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The Union Cabinet on 20 August 2026 approved the establishment of a new Bench of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh in Ladakh, making it the third seat of the High Court after Srinagar and Jammu. The decision was announced by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
The Ladakh Bench is aimed at bringing High Court services closer to residents, reducing the need to travel to Srinagar or Jammu and improving access to justice in the remote Union Territory. It is also expected to help address judicial pendency, with 44,557 cases pending before the High Court as of July 2026, including 6,106 cases pending for more than 10 years.
The move will strengthen judicial infrastructure in Ladakh, where only 5 of 10 subdivisions currently have court facilities. The Centre also reiterated its commitment to protecting Ladakh’s land, employment and cultural rights.
Key Fact: Ladakh will now have the third seat/bench of the High Court, alongside Srinagar and Jammu.
On 19 August 2026, the Union Cabinet approved infrastructure projects worth over ₹13,000 crore to strengthen railway and road connectivity.
Railway projects: Four multitracking projects worth ₹9,450 crore were approved across Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.
Railway expansion: The projects will add around 410 km to the railway network across 8 districts.
Beneficiaries: Improved connectivity to nearly 6,448 villages with a combined population of about 60 lakh.
Freight capacity: Expected to facilitate an additional 76 million tonnes of freight traffic annually.
Key benefits: Reduced congestion, logistics costs and fuel consumption, along with improved passenger and freight movement.
Environmental benefit: Expected to save around 13 crore litres of oil and reduce CO₂ emissions by approximately 65 crore kg.
Bihar NH-22 project: The Cabinet approved four-laning of the 82.578-km Muzaffarpur–Sitamarhi–Sonbarsa section of NH-22.
Cost:₹3,590.73 crore, to be implemented under the Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM).
Importance: The highway will improve connectivity between Muzaffarpur and the India-Nepal border at Sonbarsa, reduce travel time and boost trade, tourism and economic activity.
Major structures: The project includes 7 major bridges, 3 railway overbridges and 2 flyovers.
The railway projects are aligned with the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan for integrated multimodal connectivity.
On 18 August 2026, Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant became the first Indian and fourth player in the world to hit 100 sixes in Test cricket during the fourth day of the opening Test against Sri Lanka.
Pant reached the milestone in his 51st Test, becoming the fastest player to complete 100 Test sixes.
He surpassed Ben Stokes, who reached 100 sixes in his 82nd Test.
Players ahead of Pant in the overall list:
Ben Stokes – 138 sixes
Brendon McCullum – 107 sixes
Adam Gilchrist – 100 sixes
Rishabh Pant – 100 sixes
Among Indian players, Virender Sehwag and Rohit Sharma are joint second with 91 sixes each.
The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports announced the National Sports Awards 2025 on 18 August 2026 to recognise excellence and outstanding contributions by sportspersons, coaches and organisations in various sporting disciplines.
The awards were decided on the recommendations of a Selection Committee chaired by former Supreme Court Judge Justice (Retd.) Arun Kumar Mishra. The committee included eminent sportspersons, sports administrators and persons with experience in sports journalism. Applications were invited through a dedicated online portal, allowing sportspersons, coaches and entities to self-apply.
🏅 Arjuna Awards for Outstanding Performance – 2025
The Arjuna Award recognises good performance over the previous four years, along with qualities of leadership, sportsmanship and discipline.
A total of 17 sportspersons were selected:
No.
Sportsperson
Discipline
1
Tejaswin Shankar
Athletics
2
Muhammed Ajmal V
Athletics
3
Priyanka Goswami
Athletics
4
Treesa Jolly
Badminton
5
Pullela Gayatri Gopichand
Badminton
6
Narender
Boxing
7
Vidit Santosh Gujarathi
Chess
8
Divya Jitendra Deshmukh
Chess
9
Dhanush Srikanth
Deaf Shooting
10
Lalremsiami
Hockey
11
Rajkumar Pal
Hockey
12
Surjeet
Kabaddi
13
Pooja
Kabaddi
14
Rudransh Khandelwal
Para-Shooting
15
Ekta Bhyan
Para-Athletics
16
Arvind Singh
Rowing
17
Akhil Sheoran
Shooting
🏆 Arjuna Award (Lifetime) – 2025
The Arjuna Award (Lifetime) honours sportspersons who have made significant contributions through their performances and continued to promote sports after retiring from active competition.
I Arumainayagam – Football
🥇 Dronacharya Awards – 2025
The Dronacharya Award recognises coaches for outstanding and meritorious work on a consistent basis and for enabling sportspersons to excel at international events.
