What is CWMA? CWMA = Cauvery Water Management Authority. It was constituted by the Central Government in 2018 following the Supreme Court’s directions in the Cauvery water dispute. It is associated with implementation of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) award, as modified by the Supreme Court in 2018. Ministry: Ministry of Jal Shakti. Why…
UPSC Prelims Current Affairs for August 2026
UPSC Prelims Current Affairs for August 2026 brings together the news items of the day that map to the Prelims syllabus — polity, economy, environment, science and technology, and international relations. Each item is written as a factual pointer you can revise quickly, with the static-syllabus link made explicit so the reading feeds directly into your Prelims notes.
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26 August 2026
OBC Creamy Layer
What is Creamy Layer? Creamy Layer refers to the socially and educationally advanced sections among OBCs who are excluded from the benefit of OBC reservation. The concept originated from the Supreme Court’s Indra Sawhney judgment (1992), which upheld OBC reservation but directed exclusion of the creamy layer. The detailed criteria were subsequently laid down through…
25 August 2026
Cloud and AI Skilling Initiative
Initiative: The Cloud and AI Skilling Initiative aims to expand India’s cloud computing and Artificial Intelligence (AI) skills ecosystem. Focus: It seeks to equip students, professionals and other learners with industry-relevant digital skills in emerging technologies. Key Areas: Training is focused on areas such as Cloud Computing, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and related digital technologies.…
Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF)
Disease: Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) is a viral haemorrhagic fever caused by the CCHF virus. Virus Family: The virus belongs to the Nairoviridae family and Orthonairovirus genus. Transmission: Primarily transmitted through the bite of infected Hyalomma ticks. Animal–Human Transmission: Humans can also become infected through contact with the blood or tissues of infected livestock, especially…
National Cooperative Development Corporation (Amendment) Act, 2026
Parent Law: The amendment modifies the National Cooperative Development Corporation Act, 1962. NCDC: The National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) was established in 1963 as a statutory corporation. Administrative Ministry: NCDC functions under the Ministry of Cooperation. Objective: The amendment seeks to strengthen NCDC’s role in financing, promoting and developing the cooperative sector. Key Provisions Co-operative…
24 August 2026
Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA)
PM-AASHA was launched in 2018 to ensure that farmers receive remunerative prices for their produce, particularly when market prices fall below the Minimum Support Price (MSP). Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare. The scheme primarily focuses on pulses, oilseeds and copra. It seeks to strengthen the effectiveness of the MSP system beyond procurement…
Polysilicon
Polysilicon (Polycrystalline Silicon) is a highly purified form of silicon used as a basic raw material in the semiconductor and solar industries. It is produced by purifying metallurgical-grade silicon to very high levels of purity. Semiconductor-grade It is used to manufacture silicon wafers for integrated circuits and semiconductor chips. Solar-grade It is primarily used to…
H1N1 Influenza (Swine Flu)
H1N1 is a subtype of Influenza A virus. It is commonly associated with swine flu, though the 2009 pandemic strain was a reassortant virus containing genetic material from swine, avian and human influenza viruses. Transmission: Mainly through respiratory droplets and aerosols from infected persons. Symptoms: Fever, cough, sore throat, body ache, headache, fatigue and sometimes…
22 August 2026
RK-251 — “Smart” Cancer Drug
Indian Innovation: Indian researchers have developed RK-251, an experimental “smart” cancer drug designed to become active mainly inside cancer cells. Developed by: Collaborative research led by scientists from Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST) and IIT-Guwahati. Target: It has shown promising activity against triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) in preclinical studies. How Does…
Change in Floodplain Rules
Recent Amendment: On 10 August 2026, the Ministry of Jal Shakti amended the River Ganga (Rejuvenation, Protection and Management) Authorities Order, 2016. Key Change: The amendment has removed the term “construction-free zone” from the framework. Change in Floodplain Definition: The active floodplain is now linked to a 1-in-5-year flood return period, replacing the earlier 1-in-100-year…
Ravi Raaz
Hassan Khan
Shadab Ali