Weekly Current Affairs Test : 22nd to 31st August 2026

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has notified the Mobile Phone Manufacturing Scheme (MPMS) with a budgetary outlay of ₹62,500 crore. The scheme will operate for five years from FY 2026-27 to FY 2030-31. It aims to enhance India’s global competitiveness, increase domestic value addition, strengthen supply chains and expand the mobile phone manufacturing ecosystem. The scheme has two target segments: Target Segment 1 (TS1) for mobile phone manufacturing and Target Segment 2 (TS2) for supporting Indian mobile phone brands.

India hosted the 12th BRICS Communications Ministers Meeting in Pune, Maharashtra, under its 2026 BRICS Chairship. The high-level meeting focused on digital public infrastructure (DPI), cybersecurity, future communication networks, and global technology cooperation. Pune was chosen as the host venue owing to its status as a premier technological, academic, and IT hub in Western India. Representatives from the expanded BRICS membership participated in the discussions to foster cooperation, leverage interoperable systems, and implement secure, trustworthy Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) across the global South.

The Ministry of Rural Development launched the second phase of the National Campaign on Entrepreneurship under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana–National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM). It aims to support both farm and non-farm enterprises led by women from Self-Help Groups (SHGs).‘Sankalp Shakti’, the first Rural Enterprise Technical Bulletin, was also launched as a monthly publication. Community Resource Persons for Enterprise Promotion (CRP-EPs) and Business Development Service Providers (BDSPs) will be recognised as ‘Udyam Sakhis’.

The 20th National e-Governance Webinar (NeGW) was organised on the theme “Government Process Re-engineering by use of technology for Digital Transformation (Central Level)”. The webinar showcased two National Award-winning digital governance initiatives—AgriStack and e-Jagriti. AgriStack, developed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, received the Gold Award under the Central Level Initiatives category. e-Jagriti, developed by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, received the Silver Award. AgriStack is a Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) built around three core registries: Farmers’ Registry, Crop Sown Registry and Geo-referenced Village Maps. e-Jagriti provides a unified digital ecosystem connecting National, State and District Consumer Commissions for end-to-end consumer dispute resolution.

Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA) was launched in September 2018 to strengthen MSP implementation and ensure remunerative prices for farmers. It aims to protect farmers from distress sales when market prices fall below MSP and also support consumer price stability. For 2026–27, ₹7,200 crore has been allocated to PM-AASHA. PM-AASHA consists of four major components: Price Support Scheme (PSS), Price Stabilization Fund (PSF), Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS), and Market Intervention Scheme (MIS).

ICAR-National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning (NBSS&LUP) recently developed India’s first digital soil texture map using historical soil profiles, field observations, remote sensing, satellite imagery and Artificial Intelligence (AI). ICAR-NBSS&LUP is a premier institute under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). It was established in 1976 and is headquartered in Nagpur, Maharashtra. Its regional centres are located in Bengaluru, Kolkata, Delhi, Jorhat and Udaipur.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) concluded its participation in Exercise Udara Shakti 2026 in Malaysia. Exercise Udara Shakti was conducted with the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) and focused on combat sorties, joint tactical manoeuvres, air-combat tactics and Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEE). The participation strengthened India’s strategic defence partnerships and operational cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.

Aromal Chundan won the 72nd Nehru Trophy Boat Race at Punnamada Lake, Alappuzha, Kerala. It secured victory with a timing of 4 minutes, 23 seconds and 328 milliseconds. Nadubhagom Chundan finished second, while Veeyapuram Chundan secured third place. The race featured 71 boats, including 22 traditional snake boats. The Nehru Trophy Boat Race is a major sporting and cultural festival of Kerala, attracting thousands of spectators and tourists.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has received more than 16,000 doses of Ervebo amid a severe Ebola outbreak. Ervebo is a single-dose, live-attenuated recombinant vaccine manufactured by Merck. It is licensed for protection against Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) caused by the Zaire ebolavirus species in individuals aged 1 year and older. The vaccine uses a weakened vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) as a vector, genetically modified to carry a surface protein of the Zaire Ebola virus. It cannot cause Ebola disease, as it contains only a single Ebola viral protein.

Russia has reportedly received North Korea’s KN-30 ballistic missile for the first time, according to Ukraine’s defence intelligence agency (HUR). KN-30 is a ballistic missile developed by North Korea and is the Western designation for the Hwasong-11C. It is a short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) powered by a solid-propellant engine. The missile is launched from a mobile ground-based launcher.

