Current Affairs 20 August 2026

Andhra Pradesh Cabinet Approves BC Reservation in Local Bodies

The Andhra Pradesh Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, approved 34% reservation for Backward Classes (BCs) in Rural Local Bodies (RLBs) and 33.33% reservation in Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) on August 18, 2026. Existing reservations for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) will remain unchanged.

The Cabinet also approved direct elections for Mayors of Municipal Corporations and Chairpersons of Municipalities and Nagar Panchayats. Under the new system, these urban local body heads will be elected directly by voters rather than indirectly by elected councillors.

Key Points for Exams:

• BC reservation in Rural Local Bodies: 34%.
• BC reservation in Urban Local Bodies: 33.33%.
• Existing SC and ST reservations will remain unchanged.
• The 34% BC quota in rural local bodies aligns with the Andhra Pradesh Panchayat Raj Act, 1994.
• Mayors of Municipal Corporations will be elected directly by voters.
• Chairpersons of Municipalities and Nagar Panchayats will also be directly elected.

India’s Makhana Sector

India is the world’s largest producer of makhana, scientifically known as Euryale ferox. It is an aquatic crop grown mainly in shallow ponds, lakes and wetlands. Bihar is the leading producer, contributing nearly three-fourths of India’s production and around 80–85% of global supply. Makhana cultivation is concentrated particularly in North Bihar, including the Kosi basin districts of Supaul, Saharsa and Madhepura.

To strengthen the sector, the Government announced the National Makhana Board in the Union Budget 2025–26, and it was formally launched in Bihar on 15 September 2025. The Government has also approved a Central Sector Scheme for the Development of Makhana with an outlay of ₹476.03 crore for 2025–26 to 2030–31. The scheme focuses on research, quality seeds, farmer training, post-harvest management, value addition, branding, marketing and exports.

India produced 63,910 metric tonnes (MT) of makhana in 2024–25. According to the Second Advance Estimates for 2025–26, production is estimated at 80,590 MT, of which Bihar accounts for about 60,000 MT. Improved varieties such as Swarna Vaidehi and Sabour Makhana-1, along with field-system cultivation, have helped improve productivity.

Makhana has also emerged as an important export product. In 2025–26, India exported 7,264.89 MT of makhana products. The United States, Canada, and the United Arab Emirates together accounted for 77% of exports. Rising demand for healthy, plant-based foods has also supported rapid growth in the domestic makhana market.

Key Points for Exams

• Scientific name of makhana: Euryale ferox.
• India is the world’s largest producer of makhana.
• Bihar contributes about 80–85% of global makhana supply.
• National Makhana Board was announced in Bihar on 15 September 2025.
• Central Sector Scheme for Development of Makhana: ₹476.03 crore for 2025–26 to 2030–31.
• Important improved varieties: Swarna Vaidehi and Sabour Makhana-1.
• Major export markets: United States, Canada and UAE.

Gurajada Venkata Apparao

Gurajada Venkata Apparao (1862–1915) was a celebrated Telugu poet, playwright, writer and social reformer. He is regarded as one of the pioneers of modern Telugu literature and strongly advocated the use of spoken Telugu (Vyavaharika Bhasha) in literary writing.

He was born on 21 September 1862 in Rayavaram, present-day Andhra Pradesh. He was closely associated with Vizianagaram and worked at Maharajah’s College, Vizianagaram.

His most famous work is the Telugu play Kanyasulkam, which criticised social evils such as the practice of paying bride-price, child marriage and exploitation of women. Through satire and realistic characters, the play highlighted the need for social reform.

Gurajada is also remembered for the patriotic poem “Desamunu Preminchumanna”, containing the famous idea that a nation is defined by its people rather than merely by its land. His literary works helped promote social consciousness and modernisation in Telugu literature.

Key Points for Exams

• Famous play: Kanyasulkam
• Famous patriotic poem: “Desamunu Preminchumanna”
• Kanyasulkam dealt with social problems including child marriage and bride-price.

Q1. What percentage of reservation for Backward Classes (BCs) in Rural Local Bodies was approved by the Andhra Pradesh Cabinet in August 2026?
A. 40%
B. 30%
C. 33.33%
D. 34%

Q2. Who wrote the famous Telugu patriotic poem “Desamunu Preminchumanna”?
A. Kandukuri Veeresalingam
B. Gurajada Venkata Apparao
C. Gidugu Venkata Ramamurthy
D. Rayaprolu Subba Rao

Q3. Which State is the leading producer of makhana in India and contributes around 80–85% of the global supply?
A. Assam
B. West Bengal
C. Bihar
D. Odisha