Weekly Current Affairs (August 2026 – Week 2) – Exam Revision Notes
1) International Current Affairs
Mecca Joint Defence Agreement – Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Türkiye; Mutual Defence Pact
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Türkiye signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement in Mecca, Saudi Arabia on 7 August 2026, creating a new trilateral framework for collective security and defence cooperation. Signed by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Core Clause | An armed attack against any one member is considered an attack against all three — compared to Article 5 of NATO by Türkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan |
| Member Capabilities | Pakistan — nuclear-armed State | Saudi Arabia — major economic/energy power in West Asia | Türkiye — NATO member with large military and expanding defence-industrial base |
| Response Mechanism | Does not automatically specify the precise military response — members would consult on degree, form, and format of assistance |
| Institutional Structure | A ministerial committee and a general secretariat based in Saudi Arabia to be established |
| India Relevance | Strategic significance as Pakistan is a member; signatories describe the pact as defensive and not directed against any particular country |
RCF Kapurthala to Roll Out First LHB Coach Rake for Bangladesh Railway
The Rail Coach Factory (RCF), Kapurthala is set to roll out the first rake of customised Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) broad-gauge passenger coaches for Bangladesh Railway on 12 August 2026. Part of Bangladesh Railway’s 2024 order via RITES for 200 broad-gauge coaches in seven variants. RCF had earlier supplied 120 LHB broad-gauge coaches to Bangladesh Railway.
2) National Current Affairs
GI-Tagged Mithila Makhana
APEDA facilitated the first-ever commercial sea shipment of GI-tagged Mithila Makhana from Bihar to Australia — a consignment of 18 metric tonnes of premium raw Mithila Makhana, shipped from BIADA Industrial Area, Bihta, Bihar. Bihar accounts for nearly 85% of India’s Makhana production.
India Gifts Five Peacocks to the United Nations Office at Geneva
India donated five Indian peacocks (Pavo cristatus) to the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG) on 7 August 2026, reviving a decades-old tradition. Formally handed over by India’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, Arindam Bagchi, to UNOG Director-General Tatiana Valovaya.
Kalanamak Rice Cultivation
Kalanamak rice, a traditional aromatic rice of eastern Uttar Pradesh, has seen significant growth in cultivation and productivity. In Siddharthnagar district, production increased more than fivefold between 2018 and 2025. Farmers cultivating Kalanamak rose from 2,915 in 2018 to ~23,000 in 2024. Promoted under UP’s ODOP (One District One Product) initiative.
National Waterways
The Government identified 19 additional National Waterways (NWs) for development over the next five years, predominantly for cruise tourism and passenger ferry operations. India currently has 111 National Waterways declared under the National Waterways Act, 2016, of which 32 are operational. The network spans ~20,187 km across 23 States and 4 UTs.
| National Waterway | River | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| NW-4 | Krishna–Godavari River System and associated canals | Andhra Pradesh and neighbouring States/UT |
| NW-79 | Penna (Pennar) River | Andhra Pradesh |
| NW-104 | Tungabhadra River | Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka |
3) Polity & Governance
SC Reinforces Constitutional Safeguards Against Arbitrary Arrest – Article 22(1)
The Supreme Court, in Vihaan Kumar v. State of Haryana (2025), reinforced that every arrested person must be effectively and meaningfully informed of the grounds of arrest under Article 22(1). Failure to communicate these grounds directly renders the arrest illegal and can vitiate subsequent remand.
| Legal Provision | Key Content |
|---|---|
| Article 22(1) | Every arrested person must be informed of the grounds of arrest directly and in a language they understand | Merely informing relatives does NOT satisfy Article 22(1) | An arrest memo ≠ “grounds of arrest” |
| Article 22(2) | Arrested person must be produced before the nearest Magistrate within 24 hours of arrest (excluding travel time) |
| Article 21 | Failure to follow Article 22 safeguards can also violate the right to life and personal liberty under Article 21 |
| BNSS 2023, Section 47 | Requires a person arrested without a warrant to be informed immediately of the full particulars of the offence or grounds for arrest |
| BNSS 2023, Section 35 | Regulates the police power to arrest without a warrant | Specified conditions must be satisfied in relevant cases |
4) Economy
UPI Transactions Will Remain Free for Individual Users
The Government of India clarified that UPI transactions will continue to remain free for individual users. All Person-to-Person (P2P) transactions will continue without charges. The clarification followed concerns over a proposed amendment to Section 10A of the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007.
