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Daily DigestArchive
Current Affairs — Sunday, 16 August 2026
34 items
Tamil Nadu
- Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant crosses 1.30 million units of power generation
— Reactors 1 and 2 have collectively prevented 11.22 crore tonnes of CO₂ emissions, operating at capacity factors exceeding 101.5%, according to the Site Director. (GS Paper 3 — Energy, Nuclear Power) - TVK government to shift KMUT beneficiaries above 60 to pension scheme; aid hiked to ₹1,500
— The Vijay government is revising the Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thittam structure to move senior beneficiaries to the pension scheme and increase the monthly assistance amount. (GS Paper 2 — Social Welfare Schemes) - Tamil Nadu maintains two-language policy; no change under TVK government
— A state minister confirmed that Tamil Nadu will continue its long-standing two-language policy and will not adopt the three-language formula under the NEP's PM SHRI scheme. (GS Paper 2 — Education Policy, Federalism) - MDMK's Vaiko urges CM Vijay to reject PM SHRI three-language scheme
— Vaiko called the PM SHRI scheme an attempt at "Hindi imposition" and asked the CM to formally reject it, as Tamil Nadu had done under previous administrations. (GS Paper 2 — Centre-State Relations) - NGT directs TNPCB to set timeline for IIT-Madras pollution study on Neyveli
— The National Green Tribunal noted disagreements among TNPCB's internal technical committee members and directed a comprehensive study schedule to be fixed. (GS Paper 3 — Environmental Governance, NGT) - Social Justice Minister denies outsiders attended TN Cabinet meetings; K.N. Basha Commission to decide on honour killing law
— The minister stated that a dedicated law on honour killings will be considered only after the commission submits its report. (GS Paper 2 — Governance, Women's Safety)
India — National
- NASA invites ISRO to participate in lunar south pole Moon Base programme
— NASA is seeking India's participation in building a human outpost near the Moon's south pole, where extended sunlight and permanently shadowed regions offer strategic advantages. (GS Paper 3 — Space, Science & Technology) - BCI Chairman apologises to law students amid enrolment ban controversy
— Bar Council of India Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra issued a public apology over remarks that hurt students, affirming their right to form and express independent opinions. (GS Paper 2 — Legal Institutions) - UP CM Yogi Adityanath announces new Youth Policy on Independence Day
— The policy is expected to focus on skill development, employment, Artificial Intelligence, and entrepreneurship with a dedicated implementation mechanism. (GS Paper 2 — Government Schemes, Employment) - Karnataka CM announces Udyoga Sankalpa and Udyoga Nidhi schemes targeting 1 lakh jobs and AI hubs
— On Independence Day, Karnataka set a target of a $3 trillion economy by 2047, with AI hubs and two job-creation schemes announced. (GS Paper 3 — Economy, State Initiatives) - Jharkhand students demand CM Hemant Soren's resignation over recruitment exam reforms
— On the 22nd day of the agitation, a 'Tiranga Yatra' was held; protesters announced a gherao of the CM's residence on August 20, also demanding Congress withdraw support from JMM. (GS Paper 2 — Governance) - Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu highlights Stree Shakti scheme on Independence Day
— After I-Day celebrations, Naidu travelled by bus with women beneficiaries, underlining the scheme's focus on women's empowerment and dignity. (GS Paper 2 — Women Welfare Schemes) - Snakebite tragedy in Gadchiroli: Three girls die after common krait bites six at tribal school
— The incident at Japtalai village highlights healthcare and governance gaps in tribal areas of Maharashtra. (GS Paper 2 — Health, Tribal Welfare)
Economy & Finance
- WPI inflation eases marginally to 9.78% in July 2026; first month-on-month drop under new 2022-23 base year
— The decline was driven by cooling food, fuel, and power prices, marking the first dip since the new WPI base year series was adopted. (GS Paper 3 — Indian Economy, Inflation) - Government reduces export duty on petrol to nil; diesel and ATF duty also cut
— The government conducts fortnightly reviews to ensure domestic fuel availability, and this reduction aims to boost exports while stabilising domestic supply. (GS Paper 3 — Fiscal Policy, Petroleum) - Government rolls out foreign asset disclosure scheme; levy set at effective 60%
— Small taxpayers declaring undisclosed foreign assets will pay 30% tax plus an equivalent penalty amount, bringing total levy to 60%. (GS Paper 3 — Taxation, Black Money) - Central government capex surges 66% in June; subsidy bill also rises
— The sharp rise in capital expenditure signals continued infrastructure push, while the simultaneous subsidy increase reflects ongoing welfare commitments. (GS Paper 3 — Union Budget, Fiscal Policy) - RBI policy panel expected to hold interest rates steady in August amid oil and inflation risks