Regular Category:
Parveer Singh – Athletics
Chhote Lal Yadav – Boxing
Neha Nandkumar Chavan – Shooting
Lifetime Category:
Dharmendra Singh Yadav – Boxing
Virender Kumar – Wrestling
🇮🇳 Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar 2025
The Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar is given to entities that play a visible role in the promotion and development of sports.
The Indian Army contingent has departed for Thailand to participate in the 15th edition of the India-Thailand Joint Military Exercise, MAITREE-XV (2026), scheduled from 18–31 August 2026.
Key Facts
Exercise: MAITREE-XV 2026
Participants: Indian Army & Royal Thai Army
Venue: Vibhavadi Rangsit Camp, Surat Thani, Thailand
Dates: 18–31 August 2026
Strength: 85 personnel from each army
Indian contingent: Primarily troops from 9 Gorkha Rifles
Focus: Joint operations in jungle and semi-urban terrain
Objective: Improve interoperability and capabilities for counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations under Chapter VII of the UN Charter
Activities: Field exercises, combat discussions, lectures, demonstrations and a final validation exercise
Started: Exercise MAITREE was instituted in 2006
The exercise will promote military cooperation, interoperability, operational experience-sharing and camaraderie between the Indian and Royal Thai armies, further strengthening bilateral defence ties.
India’s first 14D Virtual Zoo has been inaugurated at Kamla Nehru Prani Sangrahalaya in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, on 16 August 2026. The facility was inaugurated by Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav and developed at a cost of about ₹4.5 crore under the PPP model.
Key Facts
Location: Kamla Nehru Prani Sangrahalaya, Indore
Major attractions: 14D Cinema, 360° Virtual Jungle Safari, holograms, glow garden and roar maze
Ticket: ₹70 per person
Shows: 16 shows daily, each lasting 20 minutes
Timing: Tuesday–Sunday, 10 AM–6 PM
The 14D cinema uses sensory effects such as moving seats, water sprays, wind, fog, bubbles and vibrations, while the 360° virtual safari creates an immersive jungle experience through digital technology.
The project aims to combine wildlife education, entertainment and conservation awareness, while also boosting tourism and generating revenue for the Indore Municipal Corporation.
Suryapath Tiranga is a global Tiranga relay launched as part of Har Ghar Tiranga 2026 to mark India’s 80th Independence Day. The national flag was hoisted successively at Indian Missions and Posts across different time zones, symbolically following the path of the rising sun from East to West.
📅 Launch: 15 August 2026
📍 Started: Suva, Fiji — 1:30 AM IST
🌍 Initial coverage: 21 countries in the first 9 hours
🕥 Reached: Qatar — 10:30 AM IST
🇺🇸 Planned conclusion: San Francisco, USA
🎯 Aim: Promote national unity, patriotism, Indian heritage and global connection through the Tiranga.
🌐 Participants: Indian Missions, diaspora and friends of India worldwide.
🇮🇳 Campaign:Har Ghar Tiranga 2026
Exam Point:Suryapath Tiranga symbolically carries the Tiranga with the movement of the sun across time zones, connecting India and the global Indian community on Independence Day.
Magnus Carlsen successfully defended his Esports World Cup Chess 2026 title in Paris by defeating Denis Lazavik 2–0 in the grand final. The Norwegian star remained unbeaten throughout the tournament, winning his second consecutive EWC Chess title and earning $250,000.
🏆 Winner: Magnus Carlsen (Norway, Team Liquid)
🥈 Runner-up: Denis Lazavik (Belarus)
🥉 Third: Hikaru Nakamura (USA)
📅 Dates: 11–15 August 2026
📍 Venue: Paris, France
💰 Prize: $250,000 for Carlsen
♟️ Format: Rapid chess (10-minute games)
⭐ Key Record: First player to win the EWC Chess title twice consecutively (2025 & 2026).
Exam Point: Magnus Carlsen won the Esports World Cup Chess 2026 title and became the first back-to-back champion of the event.
On 15 August 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation from the Red Fort on India’s 80th Independence Day, presenting an ambitious roadmap to build a “Viksit Bharat” by 2047. He emphasized self-reliance, economic growth, technology, defence, education, youth empowerment and innovation.
Major Announcements & Key Points
Viksit Bharat @2047: PM Modi called for collective efforts of 140 crore citizens to make India a developed nation by 2047.
