National:
- On 31 July 2026, the Uttar Pradesh government presented a supplementary budget of ₹59,019 crore for 2026–27 to meet additional expenditure requirements beyond the original State Budget. The allocations focus on infrastructure, urban development, education, healthcare, social welfare and ongoing development schemes. A supplementary budget allows the government to obtain legislative approval for expenditure that was not fully anticipated when the annual budget was passed.
- On 4 August 2026, the Supreme Court directed that mandatory long-term third-party insurance for newly purchased private cars be increased from three to four years and for new two-wheelers from five to six years. Third-party insurance covers liability arising from injury, death or property damage caused to another person. The decision aims to reduce the number of uninsured vehicles and improve compensation protection for road-accident victims.
- On 3 August 2026, the Union government informed Parliament that India’s installed electricity-generation capacity is projected to reach approximately 874 GW by 2031–32. Expansion is planned across renewable energy, thermal, hydro and nuclear power, supported by battery storage, pumped-storage projects and stronger transmission infrastructure. The programme seeks to meet rising electricity demand while improving grid reliability and supporting India’s transition towards cleaner energy.
- On 4 August 2026, the Supreme Court extended the principle of a 10-kilometre mining buffer around wetland conservation reserves across India. The restriction was initially considered in relation to the Asan Wetland Conservation Reserve in Uttarakhand. The direction aims to prevent mining-related pollution, habitat destruction and hydrological disruption near ecologically sensitive wetlands while allowing expert authorities to examine specific local conditions.
- On 5 August 2026, Kerala announced the expansion of artificial-intelligence-based governance reforms to improve public-service delivery. The initiative seeks to connect government departments with startups, researchers and technology developers for solutions in healthcare, agriculture, education, law enforcement and social welfare. Proposed applications include faster grievance resolution, disease forecasting and data-based decision-making, with emphasis on ethical, transparent and citizen-centred use of AI.
- On 5 August 2026, Maharashtra imposed a one-year prohibition on the manufacture, storage, distribution and sale of analogue paneer. Analogue paneer is generally made by replacing milk fat or protein with cheaper vegetable fats and other substitutes. The measure seeks to curb misleading labelling, adulteration and food-safety violations while ensuring that products sold as paneer comply with prescribed dairy and quality standards.
- On 3 August 2026, the sighting of a Himalayan serow in Himachal Pradesh was reported after an absence of nearly 20 years from the surveyed area. The Himalayan serow is a goat-antelope found in forested mountain slopes of the Himalayas. Its reappearance indicates possible improvement in habitat conditions and highlights the need for continued biodiversity monitoring, anti-poaching measures and protection of Himalayan wildlife corridors.
- On 6 August 2026, Hiroshima Day was observed to commemorate the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, Japan, on 6 August 1945. The bombing caused extensive destruction, radiation exposure and the deaths of tens of thousands of people. The observance promotes nuclear disarmament, peace and awareness of the humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons. Educational and memorial programmes are organised worldwide to remember the victims.
- On 5 August 2026, Parliament passed the Appropriation (No. 3) Bill, 2026, authorising the Union government to withdraw funds from the Consolidated Fund of India for approved expenditure. An Appropriation Bill is required under Article 114 of the Constitution after demands for grants are voted upon. It provides legal authority for government spending relating to ministries, schemes and other approved financial obligations.
- On 5 August 2026, the government announced that 274 fugitives from 36 countries had been brought back to India since 2019 through coordinated legal, diplomatic and investigative action described as Operation Trishul. Those returned were wanted in cases involving terrorism, organised crime, narcotics, financial offences and serious violent crimes. Technology, Interpol coordination and bilateral cooperation were used to trace and repatriate them.
- On 3 August 2026, the Indian Statistical Institute Bill, 2026 was introduced in the Lok Sabha to establish a comprehensive statutory framework for the Indian Statistical Institute. The proposed legislation seeks to modernise its governance, strengthen accountability and support its development as a globally recognised institution for statistics and allied sciences. Concerns were also raised regarding institutional autonomy, fees and administrative control.
