Daily Current Affairs and GK Updates (19th August, 2026) |

National News

UIDAI Completes Two Crore Biometric Updates for Children

UIDAI has completed more than 2 crore Mandatory Biometric Updates (MBU) for schoolchildren.
The nationwide mission-mode campaign was launched in September 2025.
More than 1.56 lakh schools have been covered through special Aadhaar biometric-update camps.
UIDAI has integrated its system with UDISE+, enabling schools to monitor students’ MBU status.
MBU is required at ages 5 and 15, as fingerprints and iris details change as children grow.
The update is free for children aged 5–17 until September 30, 2026, helping ensure smooth authentication for education and government services.

Key Fact: MBU is mandatory at ages 5 and 15.

Lakshmanan Meyyappan Becomes World’s Youngest Male Chartered Accountant

Lakshmanan Meyyappan, aged 16 years and 141 days, has earned a Guinness World Record.
He is recognised as the world’s youngest male Chartered Accountant.
He achieved the record in Dubai after completing the ACCA qualification in about one year.
His interest in accounting began during the COVID-19 pandemic, inspired by his mother, an ACCA professional.
He later earned the CFA charter and is pursuing an MSc in Finance.
He also works as a Senior Research Analyst at Century Financial in Dubai.

Key Fact: Meyyappan achieved the record at 16 years and 141 days.

Semicon India 2026 to Showcase India’s Semiconductor Ecosystem

The fifth edition of Semicon India 2026 will be held from September 17–19 at Yashoobhoomi, Dwarka, New Delhi.
The theme is “Silicon to Systems: Building the Ecosystem.”
The event is jointly organised by SEMI and India Semiconductor Mission.
It will feature 500+ exhibitors, 290 international companies and 150 speakers.
Delegations from more than 40 countries and six country pavilions will participate.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to inaugurate the event on September 17, with a global CEO roundtable planned for September 16.

Key Fact: Semicon India 2026 is the fifth edition of the event.

Vizhinjam Port Begins EXIM Operations in Kerala

Vizhinjam International Seaport has commenced full-fledged export-import (EXIM) operations.
The development transforms Vizhinjam from a transshipment hub into a major gateway for Indian trade.
Its location around 10 nautical miles from major international shipping routes gives it strategic importance.
The port has a natural 18–20 metre draft, enabling it to handle ultra-large container vessels.
Phase-II expansion costing ₹16,000 crore is expected to raise annual capacity to 5.7 million TEUs by December 2028.
Since commercial operations began in December 2024, the port has handled over 2.28 million TEUs and 1,100 vessels.

Key Fact: Phase-II will raise capacity to 5.7 million TEUs annually.

NTA Introduces Four-Tier Question Paper Checking System

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has introduced a four-tier system for checking question papers.
The system will detect factual, grammatical, translation and formatting errors before finalisation.
NTA has removed 600 experts from its panels and begun onboarding new specialists.
Examination security will be strengthened through CISF protection, air-gapped systems and secluded workrooms.
The agency has advertised 10 professional leadership positions, including CTO and CISO.
Re-examinations for selected June 2026 UGC-NET papers in English, Commerce and Sociology are scheduled for September 9–10.

Key Fact: The new system has four layers of question-paper scrutiny.

PM CARES Fund Balance Reaches ₹8,452 Crore

The PM CARES Fund had a closing balance of ₹8,452.07 crore as of March 31, 2025.
Its corpus increased from ₹7,173.03 crore in FY 2023–24.
Around ₹7,846.65 crore was held in fixed deposits and ₹605.41 crore in savings accounts.
The fund earned ₹469.38 crore in fixed-deposit interest during FY25.
Domestic donations declined to ₹479.05 crore, while foreign contributions fell to ₹92.83 lakh.
The fund spent ₹87.85 lakh, with nearly all expenditure directed towards the PM CARES for Children Scheme.

Key Fact: PM CARES was established in March 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.

NHAI Expands Digital FASTag Local Pass to 121 Toll Plazas

NHAI has expanded the Digital FASTag Local Pass facility to 121 toll plazas across India.
It is available to eligible residents living within a 20-km radius of designated toll plazas.
Residents can apply for a monthly pass through the Rajmargyatra mobile app.
The process eliminates the need for physical documents or visits to toll plazas.
DigiLocker, VAHAN and GIS technology are used for consent-based verification of eligibility.
The monthly pass permits unlimited trips through the designated toll plaza during its validity.

Key Fact: The facility was first piloted in July 2026 at Mundka–Bakkarwala Toll Plaza.

State News

Chhattisgarh Gets ₹3,942 Crore for BharatNet Expansion

The Centre has approved ₹3,942 crore for BharatNet expansion in Chhattisgarh.
An agreement was signed on August 18, 2026 involving DBN, DoT, CSBIL, BSNL and CHiPS.
The project will cover 11,682 Gram Panchayats across the state.
It includes 4,048 Phase-I, 5,964 Phase-II and 1,670 newly created panchayats.
Another 8,328 villages will receive on-demand connectivity.
The programme is expected to support more than 3 lakh rural fibre connections, improving e-governance, education and telemedicine.

