Daily GK Update- 9th Aug, 2026

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Odisha to Launch India’s First Rail-Tech Park in Khordha: Odisha is set to launch India’s first Rail-Tech Park at the Sahaspur Industrial Estate in Khordha district. The park will create a dedicated ecosystem for manufacturers of railway equipment, components and specialised engineering products. Odisha Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (IDCO) has completed a preliminary assessment and land-development work, while the DPR has been prepared.

 

2. A.S. Rajeev Takes Charge as Acting Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC): S. Rajeev has taken charge as the Acting Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC) following the completion of Praveen Kumar Srivastava’s tenure. Rajeev was appointed Vigilance Commissioner on 9 February 2024 and joined the Central Vigilance Commission on 11 March 2024. A Chartered Accountant (CA) with an MBA in Banking & Finance, Rajeev has over 38 years of banking experience across Syndicate Bank, Vijaya Bank, Indian Bank and Bank of Maharashtra.

 

3. 7 August – National Javelin Day: National Javelin Day is observed in India every year on 7 August to honour the success of Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra. The day commemorates Neeraj Chopra’s historic gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics on 7 August 2021, where he became the first Indian track-and-field athlete to win an Olympic gold. It aims to promote javelin throw and athletics among Indian youth and inspire budding athletes to take up the sport.

 

4. Bengaluru Police Launch Operation Mukta Against Illegal Immigrants: The Bengaluru City Police launched Operation Mukta on 8 August 2026 to identify and track suspected illegal immigrants across the city. The drive focused on suspected Bangladeshi nationals and involved early-morning raids from around 5:00 AM in multiple localities. Operation Mukta was conducted under the direction of the Bengaluru City Police Commissioner. More than 500 police officers and personnel were deployed in the Whitefield division alone, and the operation covered more than 30 locations under six police station limits. Police teams searched migrant sheds and checked identity documents such as Aadhaar cards and Voter ID cards in Whitefield, Kadugodi, Marathahalli, Bellandur, Varthur, Mahadevapura, and Electronic City. The drive also covered 15 to 20 locations in the Electronic City area, including Hebbagodi.

 

5. Major Technical Textiles and Their Applications: Technical textiles are materials and products manufactured primarily for their technical performance and functional properties rather than their aesthetic or decorative characteristics. They are used across sectors such as healthcare, defense, agriculture, construction, transportation, and footwear, where strength, protection, filtration, or durability is required.

 

6. Important Railway Sector Institutions and Bodies: Indian Railways is supported by a wide network of administrative, safety, technical, training, and commercial institutions that handle regulation, research, recruitment, project execution, and operations. The apex administrative body of Indian Railways. It functions under the Ministry of Railways from Rail Bhawan, New Delhi. The Board consists of a Chairperson, a Chief Executive Officer (CEO), and functional members overseeing Infrastructure, Traction & Rolling Stock, Operations, Business Development, and Finance. It originated from the recommendations of the Sir Thomas Robertson Committee in 1901.

 

7. Odisha Secures ₹43,437 Crore Food Processing Proposals: Odisha received investment proposals worth ₹43,437 crore in the food processing sector on 7 August 2026 during the launch of Odisha Food Pro-2026 in New Delhi. The event was the first sector-specific investment roadshow organised outside Odisha, and it was held in collaboration with the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM). The Odisha government signed 27 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) worth ₹41,748 crore on the inaugural day of the summit. These MoUs were projected to generate 35,252 employment opportunities. The state also received 12 Investment Intent Forms (IIFs) worth ₹1,689 crore, with an estimated 8,064 jobs. The combined MoUs and IIFs were estimated to have the potential to generate 43,316 direct and indirect jobs in Odisha. The total investment proposals on the first day were therefore recorded at ₹43,437 crore.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India to Host First Global South Film Festival Next Year: India will host the first Global South Film Festival next year, as announced on the sidelines of the BRICS WAVES Bazaar in Mumbai. The NFDC and NFAI signed agreements, exchanged Letters of Intent, and held discussions with institutions from Brazil, Russia and Vietnam, including exploring opportunities for film co-production. The two-day WAVES BRICS Bazaar brought together 900+ delegates from 20 BRICS member and partner countries, with around 250 meetings held to promote collaboration in the film and entertainment sector.

 

2. Indonesia Partners with IIT Madras Global to Boost Higher Education, Research & Deep Tech: Indonesia’s Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology has partnered with the IIT Madras Global Research Foundation (IITM Global) to strengthen collaboration in higher education, research and innovation. The partnership will also focus on deep technology, entrepreneurship and talent development, promoting greater academic and technological cooperation between India and Indonesia.

 

3. Pakistan, Saudi Arabia & Türkiye Sign Mecca Joint Defence Agreement: Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, marking a major step in trilateral defence cooperation. The agreement establishes a collective-defence principle, under which an armed attack against any one of the three countries will be treated as an attack against all three. The pact aims to strengthen joint deterrence, defence cooperation and security coordination among the three countries amid rising regional tensions.

4. India International Footwear Fair 2026 Opens in New Delhi: The 10th India International Footwear Fair (IIFF) 2026 was held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, from 6 August to 8 August 2026. The three-day business-to-business exhibition was organised by the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, in association with the Confederation of Indian Footwear Industries (CIFI). Technical textiles are fabrics designed for functional use rather than aesthetics. In footwear manufacturing, technical fabrics form over 90% of the material base. These materials are used in components such as uppers, linings, reinforcements, and performance layers.

 

5. India Gifts Five Peacocks to UN Geneva: India gifted five young peacocks to the United Nations Office at Geneva, Switzerland, on 7 August 2026. The handover took place during a ribbon-cutting ceremony between Arindam Bagchi, India’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, and Tatiana Valovaya, Director-General of UN Geneva. The flock includes four blue Indian peafowl and one rare white male peacock. The Indian peafowl is scientifically classified as Pavo cristatus and is the national bird of India. The white plumage in peafowl is a colour variant of the same species and is kept in captivity in some zoological collections.

