Current Affairs 13 to 31 August 2026
Forty exam one-liners for the second half of August. Built for UPSC CSE, UPSC EPFO APFC, RBI Grade B, NABARD Grade A, DRDO SAO, BPSC, SEBI, PFRDA and State PCS. Prelims facts first, with a Mains line where the topic can be used in an answer.
This page covers 13–31 August 2026 only. It sits after the 12 August 2026 daily and before the next fortnight. Scheme outlays reported for August are included. If a mock asks the exact Cabinet day, confirm it on the PIB release before locking the date.
High-yield figures for Prelims
Box these first. They are the lines most likely to be asked in UPSC, BPSC, RBI, NABARD and EPFO.
| Topic | Figure to remember | Exam use |
|---|---|---|
| AI skill training | 1 crore youth in one year | UPSC GS3, EPFO, BPSC |
| Nuclear capacity | 100 GW by 2047; five reactors this decade | UPSC GS3, RBI ESI |
| Semiconductor plants | 5 to 8 more in 7–8 years | UPSC, RBI, NABARD |
| Lakhpati Didi | 6 crore rural women | UPSC GS2, EPFO, BPSC |
| Gallantry awards | 78, of which 13 posthumous; 89 Mention-in-Despatches | UPSC, DRDO SAO, CAPF |
| Railway multi-tracking | ₹9,450 crore; about 410 km; four projects | UPSC, RBI, NABARD |
| PM Jan Dhan, 12 years | 59.09 crore accounts; ₹3,16,514 crore deposits | RBI, NABARD, EPFO, UPSC |
| INS Samarthak | First indigenous multi-purpose vessel; over 75% indigenous | DRDO SAO, UPSC |
| Javelin ATGM | About 100 systems; $93 million | UPSC, DRDO SAO |
| Samudra Manthan | ₹84,084 crore till FY 2030-31 | UPSC, RBI, NABARD |
| PM-KISAN continuation | ₹3.15 lakh crore, 2026-27 to 2030-31 | UPSC, NABARD, BPSC |
| Khelo India + ANSF | ₹36,441 crore, FY 2026-27 to FY 2030-31 | UPSC, BPSC |
Current Affairs 13–31 August 2026 — 40 highlights
Same one-liner shape as the CrackTarget daily. Read the bold line, then the fact under it.
80th Independence Day: 13th straight Red Fort address
On 15 August 2026 the Prime Minister delivered his 13th consecutive Independence Day speech from the Red Fort. It is the second-longest such run after Jawaharlal Nehru’s 17. Useful for UPSC polity and BPSC modern-India questions.
UPSCBPSCYuva Shakti, Viksit Bharat@2047, and Vande Mataram at 150
The address was framed around youth leading the journey to Viksit Bharat@2047. The Red Fort ceremony included a full rendition of Vande Mataram, marking 150 years of the song.
UPSCBPSCAI skill training for 1 crore youth in one year
A nationwide AI skilling programme for 1 crore young people within one year was announced from the Red Fort, linked to the AI Summit held earlier in 2026. High yield for UPSC GS3, EPFO social security and RBI ESI.
UPSCEPFORBIFree online coaching for competitive examinations
Free online coaching for competitive exams was announced the same day, using digital public infrastructure and teachers, to cut the cost of preparation for families.
UPSCEPFOBPSCSports talent hunt for children aged 5 to 15
A national talent search for ages 5–15 was announced, with the aim of India competing in at least three-fourths of Olympic events by 2036.
UPSCBPSC100 GW nuclear power by 2047
The speech set a 100 GW nuclear target by 2047, with five new reactors this decade. Fast-breeder technology was described as mastered this year. Pair it with the SHANTI Act in a GS3 answer.
UPSCRBINABARDFive to eight more semiconductor plants
After three major semiconductor facilities had begun production, five to eight further fabrication or assembly plants were expected in the next 7–8 years. A standard ESI and manufacturing question for RBI and NABARD.
RBINABARDUPSCVibrant Civil Defence Network and Mission Sudarshan Chakra
A technology-enabled civil defence volunteer network was announced. Mission Sudarshan Chakra was described around hypersonic systems, counter-drone capability and cybersecurity. Relevant for DRDO SAO and CAPF.
DRDO SAOUPSCSaptadhara, and 6 crore Lakhpati Didis
The address used seven streams: manufacturing, agriculture, technology, infrastructure, defence, green economy and soft power. The Lakhpati Didi target was put at 6 crore rural women. Direct EPFO and GS2 material.
EPFOUPSCBPSC₹1 lakh crore innovation fund
The Independence Day outcomes include a ₹1 lakh crore innovation fund. Use it with the semiconductor and AI lines in an RBI ESI or UPSC science-and-tech answer.
