Current Affairs — Saturday, 8 August 2026
33 items
Tamil Nadu
- CM Vijay rejects NEP three-language formula, follows DMK precedent — The TVK government has confirmed it will not accept the PM SHRI scheme's three-language policy; MDMK's Vaiko separately urged CM Vijay to reject Hindi imposition, while the government confirmed no change to Tamil Nadu's two-language policy. (State education policy; GS Paper II — Centre-State relations)
- CM Vijay signs 3 key welfare schemes and announces major policy directions — On assuming office, CM Vijay signed welfare schemes including closing liquor shops, free electricity, and 8 grams of gold for women, while cost implications are under public scrutiny. (State welfare schemes; GS Paper II — government policies)
- Tamil Nadu to transition KMUT beneficiaries above 60 to pension scheme, hike aid to ₹1,500 — The TVK government announced a move of elderly Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thittam beneficiaries to the pension scheme with an enhanced monthly aid of ₹1,500. (State social security; GS Paper II — welfare schemes)
- VB-GRAMG controversy puts Vijay government in political spot — A dispute over the Village-Based Gram Sabha model (VB-GRAMG) has triggered a political storm in Tamil Nadu, with the new government facing questions on continuity of governance structures. (Panchayati Raj; GS Paper II — local governance)
- All-party meeting demanded on Mekedatu project; Cauvery water dispute intensifies — Political parties urged the Tamil Nadu government to convene an all-party meeting, with PMK's Anbumani Ramadoss slamming both Congress and BJP for allegedly conspiring against Tamil Nadu's Cauvery water rights; Karnataka is appealing the CWRC order before CWMA. (Inter-state river dispute; GS Paper II — Centre-State relations, Article 262)
- Textile associations demand power cost reduction; Coimbatore metro rail push renewed — SIMA urged a hybrid incentive structure combining capital subsidy and power tariff support for the labour-intensive textile sector; political leaders also pressed the Centre to approve Coimbatore's metro rail DPR. (Industrial policy; GS Paper III — infrastructure, MSME)
India — National
- Lok Sabha passes MSME Development Amendment Bill — The Bill, passed without debate, aims to improve administrative structure and facilitate payment mechanisms for the MSME sector, addressing longstanding credit and compliance challenges. (GS Paper III — economy, Parliament; Ministry of MSME)
- U.S. Senate passes Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act with 100% tariff threat on India — Passed 86–11, the Lindsey O. Graham Act targets nations buying Russian oil; India accounts for 36–38% of Russia's oil exports and faces potential 100% tariffs, posing a significant foreign policy and energy security challenge. (GS Paper II — India-US relations; GS Paper III — energy security)
- Central government capex surges 66% in June; subsidy bill also rises — Capital expenditure by the Centre recorded a sharp 66% jump in June 2026, signalling renewed infrastructure push, even as the subsidy bill increased simultaneously. (GS Paper III — fiscal policy, Union Budget)
- E20 fuel policy controversy: Rahul Gandhi says it is destroying vehicles and livelihoods — The Opposition leader criticised the government's E20 (20% ethanol-blended petrol) policy, alleging it damages older vehicles and harms common citizens. (GS Paper III — energy policy, ethanol blending)
- MEA distances India from Sheikh Hasina's media event — The Ministry of External Affairs stated India had "no role" in and does not endorse any statement made at a forum involving Bangladesh's former PM Sheikh Hasina. (GS Paper II — India-Bangladesh relations)
- Opposition demands clarity on FCRA Amendment Bill; Congress issues whip — Congress issued a whip for MPs as the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) Amendment Bill was expected in Parliament, with Opposition allies aligning. (GS Paper II — Parliament, civil society regulation)
- Jharkhand student protest enters Day 14; government seeks time on demands — The government opened talks with protesting students on Day 14 of the agitation but sought additional time to examine their demands. (GS Paper II — governance)
Economy & Finance
- Industrial production hits 23-month high of 7.3% in June 2026 — The Index of Industrial Production (IIP) recorded its fastest growth in nearly two years, driven by manufacturing, electricity, capital goods, and consumer sectors. (GS Paper III — economic indicators; key stat for exams)
- RBI holds interest rates; inflationary pressures persist — The RBI's Monetary Policy Committee kept the repo rate unchanged at its August meeting amid oil price volatility and inflation risks; CPI crossed 4% in June after 16 months. (GS Paper III — monetary policy, RBI)
- RBI gives Urban Cooperative Banks a new framework — The RBI announced measures to revitalise Urban Cooperative Banks to deepen financial inclusion and bridge credit gaps for MSMEs, following a difficult period of regulatory correction. (GS Paper III — banking sector, cooperative banking)
- PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana crosses 50 lakh beneficiaries; daily solar installations triple — The rooftop solar scheme has more than tripled its daily installation rate in 9 months, with over 50 lakh beneficiaries enrolled, according to MNRE Minister Pralhad Joshi. (GS Paper III — renewable energy, government schemes)
