Current Affairs One- Liner: 21st & 22nd August 2026

National:

On 19 August 2026, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare recommended that the difference between the landing price of medicines/medical devices and their MRP should not exceed 20%. The panel said large mark-ups substantially increase patients’ out-of-pocket expenditure and cited expensive life-saving drugs as examples.

On 19 August 2026, Tamil Nadu announced an increase in annual coverage under the Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme (CMCHIS) from ₹5 lakh to ₹25 lakh. The government also announced a 400-bed multispeciality hospital at Perambur and expansion of cancer-care facilities and healthcare-education seats.
On 19 August 2026, the Railway Ministry approved increasing the maximum permissible speed on the 111-km Katra-Banihal broad-gauge section in Jammu and Kashmir to 100 kmph after prescribed safety requirements were met. The section forms part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link and includes the Chenab and Anji Khad bridges
On 19 August 2026, Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu flagged off the expanded transshipment cargo system at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport. The reform removes mandatory re-screening of eligible transshipment cargo, reducing turnaround time, handling costs and airport congestion while strengthening India’s position as an international air-cargo hub.
On 19 August 2026, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved four-laning of the 82.578-km Muzaffarpur-Sitamarhi-Sonbarsa section of NH-22 in Bihar at a cost of ₹3,590.73 crore. The Hybrid Annuity Mode project will improve connectivity between Muzaffarpur and the India-Nepal border at Sonbarsa.
In August 2026, Himachal Pradesh became the fifth state to restrict the sale of analogue paneer, a non-dairy substitute generally made using vegetable fat, starch and other ingredients. The measure aims to prevent consumers from being misled into purchasing substitute products as genuine milk-based paneer and to strengthen food-safety enforcement.
On 23 August 2026, Karnataka imposed a one-year statewide prohibition on the manufacture, processing, storage, transportation and sale of analogue paneer. The Food Safety and Drugs Administration described the restriction as a preventive public-health measure aimed at stopping non-dairy substitutes from being passed off as conventional paneer.
In August 2026, the Central Government tightened restrictions concerning paediatric formulations containing chlorpheniramine maleate and phenylephrine hydrochloride, directing that such combinations should not be used in children below four years. The move seeks to prevent inappropriate use of cough-and-cold medicines in very young children.
In August 2026, the Ministry of Home Affairs expanded the role of designated District Collectors in processing applications under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act. The decentralised arrangement aims to speed up application scrutiny and citizenship processing for eligible applicants covered by the CAA framework.
In August 2026, the Ministry of Jal Shakti issued a new data-sharing policy aimed at making water-sector information more accessible to government departments, researchers and other authorised stakeholders. The framework seeks to encourage evidence-based water management while prescribing safeguards for sensitive and restricted datasets.
In August 2026, the Centre conducted a capacity-building workshop for Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0, focusing on sustainable operation of rural drinking-water systems, water-quality management, source sustainability, local institutional capacity and better monitoring of household tap-water services.
In August 2026, the Government of India announced 48 teachers for the National Teachers’ Awards 2026. The awards recognise educators for innovative teaching, improving learning outcomes, promoting inclusive education and contributing significantly to school education. The awards are traditionally presented around Teachers’ Day on 5 September.
In August 2026, the National Commission for Women organised a Yashoda AI programme in Jalandhar, Punjab, to improve women’s understanding of artificial intelligence, digital tools, online safety and responsible technology use. The initiative seeks to reduce the digital gender gap and strengthen women’s participation in emerging technologies.
In August 2026, India reiterated support for domestically developed genome-edited rice varieties, highlighting their potential to increase productivity, improve climate resilience and reduce input requirements. Unlike conventional genetically modified crops, certain genome-edited crops may involve targeted alterations without introducing foreign genetic material.
In August 2026, Chhattisgarh began exporting value-added tilapia fish products, marking an important step in diversification of the state’s fisheries economy. The initiative is intended to improve market access for fish producers, encourage processing and value addition and expand India’s seafood-export base.
In August 2026, preparations were reported for the launch of India’s first large-scale biopolymer manufacturing facility in October 2026. Biopolymers are materials derived partly or wholly from renewable biological resources and are being promoted as alternatives to conventional petroleum-based plastics.

