Daily Current Affairs 2 & 3 August 2026: Important GK Updates for UPSC, SSC, Banking & Railways Exams
This combined Daily Current Affairs article for 2 and 3 August 2026 covers the Cabinet’s approval of the expanded Khelo India programme, the Rs 84,084 crore Samudra Manthan offshore exploration scheme, Census 2027 self-enumeration in Assam, Sarnath’s inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List and the Favara-UPI India-Maldives payment corridor. It includes exam-ready explanations, quick-fact cards, one-liners and FAQs for UPSC, SSC, Banking, Insurance, Railways, Defence and State PSC exams.
Jump to section
Introduction to Current Affairs 2 & 3 August 2026
The Current Affairs of 2 and 3 August 2026 feature major developments involving the expanded Khelo India Scheme, the Samudra Manthan offshore exploration programme, Assam’s digital Census 2027 exercise, Sarnath’s UNESCO recognition and a new India-Maldives digital payment corridor. These topics are important for questions related to government schemes, international organisations, banking, renewable energy, employment and appointments.
This combined update merges the news of both days into a structured, exam-oriented format without repeating overlapping developments. Aspirants can use the daily current affairs section for regular revision and to connect major news with related static facts.
National Current Affairs
Cabinet Approves Expanded Khelo India Scheme and Enhanced ANSF Support
Why in News: In July 2026, the Union Cabinet approved the expanded Khelo India Scheme and strengthened Assistance to National Sports Federations with a combined outlay of Rs 36,441 crore for the period from FY 2026-27 to FY 2030-31.
Quick Facts
- Implementation period: 2026-27 to 2030-31.
- Combined financial outlay: Rs 36,441 crore.
- Related programme: Assistance to National Sports Federations (ANSFs).
- New institutions include Khelo India Feeder Schools and Khelo India Utkrishta Vidyalayas.
- The framework also introduces the Emerging Khelo India Athletes category.
Key Highlights
- The scheme seeks to build an integrated national sports-development ecosystem.
- It connects sports centres, academies, training institutions and youth sports companies.
- Khelo India Feeder Schools will support early identification of sporting talent.
- Khelo India Utkrishta Vidyalayas will combine formal education with structured sports training.
- The Emerging Khelo India Athletes category aims to expand the athlete-development pipeline significantly.
Census 2027 Self-Enumeration Begins in Assam
Why in News: Assam opened a 15-day online self-enumeration window for Phase I of Census 2027 from 2 August to 16 August 2026, allowing households to submit houselisting information digitally before physical verification.
Quick Facts
- State: Assam.
- Online window: 2-16 August 2026.
- Phase covered: Houselisting and Housing Census.
- Portal: se.census.gov.in.
- A unique Self-Enumeration ID is generated after submission.
Key Highlights
- Residents can log in with a mobile number and complete the questionnaire online.
- Self-enumeration is optional and takes place before door-to-door field operations.
- Enumerators will subsequently verify the Self-Enumeration ID.
- The initiative is part of the first digital Census exercise.
- It seeks to reduce paperwork and improve the efficiency and accuracy of data collection.
India-China Border Trade Resumes Through Shipki La
Why in News: India and China resumed border trade through Shipki La Pass in Himachal Pradesh after a gap of nearly six years, restoring a traditional trading route used by border communities.
Quick Facts
- Pass: Shipki La.
- District: Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh.
- Countries connected: India and China.
- Trade resumed after nearly six years.
- A Trade Facilitation Centre has been established.
Key Highlights
- The reopening restores an important traditional Himalayan trade route.
- It is expected to improve commerce and livelihood opportunities in border villages.
- Upgraded infrastructure will support regulated movement of permitted goods.
- The development also carries significance for India-China border engagement.
India Begins BRICS Ministerial Meetings Under 2026 Presidency
Why in News: India began a series of ministerial meetings under its BRICS Presidency 2026 ahead of the grouping’s Leaders’ Summit, with discussions covering trade, finance, health, technology, innovation and sustainable development.
Quick Facts
- Chair country for 2026: India.
- Grouping: BRICS.
- Meetings are being held before the Leaders’ Summit.
- Major themes include trade, finance and the digital economy.
- India is emphasising cooperation among Global South countries.
Key Highlights
- The ministerial meetings will help shape the agenda of the BRICS Leaders’ Summit.
- Discussions include healthcare, innovation, technology and sustainable development.
- India seeks stronger economic and strategic coordination among member countries.
- The Presidency provides India a platform to highlight Global South priorities.