- On 5 August 2026, the Chhattisgarh Cabinet approved a five-year State Artificial Intelligence Mission with an outlay of ₹500 crore. The mission proposes five AI Centres of Excellence, around 100 data laboratories, support for more than 300 startups and AI training for nearly 7.5 lakh people. It also aims to introduce over 50 AI-enabled public services and promote digital governance.
- On 5 August 2026, the Union government operationalised an inventory-based cross-border e-commerce export framework under the Foreign Trade Policy 2023. It permits eligible e-commerce entities to maintain inventories specifically for exporting India-made goods. The framework is intended to help manufacturers, artisans and MSMEs reach international markets while incorporating safeguards, documentation requirements and regulatory oversight to protect Indian sellers.
- On 5 August 2026, the Ministry of Tourism launched the As Seen on Netflix section on the Incredible India portal. The initiative showcases Indian destinations featured in Netflix productions and connects screen content with travel information. It aims to promote film-induced tourism, highlight India’s cultural and geographical diversity and encourage domestic and international viewers to visit locations appearing in popular films and series.
- On 5 August 2026, the Telangana government launched an AI-supported upgrade for the Emergency Response Support System 112. The system uses data analysis, location technology and automated dispatch tools to route police, fire or medical assistance more efficiently. The initiative seeks to reduce emergency-response time, improve coordination among agencies and provide faster assistance to citizens, particularly during accidents, crimes and medical emergencies.
- On 5 August 2026, Massachusetts in the United States declared 15 August as India Day to recognise India’s Independence Day and the contributions of the Indian-American community. The declaration acknowledges the community’s role in education, business, healthcare, technology and public life. Cultural programmes and flag-hoisting ceremonies associated with the observance are intended to strengthen people-to-people relations between India and the United States.
- On 5 August 2026, the Telangana government renewed its demand for a higher barrage at Tummidihatti on the Pranhita River. Telangana argues that a higher structure would improve water availability and irrigation benefits under the Pranahita-Chevella-related plans. The proposal requires technical examination and coordination with Maharashtra because the project affects an interstate river and may involve land, submergence and environmental considerations.
- On 5 August 2026, Tamil Nadu announced an allocation of approximately ₹44,527 crore for school education. The funding supports school infrastructure, teacher recruitment and training, digital education, student-welfare programmes, learning materials and schemes intended to reduce dropouts. The allocation seeks to improve learning outcomes and access to quality education across government schools, particularly for students from disadvantaged and rural backgrounds.
- On 3 August 2026, the government proposed legal recognition for two-wheeled ambulances under the Central Motor Vehicles Rules. These ambulances will follow AIS-209 safety standards and provide faster emergency care in congested, rural and hilly areas. The framework is proposed to take effect from 1 October 2027.
- On 4 August 2026, Nauru’s climate-linked citizenship programme attracted attention for offering citizenship through investment. Funds collected under the programme are intended to finance climate-resilience measures, including the relocation of communities and infrastructure threatened by rising sea levels. Applicants must undergo due diligence and provide the prescribed financial contribution. The programme is commonly described as a Golden Passport scheme because citizenship provides international travel and investment benefits.
- On 5 August 2026, China unveiled the Xianglong tunnel-boring machine, developed for major underground infrastructure projects. Such machines excavate tunnels while simultaneously supporting the surrounding earth with prefabricated segments. Xianglong is intended to improve the speed, safety and precision of tunnel construction in difficult geological conditions and reflects China’s growing domestic capacity in manufacturing specialised equipment for transport, water-transfer and energy projects.
- On 5 August 2026, a Pacific typhoon was monitored for its potential indirect influence on India’s monsoon circulation. Strong tropical systems over the western Pacific can modify atmospheric pressure, wind patterns and moisture transport across Asia. Depending on their location and movement, they may either strengthen or disrupt monsoon rainfall over India. Meteorological agencies therefore track typhoons when assessing short-term changes in monsoon activity.
- The Srisailam Project is a multipurpose dam built across the Krishna River on the border of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Its reservoir supplies water for irrigation, drinking purposes and hydroelectric generation. The underground and surface power stations on both sides of the river make it one of India’s important hydroelectric facilities. The project also supports downstream water regulation and drought management in the Krishna basin.
