- On 13 August 2026 Parliament approved the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 after its passage in the Rajya Sabha. The Bill seeks to strengthen exploration and production of critical and strategic minerals, improve mineral security and reduce India's dependence on imports. It amends provisions of the MMDR Act governing the country's mining sector.
- On 13 August 2026 The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) released ₹15.52 crore in Access and Benefit Sharing proceeds received from Pioneer Overseas Corporation for commercial use of genetic resources associated with ten Indian mustard (Brassica juncea) hybrids. The amount is being distributed among 26 State Biodiversity Boards and three Union Territory Biodiversity Councils. Rajasthan received the largest share of about ₹6.43 crore.
- On 13 August 2026 The Gaj Gaurav Awards 2026 were presented during the national-level elephant conservation programme at Visakhapatnam. Seven mahouts from Jaldapara National Park, West Bengal, were honoured for their role in rescuing captive elephants and supporting wildlife rescue operations. The event highlighted human-elephant coexistence and elephant conservation and was associated with activities around World Elephant Day, observed on 12 August.
- On 13 August 2026 The historic Parichha Weir in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, built across the Betwa River, received recognition as a World Heritage Irrigation Structure from the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID). Construction began in 1881 and the structure was commissioned in 1886. The recognition acknowledges its historical significance and continued contribution to irrigation and water management.
- On12 August 2026 India and the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) signed the Terms of Reference for negotiations on a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) at Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi. The framework establishes the scope and modalities for future negotiations, including trade in goods, market access and rules of origin. The proposed PTA aims to deepen India's trade and economic relationship with the Southern African region.
- On 13 August 2026 Pakistan announced that its first planned lunar rover will be called Jinnah-1, named after Pakistan's founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah. The rover is planned for deployment near the Moon's south polar region as part of China's Chang'e-8 mission in 2029. Pakistan's space agency SUPARCO selected the name through a public competition. The rover is expected to conduct geological, plasma and radiation-related scientific studies.
- On 8 August 2026 Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the new premises of the National Urban Cooperative Finance and Development Corporation (NUCFDC) in Mumbai. NUCFDC functions as an umbrella organisation for roughly 1,400 Urban Cooperative Banks. The initiative aims to strengthen technology, compliance, training and cybersecurity capabilities of UCBs. Shah also launched technology initiatives including Bank in a Box and cybersecurity facilities for cooperative banks.
- On 12 August 2026: Bank of America announced an agreement to acquire up to 49.9% stake in Jio Credit Limited for as much as ₹18,268 crore. Jio Credit is the non-banking lending arm of Jio Financial Services. Bank of America will initially acquire a 26.5% stake, with the remaining investment structured through warrants. The partnership is expected to combine Jio's Indian distribution network with Bank of America's global financial and risk-management expertise.
Economy:
- On 12 August 2026 Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) delivered MS Maria, the second vessel in its eight-ship HS EcoFreighter series, to Germany-based HS Schiffahrts UG & Co KG. The approximately 7,000-DWT multipurpose vessel is designed to transport different types of cargo and is ice-class capable. The delivery highlights India's growing shipbuilding and maritime-export capabilities and CSL's increasing presence in the European commercial shipping market.
- On 13 August 2026 Larsen & Toubro (L&T) secured a mega order valued between ₹10,000 crore and ₹15,000 crore for an AI-focused data-centre infrastructure project in India. The project involves development of large-scale computing infrastructure, including thousands of advanced AI GPUs. The order reflects rapidly rising investment in artificial-intelligence infrastructure and high-performance data centres in India.
- On 11 August 2026 The Barclays Private Clients Hurun India Most Valuable Family Businesses 2026 list ranked the Ambani family-led Reliance Industries first with a valuation of about ₹25.83 lakh crore. It was followed by the Birla family at ₹8.14 lakh crore and the Jindal family at ₹8.02 lakh crore. The combined value of India's top 300 family businesses was estimated at around ₹138 lakh crore.
