Current affairs
News for UPSC, SSC and defence exams, with the reason it matters.
DAC clears ₹1.10 lakh crore of defence purchases, 98% from Indian industry
- On 7 September 2026, the DAC gave Acceptance of Necessity to proposals worth ₹1.10 lakh crore.
- About 98% of the purchases are planned from Indian industry.
- Army items include CBRN reconnaissance vehicles, advanced light helicopters and the Sarvatra Bridge System.
Why it matters
[Data] The DAC, chaired by the Defence Minister, clears capital purchases for the forces. Acceptance of Necessity is the first step in a purchase. The 98% domestic share shows the indigenisation push. Indian marine gas turbines would cut reliance on foreign engine makers.
India and China hold first Corps Commander talks in the Eastern Sector, in Arunachal
- On 6 September 2026, India and China held their first Corps Commander-level meeting in the Eastern Sector.
- It took place at the Vacha-Damai Border Personnel Meeting Point in Arunachal Pradesh.
- Lt Gen Girish Kalia of 3 Corps (Spear Corps) led India's 12-member delegation.
Why it matters
[First] The meeting extends the Corps Commander mechanism beyond Ladakh to the eastern LAC. It came amid reports of Chinese activity in the Taksing area of Upper Subansiri. It was held days before India hosted the 18th BRICS Summit.
GSLV-F17 launches EOS-05, India’s first imaging satellite for geosynchronous orbit
- On 4 September 2026, GSLV-F17 launched the 2,367-kg EOS-05 satellite from Sriharikota.
- EOS-05 is India's first imaging satellite designed to watch Earth from geosynchronous orbit, about 36,000 km up.
- It is the heaviest satellite a GSLV has launched so far.
Why it matters
[First] A satellite in geosynchronous orbit can keep watching the same region. That helps disaster management, farming and strategic monitoring. Most imaging satellites fly in low orbits and pass over an area only now and then.
Ganga Water Treaty with Bangladesh expires on 31 December 2026; Centre to weigh Bihar’s concerns
- The 1996 India-Bangladesh Ganga Water Treaty expires on 31 December 2026.
- EAM S. Jaishankar said India will keep Bihar's interests in mind before deciding on renewal.
- JD(U) MP Sanjay Jha had asked the Centre not to renew it, saying it hurt Bihar.
Why it matters
[Mains] The treaty shares the Ganga's water at Farakka in the dry season. Its renewal is a major item in India-Bangladesh ties this year. It also shows how states can shape India's water diplomacy.
Asked before: CAPF 2022 asked with which country India shares Ganga water at Farakka.
Rajnath Singh releases ‘Raksha’, a 10-year framework for India’s defence diplomacy
- On 3 September 2026, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh released 'Raksha', a 10-year defence diplomacy framework.
- It covers defence partnerships, joint exercises, training and capacity building with friendly countries.
- It aims to grow defence exports and make India a reliable defence manufacturing partner.
Why it matters
[Policy] This is a written long-term roadmap for defence diplomacy. It ties exports, exercises and maritime security into one plan. 'Net Security Provider' and 'First Responder' are common GS-II and GS-III terms.
26th SCO Summit in Bishkek adopts 28 documents; Pakistan takes over the 2026-27 chair
- The 26th SCO Heads of State Council met in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on 1 September 2026.
- It approved 28 documents, including the Bishkek Declaration and a protocol amending the SCO Charter.
- It also approved an MoU with the African Union Commission.
Why it matters
[International Relations] The SCO was founded in 2001 and now has 10 full members. India became a full member in 2017.
Shakti Sharma becomes first non-medical woman officer to reach Air Vice Marshal rank
- On 1 September 2026, Shakti Sharma became the first non-medical woman officer to reach Air Vice Marshal rank.
- The first counts all three armed forces, including equivalent ranks in the Army and Navy.
- She took charge as Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Education) at Air Headquarters.
Why it matters
[First] Women had reached this level before only through the medical branch. Air Vice Marshal equals Major General in the Army and Rear Admiral in the Navy. Defence exams often ask about women's firsts in the forces.
