Daily Current Affairs & GK – 11 August 2026 | UPSC, SSC, Banking, RRB
National
1. Parliament passes Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026
Parliament passed the Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026. The Rajya Sabha returned the Money Bill to the Lok Sabha after discussion, following which the legislative process was completed.
Exam point: A Money Bill can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha has a limited role in relation to Money Bills.
2. President gives assent to Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026
President Droupadi Murmu gave assent to the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026. The amendment extends statutory protection under the relevant law to Vande Mataram, alongside the existing protection relating to the National Anthem.
3. India expands international entry points for e-Visa holders
The Government notified 11 additional international ports for entry by foreign nationals holding Indian e-Visas. The notification includes nine land ports and two airports, including airports at Bhopal and Tirupati and land ports such as Attari and Agartala.
4. More than 10.33 crore Farmer IDs created
The government informed Parliament that more than 10.33 crore Farmer IDs had been created across India. Farmer IDs are intended to facilitate integration with agricultural schemes and services, including DBT-linked programmes.
5. PM-Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana crosses 50 lakh beneficiary households
More than 50 lakh households have benefited from the PM-Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana since its launch in February 2024, according to information provided by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
6. Kharif crop area crosses 967 lakh hectares
The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare reported that the area covered under Kharif crops exceeded 967 lakh hectares as of 7 August 2026. Rice accounted for more than 344 lakh hectares, while oilseeds covered more than 180 lakh hectares.
7. MSME Ministry and DPIIT sign MoU on GI products
The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) and DPIIT signed an MoU aimed at improving commercialisation and global market access for India's Geographical Indication (GI) products.
8. Hilsa returns to upper reaches of the Ganga
The Hilsa (Tenualosa ilisha) has been recorded again in the middle and upper stretches of the Ganga, including near Tanda Khurd in Chandauli district, Uttar Pradesh. The development has been highlighted as an important milestone in river restoration, aquatic biodiversity conservation and fisheries livelihoods.
9. India-US Navy EOD Exercise 2026
The India-US Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Exercise 2026 began at the Southern Naval Command in Kochi and is scheduled to continue until 14 August. The exercise focuses on enhancing interoperability and professional cooperation between the two navies.
International
1. Lebanon abolishes death penalty
Lebanon's Parliament approved legislation abolishing the death penalty, replacing it with life imprisonment with aggravated hard labour, according to Akashvani's international news coverage.
2. North Korea conducts another ballistic missile launch
North Korea launched a ballistic missile from the Wonsan area toward waters off the Korean Peninsula. South Korean and Japanese authorities reported a flight distance of approximately 700 km. The launch occurred ahead of the planned US-South Korea Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises.
3. Maritime security tensions affect global shipping
An attack on a cargo vessel in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait resulted in deaths among crew members and rescuers, highlighting continuing risks to commercial shipping in the Red Sea region. Reuters reported that shipping traffic through the Bab el-Mandeb and Red Sea had fallen substantially amid the continuing regional conflict.
Economy and Banking
1. Fitch affirms India's sovereign rating
Fitch Ratings affirmed India's sovereign rating at BBB- with a stable outlook, citing India's growth prospects and macroeconomic factors.
2. Indian rupee closes lower against US dollar
The Indian rupee ended 11 August at around ₹95.435 per US dollar, compared with ₹95.30 on the previous trading day, according to Reuters reporting.
3. Indian stock market opens lower amid crude oil concerns
Indian equities opened marginally lower on 11 August, with the Nifty and Sensex each down about 0.2% in early trading. Higher crude oil prices were among the factors affecting market sentiment.
4. Indian Bank expands MSME credit outreach
Indian Bank sanctioned nearly ₹500 crore in MSME loans to 128 beneficiaries during a credit outreach programme connected with its 120th Foundation Day celebrations. The bank also mobilised credit proposals worth about ₹1,250 crore.
5. Digital banking records receive stronger legal recognition
Parliament's passage of the Bankers' Books Evidence Bill, 2026, was reported by News On AIR on 10 August. The legislation seeks to modernise the legal framework governing banking records in line with digital banking practices.
Appointments
1. Dr Srinivasa Kumar Tummala assumes charge as Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences
Dr Srinivasa Kumar Tummala assumed charge as Secretary of the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) on 11 August 2026. The ministry deals with areas including meteorology, ocean science, seismology and related Earth-system sciences.
2. Rahul Navin – Enforcement Directorate
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved a one-year extension for Rahul Navin as Director of the Enforcement Directorate, extending his tenure beyond August 2026.
3. Tewolde Gebremariam – Air India
Air India announced the appointment of Tewolde Gebremariam, former CEO of Ethiopian Airlines Group, as its CEO and Managing Director on 5 August 2026. The appointment remained an important aviation-sector leadership development during the period.
