Daily Current Affairs – 24 August 2026

24 august 2026 current affairs
24 august 2026 current affairs | 24 august current Affairs | current affairs today |

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1. Paradip Port Inaugurates 7 Projects Worth ₹427.80 Crore
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated seven major infrastructure projects worth ₹427.80 crore at Paradip Port Authority in Odisha. The projects cover navigation, connectivity, safety, sustainability, residential infrastructure and community development. The event also included concession agreements for three mechanisation projects worth ₹1,580.36 crore, aimed at improving the port’s cargo-handling capacity and efficiency.

Key Points:

  • Location: Paradip, Odisha
  • Inaugurated by: Sarbananda Sonowal
  • Seven projects: ₹427.80 crore
  • Capital Dredging Project: ₹352 crore
  • Atharbanki Second New Bridge: ₹24.89 crore
  • PNG Supply Project: ₹20 crore
  • Advanced VTMS: ₹15.50 crore
  • Three mechanisation projects: ₹1,580.36 crore
  • One-millionth tree was also planted at the port.
2. DGFT Eases Rupee Invoicing Rules for Exporters
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) relaxed rules for rupee-based export transactions under the Foreign Trade Policy 2023. Export contracts and invoices with countries outside the Asian Clearing Union (ACU) can now be denominated in INR or any foreign currency. Eligible rupee payments for exports to countries other than Nepal and Bhutan can qualify for Foreign Trade Policy benefits and count towards export obligations.

Key Points:

  • Organisation: DGFT
  • Policy: Foreign Trade Policy 2023
  • Exporters can use INR or foreign currencies for eligible contracts.
  • Rupee payments are eligible for FTP benefits, except for exports to Nepal and Bhutan.
  • Exports financed through EXIM Bank or Government of India lines of credit can also be invoiced in INR.
  • The changes are aligned with RBI’s 2023 foreign exchange regulations.
3. National Coach Accreditation Board to Standardise Sports Coaching
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) announced plans to establish a National Coach Accreditation Board (NCAB) to standardise coaching quality across India. The proposal follows recommendations of a task force led by Pullela Gopichand and was announced by Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya during the 63rd Governing Body Meeting of the Sports Authority of India.

Key Points:

  • Proposed body: National Coach Accreditation Board
  • Ministry: Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
  • Recommendation: Pullela Gopichand-led task force
  • Role: Set coaching standards and approve career pathways.
  • It will accredit coaching institutions.
  • A two-stage Talent Scouting System is also proposed.
  • The system will create a National Talent Repository.
  • PPP and CSR support will be used to expand sports academies and athlete development.
4. Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan Inaugurates MALHAR 2026
Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan inaugurated MALHAR 2026 in New Delhi. The youth-centric monsoon-themed cultural programme celebrates Indian classical music and the country’s diverse artistic traditions through music, dance, theatre and literary activities. The programme also provided a platform for traditional performers and emerging artists.

Key Points:

  • Event: MALHAR 2026
  • Location: New Delhi
  • Inaugurated by: C. P. Radhakrishnan
  • Theme: Monsoon and Indian classical music
  • Activities: Music, dance, theatre and literature
  • Malhar is a classical musical tradition associated with the monsoon season.
  • The tradition is linked with the legendary musician Tansen.
5. National Campaign on Entrepreneurship-II Launched Under DAY-NRLM
The Ministry of Rural Development launched the National Campaign on Entrepreneurship-II under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana–National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM). The three-month campaign will run from 21 August to 21 November 2026 and focuses on strengthening rural women entrepreneurship and supporting the goal of creating 6 crore Lakhpati Didis.

Key Points:

  • Campaign: National Campaign on Entrepreneurship-II
  • Scheme: DAY-NRLM
  • Duration: 21 August–21 November 2026
  • Focus: Rural women entrepreneurship
  • Target: 6 crore Lakhpati Didis
  • 50,000 community cadres to be oriented.
  • 5 lakh SHG women to be trained.
  • 50,000 enterprises to be formalised.
  • 2 lakh producer-group members to be added.
  • 20 lakh women to be encouraged towards agro-ecological practices.
  • 25,000 SHG members to be onboarded on e-commerce platforms.
  • Sankalp Shakti, the first Rural Enterprise Technical Bulletin, was also launched.
6. India and Singapore Strengthen Partnership in Semiconductors, Digital Payments and Green Energy
India and Singapore strengthened their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during the 4th India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable in Singapore. Cooperation was expanded across semiconductors, digital payments, fintech, healthcare, green economy, food security and advanced manufacturing. The two sides also explored cooperation in space technology, Small Modular Reactors and cybersecurity.

