Current Affairs for Competitive Exams: 13 August 2026, Daily Roundup

Current Affairs – 13 August 2026

National Current Affairs

1. Parliament Passes NCDC (Amendment) Bill, 2026

• Parliament passed the National Co-operative Development Corporation (NCDC) (Amendment) Bill, 2026.
• It amends the NCDC Act, 1962 to further strengthen the cooperative development framework.

2. Kerala Renaming Bill Passed: Parliament passed the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026, changing the constitutional name of Kerala to Keralam. The change will be made in the First Schedule of the Constitution.

3. FCRA Amendment Bill Referred to JPC: Lok Sabha referred the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC). The Objective is to improve transparency and accountability in the use of foreign contributions.

4. One Herb, One Standard Initiative: AYUSH Ministry highlighted the One Herb, One Standard initiative. It aims to strengthen the quality, credibility and standardisation of traditional medicines.

5. Hariyali Amavasya Plantation Drive: More than 50,000 saplings were planted across India during a nationwide plantation drive led by Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

6. Calcutta High Court on OBC Certificates: The Calcutta High Court cancelled OBC-A and OBC-B certificates issued under revised rules introduced by the previous West Bengal government.

7. Jharkhand Student Protests: Students continued protests demanding cancellation of the 2024 JSSC-CGL examination, through which more than 2,000 candidates had been appointed.

8. Cross-Border Espionage Case: West Bengal STF arrested two persons near the India-Bangladesh border, including a suspected Pakistani national allegedly linked to ISI and espionage activities.

International Current Affairs

1. India–Nepal Development Cooperation: India and Nepal signed MoUs for eight development projects in education, health and agriculture. Projects, worth around 803 million Nepali rupees, will be implemented using Indian grant assistance.

2. India–China Border Relations: India reiterated that incidents along the disputed border with China are “most serious” and that border stability directly affects the broader bilateral relationship.

3. Former CJI D.Y. Chandrachud Appointed Arbitrator: Russia appointed former Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud as arbitrator in an investment treaty arbitration involving Ukraine’s state-owned Oschadbank.

4. Bangladesh Railway Coaches: Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala, is supplying Bangladesh Railways with its first rake of 19 LHB broad-gauge passenger coaches.

 Other News

• Hungary: Former Supreme Court chief Andras Baka elected President.
• Colombia: Death toll from the powerful earthquake crossed 200.
• China: Former Premier Zhu Rongji, who served as Premier from 1998–2003, died at 98.

Defence Update

1. IAF Transport Aircraft Programme: The Defence Ministry issued a tender of approximately ₹1 lakh crore for around 60 multirole transport aircraft for the Indian Air Force.

2. Replacement of Hawk Mk-132 Trainers: IAF initiated the process to replace its Hawk Mk-132 advanced jet trainers, seeking information for approximately 150 aircraft.

3. Medium-Range Loitering Munition: The Defence Ministry is advancing plans for a ship-based medium-range loitering munition for the Indian Navy.It will enhance precision maritime strike capability through indigenous unmanned systems.

4. India–Australia Naval Staff Talks: The 17th India–Australia Navy-to-Navy Staff Talks were held in Sydney. It was aimed at operational interoperability and expanding maritime cooperation.

5. Defence Cooperation with Seychelles: India formally handed over five laser radial-class boats to Seychelles, strengthening maritime cooperation.

Science & Technology

1. ISRO Tests Improved SSLV Booster: ISRO successfully conducted a ground static test of the improved SS1 solid booster stage of the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) at Sriharikota.

2. Private Space Sector: Othisis Cryogenic Engine: Bengaluru-based Othisis successfully hot-fired a fully cryogenic, 3D-printed rocket engine producing 5 kN thrust. Intended for a reusable hopper rocket.

Sports Update

1. Commonwealth Fencing Championship: Indian fencers won 3 Gold, 1 Silver and 1 Bronze on the third day of the Commonwealth Championship in Lagos.

2. TTFI Recognition Suspended: Sports Ministry suspended recognition of the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI), citing governance deficiencies. Indian Olympic Association was asked to constitute an ad-hoc committee.

3. Chess – R. Praggnanandhaa: Indian Grandmaster R. Praggnanandhaa defeated Javokhir Sindarov in the Sinquefield Cup in St. Louis.

Important Observance Days

1. World Organ Donation Day – 13 August: Observed to create awareness about organ donation and encourage people to become donors. In India Organ transplantation is governed principally by the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act (THOTA), 1994. The National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation(NOTTO) serves as the apex national organisation for the coordination of organ and tissue donation/transplantation.

2. International Left-Handers Day – 13 August: Observed annually to highlight the experiences and challenges faced by left-handed people.

Miscellaneous One-Liners Current Affairs

• Uttarakhand: High Court relocation from Nainital to Haldwani approved; Lamachaur identified for the new campus.
• Maharashtra: ATS seized 4.7+ kg methamphetamine worth over ₹9 crore.
• Maritime Security: India handed over five boats to Seychelles, strengthening Indian Ocean cooperation.
• Himachal Pradesh: Introduced an orphan and widow cess of 60 paise/litre on petrol and diesel.