Current Affairs Capsule PDF (5th August, 2026)
The Supreme Court has extended the mandatory third-party insurance period for newly purchased private vehicles to improve road safety and insurance compliance across India. As per the August 4, 2026 order, new private cars will now require 4 years of compulsory third-party insurance instead of 3 years, while new two-wheelers will require 6 years instead of 5 years. The Court directed IRDAI to implement the revised norms immediately, sought compliance affidavits by August 14, and fixed the next hearing for August 18, 2026. It also proposed a four-layer insurance framework, a “No Insurance, No Fuel” pilot, and integration of ANPR cameras, VAHAN, and Insurance Information Bureau databases to identify uninsured vehicles and strengthen protection for accident victims.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has launched a revamped TRAI MyCall mobile application to enhance consumer participation in monitoring voice call quality. Introduced on August 3, 2026, the upgraded app allows users to rate calls on a 1–5 star scale, report issues such as call drops, echo, audio delay, voice breaking, and one-way audio, and perform signal coverage tests. It also features automatic post-call feedback prompts and an interactive map showing feedback history. By combining user feedback with technical network data, the app helps telecom operators identify service issues and improve network performance, while enabling TRAI to strengthen evidence-based regulation and enhance the overall Quality of Experience (QoE) for over one billion telecom subscribers in India.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has proposed draft rules to recognize two-wheeled ambulances (bike ambulances) as a separate category of emergency medical vehicles under the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989. The proposal introduces standards for registration, design, safety, and operation to improve emergency response in rural, hilly, disaster-prone, and traffic-congested areas. Under the draft rules, L2-category bike ambulances manufactured from October 1, 2027, must comply with AIS-209 (Part 1):2026 and include prescribed emergency equipment. Classified as transport vehicles, they will require registration and periodic fitness certification. The initiative aims to reduce response times, strengthen last-mile healthcare, and complement conventional ambulances with faster first-response services.
India has unveiled an ambitious plan to increase its installed power generation capacity to 874 GW by 2031-32, up from 548.86 GW as of June 30, 2026, to meet rising electricity demand and strengthen energy security. The country has already achieved 54.18% non-fossil fuel installed capacity, surpassing its 2030 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) target of 50%. The roadmap includes adding 80 GW of new coal-based capacity, expanding hydropower and nuclear energy, developing 15,870 MW of Pumped Storage Projects (PSPs) and 15,754 MW of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), and strengthening the grid with 191,474 circuit km of new transmission lines and 1,274 GVA of transformation capacity to support reliable and sustainable power supply.
The Supreme Court has directed that a 10-kilometre mining buffer zone be enforced around all notified wetland conservation reserves across India, extending an earlier order that applied only to the Asan Wetland Conservation Reserve in Uttarakhand. The ruling aims to protect fragile wetland ecosystems from mining and environmentally harmful activities. Issued on 4 August 2026, the order also applies across the Himalayan region unless an expert committee confirms the absence of notified wetland reserves in a state. Wetlands play a vital role in groundwater recharge, flood control, carbon storage, and biodiversity conservation. The judgment strengthens environmental protection and promotes sustainable management of India’s ecologically sensitive wetland habitats.
The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 proposes major reforms to strengthen oversight of foreign funding received by individuals, associations, and NGOs. The Bill introduces a Designated Authority to manage foreign-funded assets when FCRA registration expires, is cancelled, or surrendered, mandates time-bound utilisation of foreign contributions, and imposes restrictions on asset transfers during suspension. It also provides for automatic cessation of registration, requires Central Government approval before FCRA investigations, expands the definition of key functionaries to enhance accountability, and reduces maximum imprisonment for violations from five years to one year. The proposed law aims to improve transparency, prevent misuse of foreign funds, strengthen national security, and ensure better governance, while also raising concerns over executive control, NGO autonomy, and property rights.
The Supreme Court has issued nationwide directions to strengthen India’s response to digital arrest scams and cyber financial fraud. It directed the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to prepare a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) within four weeks for identifying, freezing, and investigating mule bank accounts used in cybercrimes. The Court also ordered all states and Union Territories to operationalize the Cyber Fraud Grievance Redressal Module, Money Restoration Module, and implement the e-Zero FIR system with support from the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C). Additionally, it asked MeitY, DoT, and I4C to examine a technological “kill switch” to detect suspiciously long scam video calls and directed an Inter-Departmental Committee to explore a shared liability and victim compensation framework for cyber fraud victims.
Kerala has unveiled a comprehensive AI-led governance overhaul to modernize public administration, improve efficiency, and deliver faster, citizen-centric services. The initiative integrates artificial intelligence, digital governance, and process re-engineering to simplify procedures, reduce bureaucratic delays, enhance transparency, and strengthen coordination among government departments. AI-assisted decision-making will help analyze administrative data for better policy formulation, while expanded digital platforms will enable faster application processing, online approvals, and improved grievance redressal. The reforms also focus on automating routine tasks, streamlining workflows, and using data-driven governance to monitor programmes and allocate resources effectively, reinforcing Kerala’s leadership in digital governance and technology-driven public administration.
