Monthly current affairs for August 2026

Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has unveiled ‘MA-104’, India’s first indigenous live attenuated vaccine against African Swine Fever (ASF). The vaccine is developed by the ICAR-National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (ICAR-NIHSAD) in Bhopal.

It is to be noted that ASF is a highly contagious viral disease affecting both domestic and wild pigs, with a mortality rate of nearly 100%.

N Marie Wilson, the Finance Minister of Tamil Nadu, has presented the maiden budget of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK)-led government for the FY27. The state government has set a target to achieve a $1.5 trillion economy by 2031.

AS Rajeev, previously the Vigilance Commissioner in the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC), has assumed charge as the Acting Central Vigilance Commissioner on August 3, 2026.

He succeeds Praveen Kumar Srivastava. Prior to joining the CVC, he served as the MD and CEO of the Bank of Maharashtra.

Devesh Uttam has been appointed as the new Ambassador of India to Ethiopia. He succeeds Anil Kumar Rai.

The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions (MoPP&P) has approved the foreign postings of senior bureaucrats. Rahul Jain has been appointed as the Senior Adviser to the Executive Director (India) at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for 3 years.

Baldeo Purushartha has been appointed as the Senior Adviser to the Executive Director (ED) at the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Manila, Philippines, for 3 years. Satyajit Mohanty has been appointed as the Representative of India in the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) for 3 years.

World Wide Web Day

Day – August 1

Observed since – 2010

Commemorating – The launch of the World Wide Web (www) to the public in 1991 (developed by Tim Berners-Lee)

According to the data released by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), the Asiatic lion population in India has grown by over 70% in the last decade. The population of the Asiatic lion (Panthera leo persica) has increased from 523 in 2015 to 891 in 2025.

It is to be noted that India is the exclusive habitat for the wild Asiatic lion, which is localized within the Gir National Park and its surrounding landscape across 11 districts of Gujarat. Project Lion, launched in 2020 to ensure the long-term conservation of the species, has led to an expansion of the lion range from 30,000 sq km in 2020 to nearly 35,000 sq km.

The PM Viksit Bharat Rojgar Yojana (PM-VBRY) has completed one year of implementation, during which more than 72 lakh first-time employees have joined the formal workforce. The scheme is implemented by the Ministry of Labour & Employment (MoL&E) through the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO).

The scheme, scheduled to run from August 2025 to July 2027, has a total financial outlay of ₹99,446 crore. It consists of two components: an employee-focused part that provides financial assistance to first-time formal workforce entrants, and an employer-focused part that offers incentives to establishments for generating additional employment.

RBI has granted Authorised Dealer Category II (AD II) licences to Niyo Forex (via Kanji Forex Pvt Ltd) and GlobalPay (WSFx Global Pay Ltd).

While Niyo Forex received a perpetual licence, GlobalPay secured an expanded perpetual licence under the updated Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) 2026. It is to be noted that these licences facilitate inward and outward trade remittances up to a limit of ₹25 lakh.

Standard Chartered Bank has received approval from the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) to offer wealth management products and services through its branch at the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.

Pawan Hans Ltd (PHL), an enterprise under the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), has signed a non-binding MoU with the Norway-based Noemi Aerospace (Elfly AS) in New Delhi.

The collaboration aims to explore next-generation sustainable aviation technologies, including electric seaplane solutions.

According to the “Environmental Performance Index (EPI 2026)” released by the Yale University, India is ranked at 176th out of 177 countries with a score of 22.46.

Estonia is ranked first with a score of 74.7, followed by Luxembourg, the United Kingdom (UK), Finland, and the Netherlands. Laos is ranked lowest in the index with a score of 21.78.

India hosted the Meeting of Heads of National Statistical Offices (NSOs) of BRICS countries in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, under the theme “Quality Statistics as a Driver of Change”.

India also hosted the 2nd BRICS Anti-Corruption Working Group (ACWG) Meeting and the 2nd Meeting of the BRICS Expert Network on Asset Recovery in Hyderabad. Under India’s BRICS Presidency 2026, the 3rd BRICS Culture Working Group (CWG) meetings were conducted in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. Additionally, the BRICS Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BRICS CCI) celebrated its 14th foundation day in New Delhi.

The Indian Navy (IN) and United States Navy (USN) Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Exercise 2026 has commenced at the Southern Naval Command in Kochi.

The exercise comprises Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEEs), cross-training, equipment demonstrations, and scenario-based practical exercises. It is to be noted that the IN and USN have been conducting joint Salvage and EOD exercises since 2005.

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved a one-year extension for Rahul Navin, the Director of the Enforcement Directorate (ED), until August 13, 2027.

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved a 1-year extension for TV Somanathan as the Cabinet Secretary of India. He is the 33rd Cabinet Secretary and succeeded Rajiv Gauba.

Anahat Singh has become the first Indian to win the women’s singles title at the World Junior Squash Championships 2026. She defeated Ruqayya Salem of Egypt with a score of 3-0 in the final held at Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada.

Mohamad Zakaria of Egypt has successfully defended his title in the men’s singles category.

R Praggnanandhaa, an Indian Grandmaster (GM), has won his maiden Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz title in Saint Louis, Missouri, USA. He finished the tournament ahead of Javokhir Sindarov of Uzbekistan.

Indian Organ Donation Day

Day – August 3

Observed by – National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO)

Observed since – 2010

Commemorating – To mark the anniversary of India’s 1st successful heart transplant, headed by Dr Panangipalli Venugopal in 1994

International Clouded Leopard Day

Day – August 4

Observed since – 2018