Sapt Dhara: India’s development strategy will focus on seven pillars—manufacturing; agriculture & food production; technology & innovation; infrastructure & connectivity; defence; green & blue economy; and soft power.
Free Online Coaching: Free online coaching will be provided to students from poor and middle-class families preparing for competitive examinations, with teaching by top educators, to reduce the financial burden of coaching.
AI Skill Training:1 crore youth will be trained in AI skills over the next one year, with the aim of enabling India’s youth to take a leading role in the global AI sector.
Technology & Innovation: Focus areas include AI, quantum technology, space, robotics, semiconductors and data centres, with the goal of making India a global innovation hub.
Nuclear Power: India aims to achieve 100 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047 and commission five new nuclear reactors during the current decade.
Defence Self-Reliance: India will strengthen capabilities in drones, counter-drone systems, hypersonic defence and cybersecurity and seek to become a global defence supplier.
Manufacturing: India aims to develop the complete manufacturing value chain—from components and design to finished products—and become a trusted global manufacturing hub.
Agriculture & Exports: Greater emphasis will be placed on food processing, chemical-free farming and agricultural exports, with farmers encouraged to meet global quality standards.
Infrastructure:Gati Shakti, high-speed rail, modern highways, inland waterways, airports and multimodal logistics will drive faster connectivity.
Youth & Startups: India has more than 2.5 lakh registered startups, while a ₹1 lakh crore innovation fund will support young innovators.
Sports Talent Hunt: A nationwide talent hunt will identify sporting talent among children aged 5–15 years across villages, cities and schools. Selected children will receive specialised training to prepare them for international competition.
Sports Events: India is preparing for its 2036 Olympics ambition and will host the Commonwealth Games in 2030.
Women Empowerment: The target of creating 3 crore Lakhpati Didis has already been surpassed, with a new target of 6 crore Lakhpati Didis.
Education: Nearly 650 universities have been added over the past decade, while more than 10,000 Atal Tinkering Labs have been established.
Healthcare: Social security coverage has expanded to 100 crore citizens, while people aged 70+ are covered for free treatment up to ₹5 lakh under Ayushman Bharat.
Economic Growth: PM Modi highlighted that 25 crore people have moved out of poverty and pointed to major increases in defence, electronics, mobile-phone and railway production.
Global Economic Ambition: India aims to have 50 Fortune 500 companies within the next decade and at least one Indian bank among the world’s top five banks.
On 14 August 2026, India Post created history by making its first-ever drone delivery of the National Flag (Tiranga) in Himachal Pradesh, ahead of Independence Day.
Route: Mandi Head Post Office → Rehardhar Branch Post Office, Himachal Pradesh.
Inaugurated by:Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region, who witnessed the live drone take-off virtually.
The Tiranga parcel was received at Rehardhar and formally handed over to an Army veteran.
The initiative demonstrates how drone technology can improve last-mile postal connectivity, especially in remote and difficult terrains.
India Post plans drone-based mail transmission across 150 identified routes in Himachal Pradesh and Assam.
The initiative supports the vision of a technologically advanced and connected Viksit Bharat and reflects India Post’s service ethos: “Dak Sewa, Jan Sewa.”
It was also linked with the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign, encouraging citizens to display the National Flag.
India celebrated its 80th Independence Day on 15 August 2026 at the Red Fort, New Delhi, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading the national celebrations.
Theme:Yuva Shakti (Youth Power), highlighting the role of youth in building Viksit Bharat@2047.
Vande Mataram: The celebrations marked 150 years of Vande Mataram, which was rendered at the Red Fort for the first time during Independence Day celebrations.
Flag Hoisting: The National Flag was hoisted with a 21-gun salute, while two IAF Mi-17 helicopters showered flower petals.
Shakti ki Sapt Dhara: PM Modi outlined seven areas of national strength—manufacturing, agriculture & food processing, technology & innovation, connectivity, defence, green & blue economy, and soft power.
AI Translation: The Prime Minister’s speech was translated live into 22 Indian languages using Digital India Bhashini.
Youth Participation: Around 2,500 NCC cadets and MY Bharat volunteers formed “Vande Mataram” on Gyanpath.
Special Guests:19 Indian Olympiad medallists and around 5,000 invitees from diverse sections of society attended the celebrations.
Other Highlight: An eco-friendly Swachhata Plogging Drive was conducted after the event.
