Daily Current Affairs August 21
Table of Contents
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August 21 | Daily Current Affairs 2026
Important Days – Daily Current Affairs August 21
1. On which date is World Senior Citizens Day 2026 observed?
A) August 18
B) August 19
C) August 20
D) August 21
E) August 22
Answer: D) August 21.
Event and Location:
- Event: World Senior Citizens Day 2026 is observed to honour the contributions, wisdom and life experiences of older adults.
- Location: The observance is marked globally to promote respect, dignity, inclusion and support for senior citizens.
- Date: World Senior Citizens Day 2026 was observed on Friday, August 21, 2026.
Mandates and Objectives:
- Mandates: The observance highlights issues affecting older persons, including healthcare access, emotional well-being, social inclusion, accessibility, mobility and security.
- Objectives: It aims to promote respect, independence and dignity for senior citizens while strengthening healthcare support, intergenerational connections and inclusive communities.
Important Terms Explained:
- International Senior Citizens Day: It is another name used for World Senior Citizens Day, which is observed annually on August 21 to recognise and appreciate older adults.
- Social Inclusion: It refers to ensuring that senior citizens can participate meaningfully in family, community and social activities without discrimination or isolation.
- Intergenerational Connection: It refers to interaction and relationship-building between younger and older generations through shared experiences, knowledge and mutual understanding.
Tabular Summary:
| Parameter | Details |
| Event name | World Senior Citizens Day 2026. |
| Date | August 21, 2026. |
| Day | Friday. |
| Geographical coverage | The observance is marked globally. |
| Main focus | It recognises the contributions, wisdom and life experiences of senior citizens. |
| Key issues highlighted | Healthcare, emotional well-being, accessibility, security, loneliness and mobility challenges are highlighted. |
| Community observance | Awareness programmes, gatherings and outreach initiatives can be organised for elderly citizens. |
| Educational activities | Schools can conduct interviews, storytelling events, gratitude boards and discussions on ageing and respect for seniors. |
Obituary – Daily Current Affairs August 21
2. In which year was veteran actress Sowcar Janaki awarded the Padma Shri for her contribution to Indian cinema?
A) 2018
B) 2019
C) 2020
D) 2022
E) 2024
Answer: D) 2022.
Event and Location:
- Event: Veteran Indian actress Sowcar Janaki passed away at the age of 94 after a brief hospitalisation, ending a film career spanning more than seven decades.
- Location: She died in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, while undergoing treatment at Kauvery Hospital in Alwarpet.
- Date: Sowcar Janaki passed away on August 21, 2026, at 1:59 PM.
Mandates and Objectives:
- Mandates: The death of the veteran actress was announced by Nadigar Sangam President Nassar, who stated that she had been receiving intensive treatment following age-related health problems.
- Objectives: The development marked the passing of a celebrated performer whose work across Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam cinema contributed significantly to the history of South Indian films.
Important Terms Explained:
- Padma Shri: It is one of India’s civilian honours and was conferred on Sowcar Janaki in 2022 in recognition of her significant contribution to Indian cinema.
- Nadigar Sangam: It is the South Indian Artistes’ Association, whose president Nassar announced the death of Sowcar Janaki.
- All India Radio: It is India’s public radio broadcasting service, where Sowcar Janaki began her professional career as a radio artist in Madras before entering films.
Tabular Summary:
| Parameter | Details |
| Person | Sowcar Janaki, also known as Sankaramanchi Janaki, was a veteran Indian actress. |
| Date of death | She passed away on August 21, 2026, at the age of 94. |
| Place of death | She died in Chennai after treatment at Kauvery Hospital, Alwarpet. |
| Film debut | She made her film debut in the 1950 Telugu film ‘Shavukaru’, directed by L.V. Prasad. |
| Tamil debut | She entered Tamil cinema through the 1952 film ‘Valayapathi’. |
| Languages worked in | She acted in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam films. |
| Major honour | She received the Padma Shri in 2022 for her contribution to Indian cinema. |
| Career significance | Her career extended for more than seven decades across radio, cinema and television. |
Business and Economy – Daily Current Affairs August 21
3. How much raw sugar has the government allowed to be imported duty-free under the Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) arrangement until October 31, 2026?
