Current affairs · 25 August 2026
The day's most exam-relevant current affairs for UPSC, SSC, banking, railways and state exams — free, factual, revision-ready. 12 updates.
Ashok Lahiri Appointed as NITI Aayog Vice Chairman
Economist and former Chief Economic Adviser Ashok Lahiri was appointed as the 4th Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog on May 8, 2026, succeeding Suman Bery. Lahiri previously served as Chief Economic Adviser to the Government of India from 2002-2007 and was a member of the 15th Finance Commission.
Why it matters: NITI Aayog leadership and key policy institution heads are frequently asked in UPSC Prelims and Banking exams
Cabinet Secretary TV Somanathan and Home Secretary Govind Mohan Get One-Year Extension
The Government of India granted one-year extensions to Cabinet Secretary TV Somanathan and Home Secretary Govind Mohan on August 6, 2026. This decision ensures continuity in top bureaucratic leadership. Govind Mohan has been serving as Home Secretary since August 23, 2024.
Why it matters: Top bureaucratic appointments are regularly asked in Prelims and SSC exams under 'Who's Who' sections
Gyanesh Bharti Appointed as Chief Secretary of Andaman & Nicobar Islands
IAS officer Gyanesh Bharti (1998 batch, AGMUT cadre) was repatriated to his parent cadre and appointed as Chief Secretary of Andaman & Nicobar Islands on August 10, 2026. He was previously serving as Deputy Election Commissioner at the Election Commission of India.
Why it matters: Recent bureaucratic appointments of Chief Secretaries and senior IAS officers are frequently asked in competitive exams
IRS Officer Satya Pal Kumar Appointed as FIU Director
Indian Revenue Service officer Satya Pal Kumar was appointed as Director of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) in July 2026 as part of a major bureaucratic reshuffle. The FIU is India's central agency responsible for receiving, analyzing and disseminating information relating to suspect financial transactions.
Why it matters: FIU appointment is important for Banking exams and UPSC questions on financial regulatory bodies and their heads
India's 'Satellite Bodyguards' Project to Deploy 50 Satellites by 2029
ISRO is launching an ambitious ₹27,000 crore indigenous space defence project called 'Satellite Bodyguards' to protect Indian satellites from hostile threats. The project aims to deploy a fleet of 50 advanced satellites by 2029, with the first launch expected in 2027. The satellites will provide real-time threat detection using LiDAR technology for precise 3D mapping of orbital objects.
Why it matters: Indigenous defence projects and strategic space initiatives are crucial for UPSC and Defence exams, especially for Internal Security and S&T sections
RBI Keeps Repo Rate Unchanged at 5.25% in August 2026 Policy
The Reserve Bank of India's Monetary Policy Committee unanimously decided to keep the repo rate unchanged at 5.25% while maintaining a neutral stance in its August 2026 meeting (August 3-5). The RBI raised FY27 GDP growth forecast to 6.7% from 6.6% and lowered inflation projection to 5.0% from 5.1%. Standing Deposit Facility remains at 5.00% and Marginal Standing Facility at 5.50%.
Why it matters: RBI monetary policy decisions are crucial for Banking exams and UPSC Economy sections; repo rate and GDP forecasts are high-frequency question topics
NSA Ajit Doval Holds Border Talks with China's Wang Yi in Beijing
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval arrived in Beijing for high-level border talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on August 25, 2026. The meeting is focused on resolving ongoing India-China border issues and diplomatic relations. This marks a significant engagement in bilateral relations between the two nations.
Why it matters: India-China relations and border disputes are critical for UPSC Mains GS Paper-2 (International Relations) and Prelims current affairs
8th Pay Commission Consultations Continue; Report Expected May 2027
The 8th Central Pay Commission, constituted on November 3, 2025 with Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai as Chairperson, is currently conducting stakeholder consultations across India. The Commission has scheduled visits to Jaipur (August 31-September 1), Chennai (September 7-8), Puducherry (September 9), and Chandigarh (September 16-18, 2026). The Commission has 18 months to submit recommendations, expected around May 2027. January 1, 2026 is the reference date for implementation.
Why it matters: Pay Commission developments directly impact all government job aspirants; implementation timeline and fitment factor are critical exam topics
DA Increased to 60% from January 2026
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 for central government employees and pensioners. This impacts approximately 49 lakh serving employees and 65 lakh pensioners.
Why it matters: DA revisions are crucial for all government job aspirants; percentage figures and effective dates are frequently tested in Banking and SSC exams
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 from space debris and hostile threats. This included 20 manoeuvres in 2025 and 9 in 2026 so far. ISRO is integrating indigenous tracking systems with global alerts to ensure satellite safety ahead of Gaganyaan missions.
Why it matters: ISRO achievements and space safety initiatives are important for UPSC Prelims Science & Technology and Defence exams
ISRO Plans 27 Space Missions in FY 2026-27 with Gaganyaan Priority
ISRO announced an ambitious schedule of 27 space missions for FY 2026-27, including four dedicated to the Gaganyaan human spaceflight program. The portfolio includes five Small Satellite Launch Vehicle missions, three Earth observation missions, and two communication/navigation satellite missions. The Human-Rated Launch Vehicle Mark-3 has been qualified for the first uncrewed Gaganyaan mission.
Why it matters: Gaganyaan mission and ISRO's mission timeline are high-priority topics for UPSC Prelims and Mains Science & Technology section
ISRO Wins NAeG 2026 Gold Award for AI-Powered Cybersecurity Platform
ISRO's Space Applications Centre won the Gold Award at National Awards for e-Governance (NAeG) 2026 in the Cyber Security Innovation category. The indigenous AI-powered platform blocks cyber threats in real time, protecting critical space infrastructure and mission-critical networks. The award was presented during the 29th National Conference on e-Governance held in Jaipur on July 1-2, 2026.
Why it matters: National awards and ISRO's technological innovations are important for Science & Technology sections in UPSC and SSC
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