India’s GDP grows 7.8% in April-June 2026 quarter (Q1 FY27)
- India's GDP grew 7.8% in April-June 2026, the first quarter of FY27.
- It was faster than 6.9% in Q1 of last year.
- It was slower than 8.6% in January-March 2026.
Why it matters
[Data] Quarterly GDP data is released by the NSO under MoSPI. A high base can make one sector shrink, as in mining.
Asked before: UPSC Mains 2021 (GS-III) asked how India's GDP computing method changed after 2015.
Heatwaves and lightning added to India’s list of notified natural calamities
- The Home Ministry told the Lok Sabha on 4 August 2026 that heatwaves and lightning are now notified calamities.
- This takes the list of notified natural calamities to 14.
- The change follows the Sixteenth Finance Commission's recommendation.
Why it matters
[Policy] Under Article 280, the Finance Commission recommends disaster fund arrangements. FC-XVI set ₹2.04 lakh crore for State disaster funds for 2026-31.
Asked before: CDS (II) 2020 asked which Ministry the National Disaster Management Authority works under.
Centre notifies Legal Metrology (IST) Rules, 2026, making IST the single legal time reference
- The Consumer Affairs Ministry notified the Legal Metrology (Indian Standard Time) Rules, 2026 on 27 August.
- IST becomes the single reference for legal, official and commercial purposes.
- The rules come into force 180 days after publication in the Gazette.
Why it matters
[Policy] This is part of the 'One Nation, One Time' push. Banking, telecom, power grids and railways need exact, synced time stamps.
Asked before: CDS (I) 2021 asked which longitude is the standard meridian of India.
India, China agree to push ‘early harvest’ of boundary delimitation after 25th SR talks
- The 25th round of Special Representatives talks on the boundary was held in Beijing on 25 August 2026.
- NSA Ajit Doval led India. Foreign Minister Wang Yi led China.
- An eight-point outcome document said both sides will push an 'early and substantial harvest' of boundary delimitation.
Why it matters
[Policy] The SR mechanism was set up in 2003 to settle the boundary question. An 'early harvest' means settling the easier sections first. River data matters for the Brahmaputra floods.
Gross FDI inflows hit a 15-year high of $30.7 billion in April-June 2026
- India got $30.7 billion in gross FDI in April-June 2026, as per RBI data.
- It is the highest quarterly inflow in data going back 15 years.
- Net FDI for the quarter was $7.8 billion, the highest since June 2022.
Why it matters
[Data] Gross and net FDI are different measures. Gross counts all money coming in. Net subtracts repatriation and outward FDI by Indian firms.
Asked before: CDS (I) 2022 asked which kind of investment counts as Foreign Direct Investment.
India’s domestic defence production hits a record Rs 1.78 lakh crore in 2025-26
- India's domestic defence production reached a record Rs 1.78 lakh crore in 2025-26.
- It was about Rs 43,000 crore in 2013-14.
- Defence Production Secretary Sanjeev Kumar gave the figure at a national aerospace and defence manufacturing conference in New Delhi.
Why it matters
[Indian Economy] Higher home production means India buys fewer weapons abroad and saves foreign exchange. It is the core aim of Atmanirbhar Bharat in defence.
IAF completes Exercise Pitch Black 2026 in Australia and Udara Shakti 2026 in Malaysia
- The Indian Air Force completed two overseas air exercises: Pitch Black 2026 and Udara Shakti 2026.
- Pitch Black is hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force. Air forces from over 20 nations took part.
- The IAF sent its Rafale fighters to Pitch Black for Large Force Employment missions.
Why it matters
[International Relations] Exercise names and partner countries are a common exam question. Pitch Black is multinational and held in Australia. Udara Shakti is a two-nation drill with Malaysia.
India and Japan sign Memorandum of Arrangement on Maritime Security Cooperation
- Defence Ministers Rajnath Singh and Shinjiro Koizumi met in New Delhi on 20 August 2026.
- They signed a Memorandum of Arrangement (MoA) on Maritime Security Cooperation.
