Current Affairs — 20 August 2026
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Thu, 20 Aug 2026
India and Japan sign maritime security pact at Defence Ministers' Meeting
Rajnath Singh and Japan's Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi met in New Delhi on 20 August 2026 and signed a Memorandum of Arrangement on Maritime Security Cooperation.
Railway factories to build 238 AC EMU rakes for Mumbai suburban network
The Railway Ministry said on 20 August 2026 that ICF Chennai, RCF Kapurthala and MCF Raebareli will build 238 AC EMU rakes for Mumbai's suburban railway, with supplies from 2027 to 2030.
Cabinet approves J&K High Court bench in Ladakh
The Union Cabinet on 20 August 2026 approved a bench of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh to sit in the Union Territory of Ladakh.
India-Mauritius oil and gas MoU; IOCL to meet all Mauritius fuel imports
India and Mauritius exchanged an oil and gas MoU and a five-year IOCL-STC fuel supply agreement on 20 August 2026 during Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri's visit.
11.19 lakh PMAY-G houses approved for Bihar with ₹13,427 crore
Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on 20 August 2026 announced approval of 11,18,937 pucca houses for Bihar under PMAY-G with an allocation of ₹13,427 crore.
Core sector grows 5.4% in July 2026
The Index of Core Industries (base 2022-23) grew 5.4% year-on-year in July 2026, slightly below June's 6.0%, the Commerce Ministry said on 20 August 2026.
Amit Shah chairs 31st Southern Zonal Council meeting in Mahabalipuram
Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired the 31st meeting of the Southern Zonal Council in Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu, on 20 August 2026, urging southern states to settle pending water disputes through dialogue.
Delhi Master Plan 2047 unveiled with 40 lakh affordable homes target
Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal unveiled the Delhi Master Plan 2047 (MPD-2047) on 20 August 2026, envisaging about 40 lakh new affordable housing units.
CMLRE releases national report on deep-sea fishery resources of India's EEZ
The Centre for Marine Living Resources & Ecology (CMLRE) released the National Report on Deep-Sea and Distant-Water Fishery Resources of the Indian EEZ on 20 August 2026, marking its silver jubilee.
Piyush Goyal joins 4th India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal called on Singapore PM Lawrence Wong and took part in the 4th India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable in Singapore on 20 August 2026.
Aadhaar App crosses 5 crore downloads
The Aadhaar App crossed 5 crore (50 million) downloads, MeitY said on 20 August 2026, with over 60 lakh mobile number updates done through it.
Reconstituted National Commission for Minorities holds first meeting
The newly reconstituted National Commission for Minorities held its first meeting of 2026 on 20 August under Chairman Harjit Singh Grewal.