Daily Current Affairs and GK Updates (7th August, 2026) |

National News

Har Ghar Tiranga 2026: Campaign Launched by Gajendra Singh Shekhawat

Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat launched the Har Ghar Tiranga 2026 campaign in New Delhi on August 6, 2026.
The nationwide campaign will run from August 9 to August 17, 2026.
The campaign marks the fifth edition of Har Ghar Tiranga, launched in 2022 under Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.
This year’s campaign focuses on the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram, India’s National Song.
The Ministry of Culture will promote mass singing and provide a five-step online tutorial for its correct rendition.
The Ministry of External Affairs has launched Suryapath Tiranga, involving Indian missions in 54 countries on August 14–15.
Key Fact: The previous edition received over 10 crore “Selfie with Tiranga” selfies.

Bharat International Rice Conference 2026 to Host Global Rice Trade Leaders

The Bharat International Rice Conference (BIRC) 2026 will be held from 23 to 25 October 2026.
The conference will take place at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
The event is organised by the Indian Rice Exporters’ Federation (IREF).
Participants from more than 120 countries are expected to attend the second edition.
More than 30,000 delegates are expected, while registrations had crossed 19,193 by August 3.
Discussions will cover rice trade, price discovery, supply chains, crop conditions and global market opportunities.
Key Fact: BIRC 2025 generated trade commitments worth ₹33,453 crore.

IT Rules 2026 Tighten Online Content Removal and AI Regulations

The Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules, 2026 were notified on February 10, 2026.
The amended rules came into force on February 20, 2026.
Digital intermediaries must remove unlawful content within 3 hours after a valid court order or government notice.
The earlier deadline for such removal was 36 hours.
The rules introduce the term “Synthetically Generated Information” for AI-generated and manipulated content.
Platforms must provide prominent labels and traceable metadata for such synthetic content.
Key Fact: The unlawful-content removal deadline was reduced from 36 hours to 3 hours.

CCRAS Launches Digital and Research Initiatives to Modernise Ayurveda

Union Ayush Minister Prataprao Jadhav chaired the 27th Governing Body meeting of CCRAS in New Delhi on August 6, 2026.
He inaugurated infrastructure projects at CCRAS centres in Pune and Ranikhet.
Bhoomi Poojan was performed for a new 50-bedded hospital at CCRAS-RARI, Nagpur.
CCRAS-PARAMPARA was launched to document and scientifically validate local health traditions and traditional veterinary knowledge.
The CCRAS National Research Recognitions portal includes PRAKASA, NAVONMESA and PRABODH 3MT.
Ayur-dict, an Android application integrating multiple Ayurveda dictionaries, was also launched.
Key Fact: CCRAS stands for Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences.

State News

Andhra Pradesh Cabinet Approves PPP Policy and Ease of Doing Business Act

The Andhra Pradesh Cabinet, chaired by N. Chandrababu Naidu, approved key policies on August 6, 2026.
It approved the draft Andhra Pradesh PPP Policy-2026 to promote infrastructure and private investment.
The PPP policy covers transport, ports, healthcare, education and renewable energy.
₹1,500 crore has been earmarked under Viability Gap Funding for PPP projects.
The Cabinet approved the Andhra Pradesh Omnibus (Ease of Doing Business) Act, 2026.
The Pedestrian Safety and Universal Accessibility Policy-2026 includes safety audits and penalties of up to ₹1 lakh.
Key Fact: ₹1,002.49 crore was sanctioned for Quantum Valley Twin Towers in Amaravati.

Karnataka Explores Partnership With Anthropic to Train Lakhs in AI

Karnataka is exploring an AI partnership with Anthropic, the company behind Claude AI.
Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar met an Anthropic delegation in Bengaluru on August 6, 2026.
Discussions covered AI certification, governance, healthcare, research, higher education and cybersecurity.
Karnataka plans to explore Claude-focused certification under its NIPUNA initiative.
The partnership could help train a large pool of AI-skilled students, employees and researchers.
The state is also examining AI applications in fraud reduction, administration and question-paper security.
Key Fact: Anthropic opened its Bengaluru office in February 2026.

Ladakh to Launch India’s First High-Altitude Wildlife Safari

Ladakh approved India’s first guided high-altitude wildlife safari on August 6, 2026.
The decision was taken during the first governing body meeting of the SHAN Conservation Society.
The safari will focus on snow-leopard sightings and bird watching.
Key locations include Hemis National Park, Changthang, Karakoram Wildlife Sanctuary, Nubra and Zanskar.
Special open-back jeeps will be operated by trained local drivers and guides.
Ladakh is estimated to host 477 of India’s 718 snow leopards.
Key Fact: SHAN stands for Snow Leopard and High-Altitude Nature Conservation Society.

