Daily Current Affairs and GK Updates (24th August, 2026) |

National News

Indian Council of Agricultural Research Registers 16 New Indigenous Livestock and Dog Breeds

ICAR-NBAGR, Karnal, has registered 16 new indigenous livestock and dog breeds in 2026.
India’s total number of registered animal breeds has increased to 262.
The total includes 258 indigenous and four synthetic breeds.
Newly registered breeds cover cattle, sheep, buffalo, goats, pig, yak, donkey, pony and dog categories.
The move will strengthen the conservation, documentation and protection of India’s animal genetic resources.
Key Fact: India now has 262 registered animal breeds, including 258 indigenous breeds.

Government Launches Kanda Express to Control Rising Onion Prices

The Union government launched Kanda Express on August 24, 2026, to transport onions from Nashik to major consuming centres.
The service will supply onions to Delhi, Chennai, Kochi and Guwahati.
The national average onion price reached ₹42 per kg on August 22, 45% higher than a year earlier.
Delhi and Chennai recorded prices of ₹65 and ₹58 per kg, respectively.
The initiative complements the onion buffer-stock strategy implemented through NAFED and NCCF.
Key Fact: The government has procured around 1.2 lakh tonnes of onions and raised the procurement price to ₹2,645 per quintal.

State News

Andhra Pradesh Approves ₹31,387-Crore Green AI Data Centre Project

Andhra Pradesh approved a ₹31,387-crore green integrated AI data centre in Visakhapatnam district.
AM AI Factory Pvt Ltd will establish the 512-MW facility at Amanam village.
The project is expected to create employment opportunities for up to 1,000 people.
The state will provide power infrastructure and water supply support.
Stamp duty and electricity duty exemptions will be provided as fiscal incentives.
Key Fact: The data centre will have a planned capacity of 512 MW.

Rajasthan Announces ₹12,500-Crore School Infrastructure Modernisation Plan

Rajasthan has announced a ₹12,500-crore roadmap to modernise government schools across all 41 districts.
Around ₹2,487.75 crore will be spent on 3,587 new school buildings.
Another ₹8,378.30 crore is allocated for 83,783 classrooms.
Major repairs in 22,589 schools and construction of 13,616 toilet complexes are also planned.
The initiative addresses infrastructure gaps, including schools without buildings, toilets and drinking-water facilities.
Key Fact: The total modernisation plan is worth ₹12,500 crore.

Karnataka Imposes One-Year Ban on Mislabelled Analogue Paneer

Karnataka has imposed a one-year ban on analogue paneer being sold or marketed as paneer.
The order is effective from August 17, 2026, to August 17, 2027.
Analogue paneer may contain vegetable oil, vegetable fat or other non-dairy ingredients.
The restriction applies to manufacturers, distributors, sellers, hotels, restaurants and food businesses.
The measure has been issued under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
Key Fact: The ban remains effective for one year until August 17, 2027.

Uttar Pradesh and Japan’s Yamanashi Propose ₹600-Crore Investment Fund

Uttar Pradesh and Japan’s Yamanashi Prefecture have proposed a ₹600-crore investment fund.
The fund will support Yamanashi-based MSMEs investing in Uttar Pradesh.
A dedicated Yamanashi Desk will be established at Invest UP for investor assistance.
A 90-day review mechanism will monitor land allotments and resolve investment issues.
MoUs cover technical training, tourism, skill development, GCCs and legislative cooperation.
Key Fact: The proposed investment fund is worth ₹600 crore.

UP Approves 180-Day Maternity Leave Twice for Women

The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet approved 180 days of maternity leave twice for eligible women government employees.
The benefit is available for the first two surviving children.
Eligible employees can receive six months of leave with full pay.
The policy aims to support maternal recovery, infant care and breastfeeding.
It also seeks to improve work-life balance and social security for working mothers.
Key Fact: Eligible women employees can avail 180 days of maternity leave twice during service.

