Dear Readers, Here we have given the list of Important Weekly Current Affairs of  August  15th & 21st August 2026. Candidates those who are preparing for Upcoming SBIClerk 2026 and other competitive exams can make use of it.

Weekly Current Affairs August 15th  & 21st PDF Download

CURRENT AFFAIRS: IMPORTANT DAYS

• Independence Day is celebrated annually on 15 August to commemorate India's independence from British colonial rule.
• World Humanitarian Day (WHD) is observed annually on 19 August to honour humanitarian workers who provide life-saving assistance during conflicts, disasters and other humanitarian crises.
• World Photography Day is observed annually on 19 August to celebrate the art, craft, science and history of photography.
• Sadbhavana Diwas is observed annually on August 20 to commemorate the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
• World Mosquito Day is observed annually on August 20 to raise awareness about malaria and other mosquito-borne diseases and promote measures for their prevention and control.
• Akshay Urja Day is observed annually on 20 August in India to create awareness about renewable energy and promote the adoption of sustainable energy sources.
• World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) is observed annually from August 1 to 7 to promote the importance of breastfeeding for the health, nutrition and well-being of infants and children.
• World Fintech Day is observed annually on August 1 to celebrate the evolution of Financial Technology (FinTech) and its role in transforming the global financial ecosystem.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : BANKING,FINANCE & BUSINESS

