Daily Current Affairs & GK – 21 August 2026
Here is the Daily Current Affairs and GK for 21 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
Supreme Court reduces legal-practice requirement for entry-level judicial exams
The Supreme Court modified its May 2025 decision and reduced the mandatory legal-practice requirement for candidates appearing in entry-level judicial service examinations from three years to one year. Candidates covered by examinations notified between 25 May 2025 and 31 March 2027 will remain eligible irrespective of prior experience. Selected candidates will undergo training and structured clerkship as prescribed by the court.
High Court of Jammu & Kashmir to get a Bench in Ladakh
The Union Cabinet approved the establishment of a Bench of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh in Ladakh, aimed at improving access to justice for people in the Union Territory.
India reviews H1N1 influenza preparedness
Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda reviewed H1N1 influenza preparedness, particularly in Delhi. The review covered surveillance, influenza-like illness and severe acute respiratory infection trends, testing, laboratory surveillance and preparedness of healthcare facilities.
India and UK hold 25th Defence Consultative Group meeting
India and the United Kingdom held the 25th India–UK Defence Consultative Group meeting in New Delhi. Discussions covered defence-industrial cooperation, research and development under the India–UK Vision 2035, the Ten-Year Defence Industrial Roadmap, military exchanges and maritime security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.
National Road Safety Board and NHAI review highway safety
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and National Road Safety Board reviewed road-safety systems on the National Highway network, focusing on institutional coordination, technology, engineering measures and improved safety standards.
Government warns against fake India Post prize survey
The PIB Fact Check Unit debunked a fraudulent online survey falsely using the name of India Post and promising a ₹20,000 cash prize. The government said the exercise was a phishing attempt designed to obtain personal information.
India signs $230 million ADB loan for Chennai water and sanitation
The Government of India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a $230 million loan agreement for the Chennai Climate-Resilient Water Security and Sewerage Project. The project will modernise water and sewerage infrastructure and improve climate resilience in Chennai.
International
U.S. imposes fresh sanctions on Hezbollah-linked network
The United States announced fresh sanctions against individuals alleged by the U.S. Treasury Department to be involved in a financial network linked to Hezbollah and Iran. News On AIR reported that the United States also redesignated Hezbollah as an Iranian proxy.
Somali piracy incidents raise maritime security concerns
News On AIR reported two ship hijackings within four days off the waters of Somalia and Yemen, highlighting renewed concerns about maritime piracy amid regional instability.
Zambia: Hakainde Hichilema re-elected
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Hakainde Hichilema on his re-election as President of Zambia and highlighted the India–Zambia partnership. Hichilema had secured a second term in the August 2026 election.
India–Japan strategic engagement
Japan's Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his official visit to India. Discussions included strengthening the India–Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership.
Economy and Banking
India's foreign exchange reserves rise to $716.9 billion
India's foreign exchange reserves increased to $716.9 billion for the week ended 14 August 2026, according to data reported by Reuters. The increase of nearly $10 billion over the previous week was supported by higher foreign currency assets and gold holdings.
Unincorporated sector records 9.2% year-on-year growth
According to the Quarterly Bulletin of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises (QBUSE) for April–June 2026, the estimated number of establishments in the unincorporated non-agricultural sector reached 8.67 crore, registering 9.2% year-on-year growth. Employment in the sector was estimated at 13.70 crore.
RBI Central Board reviews economic situation
The 624th meeting of the RBI Central Board, chaired by Governor Sanjay Malhotra, reviewed the domestic and global economic situation and risks to India's economic outlook. The Board also reviewed the functioning of RBI committees and the Ombudsman Scheme.
ADB project to modernise Chennai's water infrastructure
The $230 million ADB-backed project will expand and modernise water and sewerage infrastructure in Chennai. The project includes more than 170 km of water-supply and sewer pipes, upgrades to seven water pumping stations and 38 sewer pumping stations, and digital monitoring systems.
Appointments
S. Somanath appointed to RBI Central Board
Former ISRO Chairman S. Somanath Sreedhara Panicker was appointed as a part-time, non-official director on the Central Board of the Reserve Bank of India for four years, effective 20 August 2026.
Anand Mahindra reappointed to RBI Central Board
Anand Gopal Mahindra was also reappointed as a part-time, non-official director on the RBI Central Board for another four-year term, effective 20 August 2026.
Science and Technology
14th BRICS Science, Technology and Innovation Ministerial Meeting
The 14th BRICS Science, Technology and Innovation Ministerial Meeting began in Chennai. Union Minister of State Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted cooperation in science, technology and innovation under India's 2026 BRICS Chairship.