On 12 August 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi released the autobiography of former President Ram Nath Kovind, titled “Triumph of the Indian Republic: My Life, My Struggles”, at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi. The book offers a deeply personal account of Kovind’s journey from humble beginnings in Paraunkh village, Uttar Pradesh, to becoming the 14th President of India.
📖 Key Facts about the Autobiography
Title:Triumph of the Indian Republic: My Life, My Struggles
Author: Ram Nath Kovind (14th President of India, 2017–2022)
Publisher: Rupa Publications
Release Date: 12 August 2026
Released By: Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi
Partition Horrors Remembrance Day(विभाजन विभीषिका स्मृति दिवस) is observed every year on 14 August to honour the millions who suffered displacement, violence, and loss during the 1947 Partition.
📜 Background & Significance
Declared in 2021 by the Government of India, observed annually on 14 August.
Commemorates the largest mass migration in modern history — millions displaced across India and Pakistan.
Highlights communal violence, killings, abductions, destruction of property, and family separations during Partition.
Purpose: To ensure future generations learn from history, fostering communal harmony, empathy, and peaceful coexistence.
On 7 August 2026, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan signed the Mecca Joint Defence Pact in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, establishing a collective-defence commitment that an armed attack on one member will be treated as an attack on all three.
Signatories: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Core principle:“An attack on one is an attack on all,” similar to NATO’s collective-defence principle.
Background: The pact builds on the Saudi-Pakistan Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement (SMDA) signed in September 2025, with Türkiye now joining the arrangement.
Key areas: Joint military training, defence technology cooperation and coordinated military activities.
Strategic significance: The agreement reflects closer defence ties among the three countries amid regional instability and changing security dynamics in West Asia.
Saudi position: The pact was described as a mechanism for sustainable defence cooperation, not a military or sectarian bloc.
Exam Fact:Mecca Joint Defence Pact → Saudi Arabia + Türkiye + Pakistan → Signed on 7 August 2026 → “An attack on one is an attack on all.”
World Elephant Day is observed every year on 12 August. In 2026, the theme was “Bringing the world together to help elephants,” highlighting global efforts to protect elephants from habitat loss, poaching, illegal ivory trade and human-elephant conflict.
First observed: 2012
India’s importance: India is home to nearly 60% of the world’s Asian elephants.
Wild elephant population in India:22,446 (SAIEE 2021–25 census).
Project Elephant: Launched in 1992 for elephant habitat protection, welfare and human-elephant conflict mitigation.
Elephant Reserves:33 reserves covering about 80,777 sq km across 14 states.
Elephant corridors:150 identified corridors across India.
West Bengal: Has the highest number of identified elephant corridors (26).
Conservation technology: DNA-based census, AI monitoring, radio-collaring and early-warning systems are being used to protect elephants.
Exam Fact:World Elephant Day → 12 August | 2026 Theme → “Bringing the world together to help elephants” | Project Elephant → 1992.
NASA has invited ISRO to participate in its Moon Base programme, discussed during the India-U.S. Civil Space Joint Working Group meeting held in Bengaluru on 5–6 August 2026. The initiative aims to establish a permanent human outpost near the Moon’s South Pole.
Phase 1 (2026–2029): Robotic exploration and technology testing.
Phase 2 (2029–2032): Development of infrastructure for sustained lunar presence.
Phase 3 (Post-2032): Establishment of a permanent lunar base.
India’s role: Strengthen lunar exploration, technology cooperation and scientific data sharing with the U.S.
Artemis Accords: India joined in June 2023 as the 27th signatory.
NISAR: The partnership builds on the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar mission launched in 2025.
Strategic significance: The collaboration strengthens India-U.S. space cooperation and supports future Moon and Mars exploration, including resource utilization such as extracting water and producing fuel.
One-liner extra facts: The Artemis Accords were established in October 2020 by NASA and the U.S. Department of State as a non-binding framework for peaceful civil space exploration, building on the 1967 Outer Space Treaty.
The Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026 officially renames the state of Kerala as “Keralam,” aligning its constitutional identity with the native Malayalam usage. Passed in the Lok Sabha on 11 August 2026, the Bill amends multiple constitutional provisions to reflect the new name.
📜 Background & History
Kerala Assembly Resolution (2024): The Kerala Legislative Assembly unanimously resolved to change the state’s name to Keralam, citing linguistic and cultural authenticity.
Cabinet Approval (Feb 2026): The Union Cabinet, chaired by PM Narendra Modi, approved the proposal, following constitutional procedure under Article 3.
Parliamentary Passage (Aug 2026): The Bill was introduced by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and later moved by MoS Home Nityanand Rai.
