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ICAR operates through a large network of specialised institutes working in areas such as crop science, soil management, livestock, dairy, fisheries, horticulture, agricultural engineering and conservation of genetic resources.

Key Highlights

• Full Form: Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)
• Established: 16 July 1929
• Original Name: Imperial Council of Agricultural Research
• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Administrative Department: Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE)
• Ministry: Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
• Main Role: Agricultural research, education, innovation and development
• Important ICAR Deemed Universities: IARI, NDRI, IVRI and CIFE

Important ICAR Institutes and Their Functions :

1. Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi

Popularly known as the Pusa Institute, IARI is one of India’s leading agricultural research institutions. It works in crop sciences, genetics, soil sciences and agricultural engineering. The institute has made significant contributions to the development of high-yielding crop varieties and agricultural technologies.

2. National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Karnal

NDRI is a premier institute for dairy research and education. Its major areas include dairy breeding, animal nutrition, milk production, milk processing and dairy economics. The institute has also conducted important research in buffalo cloning and dairy animal genetics.

3. Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Izatnagar

Established in 1889, IVRI is one of Asia’s oldest veterinary research institutions. It conducts research on animal health, veterinary diagnostics, livestock diseases, therapeutics and vaccine development. Its research covers diseases such as Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR).

4. Central Institute of Fisheries Education (CIFE), Mumbai

CIFE is a leading institution for fisheries education and research. Its work covers marine and freshwater aquaculture, fish genetics, breeding, fisheries technology and post-harvest management.

5. National Rice Research Institute (NRRI), Cuttack

NRRI focuses on rice breeding, biotechnology, physiology and crop protection. It develops rice varieties suited to different environmental conditions, including varieties with tolerance to drought, floods and soil salinity. The institute also maintains rice germplasm.

6. Central Potato Research Institute (CPRI), Shimla

CPRI specialises in potato breeding, seed technology, storage and crop protection. It works on the production of disease-free seed potatoes and uses modern techniques such as aeroponics and tissue culture.

7. Sugarcane Breeding Institute (SBI), Coimbatore

Established in 1912, the Sugarcane Breeding Institute focuses on the development of improved sugarcane varieties. Its research includes sugarcane breeding, disease resistance, sugar recovery and varieties suitable for different climatic conditions.

8. Central Soil Salinity Research Institute (CSSRI), Karnal

CSSRI conducts research on saline, alkaline and waterlogged soils. Its work includes soil reclamation, drainage management, improved farming practices and the development of crops capable of performing under salinity conditions.

9. Indian Institute of Soil Science (IISS), Bhopal

IISS conducts research in soil chemistry, soil microbiology and soil physics. It develops soil-testing technologies and works on soil fertility, nutrient management, soil organic carbon and efficient use of fertilisers.

National Bureaux for Genetic Resources :

National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR), New Delhi

NBPGR is responsible for the management and conservation of plant genetic resources. It maintains the National Gene Bank and conducts plant quarantine activities for imported seeds and other planting materials.

National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR), Karnal

NBAGR works on the identification, characterisation, registration and conservation of indigenous livestock and poultry breeds. It also maintains genetic material such as semen and DNA of important native breeds.

National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources (NBFGR), Lucknow

NBFGR focuses on the conservation and management of fish genetic resources. Its activities include fish identification, DNA barcoding, gene banking, fish health research and conservation of endangered and endemic fish species.

National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning (NBSS&LUP), Nagpur

NBSS&LUP conducts soil surveys, soil classification and land-use planning across different agro-ecological regions. It studies soil characteristics, land degradation and crop suitability and provides scientific information for sustainable land management.

Important ICAR Facts :

• IARI was originally established at Pusa, Bihar, in 1905 and later shifted to New Delhi.
• NDRI, Karnal has carried out pioneering research in dairy animal breeding and buffalo cloning.
• The Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Coimbatore, was established in 1912.
• IVRI was established in 1889 and is one of the oldest veterinary research institutions in Asia.
• NBPGR manages India’s plant genetic resources and the National Gene Bank.
• NBAGR is responsible for the registration and conservation of indigenous livestock and poultry breeds.
• NBFGR works for the conservation and characterisation of fish genetic resources.
• NBSS&LUP specialises in soil survey, soil classification and land-use planning.

