh men during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: IMPORTANT DAYS

International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition 2026

• International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition is observed annually on 23 August.
• The day is designated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to commemorate the transatlantic slave trade and raise awareness about its historical consequences.
• Theme 2026: “Ending Slavery's Legacy of Racism: A Global Imperative for Justice”.
• The day commemorates the uprising of 23 August 1791 in Santo Domingo (present-day Haiti), which became an important event in the struggle against slavery and the transatlantic slave trade.
• The transatlantic slave trade developed significantly from the mid-17th century and primarily benefited the colonial powers of Western Europe.
• European trading ships carried manufactured goods from Europe to the West Coast of Africa, where these goods were exchanged for enslaved people captured and supplied by African traders. The enslaved people were then transported across the Atlantic and forced to work, particularly on plantations in the Caribbean and the Americas.
• By the 1790s, more than 4.8 lakh people were enslaved in the British colonies, many of whom were subjected to forced labour on plantations.
• UNESCO Member States observe the day through educational and cultural programmes involving young people, educators, artists and other stakeholders.

International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism 2026

• The International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism was observed on 21 August 2026 to honour victims and survivors of terrorism and promote their human rights and fundamental freedoms.
• 2026 Theme: “Healing Through Memory”.
• The day also focuses on supporting victims and survivors in their recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration into society.
• The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) established the observance through Resolution A/RES/72/165 in 2017, designating 21 August as the International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism.
• The United Nations organised a High-Level Virtual Event on 21 August 2026 from United Nations Headquarters, New York, under the theme “Healing Through Memory”.
• The event also saw the launch of the “Building a Safer Internet for Victims of Terrorism” initiative by the Victims of Terrorism Associations Network (VoTAN).
• The initiative aims to address online harms faced by victims of terrorism, strengthen digital safety and help prevent re-traumatisation of survivors.

National Space Day 2026 – India Celebrates Third National Space Day

• National Space Day was observed on 23 August 2026 as the third National Space Day in India.
• The day commemorates the historic soft landing of Chandrayaan-3’s Vikram lander on the Moon on 23 August 2023.
• Chandrayaan-3 made India the fourth country in the world to achieve a soft landing on the Moon and the first country to land near the lunar south polar region.
• The Chandrayaan-3 landing site was named Shiv Shakti Point, while the impact site of Chandrayaan-2 was named Tiranga Point.
• 2026 Theme: “Towards Viksit Bharat: Innovating, Collaborating and Aspiring to Global Space Leadership.”
• The theme highlights India’s ambition to achieve global leadership in the space sector through innovation, collaboration, technological self-reliance and scientific research.
• The Space Applications Centre (SAC), Ahmedabad, hosted the main National Space Day 2026 celebrations, featuring exhibitions and industry-oriented programmes.
• The celebrations aimed to promote Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education and encourage students, researchers, innovators and start-ups to participate in India’s space programme.
• Chandrayaan-3 consisted of the Vikram lander and Pragyan rover, which were designed to demonstrate safe lunar landing and rover operations and conduct scientific experiments on the Moon.
• The success of Chandrayaan-3 followed the lessons learned from the Chandrayaan-2 mission and demonstrated India’s capabilities in lunar navigation, controlled landing, communication and space technology.
• The National Space Day observance also highlights the growing role of private space companies and start-ups, supported by reforms and institutions such as the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe).
• India’s major space achievements include the Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan), Chandrayaan missions, Aditya-L1 solar mission and the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV)
• Future focus: India’s space programme includes Gaganyaan (human spaceflight), Chandrayaan-4, the proposed Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) and greater participation of the private space sector.

