Daily Current Affairs and GK Updates (5th August, 2026)

National News

Supreme Court Extends Mandatory Third-Party Insurance Period for New Vehicles

• Mandatory third-party insurance period has been extended for all newly purchased private vehicles.
• New private cars will now require 4 years of compulsory third-party insurance instead of 3 years.
• New two-wheelers will require 6 years of mandatory third-party insurance instead of 5 years.
• The Supreme Court issued the order on 4 August 2026 to improve road safety and insurance compliance.
• The Court directed IRDAI to implement the revised insurance norms immediately.
• Compliance affidavits have been sought from stakeholders by 14 August 2026.
• The next hearing in the matter has been scheduled for 18 August 2026.
• The Court proposed a four-layer insurance framework, “No Insurance, No Fuel” pilot, and integration of ANPR, VAHAN, and Insurance Information Bureau databases to identify uninsured vehicles.
• Key Fact: Third-party motor insurance is mandatory under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, as it covers damages caused to third parties in road accidents.

TRAI Revamps MyCall App to Improve Voice Call Quality Monitoring

• TRAI has launched a revamped TRAI MyCall mobile application to improve voice call quality monitoring.
• The upgraded app was introduced on 3 August 2026.
• Users can now rate calls using a 1–5 star rating system.
• The app enables reporting of issues such as call drops, echo, voice breaking, audio delay, and one-way audio.
• It includes a signal coverage testing feature to assess network quality.
• Automatic post-call feedback prompts make reporting easier for users.
• An interactive map displays users’ call quality feedback history.
• TRAI will combine consumer feedback with technical network data to improve telecom services and enhance Quality of Experience (QoE).
• Key Fact: TRAI was established in 1997 under the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997.

Centre Proposes Legal Framework for Two-Wheeled Ambulances to Boost Emergency Care

• The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has proposed draft rules for two-wheeled ambulances.
• Bike ambulances will be recognized as a separate category under the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989.
• The initiative aims to improve emergency medical response in rural, hilly, disaster-prone, and congested urban areas.
• L2-category bike ambulances manufactured from 1 October 2027 must comply with AIS-209 (Part 1):2026 standards.
• The vehicles must carry prescribed emergency medical equipment.
• Bike ambulances will be classified as transport vehicles requiring registration.
• Periodic fitness certification will also be mandatory for these vehicles.
• The proposal seeks to reduce emergency response time and strengthen last-mile healthcare delivery.
• Key Fact: Bike ambulances are especially effective in areas where conventional ambulances cannot reach quickly due to difficult terrain or heavy traffic.

India Plans to Expand Power Capacity to 874 GW by 2031-32

• India plans to expand its installed power generation capacity to 874 GW by 2031-32.
• The country’s installed capacity stood at 548.86 GW as of 30 June 2026.
• India has already achieved 54.18% non-fossil fuel installed capacity, surpassing its 2030 NDC target of 50%.
• The roadmap includes adding 80 GW of new coal-based power capacity.
• Expansion of hydropower and nuclear energy is also planned.
• The government aims to develop 15,870 MW of Pumped Storage Projects (PSPs).
• It also plans 15,754 MW of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).
• The transmission network will be strengthened with 191,474 circuit km of new lines and 1,274 GVA transformation capacity.
• Key Fact: India has pledged to achieve Net Zero carbon emissions by 2070.

Supreme Court Extends 10-km Mining Buffer Around Wetlands Across India

• The Supreme Court has ordered a 10-km mining buffer zone around all notified wetland conservation reserves.
• The order extends an earlier ruling that applied only to the Asan Wetland Conservation Reserve in Uttarakhand.
• The judgment was delivered on 4 August 2026.
• The directive applies across the Himalayan region unless an expert committee confirms the absence of notified wetlands.
• The order aims to protect fragile wetland ecosystems from mining and harmful environmental activities.
• Wetlands play a crucial role in groundwater recharge and flood control.
• They also support biodiversity and act as important carbon sinks.
• The judgment strengthens environmental conservation and sustainable management of ecologically sensitive areas.
• Key Fact: India is a signatory to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, an international treaty for wetland conservation adopted in 1971.

FCRA Amendment Bill 2026 Seeks Stricter Rules on Foreign Funding and NGO Compliance

• The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 proposes major reforms in foreign funding regulations.
• A Designated Authority will manage foreign-funded assets if FCRA registration expires, is cancelled, or surrendered.
• The Bill mandates time-bound utilization of foreign contributions.
• It restricts the transfer of assets during suspension of FCRA registration.
• Automatic cessation of registration has been proposed under specified conditions.
• Prior approval of the Central Government will be required before FCRA investigations.
• The definition of key functionaries has been expanded to improve accountability.
• The Bill reduces the maximum imprisonment for violations from five years to one year, while aiming to improve transparency and national security.
• Key Fact: The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), 2010 regulates the acceptance and utilization of foreign contributions by individuals and organizations in India.

