Current Affairs for Week 35 of 2026
24 August 2026 – 30 August 2026
Updated on
The week’s news that matters for BSSC CGL and other State and Central exams, in short. Every item names who, what and the number you are likely to be asked for.
Bihar Board to drop the word “fail” from Class 10 and 12 marksheets
BiharThe Bihar School Examination Board will print “kaushal ke liye patra” — eligible for skills — in place of “fail” on Class 10 and Class 12 marksheets from next year. Education Minister Mithilesh Tiwari announced the change on 28 August, saying that failure to score the expected marks does not diminish a student’s talent. The Education Department is to issue formal directions to the Board.Source: The Hindu (Patna edition)
Bihar opens a ‘Vidyarthi Sahyog’ portal for student grievances
BiharChief Minister Samrat Choudhary launched the Vidyarthi Sahyog portal, through which students can send their problems and suggestions directly to the State government. Student support camps will also be organised on the fourth Tuesday of every month to hear grievances in person.Source: The Hindu (Patna edition)
Darbhanga’s disappearing ponds reach the Supreme Court
BiharDarbhanga had more than 350 ponds in 1969 according to the district gazetteer and has fewer than 100 today. The citizens’ group Talab Bachao Abhiyan has challenged BUIDCO’s ₹70.34-crore beautification plan for the Harahi, Dighi and Gangasagar ponds. The Supreme Court recorded the State’s undertaking that no further soil would be dumped and fixed 7 September as the next date of hearing.Source: The Hindu (Patna edition)
Indian Standard Time notified as the single legal time reference
NationalThe Consumer Affairs Ministry notified the Legal Metrology (Indian Standard Time) Rules, 2026 on 27 August, making IST the single reference for legal, administrative, commercial and other official purposes across the country. The rules come into force 180 days after publication in the Official Gazette. They stress reducing dependence on foreign satellite-based time sources and enable the use of NavIC, India’s indigenous satellite navigation system.Source: The Hindu
States push back against the MMDR Amendment Act, 2026
NationalThe Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2026, published on 23 August, inserts Section 9D barring States from imposing taxes, cesses or other levies on mineral rights and mineral-bearing lands without the Centre’s authorisation. The Jharkhand unit of the Congress staged a Statewide protest on 27 August. Former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik wrote to BJP MPs on 29 August seeking a reversal, saying control over the State’s minerals had been taken away.Source: The Hindu
Meghalaya Assembly votes against uranium mining
NationalThe 60-member Meghalaya Assembly adopted a resolution on 26 August opposing uranium mining and the establishment of any uranium ore-processing facility in the State. Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma moved the resolution. Local communities in Domiasiat, Lostoin, Mawthabah and Wahkaji in South West Khasi Hills district have resisted exploration since the Atomic Minerals Directorate drilled there in 1993.Source: The Hindu
Mizoram adopts ‘Ro Min Rel Sak Ang Che’ as its State song
NationalThe Mizoram Assembly unanimously adopted the Mizo patriotic song “Ro Min Rel Sak Ang Che” as the official State song on 27 August. Chief Minister Lalduhoma moved the resolution.Source: The Hindu
Over 1.07 crore names removed from Karnataka’s draft electoral rolls
NationalThe Special Intensive Revision in Karnataka removed more than 1.07 crore names from the draft electoral rolls, the largest deletion reported in the exercise so far. The scale of the deletions drew objections from the Opposition, and the Supreme Court sought data on appeals in the parallel West Bengal revision as municipal elections approached.Source: The Hindu
MGNREGA workers moved to the new VB-G RAM G scheme
Government SchemesThe Union Rural Development Ministry said every worker registered under MGNREGA has been migrated to the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin), or VB-G RAM G, whether or not job-card e-KYC is complete. e-KYC has been done for 15.89 crore workers, including 10.27 crore of 10.84 crore active workers, leaving about 57 lakh active workers pending. Around 2.11 crore workers have so far been offered employment under the new scheme.Source: The Hindu
Mission Samriddh Gaon launched for self-reliant villages
Government SchemesThe Ministry of Rural Development launched Mission Samriddh Gaon on 26 August at Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi, aiming at poverty-free villages where every rural family has a sustainable livelihood. It begins as a pilot in two Madhya Pradesh blocks — Budni in Sehore district and Khategaon in Dewas district. The design rests on family-level household mapping, convergence of departmental schemes, integrated farming systems and the Lakhpati Didi model.Source: Ministry of Rural Development
Gross FDI touches a 15-year high of $30.7 billion
Economy & BankingGross foreign direct investment into India reached $30.7 billion in April–June 2026, the highest in 15 years for the quarter. An analysis of the latest RBI data also showed net FDI turning positive again in June 2026, with inflows exceeding outflows by $1.3 billion that month.Source: The Hindu
Industrial production growth slows to 6.7% in July
Economy & BankingIndia’s Index of Industrial Production grew 6.7% in July 2026, slower than the 8.8% recorded in June, according to data released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. It was still the second-best reading the index has seen since December last year, buoyed by manufacturing and by the electricity and gas supply sectors.Source: The Hindu
UPI completes ten years
