Archive: August 2026
A complete list of Daily UPSC Mains news items curated during August 2026.
India Achieves 101 Crore Milestone in Social Security Coverage
Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya announced that India’s social security net now covers 101 crore individuals, a significant achievement recognized by the International Labour Organization (ILO).
Supreme Court Pushes for Implementation of Allied and Healthcare Professions Act, 2021
The Supreme Court has directed the National Commission and state governments to submit compliance affidavits regarding the implementation of the 2021 Act, citing concerns over regulatory delays in the healthcare sector.
Supreme Court Strikes Down Gender-Discriminatory Norms in Compassionate Appointments
The Supreme Court has ruled that excluding married daughters from compassionate appointment schemes is unconstitutional, terming such policies as based on archaic and patriarchal assumptions.
Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) Secures New Defence Orders Worth ₹847 Crore
Navratna Defence PSU Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) has secured new contracts valued at ₹847 crore, focusing on electro-optics, seekers, and security operation centers to boost indigenous defence manufacturing.
Revenue Augmentation Committee: Strengthening State Fiscal Health
The Revenue Augmentation Committee, chaired by Montek Singh Ahluwalia, has convened its first meeting to devise strategies for enhancing state tax and non-tax revenues and improving fiscal compliance.
Union Cabinet Approves Extension of PM-KISAN Scheme for FY27–FY31
The Union Cabinet has extended the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme for another five years with a financial outlay of ₹3.15 lakh crore to ensure continued income support for landholding farmer families.
GSTAT Operationalization: New Bench Composition and Case Classification Rules
The Goods and Services Tax Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT) has introduced a new administrative framework for bench composition and case classification, effective August 1, 2026, to enhance the efficiency of GST dispute resolution.
India Launches First Sovereign-Backed Protection and Indemnity (P&I) Insurance
The Department of Financial Services has introduced the Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool (BMIP), India's first sovereign-backed P&I insurance to bolster maritime security and support domestic shipping interests.
NHRC Examines Constitutional Concerns Regarding Proposed FCRA Bill 2026
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has initiated a probe into the proposed Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, following concerns over its potential impact on the autonomy of NGOs and minority organizations.
Parliament Passes Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2026
The Lok Sabha has passed the Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2026, introducing stricter oversight for delayed registrations to enhance data accuracy and administrative compliance.
Supreme Court Examines Constitutional Validity of Polygamy
The Supreme Court has sought the Centre's response on a petition challenging the constitutionality of polygamy under Muslim personal law, sparking a debate on gender equality and constitutional morality.
NavIC Constellation Faces Operational Setback: Implications for Strategic Autonomy
India’s indigenous navigation satellite system, NavIC, has fallen below its minimum operational threshold of four satellites due to recurring atomic clock failures, raising critical questions about national security and space-based sovereignty.
Empowering the Care Economy: Women-Led Cooperatives in South Asia
A recent ILO report highlights how women across South Asia are organizing into cooperatives to formalize care work, driving economic empowerment and social inclusion in the region.
Technological Integration and Sustainability: The New Bhogapuram International Airport
The newly inaugurated Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport in Andhra Pradesh sets a new benchmark in aviation infrastructure by integrating AI, BIM, and sustainable energy solutions.
Supreme Court Stays Delhi High Court Order Classifying NSEI as 'Public Authority' under RTI Act
The Supreme Court has stayed a Delhi High Court ruling that brought the National Stock Exchange of India (NSEI) under the ambit of the RTI Act, pending further judicial review.
Adapting to Asymmetric Warfare: LG Sinha Calls for Whole-of-Government Strategy
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has underscored the necessity of integrating data analytics and algorithmic precision into India's counter-terrorism framework to combat evolving asymmetric threats in Jammu and Kashmir.
Government Imposes Stockholding Limits on Sugar to Curb Festive Inflation
To ensure price stability and availability of sugar during the upcoming festive season, the government has mandated stockholding limits effective from August 1 to November 30, 2026.
Centre Reissues Seventh Draft Notification for Western Ghats Ecologically Sensitive Area
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has reissued the seventh draft notification to designate 56,825.7 sq. km of the Western Ghats as an Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA), inviting public feedback amidst ongoing federal friction.
Central University of Karnataka to Host International Conference on Earth and Environment in Anthropocene (ICEEA-2026)
The Central University of Karnataka is set to host the third edition of the ICEEA-2026 in October 2026, bringing together global experts to address pressing environmental challenges and the impacts of the Anthropocene epoch.