Current Affairs Questions with Answers

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred Uzbekistan’s highest honour, ‘Oliy Darajali Do‘stlik’, during his Tashkent visit on 30 August 2026. The honour means the ‘Highest Order of Friendship’. India and Uzbekistan decided to elevate their bilateral relations to the level of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The two countries also concluded an agreement related to the long-term supply of uranium to India. This is important for India’s nuclear energy programme and energy security. Uzbekistan is strategically important for India under the Connect Central Asia Policy. The relationship also rests on longstanding cultural, commercial and civilisational ties.

Germany defeated Spain 1-0 at the Belfius Hockey Arena to win the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup title for the second consecutive time. Michel Struithof scored the decisive goal in the 44th minute. With this victory, Germany secured its fourth World Cup title. Germany thus equalled Pakistan among the teams with the most Men’s Hockey World Cup titles. Pakistan has also won the tournament four times. Germany’s earlier titles came in 2002, 2006 and 2023. Argentina defeated the Netherlands 2-1 to win the bronze medal.

HDFC Bank MD & CEO Shashidhar Jagdishan has decided not to renew his next term and will retire on 26 October 2026. He assumed the position of MD & CEO of HDFC Bank in October 2020, succeeding Aditya Puri. The merger of HDFC Ltd. with HDFC Bank was a major development during his tenure. Following his decision, the bank’s Board of Directors will accelerate the selection of a new CEO. The development highlights the importance of Succession Planning and Leadership Transition. It also underlines the importance of Corporate Governance, Risk Management and Regulatory Compliance in the banking sector.

Public Examination Reform 2.0 (PER 2.0) is an End-to-End Examination Security Framework for high-stakes recruitment and entrance examinations. Its objective is to ensure security and accountability at every stage, from question creation to the declaration of results. It includes Chain of Custody, Role-Based Access and Biometric Authentication. Digital Watermarking and Activity Logging are also important security measures. Statistical Analysis, Cyber Forensic Audit and Whistleblower Protection help protect Merit Integrity after examinations. Time-bound Action Taken Reports (ATR) and binding SOPs strengthen institutional accountability.

Raksha Bandhan is a festival celebrated on the full moon day of the month of Shravan; it symbolizes the love, trust, and mutual protection shared between siblings. This festival conveys a message of social harmony, and traditions such as Upakarma, Rishi Tarpan, and Coconut Purnima (Nariyal Purnima) are also observed on Shravan Purnima.

The Indian Navy will commission ‘Nipun’—the second Diving Support Vessel (DSV) of the Nistar class—at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai on August 31, 2026. 'Nipun', built by HSL, Visakhapatnam, will be useful for deep-sea diving, underwater operations, and submarine rescue support.

During the April–July period of the 2026-27 fiscal year, India's finished steel consumption rose by 7.9% to 56 million tonnes, and production increased by 4.7% to 54.7 million tonnes. With imports at 2.77 million tonnes and exports at 2.29 million tonnes, India remained a net steel importer, while strong growth was recorded in alloy steel.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit 2026 will be held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, from August 31 to September 1, 2026, marking the 25th anniversary of the organization. The summit will focus on discussions regarding security, terrorism, cybersecurity, trade, transport, and regional connectivity; the SCO currently has 10 member countries.

NASA's proposed SR-1 Freedom mission is scheduled to be launched in 2028 to utilize nuclear-electric propulsion technology and conduct scientific exploration of Mars. As part of the mission, three 'SkyFall' helicopters will study the Martian surface and potential subsurface water-ice deposits.

World-renowned American country music singer, songwriter, actress, and philanthropist Dolly Parton passed away at the age of 80; she was born on January 19, 1946, in Tennessee. She wrote approximately 3,000 songs, sold over 10 million albums, won 11 Grammy Awards, and established the famous tourist destination Dollywood in Tennessee.

Fino Payments Bank has granted a three-month extension to Ketan Merchant as interim MD & CEO, effective from August 27, 2026, subject to RBI approval. Ketan Merchant was previously the bank's CFO and was entrusted with interim leadership following the resignation of Rishi Gupta.

IPS officer Satish Golcha (AGMUT cadre, 1992 batch) has been appointed as OSD in the Delhi Home Guards Directorate and will hold this position until September 30, 2026. He will assume the charge of Director General (DG) of Delhi Home Guards from October 1, 2026.

The USA has launched ‘Operation Economic Outcast’ to increase pressure on Iran’s economic networks and revenue sources; this operation includes provisions for secondary sanctions. By affecting Iran’s oil, shipping, and other economic sectors, this campaign could impact global energy markets, maritime trade, and supply chains.

The National Security Guard (NSG) has launched a 12-week Women Commando Conversion Course (MCCC) for the first time at its training academy in Manesar. This training will help enhance the counter-terrorism capabilities of female personnel and strengthen coordination among security forces.

China's Tiangong Ultra humanoid robot demonstrated rapid advancements in AI, sensor, and robotics technology by completing a 100-meter dash in 9.39 seconds. Humanoid robots could play a significant role in sectors such as manufacturing, healthcare, disaster management, and search-and-rescue operations in the future.

India has developed indigenous hybrid seeds for non-GMO, high-expansion popcorn maize for the first time, which will reduce reliance on foreign hybrid technology. This initiative will boost agricultural self-reliance, farmers' income, value addition, food processing, and rural employment.

Mumbai became the only Indian city to feature in IWG's 'Work From Anywhere Index 2026' with a score of 77 points. This achievement highlights the importance of hybrid work culture, flexible workspaces, and improved digital and urban infrastructure in India.

The Tamil Nadu government has announced the Annapoorni Super Six LPG Scheme to reduce domestic LPG expenses for eligible families; it will be implemented starting from Pongal in January 2027. Under this scheme, the cost of LPG purchases will be reimbursed via DBT, and the initiative aligns with clean energy, women's health, and SDGs 3, 5, and 7.

Kazia Liz Mejo, a 19-year-old from Kerala, won the Miss Universe India 2026 title in Jaipur, defeating 52 other contestants. She will represent India at the 75th Miss Universe pageant to be held in Puerto Rico in November 2026.

UPI was launched by NPCI on August 25, 2016, and has become a key pillar of India's digital public infrastructure and financial inclusion. It has expanded the reach of digital payments, while cybersecurity, digital fraud, and data security remain its major challenges.