Daily Current Affairs & GK – 12 August 2026
Here is the Daily Current Affairs and GK for 12 August 2026, prepared for UPSC, SSC, IBPS, Banking, RRB, NTPC, State PSC and other competitive examinations. These updates focus on important national and international developments, economy and banking, appointments, science and technology, sports, awards, important days and static GK.
National
1. Parliament passes Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026
Parliament passed the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026, with the Rajya Sabha approving the legislation on 12 August. The Lok Sabha had passed the Bill on 11 August.
The legislation seeks to change the name of the state from Kerala to Keralam in the First Schedule of the Constitution.
Exam Point: A change in the name of a state involves amendment of the First Schedule of the Constitution.
2. Lok Sabha passes Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026
The Lok Sabha passed the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026. The Bill seeks to further amend the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957.
Exam Point: The MMDR Act, 1957 provides the principal legal framework for regulation of mining and development of minerals in India.
3. National Co-operative Development Corporation Amendment Bill passed
Parliament passed the National Co-operative Development Corporation (NCDC) Amendment Bill, 2026, with the Rajya Sabha approving the legislation on 12 August after it had already been passed by the Lok Sabha.
The amendment seeks to strengthen the framework for funding and development of the cooperative sector.
4. Supreme Court asks 19 States and UTs to consider declaring cancer a notifiable disease
The Supreme Court asked the remaining 19 States and Union Territories to consider declaring cancer a notifiable disease.
The move is aimed at improving cancer surveillance, early detection and planning of healthcare services.
Exam Point: A notifiable disease is one that health authorities require healthcare providers to report to government agencies.
5. India and Nepal sign MoUs for eight development projects
India and Nepal signed Memoranda of Understanding for eight development projects in the fields of education, health and agriculture.
The projects are being implemented using Indian grant assistance, with the total estimated value reported at around ₹80 crore.
6. Railways approves Kavach Version 4.0
Indian Railways approved the deployment of Kavach Version 4.0 on 660 route kilometres of the Izzatnagar Division of North Eastern Railway.
The estimated cost of the project is ₹295 crore.
Exam Point: Kavach is India's indigenous Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system designed to improve railway safety.
7. 89% of reserved railway tickets booked online
Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed Parliament that around 89% of reserved railway tickets are now booked online, compared with approximately 49% in 2013–14.
The Railways has also launched the RailOne App to provide multiple railway-related services through a single digital platform.
8. Har Ghar Tiranga Bike Rally held in New Delhi
A Har Ghar Tiranga Bike Rally 2026 was flagged off from Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, by Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan.
The rally was organised as part of the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign and was associated with the commemoration of 150 years of Vande Mataram.
9. Project Elephant highlighted on World Elephant Day
Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav highlighted the importance of Project Elephant in elephant conservation, habitat protection and promoting coexistence between elephants and local communities. India has 33 Elephant Reserves across 14 States. Government sources highlighted that India is home to more than 60% of the world's wild Asian elephant population. The country has established Elephant Reserves to protect elephant habitats and migration corridors.
International
1. North Korea launches ballistic missile
North Korea launched a ballistic missile towards the sea off the Korean Peninsula's east coast on 12 August, according to South Korean authorities.
The missile appeared to have landed outside Japan's Exclusive Economic Zone. The launch came ahead of planned US-South Korea joint military exercises.
Exam Point: The capital of North Korea is Pyongyang.
2. Major earthquake strikes Colombia
A 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck Colombia, with rescue operations continuing in the aftermath.
Reuters reported that rescue teams were searching for survivors in collapsed buildings in Cali, one of the country's major cities.
Exam Point: Colombia is located in northwestern South America and has coastlines on both the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea.
3. International Youth Day observed globally
International Youth Day was observed on 12 August. The 2026 theme was “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations.”
The day focuses on recognising the contribution of young people and highlighting issues affecting youth worldwide.
Economy and Banking
1. India's retail inflation rises to 4.45%
India's retail inflation based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased to 4.45% in July 2026, compared with 4.38% in June.
Food inflation increased to 5.52%, from 5.32% in the previous month. The July figure remained within the RBI's flexible inflation-targeting tolerance band of 2%–6%, while exceeding the medium-term target of 4%.
Exam Point:
CPI inflation target: 4%
Tolerance band: 2% to 6%
Inflation target framework is administered by the Reserve Bank of India.
2. India targets $30 trillion economy by 2047
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said India is working towards a vision of a $30 trillion economy by 2047.
Speaking at the Bharatiya Vyapari Mahotsav 2026 in New Delhi, he highlighted international trade, exports, recycling, reuse and the circular economy.