• Fitch Ratings reaffirmed India’s sovereign credit rating at BBB- with a Stable Outlook, marking the 20th consecutive year that India has retained this rating.
• The Multi Commodity Exchange of India Limited (MCX) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Institute of Securities Markets (NISM) at the Global Commodity Conclave 2026 to establish a dedicated Commodity Markets Research Centre.
• As of 31 March 2026, five southern states — Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana and Kerala — together accounted for more than 80% of India’s gold-loan outstanding, highlighting the strong concentration of gold-backed lending in South India.
• According to the World Gold Council (WGC), central banks continued their gold-buying trend for the third consecutive month in June 2026, purchasing a net 51 tonnes of gold, the highest monthly purchase recorded in 2026 so far.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has proposed draft rules making external benchmark-linked loans optional for Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) while aiming to ensure fair and transparent interest-rate practices across regulated entities.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) imposed a monetary penalty of ₹59.20 lakh on IndusInd Bank, for non-compliance with RBI directions on Interest Rate on Deposits and Securitisation of Standard Assets.
• The Central Government’s debt-to-gross domestic product (GDP) ratio stood at 2% in FY26 (2025–26), which was 210 basis points higher than the government’s target of 56.1%.
• The Logistics Data Bank (LDB) has tracked 10 crore EXIM containers since its launch in 2016, marking a major milestone in India’s technology-driven logistics sector.
• The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has prescribed a strict, time-bound Grievance Redressal Mechanism for resolving policyholder complaints.
• The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), with support from the Gates Foundation and Dalberg Advisors, announced the winners of the National Climate Stack Innovation Challenge.
• Special Rupee Vostro Account (SRVA) is an additional mechanism for settling international trade in Indian Rupees (INR) and is different from the normal Rupee Vostro Account (RVA) provided under the Foreign Exchange Management (Deposit) Regulations, 2016.
• Indian banks, including their overseas branches, are permitted to extend loans to non-residents or issue Standby Letters of Credit (SBLCs) in favour of overseas lenders against FCNR(B) deposits mobilised under the June 8, 2026 Circular on “Swap Facility for FCNR(B) Deposits”.
• The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) is expected to launch E-PRAAPTI by the end of August 2026 to help subscribers trace, link and claim money lying in old or inactive Provident Fund (PF) accounts.
• The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has proposed introducing a mandatory colour-coded Credit Risk-o-Meter for debt securities to help investors assess and compare credit risk more easily before investing.
• Fraud involving Public Sector Banks (PSBs) increased sharply by 58% in value to ₹35,671 crore in FY 2025-26, compared with ₹22,582 crore in FY 2024-25.
• Bank of Baroda (BoB) has concluded the issuance of Senior Unsecured Fixed Rate Notes (FRNs) with three-year and five-year maturities, raising a total of USD 700 million under Regulation S.
• The International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) granted an Investment Banking licence to Nexent Capital IFSC Private Limited (Nexent Capital) to operate from GIFT City, Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
• S&P Global Ratings has assigned IDFC FIRST Bank its first international investment-grade issuer credit ratings, marking an important milestone for the bank.
• South Indian Bank has launched its Onam campaign titled “Onam Orumayude Olam”, celebrating Kerala’s spirit of togetherness and the collective effort to preserve the state’s rich cultural traditions.
• Punjab National Bank (PNB) has signed a three-year agreement with GYFTR Ltd to create a dedicated digital rewards and offers platform for its credit card customers.
• Bajaj General Insurance has launched ProShield, a packaged motor insurance solution specially designed to meet the unique insurance needs of defence personnel.
• Paramotor Digital Technology Limited has entered into a co-branded partnership agreement with NSDL Payments Bank to issue prepaid cards across India.
• Karnataka Bank has launched “KBL Finsurance”, a comprehensive digital insurance portal designed to streamline the creation, tracking and monitoring of insurance business leads across its branch network.
• The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has notified the Foreign Assets of Small Taxpayers – Disclosure Scheme (FAST-DS) Rules, 2026, providing eligible taxpayers with a one-time opportunity to voluntarily disclose certain previously undisclosed foreign assets and income.
• Wholesale Price Index (WPI)-based inflation in India eased marginally to 9.78% in July 2026, compared with 87% in June 2026, mainly due to cooling prices of fuel, power and food items.
• The Qatar-India Postal Remittance Service, based on PosTransfer powered by Unified Payments Interface (UPI), was operationalised in Doha, Qatar, enabling faster, secure and cost-effective cross-border remittances between Qatar and India.
• BSE Limited, formerly known as the Bombay Stock Exchange, and the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to improve Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)’ access to equity financing through capital markets.
• India’s retail inflation (CPI-based inflation) rose to a 19-month high of 4.45% in July 2026, driven mainly by higher food and fuel prices.
• YES Bank Limited launched the ‘YES Essence Credit Card’, a women-focused lifestyle and rewards credit card designed to address the evolving lifestyle and healthcare needs of women.
• The Ministry of Finance reduced India’s windfall gains tax on exports of petrol, diesel and Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF).
• Tuhin Kanta Pandey, Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), launched two new cybersecurity portals, ‘SEBI Incident Reporting’ and ‘Cyber Suraksha’, to strengthen cybersecurity, cyber resilience and information sharing across the securities market ecosystem.
• During FY 2025–26, Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) continued to strengthen rural economic development and financial inclusion by expanding credit delivery and maintaining a strong focus on Priority Sector Lending (PSL).
• The credit rating agency in India, ICRA Limited has estimated India’s real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth at 7% for Q1 FY27 (April–June 2026).
• Jammu & Kashmir Bank Limited (J&K Bank) has signed a Corporate Agency Agreement (CAA) with HDFC Life Insurance Company Limited (HDFC Life) to offer a wide range of customer-centric insurance products.
• India's foreign exchange (forex) reserves increased by $6.12 billion to $682.35 billion in the week ended July 24, 2026, according to data released by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
• Razorpay, a leading Indian fintech company, has launched “Razorpay Vulcan”, India’s first Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered payments foundation model.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has proposed to harmonise and standardise the regulatory framework for interest rates on advances across all Regulated Entities (REs) to improve loan-pricing transparency and strengthen consumer protection.
• The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) released India’s foreign trade data for July 2026 and April–July 2026-27.
• The Supreme Court of India directed the Centre, States, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and telecom authorities to strengthen measures against “digital arrest” scams and cyber fraud.
• The National Statistics Office (NSO) under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released the Monthly Bulletin of the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) for July 2026.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL AND STATE NEWS

