Daily notes mapped to syllabus topics, with “Asked before” PYQs and original practice MCQs.
On 22 August 2026 the National Biodiversity Authority released ₹2.82 crore under the Access and Benefit-Sharing mechanism. Of this, ₹2.80 crore went to 27 State Biodiversity Boards and 3 UT Biodiversity Councils, and ₹2.01 lakh to ICAR-IIHR, Karnataka. The money came from companies using Indian genetic resources in vegetable hybrids and microbial strains.
UPSC angle: Prelims: SBBs; ABS.
22 Aug 2026
On 21 August 2026 Cochin Shipyard Limited delivered Mangrol, the third Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft it has built, to the Indian Navy. The ship has over 80 per cent indigenous content. It is built for underwater surveillance, anti-submarine operations in coastal waters, low-intensity maritime operations and mine warfare.
UPSC angle: Prelims: ships in news.
22 Aug 2026
A PIB Backgrounder of 22 August 2026 reviews the National Animal Disease Control Programme, launched in September 2019 to control Foot and Mouth Disease and Brucellosis. It has given 147.16 crore FMD vaccine doses, benefiting 8.04 crore farmers. Reported FMD outbreaks fell from 132 in 2019 to 40 in 2025, and Brucellosis outbreaks from 22 to 15.
UPSC angle: Prelims: NADCP diseases.
22 Aug 2026
On 22 August 2026 the Government restricted the manufacture, sale and distribution of all fixed dose combinations containing chlorpheniramine maleate and phenylephrine hydrochloride, common in cold medicines. Labels must warn that they shall not be used in children below four years. The order, under Section 26A of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, follows Expert Committee and DTAB advice.
UPSC angle: Prelims: FDC regulation.
22 Aug 2026
The EPFO has urged employers to use the Employees' Enrolment Campaign 2026, notified from 29 June 2026. It is a one-time chance to enrol eligible employees who stayed outside EPF coverage between 1 April 2009 and 31 March 2026. The campaign is open until 31 October 2026 and waives the employee's share where it was not deducted.
UPSC angle: Prelims: EPFO basics.
22 Aug 2026
On 22 August 2026 the 14th BRICS Science, Technology and Innovation Ministerial Meeting, chaired by India, unanimously adopted the Chennai Declaration. It puts a people-centred, humanity-first approach at the heart of BRICS STI cooperation. It backs shared research infrastructure through BRICS GRAIN, a BRICS Science and Research Repository and a BRICS Youth Startup Platform.
UPSC angle: Prelims: BRICS 2026 chair.
22 Aug 2026
A PIB Backgrounder of 21 August 2026 answers questions on the Ken-Betwa Link Project, the first river-interlinking project under the National Perspective Plan to reach implementation. Costing ₹44,605 crore, it moves Ken water to the Betwa basin through the 96.7 m Daudhan Dam and a 216.465 km canal. It will irrigate 10.62 lakh hectares in Bundelkhand by 2030.
UPSC angle: Mains: River interlinking: benefits and risks.
21 Aug 2026
On 21 August 2026 the BRICS Tourism Ministers' Meeting in Jaipur, under India's Chairship, adopted the BRICS Tourism Ministers' Communique 2026, called the Jaipur Declaration. Nine member states took part. It sets out cooperation on four themes: AI and tourism, sustainable tourism, tourism skilling, and tourism exchanges and travel facilitation.
UPSC angle: Prelims: BRICS meeting venues.
21 Aug 2026
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.
UPSC angle: Prelims: PM-AASHA components.
21 Aug 2026
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.
UPSC angle: Prelims: ADB basics.
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