National News

India Plans 100 New Merchant Ships To Reduce Freight Costs

• India plans to add 100 new vessels to its merchant fleet over the next five years.
• The expansion could reduce India’s foreign freight bill by around USD 75 billion.
• India currently has about 1,600 seagoing merchant ships.
• The government is promoting domestic container manufacturing through the ₹10,000 crore Container Manufacturing Assistance Scheme.
• The initiative will also boost maritime employment, skilling, cruise shipping and advanced shipbuilding.
• Key Fact: The plan supports Maritime India Vision 2030 and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.

ICAR-CCARI Launches Carbon Pathshala Initiative for Goa Farmers

• ICAR-CCARI, Goa, organised the Carbon Pathshala workshop on August 21, 2026.
• The programme introduced farmers to voluntary carbon markets and carbon-credit generation.
• Farmers learned about carbon sequestration, biochar and sustainable residue management.
• Experts demonstrated how agricultural and plantation residues can be converted into biochar.
• The initiative focuses on agroforestry, plantation systems and carbon accounting.
• Key Fact: Dr. Sandip Mandal demonstrated biochar production using a portable unit.

IPC Launches Seven Nitrosamine Reference Standards for Drug Testing

• The Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) launched seven Nitrosamine Impurities Reference Standards on August 25, 2026.
• The standards include NDMA, NDEA, NEIPA, NDBA, NMPA, NDIPA and NMBA.
• Nitrosamines may have genotoxic and carcinogenic properties.
• They can form during pharmaceutical manufacturing, packaging, storage or through contamination.
• Reference standards help laboratories identify and accurately quantify impurities.
• Key Fact: The initiative strengthens standardised pharmaceutical impurity testing in India.

e-Shram Portal Completes Five Years with 31.89 Crore Registrations

• The e-Shram Portal completed five years on August 26, 2026.
• More than 31.89 crore workers have registered on the portal.
• Registered workers receive a 12-digit Universal Account Number (UAN).
• The portal covers agricultural, construction, domestic, migrant, self-employed, gig and platform workers.
• Women account for 54.28% of total registrations.
• Key Fact: The e-Shram One-Stop Solution connects workers with 15 welfare schemes.

State News

Kerala Officially Renamed Keralam After Constitutional Legislative Process

• Kerala was officially renamed Keralam, effective from August 25, 2026.
• The change was implemented through the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Act, 2026.
• Lok Sabha passed the Bill on August 11, while Rajya Sabha approved it on August 12.
• President Droupadi Murmu gave assent on August 14.
• The Union Home Ministry notified August 25 as the commencement date.
• Key Fact: The name change followed the constitutional procedure under Article 3.

Maharashtra Expands School Eye Care Programme for Two Million Students

• Maharashtra launched a three-year school eye-care programme for 20 lakh students.
• The programme will run from August 2026 to June 2029.
• It targets students of Classes 5 to 10 in government and Zilla Parishad schools.
• Ratna Nidhi will provide optometry services and spectacles.
• OneSight will provide technical support and 1 lakh free prescription spectacles.
• Key Fact: Since 2019, the partnership has screened over 6.8 lakh children.

Uttar Pradesh Approves 25 Lakh Tablets For Eligible Youth

• The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet approved 25 lakh tablets for eligible youth.
• The distribution will take place under the Swami Vivekananda Yuva Sashaktikaran Yojana.
• The state has allocated ₹2,374.60 crore for the scheme in 2026-27.
• Beneficiaries include undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma and skill-development students.
• The tablets aim to improve access to digital education, training and employment opportunities.
• Key Fact: The initiative is planned as a five-year youth empowerment programme.

New Sunflower Family Species Doronicum Sanctum Discovered In Tawang

• Researchers from CSIR-IHBT discovered Doronicum sanctum in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh.
• The species belongs to the Asteraceae family and Doronicum genus.
• It was found at an elevation of approximately 4,000–4,086 metres.
• The plant was recorded near the Chumi Gyatse Holy Waterfalls.
• Researchers identified it through distinctive floral and leaf characteristics.
• Key Fact: It is the first documented Doronicum species from Northeast India.

West Bengal to Form Arjun Bahini Disaster Response Force With Agniveers

• West Bengal plans to establish Arjun Bahini, a specialised disaster-response force.
• The force will comprise trained Agniveers and is expected to become operational in September 2026.
• Around 200 personnel have already been selected.
• Personnel will be deployed in Kolkata, hill areas and Sagar.
• The force will be equipped with modern emergency-response machinery.
• Key Fact: West Bengal has announced 20% reservation for Agniveers in several departments.