Key Points:

  • Event: 4th India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable
  • Areas: Semiconductors, fintech, digital payments and green energy
  • Other areas: Healthcare, food security and advanced manufacturing
  • Cooperation explored in space technology, SMRs and cybersecurity.
  • Green Lane Initiative for Semiconductors was highlighted.
  • Green hydrogen supply-chain cooperation was discussed.
  • 4th Singapore-India Hackathon: 15–17 November 2026
  • Two MoUs and one Letter of Intent were exchanged.
7. ADB Approves USD 230 Million for Chennai Water Supply; ₹1,750 Crore for Karnataka Schools
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of India signed a USD 230 million loan agreement to modernise and expand water supply and sanitation infrastructure in Chennai. Chennai will become the first Indian city to implement a comprehensive ring-main water supply system. Separately, ADB and Karnataka signed a ₹1,750 crore loan agreement for upgrading government schools.

Key Points:

  • Chennai water project: USD 230 million
  • Implementing location: Chennai, Tamil Nadu
  • Chennai will have India’s first comprehensive ring-main water supply system.
  • Karnataka school project: ₹1,750 crore
  • Project duration: Four years, up to 2029–30
  • Focus: School infrastructure and learning facilities
  • Schools will provide education from LKG to Class 12 on single campuses.
  • Each campus is planned for a capacity of at least 1,200 students.
8. India Signs Two Energy Agreements with Mauritius
India and Mauritius signed two important agreements to strengthen bilateral energy cooperation. These include a Government-to-Government MoU on oil and gas cooperation and a petroleum products supply agreement. Indian Oil Corporation signed a five-year agreement with Mauritius’ State Trading Corporation for assured supplies of petrol, diesel and Aviation Turbine Fuel to Port Louis.

Key Points:

  • Partner country: Mauritius
  • Indian Minister: Hardeep Singh Puri
  • Cooperation: Oil and gas
  • Indian Oil signed a five-year petroleum supply agreement.
  • Products: Petrol, diesel and ATF
  • Destination: Port Louis
  • India’s refining capacity: Around 258 million tonnes.
  • Target refining capacity by 2032: More than 309 million tonnes annually.
9. Razorpay Introduces Multi-Currency EEFC Facility for Exporters
Razorpay, in partnership with RBL Bank, introduced a multi-currency Exchange Earners’ Foreign Currency (EEFC) settlement facility for exporters and international businesses. The facility allows businesses to retain foreign currency earnings rather than immediately converting them into Indian Rupees, helping reduce foreign-exchange costs and improve cash-flow management.

Key Points:

  • Platform: Razorpay
  • Partner bank: RBL Bank
  • Facility: Multi-Currency EEFC
  • Supported currencies: USD, EUR, GBP, AED and SGD
  • Benefits: Lower forex conversion costs and better cash-flow management
  • Businesses need an active EEFC account with an RBI-authorised bank.
  • Razorpay was founded in 2014 by Harshil Mathur and Shashank Kumar.
10. Cochin Shipyard Delivers INS Mangrol to Indian Navy
Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) delivered INS Mangrol, the third of eight indigenously built Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts (ASW-SWCs), to the Indian Navy. The vessel was designed and constructed indigenously and is equipped with systems designed to detect and counter underwater threats in shallow coastal waters.

Key Points:

  • Ship: INS Mangrol
  • Builder: Cochin Shipyard Limited
  • Navy: Indian Navy
  • Class: Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft
  • Serial number: 3rd of 8
  • Propulsion: Diesel Engine-Waterjet
  • Equipment: Lightweight torpedoes, indigenous ASW rockets and advanced shallow-water SONARs
  • Indigenous content: Nearly 80%
  • Supports the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative
11. D-Propulse Demonstrates India’s First Indigenous 5 kN Air-Breathing RDE
Indian defence propulsion start-up D-Propulse Aerospace successfully demonstrated India’s first indigenous 5 kN air-breathing Rotating Detonation Engine (RDE) integrated with an aerospike nozzle at a DRDO test facility in Hyderabad. The demonstration achieved Technology Readiness Level-5 (TRL-5) and marks an important development in advanced propulsion technology.