UPI Scale: July 2026 alone: 2,366 crore transactions worth ₹29.9 lakh crore | FY 2025–26: 24,161.69 crore transactions valued at ₹314.23 lakh crore.
Government Approves Field Trials of ₹10 and ₹20 Polymer Banknotes
The Government of India approved the RBI’s proposal to introduce polymer banknotes of ₹10 and ₹20 denominations for field trials — one billion pieces each (up to two billion polymer notes total). The proposal was submitted under Section 25 of the RBI Act, 1934, which requires the Central Government’s approval for the design, form, and material of banknotes after considering RBI Central Board recommendations.
India Launches CBDC-Based Food Subsidy Transfers under PMGKAY
The Government of India launched CBDC-based Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) under PMGKAY in Chandigarh and Dadra & Nagar Haveli on 14 August 2026. Inaugurated by Union Minister Pralhad Joshi.
| Detail | Fact |
|---|---|
| How It Works | Eligible beneficiaries receive food subsidy directly in their Digital Rupee (e₹) wallets instead of conventional bank accounts |
| Programmable CBDC | Subsidy is purpose-bound — can only be used to purchase foodgrains from empanelled merchants |
| Payment Methods | Smartphone users: QR code scanning | Feature-phone users: OTP-based mechanism |
| Earlier Pilots | Gujarat (15 February 2026) | Puducherry (26 February 2026) |
| First Large-Scale Application | First large-scale CBDC use in a Central Government welfare programme; proof-of-concept for scaling |
About PMGKAY: Provides free foodgrains to ~81.35 crore beneficiaries under NFSA (Antyodaya Anna Yojana + Priority Household beneficiaries) | Free distribution continued for 5 years from 1 January 2024 | Estimated expenditure: ~₹11.80 lakh crore over the period.
5) Science & Technology
India Crosses 300 GW Non-Fossil Fuel Power Capacity – 54% of Total Installed Capacity
India’s installed electricity generation capacity from non-fossil fuel sources crossed 300 GW, reaching 300.50 GW as of 31 July 2026 — more than 60% of India’s 500 GW non-fossil fuel target by 2030. Non-fossil sources now constitute more than 54% of India’s total installed electricity generation capacity of ~552 GW.
| Source | Installed Capacity |
|---|---|
| Solar Power | 164.59 GW (largest contributor) |
| Wind Power | 58.14 GW |
| Large and Small Hydro Power | 57.24 GW |
| Bio-Power | 11.75 GW |
| Nuclear Power | 8.78 GW |
| Total Non-Fossil | 300.50 GW (>54% of ~552 GW total) |
6) Environment
World Elephant Day – 12 August
World Elephant Day is observed annually on 12 August. First launched on 12 August 2012. The observance was established to raise awareness about threats to Asian and African elephants: habitat loss, poaching, illegal wildlife trade, and human-elephant conflict.
| Key Data | Fact |
|---|---|
| India’s Share | Supports nearly 60% of the world’s wild Asian elephant population |
| India’s Population Estimate | 22,446 — from SAIEE 2021–25 (India’s first DNA-based nationwide elephant estimation) |
| State with Highest Population | Karnataka (~6,013 elephants), followed by Assam, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala |
| Elephant Reserves in India | 33 Elephant Reserves covering ~80,777 sq. km across 14 major elephant States |
| Elephant Corridors | 150 identified elephant corridors | West Bengal has the highest number of corridors (26) |
| Largest Elephant Reserve | Singhbhum Elephant Reserve, Jharkhand (~13,440 sq. km) |
| AP’s Elephant Reserve | Rayala Elephant Reserve — ~766 sq. km, Chittoor region, notified in 2003 | Includes Koundinya Wildlife Sanctuary | Elephants largely from Karnataka and Tamil Nadu movement into the Kuppam–Palamaner landscape |
7) Schemes
Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Programme (PMNDP)
PMNDP has expanded to all 36 States and Union Territories, covering 751 districts (including 44 linked districts). As of 30 June 2026, it operates through 1,856 haemodialysis centres equipped with 13,535 haemodialysis machines.
8) Defence
PRAHAAR – India’s First National Counter-Terrorism Policy and Strategy
The Ministry of Home Affairs unveiled PRAHAAR — India’s first comprehensive National Counter-Terrorism Policy and Strategy — on 23 February 2026. The framework seeks to prevent and respond to terrorism and radicalisation through coordinated “whole-of-government” and “whole-of-society” approaches, reaffirming India’s policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism.