 

6. Mount Bromo Wildfire Spreads in Indonesia: A wildfire broke out on 3 August 2026 inside Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park in East Java, Indonesia, and affected the Gunung Bromo Watu Gede and Jantur areas. The fire later spread near the volcano’s caldera, and emergency agencies deployed helicopters, fire trucks, and drones for containment. Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park is a protected area in East Java that includes Mount Bromo, one of Indonesia’s best-known volcanic landscapes. The park lies within the Tengger massif and contains a caldera system formed by volcanic activity. On 8 August 2026, the park chief closed all visitor access gates indefinitely to protect visitors and staff. On 9 August 2026, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency stated that steep cliffside terrain and strong winds were obstructing ground firefighting operations.

OTHER UPDATES:

 

DEFENCE

 

1. HAL Airport Operationalises Satellite-Guided Helicopter Approach: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Airport in Bengaluru, Karnataka, became the first airport in India to operationalise the Required Navigation Performance – Category H (RNP CAT H) satellite-guided helicopter approach procedure on 7 August 2026. The precision navigation system was designed and developed by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and was validated through flight trials by HAL test pilots before approval by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Required Navigation Performance is a performance-based navigation system that uses satellite guidance and onboard avionics to maintain a specified flight path. Category H, or CAT H, is the helicopter-specific classification used for approach and landing procedures at heliports and airports handling rotary-wing aircraft.

2. India Bans New Renewable Projects Near Borders: India’s Ministry of Home Affairs issued national security guidelines on 8 August 2026 for solar, wind and hybrid renewable energy projects near the International Border, the Line of Control and the Line of Actual Control. The rules cover border areas in Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, where land-border security concerns apply under central government clearance systems. The guidelines impose a blanket ban on new solar, wind and hybrid projects within 1 km of the International Border, the Line of Control and the Line of Actual Control. Areas within 50 km of these borders are classified as sensitive areas, and every proposed project in this zone requires security clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs. Projects proposed within 20 km of the International Border require an additional No Objection Certificate from the Ministry of Defence. Project clearance between 1 km and 50 km of the border is subject to case-by-case assessment under the new security framework.

 

SPORTS 

 

1. Praggnanandhaa Wins Grand Chess Tour St. Louis Rapid & Blitz Title: Indian Grandmaster R. Praggnanandhaa won the Grand Chess Tour St. Louis Rapid & Blitz title in the United States, securing the championship after drawing against Uzbekistan’s Javokhir Sindarov in the penultimate round. This victory adds another major title to Praggnanandhaa’s impressive 2026 season, following his triumph at the Norway Chess 2026 tournament in Oslo in June. Praggnanandhaa’s consecutive international successes highlight his growing stature among the world’s leading chess players.

 

2. Mohammed Ashfaq Breaks India’s U20 National Record in Men’s 400m: India’s Mohammed Ashfaq broke the Under-20 National Record in the men’s 400 metres at the World Athletics U20 Championships in Eugene, United States. He clocked 45.81 seconds in the first-round Heat 5. He improved upon his own previous national record of 46.05 seconds. England fast bowler John Turner has announced his retirement from all forms of professional cricket at the age of 25, bringing a promising career to an early end. Turner’s decision comes after persistent injury problems, including a career-ending stress fracture. He represented England in two ODIs and two T20Is in 2024.

 

3. India’s Ariha Wins Historic Gold at Aerobic Gymnastics Asian Championships: Indian gymnast Ariha Pangambam of Imphal, Manipur, won India’s first senior gold medal in the individual women’s category at the Aerobic Gymnastics Asian Championships on 7 August 2026. The championship was held in Tagaytay City, Philippines, from 4 August to 7 August 2026 under the sanction of the Asian Gymnastics Union. Aerobic gymnastics is a competitive gymnastics discipline governed internationally by the Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique. The sport includes routines performed with high-intensity aerobic movements, flexibility, strength, and coordination, and it is judged on artistry, execution, and difficulty.

 

4. Ashish Yadav Wins India’s Second World U20 Javelin Medal: Indian athlete Ashish Yadav won the silver medal in the men’s javelin throw at the World Athletics U20 Championships in Eugene, Oregon, in 2026. His best throw measured 74.09 metres, and it came in his third attempt in the final held on 7 August 2026. The World Athletics U20 Championships is a global track and field competition for athletes under 20 years of age. It is organised by World Athletics and includes events such as sprinting, middle-distance running, jumps, throws, and combined events. The men’s javelin throw is a field event in athletics in which competitors throw a spear-like implement called a javelin for maximum distance. In international competitions, the men’s javelin weighs 800 grams and measures between 2.6 metres and 2.7 metres in length.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. Astrobase Unveils India’s First Private 800 kN Rocket Engine: Bengaluru-based Astrobase Space Technologies unveiled EVEREST on 7 August 2026 as India’s first privately built 80-tonne-class Full-Flow Staged Combustion rocket engine. The engine uses liquid oxygen and liquid methane, produces 800 kilonewtons of thrust, and is designed for reusable medium-lift launch vehicles. Full-Flow Staged Combustion, or FFSC, is a liquid rocket engine cycle in which both propellants pass through preburners before entering the main combustion chamber. The cycle is used in high-performance engines and is associated with higher efficiency and lower thermal stress than simpler engine cycles. EVEREST has a specific impulse of about 340 seconds and a throttle range from 50% to 110%. The engine is intended for reusable launch systems, where controlled thrust variation is required during ascent, landing, and recovery operations.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. HAL Introduces India’s First Satellite-Guided Precision Navigation System for Helicopters: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has introduced India’s first satellite-guided precision navigation system for helicopters at its airport in Bengalur The system, called Required Navigation Performance – Category H (RNP CAT H), enables faster and more precise take-off and landing of helicopters. The RNP CAT H procedure was developed by the Airports Authority of India (AAI).

