National News
01
Prime Minister Modi Meets Space-Tech Startups
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met founders and CEOs of 20 Indian space-tech startups in New Delhi on 21 August 2026, urging them to expand private-sector applications in agriculture, environment, livestock, and education to directly improve everyday lives and position India as a global space hub.
02
PM Modi Highlights India's Growth Amid Global Concerns
PM Modi addressed the Economic Times World Leaders Forum in New Delhi yesterday, stating India is seen as a bright spot of growth globally despite worldwide concerns about growth and resource weaponization.
03
Home Minister Amit Shah Reaffirms Zero Tolerance on Illegal Immigration
Union Home Minister Amit Shah reiterated the zero tolerance policy against illegal immigrants in Siliguri, West Bengal, after inaugurating a 6-day awareness exhibition on the Bhartiya Nyay Samhita, stating the Detect, Delete and Deport process will be strictly followed.
04
Government Assures Sugar Availability Amid Price Rise
The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution assured adequate sugar stocks are available to meet domestic demand despite lower-than-estimated production, monitoring price rises and taking measures to ensure stable prices.
05
Health Minister Reviews H1N1 Preparedness in National Capital
Health and Family Welfare Minister JP Nadda reviewed the prevailing H1N1 influenza situation and preparedness in the country, with particular focus on the National Capital.
06
North Eastern Railway Operates Longest Freight Train
The Lucknow Division of the North Eastern Railway operated the 'Awadh Mahashakti' freight train on 20 August 2026, formed by combining three cargo trains, running as the longest train in the history of the zonal railway.
07
First Large-Scale Biopolymer Plant Under Construction in Uttar Pradesh
India's first large-scale biopolymer plant is under construction in Lakhimpur Kheri district of Uttar Pradesh, scheduled for commissioning in October 2026, developed at the Kumbhi sugar unit of Balrampur Chini Mills in Gola Gokarannath as a fully integrated industrial campus.
08
IMD Forecasts Heavy Rainfall Across Multiple Regions
The India Meteorological Department forecast heavy rainfall in several parts of India, including Uttarakhand, Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, and parts of central and eastern India, with thunderstorms and lightning also possible.
09
Supreme Court Grants Relief to 105-Year-Old Convict
The Supreme Court ordered the release of 105-year-old Rasik Mandal, allowing him to spend his remaining years with his family, after he was arrested for murder in 1988 at age 68 and convicted in 1994, with appeals rejected by the Calcutta High Court in 2018 and the Supreme Court in 2019 due to advanced age and health problems.
10
Supreme Court Reduces Bar Practice Requirement for Judicial Candidates
The Supreme Court reduced the mandatory active bar practice requirement for entry-level judicial service candidates from three years to one year for Civil Judge, Junior Division posts, in a 2:1 split verdict on a review petition modifying its earlier judgment of 20 May 2025.
11
Interpol Issues Red Notice Against Fugitive Gangster Shariq Sata
Interpol issued a Red Corner Notice against fugitive gangster Shariq Sata, identified by Indian authorities and Uttar Pradesh Police as the prime conspirator behind the 24 November 2024 violence in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, allegedly operating from Dubai after fleeing India using a forged passport in 2020.
Defence
01
MQ-9B Sea Guardian Lease
The Defence Ministry signed a ₹1,943-crore, 30-month lease for two additional MQ-9B Sea Guardian drones to strengthen maritime surveillance in the Indian Ocean region.
02
DRDO Partnership for Missile Production
DRDO has invited Indian private defence companies to partner in developing and producing strategic missile and bomb systems, supporting greater domestic defence manufacturing.
03
Kusha Missile Test
India recently conducted a successful test of the Kusha long-range surface-to-air missile programme, intended to provide a domestic long-range air-defence capability.
04
Exercise MAITREE-XV
Exercise MAITREE-XV is a bilateral military drill between India and Thailand, currently taking place at the Vibhavadi Rangsit Camp in Surat Thani, Thailand, and will run until August 31, 2026.
