Current affairs relevant to GS2.
A PIB backgrounder of 8 August 2026 explains how the Government e-Marketplace (GeM), launched on 9 August 2016, moved public buying online. It links more than 1.37 lakh government buyer organisations with nearly 25 lakh sellers, and cumulative procurement has crossed ₹20 lakh crore. In 2025-26, over 11 lakh MSEs got orders worth over ₹2.36 lakh crore.
8 Aug 2026
On 8 August 2026 the Ports, Shipping and Waterways Ministry launched E-Samudra, one digital platform for services to seafarers, shipping companies and ports. It offers end-to-end workflows, online payment, real-time tracking and digital certificates. India's active seafarer workforce grew from about 1.03 lakh in 2013 to more than 3.23 lakh in 2025.
8 Aug 2026
Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a phone call from US Vice President J.D. Vance on 8 August 2026. They reviewed progress in the India-U.S. Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership and recommitted to closer cooperation in trade, defence, critical and emerging technologies, energy security and critical minerals. They also discussed regional and global developments.
8 Aug 2026
The Scan and Register service of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission has crossed 25 crore OPD registrations, the Health Ministry said on 7 August 2026. Patients scan a QR code at the hospital and share their ABHA profile to register instantly. It runs at 30,800 facilities in 36 States and UTs, and about 4 lakh people use it daily.
7 Aug 2026
The Government e-Marketplace (GeM) completes ten years on 9 August 2026, the Commerce Ministry said on 7 August. Cumulative GMV has crossed ₹20 lakh crore through more than 3.78 crore orders. An IIT Delhi study of FY 2023-24 to 2025-26 estimates a net social saving of ₹1,76,411.46 crore. MSEs account for 45.6 per cent of cumulative GMV.
7 Aug 2026
On 7 August 2026 Bhutan's Minister of Energy and Natural Resources held two meetings in New Delhi, with India's Power Minister and with the Jal Shakti Minister. They reviewed hydropower projects such as Punatsangchhu-I, Punatsangchhu-II, Sankosh and Chukha, cross-border power trade, flood forecasting and the sharing of hydrological data on trans-border rivers.
7 Aug 2026
In Lok Sabha replies on 7 August 2026, MEA said India's 2022 Arctic Policy, "India and the Arctic: Building a Partnership for Sustainable Development", guides its Nordic ties. Ties were raised to a Green Technology and Innovation Strategic Partnership at the 3rd India-Nordic Summit. On the UNSC, MEA said expansion needs an amendment of the UN Charter.
7 Aug 2026
On 5 August 2026 the Health Ministry deployed a National Joint Outbreak Response Team (NJORT) to Gujarat and Rajasthan for the Chandipura Virus Disease outbreak. The team draws experts from NCDC, ICMR and the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying. Scientists are also checking whether insects other than sandflies spread the virus and whether animals carry it.
5 Aug 2026
On 5 August 2026 the Prime Minister marked seven years since Articles 370 and 35(A) ceased to operate in 2019, calling 5 August 2019 a defining milestone. He said the full application of the Constitution has empowered women and marginalised communities in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. The change rested on two Presidential Orders, C.O. 272 and C.O. 273.
5 Aug 2026
SVAMITVA gives property owners in rural inhabited (abadi) areas a Record of Rights, the Panchayati Raj Minister told Rajya Sabha on 5 August 2026. Drone surveys with CORS technology create high-accuracy maps. Drone survey is complete in 3.30 lakh villages, and 11,147 loans worth ₹1,713 crore have been given against SVAMITVA property cards.
5 Aug 2026