 

2. SBI Records Highest-Ever Quarterly Net Profit of ₹21,121 Crore in Q1 FY27: State Bank of India (SBI) recorded its highest-ever quarterly net profit of ₹21,121 crore in Q1 FY27. SBI’s net profit increased by 10% YoY, from ₹19,160 crore in Q1 FY26 to ₹21,121 crore in Q1 FY27.

 

3. IndusInd Bank Gets RBI Nod to Set Up Wholly Owned Stock Broking Subsidiary: IndusInd Bank has received RBI approval to establish a wholly owned subsidiary for undertaking stock broking business. The approval also permits the bank to infuse equity capital into the proposed subsidiary, subject to RBI’s specified conditions. The move will strengthen IndusInd Bank’s presence in capital market-related financial services and enable it to offer stock broking services through a dedicated subsidiary.

 

4. KDEM, GoodWorks Target ₹5,000 Crore GCC Investment: The Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM) and GoodWorks Group signed a Memorandum of Understanding on 6 August 2026 to accelerate the growth of Global Capability Centres (GCCs) in Karnataka. The partnership has set a target of more than ₹5,000 crore in fresh GCC investment commitments and aims to establish 50 new GCCs in the state. Global Capability Centres are offshore units set up by multinational corporations to manage functions such as technology, finance, research, analytics, and operations. India has become a major GCC destination because of its skilled workforce, digital infrastructure, and established technology ecosystem in cities such as Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, Chennai, and Gurugram.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Annapurni Subramaniam Wins COSPAR Vikram Sarabhai Medal 2026: Annapurni Subramaniam, Director of the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), has been awarded the COSPAR Vikram Sarabhai Medal 2026 at the 46th COSPAR General Assembly in Florence, Italy. She became the first Indian woman and the fourth Indian to receive this prestigious medal. Previous Indian recipients were U.R. Rao (1996), Gurbax Singh Lakhina (2014), and Anil Bhardwaj (2024). The medal recognises outstanding contributions to space research in developing countries and is awarded jointly by ISRO and COSPAR. The award is presented once every two years in honour of Vikram Sarabhai, known as the Father of the Indian Space Programme.

 

Daily GK Update- 8th Aug, 2026

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. IT Rules Cut Unlawful Content Removal Deadline to 3 Hours: India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology notified the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules, 2026 on 10 February 2026. The amended framework reduced the time limit for intermediaries to remove unlawful content from 36 hours to 3 hours after receiving a valid court order or government notice. The amended rules also reduced the time limit for action on sensitive user grievances, including nudity and impersonation, from 24 hours to 2 hours. The standard time limit for intermediaries to resolve general user complaints was reduced from 72 hours to 36 hours. The rules came into force on 20 February 2026 across India. The framework applies to valid notices issued by a court or by the government under the applicable legal process.

 

2. Tamil Nadu Launches Vetri Vaanmagal Drone Training Scheme: Tamil Nadu announced the Vetri Vaanmagal scheme on 6 August 2026 in the 2026-27 Agriculture Budget. The scheme is designed to train women farmers in operating agricultural drones and to support drone pilot licensing in the state. The state government has allocated Rs 1.50 crore for drone training under the scheme. Training will be conducted through the Remote Pilot Training Organisation of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, which functions as a state agricultural institution in Tamil Nadu. An additional Rs 2.50 crore has been earmarked from state funds to provide drones at a 50% subsidy to 50 trained women. The scheme links skill training with equipment support for agricultural use.

 

3. Lok Sabha Passes Taxation and Other Laws Amendment Bill,2026: The Lok Sabha passed the Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, on 6 August 2026. The Bill amends the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007, the Income-tax Act, 2025, and the Finance Act, 2026. The Bill was introduced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. It replaces the Income-tax (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026, which was promulgated on 5 June 2026. The Bill was passed without debate in the Lok Sabha. The Bill gives legal backing to the Central government to modify the zero-Merchant Discount Rate framework for UPI and RuPay card transactions. It also allows the government to decide which electronic payment modes remain free. The Bill exempts Foreign Institutional Investors and the Bank for International Settlements from income tax on interest and capital gains from investments in government securities from 1 April 2026.

 

4. Ladakh to Launch India’s First High-Altitude Wildlife Safari: Ladakh approved India’s first guided high-altitude wildlife safari on 6 August 2026. The plan covers snow-leopard and bird-watching trails in Hemis National Park, Changthang, Karakoram Wildlife Sanctuary, Nubra, Zanskar, Sham, Kargil and Drass. The safari will use specially designed open-back jeep vehicles. The vehicles are modelled on safari operations in Kaziranga National Park and Ranthambore National Park. Only trained local drivers and guides will operate the tours. The decision was taken during the first governing body meeting of the Snow Leopard and High-Altitude Nature Conservation Society, also called SHAN Conservation Society. The meeting was chaired by the Ladakh Lieutenant Governor, Vinai Kumar Saxena.

 

5. Coal India Moves into Iron Ore Mining in Diversification Push: Coal India Limited (CIL), a Maharatna public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Coal, became the preferred bidder for the Gadadharpur Iron Ore Block in Keonjhar district of Odisha on 6 August 2026. The block is CIL’s first iron ore asset and was secured through a competitive auction conducted by the Government of Odisha. Coal India Limited was incorporated in 1975 and remains India’s largest coal producer, with a dominant share in domestic coal output. The company has expanded beyond coal through participation in auctions for minerals linked to steel, energy transition, and industrial supply chains. The Gadadharpur Iron Ore Block covers 265.05 hectares and is located in the Keonjhar district, which is one of Odisha’s major mineral-bearing regions. The block is at the G3 exploration stage under the United Nations Framework Classification system used in mineral resource assessment.CIL quoted an auction premium of 114.05% of the value of minerals dispatched to secure the block. The resource estimate for the block has been placed at 288 million tonnes in one filing, while other estimates based on government and consultancy data place it at 258 million tonnes.