India’s Defence Sector
India recorded its highest-ever defence production of ₹1.78 lakh crore in FY 2025–26 and defence exports reached a record ₹38,424 crore — up from just ₹686 crore in 2013–14 (a more than 56-fold increase). Indian defence products are now exported to over 80 countries.
| Indicator | Data |
|---|---|
| Defence Budget (2026–27) | ₹7.85 lakh crore (up from ₹2.53 lakh crore in 2013–14) |
| Capital Expenditure (2026–27) | ₹2.19 lakh crore (up from ₹94,587.95 crore in 2014–15) |
| Defence Production (FY25–26) | ₹1.78 lakh crore — highest ever | Public sector: ~76% | Private sector: 24% |
| Defence Exports | ₹38,424 crore (from ₹686 crore in 2013–14 — 56× rise) | Exported to 80+ countries |
| Production Target by 2029 | ₹3 lakh crore production | ₹50,000 crore exports |
| Major Approvals | 97 Tejas Mk-1A fighter aircraft | 156 Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand |
| Defence Industrial Corridors | UP: ₹42,057 crore investment commitments | Tamil Nadu: ₹32,699 crore |
| FDI in Defence | Up to 74% under Automatic Route | Up to 100% under Government Route |
9) Awards & Honours
Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards 2024–2025
President of India conferred Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowships (Akademi Ratna) and Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards (Akademi Puraskar) for 2024 and 2025 at a special investiture ceremony at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, on 13 August 2026. Total: 7 Akademi Fellows and 108 Akademi Award recipients across both years.
| Award / Year | Recipient | Art Form / State |
|---|---|---|
| Akademi Ratna (Fellowship) | Pasumarthi Rattaiah Sarma | Kuchipudi | Andhra Pradesh |
| Akademi Award – 2024 | Komanduri Seshadri | Carnatic Instrumental (Violin) | Telangana |
| Akademi Award – 2024 | Rajeswari Sainath | Bharatanatyam | Telangana |
| Akademi Award – 2024 | Kumara Surya Narayana | Kuchipudi | Andhra Pradesh |
| Akademi Award – 2024 | Gummadi Gopala Krishna Rao | Theatre, Acting | Andhra Pradesh |
| Akademi Award – 2024 | Dursheti Ramaiah | Folk Music | Telangana |
| Akademi Award – 2024 | Voleti Rangamani | Overall Contribution in Dance | Andhra Pradesh |
| Akademi Award – 2025 | Pantula Rama | Carnatic Vocal | Andhra Pradesh |
| Akademi Award – 2025 | D. Srinivas | Carnatic, Veena | Telangana |
| Akademi Award – 2025 | P. Nagajyothi & Seetha Nagajyothi | Kuchipudi | AP cultural association |
| Akademi Award – 2025 | Sindhe Chithambara Rao | Shadow Puppetry | AP (Dharmavaram) |
10) Ranks & Reports
NITI Aayog Report – India’s Services Sector
NITI Aayog published “India’s Services Sector: Insights on Regulatory Regime in Professional Services” in August 2026. The report examines the regulatory framework for legal, accounting, auditing, architectural, engineering, and healthcare services, identifying regulatory gaps and seeking to improve competitiveness and global mobility of Indian professionals.
| Key Indicator | Data |
|---|---|
| Services GDP Share (FY23–24) | 55% of India’s GDP |
| India’s Global Services Export Rank | 7th globally — 4.3% of global services exports in 2024 (up from ~2% in 2005) |
| Professional Services Export Share | ~20% of India’s total services exports (2024–25) |
| Professional Services CAGR | ~18% between FY15 and FY25 |
| OECD STRI Rankings (among 51 countries) | Architectural services: 2nd most restrictive | Legal services: 3rd | Accounting: 4th | Engineering: 38th (more open) |
11) Important Days
World’s Indigenous Peoples Day – 9 August
International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples observed every year on 9 August. Theme for 2026: “Honouring Indigenous Midwives: Safeguarding Life and Well-being.”
World Lion Day – 10 August
World Lion Day observed on 10 August every year to raise awareness about lion conservation. India’s Asiatic Lion population increased from 523 in 2015 to 891 in 2025 (up from 674 in 2020). The wild Asiatic Lion population is concentrated in the Greater Gir landscape, Gujarat.