Tamil Nadu Launches Vetri Vaanmagal Scheme for Agricultural Drone Training

Tamil Nadu launched the Vetri Vaanmagal scheme on August 6, 2026.
The scheme will train 500 individuals, including 100 women, in agricultural drone operations.
Participants will receive assistance in obtaining drone pilot licences.
The state allocated ₹1.50 crore for drone training through Tamil Nadu Agricultural University.
Another ₹2.50 crore has been allocated to provide drones to 50 trained women.
Selected women will receive drones at a 50% subsidy.
Key Fact: Training will be provided through the Remote Pilot Training Organisation of TNAU.

Andhra Pradesh Announces ₹9.5 Lakh Crore Visakhapatnam Growth Plan

Andhra Pradesh unveiled a development plan for the Visakhapatnam Economic Region.
The plan targets up to ₹9.5 lakh crore in public and private investment.
It covers eight districts in north coastal Andhra Pradesh.
The region aims to become a US$120 billion economy by 2032.
The plan is expected to generate around 20–24 lakh jobs.
Investment areas include AI data centres, green hydrogen, clean energy, IT, ports, logistics and tourism.
Key Fact: The 31st CII Partnership Summit will be held in Visakhapatnam on November 12–13, 2026.

Banking News

RBI Expands Upper Layer NBFC List to 17 for FY27; REC, PFC, IRFC and HUDCO Added

The RBI expanded its Upper Layer NBFC (NBFC-UL) list to 17 entities for FY 2026–27.
The list previously contained 15 entities.
Four public-sector entities were added: REC, PFC, IRFC and HUDCO.
NBFCs with assets under management of at least ₹1 lakh crore qualify for consideration under the revised criteria.
Upper Layer NBFCs face enhanced supervision and stricter regulatory requirements.
Tata Sons Private Limited has been retained in the Upper Layer category.
Key Fact: The four new additions are REC, PFC, IRFC and HUDCO.

UPI Charges Bill 2026: What Does It Mean for UPI Users?

The Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026 creates a framework for potentially charging certain digital payment transactions.
The Bill does not immediately impose charges on UPI transactions.
Any future fee would require a government notification and applicable rules.
Person-to-person UPI transfers are expected to remain free.
Large retailers and online businesses could potentially face MDR or other charges.
The framework could help payment companies recover infrastructure, cybersecurity and processing costs.
Key Fact: The framework operates under the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007.

Business News

Microsoft Launches Fourth India Cloud Region in Hyderabad

Microsoft’s India South Central cloud region became generally available in Hyderabad on August 6, 2026.
It is Microsoft’s fourth cloud region in India.
The new region joins existing facilities in Pune, Chennai and Mumbai.
It will support enterprise computing, AI, sovereign-ready AI and mission-critical workloads.
The Hyderabad region has three availability zones for improved resilience and service continuity.
The infrastructure can support fault tolerance, disaster recovery and business continuity.
Key Fact: Hyderabad is Microsoft’s fourth cloud region in India.

Awards News

Jeevan Raksha Padak: 12 Rat Miners Honoured for Silkyara Tunnel Rescue

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari conferred the Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak on 12 rat miners.
The miners were honoured for their courage during the Silkyara Tunnel Rescue Operation.
They worked under highly dangerous conditions to help rescue trapped workers.
The Jeevan Raksha Padak recognises courageous acts undertaken to save human lives.
The award covers incidents such as fires, drowning, electrocution, disasters and mining accidents.
It has three categories: Sarvottam, Uttam and Jeevan Raksha Padak.
Key Fact: Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak is the highest category of the award.

Defense News

India Successfully Tests Agni-4 Missile from Odisha Coast

India successfully test-fired the Agni-4 medium-range ballistic missile on August 6, 2026.
The test was conducted from the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur, Odisha.
The launch was conducted by the Strategic Forces Command (SFC).
The test successfully validated the missile’s operational and technical parameters.
Agni-4 is a road-mobile, surface-to-surface ballistic missile.
The missile uses advanced navigation, guidance and composite-material technologies.
Key Fact: Agni-4 is an indigenously developed medium-range ballistic missile.