— The Monetary Policy Committee is likely to maintain the repo rate unchanged, balancing inflation concerns against growth imperatives. (GS Paper 3 — RBI, Monetary Policy)
Science & Technology
- NASA invites ISRO to join Moon Base programme at lunar south pole
— The programme aims to establish a permanent human habitat near the south pole, and ISRO's participation would mark a major step in India's deep-space collaboration. (GS Paper 3 — Space Technology, International Cooperation) - BCG (TB) vaccine found to alter immune response in central nervous system, offering clues against Alzheimer's
— A new study shows the BCG vaccine reprogrammes immune cells in the brain, potentially enabling early intervention in Alzheimer's disease. (GS Paper 3 — Health, Biotechnology) - Study finds India's per-unit space launch cost remains highest globally despite reputation for cost efficiency
— Analysis of six decades of space missions indicates India does not launch frequently enough to achieve economies of scale. (GS Paper 3 — Space, Science Policy) - Centre weighs curbs on AI autonomy and consent rules for deepfakes under new legislation
— The government is considering legal guardrails on autonomous AI systems and mandatory consent mechanisms for deepfake technology under a proposed new law. (GS Paper 3 — Technology Policy, Cybersecurity)
Environment
- Budget 2026-27: Air quality management outlay cut by 10%; pollution control spending also dips
— The reduction in allocations for air quality management and pollution control raises concerns about India's ability to meet its clean air targets. (GS Paper 3 — Environment, Budget) - Leopard skins seized; top Delhi wildlife NGO accused of nexus with poachers
— The case has drawn attention to oversight gaps in wildlife conservation organisations and enforcement of the Wildlife Protection Act. (GS Paper 3 — Wildlife, Environment Law) - NGT directs TNPCB to fix timeline for comprehensive pollution study at Neyveli
— The tribunal flagged contradictions within TNPCB's internal technical reports, calling for a unified study by IIT-Madras. (GS Paper 3 — Environmental Governance, NGT)
Sports
- Indian athletics team to hold training camp in Japan ahead of Asian Games
— SAI had signed an MoU with the University of Tsukuba in June 2026 to facilitate training and exchange programmes for Indian athletes, coaches, and sports scientists. (GS Paper 1 — Sports) - Badminton World Championships: India's home-court intensity draws attention
— India's performance at the ongoing Badminton World Championships has been notable, with the home atmosphere cited as a key motivating factor for players. (GS Paper 1 — Sports) - Tamil Nadu Premier League: Sachin and Jhathavedh help Kings end three-game losing streak
— The TNPL match result marks a turnaround for Kings, one of the premier franchise teams in the Tamil Nadu domestic T20 tournament. (State-level Sports)
Appointments & Awards
- Justice M. Fathima Beevi, first female judge of the Supreme Court of India, conferred Padma Bhushan
— Justice Fathima Beevi, who served as SC judge from 1989, was recognised with the Padma Bhushan for her historic contribution to the Indian judiciary. (GS Paper 2 — Judiciary; Important First) - Justice K.T. Thomas conferred Padma Vibhushan
— The former Supreme Court judge, known for independent judgments often at variance with government positions, received India's second-highest civilian award. (GS Paper 2 — Awards) - Padma award for former CJI J.S. Khehar recognised
— Justice Khehar, whose decisions frequently contradicted government views during his tenure as Chief Justice of India, is among this cycle's Padma awardees. (GS Paper 2 — Judiciary, Awards)
International
- Myanmar confirms over 3,00,000 Rohingya refugees verified for repatriation as crisis enters ninth year
— More than 7,00,000 Rohingya fled to Bangladesh in 2017; the verification process is a step toward repatriation, though Bangladesh and human rights groups remain cautious. (GS Paper 2 — International Relations, Refugee Crisis) - Iran demands release of downed pilots held by Qatar for six months; West Asia tensions escalate
— Iran's military named three pilots — Javad Salehi, Abdolmajid Dashtian, and Omran Behraveshian — as being detained by Qatari forces, adding pressure to already volatile West Asian dynamics. (GS Paper 2 — International Relations) - Question mark over AR Rahman's visit as India-Bangladesh relations remain strained; Sheikh Hasina extradition in Indian courts
— India and Bangladesh are working to reduce diplomatic tensions; Indian courts will determine the extradition status of former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina. (GS Paper 2 — India's Foreign Policy)
- Quick Revision:
- 🔹 Justice M. Fathima Beevi — First female judge of the Supreme Court of India — awarded Padma Bhushan (2026 Padma Awards cycle)
- 🔹 Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (Reactors 1 & 2) has generated over 1.30 million units of power and prevented 11.22 crore tonnes of CO₂ emissions; capacity factor exceeds 101.5%
- 🔹 WPI inflation eased to 9.78% in July 2026 — first month-on-month decline under the new 2022-23 base year series; driven by cooling food, fuel, and power prices