BMC Introduces QR-Enabled Reflective Collars for Stray Dogs

The BMC has introduced QR-enabled reflective collars for stray dogs in Mumbai.
Each collar has a unique QR code linked to vaccination, sterilisation and health records.
The system will help officials and animal welfare groups identify dogs requiring treatment.
It is designed to prevent duplication in vaccination and sterilisation efforts.
BMC aims to use the system as part of its broader anti-rabies strategy.
Key Fact: BMC aims to achieve rabies elimination in Mumbai by 2030.

International News

Singapore Launches Biological Data Centre Using Living Human Neurons

Singapore has launched a prototype biological data centre at the National University of Singapore.
The facility uses living human neurons connected to silicon hardware for biological computing.
The 20-unit rack contains approximately 16 million neurons, with around 800,000 neurons per CL1 system.
The technology is being explored for AI, biomedical modelling, drug discovery and neurological research.
The living cells require nutrient solutions and specialised gas-based life support.
Key Fact: The full biological computing rack consumes around 800–1,000 watts.

India and Mauritius Sign Five-Year Fuel Supply Agreement

India and Mauritius have signed a five-year fuel supply agreement.
Indian Oil Corporation will meet Mauritius’ complete import requirements for petrol, high-speed diesel and ATF.
The partnership also includes cooperation in oil and gas, biofuels, training and knowledge exchange.
India Oil (Mauritius) Ltd is developing a 27,500-tonne marine bunker fuel facility.
The agreement is expected to strengthen Mauritius’ energy security and India’s strategic partnership.
Key Fact: The agreement covers Mauritius’ entire import requirement for petrol, diesel and ATF.

Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan Sign Makkah Joint Defence Agreement

Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan signed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement in Makkah.
The agreement establishes a new trilateral security and defence framework.
An armed attack against one member will be treated as an attack against all three.
The pact will promote military coordination, intelligence sharing, training and interoperability.
It builds on the Saudi-Pakistan Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement signed in 2025.
Key Fact: The agreement introduces a collective-defence commitment among the three countries.

Banking News

Government Appoints Three Non-Official Directors to RBI Central Board

The Government appointed Syed Akbaruddin, Annie George Mathew and Janmejaya Kumar Sinha as part-time non-official RBI directors.
The appointments were approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet on August 22, 2026.
Each director will serve a four-year tenure under Section 8(1)(c) of the RBI Act, 1934.
Akbaruddin is a former Indian Permanent Representative to the UN.
Annie George Mathew and Janmejaya Kumar Sinha bring financial and economic expertise.
Key Fact: The appointments increased the RBI Central Board’s active strength from 11 to 14 members.

Defense News

India Test-Fires First Fully Indigenous AK-203 Assault Rifle ‘Sher’

Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited successfully manufactured and test-fired India’s first fully indigenous AK-203 rifle.
The rifle, named Sher, was produced at the Korwa facility in Amethi.
It uses Indian-made components and input materials, supporting the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
The rifle underwent firing tests, including burst firing, with encouraging initial results.
Prototypes are planned for Indian Army trials in September 2026.
Key Fact: IRRPL aims to achieve a production rate of one rifle every 100 seconds.

Sports News

Indian Women Wrestlers Win Three Medals at U20 World Championships

Indian women wrestlers won three additional medals at the U20 World Championships in Slovakia.
Mansi Lather secured silver in the 68kg category.
Tanvi Gundesh Magdum and Komal won bronze medals in the 57kg and 59kg categories, respectively.
Earlier, Kajal Dhochak won gold in the 76kg category.
Tanu Sharma and Savita had also secured silver medals for India.
Key Fact: India added three medals through Mansi Lather, Tanvi Gundesh Magdum and Komal.

Pranesh M Wins Group A Title at Kanizsa Open 2026

Indian Grandmaster Pranesh M won the Group A title at the Kanizsa Open 2026 in Hungary.
The 19-year-old defeated Germany’s Vadim Petrovskiy in the ninth and final round.
He finished with seven points from nine rounds.
Four players shared the top score, but Pranesh won the title on a superior tiebreak.
He is rated 2673 and ranked 44th in the August 2026 FIDE rankings.
Key Fact: Pranesh M won the tournament with 7 points from 9 rounds.