Terrier Cyber Quest 2026 launched
The Indian Army's Territorial Army, in collaboration with CyberPeace, launched Terrier Cyber Quest 2026 (TCQ 3.0), a national-level hackathon focusing on defence cybersecurity and emerging information-domain challenges.
The competition includes:
Bug Hunting
AI Kavach
Creators Challenge
Registrations are open until 31 August 2026.
India and Brazil sign telecom and ICT cooperation MoU
India and Brazil signed a Memorandum of Understanding on telecommunications and ICT cooperation on the sidelines of the BRICS ICT Track in Pune. Areas covered include AI, 5G and 6G, Open RAN, IoT, direct-to-device connectivity, LEO satellites, cybersecurity and digital infrastructure.
12th BRICS Communications Ministers' Meeting
India hosted the 12th BRICS Communications Ministers' Meeting in Pune under the theme “Innovate, Cooperate and Transform (ICT) for a Resilient Future.” The discussions focused on resilient digital ecosystems, cybersecurity, digital skilling and innovation.
PM interacts with space start-ups
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met founders and CEOs of 20 space start-ups in New Delhi and discussed the wider application of space technology for improving people's lives.
Sports and Culture
Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand enter BWF World Championship semifinals
Indian women's doubles pair Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand defeated China's fourth-seeded Jia Yi Fan and Zhang Shu Xian 16-21, 21-15, 21-13 to reach the semifinals of the BWF World Championships in New Delhi. The victory assured India a medal in the women's doubles event.
Kajal Dhochak wins second consecutive U20 World Wrestling title
India's Kajal Dhochak won her second consecutive U20 World Wrestling Championship title in the women's 76 kg category, defeating China's Jingru Sun 7-0 in the final.
Tanu Sharma won silver in the 72 kg category, while Savita also claimed silver in the 62 kg category.
India women lose to Netherlands in Hockey World Cup
India's women's hockey team lost 0-2 to the Netherlands in the second pool phase of the FIH Women's World Cup 2026.
BRICS Tourism Ministers adopt Jaipur Declaration
BRICS Tourism Ministers meeting in Jaipur adopted the BRICS Tourism Ministers' Communiqué 2026, also called the Jaipur Declaration. The declaration provides a framework for tourism cooperation among participating BRICS members under India's 2026 chairship.
Awards and Recognition
National Teachers Awards 2026
President Droupadi Murmu is scheduled to confer the National Teachers Awards on 48 school teachers at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, on 5 September 2026. The awards recognise outstanding contributions to school education.
AgriStack and e-Jagriti recognised under National Awards for e-Governance
The AgriStack initiative of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare and e-Jagriti of the Ministry of Consumer Affairs were highlighted as National Award-winning initiatives under the Central Level Initiatives category of the National Awards for e-Governance 2026.
Obituary
Sowcar Janaki passes away at 94
Veteran South Indian actress Sowcar Janaki, whose birth name was Sankaramanchi Janaki, passed away in Chennai at the age of 94. She worked across Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam cinema and appeared in nearly 400 films during a career spanning several decades.
Odia singer Pranab Patnaik dies at 88
Legendary Odia playback singer Pranab Patnaik passed away in Bhubaneswar at the age of 88. He had a career spanning more than five decades and sang for more than 200 films. He was a seven-time Odisha State Film Award winner and recipient of the Jayadev Puraskar.
Days Observed
International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism
The United Nations observes 21 August as the International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism. The 2026 theme was “Healing through Memory.” The day honours victims and survivors of terrorism and promotes their rights and dignity.
World Senior Citizens Day
World Senior Citizens Day is observed on 21 August to highlight the contributions, dignity, welfare and rights of older people.
Static GK for Exam Preparations
| Topic | Key Fact |
|---|---|
| Reserve Bank of India | Established on 1 April 1935 under the RBI Act, 1934 |
| RBI Central Board | Apex governing body of the Reserve Bank of India |
| ADB | Headquarters: Manila, Philippines |
| Wildlife Protection Act | The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 is India's principal wildlife conservation legislation |
| BRICS 2026 | India is the BRICS Chair for 2026 |
| BWF World Championships | Global badminton championship organised by the Badminton World Federation |
| U20 World Wrestling | World championship competition for wrestlers in the Under-20 age category |
| ISRO | Headquarters: Bengaluru, Karnataka |
| Jaipur | Capital of Rajasthan |
| Chennai | Capital of Tamil Nadu |
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