Current Affairs

Daily and monthly current affairs mapped to syllabus topics and related PYQs.

GS3 · Urban infrastructure

ADB $230 million loan for climate-resilient Chennai water and sewerage

On 21 August 2026 India and the Asian Development Bank signed a $230 million loan for the Chennai Climate-Resilient Water Security and Sewerage Project. It will lay over 170 km of water and sewer pipes and upgrade 7 water and 38 sewer pumping stations. Chennai will become the first Indian city with a comprehensive ring-main water system.

21 Aug 2026
GS3 · Agriculture

Backgrounder: PM-AASHA for MSP price support

A PIB Backgrounder of 21 August 2026 explains PM-AASHA, launched in September 2018 as the umbrella for MSP-based price support. It has four parts: the Price Support Scheme, the Price Stabilisation Fund, the Price Deficiency Payment Scheme and the Market Intervention Scheme. Its budget rose to ₹7,200 crore in 2026-27, from ₹5437.99 crore spent in 2024-25.

21 Aug 2026
GS2 · Tribal welfare

Backgrounder: PM Janjatiya Vikas Mission and the minor forest produce economy

A PIB Backgrounder of 20 August 2026 explains the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission, launched in 2021-22 to raise tribal income from minor forest produce. It buys MFP at MSP for 87 items and organises gatherers into Van Dhan Vikas Kendras. So far 4,172 kendras have been sanctioned, linking 12.48 lakh tribal members, with sales of about ₹168 crore.

20 Aug 2026
GS3 · Blue economy

CMLRE releases national report on deep-sea fishery resources of India’s EEZ

On 20 August 2026 the Ministry of Earth Sciences released the National Report on Deep-Sea and Distant-Water Fishery Resources of the Indian EEZ, marking the silver jubilee of CMLRE, Kochi. It compiles three decades of surveys across India's 2.37 million sq km EEZ, from over 400 cruises, and maps the twilight zone, deep-sea stocks and biodiversity hotspots.

20 Aug 2026
GS3 · Industry

Core industries grow 5.4% in July 2026 (base 2022-23)

The Index of Core Industries grew 5.4 per cent in July 2026 over July 2025, as per provisional data released on 20 August 2026 on base year 2022-23. Iron ore, cement and electricity led the growth, while natural gas, crude oil and fertilisers shrank. April to July growth was 4.3 per cent, up from 1.5 per cent.

20 Aug 2026
GS2 · Governance

Data-sharing policy under Sujalam Bharat DPI for drinking water

On 20 August 2026 the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation issued a Policy on Data Sharing, Interoperability and Stakeholder Access under the Sujalam Bharat Digital Public Infrastructure. It sets a secure, federated framework to share rural drinking water data among the Centre, States, Gram Panchayats and approved stakeholders, with a tiered access model that protects privacy and infrastructure.

20 Aug 2026
GS2 · India–Japan

India–Japan defence ministers meet in New Delhi

On 20 August 2026 the defence ministers of India and Japan met in New Delhi and signed a Memorandum of Arrangement on Maritime Security Cooperation. They agreed to hold the fourth 2+2 ministerial meeting in Tokyo this year, set up a joint Working Group and push the UNICORN antenna, the first defence equipment transfer project between the two countries.

20 Aug 2026
GS3 · Mining

MMDR Amendment Act, 2026 notified on 17 August

The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2026 was notified by the Centre on 17 August 2026. Welcoming it on 20 August, SAIL said it brings clarity and uniformity in mineral taxes and levies and addresses pending retrospective levies. SAIL expects better viability of its captive mines and more iron ore for the domestic market.

20 Aug 2026
GS3 · Agriculture

Backgrounder: makhana, from wetland crop to superfood

A PIB Backgrounder of 19 August 2026 traces makhana's rise from a Bihar wetland crop to a global superfood. India is the largest producer, with 80,590 tonnes in 2025-26 as per second advance estimates. A National Makhana Board was launched in Bihar in September 2025, and a ₹476.03 crore Central Sector Scheme runs from 2025-26 to 2030-31.

19 Aug 2026
GS3 · Infrastructure

Cabinet clears ₹3,590.73-crore 4-laning of Muzaffarpur–Sitamarhi–Sonbarsa NH-22

On 19 August 2026 the CCEA approved upgrading the Muzaffarpur-Sitamarhi-Sonbarsa section of NH-22 in Bihar to four lanes. The 82.578 km project will be built on Hybrid Annuity Mode at ₹3,590.73 crore. It links the India-Nepal border at Sonbarsa with Muzaffarpur on the East-West Corridor and is planned under PM GatiShakti principles.

19 Aug 2026