- U.S. accounts for 67% of India's LPG imports: Petroleum Minister Hardeep Puri — Prior to West Asia tensions, about 60% of India's LPG imports transited through the Strait of Hormuz; disruptions are now redirecting sourcing. (GS Paper III — energy security, import diversification)
Science & Technology
- NASA astronaut Anil Menon completes his first spacewalk at ISS — Indian-American astronaut Anil Menon participated in the 281st ISS spacewalk (6th for co-astronaut Jessica Meir) on August 5, 2026, to upgrade the space station. (GS Paper III — space; first for Menon — exam-probable)
- Bio-fortified pearl millet safe for toddlers' gut health: India-US study — A nine-month study in Mumbai's urban slums found iron- and zinc-fortified pearl millet did not harm gut health in toddlers, supporting its use in nutrition programmes. (GS Paper III — health, nutrition, biofortification)
- Centre weighs AI autonomy curbs and deepfake consent rules under new law — The government is considering regulations to limit AI autonomy and mandate consent for deepfake content under an upcoming digital law framework. (GS Paper II — IT regulation, data governance)
- Traditional diets preserve unique gut microbiomes in Indian tribes: Study — Research on Indian tribal populations shows traditional diets foster bacteria distinct from industrialised societies, with findings urging urgent biobanking to preserve microbial diversity. (GS Paper III — science; also relevant to biodiversity)
Environment
- More than half of England officially declared in drought — The UK government declared drought in seven regions covering 51.4% of England, including London, East Anglia, and southwest England — a significant climate event with global warming implications. (GS Paper III — climate change, global environmental events)
- Strait of Hormuz disruption affects global oil flows; Iran-Oman talks watched — Vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has dwindled amid escalating West Asia tensions; ongoing Iran-Oman diplomatic talks are being closely monitored by energy markets. (GS Paper III — energy security; GS Paper II — international relations)
- Thrissur's 30-tonne biogas plant nears commissioning by November 2026 — The compressed biogas facility aims to process the city's organic waste and produce green fuel, moving Thrissur toward a zero-waste model. (GS Paper III — waste management, green energy)
Sports
- TNPL 2026: Kovai Kings captain Shahrukh Khan confident of playoff qualification — Shahrukh Khan expressed confidence in his team's playoff prospects in the ongoing Tamil Nadu Premier League season. (State-level cricket tournament)
- Delhi Premier League Season 3: Ayush Badoni to lead South Delhi Superstarz — The 26-year-old batsman, buoyed by India-A exposure, will captain South Delhi Superstarz in the third edition of the Delhi Premier League. (Domestic cricket; player to watch)
Appointments & Awards
- Justice M. Fathima Beevi, first woman judge of the Supreme Court of India, passes away — Justice Fathima Beevi, who made history as India's first female Supreme Court judge (appointed 1989), passed away; she was posthumously associated with a Padma Bhushan award announcement. (GS Paper II — judiciary; landmark first — highly exam-probable)
- Justice K.T. Thomas conferred Padma Vibhushan — The former Supreme Court judge, known for his landmark judgments, was conferred India's second-highest civilian honour, the Padma Vibhushan. (GS Paper II — awards)
- Justice Manikumar appointed as new SHRC Chairman — Justice Manikumar has been named Chairman of a State Human Rights Commission (SHRC). (GS Paper II — human rights institutions)
International
- U.S. Senate's Russia sanctions bill threatens 100% tariffs on India — The Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, passed 86–11, could impose 100% tariffs on India if it continues purchasing Russian oil; India buys 36–38% of Russia's total oil exports, making this a critical diplomatic and economic challenge. (GS Paper II — India-US-Russia triangle; energy diplomacy)
- Pakistan Defence Minister calls PoK protesters 'enemies like India,' rules out dialogue — As the death toll in PoK protests rose to 20, Pakistan's Defence Minister refused dialogue with the JAAC (Joint Awami Action Committee), which presented 38 demands; the statement drew attention for equating protesters with India. (GS Paper II — India-Pakistan relations, PoK)
- West Asia tensions disrupt Strait of Hormuz; Iran-Oman diplomacy watched — Shrinking vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz is pushing oil prices higher; Iran-Oman diplomatic talks are seen as a potential stabilising factor for global energy supply. (GS Paper II — West Asia; GS Paper III — energy security)
- Quick Revision:
- 🔑 Justice M. Fathima Beevi — First woman judge of the Supreme Court of India (appointed 1989), passed away in 2026; associated with Padma Bhushan honour.
- 🔑 IIP growth = 7.3% in June 2026 — 23-month high, led by manufacturing, electricity, and capital goods sectors.
- 🔑 PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana — Crossed 50 lakh beneficiaries; daily rooftop solar installations more than tripled in 9 months (MNRE data).