NATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS
ISRO Launches GSLV-F17 with EOS-05 Earth Observation Satellite
- ISRO successfully launched GSLV-F17, placing the EOS-05 Earth Observation Satellite into the intended Sub-Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota. It marked the 19th GSLV mission and the 107th launch from Sriharikota.
- About EOS-05: It is India’s first imaging satellite in Geosynchronous Orbit (~36,000 km), designed to provide continuous Earth observation and strategic real-time data.
- Key Features: The satellite carries imaging payloads operating in visible, infrared, multispectral and hyperspectral bands, earning it the nickname “Eye in the Sky.”
- Applications: EOS-05 supports agriculture, environmental monitoring, disaster management, and strategic surveillance through real-time imaging capabilities.
- Significance: The mission replaces the unsuccessful EOS-03 mission and strengthens India’s geostationary Earth observation capabilities.
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BANKING | ECONOMY CURRENT AFFAIRS
PhonePe Launches UPI 123Pay for Feature Phone Users
- PhonePe has launched UPI 123Pay, becoming the first major Third-Party Application Provider (TPAP) to offer internet-free UPI payments for India’s 200+ million feature phone users, promoting greater digital financial inclusion.
- About UPI 123Pay: The service enables UPI transactions without internet using an SMS-based architecture, ensuring reliable payments even in areas with limited 2G connectivity.
- Features: Users can make peer-to-peer (P2P) payments using mobile numbers or UPI IDs and peer-to-merchant (P2M) payments through UPI IDs and QR codes on supported devices.
- Supported Devices: The service comes pre-installed on selected feature phones from Nokia, HMD, Lava International, and Itel Mobile, with more manufacturers to join later.
- Significance: The initiative strengthens financial inclusion, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas with limited smartphone and internet access.
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G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (FMCBG) Meeting 2026
- Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra represented India at the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (FMCBG) Meeting held in Asheville, North Carolina (USA) under the US G20 Presidency.
- About FMCBG: It is a key G20 forum where Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors discuss global macroeconomic and financial issues and coordinate policy responses.
- Key Agenda: Discussions focused on global economic growth, financial stability, rising sovereign debt, trade, investment, and reforms of the international financial system.
- Host Venue: The US selected Asheville to showcase the recovery of western North Carolina following Hurricane Helene.
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ENVIRONMENT CURRENT AFFAIRS
Arjun Vahini: West Bengal’s Special Disaster Response Squad
- West Bengal Government has launched ‘Arjun Vahini’, a 200-member specialised disaster response squad modelled on the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to strengthen the state’s disaster preparedness and emergency response.
- Arjun Vahini: The squad comprises Army personnel below 40 years of age from the State Sainik Board and was inaugurated by the Department of Disaster Management and Civil Defence.
- Deployment: Teams will be stationed at Kolkata, Kalimpong, Darjeeling, Gosaba and Kakdwip, with operations focused on hilly regions, the Sundarbans, Kolkata, and cyclone-prone areas.
- Objective: To enhance rapid disaster response, preparedness and manpower by deploying trained personnel familiar with region-specific risks.
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SPORTS CURRENT AFFAIRS
Roger Federer Inducted into International Tennis Hall of Fame
- Swiss tennis legend Roger Federer was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame (Class of 2026) at Newport, Rhode Island (USA). The 20-time Grand Slam champion, who retired in 2022, was honoured alongside journalist and broadcaster Mary Carillo.
- Career Highlights: Federer won 20 Grand Slam singles titles and 103 ATP tour-level titles, the second-highest in the Open Era.
- World No. 1: He spent 310 weeks as the ATP World No. 1, including a record 237 consecutive weeks at the top of the rankings.
- Major Achievements: Federer won Olympic doubles gold for Switzerland at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and was a member of Switzerland’s 2014 Davis Cup-winning team.
