National Affairs
1. MeitY Notifies ₹62,500 Crore Mobile Phone Manufacturing Scheme
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) notified the Mobile Phone Manufacturing Scheme (MPMS) with a budgetary outlay of ₹62,500 crore on 21 August 2026. The scheme will run for five years (FY2027–28 to FY2031–32) and provide production-linked incentives to domestic mobile manufacturers for meeting specified production and export targets in basic and premium smartphone tiers.
Answer: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)
2. CSL Delivers INS Mangrol – 3rd ASW Shallow Water Craft – to Indian Navy
Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) delivered INS Mangrol, the third of eight indigenously designed Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts (ASW-SWC), to the Indian Navy at Kochi on 21 August 2026. This strengthens India’s coastal defence and anti-submarine capabilities with domestically built warships.
Answer: Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL)
3. MoRD Launches National Campaign on Entrepreneurship-II Under DAY-NRLM
The Ministry of Rural Development launched the second phase of the National Campaign on Entrepreneurship (NCE-II) on 21 August 2026 under Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana–National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM). The three-month campaign (21 August–21 November 2026) aims to promote rural women entrepreneurship and support the creation of 6 crore "Lakhpati Didis".
Answer: 6 crore
4. DGFT Eases Rules for Rupee-Based Export Transactions
In August 2026, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, eased norms for rupee-based export transactions. This gives Indian exporters greater flexibility to invoice overseas sales and receive payments in INR or foreign currencies, boosting rupee internationalisation.
Answer: Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT)
5. Defence Budget Rises to ₹7.85 Lakh Crore in 2026–27
India’s defence budget increased from ₹2.53 lakh crore in 2013–14 to ₹7.85 lakh crore in 2026–27, marking around 3.1-fold growth. Capital expenditure in defence rose from ₹94,587.95 crore in 2014–15 to ₹2.19 lakh crore in 2026–27, reflecting focus on modernisation and self-reliance.
Answer: ₹7.85 lakh crore
6. FDI Limit in Defence Sector: Up to 100% via Government Route
Current defence-sector FDI policy allows up to 74% through the automatic route and up to 100% through the government route. This framework supports greater private and foreign participation in defence manufacturing while retaining strategic oversight.
Answer: 100%
International Affairs and Defence
7. India–UK Hold 25th Defence Consultative Group Meeting in New Delhi
Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh co-chaired the 25th India–UK Defence Consultative Group (DCG) Meeting with UK’s Permanent Under Secretary for Defence, Jeremy Pocklington, in New Delhi on 21 August 2026. Both sides reviewed defence industrial cooperation, R&D under the India–UK Vision 2035 and the Ten-year Defence Industrial Roadmap.
Answer: New Delhi
8. India–UK Emphasise Indo-Pacific Maritime Security Collaboration
During the DCG meeting, India and the UK acknowledged robust maritime security collaboration in the Indo-Pacific, including the establishment of the Regional Maritime Security Centre of Excellence (RMSCE) under the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI). They agreed to expand joint exercises, training and capacity-building between their armed forces.
Answer: Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI)
9. MEA Calls Dismantling of Structures Outside Pakistan High Commission "Proportionate"
On 21 August 2026, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that removal of temporary structures outside the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi was a "proportionate action" in response to similar action by Pakistani authorities outside the Indian High Commission in Islamabad.
Answer: Proportionate action
10. India Examining Implications of Mecca Pact Between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Turkiye
Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkiye signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement on 7 August 2026, forming a trilateral collective deterrence mechanism. India’s MEA confirmed it is examining national security and regional stability implications of this pact for South Asia and the Gulf.
Answer: Turkiye
Economy, Science and Technology
11. 12th BRICS Communications Ministers’ Meeting Held in India on 21 August
India hosted the 12th BRICS Communications Ministers’ Meeting on 21 August 2026 under its BRICS Chairship. Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia chaired the meet, emphasising sustainable, secure and people-centric innovation in ICT cooperation among BRICS nations.
Answer: 21 August 2026
12. PM Modi Meets Space Start-up CEOs Ahead of National Space Day
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and NSA Ajit Doval met CEOs and founders of Indian space start-ups in New Delhi on 21 August 2026, ahead of National Space Day. Modi said India’s private space ecosystem can become a major global force and a magnet for scientific talent.
