Current Affairs : 6th August to 10th August 2026

1. Abelardo de la Espriella becomes Colombia President

• • • Abelardo de la Espriella has been sworn in as Colombia’s president, marking a significant shift in the country’s political direction.
    • The former lawyer and political newcomer has pledged a tough crackdown on drug trafficking, armed groups and illicit coca cultivation.
    • In his inaugural address, he also promised fiscal austerity and said his administration would seek to reduce the size of the state by as much as 40%.
    • His agenda includes reviving the oil and gas sector, pursuing tax reforms and freezing public spending.
    • He has also indicated an end to peace talks with guerrilla groups and announced Colombia’s participation in the U.S.-led Shield of the Americas programme.
    • Colombia Capital: Bogotá
      Colombia Currency: Colombian Peso
      Vice President: José Manuel Restrepo

2. India banned all new renewable-energy projects near international borders

• The claim that India has banned all new renewable-energy projects near international borders is not supported by the government record I found.
• A Lok Sabha answer states that renewable-energy or power projects near an international border undergo security assessment.
• The Border Security Force (BSF) assesses security risks, while necessary clearances from the Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Defence may be required.
• The government has said projects can receive an NOC after security evaluation.
• In fact, India has continued planning major renewable-energy infrastructure in strategically sensitive regions, including Ladakh.
• Therefore, for current-affairs purposes, the more accurate headline is: “India Tightens Security Scrutiny for Renewable Projects Near Borders.”

3. Ashish Yadav Wins India’s Second World U20 Javelin Medal

• Ashish Yadav has won the silver medal in men’s javelin throw at the World U20 Athletics Championships in Oregon, USA, giving India another major achievement in the event.
• His performance adds to India’s growing reputation in javelin following the success of Neeraj Chopra. Yadav, born in 2007, has already recorded a best of 74.49 metres in 2026, according to World Athletics records.
• India finished the championships with three medals—two silver and one bronze.
• Yadav’s silver represents India’s second World U20 javelin medal and strengthens expectations around the country’s next generation of elite throwers.

4. Bengaluru Police Launch Operation Mukta Against Illegal Immigrants

• The Bengaluru Police have launched Operation Mukta, an initiative aimed at identifying suspected illegal immigrants living in the city. The operation focuses on verifying the identities and documentation of individuals whose nationality or immigration status may be in question.
• Police teams are reportedly conducting checks and examining identity documents and other records.
• The campaign comes amid concerns over undocumented foreign nationals residing in Bengaluru.
• Authorities have emphasised verification rather than assuming nationality based on appearance or language.
• The operation is expected to involve coordination between police units and relevant government agencies.
• The initiative has generated significant public discussion over illegal immigration, documentation and enforcement of immigration laws.

5. Lok Sabha Passes MSME Amendment Bill

• The Lok Sabha passed the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Amendment) Bill, 2026, on August 7, after the Rajya Sabha had approved it on August 3.
• The legislation focuses on the persistent problem of delayed payments to MSMEs, which can create serious cash-flow difficulties for small businesses.
• The amendments seek to streamline dispute resolution, strengthen recovery mechanisms and improve liquidity for smaller enterprises.
• The Bill was passed in the Lok Sabha amid Opposition protests and without a detailed debate.
• With both Houses approving the legislation, the Bill has cleared Parliament, subject to the remaining constitutional process.
• The measure is aimed at strengthening MSME financial health and ease of doing business.

6. Anil Menon Completes Maiden ISS Spacewalk

• NASA astronaut Anil Menon, of Indian origin, completed his first spacewalk outside the International Space Station (ISS) on August 6, 2026.
• Menon and NASA astronaut Jessica Meir spent about 6.5 hours outside the station installing hardware to modify the ISS’s 3B power channel and prepare it for a future ISS Roll-Out Solar Array (iROSA).
• The activity was Menon’s maiden extravehicular activity, while it was Meir’s sixth spacewalk.
• The work forms part of a series of August spacewalks aimed at upgrading station infrastructure, communications and power systems and preparing the ISS for future operations and eventual controlled deorbit.

7. Ladakh to Launch India’s First High-Altitude Wildlife Safari

• Ladakh is set to introduce India’s first high-altitude wildlife safari, with the initiative designed to combine wildlife conservation with responsible tourism.
• The proposed experience will focus particularly on the region’s famous snow leopard habitats and opportunities to observe rare Himalayan birds.
• Authorities intend to regulate tourist access to fragile alpine ecosystems while discouraging activities such as illegal off-roading.
• The initiative is expected to strengthen Ladakh’s eco-tourism sector, create opportunities for local communities and promote awareness about Himalayan wildlife conservation.
• Areas around Hemis National Park and other suitable high-altitude habitats are expected to be important for the experience. The project aims to balance tourism growth with ecological protection.