Daily CA One- Liner: August 25

• The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet on 22 August 2026 approved a policy allowing female state government employees to avail 180 days of paid maternity leave twice during their service career
• The Andhra Pradesh Government has approved the proposal of AM AI Factory Pvt. Ltd. to establish a 512-Megawatt (MW) Green Integrated Artificial Intelligence (AI) Data Centre in Visakhapatnam district
• Pakistan has nominated two Mumbai-based Parsi doctors — Dr Jal Ratanji Patel and Dr Jal Dhaybho-Koo — for the Nishan-e-Imtiaz, Pakistan’s highest civilian award, for maintaining confidentiality about Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s terminal illness
• Jindal Steel and Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IIT Hyderabad) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish the Jindal Steel Centre of Excellence (CoE) at the IIT Hyderabad campus
• India and Mauritius agreed to strengthen their energy partnership, with Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) set to meet Mauritius’ entire import requirement of petrol, diesel and Aviation Turbine Fuel
• Ahmedabad, Gujarat will host the 2nd Commonwealth Cue Sports Championships in October 2026 at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex
• Lando Norris of McLaren won the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, securing his second consecutive Formula 1 victory
• India won three medals in women’s wrestling at the Under-20 World Championships 2026 held in Slovakia
• India has announced its 12-member men’s kabaddi team for the 2026 Asian Games, to be held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan
• Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc became the leading wicket-taker in International Cricket Council (ICC) World Test Championship (WTC) history, surpassing teammates Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon
• Indian Grandmaster (GM) Pranesh M won the Group A title at the Kanizsa Open 2026 held in Nagykanizsa, Hungary
• International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition is observed annually on 23 August.
• The International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism was observed on 21 August 2026 to honour victims and survivors of terrorism and promote their human rights and fundamental freedoms
• National Space Day was observed on 23 August 2026 as the third National Space Day in India
• The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), functioning under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI), has eased rules for rupee-based export transactions to provide Indian exporters greater flexibility in receiving export payments.
• State Bank of India (SBI), India’s largest public sector bank, has revised the cash withdrawal charges for Basic Savings Bank Deposit (BSBD) accounts opened through the branch channel.
• Razorpay, an omnichannel payments platform, introduced the Multi-Currency Exchange Earners’ Foreign Currency (EEFC) Account to help exporters and international businesses retain their foreign-currency earnings without immediately converting them into Indian Rupees (INR).
• Bank of India (New Zealand) Limited (BOINZ) launched a new mobile banking application named “BOINZ – Freedom” to strengthen its digital banking services and provide customers with greater convenience and control.
• Karnataka has signed an agreement with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for the comprehensive development of 500 government schools as Karnataka Public Schools (KPS).
• Punjab National Bank (PNB) signed an exclusive Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Army to provide specially designed credit cards with curated benefits to serving Army personnel.
• EEFC stands for Exchange Earners’ Foreign Currency Account, which is a foreign-currency-denominated current account maintained with an Authorised Dealer Category-I bank authorised to deal in foreign exchange.
• India and Singapore reinforced their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) during the 4th India–Singapore Ministerial Roundtable (ISMR) held in Singapore.
• Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh, along with West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, presided over the Bhumi Pujan ceremony for three expansion projects of Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited (GRSE) and two projects of Yantra India Limited (YIL) on 23 August 2026.
• The Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully concluded its participation in two major international air exercises: Exercise Pitch Black 2026 in Australia and Exercise Udara Shakti 2026 in Malaysia.
• D-Propulse Aerospace Pvt. Ltd., an Indian defence propulsion startup, successfully demonstrated India’s first indigenously developed 5 kilo-Newton (kN) air-breathing Rotating Detonation Engine (RDE) integrated with an aerospike nozzle.
• The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) announced plans to establish a National Coach Accreditation Board (NCAB) to standardise coaching quality and strengthen India’s sports ecosystem.
• The Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) launched the National Campaign on Entrepreneurship-II under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana–National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM).
• Veteran Indian actress Sankaramanchi Janaki, popularly known as “Sowcar Janaki”, passed away at the age of 94 at a private hospital in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, on 21 August 2026, due to age-related illness.
• Iconic Sri Lankan singer Nanda Malini passed away at the age of 82 at her home in Nawala, near Colombo, Sri Lanka, just days before her 83rd birthday.
• Sajjan Kumar, former Indian National Congress (INC) Member of Parliament (MP), who was convicted in cases related to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, passed away at the age of 80 in New Delhi, Delhi.