• The Office of the Development Commissioner (Handlooms), Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, organised IIHT SUTRA 2026 – Inaugural National Conclave of the Indian Institutes of Handloom Technology (IIHTs) at Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi.
• The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Government of India, convened the India–Japan Stakeholder Consultation on Skill Development in New Delhi to strengthen cooperation on skill development and workforce mobility between India and Japan.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation from the Red Fort on 15 August 2026, marking India’s 80th Independence Day.
• The Tribunals Reforms Bill, 2026 aims to make India’s tribunal system more independent, transparent, efficient and professionally administered, while reducing executive discretion and strengthening accountability.
• As part of India’s BRICS Chairship 2026, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) will lead and organise the BRICS Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Track in Pune from 17 to 21 August 2026.
• India became the world’s leading ship recycling nation in 2025, with its global market share increasing from 1% in 2024 to 35.4% in 2025.
• The Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications, Government of India facilitated the selection of three Indian Sanchar Mitras (youth volunteers) as Generation Connect Youth Envoys (GCYE) of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) for the 2026–2030
• The Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) is implementing the National Beekeeping and Honey Mission (NBHM) as a Central Sector Scheme through the National Bee Board (NBB).
• The Gujarat Government has decided to establish 4 new Centres of Excellence (CoEs) to provide advanced training and guidance to farmers in horticulture.
• India and Nepal have agreed to complete the mapping of cross-border land occupation within three years, addressing a long-standing technical issue along their shared boundary.
• The Karnataka Cabinet approved the ‘Sandhya Kiran’ cashless healthcare scheme for State Government pensioners below 70 years, family pensioners and eligible dependents.
• NITI Aayog released the report titled “Key Sectors to Position India as a Global Manufacturing Hub”, identifying high-potential sectors that can help India become a global manufacturing powerhouse.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a nationwide sports talent identification campaign for children aged 5–15 years to identify and nurture young sporting talent across India.
• The Supreme Court of India has asked the remaining 19 States and Union Territories (UTs) to consider declaring cancer as a “notifiable disease” to facilitate early detection, timely treatment and proper care of cancer patients.
• The Gujarat Forest Department released 20 blackbucks into the Banni Grasslands of Kutch, Gujarat, on India’s 80th Independence Day, with technical support from the Greens Zoological Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre (GZRRC), Vantara.
• India has constituted a 12-member high-powered committee to examine the restoration and future management of the Teesta Barrage Project (TBP) in West Bengal, including the strengthening of the barrage and associated infrastructure.
• Meghalaya concluded its celebration of the 12th National Handloom Day at Risai, Integrated Textiles Tourism Complex (ITTC), Nongpoh, Ri-Bhoi district.
• West Bengal became the 36th State/Union Territory to implement Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), completing the nationwide rollout of the scheme.
• NITI Aayog released its latest report titled “India’s Services Sector: Insights on Regulatory Regime in Professional Services” , examining India’s regulatory framework for professional services and identifying opportunities to strengthen the sector’s contribution to exports, employment and economic growth.
• Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), the flagship rural drinking water programme of the Government of India, was launched by PM Narendra Modi on 15 August 2019 with the objective of providing every rural household with safe and adequate drinking water through a Functional Household Tap Connection (FHTC) on a regular and long-term basis.
• Gujarat has received approval for the Desert Zoological Park and Night Safari at Juna Deesa in Banaskantha district, marking a major addition to the state’s wildlife and eco-tourism infrastructure.
• India launched its first-ever “Guide to Grasslands and Other Open Natural Ecosystems of India” at the 17th Session of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) Conference of the Parties (COP17) in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
• India is integrating semiconductor and Artificial Intelligence (AI) capabilities to strengthen technological self-reliance, supply-chain resilience, innovation and high-value employment, supporting the vision of Viksit Bharat.
• Karnataka Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar announced the Vidyarthi Sahayahasta Scheme during the Independence Day celebrations in Bengaluru to improve access to professional education for students from rural government schools.
• The Research Society for the Study of Diabetes in India launched the Diabetes Rural Outreach Digital Portal and VISHWAS (Diabetes Awareness Video Library) to strengthen diabetes prevention and management in rural India.
• The Maharashtra Government has declared snakebite a notifiable disease, making it mandatory for all hospitals, medical colleges and healthcare professionals to report every suspected or confirmed snakebite case and death.
• SEMICON India 2026, the 5th edition of India’s flagship semiconductor conference and exhibition, will be held from 17–19 September 2026 at Yashobhoomi (India International Convention and Expo Centre), Dwarka, New Delhi.
• The Tamil Nadu Government has announced that maternity leave for women government employees having their third child will be increased from 12 weeks to 365 days (one year).
• Union Home Minister Amit Shah will chair the 31st Southern Zonal Council meeting at Kovalam near Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu.
• The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the upgradation of the 82.578-kilometre Muzaffarpur–Sitamarhi–Sonbarsa section of National Highway 22 (NH-22) to four-lane standards in Bihar.
• Cotton Corporation of India Limited (CCI), a Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Textiles, celebrated its 56th Foundation Day at Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra.
• Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rojgar Yojana (PM-VBRY), the Centre’s employment-linked incentive scheme, completed one year of implementation in August 2026.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : INTERNATIONAL NEWS