8. Lok Sabha Passes Taxation and Other Laws Amendment Bill, 2026

• The Lok Sabha passed the Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, on August 6.
• The legislation seeks to improve India’s tax framework, encourage foreign investment and domestic electronics manufacturing, and provide greater tax clarity.
• Among its provisions are changes affecting REITs and InvITs, including measures concerning taxation of income distributed through special-purpose vehicles.
• The Bill replaces the earlier Income-tax (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026. It was passed amid disruptions in Parliament, with reports saying there was no substantive debate before passage.
• The legislation is part of the government’s broader effort to create a more predictable tax environment and support investment and manufacturing.

9. IIT Bombay Professor Karthikeyan Lanka Selected for NASI Young Scientist Award 2026

• Professor Karthikeyan Lanka, Associate Professor at IIT Bombay, has been selected for the prestigious NASI Young Scientist Platinum Jubilee Award 2026 in the Earth Sciences category.
• The award is presented by the National Academy of Sciences, India (NASI) to recognise outstanding scientific contributions by young researchers.
• Lanka’s recognition highlights his work and contributions in Earth sciences and climate research.
• IIT Bombay congratulated the professor following the announcement.
• The award adds to the growing recognition of Indian researchers working on climate, environmental and Earth-system sciences.

10. Cabinet Clears ₹23,731-Crore GOBARdhan Scheme, ₹8,970-Crore Assam Corridor

• The Union Cabinet has approved the ₹23,731-crore GOBARdhan scheme, formally associated with the National Circular Bioenergy Scheme, to promote the conversion of organic waste such as cattle dung and agricultural residue into biogas, compressed biogas and bio-fertilisers.
• The initiative aims to strengthen India’s circular economy, improve energy security and reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels.
• Separately, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved a ₹8,970.20-crore, 135.871-km four-lane access-controlled Guwahati–Tezpur corridor on NH-15 in Assam.
• Together, the two decisions represent investments of roughly ₹32,701 crore in clean energy and northeastern infrastructure.

11. India’s Asiatic Lion Population Reaches a Record 891

• India’s Asiatic lion population has reached a record 891, according to the 16th Lion Population Estimation conducted in Gujarat in 2025.
• The population has increased sharply from 674 in 2020, reflecting the success of conservation efforts in the Greater Gir landscape.
• The latest count included 196 adult males, 330 adult females, 140 sub-adults and 225 cubs.
• Importantly, more than half of the lions are now found outside Gir National Park, with the species occupying about 35,000 sq km across Gujarat.
• The population increase represents a major conservation success, although disease, human-wildlife conflict and habitat-related risks remain concerns.

12. Indian-Origin Bodhana Sivanandan and Shreyas Royal Make British Chess History

• Indian-origin chess prodigies Bodhana Sivanandan and Shreyas Royal have created history at the 2026 British Chess Championships in Coventry.
• Bodhana won the women’s title, while 17-year-old Shreyas Royal captured the open championship.
• Royal scored an unbeaten 7.5 points from nine rounds, becoming the youngest-ever British Chess Champion, surpassing the previous age record held by Michael Adams since 1989.
• Royal had earlier become England’s youngest Grandmaster at age 15. Bodhana’s victory further underlines the emergence of young Indian-origin talent in British chess.
• Their double triumph represents a remarkable achievement for the British chess community and highlights their Indian heritage.

13. Government Introduces Bill in Lok Sabha to Rename Kerala as Keralam

• The Union Government has moved ahead with the proposal to change the name of Kerala to Keralam.
• The Union Cabinet had approved the proposal, following a resolution passed by the Kerala Legislative Assembly on 24 June 2024.
• Under Article 3 of the Constitution, the President will refer the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026 to the state legislature for its views before the legislation proceeds through the required constitutional process.
• The proposed name, Keralam, reflects the Malayalam-language name traditionally used for the state.
• The move is therefore not merely a linguistic change but also reflects Kerala’s demand to formally adopt its native Malayalam nomenclature.