International News

India-New Zealand Defence Strategic Dialogue Strengthens Indo-Pacific Security Cooperation

• The second India-New Zealand Defence Strategic Dialogue was held in Wellington on August 24, 2026.
• Discussions focused on maritime security and joint military training.
• Both countries reviewed the Strategic Partnership Roadmap 2030.
• Cooperation includes joint exercises, personnel exchanges and defence staff college partnerships.
• Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to a free and inclusive Indo-Pacific.
• Key Fact: The dialogue covered cooperation across maritime, air and land forces.

India and China Agree to Continue Dialogue for Border Settlement

• India and China agreed to continue dialogue on their long-standing boundary dispute.
• The understanding followed talks between Wang Yi and Ajit Doval in Beijing.
• Both sides discussed bilateral relations, border affairs and maintaining peace.
• Relations have gradually improved after the 2020 border clash and 2024 disengagement agreement.
• The next round of boundary talks is scheduled to take place in India in 2027.
• Key Fact: Both sides committed to seeking a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable settlement.

China Expands Antelope Reef Amid South China Sea Tensions

• China has expanded construction and land reclamation around Antelope Reef.
• The reef is part of the disputed Paracel Islands in the South China Sea.
• Satellite imagery showed new infrastructure and port-related facilities.
• Vietnam also claims sovereignty over the Paracel Islands.
• Analysts believe the infrastructure could support maritime operations, logistics and surveillance.
• Key Fact: China has controlled the Paracel Islands since 1974.

India Vietnam Coast Guards Strengthen Maritime Cooperation Through Dialogue

• The Indian and Vietnamese Coast Guards held their seventh High-Level Meeting in Chennai.
• Discussions covered maritime search and rescue, law enforcement and pollution response.
• Both sides reviewed capacity-building and professional exchange programmes.
• They stressed regular training, ship visits and sharing operational best practices.
• The meeting aimed to strengthen interoperability and mutual trust.
• Key Fact: The SAHYOG-HOPTAC Joint Exercise is scheduled for August 27.

India Backs Community-Led Rangeland Restoration At UNCCD CoP17

• India called for community-led rangeland restoration at UNCCD CoP17 in Ulaanbaatar.
• Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav described pastoralists as custodians of ecosystems.
• India advocated combining traditional knowledge with modern scientific methods.
• It highlighted rangelands across the Himalayas, Thar, Kachchh and other regions.
• India also promoted sustainable grazing, watershed development and habitat restoration.
• Key Fact: India highlighted Rajasthan’s Orans, community-protected sacred groves, as conservation models.

Banking News

Regional Rural Banks Record ₹10,176 Crore Profit During FY26

• Regional Rural Banks recorded a record ₹10,176 crore net profit in FY 2025-26.
• Profit increased from ₹6,820 crore in the previous financial year.
• Combined RRB business crossed ₹13.5 lakh crore.
• India has 28 RRBs operating through 22,273 branches.
• Gross and net NPAs declined to 5.3% and 2.1%, respectively.
• Key Fact: RRBs achieved an all-time-high credit-deposit ratio of 75.2%.

Fino Payments Bank Extends Interim CEO Ketan Merchant’s Tenure Again

• Fino Payments Bank approved another three-month extension for interim CEO Ketan Merchant.
• The extension starts from August 27, 2026, subject to RBI approval.
• His earlier tenure began on May 27 and was due to end on August 26.
• Merchant previously served as the bank’s Chief Financial Officer.
• He became interim CEO following former CEO Rishi Gupta’s arrest over alleged GST violations.
• Key Fact: Merchant will continue leading the bank during its leadership transition.

Economy News

India’s Finished Steel Output Grows 4.7 Percent During April-July

• India’s finished steel output rose 4.7% year-on-year to 54.7 million tonnes.
• Domestic consumption increased 7.9% to 56 million tonnes.
• Crude steel production rose 2.4% to 56.2 million tonnes.
• Finished steel imports increased 36.6%, while exports rose 35%.
• Alloy steel production grew strongly, while stainless steel production declined.
• Key Fact: India remained a net importer of finished steel during April-July 2026.

