India Current Affairs — Last 12 months
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.
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.
Tue, 18 Aug 2026
National Sports Awards 2025 announced: 17 Arjuna awardees
The Sports Ministry on 18 August 2026 announced the National Sports Awards 2025, naming 17 Arjuna awardees and five Dronacharya awardees on the recommendation of a committee chaired by Justice (Retd.) Arun Kumar Mishra.
Rajnath Singh flags off NCC girls' 'Aparajita - Parang La 2026' trek
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on 18 August 2026 flagged off the NCC's all-India girls' high-altitude trek 'Aparajita - Parang La 2026', in which 28 girl cadets will cover 250 km in 30 days.
CAQM orders phased shift to cleaner light goods vehicles in Delhi-NCR
The Commission for Air Quality Management, at its 29th full meeting on 18 August 2026, approved Direction No. 102 for phased restrictions on registering diesel, petrol and CNG light goods vehicles in Delhi-NCR from 2027.
12th BRICS Environment Ministers' Meeting adopts joint statement in New Delhi
The 12th BRICS Environment Ministers' Meeting in New Delhi on 18 August 2026 adopted a Joint Ministerial Statement by consensus and launched four knowledge compendiums.
Centre approves incentive scheme to expand household PNG connections
The Centre on 18 August 2026 approved an Incentive Scheme for Promotion of Domestic PNG Connections, effective 1 September 2026, giving city gas firms extra low-priced APM gas for each new billed household connection.
Defence Ministry notifies 6th Positive Indigenisation List of 405 items
The Department of Defence Production notified the sixth Positive Indigenisation List of 405 strategically important items worth an estimated ₹3,070 crore on 18 August 2026.
₹3,942-crore Amended BharatNet agreement signed for Chhattisgarh
Digital Bharat Nidhi signed an agreement on 18 August 2026 to roll out the Amended BharatNet Program in Chhattisgarh under the state-led model, with ₹3,942 crore of support covering 11,682 gram panchayats.
India and Armenia sign defence MoU during Defence Secretary's visit
Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh concluded a two-day visit to Armenia on 18 August 2026, during which the two defence ministries signed an MoU on joint collaboration, innovation and research.
65th Subroto Cup International Football Tournament opens in New Delhi
The 65th Subroto Cup International Football Tournament opened at Dr B. R. Ambedkar Stadium, New Delhi, on 18 August 2026, with 108 teams in three categories.
Har Ghar Tiranga 2026 ends with concert marking 150 years of Vande Mataram
The Culture Ministry closed Har Ghar Tiranga 2026 with a Tiranga Concert by singer B Praak at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, on 18 August 2026, dedicated to 150 years of Vande Mataram.
Gauge-converted Kailaras-Sabalgarh-Birpur rail section opened in Madhya Pradesh
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on 18 August 2026 virtually inaugurated the gauge-converted Kailaras-Sabalgarh-Birpur rail section in Madhya Pradesh and extended the Gwalior-Kailaras train to Birpur.
India and Malaysia hold 2nd JWG on public administration reforms
India and Malaysia held the 2nd Joint Working Group meeting on cooperation in public administration and governance reforms on 18 August 2026.
NHAI extends online FASTag Local Pass to 121 toll plazas
NHAI on 18 August 2026 extended the online FASTag Local Pass facility to 121 toll plazas, letting eligible commuters buy monthly passes through the Rajmargyatra app.
Mon, 17 Aug 2026
MoD signs ₹1,943 crore lease for two MQ-9B Sea Guardian drones for Navy
The Ministry of Defence on 17 August 2026 signed a contract with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. to lease two MQ-9B Sea Guardian HALE remotely piloted aircraft systems for the Indian Navy for 30 months.
MMDR Amendment Act, 2026 notified to cap State levies on mining
The Centre on 17 August 2026 notified the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2026, which bars States from levying fresh taxes on mineral rights and mineral-bearing lands except within conditions set by the Centre.
PLFS July 2026: labour force participation rises to 55.4%
The PLFS monthly bulletin for July 2026, released on 17 August 2026, showed the labour force participation rate for persons aged 15+ rising to 55.4% from 54.4% in June.
Supreme Court orders every State to set up an SIT on fraudulent motor accident claims
The Supreme Court on 17 August 2026 directed all States to constitute dedicated State-level SITs to investigate suspected fraudulent motor accident insurance claims.
India launches first-ever guide to grasslands and open natural ecosystems at UNCCD COP17
India on 17 August 2026 launched its first-ever Guide to Grasslands and Other Open Natural Ecosystems (ONEs) of India at UNCCD COP17 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
Army contingent leaves for India–Thailand exercise MAITREE-XV
An Indian Army contingent left on 17 August 2026 for Thailand for the 15th edition of the India–Thailand joint military exercise MAITREE, to be held from 18 to 31 August 2026 in Surat Thani.