12) Miscellaneous
E-Samudra Platform
E-Samudra provides end-to-end digital workflows, online payments, real-time application tracking, and digitally issued certificates for maritime administration. Aims to shift maritime governance towards Digital First and Faceless Governance, improving Ease of Living for seafarers and Ease of Doing Business for maritime stakeholders. More than 72 maritime services are being unified under the platform.
‘Triumph of the Indian Republic’ – Autobiography of Former President Ram Nath Kovind
PM Narendra Modi released the autobiography of former President Ram Nath Kovind, titled Triumph of the Indian Republic: My Life, My Struggles, on 12 August 2026 at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi. Ram Nath Kovind served as the 14th President of India from 25 July 2017 to 25 July 2022. He is from Paraunkh village, Uttar Pradesh.
e-FIR – Section 173 of BNSS
Section 173 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023 allows information relating to a cognizable offence to be given to the officer in charge of a police station either orally or through electronic communication, irrespective of the area where the offence was committed. This gives statutory recognition to the principle underlying Zero FIR, under which information about a cognizable offence can be registered without territorial jurisdiction becoming an initial barrier.
If information is given electronically: taken on record after it is signed by the informant within three days. Electronic reporting is permitted, but the prescribed authentication requirement must subsequently be completed.
Quick Revision Table
| Topic | One-Line Summary |
|---|---|
| Mecca Joint Defence Agreement | Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Türkiye signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement in Mecca on 7 August 2026; core clause: attack on one = attack on all (compared to NATO’s Article 5 by Türkiye’s FM Hakan Fidan); Pakistan (nuclear-armed), Saudi Arabia (economic/energy power), Türkiye (NATO member with large military and defence-industrial base); ministerial committee and secretariat in Saudi Arabia; response requires consultation; signatories describe it as defensive. |
| National Waterways – AP | India has 111 National Waterways (National Waterways Act, 2016); 32 operational; network ~20,187 km across 23 States and 4 UTs; 19 additional NWs identified for development (cruise tourism and passenger ferries); AP has 3 NWs: NW-4 (Krishna–Godavari system), NW-79 (Penna/Pennar River), NW-104 (Tungabhadra River). |
| SC – Grounds of Arrest; Article 22(1) | In Vihaan Kumar v. State of Haryana (2025), SC reinforced that every arrested person must be effectively and meaningfully informed of grounds of arrest directly under Article 22(1); informing relatives is insufficient; arrest memo ≠ grounds of arrest; BNSS 2023 Section 47 requires immediate communication; Article 22(2): produced before magistrate within 24 hours; failure to follow Article 22 safeguards can also violate Article 21. |
| UPI – Free for Individual Users | Government clarified UPI transactions will remain free for individual users; all P2P transactions continue without charges; Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026 amends Section 10A of Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007 — only an enabling provision, does not impose charges; UPI and Services Steering Committee (headed by NPCI) will decide on any MDR; July 2026: 2,366 crore transactions worth ₹29.9 lakh crore; FY25–26: 24,161.69 crore transactions worth ₹314.23 lakh crore. |
| Polymer Banknotes – ₹10 and ₹20 | Government approved RBI’s proposal for field trials of polymer banknotes in ₹10 and ₹20 denominations; 1 billion pieces each (up to 2 billion total); submitted under Section 25 of the RBI Act, 1934 (design, form and material of banknotes require Central Government approval after considering RBI Central Board recommendations); polymer notes made from synthetic polymer substrate and have significantly longer lifespan than paper notes. |
| CBDC-Based Food Subsidy – PMGKAY | India launched CBDC-based DBT under PMGKAY in Chandigarh and Dadra & Nagar Haveli on 14 August 2026 (inaugurated by Pralhad Joshi); beneficiaries receive subsidy in Digital Rupee (e₹) wallets; purpose-bound/programmable — can only buy foodgrains from empanelled merchants; smartphone: QR code; feature-phone: OTP; earlier pilots: Gujarat (15 Feb 2026), Puducherry (26 Feb 2026); first large-scale CBDC application in Central Government welfare; PMGKAY covers 81.35 crore beneficiaries; continued free for 5 years from 1 Jan 2024 (~₹11.80 lakh crore); India’s retail CBDC pilot: 1 December 2022. |
