Current Affairs 21 August 2026

India and Japan Strengthen Defence and Maritime Security Cooperation

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi held the India–Japan Defence Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi on 20 August 2026. Both sides agreed to further strengthen defence cooperation under the India–Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership.

A major outcome was the signing of a Memorandum of Arrangement on Maritime Security Cooperation between the defence ministries of India and Japan. The two countries also agreed to deepen cooperation in naval shipbuilding, mine countermeasures, ship repair, defence technology and joint exercises. India and Japan currently conduct Dharma Guardian (Army), JAIMEX (Maritime), and Veer Guardian 2026 exercises.

UNICORN integrated communications antenna system, described as the first defence equipment transfer project between India and Japan.

Andhra Pradesh Municipal Laws (Fourth Amendment) Bill, 2026

The Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly passed the Andhra Pradesh Municipal Laws (Fourth Amendment) Bill, 2026, restoring the direct election of Mayors of Municipal Corporations and Chairpersons of Municipalities and Nagar Panchayats.

Under the new system proposed by the Bill, Mayors and Chairpersons will be directly elected by voters of the respective Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) for a five-year term, instead of being elected indirectly by elected councillors.

For this purpose, the Bill amends Section 90 of the Municipal Corporations Act, 1955 and Section 23 of the Andhra Pradesh Municipalities Act, 1965. The Bill also rationalises the deputy posts to one Deputy Mayor in a Municipal Corporation and one Vice-Chairperson in a Municipality/Nagar Panchayat. However, the existing method of election for these deputy posts remains unchanged.

Key Points for Exams:

• Bill: Andhra Pradesh Municipal Laws (Fourth Amendment) Bill, 2026.
• It restores direct election of Mayors and Chairpersons by voters.
• Term of Mayor/Chairperson: Five years.
• Section 90 of the Municipal Corporations Act, 1955 has been amended.
• Section 23 of the Andhra Pradesh Municipalities Act, 1965 has been amended.
• Provision made for one Deputy Mayor and one Vice-Chairperson.
• The method of election of Deputy Mayors and Vice-Chairpersons remains unchanged.

Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission

The Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission (PMJVM), launched in 2021–22, aims to improve the livelihoods of tribal communities dependent on Minor Forest Produce (MFP). It helps tribal gatherers move from selling raw forest produce at low prices to becoming value-adding community entrepreneurs.

Under the Mission, tribal gatherers are organised into Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs). A typical VDVK consists of around 15 Self-Help Groups (SHGs) with about 300 tribal members, and at least 60% of the members must belong to Scheduled Tribe communities.

As of 31 July 2026, 4,172 VDVKs had been sanctioned, of which 2,911 were functional.

Q1. Under the Andhra Pradesh Municipal Laws (Fourth Amendment) Bill, 2026, Mayors of Municipal Corporations and Chairpersons of Municipalities and Nagar Panchayats will be elected in which manner?
A. Nominated by the State Government
B. Elected indirectly by elected councillors
C. Directly elected by the voters of the respective Urban Local Bodies
D. Appointed by the State Election Commission

Q2. The UNICORN integrated communications antenna system, recently in the news, is associated with defence cooperation between India and which country?
A. France
B. Japan
C. Israel
D. Russia

Q3. Under the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission (PMJVM), tribal gatherers are organised into which of the following institutions for value addition and marketing of Minor Forest Produce?
A. Krishi Vigyan Kendras
B. Van Dhan Vikas Kendras
C. Tribal Research Institutes
D. Forest Development Boards