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Key Highlights

• Organisation: CMLRE
• Ministry: Ministry of Earth Sciences
• Focus: Deep-sea and distant-water fishery resources
• Indian EEZ: 2.37 million sq. km
• Research period: Nearly four decades of oceanographic research.
• Major research vessel: FORV Sagar Sampada
• Significance: Supports India’s Blue Economy, marine resource management and biodiversity conservation.

Key Highlights

• Japanese Defence Minister: Shinjirō Koizumi
• Indian counterpart: Rajnath Singh
• Key agreement: MoA on Maritime Security Cooperation
• Technology partners: DRDO and ATLA
• Exercises: Dharma Guardian and JAIMEX
• Broader focus: Maritime security, defence technology and defence-industry cooperation.

Key Highlights

• Government partners: MeitY and DPIIT
• Digital initiative: PM GatiShakti National Master Plan
• Data source: PhonePe PulsePro
• Geospatial implementation support: BISAG-N
• Startup partnership: PhonePe + Shell India + DPIIT.

Key Highlights

• High Court: J&K and Ladakh High Court
• New location: Ladakh
• Existing judicial locations: Jammu and Srinagar
• Main objective: Ease of access to justice
• Expected benefits: Reduced travel burden, improved case disposal and reduced pendency.

Key Highlights

• Partners: Jindal Steel + IIT Hyderabad
• Location: Kandi, Sangareddy district, Telangana
• Focus: Advanced steel solutions.
• Areas: Infrastructure, engineering, construction and strategic industries.
• Importance: Supports material efficiency, sustainable infrastructure and indigenous technological development.

Key Highlights

• Card: Wizz Voyager Multi-Currency Card
• Partners: Wizzmoni + Oman Air
• Currencies supported: 35+
• Technology: AI-enabled travel/forex features
• Issuer: Wizzmoni Financial Services
• Regulatory status: RBI-authorised AD Category-II dealer
• Network: Visa.

Key Highlights

• Issuer: IDFC FIRST Bank
• Amount: USD 500 million
• Tenure: 3 years
• Maturity: 2029
• Coupon: 5.625%
• Issuance route: IFSC Banking Unit, GIFT City
• Format: Regulation S
• Rating: BBB-, Stable
• Significance: Bank’s entry into global debt capital markets.

Key Highlights

• Award: Nishan-e-Imtiaz
• Country: Pakistan
• Recipients nominated: Dr Jal Ratanji Patel and Dr Jal Dhaybho-Koo
• Profession: Doctors
• Historical context: Jinnah’s illness before the 1947 Partition.
• Award ceremony: Expected in March 2027.

Key Highlights

• New President: Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir
• Country: Bangladesh
• Position: 23rd President
• Term: 5 years
• Previous President: Mohammed Shahabuddin
• Election venue: Jatiya Sangsad, Dhaka
• Voting: 343 of 349 eligible MPs participated.
• Significance: First contested presidential election in Bangladesh in 35 years.

Key Highlights

• S. Somanath: Former ISRO Chairman
• Anand Mahindra: Re-appointed part-time non-official director.
• Institution: RBI Central Board
• Tenure: 4 years
• Effective from: 20 August 2026
• Somanath served as ISRO Chairman: 2022–2025
• Chandrayaan-3 soft landing: 23 August 2023

Key Highlights

• Developer: Flying Wedge Defence & Aerospace Technologies
• Platform: FWD Supreme Lite
• Technology: AI-enabled autonomy
• Intended capabilities: ISR, swarm operations and precision missions.
• Demonstrator weight: About 250 kg
• Target endurance: Up to 30 hours
• Stated range: Up to 3,000 km
• Phase-I target: Up to Mach 0.9.
• Phase-II target: Mach 2 and autonomous multi-aircraft teaming.

Key Highlights

• Exoplanet: GJ 523b
• Type: Rocky “mega-Earth”
• Age: Around 170 million years
• Mass: About 23 times Earth
• Radius: About 2.55 times Earth
• Star: Orange K-dwarf
• Distance: About 87 light-years
• Orbital period: 17.75 days
• Initial discovery: NASA’s TESS
• Confirmation: Ground-based observations including the WIYN 3.5-m telescope.