05
Yudh Abhyas 2026
The India-US joint military exercise Yudh Abhyas 2026 is scheduled for September 2026 and will focus on long-range precision fires and counter-drone warfare across desert and high-altitude terrains.
06
Navy Fleet Expansion
The Indian Navy aims to reach a force of nearly 200 warships by 2035, with over 50 major vessels currently under construction and new made-in-India platforms joining roughly every 40 days.
07
Stealth Frigates
Advanced Project 17A ships like INS Dunagiri and INS Mahendragiri boost frontline combat power as part of the Stealth Frigates fleet additions.
08
Survey Vessels
Large hydrographic ships like INS Sanshodhak improve ocean mapping and surveillance as part of the Survey Vessels fleet additions.
09
Shallow Water Craft
Arnala-class vessels like INS Agray and INS Malvan strengthen coastal anti-submarine defense as part of the Shallow Water Craft fleet additions.
10
Israeli KC-46 Pegasus Induction
The Israeli Air Force inducted its second “Gideon” aerial refuelling and transport aircraft, a modified Boeing KC-46 Pegasus, at Nevatim Airbase on 20 August 2026 as part of its tanker modernisation programme.
International
01
AMCA Engine Partnership
Industries and Rolls-Royce have announced plans to jointly develop a combat-aircraft engine intended for India's Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme.
02
Bangladesh Prime Minister Visit
Bangladesh has not yet confirmed reports that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman could visit India from August 23–25, with diplomatic discussions remaining important to the proposed visit.
03
Chennai Climate-Resilient Water Project
The Government of India and the Asian Development Bank signed a $230 million loan agreement on 21 August 2026 for the Chennai Climate-Resilient Water Security and Sewerage Project, covering water supply and sanitation infrastructure for about 4.5 million residents in Greater Chennai.
World
01
Iran-US Tensions
Iran has warned that it will give a strong response to any new threats from the United States, with the chief of staff of Iran’s Armed Forces, Maj. Gen. Ali Abdollahi, stating the Islamic Republic’s reaction would be broad and decisive.
02
Bangladesh President Oath
Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir took oath as the 23rd President of Bangladesh at Bangabhaban in Dhaka.
03
Cuba Sanctions
The Trump administration has imposed new sanctions on nine Cuban state-owned firms in the construction, mining and metals sectors, while tightening restrictions on US citizens doing business with Cuban state entities.
Sports
01
BWF World Championships
The 2026 BWF World Championships in New Delhi are currently the biggest sporting event in India, running from 17–23 August.
02
Historic badminton medal for India
Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand reached the BWF World Championships semifinals, guaranteeing India a women's doubles medal—the first in this category at the Worlds in 15 years.
03
Neeraj Chopra finishes 2nd in Lausanne Diamond League
Neeraj Chopra threw 88.05 m, finishing just 9 cm behind Sri Lanka's Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage.
04
Kajal Dhochak wins second consecutive U20 World Wrestling Championship title
Kajal Dhochak clinched the women's 76-kilogram gold medal with a 7-0 victory over China's Jingru Sun in the final.
05
Shivpal Singh receives 10-year doping ban
Shivpal Singh, a javelin thrower who represented India at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, was sanctioned by NADA for testing positive for methandienone, marking his second doping offence after a 2021 positive test.
Finance
01
Indian banks raise $12 billion through overseas debt
Indian banks raised approximately $12 billion through overseas debt in 2026, taking advantage of RBI measures that improved access to foreign-currency funding.
02
Gold strengthens amid uncertainty
Gold prices rose sharply, moving above $4,500 per ounce, due to uncertainty.
03
10-year benchmark bond yield reaches 6.88%
India's 10-year benchmark bond yield reached around 6.88%, its highest level in two months, amid concerns about inflation, oil prices, and possible future rate hikes.
Entertainment
01
Chiranjeevi's next film gets birthday buzz
A title glimpse and teaser music for Chiranjeevi's 158th film are scheduled around his 71st birthday on August 22.
