Current Affairs for Competitive Exams: 09 August 2026, Daily Roundup

Current Affairs – 09 August 2026

National Current Affairs

1. India Becomes World’s 3rd-Largest Solar Power Producer

• The News: India’s installed solar capacity reached 162.15 GW, making it the 3rd-largest solar power producer globally after China and the USA.
• Key Points: Domestic solar-module manufacturing capacity reached 172 GW.
• Important Schemes: PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, PM-KUSUM and floating-solar initiatives.
• Exam Focus: India’s target of 500 GW non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030, renewable-energy transition and International Solar Alliance (ISA).

2. Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak to Silkyara Tunnel Rescuers: 12 rat-hole miners involved in the Silkyara Tunnel rescue operation were awarded the Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak. The Jeevan Raksha Padak series was instituted in 1961 to recognise exceptional bravery in saving human life.

3. India Crosses 300 GW Non-Fossil Fuel Capacity: India has crossed 300 GW of installed non-fossil fuel-based electricity capacity, marking a major milestone in its clean-energy transition.

4. Har Ghar Tiranga Campaign: Har Ghar Tiranga campaign runs from 9–17 August, encouraging citizens to hoist the National Flag and celebrate patriotism, national unity and India’s cultural heritage.

5. NEET-UG: The Supreme Court sought responses to the Centre’s proposal to shift NEET-UG from pen-and-paper to computer-based examination. Next hearing is on  19 August 2026.

6. NIA Chargesheet in Cross-Border Terror Conspiracy: The NIA filed a chargesheet against two accused in an alleged conspiracy involving smuggling of an IED, firearm and heroin across the India-Pakistan border for planned attacks in Punjab and New Delhi.

7. Cyber Fraud Advisory: Hyderabad Police warned against fake “rent boyfriend” offers circulating through Instagram, Telegram and Facebook, using fake/AI-generated profiles to extract booking fees and personal information.

International Current Affairs

1. India–US Strategic Partnership: Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with US Vice President JD Vance and discussed further strengthening the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership.

2. India–Israel Strategic Partnership: PM Modi and Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu reviewed continued progress in the India-Israel Special Strategic Partnership.

3. Mithila Makhana Export: APEDA facilitated the first commercial sea shipment of 18 metric tonnes of GI-tagged Mithila Makhana from Bihar to Australia.

Global Geopolitical Crisis

1. PoJK Human Rights Situation: UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for an impartial inquiry into killings of protesters in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) and stressed accountability.

2. Scarborough Reef Dispute: The United States criticised China’s enforcement of a “national nature reserve” around Scarborough Reef, describing it as destabilising and coercive.

3. Colombia: Abelardo de la Espriella was sworn in as the 36th President of Colombia for the 2026–2030 term.

Defence Update

1. Agni-IV Missile Test: India successfully test-fired the Agni-IV medium-range ballistic missile from Integrated Test Range, Chandipur, Odisha. Strengthens India’s strategic deterrence and long-range precision-strike capability.

2. Long-Range BrahMos Procurement: The Indian Army is planning to procure 150 extended-range BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, reportedly valued at around ₹10,000 crore.

3. Logistic Drones for Indian Army: The Ministry of Defence issued an RFI for 2,715 logistic drones for the Indian Army, reflecting growing use of unmanned systems for military logistics.

Science & Technology

1. Symbiotic X-ray Binary in Magellanic Bridge: Astronomers, including researchers associated with IUCAA, discovered the first symbiotic X-ray binary system in the Magellanic Bridge.

2. AI in Medical Technology: Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda released the knowledge paper “AI in MedTech: Revolutionising Healthcare Through Artificial Intelligence” at India Medical Device 2026.

Sports Update

1. World Athletics U20 Championships: Ashish Yadav won Silver in men’s javelin throw with a best effort of 74.09 m. He became only the second Indian after Neeraj Chopra to win a silver medal in this event at the World Athletics U20 Championships.

2. Asian Junior Weightlifting Championships: Tomchou Meetei won three medals in the men’s junior 60-kg category: Gold overall, Bronze in snatch and Silver in clean & jerk.

3. Aerobic Gymnastics: Ariha Pangambam of Manipur won India’s first senior individual women’s gold at the Asian Aerobic Gymnastics Championships in the Philippines.

Global Observance Day

1. International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples – 09 August

• Observed annually on 9 August.
• Origin: Commemorates the first meeting of the UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations in 1982.
• 2026 Theme: “Indigenous Peoples and AI: Defending Rights, Shaping Futures.”

Miscellaneous One-Liners Current Affairs

• Delhi Lakshmi Yojana: Women registrations crossed 5 lakh within a week of launch.
• Odisha: Received investment proposals worth ₹43,437 crore in food processing during Odisha Food Pro-2026.
• BRICS: 11th BRICS Culture Ministers’ Meeting held in Bhopal; adopted the Bhopal Declaration.
• Tamil Nadu: Vetri Vaanmagal scheme to train 500 people, including 100 women, in agricultural-drone operations and licensing.
• Bharat Tex 2026: Highlights India’s 5F Vision — Farm to Fibre to Factory to Fashion to Foreign.
• Defence Aviation: HAL Bengaluru became India’s first airport to operationalise RNP CAT H satellite-guided helicopter approach procedure.