1) 🇮🇳National
Launch of 'Har Ghar Tiranga 2026' Campaign: The Union Ministry of Culture launched the nationwide Har Ghar Tiranga 2026 campaign (9 to 17 August), dedicated to celebrating 150 years of the national song Vande Mataram.
Extension of Jal Jeevan Mission: The Union Cabinet approved the extension of the Jal Jeevan Mission up to December 2028 to ensure continuous tap water access across remote and tribal households.
National Circular Bioenergy Scheme (GOBARdhan): The Union Cabinet approved the GOBARdhan scheme with an outlay of ₹23,731 crore to convert agricultural and animal waste into clean bioenergy.
2) 🌍International
UN Study Tour Interaction: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held bilateral discussions with UN Permanent Representatives from 17 countries, emphasizing reformed multilateralism to reflect the aspirations of the Global South.
UNESCO SDG 4 Scorecard Released: UNESCO published its 2026 SDG 4 Education Scorecard, noting that India's public expenditure on education stands at 4.1% of GDP, meeting global minimum benchmarks.
3) 💰Economy
GeM Completes 10 Years with ₹20 Lakh Crore GMV: The Government e-Marketplace (GeM) completed 10 years of operation, facilitating over ₹20 lakh crore in cumulative Gross Merchandise Value across 3.78 crore orders.
SBI Q1 Net Profit Rises to ₹21,121 Crore: State Bank of India reported a 10% year-on-year surge in net profit for Q1 FY27, reaching ₹21,121 crore with total advances crossing ₹50 lakh crore.
Clarification on UPI MDR Framework: The Union Ministry of Finance clarified that proposed Merchant Discount Rates (MDR) on UPI will apply only to high-value commercial transactions above ₹2,000 for select large merchants, ensuring person-to-person (P2P) transfers remain free.
4) 🗓Date’s importance
International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples (9 August): Recognized globally by the United Nations to protect the rights, indigenous knowledge, and cultural heritage of native populations.
August Kranti Din (9 August): Marks the anniversary of the launch of the Quit India Movement in 1942 at Gowalia Tank Maidan in Mumbai, where Mahatma Gandhi delivered the call of "Do or Die".
5) 👱♂👩🦳Person of the day
Aruna Asaf Ali: Honoured on August Kranti Din as the 'Grand Old Lady of the Independence Movement' for her bravery in hoisting the Indian National Congress flag at Gowalia Tank Maidan during the 1942 Quit India movement.
6) 🏅Sports
India Finishes 4th at Commonwealth Games 2026: India concluded its Commonwealth Games campaign in Glasgow in 4th position with 39 medals (13 gold, 17 silver, 9 bronze), with women athletes claiming 8 of the 13 gold medals.
Men's Squad for FIH Hockey World Cup Announced: Hockey India announced the 20-member Indian Men's Squad for the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026, held in Belgium and the Netherlands from 15 to 30 August.
7) 🏆Awards
Russia Grand Sand Master Cup: Renowned Indian sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik became the first Indian to be awarded the Russia Grand Sand Master Cup at the International Festival of Sand Sculpture.
8) ⭐️Other important significance
'Suryapath Tiranga' Global Drive: As part of the Har Ghar Tiranga 2026 movement, the Ministry of External Affairs introduced 'Suryapath Tiranga' to link Indian diplomatic missions globally through digital and cultural engagement.
9) 📚Word of the day
MULTILATERALISM
Meaning: (Noun) The practice of coordinating diplomatic and economic relations between three or more nations through international institutions or treaties.
Usage in Exams: India emphasized the necessity of reformed multilateralism to provide equitable representation to developing nations in global governance.