Appointments News

Justice Sunil Shukre Sworn In as Maharashtra Lokayukta Chairman

• Former Bombay High Court judge Justice Sunil Balkrishna Shukre became Maharashtra Lokayukta Chairman.
• Governor Jishnu Dev Varma administered the oath at Lok Bhavan, Mumbai.
• His appointment is for five years or until he reaches 70.
• He joined the judiciary as a Direct District Judge in 2000.
• He later served as Principal District Judge and Registrar General of the Bombay High Court.
• Key Fact: Justice Shukre was elevated to the Bombay High Court on May 13, 2013.

Satish Golcha Appointed OSD in Delhi Home Guards Directorate

• Former Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha was appointed OSD in the Directorate of Home Guards.
• He will serve as OSD until September 30, 2026.
• Golcha will become Director General of Home Guards from October 1.
• He has previously served as DG Prisons and Special Commissioner (Law and Order).
• He was removed as Delhi Police Commissioner on July 17, 2026.
• Key Fact: Anurag Kumar replaced Golcha as Delhi Police Commissioner.

Defence News

CSIR-NAL Unveils Indigenous Gas Turbine Engines for Unmanned Defence

• CSIR-NAL unveiled three indigenous Micro and Small Gas Turbine Engines on August 25.
• The engines are NJ-05, NJ-50 and NJ-100.
• They provide thrust levels of 5 kg, 50 kg and 100 kg, respectively.
• Potential applications include tactical UAVs, drone interceptors and compact missile systems.
• The development supports India’s efforts towards aerospace propulsion self-reliance.
• Key Fact: The engines cover a domestic propulsion range of 5–100 kg thrust.

Indian Navy to Commission Second Indigenous Diving Support Vessel Nipun Soon

• The Indian Navy will commission Nipun on August 31, 2026.
• It will be inducted at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai.
• Nipun is the second indigenous Diving Support Vessel of the Nistar class.
• It was designed and built by Hindustan Shipyard Limited, Visakhapatnam.
• The vessel supports deep-sea diving, underwater intervention and submarine rescue operations.
• Key Fact: Nipun was delivered to the Navy on July 30, 2026.

Important Days News

Eid Milad-un-Nabi 2026 Marks Prophet Muhammad’s Birth Anniversary

• Eid Milad-un-Nabi 2026 is being observed in India on August 26.
• The occasion commemorates the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad.
• It is also known as Mawlid or Eid-e-Milad.
• It falls on the 12th day of Rabi’ ul-Awwal.
• Celebrations include prayers, religious gatherings, lectures, poetry and processions.
• Key Fact: Prophet Muhammad was born around 570 AD and is regarded in Islam as the final prophet and messenger.

Onam 2026: History, Significance and 10 Days of Celebrations

• Onam 2026 is being celebrated across Kerala with cultural programmes and community gatherings.
• The festival is celebrated over 10 days, beginning with Atham.
• Thiruvonam falls on August 26, 2026, marking the festival’s culmination.
• Onam is traditionally associated with the annual return of King Mahabali.
• Pookalam, Vallamkali, traditional clothing and Onam Sadhya are major traditions.
• Key Fact: Thiruvonam is the most important day of the 10-day Onam festival.

Obituaries News

Country Music Icon Dolly Parton Dies at Eighty After Legendary Career

• Country music legend Dolly Parton died at the age of 80.
• Her career spanned nearly six decades, with more than 100 million records sold.
• Her iconic songs include Jolene, Coat of Many Colors and I Will Always Love You.
• She won 11 Grammy Awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award.
• She was also an acclaimed actress and major philanthropist supporting literacy and scholarships.
• Key Fact: Parton was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022.

Veteran Filmmaker Kuku Kohli Dies at Age 77 in Mumbai

• Veteran Bollywood filmmaker Avtar “Kuku” Kohli died in Mumbai on August 25, 2026.
• He died at the age of 77, reportedly after suffering a massive heart attack.
• Kohli began his career as an assistant director under Raj Kapoor.
• His directorial debut Phool Aur Kaante launched Ajay Devgn as a lead actor in Hindi cinema.
• He later directed Suhaag, Haqeeqat, Anari No. 1 and Woh Tera Naam Tha.
• Key Fact: Kuku Kohli was married to veteran actress Aruna Irani and is survived by his wife and two daughters.

Current Affairs Today | 26 August 2026 | Daily Current Affairs | By Ashish Gautam