Daily notes mapped to syllabus topics, with “Asked before” PYQs and original practice MCQs.
On 21 August 2026 MeitY notified the Mobile Phone Manufacturing Scheme with an outlay of ₹62,500 crore for FY 2026-27 to 2030-31. It rewards mobile phone makers and, separately, Indian-owned brands with Indian design and R&D. It expects cumulative production of about ₹39 lakh crore and around 60,000 direct jobs. It follows the PLI scheme for phones.
UPSC angle: Mains: PLI outcomes in electronics.
21 Aug 2026
By 20 August 2026, 29 FDI investments worth ₹4,895.65 crore had been reported under India's revised framework for investors with small, non-controlling ownership from land-bordering countries. Since Press Note 2 of 2026, notified on 1 May 2026, such investors with up to 10 per cent LBC ownership can use the automatic route instead of seeking prior government approval.
UPSC angle: Prelims: Press Note 3.
21 Aug 2026
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.
UPSC angle: Prelims: MMDR.
20 Aug 2026
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.
UPSC angle: Prelims: India–Japan exercises.
20 Aug 2026
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.
UPSC angle: Prelims: JJM; DPI.
20 Aug 2026
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.
UPSC angle: Prelims: ICI composition and weights.
20 Aug 2026
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.
UPSC angle: Prelims: EEZ; CMLRE location (Kochi).
20 Aug 2026
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.
UPSC angle: Prelims: Van Dhan; TRIFED.
20 Aug 2026
A PIB Backgrounder of 19 August 2026 answers questions on the MMDR Amendment Act, 2026. States levy about 14 kinds of taxes and charges on mining, and some tax mineral-bearing land at up to 20 per cent. The Centre says States will keep about 90 per cent of mining revenue, and minor minerals stay fully with the States.
UPSC angle: Prelims: royalty vs tax.
19 Aug 2026
India will host the fifth Coast Guard Global Summit in New Delhi in February 2027, coinciding with the Swarnim Jayanti of the Indian Coast Guard. On 19 August 2026 the Coast Guard hosted a Working Level Meeting in hybrid mode to prepare. The summit is presented as an expression of India's MAHASAGAR vision for a cooperative maritime order.
UPSC angle: Prelims: ICG facts.
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