The Uttar Pradesh Government has presented a ₹59,019.54 crore Supplementary Budget for 2026-27, with over 70% (₹41,620.04 crore) allocated for capital expenditure to accelerate infrastructure development and economic growth. Tabled by Finance Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna, the budget prioritizes industrial development, rural infrastructure, energy, healthcare, education, agriculture, and local governance. Major allocations include ₹20,905.88 crore for industries and infrastructure, ₹14,184.72 crore for rural development, ₹7,422.27 crore for the energy sector, and significant funding for healthcare, technical education, and school education. Complementing the state’s annual budget of ₹9.12 lakh crore, the supplementary budget aims to boost long-term asset creation, employment generation, and public service delivery ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.
The Maharashtra government has imposed a one-year statewide ban on analogue paneer (non-dairy paneer) effective July 30, 2026, under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. The ban prohibits the manufacture, storage, distribution, transportation, and sale of analogue paneer across the state to prevent non-dairy substitutes from being misleadingly sold as traditional milk-based paneer. The restriction applies to hotels, restaurants, caterers, cloud kitchens, and other food establishments. Earlier, from May 1, 2026, businesses were required to disclose the use of paneer analogues on menus, display boards, and bills. Violations may attract up to six months’ imprisonment and a fine of up to ₹1 lakh, reinforcing consumer protection and food safety standards.
The Himalayan Serow (Capricornis thar) has been video-recorded in Himachal Pradesh’s Dalhousie catchment forests after nearly 20 years, marking a major achievement for wildlife conservation in the Western Himalayas. Documented on August 4, 2026, near the Kalatop-Khajjiar Wildlife Sanctuary, the sighting confirms the continued presence of this elusive goat-antelope in the region. Classified as Near Threatened (NT) by the IUCN, the Himalayan Serow faces threats from habitat loss, fragmentation, poaching, and human encroachment. The rediscovery highlights the success of forest monitoring efforts and underscores the importance of protecting Himalayan habitats to conserve rare mountain wildlife.
The Republic of Naoero (formerly Nauru) has launched the Economic and Climate Resilience Citizenship Program (ECRCP), a citizenship-by-investment initiative that raises funds for climate adaptation projects. Eligible foreign nationals can obtain Nauruan citizenship by contributing US$115,000, with a limited-time reduced rate of US$90,000 until December 31, 2026, after passing strict background checks. The programme will finance the relocation of communities threatened by rising sea levels, climate-resilient infrastructure, and sustainable development, with the first phase estimated to cost over US$60 million. While successful applicants receive visa-friendly passports, they cannot own land in Nauru. As of August 2026, over 120 citizenships had been granted, making the scheme a pioneering model for funding climate resilience through investment.
The 13th BRICS Education Ministers’ Meeting and the 3rd BRICS Senior Officials’ Meeting are being held in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, from August 5 to 7, 2026, bringing together education ministers and senior officials from BRICS member countries to strengthen educational cooperation. Union Education Minister Prahlad Joshi is representing India at the high-level event, where discussions will focus on early childhood education, skill development, research and innovation, start-up ecosystems, digital learning, and academic collaboration. The meeting aims to enhance knowledge-sharing, promote institutional partnerships, and foster student and faculty exchanges, reinforcing BRICS’ commitment to building inclusive, future-ready education systems and deeper cooperation among emerging economies.
The Bankers’ Books Evidence Bill, 2026, introduced in the Lok Sabha, seeks to replace the Bankers’ Books Evidence Act, 1891 by modernising India’s banking evidence laws for the digital era. The Bill grants legal recognition to electronic banking records as admissible evidence in courts, provided they are authentic, accurate, and free from tampering. It continues to protect bank officials from unnecessary court appearances, clearly defines “special cause” for demanding original records, and empowers the Central Government to extend the law to other financial institutions beyond banks. By aligning legal provisions with digital banking, internet banking, UPI, and electronic record-keeping, the Bill aims to simplify judicial processes, strengthen trust in digital transactions, and support India’s rapidly evolving financial ecosystem.