 

6. SC/ST Creamy Layer Exclusion Case: The Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court of India on 6 August 2026 opposing petitions that seek to extend the “creamy layer” exclusion to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. The Centre stated that the constitutional reservation framework is based on historical and social backwardness and not on economic status alone. Reservation for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes is linked to Articles 15 and 16 of the Constitution of India, which permit special provisions for socially and educationally backward classes and for reservation in public employment. The government stated that income-based exclusion within SC and ST quotas would require a wider empirical study and a policy decision by Parliament. The “creamy layer” doctrine is a judicial principle used to exclude the relatively advanced sections of Other Backward Classes from reservation benefits. The Centre cited the 1992 Indra Sawhney v. Union of India judgment and the 10 April 2008 Ashoka Kumar Thakur v. Union of India judgment to state that the doctrine applies to OBCs and not to SCs or STs.

 

7. TTF Ahmedabad 2026 Opens in Gandhinagar : The three-day Travel and Tourism Fair (TTF Ahmedabad 2026) opened at the Mahatma Mandir Convention & Exhibition Centre in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, on 6 August 2026. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel inaugurated the business-to-business travel trade exhibition, which is organised by Fairfest Media and runs from 6 August to 8 August 2026. TTF is a business-to-business travel trade exhibition that brings together tourism departments, travel operators, hospitality firms, and destination marketers. The Ahmedabad edition has been held annually in Gujarat for about two decades and functions as a platform for tourism-related commercial partnerships. The 2026 edition features more than 900 exhibitors from India and international markets. Exhibitors from 10 countries are participating, and Israel has been designated as the Featured Country. Other participating countries include Vietnam, Sri Lanka, the United Arab Emirates, Nepal, the United States, China, Thailand, and Bhutan.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Bharat International Rice Conference to Be Held in October: The Bharat International Rice Conference (BIRC) 2026 is the second edition of the event and will be held from 23 to 25 October 2026 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. The Indian Rice Exporters’ Federation (IREF), which represents over 8,000 rice exporters, is organising the conference. BIRC is a trade platform for the rice sector and is linked to international rice commerce, price discovery, and supply-chain discussions. The 2026 edition is planned as a global forum for rice exporters, buyers, and industry stakeholders from more than 120 countries. India is the world’s largest rice exporter and ships more than 20 million metric tonnes of rice annually to over 170 countries. Rice is a major agricultural export item in India and is closely associated with the country’s agri-trade and food security policy framework.

 

2. KKR to Acquire Medicover India in $1.5 Billion Deal: KKR announced definitive agreements on 6 August 2026 to acquire Medicover India, the Indian hospital operations of Swedish healthcare and diagnostic services provider Medicover AB. The transaction is valued at about €1.2 billion, or roughly $1.4 billion, and includes a 100% stake purchase from existing shareholders. Medicover India was established in 2017 and operates a multi-speciality hospital network across South and West India. The network comprises 24 hospitals with about 4,800 beds, while some reports place the figure at 26 hospitals with nearly 6,000 beds. Medicover India reported annual revenue of €220.5 million and EBITDA of €26.1 million for the 12 months ending 30 June 2026. EBITDA stands for earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation, and it is a standard measure of operating performance in corporate finance.

 

3. Wildfire Triggers Evacuation Alert in Metro Vancouver: A 1.5-hectare wildfire broke out on 5 August 2026 near the Sugar Mountain Trail in təmtəmíxʷtən/Belcarra Regional Park in the Metro Vancouver region of British Columbia, Canada. The fire led to tactical evacuations for two homes on Fern Drive in the Village of Anmore and evacuation alerts for 35 additional properties. A wildfire is an uncontrolled fire that spreads through vegetation, forest, grassland, or other combustible natural fuel. An evacuation order requires residents to leave immediately, while an evacuation alert means residents must be ready to leave at short notice. The Sasamat Volunteer Fire Department, Port Moody Fire Rescue, Metro Vancouver, and the B.C. Wildfire Service took part in suppression operations. Helicopter water bucket drops from Sasamat Lake were used during the response, and the fire was later classified by the B.C. Wildfire Service as “being held”.

 

4. BRICS adopts joint declaration on industrial cooperation: The Tenth BRICS Industry Ministers’ Meeting was held in Jaipur, Rajasthan, on 6 August 2026. The member countries adopted a Joint Declaration under the BRICS Partnership on New Industrial Revolution (PartNIR) for resilient, innovation-driven and sustainable industrial growth. BRICS is an intergovernmental grouping of major emerging economies. The BRICS Partnership on New Industrial Revolution, or PartNIR, is a cooperation framework for industrial development, digital technologies, innovation and manufacturing. The meeting adopted the Terms of Reference and Action Plan for the BRICS Working Group on the Photovoltaic Industry. The framework for cooperation in the SME Working Group was also finalised for strengthening MSME ecosystems across member states. Plans for resilient, GIS-based transport and city logistics planning were approved during the meeting. GIS refers to Geographic Information System, a tool used for mapping, spatial analysis and transport planning.

