Daily notes mapped to syllabus topics, with “Asked before” PYQs and original practice MCQs.
At the National Shipping Board's first Sagar Samvad on 25 August 2026, the Shipping Minister backed a five-point roadmap to add 100 vessels to India's merchant fleet in five years. India pays close to $75 billion a year in freight to foreign lines. Panelists said Indian-flagged ships cost 16 to 20 per cent more to run.
UPSC angle: Mains: Revitalising Indian shipping.
25 Aug 2026
On 24 August 2026 the Office of the Economic Adviser, DPIIT, released provisional Service Producer Price Indices for Q1 of 2026-27, base year 2022-23. They cover seven services. The air passenger index jumped to 126.4, up 31.94 per cent year on year, while the banking service price index fell 3.35 per cent.
UPSC angle: Prelims: PPI vs WPI.
24 Aug 2026
On 24 August 2026 the Vice-President launched India's first non-GMO, high-expansion popcorn maize hybrid seed at Musunuru in Eluru district of Andhra Pradesh. It was developed by Gourmet Popcornica, a homegrown firm. India had long depended on imported hybrid technology for good popcorn maize, so the seed should save foreign exchange.
UPSC angle: Prelims: hybrid vs GM; GEAC.
24 Aug 2026
At a side event of UNCCD COP17 in Ulaanbaatar on 24 August 2026, the Environment Minister said India brought 21.76 million hectares under restoration during 2011-2020. The work generated about 1.22 billion person-days of employment. The figures come from India's Second Progress Report on the Bonn Challenge, under which India has pledged 26 million hectares by 2030.
UPSC angle: Prelims: LDN target.
24 Aug 2026
The third meeting of the India-Cambodia Joint Working Group on Trade and Investment was held in Phnom Penh on 24 August 2026. Bilateral trade grew over 36 per cent to $406.78 million in 2025-26, from $299 million a year earlier. Both sides discussed a customs MoU, the Bilateral Investment Treaty and UPI links.
UPSC angle: Prelims: MGC members.
24 Aug 2026
On 24 August 2026 the Health Ministry announced amendments to the Medical Devices Rules, 2017. Under Rule 44, makers who outsource sterilisation to a licensed facility no longer need a separate loan licence. Under Rule 63, the European Union joins the US, UK, Australia, Canada and Japan as a recognised jurisdiction for waiving clinical investigation.
UPSC angle: Prelims: CDSCO.
24 Aug 2026
On 23 August 2026 the Prime Minister met CEOs of Indian space startups and said the government must stay consistent in its decisions so that private players can take risks. The startups spoke of a private orbital launch, new engines, debris removal and space pharma. India's space startups have grown from one in 2014 to over 400 in 2026.
UPSC angle: Mains: Private sector in space.
23 Aug 2026
The Indian Navy's sail training ship INS Sudarshini arrived at Lisbon, Portugal, on 22 August 2026 as part of its Lokayan 26 transoceanic expedition. The three-masted barque sailed in through the Tagus River. Lisbon was the ship's 15th port visit in seven months, with exchanges with the Portuguese Navy and the Indian diaspora.
UPSC angle: Prelims: ships in news.
23 Aug 2026
On 22 August 2026 the Union Home Minister reviewed the security of the Siliguri Corridor with central and West Bengal officials and agencies. He reviewed infrastructure projects critical to security, and discussed illegal immigration, demographic change and border issues. He asked all agencies to apply a quadrangular approach to border security and keep the corridor free of encroachments.
UPSC angle: Prelims: map of Siliguri Corridor.
23 Aug 2026
A PIB Backgrounder of 23 August 2026 explains regenerative agriculture: farming that rebuilds soil health and biodiversity instead of only maintaining them. India promotes it through natural farming, micro-irrigation, agroforestry, integrated farming and soil testing. Natural farming clusters cover 8.80 lakh hectares, and 25.89 crore Soil Health Cards have been generated since inception.
UPSC angle: Mains: Sustainable agriculture practices.
23 Aug 2026133 items
142 items
169 items
165 items
139 items
125 items
124 items
122 items
110 items
110 items
126 items
110 items
121 items
109 items
119 items
106 items
110 items
114 items
111 items