- On14 August 2026 – World Cup Pakistan holds the record for the most Men's Hockey World Cup titles with four championships. The Netherlands, Germany and Australia have won three each. India has won the tournament once, in 1975, while Belgium has also won once. The 2026 Men's Hockey World Cup is scheduled from 15 to 30 August 2026 in Belgium and the Netherlands, so no 2026 champion had been decided as of 14 August.
- On 10–14 August 2026 The Indian Air Force and Royal Malaysian Air Force conducted Exercise Udara Shakti 2026 at Subang Air Base, Malaysia. The IAF participated with Rafale fighters and supporting C-17 aircraft, while Malaysia deployed Su-30MKM, F/A-18D and support aircraft. The bilateral exercise focused on air-combat training, interoperability, exchange of operational knowledge and strengthening defence cooperation between India and Malaysia.
Science and Technology:
- On 12 August 2026 The Digital India BHASHINI Division (DIBD) and NITI Aayog signed a Statement of Intent to advance multilingual and voice-first artificial intelligence for inclusive governance. The collaboration will use BHASHINI's Indian-language AI capabilities in governance programmes, voice bots and digital public services. It aims to make government services accessible to citizens regardless of the language they speak or their ability to use text-based digital interfaces.
- On 11 August 2026 Scientists led by researchers from the University of Delhi reported three new species of cascade frogs of the genus Amolops from Northeast India Amolops ammachi, Amolops bella and Amolops sendenyu. The discoveries came from Tripura, West Bengal and Nagaland respectively. The research used extensive morphological and molecular studies and expands scientific knowledge of the exceptionally rich amphibian biodiversity of Northeast India.
- On 12 August 2026 CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT), Hyderabad, transferred technology for a plant-derived phytopharmaceutical candidate developed from Gymnema sylvestre for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers to Viridis Biopharma. The candidate is intended for further clinical and regulatory development. The research is significant because diabetic foot ulcers are difficult-to-heal chronic wounds and are a major complication of diabetes.
- The annual Perseid meteor shower reached its peak across much of the Northern Hemisphere. The shower is produced by debris left behind by Comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle. Under dark skies, observers can see dozens of meteors per hour, and the Perseids are particularly known for bright fireballs. In 2026, near-new-moon conditions provided favourable visibility.
- 13 August 2026: Researchers at IIT Guwahati developed a two-stage microalgae-based process for capturing carbon dioxide. The system first treats gas containing around 15% CO₂ and subsequently uses a second biological stage with a lower concentration. The approach improves carbon capture while producing useful algal biomass that can potentially support bioenergy and other applications, offering a biological pathway for industrial carbon management.
- 13 August 2026 The Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru released SraVaani, an open-source multilingual voice AI and speech-recognition model developed by its SPIRE Lab with support from ARTPARK and Google. The initiative focuses on improving speech technology for India's linguistic diversity and can support voice-based digital services, transcription and human-computer interaction in Indian languages.
- On 2 nd August 2026 The Indian Army agreed to establish youth training centres at district headquarters in Telangana following discussions between Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and Southern Command chief Lt Gen C. Rajesh Pushkar. The centres will prepare young people for recruitment into the armed forces, including Agnipath-related opportunities, through physical and preparatory training.
- On 27 July–8 August 2026 The Indian Army trained Central Industrial Security Force personnel at Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport in Agartala, Tripura, through a 14-day specialised programme. Conducted under the Army's Spear Corps and Red Shield Division, the training covered tactical skills, aviation-security contingencies and coordinated response to emergencies. The programme was designed to strengthen interoperability between the Army and CISF in protecting critical infrastructure.
- On12 August 2026 The Lok Sabha referred the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 to a 31-member Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), move followed demands for wider parliamentary scrutiny of the proposed changes to India's foreign-contribution regulatory framework. The JPC will examine the provisions of the Bill and submit recommendations before Parliament considers the legislation further.
