13th August

International Space Agencies – Missions and Discoveries

NASA invites ISRO to join the Moon Base programme

Prelims Only | Science and Technology | Mains GS3: GS3-17.Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, Robotics, Nano-technology, Bio-technology and issues relating to Intellectual Property Rights.

Innovations in Biotechnology and Medical Sciences

What psychiatric genetics can and cannot tell an Indian family

Explained | Science and Technology | Mains GS3: GS3-17.Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, Robotics, Nano-technology, Bio-technology and issues relating to Intellectual Property Rights.

Parliament passes National Co-operative Development Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2026

Amended/EnactedBills/Act/LawsPrelims Only | Governance | Mains GS2: GS2-15.Transaparency and accountability (institutional and other measures); Citizens Charter, E-Governance (applications, models, successes, limitations, potential)

Food Procurement and Distribution – PDS & NFSA, Shanta Kumar Committee, FCI restructuring, Buffer stock, etc.

A timely reset for the Food Security Act

Bills/Act/LawsPrelims Only | Agriculture | Mains GS3: GS3-06.Storage, transport and marketing of Agricultural produce and issues and related constraints

Biofuel Policy

How sustainable is India’s E20 push?

op-ed snap | Economics | Mains GS3: GS3-13.Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc:

Tribes in News

Tribal Council says Shompen concerns overlooked in the Great Nicobar Island project

Prelims Only | Indian Society | Mains GS1: GS1-07.Role of women and women’s organization, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues.

Foreign Policy Watch: India-China

China calls border generally stable after the 36th WMCC meeting

| International Relations | Mains GS3: GS3-23.Security Challenges and their Management in Border Areas – Linkages of Organized Crime with Terrorism.

Foreign Policy Watch: India-Middle East

India examines the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement binding Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan

Explained | International Relations | Mains GS2: GS2-18.Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.

BRICS Summits

Parliamentary panel questions govt on de-dollarisation agenda for the 18th BRICS Summit

Explained | International Relations | Mains GS2: GS2-18.Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.

Electoral Reforms In India

Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls; Telangana Congress warns 73 lakh voters face removal

Explained | Polity | Mains GS2: GS2-08.Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act.

Parliament – Sessions, Procedures, Motions, Committees etc

Parliament passes Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026 renaming State Keralam

Bills/Act/LawsRenamed / RebrandedStates | Polity | Mains GS2: GS2-01.Indian Constitution-Historical underpinnings & evolution; Features, amendments, significant provisions, basic structure of Constitution

Supreme Court clarifies scope of police custody under Section 187(2) BNSS

ExplainedSC Judgements | Governance | Mains GS2: GS2-03.Separation of Powers between different organs, dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions

NCSC to review Union de-reservation proposals of last three years

Prelims Only | Polity | Mains GS2: GS2-09.Appointment to various Constitutional posts; Constitutional Bodies(powers, functions and responsibilities); Statutory, Regulatory and Quasi-judicial bodies

Judicial Reforms

Inquiry committee finds charges proved against Justice Yashwant Varma; removal under Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968

Prelims OnlySC Judgements | Polity | Mains GS2: GS2-03.Separation of Powers between different organs, dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions

NGOs vs. GoI: The Conflicts and Scrutinies

Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 referred to 31-member JPC

Bills/Act/LawsExplained | Governance | Mains GS2: GS2-11.Development processes and the development industry —the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders.

Economic Indicators and Various Reports On It- GDP, FD, EODB, WIR etc

Retail (CPI) inflation rises to 19-month high of 4.45% in July

Prelims Only | Economics | Mains GS3: GS3-01.Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.

Health Sector – UHC, National Health Policy, Family Planning, Health Insurance, etc.

Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health seeks relook at FDI in private hospitals

Explained | Economics | Mains GS3: GS3-01.Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.

