Daily Current Affairs & GK – 26 August 2026
Here is the Daily Current Affairs and GK for 26 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. e-Shram Portal completes five years
The e-Shram Portal completed five years on 26 August 2026. It was launched on 26 August 2021 by the Ministry of Labour and Employment to create a national database of unorganised workers.
According to the government, more than 31.89 crore registrations had been recorded. Each registered worker receives a 12-digit Universal Account Number (UAN). The portal has also evolved into a one-stop digital platform linking workers with social-security, employment, skilling, apprenticeship and pension-related services.
2. India offers humanitarian support to Nepal after floods
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Nepal's Prime Minister Balendra Shah regarding the flood situation in Nepal and expressed condolences over the loss of lives.
India reaffirmed its readiness to provide humanitarian assistance, while Indian disaster-management teams coordinated with Nepalese authorities for rescue and relief operations.
3. India strengthens cooperation with Seychelles in fisheries and blue economy
India and Seychelles held a high-level bilateral meeting on fisheries, aquaculture and the blue economy.
Discussions covered marine aquaculture, tuna fisheries, stock assessment, hatchery development, post-harvest technology, marine conservation and the use of Artificial Intelligence in fisheries management. Seychelles also expressed interest in a dedicated fisheries and aquaculture MoU.
4. Seventh India-Vietnam Coast Guard High-Level Meeting
The 7th High-Level Meeting between the Indian Coast Guard and Vietnam Coast Guard was held in Chennai on 25 August under the framework of the 2015 India-Vietnam Coast Guard cooperation MoU.
Areas discussed included maritime search and rescue, law enforcement, marine-pollution response and capacity building. The joint exercise SAHYOG-HOPTAC was scheduled for 27 August 2026.
5. Operation Clean Air in Ghaziabad
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) conducted an enforcement drive in Loni, Ghaziabad, under Operation Clean Air.
Twenty-eight industrial premises were inspected. Authorities found violations including absence of valid Consent to Operate, use of unapproved fuels and inadequate air-pollution-control equipment. Sixteen units were sealed, while show-cause and other notices were issued.
6. INS Sudarshini concludes Lisbon port call
Indian Navy sailing ship INS Sudarshini concluded a three-day diplomatic port visit to Lisbon, Portugal, as part of the Lokayan 26 transoceanic expedition.
The visit included professional exchanges with the Portuguese Navy and Naval Academy and promoted maritime cooperation between India and Portugal.
International
1. India-China continue dialogue on border issues
Following the 25th round of talks between India's National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, India and China reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace and stability along their shared border.
The two sides agreed to continue communication and seek a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable resolution of the boundary issue.
2. India-Morocco economic partnership strengthened
Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada concluded his official visit to Morocco after co-chairing the 7th India-Morocco Joint Commission.
India and Morocco agreed to work toward doubling bilateral trade within five years. A Joint Working Group will examine the possibility of a Preferential Trade Agreement and address tariff and non-tariff barriers. An MoU on food-safety cooperation between FSSAI and Morocco's ONSSA was also signed.
3. India-New Zealand defence cooperation
India and New Zealand continued discussions on maritime security, military training and defence cooperation under the bilateral strategic partnership framework. The engagement also highlighted the importance of cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.
4. India participates in UNCCD CoP17
At the 17th Conference of Parties of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, India emphasised community-led restoration of rangelands.
India highlighted the importance of pastoralist communities, scientific planning, biodiversity conservation, secure land tenure and sustainable land management.
Economy and Banking
1. SIDBI and Regional Rural Banks expand MSME co-lending
The Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) organised a conclave with the heads of all 28 Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) to expand the SIDBI-RRB MSME co-lending arrangement.
The initiative aims to combine SIDBI's expertise in MSME finance with the extensive rural and semi-urban network of RRBs. SIDBI has developed a digital end-to-end co-lending origination platform designed to make the credit process paperless and faster.
2. India-Japan startup cooperation
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal participated in the India-Japan Startup Roundtable in Tokyo.
India highlighted its position as the world's third-largest startup ecosystem and the establishment of nearly 2.5 lakh startups over the previous decade, according to the government. Goyal proposed deeper cooperation through a Japan-India Deep-Tech Capital Corridor, an innovation bridge, manufacturing and technology integration, and joint startup pitching platforms.
The government also proposed a second Fund of Funds of around US$1 billion focused on deep-tech enterprises.
3. ICAT issues first compliance certificate for 15-metre sleeper bus
The International Centre for Automotive Technology (ICAT) issued its first compliance certificate for a 15-metre multi-axle sleeper bus manufactured by Synaty Automotive Pvt. Ltd.
The certification was made under AIS-119 and AIS-153 within the Central Motor Vehicles Rules framework.
Appointments
Chandradeep Kumar Jha nominated to Central Bank of India Board
Chandradeep Kumar Jha, Statistical Advisor in the Ministry of Finance, was nominated as a Director on the Board of Central Bank of India. He replaced Baldeo Purushartha, with the appointment taking effect immediately until further orders.
Science and Technology
1. Sophie Adenot completes second spacewalk
European Space Agency astronaut Sophie Adenot and NASA astronaut Anil Menon successfully completed the second spacewalk involving Adenot on 25 August 2026.