PM-VBRY Brings Over 72 Lakh First-Time Employees into Formal Workforce
Why in News: The government announced that more than 72 lakh first-time employees had entered the formal workforce under the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PM-VBRY).
Quick Facts
- Scheme: Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana.
- Abbreviation: PM-VBRY.
- Employees covered: More than 72 lakh.
- Focus: First-time formal-sector employment.
- Employment registration is linked with social-security coverage.
Key Highlights
- The scheme encourages employers to create formal jobs.
- It brings new employees into the organised workforce.
- Formal registration provides access to employment-linked social-security benefits.
- The initiative supports job creation, inclusion and economic growth.
International Current Affairs
Sarnath Inscribed on UNESCO World Heritage List
Why in News: The 48th Session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, held in Busan, South Korea, inscribed 25 new sites, including the Ancient Buddhist Site of Sarnath in Uttar Pradesh.
Quick Facts
- Session: 48th UNESCO World Heritage Committee Session.
- Venue: Busan, South Korea.
- Dates: 19-29 July 2026.
- Indian site added: Ancient Buddhist Site of Sarnath, Varanasi.
- Total new inscriptions: 25.
Key Highlights
- The new inscriptions comprised 19 cultural, five natural and one mixed site.
- The World Heritage List reached 1,273 sites across 173 countries.
- Comoros, São Tomé and Príncipe, and South Sudan received their first World Heritage inscriptions.
- The Busan Declaration added “collaboration” as a sixth strategic objective.
- The next committee session is scheduled in Istanbul, Türkiye, in 2027.
India-Maldives Launch Favara-UPI Cross-Border Payment Corridor
Why in News: The Maldives Monetary Authority operationalised the integration of the Maldives’ Favara Instant Payment System with India’s Unified Payments Interface, enabling real-time cross-border transfers.
Quick Facts
- Maldives payment system: Favara.
- Indian payment system: Unified Payments Interface.
- Maldives regulator: Maldives Monetary Authority.
- Indian partners include RBI and NPCI International Payments Limited.
- Transfers are initiated in Maldivian Rufiyaa and credited in Indian Rupees.
Key Highlights
- The corridor supports real-time remittances between India and the Maldives.
- The initial phase covers customers of Bank of Maldives and Maldives Islamic Bank.
- Permitted categories include family-maintenance and gift-related remittances.
- Future stages are expected to introduce QR-based merchant payments.
- The project strengthens bilateral digital and financial connectivity.
Economy & Banking
RBI Monetary Policy Committee Begins Three-Day Meeting
Why in News: The Reserve Bank of India began a three-day Monetary Policy Committee meeting on 3 August 2026 to review the repo rate, inflation conditions, liquidity and the economic-growth outlook.
Quick Facts
- Meeting began: 3 August 2026.
- Duration: Three days.
- Committee strength: Six members.
- Chairperson: RBI Governor.
- Key policy rate reviewed: Repo rate.
Key Highlights
- The MPC assesses domestic inflation and overall economic growth.
- It also considers liquidity, global economic conditions and crude-oil prices.
- The policy decision can affect lending rates and borrowing costs.
- Financial markets closely monitor the MPC’s guidance and rate decision.
DFS Launches Sovereign-Backed Maritime P&I Insurance Product
Why in News: The Department of Financial Services launched India’s first sovereign-backed Protection and Indemnity insurance product under the Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool, providing liability coverage of up to USD 1.5 billion.
Quick Facts
- Product: Protection and Indemnity insurance.
- Framework: Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool.
- Coverage limit: Up to USD 1.5 billion.
- Policy issuer: New India Assurance Company Limited.
- First recipient: Shipping Corporation of India Limited.
Key Highlights
- BMIP became operational on 12 May 2026.
- It carries a sovereign guarantee of Rs 12,980 crore.
- Coverage includes crew, cargo, pollution and wreck-removal liabilities.
- The pool also covers hull, machinery, cargo and war-related maritime risks.
- It is designed to strengthen domestic marine-insurance capacity.
Government Schemes
Cabinet Approves Rs 84,084 Crore Samudra Manthan Scheme
Why in News: The Union Cabinet approved the Samudra Manthan-National Offshore Exploration Scheme with an outlay of Rs 84,084 crore to accelerate offshore oil and gas exploration and improve India’s energy security.
Quick Facts
- Financial outlay: Rs 84,084 crore.
- Implementation period: Up to FY 2030-31.
- Administrative ministry: Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
- Type: Central Sector Scheme.
- Funding: 100% by the Union Government.
Key Highlights
- The scheme focuses on offshore oil and natural-gas exploration.
- It aims to raise annual domestic production from nearly 62 MMTOE to 80 MMTOE.