• Tripura’s Dergang Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO) has exported 1 metric tonne of mustard honey to Dubai, marking the first-ever international shipment of mustard honey from the region.
• Poland has unveiled a giant Virgin Mary statue in the village of Konotopie, located about 190 km north-west of Warsaw, the capital of Poland.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

• Ashish Singh has been appointed as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD & CEO) of Manappuram Finance Limited for a five-year term starting from 1 January 2027.
• Natarajan Chandrasekaran stepped down as the Executive Chairman of Tata Sons Private Limited after completing his current term on 20 February 2027.
• UCO Bank has appointed Chartered Accountant Shri Manohar Lal Paliwal as a Part-Time Non-Official Director on its Board of Directors.
• Airtel Payments Bank has appointed Shabnam Sinha as its new Chairperson, replacing Sunil Bharti Mittal, who will complete his tenure as Non-Executive Chairman and step down from the Board on 30 September 2026.
• Hakainde Hichilema, leader of the United Party for National Development (UPND), was re-elected as the President of Zambia for a second consecutive five-year term (2026–2031).
• Gautam Rangarajan, an Indian-origin strategist and media executive, has been appointed Expert Adviser on Structure and Process by British Prime Minister Andy Burnham at 10 Downing Street.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: AWARDS AND HONOURS

• The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) announced 1,057 Gallantry and Service Medals for personnel of the Police, Fire Services, Home Guard and Civil Defence, and Correctional Services on the occasion of Independence Day 2026.
• The Gaj Gaurav Awards 2026 were conferred during the national celebrations of World Elephant Day in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
• Indian Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth was conferred the rank of Honorary General of the Nepal Army by Nepal President Ramchandra Paudel during an investiture ceremony at Sheetal Niwas, Kathmandu.
• The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MoYAS) announced the National Sports Awards 2025, which are presented annually to recognise and reward excellence in sports and contributions towards the promotion and development of sports in India.
• The Ministry of Corporate Affairs organised the Prime Minister Internship Scheme Industry Awards 2026 in New Delhi to recognise industry partners for their contribution to the successful implementation of the Prime Minister Internship Scheme during its pilot phase.
• Lakshmanan Meyyappan, a 16-year-old Indian, has been recognised by Guinness World Records as the world’s youngest male Chartered Accountant (CA).

