Online Current Affairs Test - Current Affairs Test - Random (Last 3 months)

Vishwesh Negi was appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Islamic Republic of Iran by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on August 3, 2026. He is a 2002-batch Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer and is currently serving as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi. He is expected to assume charge in Tehran and oversee India-Iran strategic and trade relations. Iran’s capital is Tehran, and Chabahar Port is an important strategic asset for India, providing a maritime gateway to Central Asia.

Sudhansh Pant was assigned the additional charge of Secretary for both the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) and the National Commission for Backwards Classes (NCBC) on September 2, 2026. He is a 1991-batch IAS officer of the Rajasthan cadre and currently serves as Secretary of the Department of Social Justice & Empowerment. Earlier, he served as Chief Secretary of Rajasthan and as Union Health Secretary during the COVID-19 pandemic. His additional charge will remain effective until a regular incumbent is appointed or further orders are issued. The NCSC is a constitutional body under Article 338, while the NCBC functions under Article 338B.

Operation Amistad is India's humanitarian relief mission launched to assist Venezuela following a devastating earthquake. Conducted under India's Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) framework, the mission includes relief supplies, medical equipment, portable hospitals, and rescue teams to support affected communities. The Indian Air Force deployed C-17 Globemaster aircraft to transport aid and personnel. The operation reflects India's commitment to providing timely humanitarian assistance during international disasters and reinforces its role as a responsible global partner that supports friendly nations during times of crisis.

August 20 is observed annually as Indian Akshay Urja Day, also known as Renewable Energy Day, in India. The day aims to raise awareness about renewable and sustainable energy sources such as solar, wind, hydroelectric, biomass, and geothermal energy. It also emphasises energy conservation, advancements in renewable-energy technologies, and greater public participation in India’s transition toward clean energy. The date is additionally significant because it marks the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, who was associated with efforts to promote modernisation, science, and technology in India. The observance highlights the importance of clean energy for sustainable development and addressing climate change.

Turkey became the 71st signatory to the Artemis Accords on August 31, 2026. The agreement was signed by Turkiye’s Minister for Industry and Technology, Mehmet Fatih Kacır, at NASA headquarters in Washington, D.C. The Artemis Accords establish principles for peaceful, transparent, and cooperative exploration of the Moon, Mars, and beyond. Turkiye’s participation reflects its growing interest in space exploration and international cooperation. The country is developing its national space program and preparing its first lunar mission, AYAP-1. Turkiye’s first astronaut, Alper Gezeravcı, travelled to the International Space Station in 2024 and conducted scientific research.

Seychelles and India announced 19 major initiatives aimed at strengthening their strategic partnership across key sectors such as maritime security, defence, healthcare, digital payments, education, infrastructure, space cooperation, and climate resilience. The agreements were unveiled during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit and discussions with President Patrick Herminie in Victoria. The partnership also reinforces India's MAHASAGAR vision for promoting security, sustainable development, and regional cooperation in the Indian Ocean. Additional measures included defence assistance, humanitarian aid, financial support, and technology collaboration, highlighting the growing importance of India–Seychelles relations in the Indo-Pacific region.

Singapore hosted the Second Global Business Summit on BRI Infrastructure on September 6, 2026. The summit brought together more than 300 senior leaders and private sector pioneers to address global connectivity challenges and explore opportunities linked to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The event resulted in 12 SDG-driven joint actions and innovative partnerships covering areas such as green mining, sustainable transport, biodiversity conservation, ocean protection, and women’s microenterprise growth. Two new expert groups were also established to focus on sustainable energy and sustainable digital infrastructure. The summit highlighted responsible infrastructure development and stronger international cooperation for sustainable growth.

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Supreme Audit Institution (SAI) of Israel to enhance bilateral cooperation in public sector auditing. The agreement focuses on exchanging professional knowledge, technical expertise, and best practices while promoting training opportunities and bilateral seminars. It also emphasises the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data analytics to improve auditing processes and performance oversight. The collaboration reflects the commitment of both countries to modernise public sector auditing through innovation, technology, and institutional cooperation.

India was ranked 125th out of 197 countries in the Global Passport Index 2026. Although the country's overall score improved to 45.1, its highest in the past five years, it slipped one place from the previous year's ranking due to stronger improvements made by other countries. The index evaluates passports using three key factors: enhanced mobility, quality of living, and investment opportunities. India showed progress in quality of life and investment potential, but limited visa-free travel access to major destinations affected its mobility score, preventing a higher overall ranking despite the improved performance.

India secured the 70th position in the World Economic Forum's Energy Transition Index (ETI) 2026 with an overall score of 54.9. The country improved by two places compared to the previous year, reflecting progress in energy transition readiness and infrastructure development. India's score increased by 1.9%, supported by growth in low-carbon employment and expansion of renewable energy initiatives. Renewable energy jobs reached 1.3 million, with hydropower contributing the largest share of employment within the sector. The ETI evaluates 120 countries on energy security, equity, and sustainability, providing a comprehensive assessment of global energy transition performance.

Parashurampuri is the new name approved for Jalalabad town in Uttar Pradesh by the state Cabinet led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The renaming was carried out after the Central Government raised no objections to the proposal. The decision was taken in response to the demand of local residents and aims to recognise the town's historical, religious, and cultural significance. The government considers the town to be associated with Lord Parashuram, who is regarded as the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, and the new name reflects this traditional identity.