Key Highlights

• Host city: Ahmedabad, Gujarat
• Event: 2nd Commonwealth Cue Sports Championships
• Month: October 2026
• Venue: Veer Savarkar Sports Complex
• Participating countries: 45
• Disciplines: 5
• Medal events: 10
• Governing body involved: World Pool Association (WPA)
• Organisers: BSFI and WCBS.

Key Highlights

• Date: 21 August
• Established by: UN General Assembly
• Resolution: A/RES/72/165
• Established: 2017
• 2026 Theme: “Healing Through Memory”
• Focus: Victims’ rights, recovery and rehabilitation.
• 2026 event: High-Level Virtual Event at UN Headquarters, New York.

Key Highlights

• Date: 21 August
• Proclamation: Ronald Reagan
• Proclamation number: 5847
• Year: 1988
• Related UN observance: International Day of Older Persons – 1 October
• Global ageing: By 2030, about 1 in 6 people globally is projected to be aged 60+.
• India: The source projects 300+ million people aged 60+ by 2050, nearly one-fifth of the population.

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Key Highlights:

• Four railway projects will cover eight districts in West Bengal, Odisha, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
• Kharagpur–Bhadrak (Ranital): 173-km fourth line; about ₹3,352 crore.
• Bhadrak–Haridaspur: 75-km fourth line; nearly ₹1,583 crore.
• Gummidipundi–Gudur: 90-km third and fourth lines across Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu; ₹2,229 crore.
• Cuttack–Paradeep (Badabandha): 72-km third and fourth lines; ₹2,286 crore.
• In Bihar, 82.578 km of NH-22 between Muzaffarpur–Sitamarhi–Sonbarsa will be upgraded to four-lane standards.
• The highway project will be developed under the Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM) and will strengthen connectivity towards the India–Nepal border.

Key Points:

• The Taxation amendment replaces the Income-tax (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026.
• It provides tax exemptions for specified income earned by foreign institutional investors and the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) from government securities.
• Exemptions cover eligible interest income and capital gains related to government securities.
• The PSS-related changes modify the legal framework concerning charges associated with specified digital payment modes.

Important Facts:

• Genus: Impatiens
• Family: Balsaminaceae
• Local name for the group in Nepal: Tiuri
• Habitat: Humid slopes and forest margins.
• Altitude: Around 2,800–2,900 metres.
• The species was first encountered in western Myagdi in 2011.
• Its formal description appeared in a peer-reviewed PLOS ONE study.
• Nirmal Purja climbed all 14 eight-thousanders in 2019 in 6 months and 6 days.
• He was also associated with the first winter ascent of K2 in 2021.

Highlights:

• The Department of Social Work at Ethiraj College will serve as the nodal department.
• The partnership aims to improve refugee self-reliance and socio-economic inclusion.
• Special attention includes refugee communities such as Sri Lankan refugees in Tamil Nadu.
• UNHCR was established in 1950 and is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.

Key Highlights:

• Yashoda AI was originally launched on 22 May 2025 at Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Rohilkhand University, Bareilly.
• NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar launched the Jalandhar programme.
• The initiative seeks to provide women with practical AI skills.
• A “She Serves” programme was also inaugurated to encourage young women to explore career opportunities in the Armed Forces.
• NCW is a statutory body established in 1992 and headquartered in New Delhi.

Major Highlights:

• Discussions focused on strengthening India–Nepal defence cooperation.
• General Seth held bilateral discussions with his Nepali counterpart.
• He received a briefing from Nepal Army’s Director General Military Operations.
• He laid a wreath at the Army Pavilion in Tundikhel, Kathmandu.
• He received a Guard of Honour at Nepal Army Headquarters.
• Nepal President Ramchandra Paudel conferred on him the honorary rank of General of the Nepali Army.
• The tradition of both countries conferring honorary general ranks on each other’s Army Chiefs dates back to 1950.

Key Facts:

• Operations have initially started in Chandigarh.
• The company plans phased expansion.
• Loan amount: ₹2,000 to ₹15 lakh, subject to applicable conditions.
• Eligible collateral includes specified silver jewellery, ornaments and approved silver coins.
• The initiative operates within the regulatory framework for lending against precious-metal collateral.