Economy & BankingThe Unified Payments Interface, launched by the National Payments Corporation of India on 25 August 2016, completed a decade. Annual transaction volume rose from 1.78 crore in FY17 to 24,162 crore in FY26 — a roughly 13,000-fold increase. The Finance Ministry said UPI is now operational in 11 countries and has become one of the most successful pillars of digital public infrastructure.Source: The Hindu
SEBI introduces an IT Resilience Index for market institutions
Economy & BankingThe Securities and Exchange Board of India issued a circular introducing an Information Technology Resilience Index for market infrastructure institutions, which include stock exchanges and depositories. The index assesses these institutions across nine parameters as part of efforts to strengthen the resilience of their IT systems.Source: The Hindu
In-principle nod for the third round of airport privatisation
Economy & BankingThe Public Private Partnership Appraisal Committee gave in-principle approval to the Civil Aviation Ministry’s proposal for a third round of airport privatisation, covering 11 airports across five bundles. Amritsar, Kangra, Tiruchirappalli and Tirupati are among the airports being considered.Source: The Hindu
RBI house price index rises 3.6% year-on-year
Economy & BankingThe Reserve Bank of India released the All-India House Price Index for Q1:2026-27 on 24 August. The index grew 3.6% year-on-year, the same pace as in the first quarter of the previous year, and rose 1.1% over the preceding quarter to 117.5. The index tracks 18 major cities and uses 2022-23 as its base year.Source: Reserve Bank of India
GST Council to meet on 12 September after a gap of over a year
Economy & BankingThe GST Council, chaired by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, is scheduled to meet in New Delhi on 12 September, preceded by an officers’ meeting on 11 September. The Council, which includes State Finance Ministers, last met in 2025 for its 56th meeting, at which the Centre and States agreed on a major restructuring of GST rates.Source: The Hindu
India signs Javelin missile procurement deal with the U.S.
DefenceIndia signed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance with the United States on 28 August to procure Javelin anti-tank guided missile systems through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales route. The purchase uses the emergency procurement powers granted to the armed forces after Operation Sindoor, under which each equipment purchase may go up to ₹300 crore. The Javelin is a medium-range guided missile designed to engage armoured vehicles and fortified positions.Source: The Hindu
Rajnath Singh clears transfer of DRDO missile technology to industry
DefenceDefence Minister Rajnath Singh approved the transfer of technology of all conventional missile systems developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation to Indian companies. The move is intended to carry missile projects from the development stage to industrial-scale production. It also widens the participation of Indian industry in the defence ecosystem by creating opportunities for private sector firms.Source: The Hindu
Exercise Udara Shakti 2026 brings Indian and Malaysian air forces together
DefenceThe Indian Air Force and the Royal Malaysian Air Force held Exercise Udara Shakti 2026, a biennial bilateral tactical air combat exercise, in Malaysia. The IAF flew Rafale fighters supported by a C-17 Globemaster III, while the RMAF fielded Su-30MKM, F/A-18D Hornet and A400M Atlas aircraft. The exercise focused on dissimilar air combat training and joint mission planning.Source: The Hindu
Centre eases defence export and licensing norms
DefenceThe Defence Ministry simplified its export and licensing rules to help Indian defence manufacturers reach global markets faster. Under the revised Defence Export Standard Operating Procedure, stakeholder consultation with the Ministries and government agencies concerned has been dispensed with for exports of non-lethal defence items to most destinations.Source: The Hindu
Nepal flash floods kill hundreds; Indians among the missing
InternationalFlash floods in Nepal’s Bhote Koshi–Trishuli river system, set off by an ice-rock avalanche, killed 788 people by 30 August with about 2,500 still missing. Two fresh glacial lakes formed near the avalanche source, and a preliminary Chinese assessment pointed to the collapse of a high-altitude glacier. At least 320 Indians remained uncontactable and 400 were stranded; India sent aircraft with relief material and an expert panel.Source: The Hindu
India and Uzbekistan elevate ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership
InternationalPrime Minister Narendra Modi visited Tashkent on 30 August, ahead of the SCO summit, and the two countries decided to elevate their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership. They agreed on a uranium deal and set a $5 billion annual trade target by 2030. Their existing joint commission was upgraded from the level of secretaries to ministerial level.Source: The Hindu
India and China hold the 25th round of Special Representatives talks
InternationalNational Security Adviser Ajit Doval met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing on 25 August for the 25th round of Special Representatives talks on the boundary question. The two sides said they had discussed advancing delimitation talks on parts of the disputed border and stressed peace and tranquillity in border areas. They also agreed to open two more Border Personnel Meeting points along the Line of Actual Control, whose locations are yet to be announced.Source: The Hindu
Norway’s King Harald V dies; Haakon VIII takes the throne
InternationalKing Harald V of Norway died on 28 August at the age of 89, the palace said. His 53-year-old son Haakon succeeded him immediately and announced that he would reign under the name King Haakon VIII.Source: The Hindu
Iceland votes against restarting EU accession talks
InternationalIcelandic voters rejected a proposal to resume European Union accession negotiations in a referendum held on 30 August, more than a decade after the previous talks ended. Opponents won by 52.8% to 47.2%, and turnout was above 82% of the 270,000 eligible voters. Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir had campaigned in support of the measure.Source: The Hindu