CURRENT AFFAIRS: MOUS AND AGREEMENT

• India and the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) signed the Terms of Reference (ToR) for negotiations towards a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA).
• Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine & Homoeopathy (PCIM&H), under the Ministry of Ayush, and Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC), under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, renewed their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for implementing the “One Herb, One Standard”
• Digital India BHASHINI Division (DIBD), under Digital India Corporation (DIC), Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), and NITI Aayog signed a Statement of Intent (SoI) to advance multilingual, voice-first Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions for inclusive governance and citizen-centric public service delivery.
• National Institute of Indian Medical Heritage (NIIMH), Hyderabad, under the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), Ministry of Ayush, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Sevadhi Museum & Indological Research Institute (SEMIRI), Kumaranalloor, Kottayam, Kerala.
• The Embassy of India in Nepal and various Government of Nepal bodies signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) for the implementation of 8 development projects in education, health and agriculture.
• The Andhra Pradesh Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research–National Geophysical Research Institute (CSIR-NGRI) for detailed exploration of lithium and gallium deposits in the Vempalle area of the Kadapa Basin.
• Sigma Advanced Systems, in partnership with Indrajaal Autonomous Defence Systems, secured a ₹155 crore order from the Ministry of Home Affairs for deploying Indrajaal Ranger mobile anti-drone patrol vehicles.
• India and Armenia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Yerevan to strengthen cooperation in research, development, innovation and shared production in the defence sector.
• The Odisha Government signed a tripartite agreement with Digital Bharat Nidhi, Department of Telecommunications and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited for implementing the ₹3,384.82 crore amended BharatNet programme in the state.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: RANKING AND INDEX

• Shah Rukh Khan has emerged as India’s most valuable celebrity brand with a brand value of USD 177.9 million, according to the Celebrity Brand Valuation Report 2025 by Kroll.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : DEFENCE NEWS

• Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) delivered MS Maria, the second of eight HS EcoFreighter series Multi-Purpose Vessels (MPVs), to Germany-based shipping company HS Schiffahrts UG (haftungsbeschränkt) & Co. KG.
• The Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) commenced the 3rd edition of Exercise Udara Shakti 2026 at Subang Air Base, Selangor, Malaysia, from 10 to 14 August 2026, with the flying phase from 11 to 13 August.
• The Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed contracts worth approximately ₹1,577 crore with Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and NIBE Private Limited for the procurement of Loiter Munition Systems for the Indian Army (IA).
• The Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed a contract with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) to lease two MQ-9B Sea Guardian High-Altitude Long-Endurance (HALE) Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) for the Indian Navy.
• The Indian Army (IA) contingent has departed for Thailand to participate in the 15th edition of India-Thailand Joint Military Exercise MAITREE-XV (2026).
• Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh flagged off the All India Girls High Altitude Long Trek “Aparajita – Parang La 2026”, a flagship adventure activity of the National Cadet Corps (NCC), in New Delhi, Delhi.
• The Ministry of Defence (MoD), through the Department of Defence Production (DDP), has notified the 6th Positive Indigenisation List (PIL) comprising 405 strategically important defence items.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS

• Bank of America Corporation (BofA) and Jio Financial Services Limited (JFSL) entered into a Joint Venture (JV) Agreement for investment in Jio Credit Limited (JCL).
• The Competition Commission of India (CCI) approved Tata Steel Limited’s acquisition of an additional 23% equity stake in TM International Logistics Limited (TMILL).

CURRENT AFFAIRS : APPS & PORTALS

• Union Minister Amit Shah, who holds the portfolios of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and Ministry of Cooperation, launched the ‘Gramin Gyan Setu’ app through video conferencing to integrate libraries across the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency of Gujarat.
• Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Law and Justice, Arjun Ram Meghwal, launched the revamped India Code Portal on 13 August 2026 at Kartavya Bhavan 2, New Delhi.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : ENVIRONMENT

• Scientists led by S. D. Biju of the Department of Environmental Studies, University of Delhi discovered three new species of cascade frogs in the biodiverse forests of Northeast India.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

• NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) has invited the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to participate in its Moon Base Programme, marking an expansion of India–US space cooperation from Earth observation and individual missions towards long-term lunar exploration and human spaceflight.
• Sarla Aviation received Design Organisation Approval (DOA) from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
• Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has revived the Su-30MKI fighter aircraft production line at its Nashik facility in Maharashtra for the Indian Air Force (IAF).
• Jinnah-1 is Pakistan’s first-ever planned lunar rover and has been named by the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO).
• Meta has released Muse Glimmer, a new 30-billion-parameter open-weight AI model designed to perform advanced agentic tasks directly on consumer devices such as laptops and personal computers.
• Astronomers have proposed a new class of cosmic object called a “black hole star” (BH), according to a study published in
• Leonardo DiCaprio’s conservation organisation Re:wild and the Bezos Earth Fund, led by Jeff Bezos, have launched the Phoenix Species Project.
• The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) launched its electronic (e)-Inspection and e-Certified Copy Services in New Delhi, Delhi to provide faster digital access to judicial records.
• Fractal Analytics has launched Vaidya AI, an India-focused healthcare reasoning model under the IndiaAI Mission, with beta testing beginning in Mumbai.
• JSW Neo Energy Limited (JSWNEL), a subsidiary of JSW Energy, and Bhutan’s Druk Green Power Corporation Limited (DGPC) have signed an agreement to jointly develop the 920 MW Punatsangchhu-III Hydroelectric Project.
• Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) and Norway-based Hystar AS entered into a strategic collaboration for the phased indigenisation and local manufacturing of Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolyser systems for green hydrogen projects in India.
• Union Minister of State (MoS) Dr. Jitendra Singh, Department of Space (DoS), informed the Lok Sabha that Indian Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) has approved and signed an agreement for India’s first indigenous, fully commercial Earth Observation (EO) satellite constellation under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model.
• Kawa UAV Pvt. Ltd. (HoverIt) successfully conducted the maiden flight of Divyastra Mk3, described as India’s first indigenous jet-powered loitering munition.
• Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, who holds the portfolios of Education, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, and New & Renewable Energy, formally inaugurated the Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC)-based Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) of food subsidies under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY).
• The National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT) under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) launched Cyber Kushti 2026, a national-level Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence (AI) Hackathon.
• Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX) launched two Falcon 9 rockets carrying separate missions from Florida and California, USA.
• Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India (GoI), Ajay Kumar Sood, launched the RSVC-AMRIT platform on 15 August 2026, the 80th Independence Day of India.
• Mishra Dhatu Nigam Limited (MIDHANI), a state-owned defence and aerospace materials manufacturer under the Ministry of Defence (MoD), became the first Indian company to secure S400 approval from GE Aerospace, a leading American aerospace company.
• The Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru released SraVaani as an open-source multilingual speech-recognition model.
• Tata Power Company Limited and the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) signed a Master Research Agreement (MRA) to accelerate the development, scaling and commercialisation of next-generation energy technologies and clean energy solutions.
• CDSL Investor Protection Fund (CDSL IPF) has launched a multilingual investor education film titled “The Garden of Prosperity” to promote financial awareness, thoughtful financial planning and informed investing.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: SPORTS NEWS

• World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen of Norway won the Esports World Cup (EWC) Chess Championship for the second consecutive year, defeating Belarusian Grandmaster (GM) Denis Lazavik 2–0 in the final in Paris, France.
• India made a strong start to the Asian Junior Chess Championship 2026, with Vignesh Vermula and Saranya Devi winning the Open Blitz and Girls’ Blitz titles, respectively.
• The 65th Subroto Cup International Football Tournament 2026 commenced at B. R. Ambedkar Stadium, New Delhi.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: BOOKS AND AUTHOR

• Prashant Agrawal, a 1998-batch Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer, has authored the book “Bringing the Cheetah Back to India: How Diplomacy Made Conservation’s Big Mission Possible.”

CURRENT AFFAIRS : OBITUARIES

• Former Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji passed away at the age of 97 in Beijing, China.
• Eminent Marxist historian and scholar of modern Indian history Sumit Sarkar passed away at the age of 87 in New Delhi due to age-related ailments.
• Major General Sunil Kumar Razdan (Retd), a decorated Indian Army officer and recipient of the Kirti Chakra and Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM), passed away at the age of 70 in New Delhi, Delhi.
• Renowned sculptor and master craftsman Chandrashekhar Y. Shilpi passed away in Kalaburagi, Karnataka, at the age of 75.
• Veteran Bengali filmmaker Raja Sen passed away at the age of 71 in Kolkata, West Bengal.
• William F. Rasmussen, the co-founder of ESPN (Entertainment and Sports Programming Network), passed away at the age of 93 in Seattle, Washington,the United States of America (USA).