Daily Current Affairs & GK – 13 August 2026
Here is the Daily Current Affairs and GK for 13 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 and culture, awards and recognition, important days and static GK.
National
1. Monsoon Session of Parliament adjourned sine die
The Monsoon Session of Parliament 2026 was adjourned sine die on 13 August 2026.
The session began on 20 July 2026 and had 19 sittings over 25 days. During the session, 11 Bills were introduced in the Lok Sabha and two in the Rajya Sabha. A total of 12 Bills were passed by both Houses.
Two important measures replacing ordinances promulgated before the session—the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Ordinance, 2026 and the Income-Tax (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026—were also considered and passed by both Houses.
Exam Point: Sine die means that a legislative session is adjourned without fixing a date for its next sitting.
2. Revamped India Code Portal launched
Union Minister for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal launched the revamped India Code Portal at Kartavya Bhavan 2, New Delhi.
The upgraded portal introduces AI-assisted search, semantic search, speech search, improved navigation and multilingual access, making central legislation easier for citizens to access.
Exam Point: India Code provides access to central Acts and other legislative information.
3. 508 Eklavya Model Residential Schools functional
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs informed Parliament that 508 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs) were functional across India as of 13 August 2026.
Among the states, Odisha had 47 functional EMRSs, while Chhattisgarh had 75 and Madhya Pradesh 71. Karnataka had 12 and Kerala four functional schools.
4. Centralised recruitment for EMRS staff
The government stated that 9,111 teaching and non-teaching staff had already been recruited for EMRSs, while examinations had been conducted for another 7,267 positions.
Recruitment is carried out through the EMRS Staff Selection Examination (ESSE).
5. Financial support approved for Rajasthan and Telangana agriculture
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan approved financial allocations of ₹340.59 crore for Rajasthan and ₹265.12 crore for Telangana under agricultural schemes including the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PM-RKVY) and Krishonnati Yojana.
6. India achieves major progress towards climate targets
According to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, India's emissions intensity of GDP declined by 37.38% in 2022 from the 2005 level.
The share of non-fossil sources in installed electricity capacity crossed 50% in June 2025, achieving India's corresponding NDC target five years ahead of the 2030 deadline.
As of 30 June 2026, non-fossil sources accounted for 54.18% of India's installed electricity capacity.
7. 80th Independence Day preparations at Red Fort
Preparations for India's 80th Independence Day celebrations were highlighted on 13 August.
The 2026 celebrations are associated with the commemoration of 150 years of Vande Mataram and the theme of Yuva Shakti for Viksit Bharat@2047.
International
1. Russia strikes Ukraine's Danube port
Russia struck Izmail, Ukraine's largest Danube grain-shipment port, according to Reuters reporting.
The attack damaged port infrastructure and disrupted operations. Izmail is an important outlet for Ukrainian grain and other commodities, making developments around the port relevant to global food and commodity supply chains.
2. Ukraine attacks Russia's Black Sea port of Novorossiysk
Ukraine carried out a major attack on Novorossiysk, a major Russian Black Sea port.
The attack reportedly hit naval facilities and affected grain terminals. Novorossiysk is an important export hub, particularly for Russian grain.
3. Oil spill reaches Oman's coastline
A large oil spill from a leaking tanker reached Oman's coastline, raising concerns about marine pollution and the potential environmental impact on the region.
The incident was among the major international developments reported by Reuters on 13 August.
4. Yemen faces renewed conflict risks
The United Nations warned that Yemen faced its highest risk of major conflict since the 2022 truce, amid renewed regional tensions.
The development remained significant for Red Sea security and international shipping.
Economy and Banking
1. India's retail inflation rises to 4.45%
India's CPI-based retail inflation increased to 4.45% in July 2026, compared with 4.38% in June.
Food inflation rose to 5.52% from 5.32% in June. The July headline inflation rate remained within the RBI's tolerance band of 2%–6%, though it was above the medium-term target of 4%.
Exam Point:
CPI inflation target: 4%
Tolerance band: 2%–6%
July 2026 CPI inflation: 4.45%
July 2026 food inflation: 5.52%
2. IIP records strong growth
The Index of Industrial Production (IIP) recorded 7.3% growth in June 2026, compared with 5% in May.
According to SBI Research, the improvement was supported by industrial activity and strong domestic demand.
3. SBI Research projects strong Q1 FY27 growth
SBI Research projected India's GDP growth at around 8% for the first quarter of FY 2026–27, based on its nowcasting model using high-frequency economic indicators.
The report highlighted domestic passenger vehicle sales, consumer credit and electricity demand among indicators supporting the assessment.
4. Tata Sons leadership development
Reports on 13 August said N. Chandrasekaran would step down as Chairman of Tata Sons when his current tenure ends in February 2027.
The development is relevant to corporate governance and business leadership in India. Tata's official profile identifies Chandrasekaran as Chairman of Tata Sons, a position he has held since 2017.
Appointments
Leadership change at Tata Sons
N. Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Tata Sons, is scheduled to complete his current tenure in February 2027, according to reports on the company's future leadership transition.