A) 5 lakh tonnes
B) 8 lakh tonnes
C) 10 lakh tonnes
D) 12 lakh tonnes
E) 15 lakh tonnes
Answer: C) 10 lakh tonnes.
Event and Location:
- Event: The government permitted duty-free imports of up to 10 lakh tonnes of raw sugar under the Tariff Rate Quota arrangement to improve domestic availability and contain rising prices.
- Location: The measure applies to sugar imports into India.
- Date: The duty-free import permission is valid until October 31, 2026.
Mandates and Objectives:
- Mandates: The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) amended the import policy to permit 10 lakh metric tonnes of raw sugar without customs duty and also introduced stockholding restrictions for bulk sugar consumers.
- Objectives: The measures aim to increase domestic sugar supply, moderate price pressures and ensure adequate availability during the higher-demand festival season from August to November.
Important Terms Explained:
- Raw Sugar: It is minimally processed sugar obtained after extraction and initial crystallisation, which generally requires further refining before final consumption.
- Duty-Free Import: It refers to the import of goods without payment of the applicable customs duty, thereby reducing the cost of bringing the product into the country.
- Stockholding Limit: It is a regulatory restriction on the quantity of a commodity that specified consumers or entities may retain, intended to prevent excessive accumulation and improve market availability.
Tabular Summary:
| Parameter | Details |
| Import quantity | The government permitted duty-free imports of up to 10 lakh metric tonnes of raw sugar. |
| Validity period | The import permission remains valid until October 31, 2026. |
| Import mechanism | The imports are permitted under the Tariff Rate Quota arrangement. |
| Policy authority | DGFT amended the import policy to enable the temporary duty-free quota. |
| Domestic wholesale price | The all-India average sugar price was reported at about ₹5,400–₹5,500 per quintal compared with ₹3,900 per quintal in the corresponding period last year. |
| Retail price | The average retail sugar price was reported at ₹52.3 per kg compared with ₹46.34 per kg last year. |
| Bulk consumer restriction | Consumers using more than 10 metric tonnes of sugar per month cannot hold stocks exceeding 15 days of consumption. |
| Stock limit period | The stockholding restriction applies from September 1, 2026 to November 30, 2026. |
Appointments – Daily Current Affairs August 21
4. Who has been elected as the 23rd President of Bangladesh?
A) Mohammed Shahabuddin
B) Oli Ahmed
C) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed
D) Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir
E) AMM Nasir Uddin
Answer: D) Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
Event and Location:
- Event: Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was elected as Bangladesh’s 23rd President after securing 255 votes in a contested parliamentary presidential election.
- Location: The presidential election was conducted at the Jatiya Sangsad, the Parliament of Bangladesh.
- Date: The election was held on August 20, 2026.
Mandates and Objectives:
- Mandates: The presidential election was conducted among eligible Members of Parliament to elect a new President following the resignation of Mohammed Shahabuddin on July 24, 2026.
- Objectives: The election aimed to fill the constitutional office of President and end the temporary presidency that followed Mohammed Shahabuddin’s resignation due to ill health.
Important Terms Explained:
- Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP): It is the political party to which Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir belonged, and he served as its Secretary General before becoming its presidential candidate.
- Contested Presidential Election: It refers to a presidential election in which more than one candidate competes for the office, with Bangladesh holding such an election for the first time in 35 years.
- Article 54 of the Constitution: It provides the constitutional basis under which Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed acted as President after Mohammed Shahabuddin resigned and until a new President was elected.
