Top News
1. Assam Flood Death Toll Reaches 100 Amid Rising River Levels
Devastation Continues Across Multiple Districts
The flood situation in Assam remains highly critical, with the death toll touching 100 after fresh fatalities were reported from Golaghat and Karbi Anglong districts. Almost 1.4 lakh people are currently reeling under the deluge across seven districts. According to the state disaster management authority, several rivers continue to flow above the danger mark, threatening to inundate new areas, with Golaghat being the worst-hit district, accounting for nearly 70,000 affected residents.
2. Relief Operations Stepped Up in Flood-Hit Jorhat
Union Minister Assures Support as Waters Marginally Recede
In Jorhat district, the devastating floods have impacted 1.66 lakh people across 304 villages, resulting in nine casualties. During a visit to assess the situation, the Minister of State for External Affairs stated that the flood situation in the district is gradually coming under control. Authorities have established 39 relief camps sheltering over 9,600 displaced individuals. Medical assistance and essential supplies are being continuously provided through joint efforts by the central and state governments.
3. IMD Issues Fresh Rainfall Warnings for the North-East
Heavy Showers Predicted Across Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and Meghalaya
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast another spell of fairly widespread to widespread rainfall across the northeastern states. Isolated to scattered heavy rainfall is anticipated over Arunachal Pradesh from August 9 to 15, while Assam and Meghalaya are also on alert for intense showers during the same period. Further rainfall has been predicted over Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura, potentially complicating ongoing flood relief and rehabilitation efforts.
National (India) Current Affairs
4. Centre Notifies 22 New Ports for E-Visa Entry
Attari Border Included in the Expanded Immigration Network
The Union Government has officially notified 22 new entry points across the country for foreign nationals holding e-visas. The expanded immigration network includes 11 international seaports, nine land ports—most notably the Attari land border with Pakistan—and two airports. This administrative move is designed to streamline cross-border travel, boost international tourism, and facilitate smoother entry for global visitors holding electronic visas.
5. Government Clarifies UPI Transactions Will Remain Free for Users
Nominal MDR Charges May Apply Only to Select Merchant Transactions
Shutting down widespread speculation regarding potential fees on digital payments, the Union government clarified that consumers will not be charged any transaction fees for using the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) network. The Finance Ministry elaborated that the vast majority of merchant transactions will also remain free. Any future Merchant Discount Rate (MDR), if introduced, will only be applicable to a limited set of high-value merchant transactions above a specified threshold, at rates significantly lower than typical credit and debit card charges.
6. Jharkhand Chief Minister Promises Justice Amidst Student Protests
Demonstrations Over JPSC Paper Leak Escalate in Ranchi
Widespread student protests over the alleged paper leak in the 14th Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) Civil Services Examination have intensified. Following a 16-day hunger strike by student leaders at the Jaipal Singh Stadium, a seven-member delegation held talks with a state government committee. The Chief Minister committed to ensuring justice for the youth and promised strict action against those found guilty of examination irregularities, as protesting students plan an Assembly march.
7. Tamil Nadu Mandates State Song at Official Events
Chief Minister Moves Resolution for 'Tamil Thaai Vazhthu'
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay introduced a government resolution in the State Assembly mandating that the state song, 'Tamil Thaai Vazhthu', must be sung at the beginning of all official events. This directive applies comprehensively to government offices, educational institutions, universities, and public sector undertakings across the state, reinforcing regional cultural identity in formal administrative protocols.
8. Private Member's Bill Proposes Social Media Ban for Minors
'Shield Bill 2025' Listed in Lok Sabha to Protect Digital Natives
Amidst ongoing debates over children's online safety and regulatory standoffs with major tech platforms, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP listed a private member's bill titled the 'Safeguarding Healthy Internet Environments for Little Digital-Natives (Shield) Bill, 2025' in the Lok Sabha. The proposed legislation aims to implement a social media ban for children under 13 or 16 years of age to protect them from the adverse psychological impacts of unregulated internet exposure.
9. West Bengal Government Orders Fresh Probe into RG Kar Case
Chief Minister Seeks Institutional Accountability in Medical College Tragedy
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has formally ordered a fresh, comprehensive investigation into the horrific rape and murder case at RG Kar Medical College. The case, which profoundly shook the nation and the medical fraternity in 2024, is being reopened to rigorously test institutional accountability and ensure that all legal and administrative lapses in the initial proceedings are addressed.
10. Major Property Fraud Uncovered in Lutyens' Delhi
Bungalow on Amrita Shergill Marg Becomes Center of Rs 200-Crore Scam
Law enforcement agencies have uncovered a massive real estate fraud involving a prestigious property at No. 9, Amrita Shergill Marg in Delhi. Investigators are piecing together how a luxury real estate network utilized the high-security address, located near the Prime Minister's residence, to orchestrate an alleged Rs 200-crore scam. The network is accused of defrauding multiple high-net-worth buyers seeking premium luxury homes.
11. Bengaluru Police Launch 'Operation Mukta'
City-Wide Drive Targets Suspected Illegal Immigrants
The Bengaluru City Police officially launched 'Operation Mukta' to identify and track suspected illegal immigrants residing within the city limits. The comprehensive security drive heavily focused on tracking undocumented foreign nationals to curb illicit demographic shifts and bolster urban security protocols.