⚖️ Constitutional Amendments
The Bill makes changes across several constitutional articles and schedules:
Article 31A & 290A: Substitutes “Kerala” with “Keralam.”
First Schedule: Updates the official list of states.
Fourth Schedule: Alters references in Rajya Sabha seat allocation.
Adaptation of Laws: Both Central and State governments empowered to update laws, notifications, and records within one year.
🌍 Significance of the Name Change
Cultural Identity: “Keralam” is the original Malayalam name, reflecting linguistic pride and historical continuity since Kerala Piravi (formation day, 1 Nov 1956).
Precedents: Similar renaming exercises include Orissa → Odisha (2011) and Uttaranchal → Uttarakhand (2007).
Symbolic Assertion: Strengthens regional identity while aligning with the principle of states formed on linguistic basis.
🦁 Kerala’s Demography & Identity
Population: Over 3.5 crore (35 million) people, with high literacy (96%) and strong human development indicators.
Language: Malayalam is the official language; “Keralam” is its authentic usage.
Cultural Heritage: Known for Onam, Kathakali, Ayurveda, and spice trade history.
Geography: Coastal state with Western Ghats biodiversity, famous backwaters, and high urbanization.
World Lion Day is observed every year on 10 August to raise awareness about lion conservation. In 2026, India highlighted its successful conservation of the Asiatic lion.
Founded: 2013 by conservationists Dereck and Beverly Joubert.
Scientific Name:Panthera leo.
India’s Asiatic Lion Population:891 in 2025, up from 523 in 2015.
Population Increase: About 70% over a decade.
Habitat Expansion: From around 30,000 sq km (2020) to nearly 35,000 sq km (2025).
Habitat: Asiatic lions are found in Gujarat, particularly the Gir landscape.
Project Lion: Launched in 2020 for habitat improvement, disease surveillance and community participation.
Major Threats: Habitat loss and fragmentation, prey depletion, poaching and human-wildlife conflict.
The Indian Navy and US Navy have commenced the 8th edition of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Exercise 2026 at Southern Naval Command, Kochi, from 10–14 August 2026. The five-day bilateral exercise involves specialist diving and EOD teams from both navies.
The exercise focuses on underwater explosive threats, salvage operations, modern EOD methodologies, emerging technologies and best practices. Activities include Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEEs), cross-training, equipment demonstrations and scenario-based practical exercises.
India and the US have conducted joint Salvage & EOD exercises since 2005. The 2026 exercise aims to enhance interoperability, professional cooperation and joint operational capabilities, while strengthening the broader India–US defence partnership.
Exam Ready One-Liner : India–US EOD Exercise 2026, the 8th edition, is being held at Southern Naval Command, Kochi, from 10–14 August 2026 to enhance joint maritime EOD capabilities and interoperability.
India has crossed a historic milestone of 300.50 GW of installed non-fossil fuel-based electricity generation capacity as of 31 July 2026, achieving over 60% of its target of 500 GW by 2030. Non-fossil sources now account for over 54% of India’s total installed power capacity.
Source-wise capacity:
☀️ Solar: 164.59 GW
🌬️ Wind: 58.14 GW
💧 Hydro: 57.24 GW
🌱 Bio-power: 11.75 GW
⚛️ Nuclear: 8.78 GW
Total: 300.50 GW
During 2025–26, India added a record 55.29 GW of non-fossil capacity, including 44.6 GW solar and 6 GW wind. Renewable electricity generation increased from 190.96 billion units in 2014–15 to 477.79 billion units in 2025–26.
✅ One-Liner Quick Revision and Extra Facts
India crosses 300 GW non-fossil fuel capacityon 31 July 2026,.
Target: 500 GW by 2030.
India’s first solar park: Charanka Solar Park, Gujarat (2012).
Largest solar project: Bhadla Solar Park, Rajasthan (2.25 GW).
COP28 Commitment: India pledged net-zero emissions by 2070.
Hydrogen Train Pilot: Jind–Sonipat section in Haryana (2026).
The Government of India has clarified that UPI payments will remain free for citizens. The recent amendment to the Payment and Settlement Systems (PSS) Act, 2007 is an enabling provision aimed at ensuring the long-term sustainability, technological advancement and resilience of India’s UPI ecosystem.
No charges for users: Citizens will not have to pay transaction charges for UPI payments.
P2P transactions remain free: Person-to-Person (P2P) UPI transactions will continue to be free.
