Current Affairs - August 8, 2026 Current Affairs

August 8 is observed as Quit India Movement Day, commemorating the launch of the historic Quit India Movement in 1942. The movement began at the Bombay session of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) on August 8, 1942, where the Quit India Resolution was passed. Mahatma Gandhi gave the famous “Do or Die” call during the movement. The historic session was held at Gowalia Tank Maidan in Bombay, now known as August Kranti Maidan in Mumbai. The day commemorates the sacrifices of freedom fighters and the widespread participation of Indians in the struggle against British colonial rule.

Bhawana Kanth became the first woman pilot to qualify as a Fighter Combat Leader (FCL) after successfully completing the prestigious FCL course at the Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment (TACDE) in Gwalior on August 6, 2026. The rigorous 20-week programme focuses on advanced combat tactics and trains officers to lead complex air-to-air and air-to-ground operations. Bhawana Kanth was commissioned into the Indian Air Force in June 2016 as one of India’s first three women fighter pilots, alongside Avani Chaturvedi and Mohana Singh. Her achievement marks a significant milestone for women in India’s military aviation.

Prasanta Mahapatra was appointed as the Executive Director (ED) of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) on August 6, 2026. In his new role, he will lead the Corporation Finance Investigation Department and handle the Recovery and Refund Department of the market regulator. Mahapatra joined SEBI in April 1999 and previously served as its Chief General Manager. He also worked at SEBI’s Eastern Regional Office in Kolkata. SEBI is the principal regulator of India’s securities market and received statutory powers under the SEBI Act, 1992.

Operation Safed Sagar was an air operation conducted by the Indian Air Force during the Kargil War in 1999. It began in May 1999 to provide crucial air support to Indian ground forces fighting to reclaim strategic mountain positions occupied by Pakistani troops. The operation involved aerial reconnaissance, precision strikes, air defence, helicopter support and disruption of enemy logistics. Mirage-2000 aircraft played a particularly important role by using laser-guided bombs and precision weaponry against high-altitude targets. The operation was conducted under the major limitation that Indian aircraft were not permitted to cross the Line of Control.

Greater Noida hosted BIOFACH INDIA 2026 from August 6 to 8, 2026, at the India Expo Centre & Mart (IEML). The event was organised by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), in collaboration with Nuernberg Messe India and IFOAM – Organics International. It focused on promoting India’s certified organic products and featured more than 200 exhibiting companies, including Farmer Producer Organisations, startups and women entrepreneurs. More than 35 international buyers from 13 overseas markets participated. Organic products such as cereals, pulses, millets, spices and medicinal plants were showcased at the event.

Karnataka launched the Composite Digital Crop Survey in Bengaluru on August 6, 2026, to integrate Artificial Intelligence and satellite technology into agricultural data collection. The initiative uses Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), high-resolution satellite imagery, drones, GIS data and Machine Learning algorithms to improve the accuracy and reliability of crop information. It will initially be implemented on a pilot basis in five selected hoblis representing different geographical divisions of the state. The survey aims to provide authenticated, plot-level crop data, supporting evidence-based policymaking, effective governance and better allocation of agricultural resources.

Air India entered into a codeshare partnership with Azerbaijan Airlines on August 6, 2026, to improve connectivity and promote tourism between India and Azerbaijan. Under the agreement, Air India can place its ‘AI’ designator code on flights operated by Azerbaijan Airlines. The partnership includes daily flights between Delhi and Baku and between Mumbai and Baku. It allows Air India customers to travel to Baku on a single ticket and itinerary, including destinations not directly served by Air India. Air India was founded in 1932 as Tata Airlines and is headquartered in New Delhi.

Suraj Kumar Chand became the first Indian to win the gold medal in the men’s individual category at the FISU World University Squash Championship. He achieved this historic feat on August 6, 2026, in Mumbai by defeating Hungary’s Benedek Takacs in a thrilling five-game final. Suraj, a student of Somaiya Vidyavihar University, Mumbai, showcased remarkable composure and resilience throughout the tournament. His victory was especially significant as the championship was held at his home institution. Earlier, he had won bronze medals at the 2024 World University Championships and the HCL PSA Indian Tour event in Chennai in 2026.

IIT Guwahati researchers developed E-Eye, a low-cost and portable optical sensing device for rapid on-site detection of water contamination. The device can detect heavy metals such as arsenic, lead, iron and chromium, along with fluoride and E. coli bacteria. It operates using the Beer-Lambert law and measures colour changes in chemical reactions to estimate contaminant concentrations. The device costs around ₹3,500, with an operational cost of about ₹2 per sample. Its performance is comparable to standard laboratory instruments, making it particularly useful for water-quality monitoring in rural areas.

August 15, 2026, was officially proclaimed as India Day by the state of Massachusetts and the city of Boston to commemorate India’s independence. Governor Maura Healey and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu issued declarations recognising the significance of India’s independence anniversary. The proclamation also highlighted the establishment of a new Indian Consulate in Boston to support visa services, trade, and tourism. The occasion was further marked by the participation of the Indian Navy’s sail training vessel INS Sudarshini in the SAILBOSTON-250 maritime festival, showcasing India’s maritime heritage and strengthening India-US cultural ties.