Yamanashi prefecture of Japan announced ?600 crore fund to support Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in Uttar Pradesh during UP-Japan Investment Meet on 21 August 2026. The cooperation includes investment facilitation, green hydrogen research, skill development and tourism promotion.

Key Highlights:
•   Yamanashi announced ?600 crore fund for Uttar Pradesh MSMEs.
•   Announcement was made during UP-Japan Investment Meet.
•   A dedicated Yamanashi desk will be established at Invest UP for coordination.
•   Investment projects and approvals will be reviewed every 90 days.
•   Announcement and valedictory session took place at Indira Gandhi Pratishthan, Lucknow.
•   Uttar Pradesh and Yamanashi will collaborate on green hydrogen pilot project.
•   IIT Kanpur and IIT-BHU will provide research support as Centres of Excellence.
•   UP delegation will attend International Hydrogen Summit in Yamanashi in October 2026.
•   Japanese language training will be offered for healthcare and manufacturing professionals.
•   UP will participate in Japanese tourism festival to promote Buddhist, spiritual and cultural destinations.

Additional Information:
•   Invest UP is nodal investment promotion agency of Uttar Pradesh.
•   Invest UP is chaired by Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh.
•   Yamanashi is Japanese prefecture in Chubu region of Honshu island.
•   Governor of Yamanashi is Hokaro Nagasaki.
•   IIT Kanpur was established in 1959 under Institutes of Technology Act.

India and Brazil signed a Memorandum of Understanding on 21 August 2026 to strengthen bilateral cooperation in telecommunications and Information and Communication Technologies. The MoU was signed on sidelines of 12th BRICS Communications Ministers Meeting in Pune, Maharashtra.

Key Highlights:
•   India and Brazil signed MoU on telecommunications and ICTs.
•   MoU was signed during 12th BRICS Communications Ministers Meeting in Pune.
•   Signatories were Jyotiraditya M Scindia and Brazilian Communications Minister Frederico de Siqueira Filho.
•   Framework is based on equality, mutual benefit and mutual respect.
•   Cooperation will cover 5G, 6G, Artificial Intelligence and Internet of Things.
•   Focus areas include Open RAN, Direct-to-Device connectivity and Non-Terrestrial Networks.
•   Both countries will cooperate in Low Earth Orbit satellites and satellite-orbit management.
•   Collaboration includes Digital Public Infrastructure, optical fibre and submarine cables.
•   Cybersecurity, spectrum management and digital inclusion are key focus areas.
•   MoU promotes regular information exchange and sharing of telecom policy best practices.

Additional Information:
•   Capital of Brazil is Brasília.
•   Currency of Brazil is Brazilian Real.
•   Brazil is member of BRICS and G20.
•   Department of Telecommunications functions under Ministry of Communications.
•   DoT handles telecom policy, licensing and coordination in India.

The 25th India-UK Defence Consultative Group meeting was held in New Delhi on 21 August 2026 to review bilateral defence industrial cooperation. The meeting was co-chaired by Indian Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and UK Permanent Under Secretary for Defence Jeremy Pocklington.

Key Highlights:
•   25th India-UK Defence Consultative Group meeting was held in New Delhi.
•   It reviewed bilateral defence industrial cooperation.
•   Meeting was co-chaired by Rajesh Kumar Singh and Jeremy Pocklington.
•   India-UK Vision 2035 was reviewed.
•   Ten-year Defence Industrial Roadmap was discussed for research and development cooperation.
•   Meeting acknowledged Regional Maritime Security Centre of Excellence under Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative.
•   Both sides agreed to expand military exchanges through joint exercises, training and capacity building.
•   UK delegation visited National War Memorial, Gandhi Smriti Museum and National Defence College in New Delhi.

Additional Information:
•   Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative was launched by India in 2019.
•   IPOI is open and non-treaty-based global initiative.
•   IPOI focuses on seven pillars including Maritime Security and Disaster Risk Reduction.
•   National Defence College was established in 1960 and is located in New Delhi.
•   National War Memorial was dedicated to nation in February 2019 at India Gate complex.

Vice President C P Radhakrishnan inaugurated MALHAR 2026, a youth-centric monsoon celebration of Indian classical music, in New Delhi on 21 August 2026. The event was organised by Antar Hriday Connect to promote classical music heritage and cultural diplomacy among youth.

