Daily Current Affairs & GK – 29 August 2026
Here is the Daily Current Affairs and GK for 29 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. National Sports Day 2026 celebrated across India
India celebrated National Sports Day on 29 August 2026, marking the 121st birth anniversary of Major Dhyan Chand, one of India's most celebrated hockey players.
The Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya led celebrations at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi. This year's celebrations centred on the nationwide “Ek Ghanta Khel Ke Maidan Mein” initiative, encouraging citizens, particularly young people, to devote at least one hour to sports and physical activity.
2. National Test House marks 115th foundation year
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi inaugurated the new National Test House (NTH) building in Bengaluru as the organisation began its 115th foundation-year celebrations.
New testing facilities inaugurated across the NTH network included coal testing in Kolkata, solar-water-heater testing in Chennai, utensils testing in Jaipur, an NTH Suvidha mobile application and a laboratory at Varanasi. The NTH was established in 1912 at Alipore, Kolkata.
3. India strengthens rural road connectivity in Jammu & Kashmir
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh laid the foundation stone for 110 PMGSY-IV Batch-I roads covering around 598.455 km in the Udhampur-Kathua-Doda-Kishtwar region.
The projects have a total estimated value of approximately ₹1,503 crore and are intended to improve connectivity in remote and hilly areas.
4. Government launches reforms for National Testing Agency
The government approved the appointment of five officers to the National Testing Agency (NTA) as part of efforts to strengthen its administrative and examination infrastructure.
The appointments include Anshuman Sharma as Joint Secretary, Sathiya S, Prasanna Venkatesh V and Ravi Kumar Singh as Directors, and Amit Samdariya as Joint Director.
5. High-Powered Task Force for examination reforms
A High-Powered Task Force chaired by Nandan Nilekani has been established to recommend comprehensive reforms in India's public examination system.
The task force is expected to examine examination security, technology, governance, accessibility and other aspects of the national examination ecosystem.
6. FSSAI prohibits sale of substandard compounded hing
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) issued prohibition-of-sale orders for specific compounded hing products manufactured by Everest Food Products Pvt. Ltd. and Laljee Godhoo & Co. (LG Brand Unit).
The action followed market surveillance and laboratory testing that found the sampled products to be substandard.
International
1. Prime Minister begins Uzbekistan and Kyrgyz Republic visit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi began his Central Asian visit on 29 August 2026, travelling first to Uzbekistan for a state visit from 29–30 August.
During the Uzbekistan visit, discussions were scheduled to cover trade and investment, digital connectivity, defence, energy, education and people-to-people relations. He was subsequently scheduled to travel to Kyrgyzstan for the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit.
2. India-Argentina economic partnership strengthened
The 4th India-Argentina Joint Trade Committee discussions were highlighted in an official release on 29 August.
The two countries discussed cooperation in lithium, energy, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, space, digital services, telecommunications and emerging technologies. Technical discussions are also progressing on market access for Indian agricultural products and pharmaceuticals in Argentina.
3. Nepal flood disaster and reconstruction needs
Nepal continued to assess the effects of the severe Himalayan flood disaster. Nepal's Finance Minister said the country could require approximately US$4–5 billion for reconstruction, potentially close to 10% of the country's economy.
The disaster damaged bridges, roads and hydropower infrastructure and caused a large number of deaths and missing persons.
Economy and Banking
1. PM Jan Dhan Yojana completes 12 years
The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) marked 12 years since its launch on 28 August 2014.
More than 59 crore bank accounts have been opened under the programme. Women account holders account for about 56%, while rural and semi-urban areas account for around 78% of the accounts. Deposits under the scheme have crossed ₹3.1 lakh crore.
2. PM SVANidhi restructuring expands credit access
The PM SVANidhi scheme completed one year of its restructured phase.
During this period, 21.86 lakh loans worth ₹6,294 crore were disbursed to 10.56 lakh new beneficiaries. The restructured scheme targets 1.15 crore street vendors, including 50 lakh new beneficiaries, up to March 2030.
3. RBI relaxes access norms for FCNR(B) swap facility
The Reserve Bank of India relaxed weekly access restrictions associated with its USD-INR swap facility for FCNR(B) deposits for transactions above US$100 million.
The measure provides greater flexibility to participating banks in accessing the swap facility and forms part of India's broader foreign-exchange management measures.
4. NABARD and NaBFID strengthen infrastructure financing cooperation
NABARD and the National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development (NaBFID) entered into an arrangement aimed at strengthening financing for infrastructure and development projects, particularly in areas connected with rural and agricultural development.
5. India's first PPT ATH plant commissioned in Karnataka
Hindalco Industries commissioned India's first manufacturing facility for Superfine Precipitated Aluminium Trihydrate (PPT ATH) at Belagavi, Karnataka.
The facility has an annual capacity of 30,000 tonnes and produces a halogen-free flame-retardant material used in cables, electrical insulation, polymers and other applications. The plant operates using renewable energy.