MDR for merchants: If introduced in future, Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) will apply only to a limited set of merchant transactions above a specified threshold and at a nominal rate.
Most merchant transactions remain free: MDR will not be a blanket charge on all UPI merchant transactions.
Decision on MDR: After Parliament passes the Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, the UPI and Services Steering Committee headed by NPCI will decide whether MDR should be introduced.
Reason for amendment: The measure aims to support UPI’s growing infrastructure, cybersecurity, fraud prevention, technological upgrades and financial sustainability.
UPI growth: In July 2026, UPI processed 2,366 crore transactions worth ₹29.9 lakh crore.
Global reach: UPI is now live in 11 foreign countries and has emerged as the world’s largest real-time payment system.
UPI background: Developed by NPCI and launched in 2016, UPI enables instant interoperable payments through mobile numbers, VPA and QR codes.
Indian chess Grandmaster R. Praggnanandhaa won his maiden St. Louis Rapid & Blitz 2026 title at the Saint Louis Chess Club, USA, held from 31 July to 7 August 2026.
He scored 23.5/35 points, finishing 1.5 points ahead of Javokhir Sindarov of Uzbekistan. Wesley So of the USA finished third with 20.5 points. Praggnanandhaa earned $50,000 and 13 Grand Chess Tour points, moving to second place in the overall Grand Chess Tour standings.
The victory is significant as Praggnanandhaa had also won Norway Chess 2026 earlier in the year.
National Handloom Day is observed every year on 7 August to commemorate the Swadeshi Movement of 1905, which promoted indigenous products and the boycott of foreign goods. In 2026, the 12th National Handloom Day was celebrated at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre, New Delhi, with President Droupadi Murmu as the chief guest.
The 2026 celebrations highlighted innovation, sustainability and technology in the handloom sector. 3 Sant Kabir Handloom Awards and 19 National Handloom Awards were presented to outstanding weavers. Four commemorative postage stamps and publications highlighting India’s handloom traditions were also released.
The handloom sector supports over 35 lakh weavers and allied workers, with 72% being women, making it an important source of rural employment and women-led economic empowerment. Traditional textiles such as Banarasi silk, Kanjeevaram, Maheshwari, Kota Doria and Khadi reflect India’s rich cultural heritage.
Key Facts for Exams:
National Handloom Day: 7 August
Associated event: Swadeshi Movement, 1905
First observed: 2015
2026 edition: 12th
Chief Guest: President Droupadi Murmu
Venue: Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre, New Delhi
India successfully test-fired the Agni-4 Medium-Range Ballistic Missile (MRBM) on 7 August 2026 from the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur, Odisha.
Conducted by: Strategic Forces Command (SFC), with DRDO support
India’s Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme has made significant progress, with the first uncrewed experimental mission targeted for the fourth quarter of 2026 and the first crewed mission planned for 2027, the government informed Parliament.
First uncrewed experimental mission: Q4 2026, including Vyommitra, a half-humanoid robot.
First crewed Gaganyaan mission: Targeted for 2027.
Two additional uncrewed missions are planned before the maiden crewed flight.
The Human Rated Launch Vehicle (HLVM3) propulsion stages and structures have completed development and ground testing.
The Crew Escape System has undergone major successful tests, while Test Vehicle Mission TV-D1 successfully validated crew-escape technology.
Selected Gaganyatris have completed generic spaceflight training in Russia and are undergoing mission-specific training in Bengaluru.
The Union Cabinet approved ₹20,193 crore for eight Gaganyaan missions in September 2024.
Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) is targeted to become operational by 2035 and will comprise five modules.
India is collaborating with ESA, Australia, France and Russia for various aspects of the programme.
Key Facts: 🚀 Gaganyaan first uncrewed mission → Q4 2026 👨🚀 First crewed mission → 2027 🛰️ Bharatiya Antariksh Station → 2035 💰 Gaganyaan allocation → ₹20,193 crore
Parliament on 5 August 2026 passed the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026, increasing the sanctioned strength of Supreme Court judges from 33 to 37, excluding the Chief Justice of India (CJI).
The amendment revises the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956.
The increase had already been provided through an Ordinance promulgated by President Droupadi Murmu in May 2026.
The government said the move aims to improve the efficiency of the Supreme Court and ensure timely justice.
Union Minister of State for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal defended the measure as part of broader judicial reforms.
On the same day, the Lok Sabha passed the Bankers’ Books Evidence Bill, 2026, aimed at modernising rules concerning banking records and digital banking evidence.