Tabular Summary:
| Parameter | Details |
| Elected President | Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was elected Bangladesh’s 23rd President. |
| Election date | The presidential election was held on August 20, 2026. |
| Election venue | Voting took place at the Jatiya Sangsad, Bangladesh’s Parliament. |
| Votes secured | Alamgir received 255 votes, while Oli Ahmed secured 88 votes. |
| Voting participation | A total of 343 out of 349 eligible Members of Parliament voted. |
| Election authority | Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin supervised the election and declared the results. |
| Historical significance | It was Bangladesh’s first contested presidential election in 35 years, with the previous such poll held in 1991. |
| Predecessor | Mohammed Shahabuddin, the 22nd President, resigned on July 24, 2026, due to ill health. |
5. Who has been appointed as a part-time, non-official director of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Central Board along with the reappointment of Anand Mahindra?
A) K Sivan
B) S Somanath
C) V Narayanan
D) R Madhavan
E) A S Kiran Kumar
Answer: B) S Somanath.
Event and Location:
- Event: The Central Government appointed former ISRO Chairman S Somanath and reappointed Anand Mahindra as part-time, non-official directors of the RBI Central Board.
- Location: The appointments were made to the Central Board of the Reserve Bank of India in India.
- Date: Both appointments became effective from August 20, 2026.
Mandates and Objectives:
- Mandates: S Somanath and Anand Mahindra will serve as part-time, non-official directors for four years from August 20, 2026, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
- Objectives: The appointments bring expertise from space technology, aerospace engineering, industry and business to the board overseeing the affairs of India’s apex monetary authority.
Important Terms Explained:
- Part-time Non-official Director: It refers to a member appointed to the RBI Central Board who is not a full-time RBI official and contributes expertise from specialised professional or economic fields.
- Central Board of Directors: It is the statutory board responsible for the overall direction and governance of the Reserve Bank of India, with its directors appointed by the Government of India under the RBI Act.
- Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO): It is India’s national space agency, where S Somanath served as Chairman before retiring in January 2025.
Tabular Summary:
| Parameter | Details |
| New appointment | Former ISRO Chairman S Somanath was appointed as a part-time, non-official director of the RBI Central Board. |
| Reappointment | Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra was reappointed as a part-time, non-official director. |
| Effective date | Both appointments took effect from August 20, 2026. |
| Tenure | The appointments are for four years or until further orders, whichever is earlier. |
| Appointing authority | The Central Government made the appointments to the RBI Central Board. |
| Board strength | Following the appointments, the RBI Central Board has 11 members. |
| RBI Governor | Sanjay Malhotra is the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India. |
| Professional significance | S Somanath contributes space and aerospace expertise, while Anand Mahindra brings corporate and industrial experience. |
Awards – Daily Current Affairs August 21
6. Which poetry collection earned Ashutosh Parida the Sarala Puraskar 2026?
A) Bishwas De Pruthwi
B) Pruthwi Ra Swapna
C) Odia Jibana
D) Kabita Dhara
E) Matira Gatha
Answer: A) Bishwas De Pruthwi.
Event and Location:
- Event: Odia poet, essayist and former scientist Ashutosh Parida was selected for the Sarala Puraskar 2026 for his poetry collection ‘Bishwas De Pruthwi’.
- Location: The award presentation ceremony will be held in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
- Date: The award ceremony is scheduled for October 25, 2026.
Mandates and Objectives:
- Mandates: The annual literary award recognises Ashutosh Parida’s contribution to Odia literature through his poetry collection ‘Bishwas De Pruthwi’, selected from a shortlist of seven books.
- Objectives: The award aims to recognise significant literary achievement in the Odia language and encourage excellence in literature.
Important Terms Explained:
- Indian Metals Public Charitable Trust (IMPaCT): It is the organisation that presents the annual Sarala Puraskar for outstanding literary accomplishment in the Odia language.
- Ila-Bansidhar Panda Kala Samman: It is an honour recognising lifetime excellence in the arts, with Guru Durga Charan Ranbir and Damodar Behera selected as the 2026 recipients.
- CSIR-IMMT: It refers to the CSIR-Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology, where Ashutosh Parida previously worked as a scientist.
