Current Affairs - State

Andhra Pradesh signed two strategic Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) on August 13, 2026, with CSIR-NGRI and IIT (ISM) Dhanbad to strengthen mineral exploration and mining research. CSIR-NGRI will undertake extensive exploration in the Vempalle area of the Kadapa Basin, where preliminary studies at Thummalapalle have indicated significant concentrations of lithium and gallium. Lithium levels are estimated at up to 1,000 ppm, while gallium levels may reach 250 ppm. The ₹140 crore exploration project will be funded by the National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET), while another MoU aims to establish a Centre of Excellence for Mining in the state.

Uttar Pradesh is the state where the historic Parichha Dam is located in Jhansi. Built across the Betwa River, the dam was constructed between 1881 and 1886 and became an important component of the Betwa Canal System. On August 14, 2026, it was recognised as a World Heritage Irrigation Structure (WHIS) by the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID). The dam is 1,174 metres long and 16.8 metres high, featuring 318 steel falling shutters. Its irrigation network extends across Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, covering thousands of kilometres and irrigating large areas of farmland.

Goa hosted the 8th meeting of the BRICS Working Group on Oceanic and Polar Science and Technology on August 12, 2026, under India’s BRICS Presidency. The meeting was organised by the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research in South Goa, under the Ministry of Earth Sciences. Delegations from eight BRICS member countries participated, including India, Brazil, Russia, China, South Africa, Egypt, Indonesia, and the UAE. The BRICS OPST Working Group was established in 2018 to promote scientific cooperation among member states. India had previously hosted its 3rd meeting in 2020.

Karnataka prohibited the sale, distribution, and manufacture of tobacco and nicotine products across the state for a period of one year from August 10, 2026. The ban specifically covers gutkha and pan masala containing tobacco and nicotine, and also prohibits their manufacture, storage, transportation, distribution, and sale. The Department of Food Safety and Drugs Administration is responsible for enforcing the notification. The measure aims to protect public health and promote an addiction-free state. Karnataka was formed as Mysore State in 1956 and was renamed Karnataka in 1973, with Bengaluru as its capital.

Gujarat approved the establishment of four Centres of Excellence to promote and expand natural farming across the state on August 11, 2026. The centres will be developed in Navsari, Morbi, Bhavnagar, and Chhota Udepur, with an allocation of ₹20 crore for the financial year 2026-27. The Gujarat Prakrutik Krishi Vikas Board will serve as the nodal agency for implementing and managing the scheme. Each centre will have the capacity to train 100 farmers at a time. The facilities will focus on bio-input production, natural farming demonstrations, soil and quality testing, and post-harvest processing.