International

In August 2026, Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Iturup, one of the disputed Kuril Islands claimed by Japan as part of its Northern Territories. The visit carried diplomatic significance because sovereignty over the islands remains one of the main unresolved issues preventing Russia and Japan from signing a formal post-World War II peace treaty.
In August 2026, six Indian nationals were reported among the crew of a cargo vessel hijacked by pirates off the coast of Somalia. Indian authorities began coordinating with relevant countries and maritime agencies for information and assistance, highlighting continuing piracy risks in waters around the Horn of Africa.
In August 2026, Turkish authorities sought international legal action, including an Interpol Red Notice, against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in connection with allegations linked to the Gaza conflict. Such a request does not itself constitute an international conviction and requires consideration under Interpol’s rules.
On 18 August 2026, Sophie Adenot became the first French woman to conduct a spacewalk. She worked outside the International Space Station alongside NASA astronaut Anil Menon on maintenance related to the station’s communications equipment. The EVA lasted about six and a half hours.
China’s Chang’e-7 mission, planned to explore the Moon’s south-polar region for water ice and other resources, faced a launch postponement announced in August 2026 after authorities said launch conditions were not satisfactory. The mission includes scientific instruments intended to study permanently shadowed lunar regions.

Banking:

IRDAI issued an order on 19 August 2026 barring Niva Bupa Health Insurance from opening new places of business for six months because it exceeded prescribed Expenses of Management limits for FY2024-25. Existing operations remain unaffected, and the insurer said it had subsequently returned to regulatory compliance.
On 18 August 2026, Paul Merchants Finance Pvt. Ltd. launched a Loan Against Silver product and became the first Indian NBFC to establish exclusive silver-loan branches. Loans range from ₹2,000 to ₹15 lakh against eligible silver jewellery, ornaments and approved coins. Initial operations began in Chandigarh.
On 17 August 2026, Paramotor Digital Technology announced a co-branded partnership with NSDL Payments Bank to issue prepaid cards in India. The arrangement will support digital gifting, spend-management and loyalty platforms and use the bank’s RBI-compliant prepaid-card issuance and banking infrastructure.
In August 2026, RBI permitted Life Insurance Corporation of India to increase its aggregate holding in HDFC Bank to as much as 9.99%, subject to regulatory conditions and applicable banking ownership limits. The approval gives LIC flexibility to increase its investment without crossing the prescribed ceiling.
In August 2026, the Competition Commission of India approved the proposed acquisition by Prudential of a majority stake in Bharti’s life-insurance business. The transaction is part of continuing consolidation and foreign investment activity in India’s insurance sector.

Economy:

In August 2026, India Ratings and Research raised its forecast for India’s real GDP growth in FY2026-27 by 10 basis points to 6.8%. The revision reflected expectations of resilient domestic demand, investment activity and improving consumption, while external trade and global uncertainty remained risks.
On 21 August 2026, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board approved three LPG pipeline projects totalling nearly 1,800 km with estimated investment of about ₹7,000 crore. The projects will strengthen bulk LPG transportation infrastructure and reduce dependence on road tankers.
In August 2026, Reliance Industries proposed investment of approximately ₹2.73 lakh crore over 30 years for India’s first integrated underground coal gasification complex in Eluru district, Andhra Pradesh. The project would convert underground coal into syngas, subject to exploration results and commercial viability.
In August 2026, the Centre notified a large manufacturing-support programme with an estimated outlay of around ₹62,500 crore aimed at strengthening India’s mobile-phone and electronics manufacturing ecosystem, increasing domestic value addition, reducing import dependence and expanding export capacity.
In August 2026, the Union Cabinet approved railway and highway infrastructure projects collectively valued at approximately ₹13,041 crore across five states. The investments are intended to expand transport capacity, improve logistics efficiency, reduce travel times and strengthen connectivity with industrial and economic centres.
In August 2026, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated projects worth approximately ₹427.80 crore at Paradip Port, Odisha. The projects seek to strengthen cargo-handling capacity, logistics infrastructure, port efficiency and associated maritime services.
Maharashtra’s FDA had moved to enforce restrictions on the sale of loose edible oil in August 2026, citing food-safety and adulteration concerns. However, on 26 August 2026, the administration withdrew the compliance order, so it should not be memorised as a continuing blanket statewide ban.