Tabular Summary:
| Parameter | Details |
| Awardee | Ashutosh Parida was selected for the Sarala Puraskar 2026. |
| Winning work | His poetry collection ‘Bishwas De Pruthwi’ was chosen for the honour. |
| Award components | The Sarala Puraskar carries a citation, copper plaque and ₹7 lakh cash prize. |
| Awarding organisation | Indian Metals Public Charitable Trust presents the annual literary award. |
| Ceremony date | The presentation ceremony will be held on October 25, 2026. |
| Ceremony location | The event will take place in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. |
| Selection process | ‘Bishwas De Pruthwi’ was selected from a final shortlist of seven books. |
| Associated art award | Guru Durga Charan Ranbir and Damodar Behera were selected for the Ila-Bansidhar Panda Kala Samman 2026, carrying ₹2.5 lakh each. |
Schemes – Daily Current Affairs August 21
7. Which component of the Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA) provides procurement of notified pulses, oilseeds and copra at the Minimum Support Price when market prices fall below MSP?
A) Market Intervention Scheme
B) Price Support Scheme
C) Price Deficiency Payment Scheme
D) Direct Benefit Transfer Scheme
E) Market Stabilisation Scheme
Answer: B) Price Support Scheme.
Event and Location:
- Event: PM-AASHA remains the Central Government’s umbrella price-support initiative for farmers, with a proposed allocation of ₹7,200 crore for FY 2026–27 to strengthen procurement and price-support interventions.
- Location: The scheme operates across India under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
- Date: The ₹7,200 crore allocation relates to Financial Year 2026–27, while the scheme was originally launched in September 2018.
Mandates and Objectives:
- Mandates: The scheme provides farmer price support through the Price Support Scheme, Price Deficiency Payment Scheme and Market Intervention Scheme, depending on the commodity and prevailing market conditions.
- Objectives: It aims to protect farmers from distress sales when market prices fall below remunerative levels, strengthen MSP-based procurement, improve market stability and support farmer incomes.
Important Terms Explained:
- Price Support Scheme (PSS): It provides for procurement of notified pulses, oilseeds and copra from registered farmers at the Minimum Support Price when prevailing market prices fall below the announced MSP.
- Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS): It supports farmers by paying the eligible difference between the Minimum Support Price and the market price instead of physically procuring the produce.
- Market Intervention Scheme (MIS): It provides price-support intervention for selected perishable agricultural and horticultural commodities that are generally outside the MSP procurement system when prices fall sharply because of excess production.
Tabular Summary:
| Parameter | Details |
| Scheme name | Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan, commonly known as PM-AASHA. |
| Launch period | The scheme was launched in September 2018. |
| Nodal ministry | The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare is the nodal ministry. |
| Proposed allocation | An expenditure of ₹7,200 crore has been proposed for FY 2026–27. |
| Major components | The scheme operates through PSS, PDPS and MIS. |
| PSS coverage | PSS covers notified pulses, oilseeds and copra for procurement at MSP when market prices fall below support prices. |
| Procurement agencies | Agencies such as NAFED and NCCF, along with state-level agencies, participate in procurement operations. |
| Key purpose | The scheme seeks to prevent distress sales, strengthen price support and improve farmers’ income security. |
National Affairs – Daily Current Affairs August 21
8. Where has the Union Cabinet approved the establishment of a bench of the Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court?
A) Jammu
B) Srinagar
C) Ladakh
D) Chandigarh
E) Shimla
Answer: C) Ladakh.
Event and Location:
- Event: The Union Cabinet approved the establishment of a High Court bench in Ladakh under the jurisdiction of the Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court.
- Location: The new High Court bench will be established in the Union Territory of Ladakh.
- Date: The approval was reported on August 21, 2026.
Mandates and Objectives:
- Mandates: The decision provides for setting up a High Court bench in Ladakh to make High Court services more accessible to residents, lawyers and litigants in the Union Territory.
- Objectives: The initiative aims to reduce travel time and costs, improve access to legal services and strengthen the delivery of justice in Ladakh’s geographically difficult and remote areas.