- Madhya Pradesh is the only Indian state with an operational diamond-producing mine. The principal diamond deposits are located in the Panna district, particularly around the Majhgawan mine. The region is geologically associated with diamond-bearing rocks and has a long history of diamond extraction. Madhya Pradesh is therefore frequently asked in competitive examinations as India’s only diamond-producing state.
- On 5 August 2026, Niyo Forex and GlobalPay Secured received a perpetual Authorised Dealer Category-II licence from the Reserve Bank of India. An AD-II licence permits specified foreign-exchange activities such as travel-related forex services, remittances and prepaid foreign-currency instruments, subject to FEMA and RBI requirements. The perpetual licence removes the need for periodic renewal but does not remove continuing regulatory, compliance and reporting obligations.
- On 5 August 2026, RBI announced that it would restart issuing new licences for Urban Cooperative Banks after more than 20 years. Under on-tap licensing, eligible cooperative credit societies may apply at any time once final guidelines are issued. The move aims to improve financial inclusion and competition while maintaining strict capital, governance and asset-quality requirements.
- On 5 August 2026, the Ministry of Coal auctioned six coal blocks under the 15th round of commercial coal-mine auctions. Commercial auctions allow private and public-sector companies to produce and sell coal without restrictions on end use, subject to statutory approvals. The process seeks to increase domestic production, attract private investment, reduce import dependence and promote transparent allocation of the country’s coal resources.
- On 4 August 2026, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan dedicated India’s first indigenous live-attenuated vaccine against African Swine Fever, developed by ICAR institutions. The MA-104 cell-line-based vaccine is designed for scalable production. ASF is a highly contagious viral disease affecting domestic and wild pigs and can cause very high mortality. The vaccine may strengthen livestock biosecurity and protect pig farmers’ livelihoods.
- On 5 August 2026, reports highlighted that flight turbulence is mainly caused by unstable air movement associated with thunderstorms, jet streams, mountains, weather fronts and changes in wind speed or direction. Clear-air turbulence may occur without visible clouds, particularly near jet streams. Although turbulence can cause injuries when passengers are not secured, modern aircraft are designed to withstand substantial atmospheric stress, making serious structural damage uncommon.
- On 5 August 2026, the International Agency for Research on Cancer reported updated assessments concerning the carcinogenic potential of three medicines. IARC classifications identify the strength of evidence that a substance can cause cancer; they do not measure the risk associated with a particular dose or medically supervised use. Patients should therefore not discontinue prescribed medicines without consulting a doctor, because therapeutic benefits may outweigh potential hazards.
- On 5 August 2026, researchers reported evidence supporting Darwinian evolution in Saxifraga candelabrum, a plant associated with specialised mountain environments. The study examined how variations in traits, environmental pressures and reproductive success contribute to adaptation over generations. The findings demonstrate natural selection in action and may improve scientific understanding of how plants respond to ecological pressures, geographic isolation and changing climatic conditions.
- On 5 August 2026, a team from the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies reported the discovery of a new species of thorny seahorse. Researchers used physical characteristics and scientific analysis to distinguish it from previously known species. The discovery expands knowledge of marine biodiversity and highlights the ecological importance of coastal habitats, which face threats from pollution, destructive fishing and climate-related changes.
- On 5 August 2026, Chinese researchers reported harvesting the first rice crop developed from seeds or breeding material exposed to space conditions. Space breeding exposes seeds to microgravity and cosmic radiation, potentially producing genetic variations. Scientists then evaluate successive generations for desirable traits such as higher yield, disease resistance or environmental tolerance. The process does not automatically make the harvested crop genetically modified.
- On 5 August 2026, ICAR announced the development of India’s first telomere-to-telomere genome assembly for the pigeonpea variety Asha. A T2T genome attempts to map chromosomes from one end to the other without major sequence gaps. The research may help scientists identify genes associated with yield, disease resistance, climate resilience and crop quality, accelerating precision breeding and improving pigeonpea productivity.
- On 5 August 2026, the United States announced measures to increase production of interceptors used in the Patriot and THAAD missile-defence systems. Patriot systems are used against aircraft, cruise missiles and some ballistic missiles, while THAAD is designed to intercept short- and medium-range ballistic missiles at high altitudes. Greater production is intended to replenish inventories and meet rising demand from the US and its allies.