Key Highlights:
•   Vice President C P Radhakrishnan inaugurated MALHAR 2026 in New Delhi.
•   MALHAR 2026 is youth-centric monsoon celebration of Indian classical music.
•   Event was organised by Antar Hriday Connect.
•   Antar Hriday Cultural Diplomacy Award was conferred on Saurav Sharma of Nepal.
•   Pt Ulhas Kashalkar and Pt Rajendra Gangani were honoured for contribution to Indian arts.
•   Event focused on Malhar family of ragas associated with monsoon and renewal.
•   Harsh Vardhan Shringla attended as Rajya Sabha MP and Chief Patron of Antar Hriday.
•   Event highlighted music as India soft power for international friendship and cultural diplomacy.

Additional Information:
•   Malhar is group of ragas in Hindustani Classical Music believed to induce rain.
•   Mian ki Malhar is most famous Malhar variant.
•   Mian ki Malhar is historically attributed to musician Tansen in Akbar court.
•   Antar Hriday Connect focuses on cultural diplomacy and connecting youth with traditional arts.
•   C P Radhakrishnan is Vice President of India and previously served as Governor of Jharkhand and Maharashtra.

French astronaut Sophie Adenot became the first woman from France to perform a spacewalk during a maintenance mission at the International Space Station. She conducted the spacewalk with NASA astronaut Anil Menon to replace a space-to-ground antenna for the ISS communication network.

Key Highlights:
•   Sophie Adenot became first French woman to perform a spacewalk.
•   The spacewalk took place at International Space Station.
•   Sophie Adenot is an astronaut from European Space Agency.
•   NASA astronaut Anil Menon participated in the mission.
•   Objective was replacement of space-to-ground antenna for ISS communication network.
•   Work was carried out on Z1 truss above Unity module.
•   Initial spacewalk lasted around six and half hours.
•   Astronauts handled electrical cables and prepared connections for replacement unit.
•   Antenna installation was unfinished due to time constraints.
•   Second spacewalk was scheduled on 25 August 2026 to complete installation.
•   Jack Hathaway was scheduled to operate Canadarm2 robotic arm during follow-up.

Additional Information:
•   ISS is collaborative project of NASA, Roscosmos, JAXA, ESA and CSA.
•   ISS functions as microgravity research laboratory in Low Earth Orbit.
•   First ISS component Zarya module was launched in 1998.
•   ESA was established in 1975 and is headquartered in Paris, France.

The first Steering Committee meeting for the 57th International Film Festival of India was held in New Delhi on 21 August 2026 to review preparations for the festival. The 57th IFFI will be held in Goa from 20 to 28 November 2026.

Key Highlights:
•   First Steering Committee meeting for 57th IFFI was held in New Delhi.
•   57th IFFI is scheduled in Goa from 20 to 28 November 2026.
•   Ashutosh Gowariker has been appointed Festival Director.
•   Dr L Murugan, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, is Chairman of Steering Committee.
•   Prakash Magdum is Managing Director of National Film Development Corporation.
•   Festival will create opportunities for young students, emerging filmmakers and unsung industry professionals.
•   IFFI will promote India Orange Economy, creative industries and global collaboration.
•   Festival will showcase outstanding films to strengthen international cinema outreach.
•   Structured masterclasses and mentorship programmes will be implemented.
•   Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, NFDC and Government of Goa will coordinate preparations.

Additional Information:
•   IFFI was established in 1952.
•   IFFI is jointly conducted by Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and Government of Goa.
•   Goa became permanent venue of IFFI in 2004.
•   NFDC was established in 1975 and is headquartered in Mumbai.
•   NFDC promotes excellence in Indian cinema.

Uttar Pradesh Cabinet approved proposal on 23 August 2026 to allow 180-day maternity leave to state government women employees without mandatory two-year gap between two leaves. The benefit can be availed twice during service period, including for adopted children.

Key Highlights:
•   UP Cabinet approved 180-day maternity leave for state government women employees.
•   Mandatory two-year gap between two maternity leaves has been removed.
•   Benefit can be availed twice during entire service period.
•   Policy includes maternity leave for adopted children.
•   Decision follows relaxation of Rule 27 of Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 by Allahabad High Court.
•   Cabinet also approved widening of 9.025 km Panchkosi Parikrama Marg into four-lane road.
•   Revised project cost for Panchkosi Parikrama Marg is ?466.45 crore.
•   Cabinet approved full stamp-duty and registration-fee waiver for closed sugar-mill land transfer to UPSIDA.

Additional Information:
•   Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 is guided by Article 42 of Indian Constitution.
•   Article 42 requires State to provide just and humane work conditions and maternity relief.
•   Maternity leave was raised from 12 weeks to 26 weeks through 2017 amendment.
•   Uttar Pradesh has bicameral legislature with Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council.
•   Uttar Pradesh capital is Lucknow and Chief Minister is Yogi Adityanath.