Important Terms Explained:
- High Court Bench: A High Court bench is a judicial seat of a High Court established at a location other than its principal seat to facilitate easier access to the court for people of a particular region.
- Access to Justice: It refers to the ability of individuals to obtain effective legal remedies and use judicial institutions without excessive geographical, financial or procedural barriers.
- Union Territory: It is an administrative division of India governed under the constitutional framework applicable to Union Territories, with Ladakh having become a separate Union Territory on October 31, 2019.
Tabular Summary:
| Parameter | Details |
| Decision | The Union Cabinet approved the establishment of a Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court bench in Ladakh. |
| Date reported | August 21, 2026. |
| Location | Ladakh Union Territory. |
| Existing High Court jurisdiction | The common High Court serves the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. |
| Existing principal seats | The principal seats of the High Court are located in Jammu and Srinagar. |
| Main purpose | The bench will improve access to High Court services for residents of Ladakh. |
| Expected benefit | It will reduce travel time, expenses and physical difficulties faced by litigants and lawyers. |
| Administrative significance | The decision strengthens judicial and institutional access in Ladakh following its formation as a Union Territory. |
9. Under the Delhi Master Plan 2047, approximately how many additional houses are expected to be created through the Land Pooling Policy?
A) 7 lakh
B) 10 lakh
C) 12 lakh
D) 15 lakh
E) 18 lakh
Answer: C) 12 lakh.
Event and Location:
- Event: The Master Plan of Delhi-2047 (MPD-2047) was unveiled as Delhi’s long-term roadmap for inclusive, sustainable, resilient and globally competitive urban development.
- Location: The master plan covers Delhi, with major development initiatives planned across areas including Narela, Dwarka, the Yamuna floodplain and land-pooling zones.
- Date: Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal announced MPD-2047 on August 20, 2026.
Mandates and Objectives:
- Mandates: MPD-2047 provides for nearly 40 lakh homes, transit-oriented development, land pooling, redevelopment, improved mobility, environmental restoration, heritage conservation and simplified urban regulations.
- Objectives: The plan aims to meet Delhi’s future housing and infrastructure requirements while improving connectivity, environmental sustainability, economic growth, ease of living and access to affordable housing.
Important Terms Explained:
- Transit-Oriented Development (TOD): It is an urban planning approach that concentrates mixed-use and higher-density development around public transport corridors to improve connectivity and reduce dependence on private vehicles.
- Land Pooling Policy: It is a development mechanism under which land parcels are pooled for planned urbanisation, infrastructure creation and housing development, with MPD-2047 covering nearly 200 sq km under this approach.
- Floor Area Ratio (FAR): It represents the ratio between a building’s total floor area and the size of the plot on which it is constructed, with MPD-2047 allowing FAR of up to 400 in select high-density land-pooling pockets.
Tabular Summary:
| Parameter | Details |
| Plan name | Master Plan of Delhi-2047, or MPD-2047, is Delhi’s long-term urban development roadmap. |
| Announcement date | The plan was announced on August 20, 2026. |
| Key officials | Union Minister Manohar Lal announced the plan in the presence of Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. |
| Housing focus | The plan envisages around 40 lakh homes through affordable housing, redevelopment, slum rehabilitation, rental housing and land pooling. |
| Land pooling | Nearly 200 sq km is covered, with the policy expected to create about 12 lakh additional houses and 600 km of road network. |
| Mobility measures | The plan proposes multimodal transit hubs, improvements to UER-I, UER-II and UER–III, unified parking planning and better cycling infrastructure. |
| Environmental measures | Around 1,700 hectares of Yamuna floodplains will undergo ecological restoration through 13 projects alongside solar energy, water recycling and green mobility initiatives. |
| Urban reform measures | MPD-2047 proposes regularisation in 1,511 unauthorised colonies and reduces 133 use premises to 45 to improve ease of doing business and living. |
Over All Review
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Important Days
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Obituary
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Business and Economy
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Appointments
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Awards
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Schemes
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National Affairs
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