- On 5 August 2026, Umling La Pass remained in focus because of its strategic road connectivity in eastern Ladakh. Located at an altitude of approximately 19,000 feet, it is connected through a road constructed by the Border Roads Organisation. The route improves access to remote border settlements, supports military logistics and demonstrates India’s capacity to build infrastructure under extremely cold and low-oxygen conditions.
- On 6 August 2026, NITI Aayog released a report recommending a national caregiving framework as India prepares for an ageing population under the Viksit Bharat@2047 vision. It called for quality standards, training, formal recognition and social-security protection for caregivers. The report also highlighted the need for affordable long-term care, stronger institutional support and better participation of women in the formal caregiving economy.
- On 5 August 2026, it was announced that the BRICS Education Ministers’ Meeting would be held in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. Education ministers and senior representatives from BRICS countries are expected to discuss cooperation in higher education, digital learning, research, skills and academic mobility. The meeting supports India’s effort to strengthen collaboration among emerging economies and develop inclusive, technology-enabled education systems suited to future employment requirements.
- On 5 August 2026, Pawan Hans Limited and Norway’s Noemi Aerospace signed an MoU to explore cooperation in electric-seaplane technologies. The agreement was witnessed by Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu. It seeks to study sustainable regional-air-mobility solutions, technical collaboration and the possible use of zero-emission electric seaplanes for improving connectivity among islands, coastal regions and water-linked destinations.
- On 5 August 2026, the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing and the Geological Survey of India signed an MoU to apply advanced computing technologies to mineral exploration and disaster management. The collaboration covers artificial intelligence, data analytics, geospatial tools and high-performance computing. It aims to improve geological-data interpretation, locate mineral resources more efficiently and strengthen assessment of landslides and other geological hazards.
- On 5 August 2026, Air India and Azerbaijan Airlines signed a codeshare partnership to expand connectivity between India and Azerbaijan. Under a codeshare arrangement, one airline can sell seats on selected flights operated by the other using its own flight code. The partnership is expected to provide passengers with more convenient booking options and onward connections while promoting tourism, trade and business travel between the two countries.
- On 3 August 2026, Prasanta Mahapatra assumed charge as an Executive Director of the Securities and Exchange Board of India. As Executive Director, he will supervise regulatory and administrative responsibilities assigned by SEBI. The market regulator oversees securities markets, protects investors and regulates intermediaries such as stock exchanges, brokers, mutual funds and portfolio managers.
- World Breastfeeding Week was observed from 1 to 7 August 2026 to promote, protect and support breastfeeding. Coordinated globally by the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action with support from organisations such as WHO and UNICEF, the campaign stresses family, workplace, healthcare and policy support for breastfeeding mothers. Breastfeeding provides essential nutrition and immunity and contributes to maternal and infant health.
- Hiroshima Day was observed on 6 August 2026 in memory of the victims of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima on 6 August 1945. The day aims to spread awareness about the destructive humanitarian and environmental effects of nuclear warfare and encourages countries to pursue peace, diplomacy and nuclear disarmament. Memorial ceremonies are held at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and in several countries.
- Veteran Indian actor Pradeep Ram Singh Rawat died in Mumbai on 4 August 2026 at the age of 74 following a relapse of blood cancer. He was known for portraying Ashwatthama in the television series Mahabharat and for memorable performances in films including Lagaan, Ghajini, Sarfarosh and Sye. He worked extensively across Hindi, Telugu and Tamil cinema.
Questions:
Q1. The As Seen on Netflix section was launched on which portal?
a) Bharat Darshan Portal
b) Incredible India Portal
c) Digital India Portal
d) Dekho Apna Desh Portal
Answer: b) The Ministry of Tourism launched the As Seen on Netflix section on the Incredible India portal to promote film-induced tourism.
Q2. World Breastfeeding Week is observed annually from:
a) 1 to 7 August
b) 5 to 11 August
c) 10 to 16 August
d) 15 to 21 August
Answer: a) World Breastfeeding Week is observed from 1 to 7 August to promote and support breastfeeding.