Science and Technology
1. India Code Portal introduces AI-assisted legal search
The revamped India Code Portal uses modern digital technologies including AI-assisted search, semantic search and speech search.
The initiative is intended to make legal information easier to locate and access in multiple languages.
2. India receives strong response for rare-earth permanent magnet manufacturing
The Ministry of Heavy Industries received 20 bids under the scheme to promote domestic manufacturing of sintered rare-earth permanent magnets (REPM).
The initiative focuses on developing an integrated domestic manufacturing ecosystem for sintered NdFeB rare-earth permanent magnets, which are important for electric vehicles, renewable-energy systems and several advanced technologies.
3. India expands non-fossil electricity capacity
India's non-fossil sources accounted for 54.18% of installed electricity capacity as of 30 June 2026.
The government also reported a 37.38% reduction in GDP emissions intensity between 2005 and 2022.
4. Financial and Economic Security programme launched
The Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU), in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA), launched the second cohort of its Master's in Financial and Economic Security (MFES) programme.
The programme focuses on financial and economic security and its relationship with national security and economic resilience.
Sports and Culture
1. India tops Commonwealth Fencing Championship medal tally
India finished at the top of the overall medal table at the Commonwealth Fencing Championship 2026 in Lagos, Nigeria.
The Indian contingent won 35 medals:
Gold – 13
Silver – 8
Bronze – 14
India won five of the six team-event gold medals contested during the championship.
2. Indian para-cyclists win medals in Denmark
Indian para-cyclists secured 12 medals at the UCI Parasport Denmark Grand Prix, according to current-affairs reports covering 13 August.
3. India prepares for Sri Lanka Test series
The Indian men's cricket team held a training session at Galle International Stadium ahead of the first Test against Sri Lanka, scheduled to begin on 15 August.
Captain Shubman Gill and members of the Indian squad took part in batting, fielding and fitness preparations.
4. Sangeet Natak Akademi honours India's performing artists
President Droupadi Murmu conferred the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship and Awards for 2024 and 2025 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.
A total of 115 artists were honoured across music, dance, drama, folk and tribal arts, puppetry and allied performing arts.
Awards and Recognition
1. Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship and Awards 2024–25
President Droupadi Murmu conferred the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship (Akademi Ratna) and Akademi Puraskar for 2024 and 2025.
The honours covered 115 artists, including seven Akademi Fellows and 108 Akademi Award recipients.
The seven Fellows were:
Ramlal Bareth
A. V. Anand
Rita Ganguly
Puru Dadheech
Chittaranjan Jyotishi
Pasumarthi Rattaiah Sarma
Sudharani Raghupathy
Award value:
Akademi Ratna Fellowship – ₹3 lakh, Tamrapatra and Angavastram
Akademi Puraskar – ₹1 lakh, Tamrapatra and Angavastram
2. Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards – important fact
The Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards have been conferred since 1952 and recognise outstanding contributions to India's performing arts.
Days Observed
World Organ Donation Day – 13 August
World Organ Donation Day is observed on 13 August to promote awareness about organ donation and encourage people to consider registering as organ donors.
Exam Point: Organ donation can help save or significantly improve the lives of patients suffering from organ failure.
Static GK for Exam Preparations
1. India Code Portal
Official platform for accessing Indian central legislation.
Revamped in 2026 with AI-assisted and semantic search features.
Speech search and multilingual access have also been introduced.
2. Eklavya Model Residential Schools
Full form: EMRS
Ministry: Ministry of Tribal Affairs
Target group: Students belonging primarily to Scheduled Tribes
Schools provide residential education and aim to improve educational opportunities in tribal areas.
Functional EMRSs as reported on 13 August 2026: 508.
3. Sangeet Natak Akademi
National academy for music, dance and drama.
Awards are known as Akademi Puraskar.
Fellowship is known as Akademi Ratna.
The Akademi Awards have been conferred since 1952.
4. India's Nationally Determined Contributions
India's NDC includes three major quantitative targets:
Reduction in the emissions intensity of GDP.
Increasing the share of non-fossil fuel-based energy in installed electricity capacity.
Creation of an additional carbon sink through forest and tree cover.
As of June 2026, non-fossil sources accounted for 54.18% of India's installed electricity capacity.
5. Index of Industrial Production
Abbreviation: IIP
Measures changes in industrial output.
Major sectors: Mining, Manufacturing and Electricity.
Manufacturing has the largest weight in the IIP.
June 2026 growth: 7.3%.
6. Rare-Earth Permanent Magnets
Common advanced magnet technology: NdFeB – Neodymium-Iron-Boron
Used in electric motors, renewable-energy systems and other high-technology applications.
India received 20 bids under its domestic REPM manufacturing scheme in August 2026.
7. Indian Organ Donation System
India promotes organ donation through national awareness programmes and institutional mechanisms.
Exam relevance: Organ donation is connected with transplantation medicine, public health, biomedical ethics and the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act, 1994.
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