WHO declares Uganda free of Ebola
InternationalThe World Health Organization declared Uganda officially Ebola-free on 27 August, after 42 days without a new case. The country was praised for its efforts in preventing the spread of an outbreak that had overwhelmed health facilities in parts of the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.Source: The Hindu
UNCCD COP17 meets in Ulaanbaatar with a focus on drought
EnvironmentThe 17th Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification met in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, under the theme “Restoring Land. Restoring Hope.” It introduced the Drought Resilience Index as an AI-powered assessment tool and launched the Drought Resilience Investment Facility, with $1.3 billion in new and pipeline financing announced. India released a Guide to Grasslands and Other Open Natural Ecosystems at the conference.Source: The Hindu
Spoon-tailed Duskhawker dragonfly gets its first photographic record in India
EnvironmentThe Spoon-tailed Duskhawker (Gynacantha basiguttata) has been confirmed from the Namdapha landscape in Arunachal Pradesh, the first photographic record of the species in India. Previously known mainly from Southeast Asia, it is a crepuscular dragonfly of the Aeshnidae family and adds to the country’s Odonata checklist.Source: Assam Tribune
India’s first indigenous popcorn maize hybrid launched in Andhra Pradesh
Science & TechnologyVice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan launched India’s first indigenous, non-genetically- modified, high-expansion popcorn maize hybrid seed on 24 August at Musunuru in Andhra Pradesh’s Eluru district. India currently depends on imported popcorn maize seed, and the Vice-President said the hybrid would help reduce that dependence and conserve foreign exchange.Source: The Hindu
ICMR says no new H1N1 strain is circulating in India
Science & TechnologyThe Indian Council of Medical Research said no new strain of H1N1 has been identified and there is no cause for panic. It added that the influenza strains currently circulating are well matched with the vaccine strains recommended for the Northern Hemisphere. The ICMR chief said H1N1 makes up 98% of Influenza A cases in India.Source: The Hindu
Praggnanandhaa wins the Grand Chess Tour title
SportsR. Praggnanandhaa beat defending champion Fabiano Caruana in the final to win the Grand Chess Tour, becoming the first Indian to win the event. The Chennai grandmaster was trailing against the world No. 2 before recovering in the classical games and settling the contest in the faster time controls.Source: The Hindu
Neeraj Chopra ruled out of the Asian Games with an ankle injury
SportsNeeraj Chopra ruled himself out of the Asian Games and the rest of the season on 29 August with an ankle ligament tear. The javelin thrower, whose season’s best was 88.05 metres, will also miss the Diamond League Final in September. The Athletics Federation of India said he had chosen recovery over risk and asked that his place be given to another athlete.Source: The Hindu
Indian women beat Germany at the Hockey World Cup
SportsIndia beat Germany in a classification match at the Women’s Hockey World Cup in Amstelveen, scoring three goals in the space of four minutes after going three games without one. Navneet and Ishika were among the scorers. The win kept alive India’s hope of its best World Cup finish since the inaugural 1974 edition.Source: The Hindu
Roger Federer inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame
SportsRoger Federer was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame on 30 August. The Swiss broke down during a light-hearted speech in which he took a trip down memory lane, called the induction one of the greatest honours of his career and said he was still writing his love letter to tennis.Source: The Hindu
Three named to the Reserve Bank of India’s Central Board
AppointmentsThe Central Government appointed Janmejaya Kumar Sinha, Syed Akbaruddin and Annie George Mathew as part-time, non-official Directors on the Central Board of the Reserve Bank of India. The appointments are for four years with effect from 24 August 2026, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.Source: Reserve Bank of India
HDFC Bank chief Sashidhar Jagdishan will not seek reappointment
AppointmentsSashidhar Jagdishan, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of HDFC Bank, will not seek reappointment. The private sector lender said its board has decided to fast- track the process for selecting and appointing his successor well within time.Source: The Hindu
New LPG connections put on hold amid West Asia tensions
NationalThe Petroleum Ministry has paused the release of new LPG connections, calling it a temporary measure forced by the geopolitical situation. Distributors are pushing 5-kg free-trade cylinders and 10-kg composite cylinders as alternatives. Six months into the war, the Strait of Hormuz remains practically closed: average flows are about 0.25 million barrels a day against 15 million before the conflict.Source: The Hindu
RBI bulletin says the West Asia conflict is weighing on business confidence
Economy & BankingThe Reserve Bank of India’s monthly bulletin named the West Asia conflict as a continuing challenge to the economy. It nonetheless described domestic demand as buoyant, pointing to indicators such as vehicle sales and petroleum product consumption remaining in positive territory.Source: The Hindu
Bangladesh open to joining the Mecca Pact
InternationalBangladesh will give positive consideration to joining the Mecca Pact — the trilateral defence agreement signed by Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Pakistan — if its members propose bringing Dhaka into the framework. Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman made the statement in Parliament.Source: The Hindu