Top News
1. Assam Flood Crisis Escalates with Rising Toll
Heavy Rainfall Disrupts Normal Life Across Ten Districts
The flood situation in Assam remains grim as relentless heavy rainfall continues to disrupt normal life across the state. The Brahmaputra and its key tributaries, including the Ranganadi, Dhansiri, Dikhou, and Burhidihing, are flowing dangerously close to or above the danger mark. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a Yellow Alert for almost all districts, forecasting more heavy rain over the next 24 hours. The floods have affected ten districts, including Sivasagar, Dhemaji, Golaghat, Charaideo, and Kamrup Metropolitan. The death toll in flood-related incidents has reached 89. The Chief Minister visited relief camps in Upper Assam, reviewed educational institutions, and handed over ₹5 lakh as one-time financial assistance to the next of kin of the deceased.
2. Illegal Mining Linked to Severe Flooding in Eastern Assam
Riverbed Exploitation Exacerbates Natural Disasters in Sivasagar and Charaideo
As floodwaters in eastern Assam begin to recede, attention has shifted to how unchecked upstream activities in the Naga Hills worsened the devastation in districts like Sivasagar and Charaideo. Heavy rainfall washed massive amounts of silt into tributaries of the Brahmaputra. The crisis was significantly intensified by years of inaction against illegal coal, stone, and sand mining along the Assam-Nagaland border. The extraction of stones from the Dikhow riverbed disrupted its natural flow and severely accelerated soil erosion in the hills, compounding the damage to agricultural land, livestock, and indigenous settlements.
3. Glaw Lake Designated as India's 101st Ramsar Site
Arunachal Pradesh Adds Another Wetland of International Importance
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change officially designated Glaw Lake, located in the Tawang district of Arunachal Pradesh, as India's 101st Ramsar Site. This designation recognizes the lake as a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of 1971. The inclusion of Glaw Lake highlights the ecological significance of high-altitude wetlands in the region and strengthens national conservation efforts aimed at preserving aquatic biodiversity.
National (India) Current Affairs
4. Launch of 'Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat' Campaign
Nationwide Initiative Targets Substance Abuse Among Youth
The Prime Minister virtually launched the 'Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan' (Drug-free Youth for a Developed India), a massive 100-week-long nationwide campaign designed to mobilize young people against substance abuse. Addressing over 1 crore youth connected from more than 28,000 locations via video conference, it was announced that awareness and rehabilitation activities will run every Sunday for the next 100 weeks. The initiative aims to build a healthy, drug-free demographic to support India's developmental goals.
5. PM-VBRY Completes One Year of Implementation
Over 72 Lakh First-Time Workers Join the Formal Workforce
The Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rojgar Yojana (PM-VBRY) successfully completed its first year of implementation. The employment generation scheme has formalized the employment of over 72 lakh first-time workers since its inception in August 2025. The initiative provides crucial financial and social security incentives to employers and new employees, boosting formal job creation and economic stability across various industrial sectors.
6. Release of Commemorative Stamp for Satish Gujral
India Post Honors the Birth Centenary of the Padma Vibhushan Awardee
The Department of Posts released a ₹5 commemorative postage stamp to mark the 100th birth centenary of the renowned Indian artist and architect, Padma Vibhushan Satish Gujral. The stamp was officially unveiled at a ceremony held at Bikaner House in New Delhi, celebrating Gujral's immense contributions to contemporary Indian art, sculpture, and architecture.
7. Supreme Court Mandates Cyber Fraud SOP
RBI Directed to Frame Standard Operating Procedures for Financial Security
The Supreme Court of India issued a directive to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to urgently frame a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) addressing the rising cases of cyber fraud-linked financial crimes. The apex court's intervention aims to streamline the reporting, investigation, and compensation mechanisms for victims of digital banking fraud, ensuring greater accountability from financial institutions.
International Affairs
8. Nauru Officially Renamed to Republic of Naoero
Pacific Island Nation Embraces Traditional Indigenous Identity
The Pacific Island nation formerly known as Nauru has officially changed its name to the Republic of Naoero following a constitutional amendment. The renaming reflects the country's commitment to honoring its traditional identity, national language, and cultural heritage. Alongside the name change, the international country code transitions from NRU to NRO, and its citizens will officially be referred to as dei-Naoero.
9. Indian-Flagged Commercial Vessel Sinks in the Red Sea
All 14 Seafarers Rescued After Projectile Attack Off the Coast of Yemen
An Indian-flagged commercial vessel, MSV Faize Noore Oliya, sank in the Red Sea after being struck by a projectile near Yemeni waters. The vessel was transporting oil from Saudi Arabia. Fortunately, all 14 seafarers on board, including 13 Indian nationals, were rescued safely. The Ministry of External Affairs strongly condemned the unprovoked attack on the defenseless mechanized sailing vessel, calling for the restoration of free and unimpeded navigation in international waterways.
10. Massachusetts and Boston Declare August 15 as India Day
US Officials Promote Cultural Exchange and Diplomatic Ties
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu officially declared August 15 as India Day. This declaration is aimed at promoting deep cultural exchange and celebrating India's Independence Day. Furthermore, the Mayor of Boston welcomed the opening of the new Indian Consulate in the region and the visit of the Indian Naval Ship INS Sudarshini, which is participating in the SAILBOSTON-250 maritime event.
Economy, Science, and Tech
11. Government Proposes Tax Relief for Offshore Funds
Move Aimed at Encouraging Fund Management Within India
The Government of India proposed a relaxation of tax exemption rules for Eligible Investment Funds—specifically offshore funds that are managed from within India—under the Income-tax Act. This strategic financial proposal is designed to encourage global asset management companies to establish their fund management operations in India by providing greater tax certainty and eliminating restrictive regulatory hurdles.
12. BEL Partners with Esri India for GeoAI Development
MoU Signed to Advance Geographic Information Systems
Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), a Navratna Central Public Sector Enterprise, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Esri India. The collaboration focuses on jointly developing advanced Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Location Intelligence, and Geospatial Artificial Intelligence (GeoAI). This partnership will leverage state-of-the-art spatial technology for applications in defense, disaster management, and urban planning.
Sports
13. Neeraj Chopra to Compete in Lausanne Diamond League
Indian Javelin Star Prepares for the Athletissima Event
Following his recent success at the Commonwealth Games (CWG) 2026, where he secured a silver medal, double Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra is set to compete in the Lausanne Diamond League, popularly known as Athletissima. The highly anticipated track and field event is scheduled for August 21, marking a crucial step in his ongoing international athletics campaign for the season.
5 August 2026 Top News for APSC | Most Important Updates, Schemes & Reports You Must Know