RBIUPSCPartition Horrors Remembrance Day, 14 August
Vibhajan Vibhishika Smriti Diwas was observed on 14 August 2026. The day has been marked since 2021. A short BPSC and UPSC history fact.
BPSCUPSC78 gallantry awards on the eve of Independence Day
On 14 August the President approved 78 gallantry awards, 13 posthumous, and 89 Mention-in-Despatches. A related count of 1,057 police, fire, home guard, civil defence and correctional service medals was also reported.
DRDO SAOUPSCShahzad Bhatti network: more than 200 arrests
Ahead of Independence Day, the ISI-linked Shahzad Bhatti network was reported broken, with more than 200 operatives arrested. A 17 August official note carried the update. Internal-security material for UPSC and CAPF.
UPSCDRDO SAOIndia Post drone Tiranga, Mandi to Rehardhar
The first drone delivery of the Tiranga by India Post ran from Mandi Head Post Office to Rehardhar Branch Post Office, during Har Ghar Tiranga and the Vande Mataram anniversary.
UPSCBPSCUdara Shakti 2026 with Malaysia
The third India–Malaysia air exercise was at Subang Air Base from 10 to 14 August. The IAF side included Rafale fighters and a C-17. The closing days fall in this fortnight.
DRDO SAOUPSCFour railway multi-tracking projects, 19 August
On 19 August four multi-tracking projects worth ₹9,450 crore were cleared in West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, adding about 410 km. Infrastructure fact for UPSC, RBI and NABARD.
RBINABARDUPSCNH-22 four-laning in Bihar, ₹3,590.73 crore
NH-22 four-laning in Bihar was approved at ₹3,590.73 crore, covering 82.578 km. A direct BPSC infrastructure line. Confirm the notification day if the question is date-specific.
BPSCUPSC31st Southern Zonal Council at Mahabalipuram
The 31st Southern Zonal Council met on 20 August 2026 at Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu. A polity one-liner on cooperative federalism for UPSC and BPSC.
UPSCBPSC12th BRICS Communications Ministers’ Meeting, Pune
India hosted the meeting in Pune on 21 August 2026. India held the BRICS chair in 2026, with the summit due in Delhi. IR fact for UPSC and RBI ESI.
UPSCRBILadakh bench of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court
A bench of the J&K High Court in Ladakh was approved to improve access to justice. Polity and federalism material for UPSC and State PCS.
UPSCBPSCJudicial service practice cut from three years to one
The Supreme Court reduced the practice requirement for entry-level judicial service examinations from three years to one year. A clean polity fact for UPSC and BPSC.
UPSCBPSCSamudra Manthan, ₹84,084 crore
Samudra Manthan, the National Offshore Exploration Scheme, was reported in August at ₹84,084 crore for offshore oil and gas exploration till FY 2030-31. Energy and economy fact for RBI, NABARD and UPSC.
RBINABARDUPSCPM-KISAN continued, ₹3.15 lakh crore
PM-KISAN was reported continued from 2026-27 to 2030-31 with an outlay of ₹3.15 lakh crore, as direct income support for five more years. Core NABARD ARD and BPSC agriculture line.
NABARDBPSCUPSCKhelo India and federation assistance, ₹36,441 crore
A revamped Khelo India Scheme, with enhanced Assistance to National Sports Federations, was reported at a combined ₹36,441 crore for FY 2026-27 to FY 2030-31.
UPSCBPSCPM Surya Sarovar Yojana, ₹5,070 crore
PM-SSY was listed in August scheme tables at ₹5,070 crore for 5,000 MW of floating solar and 10,000 MWh of storage. Energy fact for UPSC GS3 and RBI ESI.
UPSCRBIDRDO conventional missile technology opened to industry
On 25 August 2026 the Defence Minister approved transfer of technology of all conventional missile systems developed by DRDO to Indian industry. A core DRDO SAO and Aatmanirbhar defence line.
DRDO SAOUPSCAgni-4 test from Chandipur
Agni-4, a medium-range ballistic missile, was test-fired from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur, Odisha, in August 2026. Defence one-liner for DRDO SAO and UPSC.
DRDO SAOUPSCJavelin deal: about 100 systems, $93 million
The Army moved a US Foreign Military Sales offer for nearly 100 FGM-148 Javelin anti-tank systems, worth $93 million, on the emergency route. Reports describe it as closing a process that had run for well over a decade.
DRDO SAOUPSCMilitary Combat Parachute System at 22,000 feet
DRDO tested the indigenous Military Combat Parachute System at Nyoma-Mudh in Ladakh from 22,000 feet. Place plus height is the Prelims pair.
DRDO SAOUPSCINS Samarthak delivered on 28 August
The Navy took delivery of Samarthak, the first indigenously built multi-purpose vessel, from L&T’s Kattupalli shipyard. Indigenous content is over 75%. It is a trial, evaluation and support platform.