Supreme Court Orders Stronger Measures to Combat Digital Arrest Scams and Cyber Fraud

• The Supreme Court has issued nationwide directions to curb digital arrest scams and cyber financial fraud.
• RBI has been directed to prepare a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) within four weeks.
• The SOP will focus on identifying, freezing, and investigating mule bank accounts.
• All States and Union Territories have been instructed to operationalize the Cyber Fraud Grievance Redressal Module.
• The Money Restoration Module and e-Zero FIR system must also be implemented nationwide.
• The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) will support the implementation process.
• MeitY, DoT, and I4C have been asked to examine a technological “kill switch” for suspicious scam video calls.
• An Inter-Departmental Committee will explore a shared liability and victim compensation framework for cyber fraud victims.
• Key Fact: The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) functions under the Ministry of Home Affairs to coordinate efforts against cybercrime across India.

State News

Kerala Launches AI-Powered Governance Reforms to Boost Public Service Delivery

• Kerala has launched a comprehensive AI-powered governance reform programme to modernize public administration.
• The initiative integrates artificial intelligence, digital governance, and process re-engineering across government departments.
• It aims to deliver faster, transparent, and citizen-centric public services.
• AI-assisted decision-making will help analyze administrative data for improved policy formulation.
• Digital platforms will speed up application processing, online approvals, and grievance redressal.
• Routine administrative tasks will be automated to improve efficiency and reduce bureaucratic delays.
• Data-driven governance will be used to monitor government schemes and optimize resource allocation.
• The reforms strengthen coordination among departments while reinforcing Kerala’s position as a leader in digital governance.
• Key Fact: Kerala has consistently ranked among India’s leading states in e-governance, digital literacy, and public service delivery initiatives.

Uttar Pradesh Presents ₹59,019 Crore Supplementary Budget with Focus on Infrastructure and Development

• The Uttar Pradesh Government has presented a ₹59,019.54 crore Supplementary Budget for 2026-27.
• More than 70% (₹41,620.04 crore) of the budget has been allocated for capital expenditure.
• Finance Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna tabled the supplementary budget in the state assembly.
• The budget prioritizes industrial development, infrastructure creation, and economic growth.
• Major allocations include ₹20,905.88 crore for industries and infrastructure.
• Rural development has received ₹14,184.72 crore, while the energy sector has been allocated ₹7,422.27 crore.
• Significant funding has also been provided for healthcare, agriculture, school education, technical education, and local governance.
• The supplementary budget complements the state’s ₹9.12 lakh crore Annual Budget and aims to generate employment and strengthen public service delivery before the 2027 Assembly elections.
• Key Fact: A Supplementary Budget is presented to seek additional legislative approval for expenditure not covered or insufficiently provided in the original budget.

Maharashtra Bans Analogue Paneer for One Year to Strengthen Food Safety

• The Maharashtra Government has imposed a one-year statewide ban on analogue paneer from 30 July 2026.
• The ban has been enforced under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
• Manufacture, storage, transportation, distribution, and sale of analogue paneer have been prohibited across the state.
• The decision aims to prevent non-dairy substitutes from being sold as traditional milk-based paneer.
• The ban applies to hotels, restaurants, caterers, cloud kitchens, and other food businesses.
• Since 1 May 2026, establishments had already been required to disclose the use of paneer analogues on menus, bills, and display boards.
• Violations may attract imprisonment of up to six months and a fine of up to ₹1 lakh.
• The move seeks to strengthen consumer protection, food safety, and transparency in the food industry.
• Key Fact: Analogue paneer is a non-dairy substitute prepared mainly from vegetable fats, starch, and food additives instead of milk.

Himalayan Serow Spotted in Himachal Pradesh After 20 Years, Boosting Conservation Efforts

• The Himalayan Serow (Capricornis thar) has been recorded in Himachal Pradesh after nearly 20 years.
• The rare animal was video-recorded on 4 August 2026.
• The sighting occurred near the Kalatop-Khajjiar Wildlife Sanctuary in Dalhousie catchment forests.
• The discovery confirms the continued presence of this elusive goat-antelope in the Western Himalayas.
• The Himalayan Serow is classified as Near Threatened (NT) on the IUCN Red List.
• Major threats include habitat loss, forest fragmentation, poaching, and human encroachment.
• The rediscovery highlights the success of forest monitoring and wildlife conservation efforts in the region.
• It also emphasizes the importance of protecting Himalayan ecosystems and biodiversity.
• Key Fact: The Himalayan Serow is protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, providing it the highest level of legal protection in India.