 

5. US Court Orders Meta to Pay $567 Million: On 6 August 2026, the First Judicial District Court in Santa Fe, New Mexico, ordered Meta to pay $567 million into an abatement fund linked to child psychological harm and sexual exploitation on Facebook and Instagram. The court also directed Meta to adopt youth-safety measures over five years in a case filed under consumer protection laws. The court order requires the 567 million fund to be paid over five years. The fund allocates 420 million for youth mental health treatment services and $147 million for prevention campaigns, screening, and oversight programmes. The ruling described Facebook and Instagram as platforms that created a public nuisance by optimising user engagement in ways found harmful to teenagers’ health and safety. The case formed part of a wider legal action brought by New Mexico in 2023 over online safety failures.

 

6. USCIS Tightens Visa and Green Card Rules : The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced changes in 2026 to the processing of visa, green card and citizenship applications. The changes cover application rejection standards, adjustment of status, and public charge assessment under United States immigration law. USCIS said officers can reject incomplete or insufficiently documented applications without first issuing a Request for Evidence (RFE) or a Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID). An RFE is a formal request for missing documents or clarification, while a NOID is a notice that an application may be denied unless the applicant responds with additional evidence. The policy reverses earlier guidance that encouraged officers to issue RFEs before rejection in many cases. USCIS linked the change to cases involving incomplete filings, placeholder applications and claims for associated benefits such as employment authorisation.

 

7. Standard Chartered Gets Approval for GIFT City Wealth Services: Standard Chartered received in-principle approval from the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) on 6 August 2026 to distribute capital market and wealth management products from Gujarat International Financial Tec-City (GIFT City). The bank plans to roll out retail wealth management products in the coming months through the GIFT City International Financial Services Centre (IFSC). GIFT City is India’s first operational smart city and an International Financial Services Centre located in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The IFSC framework allows financial institutions to offer services in foreign currency and to serve cross-border clients from within India. Wealth management covers investment advisory, portfolio construction, capital market products, and related financial planning services. Standard Chartered plans to launch its Signature CIO Funds from GIFT City, followed by additional wealth products for retail clients.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

DEFENCE

 

1. France Submits Proposal for 114 Rafale Fighter Jets to India : France submitted a techno-commercial proposal to India for 114 Rafale fighter jets on 29 July 2026. The proposed government-to-government deal is valued at about ₹3.25 lakh crore, or around $39 billion, and it is linked to India’s Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft procurement plan. The Defence Acquisition Council cleared the Acceptance of Necessity in February 2026. India sent the formal Letter of Request to France in May 2026, and the Ministry of Defence began examining the proposal through its Acquisition Wing in August 2026. Rafale is a twin-engine, multirole combat aircraft developed by Dassault Aviation of France. It is used for air defence, deep strike, reconnaissance, and nuclear deterrence roles, and it operates from both land bases and aircraft carriers in naval variants.

 

2. Bhawana Kanth Becomes India’s First Woman Fighter Combat Leader: Indian Air Force Squadron Leader Bhawana Kanth became the first woman pilot in India to clear the Fighter Combat Leader (FCL) course on 6 August 2026. She completed the course at the Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment (TACDE) in Gwalior, which trains selected IAF pilots in air combat tactics and leadership. The Fighter Combat Leader course is a 20-week advanced training programme for Indian Air Force fighter pilots. It is among the most selective professional courses in the IAF, with only about 1 per cent of selected pilots completing it successfully. Graduates are trained to lead complex frontline air combat missions. Bhawana Kanth was commissioned into the Indian Air Force in June 2016 as part of India’s first batch of women fighter pilots. The batch also included Avani Chaturvedi and Mohana Singh. In May 2019, she became the first Indian woman fighter pilot to qualify for daytime combat missions.

 

3. Territorial Army Role in Viksit Bharat Highlighted: The Territorial Army (TA) is a reserve force of the Indian Army that combines civilian employment with military service. On 6 August 2026, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh chaired a meeting of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Defence in New Delhi to review the TA’s mandate, achievements, and future strengthening. The Territorial Army has been used as a first responder during natural calamities in India. Its personnel have taken part in rescue, relief, and medical operations during the Kerala floods, the Odisha cyclone, and floods in Assam.

The TA also supports internal security duties and border-related tasks when required by the government. Its structure allows trained personnel to be available for emergencies without leaving civilian occupations permanently.

 

SPORTS 

 

1. Ashish Yadav Wins India’s Second World U20 Javelin Medal: Indian athlete Ashish Yadav won the silver medal in the men’s javelin throw at the World Athletics U20 Championships in Eugene, Oregon, in 2026. His best throw measured 74.09 metres, and it came in his third attempt in the final held on 7 August 2026. The World Athletics U20 Championships is a global track and field competition for athletes under 20 years of age. It is organised by World Athletics and includes events such as sprinting, middle-distance running, jumps, throws, and combined events. The men’s javelin throw is a field event in athletics in which competitors throw a spear-like implement called a javelin for maximum distance. In international competitions, the men’s javelin weighs 800 grams and measures between 2.6 metres and 2.7 metres in length.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. OpenAI Plans Hockey Puck-Sized AI Device: OpenAI is developing its first consumer hardware device as a screenless, portable smart speaker with a circular form factor. The device is planned for a 2027 release and is expected to be priced between 300 and 400. The device is described as roughly the size of a hockey puck and shaped like a doughnut. It is expected to include cameras, microphones, speaker grills, lights, and environmental sensors for processing surrounding conditions. The battery-powered device is also expected to contain physical moving parts that provide visual feedback and indicate when it is listening or responding. The design work is being led by LoveFrom, Jony Ive’s independent creative collective, which includes former Apple designers and engineers.

 

2. Microsoft Launches Fourth India Cloud Region in Hyderabad: Microsoft announced the general availability of its fourth cloud region in India on 6 August 2026. The new facility, named the India South Central region, is located in Hyderabad, Telangana, and adds to Microsoft’s cloud regions in Pune, Chennai and Mumbai. Microsoft’s Hyderabad region is part of its hyperscale cloud infrastructure in India. A cloud region is a geographic area that contains multiple datacentres and supports cloud computing services such as storage, networking, databases and artificial intelligence workloads. Microsoft now operates four cloud regions in India, which places it among the major global cloud providers with local infrastructure in the country.