Answer: National Space Day
13. ISRO Plans 8 Vehicle and 12 Satellite Missions
On the eve of National Space Day, the ISRO chief announced plans to launch 8 launch-vehicle missions and 12 satellite missions, highlighting India’s expanding space programme and opportunities for private players.
Answer: 12
14. NSDC and Cultus Education Launch Cloud & AI Skilling Initiative with AWS
The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and Cultus Education launched a nationwide Cloud and AI skilling initiative with Amazon Web Services (AWS). The programme aims to provide foundational AI and cloud literacy to 1.5 lakh learners across India.
Answer: 1.5 lakh
State and Regional Affairs
15. 31st Southern Zonal Council Meeting Held in Tamil Nadu
Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired the 31st Southern Zonal Council Meeting in Tamil Nadu, where chief ministers discussed delimitation, water disputes and other inter-state issues. Karnataka raised the Mekedatu project and Kerala flagged the Mullaperiyar dam issue.
Answer: Tamil Nadu
16. Zonal Councils Established Under States Reorganisation Act, 1956
Zonal Councils are statutory bodies created under the States Reorganisation Act, 1956 to promote cooperation and coordination among states and resolve inter-state issues peacefully.
Answer: States Reorganisation Act, 1956
17. Delhi Police Register FIR in Pellet-Gun Injury Case After Rahul Gandhi Protest
Delhi Police registered an FIR on 21 August 2026 in connection with a pellet-gun injury to a student during a protest at Jantar Mantar, following a demonstration by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi at the Parliament Street Police Station. The FIR was filed under Sections 118 and 125 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Answer: Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)
Sports and Important Days
18. FPIs Sell ₹542.71 Crore, DIIs Buy ₹2,124.14 Crore on 21 August
On 21 August 2026, foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) sold shares worth ₹542.71 crore in Indian equities, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs) were net buyers to the tune of ₹2,124.14 crore, according to provisional data.
Answer: ₹2,124.14 crore
19. National Space Day Observed on 24 August (Chandrayaan-3 Anniversary)
National Space Day is observed on 24 August to commemorate the landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the Moon. In 2026, it marks the third anniversary of the mission, with PM Modi highlighting India’s rise as a global space power.
Answer: 24 August
20. World Senior Citizens’ Day Observed on 21 August
World Senior Citizens’ Day is observed every year on 21 August to recognise the contributions of older persons and promote their welfare, rights and inclusion in society.
Answer: 21 August
Quick Recap Table
| Category | Key Event | Expected Question Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Digital/Manufacturing | ₹62,500 cr Mobile Phone Manufacturing Scheme notified | Ministry and scheme amount |
| Defence | INS Mangrol (3rd ASW-SWC) delivered to Navy | Shipyard and vessel name |
| Rural Development | National Campaign on Entrepreneurship-II launched | Target number of Lakhpati Didis |
| Trade | DGFT eases rupee-based export transaction rules | Regulating body |
| Defence Budget | Defence budget rises to ₹7.85 lakh crore in 2026–27 | Budget figure |
| FDI Policy | Defence FDI up to 100% via government route | Maximum FDI limit |
| Defence Diplomacy | 25th India–UK DCG Meeting in New Delhi | Meeting number and city |
| Maritime Security | India–UK emphasise RMSCE under IPOI | Initiative name |
| Foreign Affairs | MEA calls action outside Pakistan High Commission "proportionate" | Nature of action |
| Geopolitics | India examines Mecca Pact (Saudi–Pakistan–Turkiye) | Third country in pact |
| BRICS | 12th BRICS Communications Ministers’ Meeting in India | Date and chair |
| Space | PM Modi meets space start-ups ahead of National Space Day | Occasion |
| Space Missions | ISRO plans 8 vehicle and 12 satellite missions | Number of satellite missions |
| Skilling | NSDC–Cultus AI & cloud initiative with AWS for 1.5 lakh learners | Target beneficiaries |
| Regional | 31st Southern Zonal Council Meeting in Tamil Nadu | Host state |
| Constitutional | Zonal Councils under States Reorganisation Act, 1956 | Enabling Act |
| Law & Order | FIR in pellet-gun injury case under BNS | New criminal code |
| Markets | FPI sell ₹542.71 cr; DII buy ₹2,124.14 cr on 21 Aug | DII buying figure |
| Important Day | National Space Day on 24 Aug (Chandrayaan-3) | Date |
| Important Day | World Senior Citizens’ Day on 21 Aug | Date |