Current Affairs - National

India plans to establish the Bharatiya Antariksha Station (BAS) by 2035, as announced by ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan during the third National Space Day celebrations in Ahmedabad on August 23, 2026. The first module of the proposed space station has already been approved. The BAS is expected to support India’s long-term human spaceflight activities, building upon capabilities developed through the Gaganyaan programme. It will provide opportunities for scientific research, technology testing, and gaining experience in extended human missions in space, marking a significant advancement in India’s space exploration ambitions.

One year is the revised mandatory practice period prescribed by the Supreme Court for candidates seeking to appear in entry-level judicial service examinations. The earlier requirement of three years of legal practice was reduced to one year. Along with this change, the Court introduced a one-year training period and one year of supervised clerkship as part of the judicial recruitment and training process. The arrangement is intended to provide greater opportunities for young law graduates while also allowing judicial authorities to assess the quality of recruitment and training.

Pune will host the BRICS ICT Track 2026 from August 17 to 21, organised by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) as part of India’s BRICS Chairship. The event will be conducted under the theme “Innovate, Cooperate and Transform (ICT) for a Resilient Future.” Major events include the 7th BRICS Working Group Meeting for Cooperation in ICTs, the Digital BRICS Forum and Expo, and the 12th BRICS Communications Ministers Meeting. Key discussions will focus on artificial intelligence, digital public infrastructure, next-generation communications, cybersecurity, and child online protection among the participating BRICS nations.

Indore was the location where India’s first virtual zoo and 14-D cinema facility were inaugurated on August 16, 2026, by Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav. The facility has been developed within the existing Indore Zoo under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, with an investment of approximately ₹4.5 crore. It features the country’s first virtual jungle safari and a 14-D cinema theatre, using advanced digital technology to provide immersive experiences of forests and wildlife. The initiative aims to promote wildlife education among children and tourists while offering an innovative way to experience nature and biodiversity.

Chandigarh was the Union Territory where the Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC)-based Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system for the Public Distribution System (PDS) was launched on August 16, 2026. Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched the pilot project, which uses e-RUPI digital vouchers to ensure transparent and leak-proof delivery of food subsidies. Developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the initiative uses blockchain-based CBDC technology for real-time transaction settlement. Similar CBDC-linked models are also being explored for agricultural and fertiliser subsidy distribution.