 

3. Anil Menon Completes Maiden ISS Spacewalk: Indian-origin NASA astronaut Anil Menon completed his first extravehicular activity on 6 August 2026 during a spacewalk outside the International Space Station. The operation, designated US Spacewalk 96, lasted 6 hours and 27 minutes and ended at 3:00 p.m. EDT, which was 12:30 a.m. IST on 7 August 2026. Extravehicular activity, or EVA, is the term used for work carried out by astronauts outside a spacecraft. Spacewalks are used for assembly, maintenance, repairs, and installation of equipment on orbital platforms such as the International Space Station. During the spacewalk, Anil Menon and Jessica Meir worked on the Starboard 6 truss segment of the ISS. They installed mounting hardware on the 3B power channel, routed electrical cabling for a future Roll-Out Solar Array, and wrapped the struts with multi-layer insulation.

 

4. India Test-Fires Nuclear-Capable Agni-4 Missile: India test-fired the nuclear-capable Agni-4 ballistic missile on 6 August 2026 from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur, Odisha. The launch was conducted under the Strategic Forces Command, and the Ministry of Defence stated that all mission objectives and operational parameters were validated. Agni-4 is a two-stage, solid-fuel missile with a length of about 20 metres. It has an operational strike range of around 4,000 kilometres and a payload capacity of about 1,000 kilograms. The missile can be launched from a road-mobile launcher, which is designed for mobility and survivability. The missile also uses an advanced re-entry heat shield. The shield is designed to withstand external temperatures above 3,000°C while keeping internal electronics below 50°C. The Strategic Forces Command manages India’s tactical and strategic nuclear weapons stockpile. The Defence Research and Development Organisation develops several missile systems for India’s defence forces, including the Agni series. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated the Strategic Forces Command and the Defence Research and Development Organisation after the launch. The Ministry of Defence described the test as a successful validation of technical and operational parameters.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Telangana CM To Launch Distribution Of 1.05 Cr New PDS Ration Cards On Aug 15: Telangana will begin distributing 1.05 crore newly sanctioned laminated Public Distribution System ration cards from 15 August 2026. The state-level launch will take place at Sangareddy, and the programme will run across all 119 Assembly constituencies on Independence Day. The Public Distribution System is a food security mechanism in India that supplies subsidised foodgrains through fair price shops. It operates under the National Food Security Act, 2013, and uses ration cards as eligibility documents for households receiving subsidised commodities. The new ration cards are compact cards with laminated finishing and are similar in size to credit or debit cards. They include integrated QR codes, which are used for digital verification and record management in welfare distribution systems.

 

2. Cabinet Clears Rs 23,731-Crore GOBARdhan Scheme, Rs 8,970-Crore Assam Corridor: On 6 August 2026, the Union Cabinet approved two projects with a combined outlay of ₹32,701 crore. The package included the GOBARdhan National Circular Bioenergy Scheme and a four-lane access-controlled highway project in Assam. The GOBARdhan scheme has an allocation of ₹23,731 crore and a ten-year implementation period from 2026–27 to 2035–36. The scheme is administered by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas and focuses on domestic compressed biogas production. The scheme name expands to Galvanising Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan. It is linked to the use of cattle dung, agricultural residue, and other organic waste for bioenergy production. The scheme framework includes a fixed compressed biogas procurement price of ₹2,110 per MMBTU. It also provides capital assistance of up to ₹2 crore per tonne-per-day capacity.

 

3. Assam Launches Student Welfare Schemes for 7 Lakh Students: Assam launched the application form distribution for three student welfare schemes on 6 August 2026 at Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra in Guwahati. The schemes are Mukhya Mantrir Nijut Moina, Mukhya Mantrir Nijut Babu, and Shikhyarthee Sahayak Prayas (SSP), and they are planned for about 7 lakh students in the 2026–27 academic year. Mukhya Mantrir Nijut Moina is a girl-centric financial assistance scheme of the Assam government. Under the revised guidelines, eligible female students receive ₹800 per month for Class XI–XII and Polytechnic, ₹1,250 per month for undergraduate courses, and ₹2,500 per month for postgraduate and B.Ed. courses. The assistance is payable for up to 10 months in each academic year. The scheme covers students in higher secondary, technical, undergraduate, and postgraduate education.

 

Daily GK Update- 7th Aug, 2026

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Har Ghar Tiranga 2026 to Be Celebrated from 9–17 August Across India: Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat launched the Har Ghar Tiranga 2026 campaign to be observed from 9–17 August 2026 across India and among the Indian diaspora. Har Ghar Tiranga was first launched in 2022 under the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, and the 2026 edition marks its fifth edition. The campaign encourages citizens to hoist the National Flag and participate in activities promoting patriotism, national unity, and India’s cultural heritage. The 2026 campaign coincides with the 150th anniversary of India’s National Song, “Vande Mataram,” composed by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay. The government also launched SURYAPATH TIRANGA, a symbolic global relay of the Indian National Flag to strengthen patriotic participation worldwide.

 

2. Cabinet Approves GOBARdhan National Circular Bioenergy Scheme: The Union Cabinet approved the GOBARdhan (National Circular Bioenergy Scheme) with a total outlay of ₹23,731 crore, to be implemented from 2026–27 to 2035–36. The scheme aims to increase domestic Compressed Biogas (CBG) production nearly ten-fold, establish CBG as a key pillar of India’s energy mix, and create 1.5 lakh jobs. GOBARdhan will convert agricultural residue, cattle dung, press mud, municipal organic waste, and other biomass into clean fuel, organic manure, rural income, and economic value.