3. SEBI seeks Indian benchmarks for commodity markets
SEBI Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey called for commodity-market benchmarks and good-delivery standards that reflect Indian market conditions.
He was speaking at the Global Commodity Conclave on 12 August.
4. Municipalities receive relaxed reporting timelines from SEBI
SEBI relaxed the timelines applicable to municipalities having listed municipal debt securities for submitting financial results to stock exchanges.
The revised framework is intended to provide greater flexibility within the regulatory reporting framework.
Science and Technology
1. ICMR-SHINE 2026
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) conducted ICMR-SHINE 2026 – Science & Health Innovation for the NextGen Explorers on 11–12 August.
The programme at ICMR-NIRBID, Mumbai, exposed Class IX–XII students to biomedical research, laboratory facilities and health sciences.
A total of 193 students participated in the two-day programme at the Mumbai institute.
Exam Point: ICMR is India's apex body for the formulation, coordination and promotion of biomedical research.
2. Dr Vikram Sarabhai remembered on birth anniversary
The nation remembered renowned scientist and space pioneer Dr Vikram Sarabhai on his birth anniversary on 12 August.
Sarabhai is widely regarded as the father of the Indian space programme and played a foundational role in establishing India's space research institutions. Akashvani reported tributes from the Lok Sabha Speaker, Defence Minister and Science and Technology Minister.
Static GK:
Vikram Sarabhai – Founder of India's space programme
ISRO – Indian Space Research Organisation
Birth: 12 August 1919
Sports and Culture
1. Sports Ministry suspends TTFI recognition
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports suspended recognition of the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) on 12 August.
The Ministry also asked the Indian Olympic Association to constitute an ad-hoc committee to administer the sport, citing governance-related issues.
2. R. Praggnanandhaa defeats Javokhir Sindarov
Indian Grandmaster R. Praggnanandhaa defeated Uzbekistan's Javokhir Sindarov in the second round of the Sinquefield Cup in St. Louis, United States.
The victory was Praggnanandhaa's first in that edition of the tournament.
3. Chess at Esports World Cup
The Chess competition at the Esports World Cup 2026 began with 16 leading players.
Indian Grandmasters Arjun Erigaisi, Nihal Sarin and Pranesh M were among the Indian players participating in the competition.
4. Handloom sector highlighted
Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh called for greater use of modern technology, market-oriented designs and stronger industry linkages in India's handloom sector.
The remarks were made at the first Annual Conclave of the Indian Institute of Handloom Technology.
Awards and Recognition
1. Vikram Sarabhai's contribution to Indian science remembered
On his birth anniversary, Dr Vikram Sarabhai's contributions to India's scientific and space programme were recalled by senior constitutional and government functionaries.
Exam Point: Sarabhai received the Padma Bhushan in 1966 and the Padma Vibhushan posthumously in 1972.
Days Observed
1. International Youth Day – 12 August
International Youth Day is observed every year on 12 August.
The United Nations began observing International Youth Day in 2000.
2026 Theme: “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations.”
2. World Elephant Day – 12 August
World Elephant Day is observed annually on 12 August to raise awareness about elephant conservation and the threats facing elephant populations.
India is home to more than 60% of the world's wild Asian elephants and has 33 Elephant Reserves across 14 States.
Static GK for Exam Preparations
1. Vikram Sarabhai
Full name: Vikram Ambalal Sarabhai
Born: 12 August 1919
Known as: Father of the Indian Space Programme
Institution associated with him: Physical Research Laboratory (PRL)
Major role: Establishment and development of India's space research programme.
2. Project Elephant
Launched: 1992
Ministry: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Objective: Conservation of elephants, their habitats and migration corridors.
Elephant Reserves in India: 33 as highlighted by the government in 2026.
3. International Youth Day
Date: 12 August
First observed: 2000
Organisation: United Nations
2026 theme: Different Contexts, Common Aspirations.
4. Kavach
Developed for: Indian Railways
Type: Automatic Train Protection system
Purpose: Improve railway safety and help prevent train collisions.
Kavach Version 4.0 was approved for 660 route kilometres of Izzatnagar Division in August 2026.
5. SEBI
Full form: Securities and Exchange Board of India
Established: 1988
Became a statutory body: 1992
Headquarters: Mumbai
Main role: Regulation and development of India's securities market.
6. Kerala – Keralam
The Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026 seeks to change the constitutional name of the state from Kerala to Keralam.
The change requires modification of the First Schedule of the Constitution. Parliament passed the Bill on 12 August 2026.
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