The Union Ministry of Finance has proposed amendments to the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007, to allow the reintroduction of Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on select UPI and digital payment transactions. Announced on August 3, 2026, the proposal seeks to remove the zero-MDR provision under Section 10A, enabling banks and payment service providers to charge a fee on eligible transactions. The MDR is expected to apply mainly to large merchants with annual turnover above ₹50 crore, while small businesses (up to ₹1.5 crore turnover) and consumers are likely to remain exempt. Proposed MDR is capped at 0.5%, potentially on transactions above ₹2,000, to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of India’s rapidly growing digital payments ecosystem.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) kept the repo rate unchanged at 5.25% in its August 2026 Monetary Policy, with the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) unanimously retaining the Neutral policy stance. The Standing Deposit Facility (SDF) remains at 5.00%, while the Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) and Bank Rate stay at 5.50%. RBI projected FY 2026-27 GDP growth at 6.7% and CPI inflation at 5.0%, citing resilient domestic demand despite global uncertainties. The central bank noted that inflation has risen due to food and fuel prices, while core inflation remains moderate. It highlighted risks from geopolitical tensions, crude oil prices, El Niño conditions, and global trade uncertainties. The next MPC meeting is scheduled for October 5–7, 2026.
The Government of India has launched an Offer for Sale (OFS) for Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), offering up to 6.5% stake at a floor price of ₹382 per share to increase public shareholding and raise disinvestment proceeds. Since the OFS involves the government selling existing shares, LIC is not issuing new shares, and its financial position remains unchanged. If fully subscribed, the sale could raise around ₹31,400 crore, reducing the government’s stake from 96.5% to 90% and increasing public shareholding to 10%. The announcement led to a decline in LIC’s share price due to the discounted offer and increased share supply, while retail investors receive an additional ₹10 discount on the final cut-off price, making the OFS an attractive opportunity for eligible investors.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the cancer research arm of the World Health Organization (WHO), has classified hydrochlorothiazide, voriconazole, and tacrolimus as Group 1 carcinogens, indicating sufficient evidence that they can cause cancer in humans. Published in Volume 137 of the IARC Monographs, the assessment links hydrochlorothiazide to skin and lip cancers, voriconazole to increased cancer risk under certain conditions, and tacrolimus to non-Hodgkin lymphoma and post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD). Experts emphasize that the classification identifies a potential hazard and does not mean patients should stop treatment. Individuals should continue taking these prescribed medicines and consult their doctors before making any changes to their medication regimen.
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has developed India’s first indigenous African Swine Fever (ASF) vaccine, a major breakthrough for the livestock sector. Developed by ICAR–National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (ICAR-NIHSAD), Bhopal, the MA-104 cell line-based live attenuated Genotype II vaccine was launched during ICAR Foundation Day 2026 by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Designed for large-scale, cost-effective production, the vaccine strengthens India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative in veterinary healthcare. ASF, first detected in India in 2020, has caused severe losses, particularly in the North-East, with outbreaks in Assam and Mizoram. After successfully clearing safety, efficacy, and field trials, the vaccine is recommended for pigs above eight weeks of age, with a 1 mL intramuscular dose followed by a booster after 14 days, offering effective protection against the deadly disease.
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has developed India’s first fully annotated telomere-to-telomere (T2T) reference genome of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) variety ‘Asha’, marking a major milestone in agricultural biotechnology. The genome, comprising 752.65 million base pairs, 92 contigs, all 11 chromosomes, 11 centromeres, 22 telomeres, and 36,557 genes, has been approved as the global reference genome and deposited in the NCBI database. Building on ICAR-NIPB’s 2011 draft genome, this breakthrough will accelerate the development of high-yielding, climate-resilient, and nutrient-rich pigeonpea varieties using molecular breeding and genome-editing technologies. The achievement supports the Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses (2025–26 to 2030–31), aimed at increasing pulse production to 35 million tonnes by 2030–31, reducing imports, improving farmer incomes, and strengthening India’s food and nutritional security.
Former Chief Justice M.S. Liberhan passed away on August 2, 2026, at the age of 87, leaving behind a distinguished legacy in India’s judiciary. Beginning his legal career at the Punjab and Haryana High Court in 1964, he later served as the Chief Justice of the Madras and Andhra Pradesh High Courts. Justice Liberhan is best known for heading the Liberhan Commission, constituted on December 16, 1992, to investigate the Babri Masjid demolition. After nearly 17 years and 48 extensions, the commission submitted its report on June 30, 2009, describing the demolition as a “meticulously planned” act. He is remembered for his significant contributions to constitutional law and judicial service.
Veteran actor Pradeep Rawat passed away on August 4, 2026, at the age of 74 after battling blood cancer, ending a distinguished career spanning over four decades in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, and other regional film industries. Born in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, Rawat gained early fame as Ashwatthama in B.R. Chopra’s Mahabharat before making his Hindi film debut with Meri Jung (1985). He became widely known for memorable roles in Sarfarosh, Lagaan, Ghajini, The Hero: Love Story of a Spy, Grand Masti, Singh Is Bliing, and Chhaava. Renowned for his powerful villainous and character roles, Rawat leaves behind a lasting legacy in Indian cinema.
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