Science and Technology:

In August 2026, Banaras Hindu University secured six major research grants from the Indian Council of Medical Research. The projects are intended to strengthen biomedical and health research, support advanced scientific investigations and contribute to evidence-based solutions to important public-health challenges.
In August 2026, SAIL’s Bhilai Steel Plant launched a digital CO₂ emissions dashboard to track carbon emissions associated with steel production. The system is intended to strengthen emissions monitoring, identify efficiency opportunities and support the steel sector’s long-term decarbonisation goals.
On 19 August 2026, scientists reported S301, the fastest known star in the Milky Way. It can reach roughly 25,000 km per second, or more than 8% of the speed of light, while orbiting the supermassive black hole Sagittarius A*. It completes an orbit in about 8.7 years.
In August 2026, researchers reported development of an experimental anticancer compound identified as RK-251. The drug is being studied for its ability to target specific biological mechanisms involved in tumour development. Further laboratory and clinical evaluation is required before any potential therapeutic use.
In August 2026, reports of the insect Drosicha turkistanica in Jammu and Kashmir raised plant-quarantine concerns because invasive or newly detected pests can threaten horticultural crops. Authorities and scientists focused on identification, surveillance and measures to prevent spread to economically important agricultural areas.
In August 2026, the National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning (NBSS&LUP) developed India’s first comprehensive soil-texture map. Such mapping can support crop planning, irrigation management, soil-health assessment, precision agriculture and better management of land and water resources.
In August 2026, AkinAnalytics introduced the indigenous NIKA2 Kisan Medium Drone for agricultural applications. The system is designed for operations such as spraying, monitoring and other precision-farming activities, with the objective of reducing labour requirements and improving farm-level efficiency.
In August 2026, a newly described Himalayan flowering plant was named Impatiens nimspurjae in honour of mountaineer Nirmal Purja, popularly known as Nims Purja. The naming highlights Himalayan biodiversity and the continuing discovery and documentation of plant species in high-altitude ecosystems.
In August 2026, the Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology released a national assessment of deep-sea and distant-water fishery resources in India’s Exclusive Economic Zone. The report seeks to support sustainable exploitation of offshore fisheries while protecting marine ecosystems.
On 19 August 2026, NASA and Katalyst Space called off the attempted rescue of the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory after the LINK spacecraft developed attitude-control problems. The mission had been intended to raise Swift to a higher orbit and extend its operational life.
On 17 August 2026, Google agreed to pay around $10 million for internal business data belonging to bankrupt Spirit Airlines, subject to the bankruptcy process. Google intends to use the data for product development and AI model training. The dataset excludes certain sensitive consumer information.

Defence:

On 25 August 2026, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh approved transfer of technology for DRDO-developed conventional missile systems to eligible Indian defence companies. The policy allows industry to undertake complete missile manufacturing rather than merely supply components, strengthening production capacity and defence self-reliance.
In August 2026, a new submarine-rescue testing facility/plinth was inaugurated or operationalised at Visakhapatnam. The infrastructure is intended to support testing and certification of submarine-rescue systems and strengthen the Indian Navy’s ability to respond to underwater emergencies.
On 20 August 2026, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Japanese Defence Minister Shinjirō Koizumi signed a Memorandum of Arrangement on Maritime Security Cooperation in New Delhi. It provides a framework for stronger coordination between the Indian Navy and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, including protection of critical Sea Lines of Communication.
In August 2026, the Territorial Army and CyberPeace launched Terrier Cyber Quest 2026, a national cyber-security competition. It includes Bug Hunting, AI Kavach and National Creators Challenge tracks. Online rounds are scheduled for 1–10 September, with finals in New Delhi from 6–8 October 2026.
On 21 August 2026, Cochin Shipyard Limited delivered Mangrol, the third of eight indigenous Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts, to the Indian Navy. The vessel is designed for coastal anti-submarine operations, underwater surveillance and protection of Indian waters.
In August 2026, DRDO signed two Technology Transfer Agreements with Indian industrial partners to enable domestic manufacture and commercialisation of defence technologies developed by its laboratories. The agreements support wider industry participation under India’s defence-indigenisation programme.
In August 2026, Reliance Industries was reported to be collaborating with Rolls-Royce on development of an indigenous engine ecosystem associated with India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme. Indigenous fighter-engine capability is considered a critical long-term objective for India’s aerospace sector.
In August 2026, Chief of the Army Staff General Dhiraj Seth undertook a three-day official visit to Nepal. The visit focused on strengthening long-standing India-Nepal military relations, professional exchanges, training cooperation and broader defence engagement between the two armies.
Japanese Defence Minister Shinjirō Koizumi visited India in August 2026 and held talks with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The discussions focused on maritime security, defence-industrial cooperation, operational interaction between the two navies and a shared interest in maintaining a free, open and secure Indo-Pacific.

Summits and Conferences:

The 2nd BRICS Tourism Working Group Meeting of 2026 was held in Jaipur, Rajasthan, in August 2026. Representatives discussed sustainable tourism, digital transformation, connectivity, tourism investment and cooperation among BRICS members. The deliberations contributed to preparations for the BRICS tourism ministerial discussions.
In August 2026, BRICS Tourism Ministers adopted the Jaipur Declaration, laying out priorities for cooperation in sustainable, resilient and inclusive tourism. It emphasises digital technology, cultural and heritage tourism, connectivity, skills, tourism investment and deeper cooperation among BRICS economies.
The 31st Southern Zonal Council meeting was held in Tamil Nadu in August 2026. The council brought together the Centre and southern states/UTs to discuss interstate issues involving infrastructure, water, security, transport and administrative coordination. Zonal Councils function under the States Reorganisation Act, 1956.
In August 2026, the steering committee for the 57th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) met to review preparations, programming and organisational arrangements for the 2026 festival. IFFI is organised by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in partnership with the host state and film-sector institutions.

MoUs Signed:

On 18 August 2026, Digital Bharat Nidhi, the Chhattisgarh Government, CSBIL, BSNL and CHiPS signed an agreement at Sanchar Bhawan, New Delhi for implementation of the Amended BharatNet Programme. The Centre approved ₹3,942 crore, covering 11,682 Gram Panchayats and on-demand connectivity to 8,328 villages.
On 20 August 2026, the Himachal Pradesh Forest Department and the Bharti Institute of Public Policy, Indian School of Business, signed a five-year MoU. It aims to unlock an estimated ₹22,600 crore forest and pastoral economy using scientific data, technology, community enterprises and sustainable resource management.
On 20 August 2026, India and Mauritius exchanged an MoU in Port Louis covering cooperation in the oil and gas sector. Indian Oil Corporation and Mauritius’ State Trading Corporation also concluded a long-term petroleum-supply arrangement to strengthen Mauritius’ energy security.
In August 2026, India and Brazil signed an MoU to strengthen cooperation in telecommunications and information and communication technology. Areas of collaboration include digital infrastructure, emerging communications technologies, innovation, standards and exchanges between institutions and industry.
In August 2026, the Chhattisgarh government signed two agreements linked with PM GatiShakti to strengthen integrated infrastructure planning and logistics. The partnerships are intended to improve use of the National Master Plan platform for coordinated development of transport and other infrastructure.
In August 2026, Uttar Pradesh and Japan’s Yamanashi Prefecture announced cooperation involving a proposed ₹600-crore MSME-focused fund, aimed at encouraging investment, technology partnerships and business linkages between companies in the two regions.
In August 2026, UNHCR, the Southern India Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Ethiraj College for Women joined hands to promote refugee education, employability and social inclusion. The collaboration seeks to connect education and private-sector opportunities with refugee-support programmes.

