Current Affairs - National

Red Hexagonal is the proposed warning label shape for HFSS (High Fat, Sugar, and Salt) packaged foods under the FSSAI’s compliance proposal submitted to the Supreme Court on August 28, 2026. The warning would apply when a product is high in at least two of three specified nutrients: added sugar, added salt, or added saturated fat. The proposed label would be one point larger than the back-of-pack nutrition information and displayed in both Hindi and English. The framework is aligned with the ICMR-NIN Dietary Guidelines 2024 and uses the HFSS definition from earlier regulatory proposals and parliamentary discussions.

Synaty Automotive Pvt. Ltd. received India’s first compliance certificate for a 15-metre multi-axle sleeper bus from the International Centre for Automotive Technology (ICAT) on August 27, 2026. The certification was granted under AIS-119 and AIS-153 standards in accordance with the Central Motor Vehicles Rules. The bus features a 15-metre multi-axle configuration and offers 42 sleeper berths in its full-sleeper version, while the hybrid variant combines 21 berths with 42 seats. The certification involved specialised testing for structural strength, emergency and fire safety, and passenger comfort, supporting the development of advanced long-distance passenger vehicles in India.

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.