Daily Current Affairs and GK Updates (26th August, 2026) |

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.