DRDO SAOUPSCBhawana Kanth completes the Fighter Combat Leader course
Squadron Leader Bhawana Kanth became the first Indian woman fighter pilot to complete the Fighter Combat Leader course at TACDE, Gwalior. A “first” fact for UPSC and defence papers.
UPSCDRDO SAOPM Jan Dhan Yojana completes 12 years
Launched on 28 August 2014, PMJDY marked 12 years on 28 August 2026: 59.09 crore accounts and ₹3,16,514 crore in deposits. Nodal ministry is Finance. A must-revise line for RBI Grade B, NABARD, EPFO and SEBI.
RBINABARDEPFOSEBIJitin Prasada in Morocco, 24–25 August
Minister of State Jitin Prasada was on an official visit to Morocco from 24 to 25 August 2026. A short IR appointment-and-visit fact.
UPSCPrime Minister in Uzbekistan: uranium and 11 agreements
The late-August Central Asia visit recorded 11 agreements, covering mining, tourism, defence, agriculture, pharma, health, IT, Ayurveda, digital public infrastructure, UPI and education, plus a long-term uranium supply framework for civil nuclear power.
UPSCRBIAhmedabad named host of the 2030 Commonwealth Games
Ahmedabad received the 2030 Commonwealth Games flag at the Glasgow 2026 closing. It would be India’s second hosting after Delhi 2010. Harsh Singh and Asmita Dey won judo gold at Glasgow.
UPSCBPSCNational Sports Day, 29 August
National Sports Day was observed on 29 August, the birth anniversary of Major Dhyan Chand. The same date is the International Day Against Nuclear Tests.
UPSCBPSCFirst public-private defence avionics facility, Gurugram
A public-private defence avionics facility was inaugurated in Gurugram. T-Hub also partnered with the Army’s Central Command on defence startup deployment. Both sit in the last days of August. DRDO SAO material.
DRDO SAOUPSCNABARD–NaBFID MoU, and seven IPC reference standards
NABARD and NaBFID signed an MoU on rural infrastructure finance. The Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission launched seven nitrosamine impurity reference standards. Useful for NABARD Grade A and regulator papers.
NABARDPFRDAMizoram protects 79 monuments; Sagar Samvad opens
Mizoram declared 79 monuments and archaeological sites as state-protected. The first Sagar Samvad, chaired by Sarbananda Sonowal, was held in New Delhi in the same late-August window.
UPSCBPSCDays to remember, 28 to 30 August
World Sanskrit Day fell on 28 August. National Small Industry Day was observed on 30 August. Mediation Council of India was reported with headquarters in New Delhi. Small-industry day is a one-liner for EPFO and NABARD.
EPFONABARDUPSCWhat to revise for each CrackTarget exam
Do not read all 40 lines the same way. Pick the block for the paper you are writing.
Items 1–15, 18–21, 26–31 and 34–36. Use Saptadhara, the Ladakh bench and the Uzbekistan agreements in GS2. Use nuclear, semiconductors and Samarthak in GS3.
Items 3, 4, 9, 32 and 40. Lakhpati Didi, PMJDY and free coaching are the social-security and labour-adjacent lines. Pair with the EPFO course.
Items 6, 7, 10, 16, 22, 25, 32 and 34. ESI wants the outlays and the financial-inclusion number. PMJDY’s 59.09 crore accounts is the one to memorise.
Items 16, 22, 23, 32 and 38. PM-KISAN, rural infrastructure finance and Jan Dhan are the ARD and ESI overlap.
Items 8, 12, 15 and 26–31. Technology transfer on 25 August, Agni-4, Javelin, the parachute test and INS Samarthak are the defence set.
Items 1, 2, 11, 17, 18, 23 and 35. NH-22 in Bihar and the Southern Zonal Council are the state-relevant lines.
Item 32 is the priority. Jan Dhan at 12 years is the inclusion fact. Scheme outlays in items 22–25 are the macro backdrop for finance papers. See the PFRDA 2026 page.
No insurance-scheme launch dominates this fortnight. Use PMJDY and the digital-payments line in the Uzbekistan agreements as the financial-inclusion context.
Why this fortnight is worth a revision slot
August 13–31 is a numbers fortnight. Independence Day gave the targets. The Cabinet round gave the outlays. Defence gave named platforms. PMJDY gave a dated financial-inclusion fact. That mix covers GS2, GS3, ESI, ARD and the DRDO paper without a 50-line daily for every date.
Continue with the 12 August current affairs, then the current affairs hub.
Important links
Daily pages already on CrackTarget, then the exam hubs this fortnight feeds.
Compiled for competitive exam aspirants by CrackTarget · Free notes, mock tests, courses and one-liners · cracktarget.com/current-affairs · Telegram