Mitchell Starc Becomes WTC’s Leading Wicket-Taker

Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc became the leading wicket-taker in World Test Championship history.
He took 10 wickets against Bangladesh in the second Test at Mackay.
His match figures included 6/12 in the first innings and 4/39 in the second.
Starc moved to 234 WTC wickets, surpassing Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon.
He also reached 445 Test wickets and entered the all-time top 10.
Key Fact: Starc now holds the WTC record with 234 wickets.

Lando Norris Wins Dramatic 2026 Dutch Grand Prix

Lando Norris won the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort.
The victory marked his second consecutive Formula 1 win.
Kimi Antonelli finished second, while George Russell secured third place.
Max Verstappen crashed on the opening lap, causing a red flag but escaping injury.
The race was the final F1 Grand Prix held at the Zandvoort circuit.
Key Fact: Norris won by 11.536 seconds over Kimi Antonelli.

Ravindra Jadeja Becomes First Indian to Play 50 WTC Matches

Ravindra Jadeja became the first Indian and Asian cricketer to play 50 World Test Championship matches.
He achieved the milestone during India’s second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo.
Across four WTC cycles, Jadeja has scored 2,632 runs and taken 160 wickets.
Mohammed Siraj and Virat Kohli follow him among Indians with 47 and 46 matches.
England’s Joe Root holds the overall record with 78 WTC appearances.
Key Fact: Jadeja is the first Indian and Asian player to reach 50 WTC matches.

India Announces 12-Member Men’s Kabaddi Squad for Asian Games 2026

India announced its 12-member men’s kabaddi squad for the 2026 Asian Games.
Ayan Lohchab and Devank Dalal will lead the raiding department.
Arjun Deshwal, Ashu Malik, Sunil Kumar and Sumit Sangwan add experience across attack and defence.
Four members of India’s Hangzhou 2023 gold-medal team have retained their places.
The Asian Games will be held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4.
Key Fact: Only four players from India’s Hangzhou 2023 gold-winning team retained their places.

Saransh Jain Becomes Oldest Indian Test Debutant of 21st Century

Off-spinner Saransh Jain made his India Test debut at the age of 33 years and 145 days.
He debuted against Sri Lanka in Colombo on August 23, 2026.
Jain became the oldest Indian cricketer to make a Test debut in the 21st century.
He replaced Kuldeep Yadav, who was unavailable due to illness.
Jain has taken 188 wickets in 54 first-class matches, including 10 five-wicket hauls.
Key Fact: Jain is the oldest Indian Test debutant of the 21st century.

East Bengal Wins 17th Durand Cup Title After Defeating Mohun Bagan

East Bengal defeated arch-rivals Mohun Bagan 4-1 in the Durand Cup final.
The victory gave East Bengal its 17th Durand Cup title.
Edmund Lalrindika was the star, scoring a memorable hat-trick.
Bipin Singh opened the scoring before Lalrindika scored twice within the next 10 minutes.
The win also avenged East Bengal’s 0-1 defeat to Mohun Bagan in the 2023 final.
Key Fact: East Bengal’s 17th title equals Mohun Bagan’s record.

Science & Technology

India Plans Bharatiya Antariksha Station by 2035

India plans to establish the Bharatiya Antariksha Station (BAS) by 2035.
ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan announced the target during National Space Day celebrations in Ahmedabad.
The station’s first module has already been approved.
The project builds on capabilities being developed through the Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme.
BAS could support scientific research, technology testing and long-duration human space missions.
Key Fact: India has set 2035 as the target year for establishing the Bharatiya Antariksha Station.

Important Days News

National Space Day 2026

National Space Day 2026 is being observed on August 23 to commemorate Chandrayaan-3’s historic Moon landing.
The Vikram lander successfully landed near the Moon’s southern polar region on August 23, 2023.
India became the fourth country to achieve a soft lunar landing.
India was also the first country to land near the Moon’s south polar region.
The 2026 theme is “Towards Viksit Bharat – Innovating, Collaborating and Aspiring Global Space Leadership.”