Key Fact: The project covers 11,682 Gram Panchayats.

Tamil Nadu Extends Maternity Leave to 365 Days for Third Child

Tamil Nadu has announced 365 days of maternity leave for women government employees having a third child.
Previously, employees with two or more surviving children were entitled to 12 weeks of maternity leave.
The announcement was made by Human Resources Management Minister D Sarathkumar.
Tamil Nadu had progressively increased maternity leave from 90 days to six months in 2011 and nine months in 2016.
In July 2021, maternity leave was increased to one year for eligible employees.
A detailed government order will clarify the implementation of the latest provision.

Key Fact: Tamil Nadu first increased maternity leave to one year in July 2021.

Maharashtra Makes Snakebite a Notifiable Disease

Maharashtra has declared snakebite a notifiable disease, making reporting mandatory.
Hospitals, medical colleges and healthcare professionals must report suspected and confirmed cases and deaths.
The decision followed a tragic incident in Gadchiroli, where three tribal schoolgirls died after snakebite.
Serious and fatal cases must be reported immediately to district health authorities.
Records will include bite location, symptoms, treatment, anti-snake venom doses, referrals and outcomes.
Health institutions must maintain updated anti-snake venom (ASV) stock records.

Key Fact: Maharashtra is establishing a nodal mechanism for snakebite prevention and control.

Economy News

Ind-Ra Raises India’s FY27 GDP Growth Forecast to 6.8%

India Ratings and Research (Ind-Ra) raised its FY27 real GDP growth forecast from 6.7% to 6.8%.
The revision is mainly attributed to expectations of lower crude oil prices.
Ind-Ra reduced its FY27 crude oil assumption from $95 to $85 per barrel.
Every $10 decline in crude prices could support growth by around 44 basis points.
Private consumption growth is projected at 7.2%, while agriculture GVA growth may slow to 2%.
Risks include El Niño, inflation, West Asia tensions, rupee depreciation, weaker global trade and possible US tariffs.

Key Fact: Ind-Ra estimates that a $10 fall in crude oil prices could boost growth by about 44 bps.

Appointments News

Soumendu Bagchi Appointed India’s Ambassador to Switzerland

Senior IFS officer Soumendu Bagchi has been appointed India’s next Ambassador to Switzerland.
Bagchi is a 1993-batch Indian Foreign Service officer.
He is currently serving as India’s Ambassador to Iraq.
His diplomatic career includes assignments in Brussels, Dhaka and San Francisco.
He has worked on areas including counter-terrorism, energy security, investment and technology.
He has academic degrees from IIT Delhi, IIM Calcutta and JNU.

Key Fact: Bagchi will move from his current posting in Iraq to Switzerland.

Ajay A Kumar Appointed India’s Next Ambassador to Iraq

The Ministry of External Affairs appointed Ajay A Kumar as India’s next Ambassador to Iraq.
Kumar is a 2001-batch Indian Foreign Service officer.
He was serving as a Joint Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs.
He is expected to take charge in Baghdad shortly.
His assignment comes amid important India-Iraq cooperation in energy, trade and diplomacy.
He succeeds Soumendu Bagchi, who has been appointed India’s Ambassador to Switzerland.

Key Fact: Ajay A Kumar is a 2001-batch IFS officer.

Awards News

Indian Peacekeepers Receive Prestigious UN Medals in South Sudan

More than 200 Indian peacekeepers serving under UNMISS in South Sudan received UN medals.
In Juba, 210 Indian peacekeepers, including six women and seven staff officers, were honoured.
They were recognised for their work during crises, medical emergencies and life-saving missions.
India remains the second-largest contributor of uniformed personnel to UN peacekeeping operations.
More than 4,200 Indian military and police personnel, including 155 women, serve across several UN missions.
As of April 2026, India was the largest troop contributor to UNMISS, with 1,775 military personnel.

Key Fact: India had 1,775 military personnel in UNMISS as of April 2026.

Defence News

Defence Ministry Notifies 405 Items Under Indigenisation List

The Defence Ministry has notified the sixth Positive Indigenisation List (PIL) containing 405 items.
These items have an estimated business potential of ₹3,070 crore.
The list includes 16 Indian Coast Guard and 389 DPSU items.
It covers aircraft, armoured vehicles, warships, missiles, electronics, ammunition and components.
Major platforms include ALH, LCA, Su-30MKI, T-72, T-90 and BMP-II.
The SRIJAN Portal has facilitated more than 33,000 items for indigenisation, with over 15,700 already indigenised.

Key Fact: The sixth PIL contains 405 strategically important defence items.