Committees:

In August 2026, the Supreme Court constituted a panel to examine allegations of police excesses in a matter before it. The committee was tasked with assessing facts independently and reporting to the Court, reflecting judicial oversight where allegations involve potential misuse of police authority.
The steering committee for the 57th International Film Festival of India met in August 2026 to review preparations for the festival, including programming, logistics, international participation and coordination among government and film-sector stakeholders.
On 20 August 2026, a nine-judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court modified the legal test used to determine what constitutes an industry under labour law, revisiting principles laid down in the 1978 Bangalore Water Supply judgment. The ruling seeks to adapt the definition to contemporary employer-employee arrangements.
In August 2026, the Supreme Court modified the minimum legal-practice requirement connected with entry into certain judicial-service posts, reducing it to one year in the relevant context. The judgment sought to balance practical courtroom exposure with the need to attract younger candidates into the judiciary.

Sports:

In August 2026, FIFA released the schedule for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, to be played from 24 June to 25 July 2027. The tournament will feature 32 teams and 64 matches across eight venues. Rio de Janeiro’s Maracanã will stage both the opening match and final.
In August 2026, Indian women’s doubles pair Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand assured India of a medal at the BWF World Championships by advancing deep into the knockout stage. Their result marked another significant achievement for India in women’s doubles badminton at the world level.

Appointments:

In August 2026, Dr Eluri Sreedhar was appointed an Honorary Advisor to the BRICS Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BRICS CCI). In the role, he is expected to contribute to initiatives promoting business cooperation, entrepreneurship, trade and economic engagement among BRICS countries.

Important Days:

World Mosquito Day was observed on 20 August 2026. It commemorates Sir Ronald Ross’s 1897 discovery that female Anopheles mosquitoes transmit malaria parasites. The day promotes awareness about malaria, dengue, chikungunya and other mosquito-borne diseases and encourages vector control, prevention and public-health action.

Obituaries:

Former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar died on 20 August 2026 at the age of 80 after being taken from Tihar Jail to Safdarjung Hospital following health complications. A former three-term Lok Sabha MP, he had been serving life sentences after convictions connected with killings during the 1984 anti-Sikh violence.
In August 2026, renowned Sri Lankan singer Nanda Malini died at the age of 82. She was one of Sri Lanka’s most respected vocalists, known for Sinhala music, playback singing and socially conscious songs. Her career extended over several decades and made her an important figure in the country’s cultural history. --- A few supplied headlines, especially MC²+ Ignite Programme, RK-251 cancer drug, Visakhapatnam submarine-rescue test plinth, some technology-transfer agreements and the precise ₹62,500-crore mobile-manufacturing scheme wording, did not have enough high-quality source detail in the material I could verify to safely add more specifics than the headline supports.

Questions:

Q1. RBI permitted Life Insurance Corporation of India to increase its aggregate holding in HDFC Bank up to what limit?
a) 7.5%
b) 8.5%
c) 9.99%
d) 12.5%

Answer: c) RBI permitted LIC to increase its aggregate holding in HDFC Bank up to 9.99%, subject to regulatory conditions and applicable banking ownership limits.

Q2. Which regulator barred Niva Bupa Health Insurance from opening new places of business for six months?
a) RBI
b) SEBI
c) IRDAI
d) PFRDA

Answer: c) IRDAI issued an order on 19 August 2026 barring Niva Bupa Health Insurance from opening new places of business for six months because it exceeded prescribed Expenses of Management limits for FY2024-25.