Coal and Mining Sector

Lok Sabha passes Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill, 2026; bars States from taxing mineral rights

Amended/EnactedBills/Act/LawsExplained | Polity | Mains GS2: GS2-02.Functions & responsibilities of the Union and the States; issues and challenges of federal structure;

Digital India Initiatives

Govt exploring MDR to make UPI self-sustaining

Explained | Economics | Mains GS3: GS3-01.Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.

12th August

Fundamental Rights

Citizens, not just daughters in need of forgiveness

Explained | Polity | Mains GS2: GS2-01.Indian Constitution-Historical underpinnings & evolution; Features, amendments, significant provisions, basic structure of Constitution

International Space Agencies – Missions and Discoveries

NASA invites ISRO to join its mission for lunar outpost

Prelims Only | Science and Technology | Mains GS3: GS3-16.Achievements of Indians in Science & Technology

Monsoon Updates

Monsoon revived, but why there’s cloud over the farm

Explained | Geography | Mains GS1: GS1-11.Salient Features of World Physical Geography

Forest Conservation Efforts – NFP, Western Ghats, etc.

SC panel on Aravallis must hear more people

Explained | Environment | Mains GS3: GS3-18.Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Environmental Impact Assessment.

Climate Change Impact on India and World – International Reports, Key Observations, etc.

Ladakh’s glaciers are slowing as the mountains warm

Explained | Geography | Mains GS1: GS1-15.Geographical features and their location- Changes in critical geographical features (including water-bodies and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes.

Urban Floods

Centre relaxes construction hurdles in Ganga flood plain

Amended/Enacted | Environment | Mains GS3: GS3-18.Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Environmental Impact Assessment.

Foreign Policy Watch: India-Middle East

[12th August 2026] The Hindu OpED: The Mecca Pact and the rise of strategic hedging

Explained | International Relations | Mains GS2: GS2-18.Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.

Electoral Reforms In India

SC asks for data on SIR appeal disposal in West Bengal

Explained | Polity | Mains GS2: GS2-08.Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act.

Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News

Vande Mataram Bill gets President’s assent, becomes law

Amended/EnactedBills/Act/Laws | Polity | Mains GS2: GS2-01.Indian Constitution-Historical underpinnings & evolution; Features, amendments, significant provisions, basic structure of Constitution

Labour, Jobs and Employment – Harmonization of labour laws, gender gap, unemployment, etc.

Rural skilling programme trainees not getting jobs, says panel

Prelims OnlySchemes | Economics | Mains GS3: GS3-02.Inclusive growth and issues therein

Parliament passes Tribunals Reforms Bill; National Tribunals Commission set up

Amended/EnactedBills/Act/Laws | Polity | Mains GS2: GS2-01.Indian Constitution-Historical underpinnings & evolution; Features, amendments, significant provisions, basic structure of Constitution

Amid backlash, govt to refer FCRA Bill to JPC

Amended/EnactedBills/Act/Laws | Governance | Mains GS2: GS2-11.Development processes and the development industry —the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders.

Are regional parties losing relevance in India?

op-ed snap | Polity | Mains GS2: GS2-08.Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act.

RBI Notifications

Centre approves 1 billion Rs 10, Rs 20 polymer banknotes

Prelims Only | Economics | Mains GS3: GS3-01.Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.

Electric and Hybrid Cars – FAME, National Electric Mobility Mission, etc.

Govt extends PM E-DRIVE scheme timeline, sop halved

Prelims OnlySchemes | Science and Technology | Mains GS3: GS3-12.Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth

Electric and Hybrid Cars – FAME, National Electric Mobility Mission, etc.

The missing ‘reuse’ principle in India’s EV transition journey

Explained | Science and Technology | Mains GS3: GS3-15.Science and Technology- Developments and their Applications and Effects in Everyday Life.

Foreign Policy Watch: India-United States

India’s rising dependence on U.S. LPG

Explained | International Relations | Mains GS3: GS3-13.Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc:

Digital India Initiatives

As AI threat loomed, UPI players flagged rising security costs

Prelims Only | Economics | Mains GS3: GS3-01.Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.