Appointments
Five senior officers appointed to NTA
The Government approved the appointment of five officers to strengthen the National Testing Agency:
Anshuman Sharma, IRS – Joint Secretary
Sathiya S, IRS – Director
Prasanna Venkatesh V, IAS – Director
Ravi Kumar Singh, IPS – Director
Amit Samdariya, IRS – Joint Director
These appointments form part of the wider restructuring and strengthening of the NTA.
Science and Technology
1. India's first dedicated Quantum and AI University campus
Andhra Pradesh approved the establishment of a dedicated Quantum and Artificial Intelligence University campus at Amaravati.
The project is being developed through NIELIT under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, with a reported investment of around ₹730.70 crore over five years. Areas of focus include quantum computing, artificial intelligence, VLSI, semiconductor technology and related deep-tech fields.
2. IIT Madras launches Bharat Ascend
IIT Madras Global Research Foundation, in partnership with Ideabaaz, launched Bharat Ascend, a national innovation mission aimed at discovering and supporting entrepreneurial talent from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.
The programme aims to discover 100 high-potential ideas over 365 days, mentor 50 innovations, develop 25 prototypes, enable 15 pilots, prepare 10 ventures for investment and connect at least five start-ups with international markets.
Sports and Culture
1. National Sports Day honours Major Dhyan Chand
National Sports Day was observed across India on 29 August in memory of Major Dhyan Chand, whose birthday is commemorated as National Sports Day.
The nationwide campaign included sporting and fitness activities under the theme “Tribute, Play, and Move”, along with the “Ek Ghanta Khel Ke Maidan Mein” initiative.
2. India's women's hockey team finishes fifth at World Cup
India's women's hockey team secured fifth place at the FIH Women's Hockey World Cup 2026 after defeating Germany 3–1 in the classification match.
It was India's best finish at the Women's Hockey World Cup since the inaugural 1974 edition, when India finished fourth.
3. Indian men's hockey team finishes eighth
India's men's hockey team finished eighth at the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 after losing to Belgium in a shootout.
The regulation match ended 3–3, before Belgium won the shootout 4–3. Harmanpreet Singh finished the tournament with eight goals.
4. Praggnanandhaa makes history in Grand Chess Tour
Indian Grandmaster R. Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu became the first Indian to win the Grand Chess Tour.
He defeated Fabiano Caruana 15–13 in the final at the Saint Louis Chess Club.
5. National Centre of Excellence for Swimming planned in Guwahati
A tripartite agreement involving the Sports Authority of India, Badminton Association of India and Sports Authority of Assam was signed for establishing a National Centre of Excellence for Swimming at the Amingaon Sports Complex in Guwahati.
The centre is intended to provide high-performance training and identify swimming talent from Assam and the wider Northeast.
Awards and Recognition
National Sports Day recognition
The 29 August National Sports Day celebrations recognised the contribution of Major Dhyan Chand to Indian hockey and promoted wider public participation in sports and fitness.
Days Observed
1. National Sports Day
National Sports Day is observed every year on 29 August to commemorate the birth anniversary of legendary hockey player Major Dhyan Chand.
India began observing National Sports Day in 2012. The day promotes sports participation, physical fitness and awareness of India's sporting heritage.
2. International Day against Nuclear Tests
The International Day against Nuclear Tests is observed on 29 August every year.
The United Nations General Assembly declared the day through Resolution 64/35 in 2009. The date commemorates the closure of the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site in Kazakhstan on 29 August 1991.
The day promotes awareness about the humanitarian and environmental consequences of nuclear testing and the objective of ending nuclear tests.
Static GK for Exam Preparations
National Sports Day
Date: 29 August
Celebrates the birth anniversary of: Major Dhyan Chand
Major Dhyan Chand: Legendary Indian hockey player
First National Sports Day: 2012
PM Jan Dhan Yojana
Launched: 28 August 2014
Ministry: Ministry of Finance
Objective: Financial inclusion
Important components: Bank accounts, RuPay cards, insurance, pension and direct benefit transfers
Associated framework: JAM Trinity
Sanchar Saathi
Ministry: Ministry of Communications
Department: Department of Telecommunications
Main purpose: Protecting mobile users and helping trace lost or stolen handsets
National Test House
Established: 1912
Original location: Alipore, Kolkata
Main role: Testing, calibration and quality assurance
Headquarters/network: Multiple laboratories across India
NTA
Full form: National Testing Agency
Established: 2017
Ministry: Ministry of Education
Major role: Conducting entrance and eligibility examinations
NIELIT
Full form: National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology
Ministry: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
Areas: Electronics, IT, emerging technologies and skill development
International Day against Nuclear Tests
Date: 29 August
UN resolution: Resolution 64/35
Adopted: 2009
Associated site: Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site, Kazakhstan
First observed: 2010
FIH Hockey World Cup 2026
Hosts: Belgium and Netherlands
Dates: 15–30 August 2026
India's women's team: 5th
India's men's team: 8th
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