Key Points:

  • Company: D-Propulse Aerospace Pvt. Ltd.
  • Engine: 5 kN air-breathing RDE
  • Technology: Rotating Detonation Engine
  • Test location: DRDO facility, Hyderabad
  • Achievement: TRL-5
  • RDE uses pressure-gain combustion.
  • It can offer around 15–25% higher thermodynamic efficiency than conventional air-breathing propulsion.
  • The engine was incubated at IIT Madras.
  • Planned launch: December 2027
  • Company founders: V. Ramanujachari and Saurav Jha.
12. Veteran Actress Sowcar Janaki Passes Away at 94
Veteran actress Sankaramanchi Janaki, popularly known as Sowcar Janaki, passed away at the age of 94 in Chennai. She had a career spanning more than seven decades and worked across Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi cinema. She received the Padma Shri in 2022 for her contribution to Indian cinema.

Key Points:

  • Name: Sowcar Janaki
  • Age: 94
  • Born: 12 December 1931
  • Birthplace: Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh
  • Film debut: Shavukaru (1950)
  • Career: More than seven decades
  • Films: More than 400 feature films
  • Stage: Over 300 theatrical productions
  • Award: Padma Shri, 2022
  • Worked in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi cinema.
13. International Day Commemorating Victims of Violence Based on Religion or Belief
The United Nations observes 22 August as the International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief. The day seeks to condemn violence and terrorism against people targeted because of their religion or beliefs and promotes protection of religious minorities.

Key Points:

  • Date: 22 August
  • Organisation: United Nations
  • UN Resolution: A/RES/73/296
  • Resolution adopted: 28 May 2019
  • First observed: 22 August 2019
  • Focus: Condemnation of religion-based violence and terrorism
  • Promotes interfaith and intercultural dialogue.
  • Supports human rights education and action against intolerance and hate crimes.
  • Emphasises protection of religious minorities.
14. Former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar Passes Away
Former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar, who was convicted in cases related to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, passed away at the age of 80 in New Delhi. He began his political career as a Municipal Corporation of Delhi councillor in 1977 and was elected to the Lok Sabha three times, in 1980, 1991 and 2004.

Key Points:

  • Name: Sajjan Kumar
  • Age: 80
  • Born: 23 September 1945
  • Political party: Indian National Congress
  • Started political career: MCD councillor in 1977
  • Elected Lok Sabha MP: 1980, 1991 and 2004
  • Delhi High Court sentenced him to life imprisonment in December 2018 in a 1984 riots case.
  • He was convicted in another case in February 2025 involving the killing of two Sikh men.
15. Himachal Pradesh and ISB Sign MoU to Unlock ₹22,600 Crore Forest Economy
The Himachal Pradesh Forest Department signed a five-year MoU with the Bharti Institute of Public Policy, Indian School of Business (ISB-BIPP) to unlock an estimated ₹22,600 crore forest and pastoral economy potential. The initiative will use science and technology-based governance to develop forest resources and community enterprises.

Key Points:

  • State: Himachal Pradesh
  • Partner: ISB-BIPP
  • MoU duration: Five years
  • Estimated potential: ₹22,600 crore
  • Amla: ₹8,700 crore
  • Pine needles: ₹5,500 crore
  • Wild mangoes: ₹4,800 crore
  • Sal seeds: ₹2,400 crore
  • Rhododendron flowers: ₹1,200 crore
  • Focus areas: Forest economy, community enterprises, forest intelligence, grazing portal and pastoral database.
  • The model will initially build on work in Palampur Forest Division and later expand across the state.
16. Chhattisgarh Signs MoUs to Strengthen PM GatiShakti
The Government of Chhattisgarh signed two MoUs with BISAG-N and National Logistics Data Services Ltd. (NLDSL) to strengthen geospatial technology and integrated logistics data under the PM GatiShakti framework. The initiative will support better infrastructure planning, logistics management and data-driven decision-making.

Key Points:

  • State: Chhattisgarh
  • Partners: BISAG-N and NLDSL
  • Framework: PM GatiShakti
  • 35+ departments onboarded
  • 41 mandatory and 600+ additional data layers mapped
  • 45 use cases and 30 tools developed
  • BISAG-N: Geospatial and GIS-based planning
  • NLDSL: Integrated logistics data and analytics
  • Chhattisgarh GEO Portal includes GIS scorecards, infrastructure gap analysis, GIS-enabled NOC systems and AI-based planning tools.
  • Chhattisgarh was recognised as a high performer among landlocked states in LEADS 2025.
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