The 6-hour-30-minute EVA-98 involved installation and activation of a spare Space-to-Ground Antenna (SGANT) on the International Space Station. It was Adenot's second spacewalk and the 32nd conducted by a European astronaut.
Adenot had earlier made history by becoming the first French woman to conduct a spacewalk during EVA-97 on 18 August 2026.
2. India-Japan cooperation in deep technology
The India-Japan startup discussions placed strong emphasis on AI, semiconductors, healthcare, space, defence, robotics and advanced manufacturing.
The proposed deep-tech capital corridor and Fund of Funds are aimed at improving access to investment and technology partnerships for high-technology startups.
3. AI and technology in fisheries
India and Seychelles discussed the deployment of Artificial Intelligence in fisheries management, including monitoring, control and surveillance systems and fisheries-data platforms. Such technologies can support better resource assessment and sustainable harvesting.
4. Creative technology scholarships by IICT and Netflix
The Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT) and Netflix announced scholarships for 100 students across six professional programmes in the AVGC-XR sector.
The scholarships provide up to 80% financial assistance and cover areas such as visual effects, interactive comics, virtual art departments, media technology, character animation and e-sports/gaming management.
Sports and Culture
1. India vs Sri Lanka: Sonal Dinusha scores century
In the second Test of the ICC World Test Championship 2025–27 at Colombo, Sri Lanka were bowled out for 290 after Sonal Dinusha scored 103 runs.
India, having made 503/9 declared, enforced the follow-on. At the close of Day 4, Sri Lanka had recovered to 229/6, holding a narrow 16-run lead.
Dinusha's century was his second of the series and followed scores of 100 and 84 in the first Test at Galle.
2. India exit men's Hockey World Cup semi-final race
India's men's hockey team lost 3–5 to Argentina in their final Pool E match of the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026.
India therefore missed the semi-finals and was scheduled to play Belgium in the 7th–8th place classification match.
3. Indian women's hockey team target historic finish
The Indian women's team prepared to face Germany in the 5th–6th place classification match.
Hockey India noted that the team had lost only once in five matches and had secured its best World Cup finish since its fourth-place finish at the inaugural women's Hockey World Cup in 1974, irrespective of the result against Germany.
4. India Open badminton 2028 to be held in Guwahati
The 2028 India Open Super 750 badminton tournament will be staged in Guwahati instead of New Delhi.
The temporary shift is linked to the scheduling of the tournament during the Republic Day period. The India Open is expected to return to New Delhi in 2029.
5. Onam celebrations
Onam, the major harvest festival of Kerala, was celebrated on 26 August 2026. Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended greetings and highlighted the festival's association with happiness, unity and prosperity.
6. Milad-un-Nabi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended greetings on the occasion of Milad-un-Nabi, highlighting values of togetherness, compassion and service to society.
Awards and Recognition
IICT-Netflix creative scholarship initiative
The scholarship initiative announced by the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies and Netflix recognises the importance of developing India's creative-technology workforce and provides financial support for 100 students.
The initiative covers six specialised AVGC-XR programmes and is designed to strengthen India's creative economy.
Days Observed
1. e-Shram Day / Five Years of e-Shram
26 August 2026 marked five years of the e-Shram Portal, launched on 26 August 2021 to create the National Database of Unorganised Workers.
2. Onam
Onam is Kerala's major harvest festival and is associated with the legend of King Mahabali. Important traditions include Pookalam, Onam Sadya, Vallam Kali and traditional cultural celebrations.
3. Milad-un-Nabi
Milad-un-Nabi commemorates the birth of Prophet Muhammad and is observed through prayers, religious gatherings and charitable activities.
4. Women's Equality Day
Women's Equality Day is observed in the United States on 26 August, commemorating the constitutional recognition of women's voting rights and highlighting the continuing importance of gender equality.
Static GK for Exam Preparations
e-Shram Portal
Launch date: 26 August 2021
Ministry: Ministry of Labour and Employment
Purpose: National Database of Unorganised Workers
Worker identification: 12-digit Universal Account Number
Developed by: National Informatics Centre (NIC)
SIDBI
Full form: Small Industries Development Bank of India
Established: 1990
Headquarters: Lucknow
Main focus: Financing and development of the MSME sector
Regional Rural Banks
Established under: Regional Rural Banks Act, 1976
First RRB: Prathama Bank
First RRB established: 1975
Main focus: Rural and semi-urban credit and financial inclusion
UNCCD
Full form: United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification
Adopted: 1994
Focus: Desertification, land degradation and drought
Secretariat: Bonn, Germany
ICAT
Full form: International Centre for Automotive Technology
Location: Manesar, Haryana
Role: Automotive testing, certification and technology development
INS Sudarshini
Type: Sail training ship
Operator: Indian Navy
Used for: Naval training and maritime diplomacy
Associated expedition: Lokayan 26
AVGC-XR
AVGC-XR stands for Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality. It represents a rapidly growing sector of the digital media, entertainment, technology, and "orange economy" (creative industries)World Heritage Site – Sarnath
The Ancient Buddhist Site of Sarnath in Uttar Pradesh was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2026, bringing India's total number of World Heritage properties to 45 according to a PIB backgrounder. Sarnath is associated with Gautama Buddha's first sermon.
Comments
Post a Comment