Current Affairs — 19 August 2026
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Wed, 19 Aug 2026
Cabinet clears ₹3,590.73-crore four-laning of NH-22 up to Nepal border in Bihar
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on 19 August 2026 approved four-laning of the 82.578-km Muzaffarpur-Sitamarhi-Sonbarsa section of NH-22 in Bihar at ₹3,590.73 crore on Hybrid Annuity Mode.
Transshipment cargo reform scaled up at Delhi's IGI Airport
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu on 19 August 2026 flagged off the scaled-up transshipment cargo operations at Delhi's IGI Airport, adding four domestic origins and two new international destinations.
Delhi adds 200 e-buses and launches 56 women-only bus services
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and LG Taranjit Singh Sandhu on 19 August 2026 flagged off 200 electric buses, taking the city's e-bus fleet past 5,000, and launched 56 women-only bus services.
IASST and IIT Guwahati develop 'smart' cancer drug RK-251
Researchers from IASST and IIT Guwahati have developed RK-251, a 'smart' cancer drug designed to activate mainly inside cancer cells, the Science Ministry said on 19 August 2026.
World Humanitarian Day 2026 honours families of fallen aid workers
World Humanitarian Day was observed on 19 August 2026 with the OCHA-led campaign theme 'Families of Fallen Humanitarians'.
Cabinet approves four rail multitracking projects worth ₹9,450 crore
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on 19 August 2026 approved four railway multitracking projects worth about ₹9,450 crore, adding about 410 km across West Bengal, Odisha, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
RBI publishes minutes of 62nd MPC meeting; repo held at 5.25%
The RBI on 19 August 2026 published minutes of the Monetary Policy Committee's 62nd meeting (3-5 August), which unanimously kept the repo rate at 5.25% with a neutral stance.
2nd BRICS Tourism Working Group meets in Jaipur
The Tourism Ministry hosted the 2nd BRICS 2026 Tourism Working Group meeting in Jaipur, Rajasthan, on 19 August 2026 under India's BRICS Chairship.
DRI seizes 54 ivory artefacts in Lucknow, four held
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence busted a wildlife trafficking syndicate in Lucknow on 19 August 2026, seizing 54 carved ivory artefacts and arresting four people.
India to host 5th Coast Guard Global Summit in February 2027
The Indian Coast Guard said on 19 August 2026 that India will host the 5th Coast Guard Global Summit in New Delhi in February 2027, coinciding with the force's golden jubilee.
Nine killed in hotel fire on Kolkata's Mirza Ghalib Street
A fire at a hotel on Mirza Ghalib Street in central Kolkata in the early hours of 19 August 2026 killed nine people, including five Bangladeshi nationals.
BRICS Youth Council and Youth Summit held in Gandhinagar
The BRICS Youth Council Meeting and BRICS Youth Summit were held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, on 19 August 2026 under India's BRICS Chairship.