Squadron Leader Bhawana Kanth Becomes First Woman Fighter Pilot to Complete FCL Course

Squadron Leader Bhawana Kanth became the first woman IAF fighter pilot to complete the Fighter Combat Leader (FCL) course.
The course was completed at TACDE, Gwalior.
The intensive course covers advanced air-combat tactics, mission planning and combat leadership.
Kanth joined the IAF in June 2016 as part of the first batch of women fighter pilots.
She was among the first three women fighter pilots alongside Avani Chaturvedi and Mohana Singh.
She became the first Indian woman cleared for daytime fighter combat missions in 2019.
Key Fact: TACDE stands for Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment.

Schemes News

Assam Opens Nijut Moina, Nijut Babu Scheme Applications

Assam launched the application process for Nijut Moina and Nijut Babu schemes on August 6, 2026.
The schemes support students pursuing higher secondary, undergraduate and postgraduate education.
Nijut Moina primarily focuses on girls’ education and reducing child marriage.
Around 1.6 lakh girls benefited in 2024–25 and 4 lakh in 2025–26.
Another 1 lakh girls are targeted for support in the current year.
Nijut Babu supported 50,000 boys last year, with 70,000 additional beneficiaries planned.
Key Fact: The schemes were launched by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

GOBARdhan Scheme Gets ₹23,731 Crore Boost for Clean Energy

The Union Cabinet approved the GOBARdhan–National Circular Bioenergy Scheme.
The scheme has an outlay of ₹23,731 crore for FY 2026–27 to FY 2035–36.
It aims to convert agricultural residue, cattle dung and organic waste into Compressed Biogas (CBG) and organic manure.
The scheme provides assured CBG offtake and a stable price capped at ₹2,110/MMBTU.
Financial support of up to ₹2 crore per TPD capacity is available under the scheme.
It targets higher CBG production, lower fossil-fuel imports, rural employment and reduced emissions.
Key Fact: GOBARdhan stands for Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan.

Science & Technology News

Anil Menon Completes Maiden ISS Spacewalk

Indian-origin NASA astronaut Anil Menon completed his maiden spacewalk on August 6, 2026.
The spacewalk took place outside the International Space Station (ISS).
Designated US Spacewalk 96, the activity lasted 6 hours and 27 minutes.
Menon worked alongside NASA astronaut Jessica Meir on the S6 truss.
They installed mounting hardware, routed electrical cables and added insulation.
The work prepared the ISS power system for a future Roll-Out Solar Array (iROSA).
Key Fact: Jessica Meir completed her sixth spacewalk during the mission.

Gaganyaan Mission Advances Ahead of First Uncrewed Flight in 2026

India’s Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme has successfully tested several human-rated systems.
The first uncrewed flight carrying Vyommitra is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2026.
Two additional uncrewed missions are planned for 2027 before the first crewed orbital mission.
ISRO has tested propulsion systems, crew modules, life-support systems and thermal protection systems.
The Crew Escape System and parachute-based recovery systems have also been validated.
India is developing the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS), planned for commissioning in 2035.
Key Fact: The Union Cabinet sanctioned ₹20,193 crore in 2024 for eight human-spaceflight missions.

Sports News

Praggnanandhaa Wins Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz 2026 Title

Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa won his first Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz title in 2026.
He scored 23.5 points out of 36 in the Grand Chess Tour event.
He finished 1.5 points ahead of Uzbekistan’s Javokhir Sindarov.
Praggnanandhaa secured the title with one round remaining.
In nine blitz rounds, he recorded three wins, five draws and one loss.
His victory earned him $50,000 and 13 Grand Chess Tour points.
Key Fact: Praggnanandhaa defeated Sindarov by a 1.5-point margin.

Boleng To Host Asian Rafting Championships In October

Boleng in Arunachal Pradesh’s Siang district will host the Asian Rafting Championships 2026.
The championship will be held from October 5 to 9, 2026.
Events will take place on the Simang River, a Class III+ tributary of the Siang River.
Teams from across Asia will participate in the five-day international competition.
Competitions will include Sprint, Raft Cross and Slalom.
The event aims to promote adventure tourism, eco-tourism and sports development.
Key Fact: The Siang River is the upper course of the Brahmaputra.

Important Days News

National Handloom Day 2026 Celebrates India’s Rich Weaving Heritage

National Handloom Day is observed annually on 7 August.
The day honours India’s handloom heritage and the contribution of weavers and artisans.
It commemorates the Swadeshi Movement, launched on August 7, 1905.
The first National Handloom Day was observed in 2015.
The day promotes traditional weaving, sustainable textiles, rural employment and women artisan empowerment.
Major Indian handloom traditions include Banarasi, Kanchipuram, Jamdani, Sambalpuri, Pochampally and Gujarat’s Bandhani.
Key Fact: The Swadeshi Movement began on 7 August 1905 at Calcutta Town Hall.