02
Sunny Deol–Rajkumar Santoshi reunion for new action film
The duo are reportedly preparing another action film, marking their fifth collaboration; speculation about 'Ghatak 2' is circulating but not confirmed.
03
Veteran actor Sankaramanchi Janaki passes away
Sankaramanchi Janaki, known as 'Sowcar' Janaki, passed away at a private hospital in Chennai on August 21 at age 94.
04
Prabhas' Spirit release date unchanged
Despite speculation, the makers have officially maintained the March 5, 2027 worldwide release date for Prabhas' Spirit.
Facts about India
01
First woman president of India
Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil served as the 12th President of India from 2007 to 2012.
Thought of the Day
01
Thought of the Day
If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door.
Joke of the Day
01
Joke of the Day
Teacher: 1 din aisa ayega jab Prithvi par Pani nhi rahega, Jeev jantu nasht ho jayenge, Prithvi tabaah ho jayegi..
Question about school holiday
01
School holiday inquiry
A student asks whether school will be closed on a particular holiday and whether they need to attend school that day.
Diabetes explanation
01
Diabetes as a metabolic disorder
Diabetes is classified as a metabolism disorder where the body either does not produce enough insulin or produces no insulin, leading to elevated blood glucose levels.
02
Role of insulin
Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that allows glucose to enter cells for energy and growth.
03
Blood glucose regulation
After eating, the pancreas releases insulin to move glucose from the bloodstream into cells, lowering blood sugar levels.
Sanskrit word definition
01
Meaning of 'केशव'
The Sanskrit word 'केशव' means 'having long or much or handsome hair'.
Camphor production
01
Source of camphor
Camphor is derived from the wood of the camphor laurel (Cinnamomum camphora L.) trees through steam distillation and purification.
02
Tree requirements
The trees used should be at least 50 years old and are large evergreen trees found in East Asia, particularly in India's southern Western Ghats.
03
Modern production method
Today, camphor is usually manufactured from turpentine oil.
04
Uses of camphor
Camphor is used in products such as Vicks VapoRub.
POCSO Act and amendment
01
POCSO Act, 2012
A comprehensive law to protect children from sexual assault, sexual harassment, and pornography.
02
POCSO Amendment Bill, 2019
Introduced in Rajya Sabha by the Minister of Women and Child Development.
Bone count
01
Number of bones in humans
Adults have 206 bones; newborns have 300 bones.
Biography of Chiranjeevi
01
Birth and profession
Chiranjeevi, born Konidela Siva Sankara Vara Prasad on 22 August 1955, is an Indian film actor and politician.
02
Ministerial role
He served as Minister of State with independent charge for the Ministry of Tourism from 27 October 2012 to 15 May 2014.
Symbolism of Lord Shiva's Damru
01
Damru and cosmic cycles
The damru symbolizes the universe's expansion and collapse, representing the rhythm of creation, preservation, and dissolution.
02
Mahamrityunjaya Mantra
Also known as the Rudra or Tryambakam Mantra, it is a verse from the Rigveda used to invoke Shiva's blessings for liberation from worldly bonds.
Health benefits of jaggery
01
Digestive aid
Jaggery prevents constipation by aiding digestion and activating digestive enzymes, often consumed after meals.
02
Liver detoxification
Jaggery helps cleanse the liver by flushing out toxins from the body.
03
Antioxidant properties
Rich in antioxidants and minerals like zinc and selenium, jaggery boosts immunity and protects against infections.
Health Benefits
01
Daily jaggery consumption alleviates PMS symptoms
Eating a piece of jaggery daily can help women combat premenstrual syndrome symptoms, including mood swings, menstrual cramps, and abdominal pain.
02
Natural sweetener with sustained energy
Jaggery acts as a natural sweetener that provides energy over an extended period of time.
03
Higher caloric content
Jaggery contains up to 4 kcal per gram, making it slightly higher in calories than other sweeteners.
Cautions
01
Diabetic and weight‑loss diet considerations
People who are diabetic or following a weight‑loss diet should monitor their consumption of jaggery, as it can lead to weight gain and fluctuations in blood‑sugar levels.
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