Current affairs · 8 August 2026
The day's most exam-relevant current affairs for UPSC, SSC, banking, railways and state exams — free, factual, revision-ready. 12 updates.
Air Marshal Tejpal Singh Assumes Charge as Deputy Chief of Air Staff
Air Marshal Tejpal Singh officially assumed the appointment of Deputy Chief of the Air Staff on August 1, 2026. This is a key appointment in the Indian Air Force's senior leadership structure under the Ministry of Defence.
Why it matters: Defence appointments, especially tri-services leadership changes, are frequently asked in SSC CGL, UPSC Prelims and Defence exams
JSW Steel Announces Senior Management Changes Effective August 7, 2026
JSW Steel Limited appointed Mr. P.P. Varma (Executive VP & Plant Head – Dolvi, Salav & Anjar) and Mr. S.M. Kumar (Sr. VP, Plant Head – Salem) to Senior Management. Mr. Ashish Chandra, President of Dolvi, Salav & Anjar Works, resigned to pursue external opportunities and will be relieved on August 31, 2026.
Why it matters: Corporate appointments in PSUs and major steel companies relevant for Banking and SSC exams under business awareness
Smt Alka Nangia Arora Takes Charge as Controller General of Defence Accounts
Smt Alka Nangia Arora assumed charge as the Controller General of Defence Accounts (CGDA) on August 1, 2026. She is an officer of the Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS) and leads the Defence Accounts Department under the Ministry of Defence, responsible for audit, payment and accounts of defence expenditure.
Why it matters: CGDA is a key constitutional post; women in leadership positions and defence-related appointments are high-yield topics for Prelims and Mains
ISRO Wins NAeG 2026 Gold Award for Indigenous AI-Powered Cybersecurity Platform
ISRO's Space Applications Centre (SAC) won the Gold Award at the National Awards for e-Governance (NAeG) 2026 in the Cyber Security Innovation category. The award was presented during the 29th National Conference on e-Governance held in Jaipur on July 1-2, 2026, for developing an indigenous AI-powered threat intelligence and DNS filtering platform protecting critical space infrastructure.
Why it matters: National awards for technological innovation and AI applications in governance are popular in current affairs; NAeG awards tested regularly
RBI Keeps Repo Rate Unchanged at 5.25%, Raises FY27 GDP Forecast to 6.7%
The Reserve Bank of India's Monetary Policy Committee unanimously kept the repo rate unchanged at 5.25% in its August 5, 2026 meeting while maintaining a neutral stance. The RBI raised its FY27 GDP growth forecast to 6.7% from 6.6% and lowered the inflation projection to 5.0%. The next MPC meeting is scheduled for October 5-7, 2026.
Why it matters: RBI monetary policy decisions are crucial for Banking exams; GDP and inflation forecasts tested in all exams
Budget 2026 Allocates ₹20,000 Crore for Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage Over 5 Years
Union Budget 2026 announced an allocation of ₹20,000 crore over five years for deployment of Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) technology across key sectors. The Budget also includes schemes for clean energy support, renewable energy, and green transport initiatives including inland waterways and coastal shipping.
Why it matters: CCUS technology and climate finance allocations are crucial for UPSC Mains GS-III (Environment & Climate Change) and banking awareness sections
8th Pay Commission Extends Data Collection Deadline to July 31, 2026
The 8th Pay Commission has extended the deadline for Ministries, Departments, and government organizations to submit employee and workforce data through its online portal till July 31, 2026. The Commission, led by Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai, is continuing consultations with stakeholders across regions including upcoming meetings in Chandigarh.
Why it matters: 8th CPC will determine salary structure for 50 lakh+ central govt employees; fitment factor and pay matrix crucial for all government job aspirants
8th Pay Commission Proposes Fitment Factor of 2.28, Minimum Wage Hike of 34.1%
Employee organizations have proposed a fitment factor of 2.28 to the 8th Pay Commission, which would increase the minimum wage by 34.1%. The Dearness Allowance (DA) is projected to reach 70% by January 2026 and will be merged into the base salary for revised calculations. However, the Commission has not finalized the fitment factor or pay matrix yet.
Why it matters: Pay Commission fitment factor determines salary hike for 50+ lakh central employees; critical for all government job aspirants to understand calculation methodology
DA Hiked to 60% for Central Government Employees from January 1, 2026
The Union Cabinet approved a 2% increase in Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR) effective from January 1, 2026, raising the rate from 58% to 60% of Basic Pay/Pension. This increase is separate from the 8th Pay Commission recommendations and benefits all central government employees and pensioners.
Why it matters: DA revisions directly impact take-home salary of government employees; tested in SSC, Banking and State PSC exams regularly
Vibrant Villages Programme Approved for Border Areas in 5 States/UTs
The Government of India has approved the Centrally Sponsored Scheme 'Vibrant Villages Programme' for comprehensive development of villages in 46 border blocks of 19 districts in 4 States and 1 UT - Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand and Ladakh (UT) - abutting the northern border.
Why it matters: Border area development schemes critical for UPSC GS Paper III (Internal Security & Border Management) and State PSC exams
Bharatiya Antariksh Hackathon 2026 Grand Finale on August 6-7 at NRSC Hyderabad
ISRO is conducting the Grand Finale of Bharatiya Antariksh Hackathon (BAH) 2026 at the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), Hyderabad during August 6-7, 2026. Shortlisted teams from across India are participating in this space innovation challenge organized by ISRO to inspire young innovators in space technology.
Why it matters: Government hackathons and innovation initiatives under Digital India and space sector are relevant for UPSC Mains GS-III and Prelims current affairs
ISRO Executes 29 Collision Avoidance Manoeuvres to Protect Satellites
The Indian Space Research Organisation has carried out 29 collision avoidance manoeuvres in the last 18 months to protect its satellites, including 20 in 2025 and 9 in 2026 so far. The Union government informed Parliament that 20 out of 22 active Indian satellites operate in low earth orbit (2000 km or less altitude) where collision risk is highest.
Why it matters: ISRO achievements and space safety measures are high-frequency topics in UPSC Prelims and SSC exams; LEO satellite operations relevant for S&T section
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