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6th World Nomad Games 2026: Celebrating the Heritage of Nomadic Civilisations
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the opening ceremony of the 6th World Nomad Games in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, held from 31 August to 6 September 2026. The biennial event celebrates the sports, culture and heritage of nomadic civilisations.
- About Games: Launched by Kyrgyzstan in 2014, the World Nomad Games promote traditional nomadic sports and cultural heritage while fostering international cultural exchange.
- Origin: The concept emerged from the 2012 Bishkek Declaration, signed by Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Turkey, to strengthen solidarity among Turkic States.
- Background: The inaugural edition was held in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan, with participants from 19 countries.
- Significance: The Games preserve the traditions of nomadic pastoral communities, showcase indigenous sports, and strengthen cultural identity and global cooperation.
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Ankur Bhattacharjee Wins Maiden WTT Men’s Singles Title
- Indian table tennis player Ankur Bhattacharjee won his first WTT men’s singles title at the WTT Feeder Olomouc tournament in Czechia, achieving a career-best World No. 65 ranking after climbing 13 places.
- Achievement: Ankur defeated third seed Deni Kozul (Slovenia) 3–1 in the men’s singles final to claim his maiden WTT singles title.
- Doubles Success: Along with Akash Pal, he won the men’s doubles title, defeating Csaba Andras Szantosi (Hungary) and Alan Kulczycki Zalewski (Poland) 3–1 in the final.
- Career Progress: Ranked World No. 78 before the event, the title propelled him to a career-high World No. 65.
- Significance: The victory marks a major milestone in Ankur’s career, following his Europe Youth Smash Sweden 2025 runner-up finish and multiple quarterfinal and semifinal appearances in 2026.
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STATES CURRENT AFFAIRS
Mizoram Green Schools League Launched
- Mizoram has launched the Mizoram Green Schools League, a statewide school cleanliness competition under Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0, to promote hygiene, cleanliness and environmental responsibility among students.
- Objective: The initiative aims to instil lifelong habits of cleanliness and hygiene, encouraging students to become leaders in maintaining clean schools, homes and communities.
- Implementation: The competition is jointly organised by the Urban Development & Poverty Alleviation (UD&PA) Department and the School Education Department.
- Competition Structure: Schools will compete at block, district and state levels, fostering widespread participation across Mizoram.
- Awards: State-level winners will receive ₹1 lakh (First Prize), ₹70,000 (Second Prize), and ₹50,000 (Third Prize), with additional cash prizes at the district level.
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AWARDS & EVENTS CURRENT AFFAIRS
Ramon Magsaysay Awards 2026
- Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation announced the 2026 Ramon Magsaysay Award recipients, honouring Tommy Koh (Singapore), Runa Khan (Bangladesh), and Bo Kyi (Myanmar) for their exceptional contributions to diplomacy, social development, and human rights.
- About Award: Established in 1958, the Ramon Magsaysay Award is regarded as Asia’s highest civilian honour, popularly known as “Asia’s Nobel Prize.”
- 2026 Awardees: Tommy Koh was recognised for his contributions to international law and the UNCLOS negotiations; Runa Khan for improving education, healthcare and livelihoods in Bangladesh’s remote riverine communities through innovative initiatives; and Bo Kyi for documenting human rights violations through the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP).
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PERSONS IN NEWS CURRENT AFFAIRS
John Ternus Becomes Apple CEO
- John Ternus has officially become the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Apple, succeeding Tim Cook, who led the company for 15 years. Ternus previously served as Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering since 2021.
- Leadership Transition: Tim Cook has assumed the role of Executive Chairman of Apple’s Board of Directors, while John Ternus, who joined Apple’s product design team in 2001, takes over as CEO.
- About John Ternus: He previously led Apple’s hardware engineering division, overseeing the development of key hardware products.
- Tim Cook’s Legacy: Under his leadership, Apple’s annual revenue increased from US$108 billion to US$416 billion, profits rose to US$112 billion, and the company’s valuation surpassed US$4.5 trillion. He also oversaw the launch of Apple Watch, AirPods, and Apple TV.
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