Highlights:

• The partnership combines Paramotor’s technology platform with NSDL Payments Bank’s banking infrastructure.
• Applications include consumer spending, digital gifting, rewards and loyalty.
• Platforms involved include SpendPro, Yayyy.shop and RewardOn.
• The prepaid solutions are intended to comply with RBI requirements.
• Paramotor Digital had filed confidential IPO draft papers with SEBI in May 2026.

Important Projections:

• Real GDP growth: 6.8%
• Nominal GDP growth: 10.4%
• WPI inflation: 8.5%
• CPI inflation: 4.9%
• Fiscal deficit target: 4.3% of GDP
• Current Account Deficit: 1.5% of GDP, compared with 0.6% in FY26.

Key Highlights:

• The companies will explore establishing an Aerospace Gas Turbine Complex in India.
• The facility is intended to function as a Centre of Excellence for propulsion technology.
• Rolls-Royce brings advanced propulsion expertise, while RIL contributes industrial and manufacturing capabilities.
• AMCA is India’s planned fifth-generation stealth multi-role fighter aircraft.
• The programme includes technologies such as stealth, supercruise, advanced avionics and AI-assisted systems.
• AMCA is managed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) under the Ministry of Defence’s defence R&D framework.

Key Points:

• Spirit Airlines ceased operations in May 2026 after financial difficulties.
• Google defeated AI-data company Mercor, whose bid was US$7.5 million.
• The assets include enterprise data such as employee emails, Teams messages, spreadsheets, calendars and operational information.
• The data is intended for product development and AI model training.
• According to the source, the dataset will be de-identified and will not include customer information or personally identifiable information.

Important Facts:

• Completed the ACCA qualification at 16.
• Started the course at 15 and completed it in about one year.
• Obtained the CFA Charterholder designation in 2025.
• He is pursuing an MSc in Finance at American University of Sharjah.
• He also works as a Senior Research Analyst at Century Financial in Dubai.

Quick Facts:

• Dr. Sreedhar is an educator, technocrat and enterprise strategist.
• He founded Sreedhar’s CCE (College of Competitive Exams).
• BRICS CCI was established in 2012.
• Its headquarters is in New Delhi.
• The organisation works on business and economic cooperation among BRICS-related stakeholders.

Key Points:

• LIC’s existing stake was 4.11% as of 14 August 2026.
• The approval does not mean LIC must immediately increase its holding to 9.99%.
• Any additional acquisition must comply with RBI, Banking Regulation Act, FEMA and SEBI requirements.
• The decision gives LIC greater flexibility as an institutional investor in the banking sector.

Highlights:

• Proposed acquisition: 75% stake.
• Transaction value: around ₹3,500 crore.
• The acquisition remains subject to other regulatory approvals.
• Prudential will need to comply with applicable requirements concerning its existing Indian insurance interests.
• CCI also approved Tata Steel’s proposal to acquire an additional 23% stake in TM International Logistics Limited (TMILL).
• After the TMILL transaction, Tata Steel and NYK Europe are expected to hold 74% and 26%, respectively.

Key Features:

• Spraying payload: 16 litres.
• Spreading payload: 12 litres.
• Terrain-following capability.
• Fail-safe systems.
• Night-operation capability.
• Applications across agriculture, aquaculture, plantations, mining, energy, infrastructure and defence.
• The launch supports India’s indigenous drone ecosystem and the broader Make in India, Go Global approach.

Important Facts:

• Date of discovery: 20 August 1897
• Location: Secunderabad, Telangana
• Scientist: Sir Ronald Ross
• Vector: Female Anopheles mosquito
• His findings were published in the British Medical Journal in December 1897.
• Ronald Ross received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1902 for his malaria research.

Key Points:

• State: Karnataka
• Scheme: Vidyarthi Sahayahasta
• Announced by: Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar
• Announcement venue: Manekshaw Parade Grounds, Bengaluru
• Occasion: Independence Day celebrations
• Objective: Improve access to professional education for rural students
• Eligibility: Students who studied from Class I to Class X in rural government schools
• Reservation: 7.5% reservation within the existing 15% rural reservation
• Courses: Professional programmes including medical and engineering courses
• Target group: Eligible rural government-school students

Sarkari pathshala provides the latest Current Affairs 2026, Daily Current Affairs, Current Affairs Today, National and International News, Government Schemes, Appointments, Awards, Economy, Sports, Science & Technology, Important Days and One-Liners Current Affairs for UPSC, SSC, Banking, Railway, Defence and other competitive exams.