- It covers information sharing, naval exercises, ship repair and logistics support.
Why it matters
[Policy] It builds on the Special Strategic and Global Partnership. It backs a free and open Indo-Pacific. Ship repair in India also helps Indian shipyards.
Asked before: UPSC Mains 2019 GS-II asked about building a strong India-Japan global and strategic partnership.
BRICS Environment Ministers in New Delhi oppose EU’s carbon border tax (CBAM) as ‘unilateral’
- The 12th BRICS Environment Ministers' Meeting was held in New Delhi on 18 August 2026, under India's chairship.
- Its joint statement opposed 'unilateral, punitive, discriminatory and protectionist' climate measures, including the EU's CBAM.
- CBAM entered its definitive phase on 1 January 2026. It covers iron and steel, aluminium, cement, fertilisers, hydrogen and electricity.
Why it matters
[Policy] CBAM taxes the carbon in imports. The EU says it stops 'carbon leakage'. Developing countries call it a trade barrier. India's steel exports face the biggest hit, just as the India-EU FTA starts.
Asked before: UPSC CSP 2025 asked a statement-based question on BRICS.
President gives assent to Kerala (Alteration of Name) Act; State to be called Keralam
- The Lok Sabha passed the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026 on 11 August.
- The Rajya Sabha passed it on 12 August 2026.
- President Droupadi Murmu gave assent, so it is now law.
Why it matters
[Polity] Article 3 lets Parliament change a State's name by a simple majority. The Bill needs the President's recommendation and the State's views first. Earlier renames include Orissa to Odisha in 2011.
Asked before: CDS II 2019 asked about Parliament's power to alter the name and boundaries of a State.
Supreme Court: no State can block elephant corridors; orders nationwide survey
- The Supreme Court gave the order on 17 August 2026.
- It said no State can block elephant corridors.
- The Centre must conduct a fresh nationwide survey of the corridors.
Why it matters
[Environment] Elephants are Schedule I animals under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Herds move across many States. Blocked corridors push them into villages and raise human-elephant conflict.
Asked before: UPSC Prelims 2020 asked a statement question on Indian elephants.
ONGC gets US OFAC licence to resume full operations in Venezuela
- ONGC received a licence from the US Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
- It allows ONGC to resume full operations in Venezuela.
- ONGC had limited activity there for years due to sanctions risk.
Why it matters
[Energy] Venezuela has the world's largest proven oil reserves. The licence helps India diversify crude supply. That matters after the Hormuz disruption in 2026.
CBDT notifies FAST-DS, a foreign asset disclosure scheme for small taxpayers
- The Foreign Assets of Small Taxpayers-Disclosure Scheme (FAST-DS) opened on 16 August 2026.
- Declarations can be made online until 31 December 2026.
- Undisclosed assets up to ₹1 crore attract an effective 60% tax.
Why it matters
[Economy] It targets students, young professionals and returning NRIs. Declarants get immunity from prosecution under the Black Money Act, 2015. It was announced in the 2026-27 Budget.
Asked before: UPSC Prelims 2021 asked about the main worry caused by black money in India.
India’s defence production reaches record ₹1.78 lakh crore in 2025-26
- Defence production rose from ₹46,000 crore in 2014 to ₹1.78 lakh crore in 2025-26.
- Public sector units made about 76%; the private sector made 24%.
- Defence exports hit a record ₹38,424 crore in 2025-26.
Why it matters
[Security] Higher home production cuts import dependence. India now has 145 defence exporters selling to over 80 countries. Rajnath Singh shared the data on 14 August 2026.
WPI inflation eases to 9.78% in July 2026, first fall under the new base year
- WPI inflation eased to 9.78% in July 2026 from 9.87% in June.
- It is the first month-on-month fall under the new 2022-23 base year.
- Fuel and power inflation fell to 20.05% from 27.41%.
Why it matters
[Economy] The West Asia war and the Hormuz blockade pushed up crude and fertiliser prices. WPI tracks producer-level prices. The gap with CPI at 4.45% shows costs not yet passed on to shoppers.
