Current Affairs for Competitive Exams: 07 August 2026, Daily Roundup

Current Affairs – 07 August 2026

National Current Affairs

1. GOBARdhan Approved as National Circular Bioenergy Scheme

• The News: The Union Cabinet approved GOBARdhan – National Circular Bioenergy Scheme with an outlay of ₹23,731 crore.
• Key Points: It will convert cattle dung, agricultural residue, press mud, municipal organic waste and other biomass into clean fuel and organic manure.
• Expected to create around 1.5 lakh jobs and strengthen the rural circular economy.

2. PM Surya Ghar Scheme Crosses 50 Lakh Households

• The News: The PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana crossed 50 lakh beneficiary households.
• Significance: Promotes rooftop solar, renewable energy adoption and household-level energy security.

3. NITI Aayog Releases Caregiver Roadmap

• Report: Reimagining Care: Strategies for Empowering Caregivers in Viksit Bharat@2047.
• Focus: Building a formal caregiving ecosystem, improving training and accreditation, and creating opportunities for skilled caregivers.
• Exam Link: Social security, ageing population, women’s employment and human-capital development.

4. Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026: The Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha amid disruptions. It seeks amendments to the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007; Income-tax Act, 2025; and Finance Act, 2026, replacing the June 2026 Income-tax Amendment Ordinance.

5. Supreme Court Considers Computer-Based NEET-UG: The Supreme Court sought responses from petitioners on the Centre’s proposal to shift NEET-UG from pen-and-paper to computer-based testing. The next hearing is scheduled for 19 August.

6. CBI Busts International Tech-Support Fraud Syndicate: The CBI raided 10 locations in Punjab and Delhi, targeting a sophisticated international tech-support fraud and extortion network operating through fake call centres.

7. Other National Updates

• Amarnath Yatra: Annual pilgrimage, which began on 3 July, continued under a multi-layered security arrangement.
• Tamil Nadu: Vetri Vaanmagal scheme will train 500 persons, including 100 women, in agricultural drone operations and licensing.
• Telangana: Distribution of 1.05 crore newly sanctioned laminated ration cards is scheduled from 15 August 2026.
• Kerala: Police stations will again be headed by Sub-Inspectors as Station House Officers from 15 August.

International Current Affairs

1. India–Israel Strategic Partnership: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reviewed progress in the India–Israel Special Strategic Partnership.

2. BRICS WAVES Bazaar 2026: The BRICS WAVES Bazaar, promoting the creative economy, began in Mumbai, bringing together more than 500 delegates from BRICS member and partner countries.

3. India–Africa Cooperation: At an Africa Day event, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar reiterated India’s support for inclusive and demand-driven development cooperation with Africa.

4. India–Sri Lanka Fishermen Issue: India urged Sri Lanka to cooperate in the early release of Indian fishermen and their boats detained by Sri Lankan authorities.

Global Geopolitical Crisis

1. Strait of Hormuz: Iran and Oman reached an understanding to reopen the Strait of Hormuz for 60 days, according to the supplied report.

Importance for India: The Strait is a critical global energy chokepoint and any disruption can affect India’s crude and LNG supplies, shipping costs and inflation.

2. Pakistan-Occupied Jammu & Kashmir: The UN human rights body expressed concern over alleged violence by Pakistani forces against protesters in PoJK.

3. Bangladesh Presidential Election: Bangladesh announced that its presidential election will be held on 20 August, following the resignation of President Mohammed Shahabuddin.

Defence Update

1. Agni-4 Successfully Test-Fired: India successfully test-fired the Agni-4 medium-range ballistic missile from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur, Odisha.

2. Army Plans 150 Extended-Range BrahMos Missiles: The Indian Army is preparing to procure 150 extended-range BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, with an estimated value of about ₹10,000 crore.

3. Logistic Drones for Indian Army: The Ministry of Defence issued an RFI for 2,715 logistic drones to enhance military logistics and last-mile supply capabilities.

4. Territorial Army Review: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh chaired the Parliamentary Consultative Committee meeting focused on the Territorial Army, including its mandate, role and achievements.

Science & Technology

1. COSPAR Vikram Sarabhai Medal 2026: Indian astrophysicist Dr. Annapurni Subramaniam, Director of the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, received the COSPAR Vikram Sarabhai Medal 2026.

Sports Update

1. Asian Hockey: Hockey India announced the 18-member Indian junior women’s team for the AHF Junior Asia Cup 2026, to be held in Moqi, China, from 30 August to 13 September.

2. Asian Rafting Championships 2026: Boleng, Siang district, Arunachal Pradesh, will host the Asian Rafting Championships 2026 from 5–9 October on the Simang River.

Important Observance

National Handloom Day – 7 August

• 12th National Handloom Day
• Linked with the Swadeshi Movement (1905).
• Focus: supporting handloom weavers, artisans and India’s traditional textile heritage.

National Javelin Throw Day: Celebrated across India to commemorate the historic gold medal win by Neeraj Chopra at the Tokyo Olympics on August 7, 2021.

Miscellaneous One-Liners Current Affairs

• PM Surya Ghar: Crossed 50 lakh beneficiary households.
• Vetri Vaanmagal: Tamil Nadu scheme for women farmers and agricultural drone training.
• GOBARdhan: ₹23,731 crore National Circular Bioenergy Scheme; target of 1.5 lakh jobs.
• Agni-4: Successfully test-fired from Chandipur, Odisha.
• BrahMos: Army plans procurement of 150 extended-range missiles.
• Logistic drones: MoD issued RFI for 2,715 drones.
• BIRC 2026: Bharat International Rice Conference will be held 23–25 October 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
• Lalit Kala Akademi celebrated its 72nd Foundation Day on 7 August.