Key Points:

• Date: 19 August every year
• 2026 observance: 19 August 2026
• Purpose: Honour humanitarian workers, including those killed or injured while helping people affected by crises
• Focus: Protection of humanitarian personnel and importance of International Humanitarian Law (IHL)
• Campaign slogan: #ActForHumanity
• UN resolution: UN General Assembly Resolution A/RES/63/139
• Resolution adopted: 11 December 2008
• First observed: 19 August 2009
• Why 19 August: On 19 August 2003, a suicide truck bombing targeted the UN headquarters at Canal Hotel in Baghdad, Iraq
• Casualties: 22 humanitarian workers were killed
• Notable victim: Sérgio Vieira de Mello, UN Special Representative for Iraq

Sarkari pathshala provides the latest Current Affairs 2026, Daily Current Affairs, Current Affairs Today, National and International News, Government Schemes, Appointments, Awards, Economy, Sports, Science & Technology, Important Days and One-Liners Current Affairs for UPSC, SSC, Banking, Railway, Defence and other competitive exams.

Key Points:

• New Chairperson: Shabnam Sinha
• Organisation: Airtel Payments Bank
• Term: Three years
• Effective from: 1 October 2026
• Approval: Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
• Legal basis: Banking Regulation Act, 1949
• Predecessor: Sunil Bharti Mittal
• Mittal’s tenure: Served as Non-Executive Chairman since 2019
• Experience of Sinha: Over 30 years in development finance, financial services, public policy and institutional transformation
• Current position: Independent Director on Airtel Payments Bank’s Board
• Committees: Chairs Special Committee for Monitoring Frauds and serves on Risk Management and IT Committees

Sarkari pathshala provides the latest Current Affairs 2026, Daily Current Affairs, Current Affairs Today, National and International News, Government Schemes, Appointments, Awards, Economy, Sports, Science & Technology, Important Days and One-Liners Current Affairs for UPSC, SSC, Banking, Railway, Defence and other competitive exams.

Key Points:

• President: Hakainde Hichilema
• Country: Zambia
• Party: United Party for National Development (UPND)
• Term: Second consecutive term, 2026–2031
• Election date: 13 August 2026
• Votes secured: 2,965,326
• Vote share: Approximately 61.4%
• Main opponent: Brian Mundubile
• Opponent’s votes: 1,856,217
• Opponent’s vote share: Approximately 38.4%
• Total votes: Nearly 5 million
• Election rule: A candidate needs more than 50% + 1 of valid votes to avoid a second-round run-off

Sarkari pathshala provides the latest Current Affairs 2026, Daily Current Affairs, Current Affairs Today, National and International News, Government Schemes, Appointments, Awards, Economy, Sports, Science & Technology, Important Days and One-Liners Current Affairs for UPSC, SSC, Banking, Railway, Defence and other competitive exams.

Key Points:

• Organiser: Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA)
• Scheme: Prime Minister Internship Scheme (PMIS)
• Event: PMIS Industry Awards 2026
• Venue: New Delhi
• Chair: Dr Pallavi Jain Govil, Secretary, MCA
• Overall Industry Champion: Mahindra & Mahindra Limited
• Purpose: Promote quality internships, innovation, workforce development and youth employability
• Top PSU partners: ONGC, NTPC and Western Coalfields Limited
• Top private partners: Reliance Industries, Infosys and Dr Reddy’s Laboratories
• Special awards:
  -HDFC Bank – Pre-Internship Excellence Award
  -Shriram Finance – Internship Management Excellence Award
  -IBM India – Innovation in Program Implementation
  -POWERGRID – Innovation in Exit Pathways

Sarkari pathshala provides the latest Current Affairs 2026, Daily Current Affairs, Current Affairs Today, National and International News, Government Schemes, Appointments, Awards, Economy, Sports, Science & Technology, Important Days and One-Liners Current Affairs for UPSC, SSC, Banking, Railway, Defence and other competitive exams.