14. Tamil Thai Vazhthu Made Mandatory at Tamil Nadu Events

• The Tamil Nadu government has moved to make “Tamil Thai Vazhthu”, the state song, mandatory at official programmes across the state.
• Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay introduced a government resolution in the state Assembly on 10 August 2026 seeking to ensure that the song is performed at the beginning of all official events.
• The move emphasises Tamil language, culture and regional identity.
• The resolution reportedly received support from major political parties, including the DMK and AIADMK.
• Tamil Thai Vazhthu is traditionally performed at government functions and other important public events.
• The development is significant for current affairs because it concerns state protocol, language and cultural identity in Tamil Nadu.

15. Indian Physicist Deepak Dhar Wins 2026 Dirac Medal

• Indian theoretical physicist Professor Deepak Dhar has received the prestigious 2026 Dirac Medal, recognising his outstanding contributions to theoretical physics.
• Dhar is a professor at the International Centre for Theoretical Sciences (ICTS), Bengaluru and is internationally recognised for his work in statistical physics, complex systems and self-organised criticality.
• His research includes the influential Abelian sandpile model, which became an important framework for studying self-organised criticality.
• Dhar was born in Pratapgarh, Uttar Pradesh, studied at IIT Kanpur and later pursued research at Caltech, where he interacted with physicist Richard Feynman.
• The Dirac Medal places Dhar among leading international theoretical physicists.

16. Australia Announces Dates for Exercise Talisman Sabre 2027

• Australia is preparing for the 2027 edition of Exercise Talisman Sabre, its major multinational military exercise conducted with the United States and international partners.
• Australian Defence authorities say planning is already underway, with the 2027 iteration expected to be larger and more integrated, involving 24 additional partner nations and a combined planning workforce of around 800 personnel.
• The exercise will focus on operational readiness, logistics, force movement, interoperability and combined-joint warfighting capabilities in the Indo-Pacific.
• Japan and Australia have also discussed an inaugural regional air-and-missile-defence live-fire event during Talisman Sabre 2027. Official sources currently describe the exercise as a 2027 activity rather than providing confirmed public start/end dates.

17. Ashmita Chaliha Wins Korea Masters Title

• Indian badminton player Ashmita Chaliha created history by becoming the first Indian to win the Korea Masters women’s singles title.
• She defeated China’s fourth seed Han Qian Xi in the final in Incheon with a remarkable comeback victory, winning 14–21, 21–14, 21–14 in 53 minutes.
• The title was also Chaliha’s maiden BWF World Tour title.
• Her victory is particularly significant because it came after a period affected by injuries and represents a major breakthrough in her international career.
• The 26-year-old Assam-born shuttler showed resilience after losing the opening game and dominated the next two games to secure the Super 300 crown.

18. Astrobase Unveils India’s First Private 800 kN Rocket Engine

• Indian space startup Astrobase Space Technologies is developing an indigenous 800 kN LOX–methane rocket engine, marking an important step in India’s private-sector propulsion ecosystem.
• The engine uses a Full-Flow Staged Combustion (FFSC) cycle and is designed for multiple-use missions.
• Astrobase says the engine can deliver 800 kN of vacuum thrust and supports throttling between 50% and 110%.
• In June 2026, IN-SPACe selected Astrobase under its Technology Adoption Fund (TAF) to accelerate development of the indigenous engine.
• The Bengaluru-based company is also developing reusable launch-vehicle technology, with plans for a two-stage vehicle and a future orbital launch.

19. India’s Ariha Wins Historic Gold at Aerobic Gymnastics Asian Championships

• Ariha Pangambam of India created history by winning the gold medal in the senior women’s individual event at the Asian Aerobic Gymnastics Championships.
• Her victory on 7 August 2026 made her the first Indian to win a gold medal in the senior women’s individual category at the continental championships.
• The achievement represents a landmark moment for Indian aerobic gymnastics, a discipline that has received considerably less attention than mainstream Olympic sports in the country.
• Pangambam’s success highlights the growing competitiveness of Indian gymnasts at international level and provides a significant boost to the sport domestically.
• Her performance is expected to inspire greater participation and investment in aerobic gymnastics across India.

20. HAL Revives Su-30MKI Production at Nashik

• Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is reviving Su-30MKI fighter production at its Nashik facility, with the restarted production line expected to deliver additional aircraft to the Indian Air Force.
• Reports indicate that 12 new Su-30MKIs are planned under an approximately ₹11,000-crore contract, with the first aircraft expected in 2027–28 and deliveries targeted for completion by 2029.
• The new aircraft are expected to have more than 50% indigenous content, strengthening domestic manufacturing.
• Separately, India’s existing Su-30MKI fleet is slated for a major upgrade involving new avionics, radar, electronic warfare and other systems.
• The Nashik facility has historically been central to India’s Su-30MKI production programme.