Science and Technology
1. Rare Earth Corridor and marine science roadmap for Odisha
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh outlined an integrated science and technology roadmap for Odisha involving the proposed Rare Earth Corridor, marine biotechnology, space capabilities and the state's scientific institutions.
2. ICMR launches SHINE 2026
The second edition of ICMR-SHINE (Science and Health Innovation for NextGen Explorers) began on 11 August. Around 30,000 school students are expected to participate across 83 ICMR locations on 11–12 August, giving students exposure to health research and laboratories.
3. Light-activated nanobots for targeted cancer therapy
Researchers from Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Mohali and BARC, Mumbai developed light-activated multifunctional nanobots aimed at more targeted delivery of therapy for breast cancer. The research was reported in ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces.
4. CSIR-NBRI's ‘Prakriti Gyan Dham’
The first-of-its-kind CSIR-NBRI Eco-Educational Hub, Prakriti Gyan Dham, was dedicated to the nation. It is designed to connect scientific knowledge with public engagement and includes facilities highlighting plant diversity and threatened species.
5. NFSU expands its campus network
The Government has approved 14 additional campuses of the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) in different parts of India. NFSU was established under an Act of Parliament in 2020 as an Institution of National Importance.
Sports and Culture
1. India wins 17 medals at U-23 Commonwealth Fencing Championship
India won 17 medals, including four gold medals, on the opening day of the U-23 Commonwealth Fencing Championship in Lagos, Nigeria.
The medal tally consisted of:
- Gold – 4
- Silver – 4
- Bronze – 9
Indian fencers reached the podium in all six individual events across Sabre, Foil and Epee.
2. Khudiram Bose remembered on 119th martyrdom anniversary
The nation paid tribute to freedom fighter Khudiram Bose on his 119th martyrdom anniversary. He was executed by the British at Muzaffarpur on 11 August 1908, at the age of 18.
Exam fact: Khudiram Bose is among the youngest revolutionaries to be executed during India's freedom struggle.
Awards and Recognition
1. Deepak Dhar named co-recipient of 2026 Dirac Medal
Indian theoretical physicist Deepak Dhar was named a co-recipient of the 2026 Dirac Medal by the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) for contributions to theoretical physics and statistical mechanics.
2. Kroll Celebrity Brand Valuation 2025
The 11th edition of the Kroll Celebrity Brand Valuation report placed Shah Rukh Khan's estimated brand value at US$177.9 million for 2025. The combined estimated brand value of India's top 25 celebrities was about US$2 billion.
3. Kerala Sree – M.P. Parameswaran
Indian nuclear scientist and science communicator M.P. Parameswaran, who died on 11 August, had received the Kerala Sree Award in 2022 for his contributions to science popularisation.
Obituary
M.P. Parameswaran passes away
Renowned Indian nuclear scientist, science communicator, writer and people's science activist M.P. Parameswaran passed away on 11 August 2026 in Thrissur, Kerala.
He worked at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) from 1957 to 1975 and subsequently devoted much of his work to science popularisation and public education. He was closely associated with the Kerala Sastra Sahitya Parishad and the people's science movement.
Exam point: M.P. Parameswaran was associated with BARC and the Kerala Sastra Sahitya Parishad and received the Kerala Sree Award in 2022.
Days Observed
World Steelpan Day – 11 August
World Steelpan Day is observed annually on 11 August to recognise the cultural and historical significance of the steelpan and its contribution to music and cultural heritage.
Static GK for Exam Preparations
1. Geographical Indication (GI)
- GI identifies goods originating from a specific geographical region.
- India enacted the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999.
- The Act came into force in 2003.
- GI registration in India is administered by the Geographical Indications Registry, headquartered in Chennai.
2. PM-Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana
- Launched: February 2024
- Ministry: Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
- Main focus: Rooftop solar power for households
- The scheme is linked with India's clean-energy and distributed renewable-energy objectives.
3. Hilsa
- Scientific name: Tenualosa ilisha
- Family: Clupeidae
- It is an important anadromous fish associated with the Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna river system.
- It migrates between marine and freshwater environments.
4. National Forensic Sciences University
- Established through an Act of Parliament in 2020.
- Headquarters: Gandhinagar, Gujarat
- It focuses on forensic science, criminology, law, behavioural sciences and related fields.
5. Dirac Medal
- Awarded by: International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP)
- Named after physicist Paul Dirac.
- Awarded for significant contributions to theoretical physics.
- First awarded in 1985.
6. Khudiram Bose
- Born: 3 December 1889
- Executed: 11 August 1908
- Associated with the revolutionary movement in Bengal.
- Muzaffarpur bombing incident: 30 April 1908.
7. Important Defence Exercise
- India–US Navy EOD Exercise 2026
- Venue: Southern Naval Command, Kochi
- Focus: Explosive Ordnance Disposal and interoperability.
- Dates: 10–14 August 2026.
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