Current Affairs Questions with Answers

On August 3, 2026, the government led by Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar in Karnataka administered the oath to 19 new ministers, bringing the total strength of the Council of Ministers to 33. According to Articles 163 and 164 of the Constitution and the 91st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2003, a maximum of 34 ministers (including the Chief Minister) can be appointed in Karnataka.

The Government of India has proposed selling up to a 6.5% stake in LIC through an Offer for Sale (OFS) at a floor price of ₹382 per share. This move aims to facilitate disinvestment, increase public shareholding, and improve share liquidity, even as LIC's financial performance remains strong.

According to the Ministry of Finance, India has ensured access to banking services for villages covering 99.92% of the population, resulting in 6,00,868 out of 6,01,328 villages being connected to the banking network. The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), the Business Correspondent model, and robust banking infrastructure have accelerated financial inclusion, digital payments, and rural economic empowerment.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has appointed Monisha Chakraborty as Executive Director effective from August 3, 2026. She will oversee the Department of Foreign Exchange and the Financial Markets Regulation Department and possesses over 30 years of experience in central banking.

Indian astrophysicist Dr. Annapurni Subramaniam has been honored with the COSPAR Vikram Sarabhai Medal for the year 2026. She has become the first Indian woman, the fourth Indian scientist, and the third female scientist globally to receive this honor.

The Indian Army has inducted an indigenous 'Extreme Weather Grade (XWG) Diesel' for military vehicles operating in extremely cold regions; it remains effective at temperatures as low as –42°C. Based on BS-VI and IS 1460:2025 standards, this fuel will enhance the operational capabilities of military platforms such as the T-90, T-72, BMP-2K, and K-9 Vajra, while also strengthening the 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' (Self-Reliant India) initiative.

According to S&P Global's HSBC India Manufacturing PMI, India's manufacturing PMI fell to 53.5 in July 2026—the lowest level since August 2021—though it still indicates expansion in the manufacturing sector. Despite a slowdown in domestic demand, export orders remained robust, and employment recorded growth for the 29th consecutive month.

The Central Government released a tax transfer of ₹1.09 lakh crore to the states ahead of schedule for development works, infrastructure, and welfare schemes. In accordance with the Finance Commission's recommendations, 41% of the divisible tax pool is allocated to the states, with Uttar Pradesh being the largest beneficiary.

Indian Railways has introduced an Emergency Quota facility to ensure timely travel for cancer patients and their authorized attendants during medical emergencies. A total of 12 reserved berths will be made available on selected trains, subject to document verification and berth availability via the PRS system.

The Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act, 2026 has received the President's assent and will come into force following a gazette notification. This law declares religious conversion through force, deceit, allurement, fraud, or marriage to be illegal; it mandates a 60-day prior notice and provides for a prison term ranging from 7 to 10 years.

Global aviation expert Willie Walsh assumed office as the new CEO of IndiGo on August 3, 2026, succeeding Pieter Elbers. Under his leadership, IndiGo aims to strengthen its position in the global aviation sector by bolstering international expansion, operational efficiency, and customer services.

The 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup will be held in Belgium and the Netherlands from August 15 to 30; this marks the first time the men's and women's World Cups will be held concurrently. The Indian men's team, led by Harmanpreet Singh, and the women's team, led by Salima Tete, will be strong contenders for the title, and the tournament is considered crucial for preparations for the Olympics and Asian Games.

India secured the fourth position on the medal tally by winning 39 medals at the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games, delivering a better performance compared to the 2022 Birmingham Games. The Commonwealth Games flag was handed over to India during the closing ceremony, marking the formal commencement of preparations for hosting the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad.

US Coast Guard Day is celebrated annually on August 4 to commemorate the establishment of the United States Coast Guard (USCG) in 1790. India and the US are strengthening the rules-based maritime order by enhancing cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region across areas such as maritime security, joint exercises, maritime domain awareness, and HADR (Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief).

At the Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2026, Tejaswin Shankar made history by becoming the first Indian athlete to win a medal in the men's decathlon event, securing the bronze medal with a score of 7,976 points. With this achievement, he also became the first Indian athlete to win medals in two different events at the Commonwealth Games.

On July 31, 2026, Air Marshal A.K. Bharti, the Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (DCAS) of the Indian Air Force, retired after a long military career and paid tribute to the martyrs at the National War Memorial. He played a pivotal role in air operations and tri-service coordination as the Director General Air Operations (DGAO) during Operation 'Sindoor'.

On August 1, 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram, Andhra Pradesh; it was constructed by the GMR Group at a cost of approximately ₹5,000 crore. This airport will boost regional air connectivity, tourism, industry, investment, and exports, while strengthening the objectives of UDAN, the National Civil Aviation Policy, and PM Gati Shakti.

In July 2026, India's gross GST collection stood at ₹2.11 lakh crore and net GST collection at ₹1.81 lakh crore, reflecting robust economic activity and improved tax compliance. Implemented on July 1, 2017, GST has integrated India's indirect tax system by establishing a "One Nation, One Tax, One Market" regime.

The Union Cabinet approved the revamped Khelo India Scheme with an outlay of ₹36,441 crore for the period from 2026-27 to 2030-31; this represents the largest government investment in the sports sector in independent India. Its objective is to empower athletes from the grassroots to the Olympic level through modern training, sports science, advanced infrastructure, and transparent sports administration.

At the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games, India achieved a historic double-podium finish in the men's javelin throw event, with Neeraj Chopra winning the silver medal and Yash Veer Singh winning the bronze. This achievement reflects the growing potential of Indian athletics, modern training methods, and strong prospects for improved performance in future global competitions.