Ministry of Rural Development launched National Campaign on Entrepreneurship-II under Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana National Rural Livelihoods Mission on 21 August 2026. The three-month campaign aims to accelerate rural women-led enterprises and support vision of creating 6 crore Lakhpati Didis.

Key Highlights:
•   Ministry of Rural Development launched National Campaign on Entrepreneurship-II.
•   Campaign is implemented under DAY-NRLM.
•   Campaign runs for three months from 21 August to 21 November 2026.
•   It was launched on World Entrepreneurs Day.
•   Campaign aims to create 6 crore Lakhpati Didis through farm and non-farm entrepreneurship.
•   First edition of Rural Enterprise Technical Bulletin Sankalp Shakti was launched.
•   Sankalp Shakti will be monthly publication to support Self Help Groups.
•   CRP-EPs and BDSPs have been recognised as Udyam Sakhis.
•   Campaign will promote e-commerce through ONDC and GeM for SHG products.
•   Targets include training 5 lakh SHG women and formalising 50,000 enterprises.
•   It aims to onboard 25,000 SHG members on e-commerce platforms.

Additional Information:
•   DAY-NRLM was launched as Aajeevika in June 2011.
•   It was renamed Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana in 2015.
•   DAY-NRLM functions under Ministry of Rural Development.
•   The programme is partly supported by World Bank.
•   World Entrepreneurs Day is celebrated every year on 21 August.

Cochin Shipyard Limited delivered Mangrol, third vessel in Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft series, to Indian Navy on 21 August 2026. The indigenous vessel is designed for underwater surveillance, low-intensity maritime operations and mine warfare in coastal waters.

Key Highlights:
•   Cochin Shipyard delivered third ASW-SWC vessel Mangrol to Indian Navy.
•   Mangrol has more than 80 percent indigenous content under Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
•   Vessel is designed for underwater surveillance, low-intensity maritime operations and mine warfare.
•   It is named after coastal town and port of Mangrol in Junagadh district, Gujarat.
•   Mangrol carries legacy of erstwhile INS Mangrol naval minesweeper decommissioned in 2004.
•   Vessel uses water-jet propulsion for high-speed coastal operations.
•   It has torpedoes, anti-submarine rockets, advanced radars and sonars.
•   Mangrol is third delivery in series of eight vessels being built by CSL for Indian Navy.

Additional Information:
•   Cochin Shipyard Limited is largest shipbuilding and maintenance facility in India.
•   CSL headquarters is in Kochi, Kerala.
•   CSL was established in 1972 under Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
•   ASW-SWC project will replace Abhay-class corvettes of Indian Navy.
•   Project strengthens anti-submarine warfare capabilities in coastal waters.

Naval Science and Technological Laboratory of DRDO signed a Transfer of Technology agreement with Bharat Dynamics Limited on 22 August 2026 for indigenous manufacture of Submarine Fired Decoy. The defensive system protects submarines from incoming torpedoes by deploying false targets and signals.

Key Highlights:
•   NSTL of DRDO signed ToT agreement with Bharat Dynamics Limited for Submarine Fired Decoy.
•   Agreement enables indigenous manufacturing of SFD at BDL.
•   SFD is defensive system that protects submarines from incoming torpedoes.
•   It deploys false targets and signals to mislead hostile torpedoes.
•   System increases submarine survivability in contested waters.
•   It enables submarines to evade direct attacks through signal confusion.
•   Technology moves from laboratory development at NSTL to large-scale production at BDL.
•   Transfer reduces dependence on foreign suppliers for naval countermeasures.
•   It improves Indian Navy operational readiness in Indian Ocean Region.
•   The project supports Aatmanirbhar Bharat through domestic underwater warfare technology.

Additional Information:
•   NSTL is premier DRDO laboratory located in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
•   NSTL develops underwater weapons, targets and decoys.
•   BDL is Public Sector Undertaking under Ministry of Defence.
•   BDL was established in 1970 and is headquartered in Hyderabad.
•   DRDO functions under Ministry of Defence and is headquartered in New Delhi.

Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand won historic bronze medal in women doubles at BWF World Championships on 22 August 2026. The medal ended India 15-year drought in women doubles category and made them only second Indian women pair to win medal at the tournament.

Key Highlights:
•   Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand won bronze medal in women doubles at BWF World Championships.
•   They ended India 15-year medal drought in women doubles event.
•   They became second Indian women doubles pair to win World Championships medal.
•   Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa had earlier won bronze in 2011.
•   Treesa-Gayatri lost semifinal to Chinese top-seeded duo Tan Ning and Liu Sheng Shu.
•   Semifinal lasted 70 minutes and score was 21-18, 13-21, 8-21.
•   They reached medal round by defeating world No 4 Chinese pair Jia Yi Fan and Zhang Shu Xian in quarterfinal.
•   Quarterfinal score was 16-21, 21-15, 21-13.