- On13 August 2026 A Parliamentary Standing Committee dealing with Science and Technology, Environment, Forests and Climate Change recommended the formulation of a National Pine Needle Policy. The proposal aims to reduce forest-fire risks by systematically collecting highly inflammable pine needles and using them for energy, handicrafts and livelihood activities. The recommendations formed part of the committee's 412th Report dealing with forest-fire management.
Summits and Conference
- On 12 August 2026 Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh inaugurated IIHT SUTRA 2026, the first National Conclave of Indian Institutes of Handloom Technology, at Dr Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi. It was organised by the Office of the Development Commissioner for Handlooms, Ministry of Textiles. Its theme was IIHTs: Weaving the Future of the Indian Handloom Sector – Educate. Innovate. Transform. The conclave focused on modernising handloom education, research and industry collaboration.
- On 2–14 August 2026 The 8th Meeting of the BRICS Working Group on Ocean and Polar Science and Technology was held in Goa. It was hosted by the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) under the Ministry of Earth Sciences as part of India's 2026 BRICS Presidency. Scientists and officials discussed cooperation in ocean and polar research and future joint scientific programmes. No separate official theme or chairperson was clearly specified in the verified release.
- On 12 August 2026 The Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine & Homoeopathy (PCIM&H) and the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) renewed their MoU for three years to strengthen the One Herb, One Standard initiative. The programme seeks to establish harmonised scientific quality standards for medicinal plants used across Indian systems of medicine and modern pharmacopoeial frameworks. The initial collaboration includes development of common monographs for medicinal plants.
- On12 August 2026 Multi Commodity Exchange of India (MCX) and the National Institute of Securities Markets (NISM) signed an MoU to establish the MCX-NISM Centre for Commodity Markets. Signed during the Global Commodity Conclave 2026, the collaboration will promote commodity-market research, professional education, capacity-building and responsible market participation. NISM is an educational institution established by securities-market regulator SEBI.
- On 13 August 2026 The Tamil Nadu government signed 97 MoUs involving investment commitments worth approximately ₹67,452 crore at the Vettri Tamil Nadu Investors Conclave 2026 in Chennai. The projects span sectors including automobiles, renewable energy, electronics, life sciences, research, data centres and manufacturing. The proposed investments are expected to generate more than one lakh employment opportunities, subject to implementation of the individual projects.
- On12 August 2026 N. Chandrasekaran did not resign immediately as Tata Sons Chairman. He announced that he would not seek another term after his present tenure ends on 20 February 2027. This distinction is important for exams. Tata Group leadership has historically included Jamsetji Tata, Dorabji Tata, Nowroji Saklatwala, J.R.D. Tata, Ratan Tata, Cyrus Mistry and N. Chandrasekaran, with Ratan Tata also serving an interim second stint.
- On13 August 2026 International Left-Handers Day The day is observed annually to celebrate left-handed people and create awareness about the practical difficulties they face in environments largely designed for right-handed users. It also promotes greater understanding of left-handedness and related adaptations. No universally recognised official theme specifically for 2026 could be verified, so an unverified social-media theme should not be memorised for exams.
- On12 August 2026 Former Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji passed away in Beijing at the age of 97 after an illness. He served as China's Premier from 1998 to 2003 and was one of the country's most influential economic reformers. Zhu is remembered for restructuring state-owned enterprises, reforming taxation and housing systems, controlling inflation and helping prepare China for its entry into the World Trade.
Questions:
Q1. Exercise Udara Shakti 2026 was conducted between India and:
a) Indonesia
b) Malaysia
c) Singapore
d) Thailand
Answer: b) The Indian Air Force and Royal Malaysian Air Force conducted Exercise Udara Shakti 2026 at Subang Air Base, Malaysia.
Q2. International Left-Handers Day is observed every year on:
a)10 August
b) 12 August
c) 13 August
d) 15 August
Answer: c) International Left-Handers Day is observed annually on 13 August to raise awareness about left-handedness and challenges faced by left-handed people.