 

3. Ministry of Tourism Launches ‘As Seen on Netflix’ Initiative on Incredible India Platform: The Ministry of Tourism, in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and Netflix, organised a special event at the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA), New Delhi, to mark 10 years of Netflix in India. The Ministry of Tourism has integrated the ‘As Seen on Netflix’ section with the Incredible India digital platform. The initiative enables travellers to explore real Indian destinations featured in popular Netflix films and web series, promoting tourism through screen-inspired travel.

 

4. Government Extends Tenure of Cabinet Secretary T.V. Somanathan and Home Secretary Govind Mohan by One Year: The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved a one-year extension in the tenure of Dr. T.V. Somanathan as Cabinet Secretary, allowing him to continue in office beyond 30 August 2026. The ACC has also approved a one-year extension in the tenure of Govind Mohan as Home Secretary.

 

5. Tewolde Gebremariam Appointed as Air India’s New CEO and MD: The Board of Directors of Air India has appointed Tewolde Gebremariam as the airline’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Managing Director (MD), succeeding Campbell Wilson. The appointment follows a global leadership search conducted by a dedicated Board committee, which evaluated both internal and international external candidates.

 

6. India Marks Seven Years Since the Abrogation of Article 370: 5 August 2026 marks seven years since the process to make the provisions of Article 370 inoperative began in 2019, ending the special status of the erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir. The process commenced on 5 August 2019, when the Presidential Order and the resolution related to Article 370 were introduced in Parliament. Parliament approved the proposal on 6 August 2019, while 5 August is widely observed as the anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370.

 

7 August – National Handloom Day: National Handloom Day is observed every year on 7 August to celebrate India’s rich handloom heritage and honour the contribution of handloom weavers to the country’s cultural and economic development. The day commemorates the Swadeshi Movement, which was launched on 7 August 1905, encouraging the use of indigenous products, including handwoven textiles. National Handloom Day was first observed in 2015, with the objective of promoting the handloom sector, generating employment, and supporting the ‘Vocal for Local’ initiative.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission Recognised as WHO-SEARN Regional Centre of Excellence: The Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) participated in the 10th Anniversary Meeting of the South-East Asia Regulatory Network (SEARN) held in Kathmandu, Nepal. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare announced that the IPC has been recognised as the WHO-SEARN Regional Centre of Excellence in Pharmacovigilance. The IPC has also been designated as the WHO-SEARN Technical Centre in Quality, strengthening its role in promoting medicine quality standards. These recognitions establish the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) as a key regional institution for enhancing the quality, safety, and pharmacovigilance of medicines across South-East Asia.

 

2. Prashant Agrawal’s Bringing the Cheetah Back to India Chronicles the Story of Project Cheetah: Bringing the Cheetah Back to India, authored by Prashant Agrawal, narrates the story of Project Cheetah, highlighting the diplomatic, ecological, and administrative efforts behind the reintroduction of cheetahs to India after 70 years. Written from the perspective of India’s former High Commissioner to Namibia, the book provides an insider’s account of the India–Namibia collaboration that made the historic cheetah translocation possible.

 

3. World Marks 81st Anniversary of Hiroshima Atomic Bombing: 6 August 2026 marks 81 years since the United States dropped the first atomic bomb, “Little Boy,” on Hiroshima, Japan, during World War II. The bombing of Hiroshima (6 August 1945) was followed by the bombing of Nagasaki (9 August 1945) with the “Fat Man” atomic bomb. The atomic bombings caused massive destruction and loss of life, leading to Japan’s surrender on 15 August 1945 and the end of World War II.

 

4. Shah Rukh Khan Becomes India’s Most Valued Celebrity Brand in 2025: Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan emerged as India’s most valued celebrity brand in 2025, according to the India Celebrity Brand Valuation Report released by global financial and risk advisory firm Kroll. Shah Rukh Khan moved from the third position in 2024 to the first position in 2025, with an estimated brand value of $177.9 million.

 

5. Muthoot Finance Appoints Alexander George as Managing Director : Alexander George has been recommended by the Board of Directors as the Managing Director of Muthoot Finance, effective October 1, 2026, subject to shareholders’ approval at the upcoming AGM. George Alexander Muthoot, the current Managing Director, will transition to the role of Executive Vice Chairman.

 

6. 6 August – International Day of Awareness of the Special Development Needs and Challenges of Landlocked Developing Countries : International Day of Awareness of the Special Development Needs and Challenges of Landlocked Developing Countries is observed annually on 6 August to raise awareness about the unique development challenges faced by 32 Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs). The day highlights issues such as lack of direct access to the sea, high transport and trade costs, geographical isolation, and limited connectivity, which hinder sustainable economic growth and development. The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed this international observance in 2025, with the first observance held on 6 August 2025, to promote global partnerships and support for the sustainable development of LLDCs.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

DEFENCE

 

1. Hiroshima Marks 81st Anniversary of Atomic Bombing: Hiroshima marked the 81st anniversary of the atomic bombing on 6 August 2026, which occurred during the Second World War on 6 August 1945. The annual Peace Memorial Ceremony was held at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, and the city observed a minute of silence at 8:15 AM, the exact time when the bomb was dropped in 1945. Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui delivered the Peace Declaration during the ceremony. He referred to nuclear weapons as tools of intimidation and called for their abolition. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi attended the ceremony for the first time as prime minister and reaffirmed Japan’s Three Non-Nuclear Principles.