International Affairs
12. India Gifts Peacocks to the UN Office at Geneva
Diplomatic Gesture Enhances Cultural Footprint in Switzerland
In a unique diplomatic and cultural gesture, India officially gifted five young peacocks to the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG) in Switzerland. The handover occurred during a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony involving senior Indian diplomats, aiming to symbolize peace, national pride, and India's enduring commitment to the global multilateral framework.
13. Mohsen Rezaee Appointed Head of Iran's SNSC
Former IRGC Commander Takes Over Strategic Security Role
Mohsen Rezaee, a prominent former commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), has been appointed as a representative to Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) and elevated to lead the body. The appointment marks a significant shift in Tehran's defense and foreign policy apparatus amid heightened geopolitical volatility in the Middle East.
14. Abelardo de la Espriella Sworn In as President of Colombia
New Leadership Takes Office for the 2026–2030 Term
Abelardo de la Espriella was officially sworn in as the 36th President of Colombia. Succeeding Gustavo Petro, the new president took the oath of office for the 2026–2030 term. His administration is expected to focus on revitalizing the national economy and shifting internal security strategies.
Science, Technology, and Environment
15. India Secures Position as World's Second-Largest Solar Growth Market
Domestic Solar Capacity Reaches 162.15 GW
India has successfully overtaken the United States to become the world's second-largest solar growth market, having accelerated its total photovoltaic capacity to 162.15 GW by June 2026. With a massive domestic module manufacturing capacity scaling up to 172 GW, India is now the world's third-largest solar power producer, generating over 108,000 GWh of green electricity and drastically reducing the levelized cost of solar electricity to $35 per MWh.
16. Breakthrough Gut Microbiome Study on Indian Tribal Communities
Findings Challenge the Universal 'Healthy' Gut Model
A landmark scientific study analyzing the gut microbiomes of eight Indian tribal communities across four biogeographic regions has challenged the concept of a universal "healthy" gut model. The research revealed that bacterial composition varies drastically by geography, diet, and environment, with dairy-consuming Trans-Himalayan communities exhibiting distinct bacterial diversities. The findings underscore the critical need for an India-specific microbiome database to develop precision probiotics.
Sports
17. Indian Grandmasters Headline Esports World Cup Chess Event
Magnus Carlsen Shines as Indian Prodigies Mount Strong Challenge
The prestigious Esports World Cup witnessed intense chess battles, with American GM Hikaru Nakamura and Team Liquid's Magnus Carlsen emerging as central figures. However, the Indian contingent mounted a formidable challenge, with top grandmasters including Nihal Sarin, Aravindh Chithambaram, Pranesh M, and Arjun Erigaisi demonstrating world-class strategic prowess in the high-stakes tournament.
18. 14-Year-Old Indian Chess Star Deekshitha Achieves Massive Rating Leap
Youngster Earns IM Norm and Jumps 29,200 Spots Globally
In an unprecedented achievement, 14-year-old Indian chess prodigy Deekshitha jumped nearly 29,200 spots in the global rankings within a single month. Becoming the highest-ranked Under-20 female player in the world, her Elo rating skyrocketed from 1985 to 2469.8. During this phenomenal run, she also secured her first International Master (IM) norm, positioning herself on the verge of breaking into the world's top 800 players.
19. India Equals Historic Medal Haul at U-20 World Athletics Championships
Athletics Contingent Returns with Two Silvers and One Bronze
The Indian track and field contingent concluded their campaign at the World Athletics U-20 Championships by securing three medals—two silvers and one bronze. This achievement equals the nation's best-ever medal tallies recorded at the 2021 and 2022 editions of the prestigious junior championships. Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra publicly lauded the young athletes for their resilient performances on the global stage.
20. Indian Esports Teams Qualify for PMWC Grand Finals
Orangutan and GodLike Esports Excel in International Arena
Indian esports organizations continue to make waves globally, as teams Orangutan and GodLike Esports successfully qualified for the PUBG Mobile World Cup (PMWC) Grand Finals. Orangutan secured second place in Group A with 91 points, while GodLike finished third in Group B with a massive 73 finishes, establishing India as a dominant force in the mobile esports ecosystem.
21. Praggnanandhaa Prepares for Sinquefield Cup Challenge
Indian Star to Face Samuel Sevian in the Opening Round
Following a dominant victory at the St. Louis Rapid and Blitz tournament where he won by a 1.5-point margin, Indian Grandmaster R. Praggnanandhaa is set to compete in the highly anticipated Sinquefield Cup. He is scheduled to face American GM Samuel Sevian in the first round, carrying strong momentum into one of the most challenging classical chess tournaments of the year.
22. Innovative Wildlife Control Measures at Badminton Tournaments
Langur Mimicry Artists Deployed to Protect Spectators and Players
In a unique administrative move to manage wildlife interference, organizers of major badminton events in India have employed trained langur mimicry artists. Following disruptions caused by rhesus macaques during the India Open earlier in the year, these specially trained humans are being used to chase away monkeys, as the actual use of captive langurs for this purpose is strictly banned under current Indian wildlife protection laws.
9-11 August 2026 Top News for APSC | Most Important Updates, Schemes & Reports You Must Know