Jodhpur in Rajasthan will host the International Type 1 Diabetes Summit 2026 from July 30 to August 1, 2026. The three-day global conference will bring together leading diabetes specialists, researchers, policymakers, government officials, and patient representatives from countries including India, the USA, and Australia. Organised by Friends of Mewar, Breakthrough T1D, and the William J. Clinton Foundation, the summit will focus on improving access to affordable insulin, advancing diabetes technologies such as continuous glucose monitoring and insulin pumps, promoting digital health solutions, strengthening international research collaboration, and enhancing the quality of life for people living with Type 1 diabetes.

ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research) developed India’s first indigenous African Swine Fever (ASF) vaccine. The live attenuated vaccine was developed using the MA-104 cell line at ICAR–National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (ICAR-NIHSAD), Bhopal. It was officially launched by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on ICAR Foundation Day 2026. The vaccine is expected to strengthen livestock biosecurity, reduce pig mortality and support pig farmers, particularly in the North-Eastern states that have faced severe ASF outbreaks since 2020.

Awiqli, developed by Novo Nordisk, is the world's first once-weekly basal insulin introduced in India for the treatment of adult diabetes. The medicine is designed to reduce the burden of daily insulin injections by requiring only one injection every week, reducing the annual number of injections from 365 to 52. It is administered through a pre-filled pen device and works by binding to the blood protein albumin, which creates a reservoir that releases insulin steadily over seven days. This helps maintain stable blood glucose levels and improves treatment convenience. Awiqli can be used by eligible patients with Type 2 diabetes either alone or with other medicines, while patients with Type 1 diabetes must use it together with short-acting insulin during mealtimes.

Sharmila Dhankar created history by winning the gold medal in the Women's F57 Shot Put event at the Commonwealth Games 2026 with a season-best throw of 9.81 meters. Her victory marked India's first-ever gold medal in para athletics at the Commonwealth Games and ended the country's 20-year wait for a para athletics medal at the event. Sharmila also became the first Indian woman to win a para athletics medal at the Commonwealth Games. Alongside her, Shilpa Shyla secured the bronze medal with a personal-best throw of 7.26 meters, giving India its first-ever double medal finish in the same para athletics event at the Commonwealth Games.

Jharkhand launched the AI Policy 2026–31 with the objective of transforming the state into a leading hub for artificial intelligence, digital governance, and technology-driven innovation. The roadmap aims to attract more than ₹10,000 crore in private investment, establish over 50 Global Capability Centres (GCCs), support more than 1,000 AI startups, and generate over one lakh AI-enabled jobs within five years. The policy also emphasises AI-powered governance through initiatives such as the Chief Minister’s Data Intelligence Platform, Health and Nutrition Vigilance System, and Critical Minerals Administration System, while strengthening the state's IT infrastructure, startup ecosystem, and digital economy.

Mizoram emerged as the top-performing state in the digitisation of enumeration forms during the third phase of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The state achieved an impressive completion rate of 68.05%, securing the highest position among 16 states and 3 Union Territories. Several districts recorded exceptional performance, with Khawzawl, Champhai, and Serchhip all surpassing 90% completion. The state also achieved 99.90% distribution of enrolment forms and deployed 1,301 Block Level Officers (BLOs) to support the process. This achievement highlights Mizoram’s effective implementation of electoral digitisation initiatives and its commitment to improving election management and voter registration systems.

Haryana became the first state to have Sirsa Kinnow recognised as its first fruit with a Geographical Indication (GI) tag. The GI registration was granted by the Geographical Indications Registry in Chennai, recognising the unique quality and characteristics of kinnow grown in the Sirsa district. The region's favourable climatic and geographical conditions produce kinnow with a sweet taste, high juice content, large size, and attractive colour. The GI tag provides legal protection against imitation, enhances market value, promotes exports, and improves income opportunities for farmers while strengthening Haryana's horticultural brand identity.

Tamil Nadu notified three new elephant corridors in the Cauvery North Wildlife Sanctuary on August 28, 2026, to facilitate elephant movement between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The corridors are located in the Hosur Forest Division and support trans-Cauvery migration. The three corridors are Jawalagiri-Ulibanda-Thaggatti, Jawalagiri-Panai-Anchetty, and Bilikkal-Jawalagiri. All three are situated entirely within Reserved Forest boundaries, meaning no revenue villages or private lands are affected. Elephant corridors are important for connecting habitats, maintaining genetic diversity, and reducing human-wildlife conflict. The Cauvery North Wildlife Sanctuary also serves as a vital link between Karnataka’s Bannerghatta National Park and the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary.

Tata Elxsi is responsible for avionics, flight control systems, software integration, validation, and certification for the Shunya eVTOL aircraft. Tata Elxsi and Bengaluru-based startup Sarla Aviation signed an MoU on September 2, 2026, to co-develop Shunya, a six-seater plus pilot electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft. The aircraft is designed for regional air travel, with an operational range exceeding 300 kilometres and runway-independent operation. Sarla Aviation will lead the platform’s design, development, and type certification, while Tata Elxsi will contribute its expertise in aerospace engineering, software, and technology integration.