 

2. France Submits Proposal for 114 Rafale Fighter Jets to India: France submitted a techno-commercial proposal to India for 114 Rafale fighter jets on 29 July 2026. The proposed government-to-government deal is valued at about ₹3.25 lakh crore, or around $39 billion, and it is linked to India’s Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft procurement plan. The Defence Acquisition Council cleared the Acceptance of Necessity in February 2026. India sent the formal Letter of Request to France in May 2026, and the Ministry of Defence began examining the proposal through its Acquisition Wing in August 2026. Rafale is a twin-engine, multirole combat aircraft developed by Dassault Aviation of France. It is used for air defence, deep strike, reconnaissance, and nuclear deterrence roles, and it operates from both land bases and aircraft carriers in naval variants.

 

SPORTS 

 

1. India Finishes 4th at 2026 Commonwealth Games with 39 Medals, Including 13 Gold: India finished 4th in the 2026 Commonwealth Games held in Glasgow, winning a total of 39 medals — 13 Gold, 17 Silver, and 9 Bronze. Indian boxers delivered an outstanding performance, winning 10 medals on the final day, including 7 gold medals, significantly boosting India’s overall medal tally. Mirabai Chanu won India’s first gold medal in the women’s 48 kg weightlifting event, while para-powerlifter Jhandu Kumar secured India’s first medal of the Games with a bronze. India’s 13 gold medals came from Weightlifting (1), Para-athletics (2), Judo (2), and Boxing (7), highlighting the country’s dominance in combat sports and para-events.

 

2. Arunachal’s Boleng to Host Asian Rafting Championships 2026: Boleng in Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh will host the Asian Rafting Championships 2026 from 5 October to 9 October 2026. The five-day event will take place on the Simang River, a Class III+ tributary of the Siang River, and will bring paddlers from across Asia to compete in white-water rafting events. Boleng is a town in Siang district, which lies in central Arunachal Pradesh. The Siang River is the name used for the Brahmaputra in Arunachal Pradesh, and the Simang River is one of its tributaries with strong currents and technical rapids. Rafting championships commonly include Sprint, RX and Slalom disciplines. Sprint events test speed over a short course, RX refers to knock-out racing between teams, and Slalom requires boats to pass through a series of gates on moving water.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. Tamil Nadu Launches Vetri Vaanmagal Drone Training Scheme: Tamil Nadu announced the Vetri Vaanmagal scheme on 6 August 2026 in the 2026-27 Agriculture Budget. The scheme is designed to train women farmers in operating agricultural drones and to support drone pilot licensing in the state. The state government has allocated Rs 1.50 crore for drone training under the scheme. Training will be conducted through the Remote Pilot Training Organisation of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, which functions as a state agricultural institution in Tamil Nadu. An additional Rs 2.50 crore has been earmarked from state funds to provide drones at a 50% subsidy to 50 trained women. The scheme links skill training with equipment support for agricultural use.

 

2. IT Rules Cut Unlawful Content Removal Deadline to 3 Hours: India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology notified the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules, 2026 on 10 February 2026. The amended framework reduced the time limit for intermediaries to remove unlawful content from 36 hours to 3 hours after receiving a valid court order or government notice. The amended rules also reduced the time limit for action on sensitive user grievances, including nudity and impersonation, from 24 hours to 2 hours. The standard time limit for intermediaries to resolve general user complaints was reduced from 72 hours to 36 hours. The rules came into force on 20 February 2026 across India. The framework applies to valid notices issued by a court or by the government under the applicable legal process.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. RBI Proposes Fresh Licensing of Urban Co-operative Banks After 20 Years: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has proposed to resume issuing fresh licences for Urban Co-operative Banks (UCBs) after a gap of 20 years, following an ‘on tap’ licensing approach. Only existing multi-state Credit Co-operative Societies (CCSs) with at least 10 years of operations, ₹10,000 crore in deposits, and a minimum net worth of ₹300 crore will be eligible to apply. Eligible CCSs must have maintained a CRAR of at least 12%, a Net NPA ratio of not more than 3%, and demonstrate a positive financial and operational track record over the previous five years. Conversion of a Credit Co-operative Society into a UCB will require approval by at least two-thirds of the shareholders, both in number and value, at a specially convened meeting.

 

2. EPFO to Launch ‘E-PRAAPTI’ Portal for Tracking and Activating Inoperative EPF Accounts : The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) will launch the EPF Aadhaar-Based Access Portal for Tracking Inoperative Accounts (E-PRAAPTI) to help members identify, track, link, and activate old EPF accounts. The portal will use Aadhaar-based authentication to enable secure access to old EPF accounts, allowing members to update their profile and seamlessly link and activate their Universal Account Number (UAN). E-PRAAPTI is expected to reduce manual intervention, minimise documentation, and improve the transparency, efficiency, and ease of accessing inactive EPF accounts.

 

3. Andhra Pradesh Targets ₹9.5 Lakh Crore Investment in Visakhapatnam Region : The Andhra Pradesh government has set an investment target of up to ₹9.5 lakh crore for the Visakhapatnam Economic Region (VER). The plan covers eight districts and spans 36,000 sq km in north coastal Andhra Pradesh and adjoining areas. The Visakhapatnam Economic Region includes Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, Srikakulam, Anakapalli, Kakinada, East Godavari, Alluri Sitarama Raju, and Parvathipuram Manyam. The region is linked to the ‘Bay City’ project, which uses micro-level planning for regional development.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. IIT Bombay Professor Karthikeyan Lanka Selected for NASI Young Scientist Award 2026: Professor Karthikeyan Lanka of the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay has been selected for the NASI Young Scientist Award 2026. He is an Associate Professor at the Centre of Studies in Resources Engineering and an associate faculty member in the Interdisciplinary Programme in Climate Studies at IIT Bombay. The award presentation is scheduled during the 96th Annual Session and Symposium of the National Academy of Sciences, India, at Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, on 4–5 December 2026. The National Academy of Sciences, India is one of the oldest science academies in the country and was established in 1930. It is based in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, and it conducts annual sessions, symposia, and academic recognitions for scientists in India.