Asked before: CDS II 2023 asked which factors raised Wholesale Price Inflation in 2021-22.
Census 2027 notifies 40 questions; caste to be counted for all for the first time
- The Registrar General notified 40 questions on 14 August 2026.
- They are for Population Enumeration, the second phase of Census 2027.
- Caste will be recorded for all, not only SCs and STs, for the first time since Independence.
Why it matters
[Society] Caste data shapes reservation and welfare debates. The last full caste count was in 1931. The first phase, House Listing, ends by 30 September 2026.
Asked before: CDS 2024 asked when the first All-India Census was attempted.
Parliament passes MMDR Amendment Bill limiting State taxes on mineral rights
- The Lok Sabha passed the Bill on 12 August and the Rajya Sabha on 13 August 2026.
- It restricts States' powers to tax mineral rights and mineral-bearing land.
- The Centre says it ensures uniform mineral rates across the country.
Why it matters
[Federalism] The Opposition said the Bill hurts fiscal federalism. The Centre said States now get about 88% of mineral revenue. The debate links to the 2024 Supreme Court ruling that let States tax mineral rights.
Seven-judge Bench to decide if legislative privilege overrides free speech
- A seven-judge Constitution Bench will start hearing on 6 October 2026.
- It will decide if legislative privilege can override free speech under Article 19(1)(a).
- A three-judge Bench headed by CJI Surya Kant passed the order.
Why it matters
[Polity] Articles 105 and 194 give privileges to Parliament and State Legislatures. These privileges are still not codified. Earlier cases like Keshav Singh (1965) left the conflict with free speech unsettled.
Asked before: CDS II 2020 asked whether MPs' privileges are fettered by Article 19(1)(a).
Retail inflation rises to a 19-month high of 4.45% in July 2026
- CPI inflation rose to 4.45% in July 2026, up from 4.38% in June.
- It is the highest level in 19 months.
- Food and beverages inflation rose to 5.2%.
Why it matters
[Economy] CPI is the RBI's inflation target measure. The target is 4%, with a band of 2% to 6%. Inflation is still inside the band but rising.
Asked before: UPSC Prelims 2015 asked which body brings out the CPI for Industrial Workers.
Parliament passes NCDC (Amendment) Bill to widen lending to the cooperative sector
- The Lok Sabha passed the Bill on 11 August and the Rajya Sabha on 12 August 2026.
- It amends the National Co-operative Development Corporation Act, 1962.
- NCDC can now give loans and grants directly to cooperative societies.
Why it matters
[Economy] Many agencies that help cooperatives are not registered as cooperatives. NCDC could not fund them before. The change widens credit for the cooperative sector without new budget support.
Three new cascade frog species found in Northeast India; one named after Padmini Varkey
- Scientists described three new cascade frog species of the genus Amolops.
- They are Amolops ammachi (Tripura), Amolops sendenyu (Nagaland) and Amolops bella (West Bengal).
- Five more cascade frog species were recorded in India for the first time.
Why it matters
[Environment] Cascade frogs live in fast-flowing forest streams. The finds came from over 15 years of fieldwork. They show how rich the Northeast's biodiversity is.
Government approves one billion polymer banknotes each of ₹10 and ₹20 for field trials
- The government approved polymer banknotes of ₹10 and ₹20 for field trials.
- One billion pieces of each note will be printed for the trial.
- The RBI sent the proposal under Section 25 of the RBI Act, 1934.
Why it matters
[Economy] Polymer notes last longer than paper notes. They are also harder to fake. Section 25 of the RBI Act lets the Centre approve a note's design, form and material.
Asked before: NDA II 2017 asked which waves are used to detect forgery in currency notes.
Supreme Court tells 19 States and UTs to declare cancer a notifiable disease
- The Supreme Court gave the order on 11 August 2026.
- Only 17 of 36 States and UTs had notified cancer so far.
- The remaining 19 must now declare it a notifiable disease.
Why it matters
[Governance] A notifiable disease must be reported to the government. That builds better cancer data and helps early detection. The PIL linked this to the right to health under Articles 14 and 21.