In August 2026, the Supreme Court, in a bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta, imposed interim spatial restrictions along Rajasthan’s Jojari River to address industrial pollution, construction and floodplain encroachment until scientific demarcation is completed. The Jojari River is a right-bank tributary of the Luni River in western Rajasthan. Unlike several other Luni tributaries that originate in the Aravalli Hills, the Jojari originates in the plains near Pondlu village in Nagaur district and flows through Jodhpur before joining the Luni.

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) introduced the Information Technology (IT) Resilience Index for Market Infrastructure Institutions (MIIs) such as stock exchanges, depositories and clearing corporations. The framework aims to strengthen operational and technological resilience by assessing areas including IT governance, cybersecurity, disaster recovery and data integrity. MIIs are required to undertake regular self-assessments to ensure continuity of critical market infrastructure during technical disruptions.

The Work From Anywhere Index is published by International Workplace Group (IWG), a private global provider of flexible workspaces and co-working environments. It is not an intergovernmental or United Nations-affiliated organisation. Mumbai is the only Indian city featured in the IWG (International Workplace Group) Work From Anywhere Index 2026, securing 50th position globally. The index evaluates destinations based on factors such as climate, internet connectivity, accommodation costs, transport, food, culture, and availability of flexible workspaces, reflecting their suitability for remote and location-independent workers.

Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam recorded the first-ever sighting of the rare migratory Smew (Mergellus albellus). Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary covers about 70.13 sq km and is located on the southern bank of the Brahmaputra River in Nagaon district, Assam. It forms part of the Laokhowa–Burhachapori ecosystem and is a notified buffer of Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve. The sanctuary supports more than 225 bird species and diverse wildlife, including the greater one-horned rhinoceros, elephant, Royal Bengal tiger and Asiatic water buffalo.

Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Durgadas Uikey inaugurated a three-day National Conference on Tribal Languages and Museums in Mysuru, Karnataka. The conference focuses on preserving tribal languages, cultural identity, heritage and history. The Minister highlighted the significant role of tribal communities in India’s ancient history, national integration and the freedom struggle. The conference aims particularly to discuss the preservation of tribal languages and the history of tribal freedom fighters.

Nipun is the second Diving Support Vessel (DSV) of the Nistar-class being inducted into the Indian Navy. It is indigenously designed and constructed by Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), Visakhapatnam. The vessel will strengthen the Navy’s capabilities in deep-sea diving, underwater intervention and submarine rescue operations. Nipun is equipped with modern diving systems, navigation and platform-management systems, station-keeping capabilities and medical facilities. Its induction reflects India’s growing self-reliance and indigenisation in specialised defence shipbuilding.

The Publications Division of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting won seven awards at the Federation of Indian Publishers (FIP) Awards for Excellence in Book Production 2026. It received four second prizes and three third prizes across categories including reference books, trade books, journals, children’s publications and art/coffee-table books. ‘Bharat 2026’, ‘Wings to Our Hopes – Volume 2’, ‘Yojana – July 2026’ and ‘Kurukshetra’ received second prizes. ‘Dharti Ki Sehat’, ‘Rangoli Roop Sur Lay Ki’ and ‘Ajkal Urdu – July 2026’ received third prizes. The awards recognised editorial quality, publishing excellence and diversity of content in Hindi, English and Urdu.

The Ministry of Rural Development participated in World Water Week 2026 in Stockholm, Sweden, showcasing India’s community-led and technology-enabled approach to water security. World Water Week is organised by the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) and serves as a global platform for dialogue and collaboration on water challenges. India highlighted Water Vision @2047, aligned with the broader Viksit Bharat @2047, focusing on inclusive, sustainable and climate-resilient water security. The National Initiative on Water Security (NIWS) prioritises water-related investments based on groundwater conditions at the block level.

Khijadia Bird Sanctuary in Jamnagar, Gujarat, has emerged as an important breeding site for the Black-necked Stork (Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus). Khijadia Bird Sanctuary is a protected wetland located near Jamnagar, Gujarat, about 14 km from the city. It is recognized as a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance. It supports over 300 bird species, including several migratory birds.

e-Shram Portal recently completed five years since its launch on 26 August 2021. It was launched by the Ministry of Labour and Employment to create a national database of workers in the unorganised sector. The portal was developed by the National Informatics Centre (NIC) and created the National Database of Unorganised Workers (NDUW). Each registered worker receives a 12-digit Universal Account Number (UAN). As of 18 August 2026, it had recorded 31.89 crore registrations. The e-Shram One-Stop Solution, launched in October 2024, integrates 15 social security and welfare schemes.