| India – 300 GW Non-Fossil Capacity | India’s installed non-fossil fuel electricity generation capacity reached 300.50 GW as of 31 July 2026 — more than 60% of the 500 GW target by 2030 and more than 54% of total installed capacity (~552 GW); Solar: 164.59 GW (largest), Wind: 58.14 GW, Hydro: 57.24 GW, Bio-power: 11.75 GW, Nuclear: 8.78 GW. |
| World Elephant Day – AP’s Rayala Reserve | World Elephant Day observed on 12 August (first launched 12 August 2012); India supports ~60% of world’s wild Asian elephant population; India’s population: 22,446 (SAIEE 2021–25 — first DNA-based nationwide estimate); Karnataka: highest (6,013); 33 Elephant Reserves (~80,777 sq. km, 14 States); 150 corridors (West Bengal: most, 26); Largest Reserve: Singhbhum, Jharkhand (~13,440 sq. km); AP’s Rayala Elephant Reserve: ~766 sq. km, Chittoor, notified 2003, includes Koundinya Wildlife Sanctuary. |
| PMNDP – Dialysis Programme | PMNDP expanded to all 36 States/UTs; 751 districts; 1,856 haemodialysis centres; 13,535 machines (as of 30 June 2026); announced Union Budget 2016–17; launched 7 April 2016 under National Health Mission (NHM); provides affordable dialysis for poor patients with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD); no fixed single outlay — funded through NHM PIPs. |
| PRAHAAR – Counter-Terrorism Policy | Ministry of Home Affairs unveiled PRAHAAR — India’s first comprehensive National Counter-Terrorism Policy and Strategy — on 23 February 2026; uses “whole-of-government” and “whole-of-society” approaches; reaffirms India’s zero tolerance towards terrorism. |
| India – Defence Record Production/Exports | India’s defence production reached highest-ever ₹1.78 lakh crore in FY25–26 (public sector 76%, private 24%); exports: ₹38,424 crore (from ₹686 crore in 2013–14 — 56× rise; exported to 80+ countries); defence budget 2026–27: ₹7.85 lakh crore; targets: ₹3 lakh crore production and ₹50,000 crore exports by 2029; major approvals: 97 Tejas Mk-1A and 156 LCH Prachand; FDI: 74% Automatic Route, 100% Government Route; Defence Corridors: UP ₹42,057 cr, Tamil Nadu ₹32,699 cr. |
| Sangeet Natak Akademi – AP Recipients | Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards 2024 & 2025 conferred at Vigyan Bhawan on 13 August 2026; Fellowship (Akademi Ratna, ₹3 lakh): Pasumarthi Rattaiah Sarma (Kuchipudi, AP); Notable AP awardees: Kumara Surya Narayana (Kuchipudi), Gummadi Gopala Krishna Rao (Theatre), Voleti Rangamani (Dance), Pantula Rama (Carnatic Vocal), Sindhe Chithambara Rao (Shadow Puppetry, Dharmavaram); Award carries ₹1 lakh + Tamrapatra + Angavastram. |
| NITI Aayog – Services Sector Report | NITI Aayog’s August 2026 report on India’s Services Sector: services = 55% of GDP (FY23–24); India ranked 7th globally in services exports (4.3% share in 2024, up from ~2% in 2005); professional and management consulting: ~20% of India’s services exports; CAGR ~18% (FY15–FY25); OECD STRI rankings (51 countries): 2nd most restrictive in architectural services, 3rd in legal, 4th in accounting, 38th in engineering (more open). |
| World Lion Day – 10 August; Asiatic Lion | World Lion Day observed on 10 August; India’s Asiatic Lion population rose from 523 (2015) to 891 (2025), up from 674 (2020); concentrated in Greater Gir landscape, Gujarat; Project Lion announced by PM Modi on 15 August 2020; lion’s range expanded from ~30,000 sq. km (2020) to ~35,000 sq. km. |
| e-FIR – BNSS 2023 Section 173 | Section 173 of BNSS, 2023 allows reporting of cognizable offence via electronic communication irrespective of jurisdiction — statutory recognition of Zero FIR principle; oral report: police reduces to writing, reads to informant, gets signature; electronic report: taken on record after informant signs within 3 days; electronic reporting is permitted but authentication must be completed subsequently. |
| Ram Nath Kovind – Autobiography | PM Modi released autobiography of former President Ram Nath Kovind — “Triumph of the Indian Republic: My Life, My Struggles” — on 12 August 2026 at Vigyan Bhavan; Kovind was the 14th President of India (25 July 2017 – 25 July 2022); from Paraunkh village, Uttar Pradesh. |