Additional Information:
•   BWF is international governing body for badminton.
•   BWF was established in 1934.
•   BWF headquarters is in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
•   BWF World Championships was first held in 1977.
•   BWF World Championships is held annually to crown world best badminton players.

Government of Chhattisgarh signed two Memorandums of Understanding with Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geo-informatics and National Logistics Data Services Limited to strengthen PM GatiShakti implementation. The MoUs were signed during PM GatiShakti and LEADS 2025 Dissemination Workshop in Raipur.

Key Highlights:
•   Chhattisgarh signed two MoUs with BISAG-N and NLDSL.
•   MoUs aim to strengthen infrastructure planning under PM GatiShakti.
•   Signing took place at PM GatiShakti and LEADS 2025 Dissemination Workshop in Raipur.
•   More than 35 departments have been onboarded on PM GatiShakti platform.
•   State mapped 41 mandatory layers and more than 600 additional data layers.
•   Chhattisgarh formulated 45 use cases and 30 planning tools for departments.
•   State was recognised high performer among landlocked states in LEADS 2025 assessment.
•   Gaj Sanket application uses location data to reduce human-elephant conflict.
•   CHiPS developed GEO Portal with AI planning modules and automated GIS-enabled NOC system.
•   State allocated 700 acres in Nava Raipur under Bhavya Scheme.
•   Government plans 600 mobile towers at major tourist sites and cargo hubs on Raipur-Bhilai-Durg corridor.

Additional Information:
•   PM GatiShakti National Master Plan was launched on 13 October 2021.
•   It supports multimodal connectivity across economic zones.
•   PM GatiShakti has seven engines: roads, railways, airports, ports, mass transport, waterways and logistics infrastructure.
•   DPIIT functions under Ministry of Commerce and Industry and administers LEADS index.
•   CHiPS is nodal agency for IT and e-governance in Chhattisgarh and is headquartered in Raipur.

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated seven infrastructure projects and signed three mechanisation concession agreements at Paradip Port on 21 August 2026. The projects have total valuation of around ?2,008 crore and aim to achieve 100 percent berth mechanisation by 2030.

Key Highlights:
•   Paradip Port launched infrastructure and mechanisation projects worth about ?2,008 crore.
•   Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated seven infrastructure projects.
•   Seven projects worth ?427.80 crore focus on navigation, connectivity and safety.
•   Three mechanisation concession agreements worth ?1,580.36 crore were signed.
•   Port targets 100 percent berth mechanisation by 2030 from current 80 percent.
•   South Quay Mechanisation is 5 MTPA project worth ?498.69 crore on BOT basis.
•   Multipurpose Berth is 8 MTPA project worth ?630.67 crore on BOT basis.
•   Captive CQ-III is 10 MTPA mechanisation project worth ?451 crore.
•   Paradip Port achieved 18.5-metre deep-draft capability for larger vessels.
•   Port planted its one-millionth tree under sustainability initiative.

Additional Information:
•   Paradip Port Authority is located at confluence of Mahanadi River and Bay of Bengal in Odisha.
•   It functions under Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
•   Paradip Port initiated reforestation drives after 1999 Super Cyclone.
•   It is one of major ports on east coast of India.

India observed third National Space Day on 23 August 2026 to mark third anniversary of Chandrayaan-3 historic soft landing on lunar surface. National-level celebration was hosted at ISRO Space Applications Centre in Ahmedabad under theme Towards Viksit Bharat: Innovating, Collaborating and Aspiring to Global Space Leadership.

Key Highlights:
•   India celebrated third National Space Day on 23 August 2026.
•   Day marks third anniversary of Chandrayaan-3 lunar soft landing.
•   National-level celebration was hosted by Space Applications Centre of ISRO in Ahmedabad.
•   2026 theme was Towards Viksit Bharat: Innovating, Collaborating and Aspiring to Global Space Leadership.
•   India is fourth nation to achieve successful lunar soft landing.
•   India is first country to land spacecraft near lunar south pole.
•   Vikram lander landing site on Moon is named Shiv Shakti Point.
•   Event focused on industry partnerships and integration of space start-ups.
•   It promoted STEM fields among students.

Additional Information:
•   Government of India declared National Space Day to be celebrated annually on 23 August.
•   It commemorates Chandrayaan-3 success on 23 August 2023.
•   ISRO was established on 15 August 1969 and is headquartered in Bengaluru.
•   Space Applications Centre is major ISRO research and development centre located in Ahmedabad.