The Indian Coast Guard and the Vietnam Coast Guard commenced the 2nd edition of the joint exercise Sahyog-HOP TAC on August 27, 2026, off the coast of Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Sahyog-HOP TAC is a bilateral maritime exercise between the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and Vietnam Coast Guard (VCG). It focuses on enhancing maritime safety, search and rescue (SAR), and marine pollution response capabilities. The exercise strengthens operational interoperability and maritime cooperation between India and Vietnam. It also supports India’s SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision and the Act East Policy.

A monsoon bird survey at Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala, recorded 124 bird species. The survey was conducted by the Thiruvananthapuram Wildlife Division and Warblers and Waders. Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala, in the Western Ghats. It was established in 1983 and covers an area of about 53 sq km. The sanctuary lies around the catchment area of the Karamana River and Peppara Dam. It forms part of the Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve and supports diverse forest ecosystems.

The Delhi Government has launched the Delhi Lakshmi Yojana to promote women’s financial security and self-reliance. More than 9.22 lakh women have registered under the scheme. 250 beneficiaries recently received approval certificates. Eligible women will receive ₹2,500 per month, subject to completion of the required formalities. The financial assistance can support children’s education and care, household needs, livelihoods and business activities.

Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan launched ‘Gnani Artha’, a sovereign AI stack developed by GNANI AI, on 28 August 2026 in New Delhi. The AI stack comprises Evon 3.3, a Large Language Model (LLM), and Plexus, a platform connecting AI intelligence with real-world work and institutions. The initiative highlights India’s growing capability to develop indigenous AI technologies rather than remaining only a consumer of frontier technology.

R Praggnanandhaa became the first Indian to win the Grand Chess Tour (GCT) title. He defeated Fabiano Caruana of the USA by 15–13 in the grand finale at the Saint Louis Chess Club. Praggnanandhaa staged a remarkable comeback after trailing Caruana by six points at the start of the final day. The victory earned him a USD 200,000 prize and a place in the 2027 Grand Chess Tour. Earlier in 2026, Praggnanandhaa also became the first Indian to win the Norway Chess title, including two victories over Magnus Carlsen.

World Sanskrit Day is observed every year on 28 August 2026. It is also known as Vishva Sanskrit Diwas, Sanskrit Diwas or Sanskrit Language Day. The day is observed annually on the full-moon day (Purnima) of the Hindu month of Shravana. It celebrates Sanskrit, one of the world’s oldest classical languages, and its contributions to literature, philosophy, science and grammar. The occasion also highlights the contribution of the ancient Sanskrit grammarian Pāṇini.

A rare Spoon-tailed Duskhawker dragonfly (Gynacantha basiguttata) has been spotted for the first time in Arunachal Pradesh. The dragonfly was photographed in October 2024 along the Miao–Vijaynagar Road in the Namdapha landscape. It was initially misidentified, but later taxonomic verification confirmed it as Gynacantha basiguttata. The record adds a new species entry to Arunachal Pradesh’s biodiversity records and India’s Odonata checklist. Odonata is the insect order comprising dragonflies and damselflies. The discovery highlights the rich and still under-documented biodiversity of Namdapha National Park and Tiger Reserve in Changlang district.

Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) promotes efficient and economical use of water in agriculture through micro-irrigation systems such as drip and sprinkler irrigation. More than 115 lakh hectares of farmland have been covered under micro-irrigation under the scheme as of July 2026. The initiative originated in January 2006 as the Centrally Sponsored Scheme for Micro Irrigation. From 2015–16 to 2021–22, it was known as Per Drop More Crop and implemented as a component of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY). More than ₹8,123 crore in Central assistance has been released during the last three years. The scheme aims to improve water-use efficiency, crop productivity and farmers’ income through precision water management.

Velavan Senthilkumar of India won the Professional Squash Association (PSA) Budapest Squash Open title in Hungary. He defeated Balazs Farkas of Hungary 3–0 in the final. In the quarterfinals, Senthilkumar defeated Eain Yow Ng, World No. 18 and Asian Games gold medallist, 3–0. He then overcame fellow Indian Veer Chotrani 3–2 in a closely contested semifinal. The victory capped an impressive tournament run for the Indian squash player.

The Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN) seized 66,79,980 psychotropic tablets during a major crackdown on their illegal diversion and trafficking. The operation was conducted on the Chandigarh–Baddi interstate route on 27–28 August 2026. The seized medicines included Alprazolam, Tramadol, Nitrazepam and Clonazepam. The action was carried out under Operation Vajra 2.0.