1) 🇮🇳 National

• India–Uzbekistan ties upgraded: India and Uzbekistan have elevated their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

• Trade target: India and Uzbekistan have set a target of US$5 billion annual bilateral trade by 2030.

• Uranium cooperation: India and Uzbekistan are moving towards a long-term uranium supply agreement, strengthening cooperation in the nuclear-energy sector.

• Sports Genomics: Gujarat has launched India's first state-level Sports Genomics Programme, aimed at scientific talent identification and personalised sports training.

• India Post GDS: Online applications for India Post Gramin Dak Sevak (GDS) Recruitment 2026 begin today, with 25,000+ vacancies announced.

2) 🌍 International

• SCO Summit 2026: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is participating in the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

• SCO anniversary: The 2026 summit marks the 25th anniversary of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.

• Nepal flood disaster: The death toll from the devastating Himalayan floods has risen to around 788, with more than 2,500 people still missing.

• Climate risk: The Nepal disaster has highlighted the growing threat from glacial instability, flash floods and climate-related disasters in the Himalayan region.

• India–Central Asia: Connectivity, energy, defence, trade and regional security remain key areas of India's engagement with Central Asian nations.

3) 💰 Economy

• Forex reserves: India's foreign-exchange reserves reached a record US$729.33 billion as of 21 August 2026.

• RBI forex swap: The RBI's special USD-INR swap facility has mobilised around US$73 billion in foreign-exchange inflows.

• FCNR(B) deposits: FCNR(B) deposits accounted for approximately US$65.4 billion of the inflows under the facility.

• FCNR(B) deadline: 31 August 2026 is the final date for mobilisation of FCNR(B) deposits under the special RBI swap facility.

• Digital payments: India's UPI ecosystem continues to strengthen India's position as a global leader in real-time digital payments.

4) 🗓 Date’s importance

• National Small Industry Day: 31 August is observed in India as National Small Industry Day to recognise the contribution of small-scale industries to employment, entrepreneurship and economic growth.

• SCO Summit: The 26th SCO Summit begins in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on 31 August.

• Exam Point: The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation was established in 2001.

• India became a full SCO member in 2017.

5) 👱‍♂👩‍🦳 Person of the day

• Shavkat Mirziyoyev — President of Uzbekistan.

• Under his leadership, Uzbekistan has been strengthening strategic and economic relations with India.

• India and Uzbekistan have elevated their bilateral relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

• Exam Point: The capital of Uzbekistan is Tashkent.

6) 🏅 Sports

• FIH Men's Hockey World Cup 2026: India finished 8th after losing to Belgium 4–3 in a penalty shootout, following a 3–3 draw.

• Harmanpreet Singh was India's key scorer in the match, equalising late in regulation time through a penalty-corner conversion.

• Khelo India Tribal Games: Competitions in athletics, wrestling, football and hockey are continuing in Chhattisgarh.

• Asian Games 2026: The 20th Asian Games will be held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from 19 September to 4 October 2026.

7) 🏆 Awards

• National Sports Awards 2025 were presented on 29 August 2026, coinciding with National Sports Day.

• 17 sportspersons were selected for the Arjuna Award.

• The Arjuna Award recognises outstanding sporting achievements by Indian athletes.

• National Sports Awards include major honours such as the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, Arjuna Award, Dronacharya Award and Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar.

8) ⭐️ Other important significance

• India Post GDS Recruitment 2026: More than 25,000 posts are available, with selection based primarily on Class 10 merit.

• CONCOR Recruitment 2026: Container Corporation of India has announced 77 vacancies for Management Trainee and Assistant Officer positions.

• Sports Genomics: Gujarat's programme plans to analyse around 10,000 athlete samples over five years.

• Defence exports: India continues to simplify defence-export procedures to strengthen its position as a global defence manufacturing and exporting hub.

• Exam Point: FCNR(B) stands for Foreign Currency Non-Resident (Bank) deposits.

📚 Word of the day

Bilateral — Relating to or involving two countries, organisations or parties.

Example: India and Uzbekistan have strengthened their bilateral relations through a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.