Current affairs · 14 August 2026
The day's most exam-relevant current affairs for UPSC, SSC, banking, railways and state exams — free, factual, revision-ready. 12 updates.
Alka Nangia Arora Assumes Charge as Controller General of Defence Accounts
Smt Alka Nangia Arora, an officer of the Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS), assumed charge as Controller General of Defence Accounts (CGDA) on August 1, 2026. The CGDA heads the Defence Accounts Department under the Ministry of Defence and is responsible for audit, payment, and accounts of defence expenditure.
Why it matters: CGDA is a key position under Ministry of Defence; organizational structure questions appear in UPSC and Defence exams.
Cabinet Secretary TV Somanathan and Home Secretary Govind Mohan Get One-Year Extension
On August 6, 2026, Cabinet Secretary TV Somanathan and Home Secretary Govind Mohan received one-year extensions in their tenures. These are among the top bureaucratic positions in the Government of India, reporting directly to the Prime Minister and Home Minister respectively.
Why it matters: Cabinet Secretary is India's senior-most civil servant; name and position are asked in UPSC Prelims and State PSC exams.
Gyanesh Bharti Appointed as Deputy Election Commissioner
On August 10, 2026, Gyanesh Bharti (IAS: 1998: AGMUT cadre) was appointed as Deputy Election Commissioner of the Election Commission of India. The ECI is a constitutional body responsible for conducting elections in India.
Why it matters: Election Commission appointments are important for polity section; ECI structure (CEC + 2 ECs) is asked in UPSC Prelims.
IAS Officer Anurag Jain Appointed as NITI Aayog CEO
On July 23, 2026, the Centre appointed IAS officer Anurag Jain as Chief Executive Officer of NITI Aayog, the government's premier think tank and policy-making body that replaced the Planning Commission. The appointment was made by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.
Why it matters: NITI Aayog CEO is a key constitutional/statutory position asked in UPSC Prelims and Mains; important for polity and governance questions.
Naresh Pal Gangwar Appointed as Higher Education Secretary
On July 24, 2026, the Government of India appointed Naresh Pal Gangwar as Secretary, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education. The appointment was made by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC).
Why it matters: Ministry secretaries are frequently asked in UPSC and state PSC exams; Higher Education Secretary oversees universities and higher education policy.
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 one of the principal staff officers of the Indian Air Force, holding a three-star rank and responsible for operational planning.
Why it matters: Service chiefs and principal staff appointments in armed forces are asked in NDA, CDS, AFCAT and UPSC exams.
India's Forex Reserves Rise to $692.9 Billion as of July 31, 2026
India's foreign-exchange reserves rose by approximately $10.5 billion in one week to $692.9 billion as of July 31, 2026, reaching their highest level in nearly three months. The RBI stated reserves provided more than 10 months of import cover and covered about 90.8% of external debt. The rupee also appreciated about 1.2% during that week.
Why it matters: Forex reserves figures and import cover ratios are directly asked in Banking and SSC exams; reflects external sector stability.
RBI Holds Repo Rate Unchanged at 5.25% in August 2026 Policy
The Reserve Bank of India's Monetary Policy Committee unanimously kept the repo rate at 5.25% in its August 3-5, 2026 meeting, maintaining a neutral stance. The RBI raised FY27 GDP growth forecast to 6.7% from 6.6%, while lowering inflation projection to 5.0% from 5.1%. Governor Sanjay Malhotra cited West Asia conflict and geopolitical uncertainties as key concerns.
Why it matters: MPC decisions, repo rate, GDP & inflation forecasts are directly asked in Banking and SSC exams; RBI Governor's name is factual recall for all exams.
Union Budget 2026: ₹20,000 Crore Allocated for Carbon Capture Over Five Years
Union Budget 2026 announced ₹20,000 crore allocation over five years for Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) deployment across key sectors. The budget also included initiatives for clean energy support, renewable energy, critical mineral processing, and green transport through inland waterways and coastal shipping.
Why it matters: Budget allocations for environment and climate initiatives are asked in UPSC Mains (GS3) and Banking awareness; CCUS is emerging technology topic.
8th Pay Commission Consultations Continue; Report Deadline 18 Months from Constitution
The 8th Central Pay Commission, formally constituted on November 3, 2025, is conducting nationwide stakeholder consultations with scheduled visits to Chennai (September 7-8), Jaipur (August 31-September 1), and Chandigarh (September 16-18), 2026. The fitment factor and pay matrix are yet to be finalized. The Commission has 18 months to submit its recommendations.
Why it matters: Pay Commission details (constitution date, timeline, consultation process) are directly asked in SSC, Banking and Railway exams under government schemes.
Dearness Allowance at 60% from January 1, 2026 for Central Government Employees
The Union Cabinet approved a 2% increase in Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR) with effect from January 1, 2026, raising the rate from 58% to 60% of Basic Pay/Pension. This applies to all central government employees and pensioners under the 7th Pay Commission.
Why it matters: DA rate and effective date are frequently asked in SSC and Banking exams; affects 50 lakh+ central employees and pensioners.
Vibrant Villages Programme for Border Areas - ₹4,800 Crore Allocation
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 across 4 States (Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand) and 1 UT (Ladakh) along the northern border. A fund of ₹4,800 crores has been allocated for FY 2022-23 to 2025-26.
Why it matters: Border area development schemes are asked in UPSC Mains (Internal Security, Governance) and Prelims; budget allocation figures are factual recall.
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