1) 🇮🇳 National

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a two-nation visit to Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan from 29 August to 1 September 2026.

• During his Uzbekistan visit, India is focusing on cooperation in trade, investment, defence, energy, digital connectivity and education.

• India has signed a deal with the United States to procure Javelin anti-tank guided missile systems for the Indian Army. The deal also opens possibilities for joint production in India.

• The Indian Navy received INS Samarthak, its first indigenous Multi-Purpose Vessel (MPV), strengthening India's domestic naval shipbuilding capability.

• India has intensified rescue and relief operations in flood-hit Nepal, including deployment of specialised Indian rescue and medical personnel.

2) 🌍 International

• Nepal: A devastating flood triggered by a glacial collapse has caused extensive destruction in Nepal and Tibet. Rescue operations have resumed after being disrupted by adverse weather.

• SCO Summit: The 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit will be held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, from 31 August to 1 September 2026.

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

• India became a full member of the SCO in 2017.

• India has emphasised security, connectivity and economic opportunities, while calling for stronger cooperation against terrorism, separatism and extremism.

3) 💰 Economy

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

• The reserves increased by approximately US$12.4 billion in one week, marking the eighth consecutive weekly rise.

• The RBI's special FCNR(B) forex swap facility attracted around US$73 billion in foreign-exchange inflows by 21 August 2026.

• UPI has completed 10 years, marking a decade of India's transformation in digital payments.

• India's digital-payment ecosystem continues to expand, with UPI becoming one of the world's largest real-time payment systems.

4) 🗓 Date’s importance

• International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances is observed on 30 August to raise awareness about enforced disappearances and protect the rights of victims and their families.

• National Small Industry Day is observed on 30 August in India to recognise the contribution of small-scale industries to employment, entrepreneurship and economic development.

• Exam Point: The International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2010.

5) 👱‍♂👩‍🦳 Person of the day

• Narendra Modi — Prime Minister of India and currently on a diplomatic visit to Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.

• This is PM Modi's fourth visit to Uzbekistan.

• His visit aims to strengthen India's strategic partnerships in Central Asia and deepen cooperation in trade, defence, energy, connectivity and education.

• He will also participate in the 26th SCO Summit in Bishkek.

6) 🏅 Sports

• Argentina won the 2026 FIH Women's Hockey World Cup, defeating the Netherlands 3–1 in a shootout after the final ended 1–1.

• This is Argentina's third Women's Hockey World Cup title, following victories in 2002 and 2010.

• The Netherlands finished runners-up after having won the previous three consecutive editions.

• India finished fifth in the Women's Hockey World Cup after defeating Germany 3–1, recording India's best World Cup finish since the inaugural 1974 edition.

• Hockey India announced a ₹50 lakh cash award for the Indian women's team for its historic performance.

7) 🏆 Awards

• The National Sports Awards 2025 were presented on 29 August 2026 at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

• The awards were presented by President Droupadi Murmu on the occasion of National Sports Day.

• Rohit Sharma was among the prominent sportspersons to receive the Padma Shri 2026 for his contribution to Indian cricket.

• The National Sports Awards recognise outstanding achievements and contributions to Indian sports.

8) ⭐️ Other important significance

• Operation Vajra 2.0: The Central Bureau of Narcotics seized more than 66 lakh psychotropic tablets as part of a major crackdown on illegal trafficking.

• NTA reforms: The National Testing Agency has received additional senior officers as part of efforts to strengthen its administrative and examination-security mechanisms.

• Project Samarthak: The Indian Navy's new indigenous multi-purpose vessel highlights India's push towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat in defence.

• Javelin Missile: The Javelin is a shoulder-fired, fire-and-forget anti-tank guided missile developed by the United States.

• UPI Milestone: UPI, launched in 2016, has completed one decade of operation.

📚 Word of the day

Repatriation — The process of returning a person, animal, object or asset to its country or place of origin.

Example: India assisted in the repatriation and rescue of citizens affected by the Nepal floods.