Schemes News

UP Yuva Swarojgar Yojana 2026 Supports Youth Entrepreneurship

The UP Mukhyamantri Yuva Swarojgar Yojana promotes self-employment among educated unemployed youth.
The scheme was launched by the Uttar Pradesh government in 2018.
Eligible applicants can receive bank loans of up to ₹25 lakh for manufacturing projects.
For service-sector businesses, loans of up to ₹10 lakh are available.
The government provides 25% margin-money assistance, subject to prescribed limits.
Applicants generally need to be permanent UP residents, aged 18–40 years and at least Class 10 pass.

Key Fact: The scheme offers loans up to ₹25 lakh for manufacturing projects.

Science & Technology News

H1N1 Cases Rise in Delhi as Influenza Evolves

Delhi reported 1,449 H1N1 cases by August 12, 2026, compared with 229 during the same period last year.
H1N1 is an Influenza A virus characterised by H1 and N1 surface proteins.
Influenza viruses evolve through antigenic drift and antigenic shift.
Common symptoms include fever, cough, headache, muscle aches, fatigue and chills.
Elderly people, children, pregnant women and people with chronic illnesses face greater risks.
Early antiviral treatment such as oseltamivir and annual vaccination can help reduce the impact of influenza.

Key Fact: H1N1 cases increased from 229 to 1,449 year-on-year by August 12.

LandSpace Successfully Recovers Zhuque-3 Rocket Booster

China’s private space company LandSpace successfully landed the first-stage booster of Zhuque-3 Y2 on August 19, 2026.
The 66-metre rocket launched from the Dongfeng Commercial Space Innovation Pilot Zone.
It placed the Honghu-3 commercial internet satellite into orbit.
The booster performed a vertical landing in Minqin County, Gansu, about 390 km away.
Zhuque-3 uses liquid oxygen and methane as propellants.
It is designed to carry up to 14.2 tonnes to low Earth orbit and be reused up to 20 times.

Key Fact: LandSpace became the fourth entity globally to recover an orbital-class booster.

Morocco’s Fog-Harvesting Project Turns Mountain Mist into Water

Morocco’s Mount Boutmezguida project converts atmospheric fog into usable water.
The project serves communities in the Aït Baamrane region near the Sahara Desert.
CloudFisher polymer mesh nets capture tiny droplets from Atlantic fog.
The system works without electricity and uses gravity-fed pipelines to transport water.
Women-led nonprofit Dar Si Hmad manages the initiative.
Depending on conditions, the system has reportedly collected 6,300–37,000 litres of water daily.

Key Fact: The fog-harvesting system operates without electricity.

Sports News

Rishabh Pant Becomes Fastest to 100 Test Sixes

Rishabh Pant became the fourth player to hit 100 sixes in Test cricket.
He reached the landmark in only his 89th innings, becoming the fastest to do so.
Pant surpassed Adam Gilchrist’s previous record of 130 innings.
He joined Ben Stokes, Brendon McCullum and Gilchrist in the 100-six club.
Pant became the first Indian batter to reach 100 Test sixes.
He eventually scored 66 runs from 69 balls in India’s second innings against Sri Lanka in Galle.

Key Fact: Pant reached 100 Test sixes in just 89 innings.

Important Days News

Sadbhavana Diwas 2026 Honours Rajiv Gandhi’s Legacy

Sadbhavana Diwas is observed every year on August 20, marking Rajiv Gandhi’s birth anniversary.
The day promotes national harmony, peace, unity and communal goodwill.
Rajiv Gandhi became India’s sixth Prime Minister in 1984 at the age of 40.
His government introduced major initiatives in technology, education and governance.
The 61st Constitutional Amendment reduced the voting age from 21 to 18.
His tenure also saw the 52nd Constitutional Amendment, which introduced the anti-defection law.

Key Fact: Rajiv Gandhi became India’s youngest Prime Minister at age 40.

World Humanitarian Day 2026 Highlights Protection

World Humanitarian Day is observed annually on August 19.
The 2026 theme is “Honouring fallen humanitarians and calling for greater protection of health care.”
It honours humanitarian workers who lost their lives while assisting vulnerable communities.
The day also calls for protection of healthcare workers, patients, hospitals and medical transport.
August 19 commemorates the 2003 Canal Hotel bombing in Baghdad, which killed 22 humanitarian aid workers.
The UN General Assembly officially designated August 19 as World Humanitarian Day in 2008.

Key Fact: The day commemorates the 2003 Canal Hotel bombing in Baghdad.

World Photography Day 2026 Celebrates Power of “Home”

World Photography Day is observed annually on August 19.
The 2026 theme is “home,” focusing on personal spaces, memories and cultural roots.
The date marks August 19, 1839, when France made the Daguerreotype process available as a free gift to the world.
The first permanent photograph was created by Joseph Nicéphore Niépce in 1826.
World Photography Day was proposed by the World Photography Organisation in 2009.
The 2026 theme coincides with France marking the 200th anniversary of photography during 2026–27.