- The hydrocarbon resource base is targeted to expand from 1,600 MMTOE to 2,200 MMTOE.
- It promotes technological innovation in the upstream energy sector.
- The programme seeks to reduce dependence on imported energy.
Cabinet Approves Pradhan Mantri Surya Sarovar Yojana
Why in News: The Union Cabinet approved the Pradhan Mantri Surya Sarovar Yojana with an outlay of Rs 5,070 crore to develop floating solar photovoltaic projects with energy-storage systems.
Quick Facts
- Scheme outlay: Rs 5,070 crore.
- Target capacity: 5,000 MW of floating solar power.
- Administrative ministry: Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
- Projects to be sanctioned from FY 2026-27 to FY 2030-31.
- Financial assistance may continue up to FY 2032-33.
Key Highlights
- Projects will include a minimum of two hours of energy storage.
- The total planned storage capacity is 10,000 MWh.
- Central Financial Assistance of Rs 1 crore per MW will be provided after commissioning.
- Feasibility studies can receive up to Rs 50 lakh per project.
- India’s estimated floating-solar potential is 102.18 GWp.
Cabinet Extends PM-KISAN for Five Years
Why in News: The Cabinet approved continuation of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi for another five years, from 2026-27 to 2030-31, with an outlay of approximately Rs 3.15 lakh crore.
Quick Facts
- Scheme launched: February 2019.
- Scheme type: Central Sector Scheme.
- Annual assistance: Rs 6,000.
- Payment structure: Three instalments of Rs 2,000.
- Transfer mode: Direct Benefit Transfer.
Key Highlights
- The extension covers FY 2026-27 to FY 2030-31.
- The approved outlay is Rs 3,15,614 crore.
- The scheme supports eligible farmer families possessing cultivable land.
- More than Rs 4.47 lakh crore has been transferred through 23 instalments.
- It remains one of the largest direct-income-support programmes for farmers.
Science & Technology
Ministry of AYUSH and IndiaAI Sign MoU
Why in News: The Ministry of AYUSH and IndiaAI signed a Memorandum of Understanding to promote artificial-intelligence-based research, digital healthcare, innovation and capacity building in traditional medicine.
Quick Facts
- Participating bodies: Ministry of AYUSH and IndiaAI.
- IndiaAI functions under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
- Initial MoU tenure: Two years.
- Data platform: AIKosh.
- Computing support: IndiaAI Compute ecosystem.
Key Highlights
- AYUSH will contribute anonymised datasets, metadata, models, toolkits and use cases.
- Researchers, startups and academic institutions can use these resources for innovation.
- AYUSH stakeholders will gain access to national AI-computing infrastructure.
- The collaboration seeks scalable AI applications for traditional medicine and healthcare.
- The IndiaAI Mission was approved in 2024 with an outlay of Rs 10,371.92 crore.
Environment
IMD Issues Heavy Rainfall Alert Across Several States
Why in News: The India Meteorological Department issued heavy to very heavy rainfall alerts for several states as the southwest monsoon intensified during the first week of August 2026.
Quick Facts
- Issuing agency: India Meteorological Department.
- Weather system: Southwest monsoon.
- Period: First week of August 2026.
- Central and western India remained under active monsoon conditions.
- Flood-prone areas were advised to maintain heightened vigilance.
Key Highlights
- Authorities were advised to monitor vulnerable and low-lying areas.
- Disaster-management agencies were placed on alert.
- State administrations were asked to issue timely local warnings.
- Precautionary measures were recommended to limit flood and rainfall-related damage.
Appointments & Resignations
Varsha Ashok Aglawe Becomes First Woman Director General of GSI
Why in News: Varsha Ashok Aglawe assumed charge as the 54th Director General of the Geological Survey of India on 31 July 2026, becoming the first woman to head the organisation.
Quick Facts
- Organisation: Geological Survey of India.
- Position: 54th Director General.
- Date of assumption: 31 July 2026.
- Predecessor: Asit Saha.
- GSI functions under the Ministry of Mines.
Key Highlights
- She is the first woman to lead GSI in its 176-year history.
- She joined GSI in 1992 after serving in the Indian Bureau of Mines.
- Her expertise includes palaeontology and palynology.
- Her priorities include critical minerals, offshore exploration and mineral security.
Current Affairs One-Liners
Quick Revision
- Expanded Khelo India and ANSF schemes → Rs 36,441 crore → approved for FY 2026-27 to FY 2030-31.
- Khelo India Feeder Schools → early talent identification → part of the expanded national sports ecosystem.
- Emerging Khelo India Athletes → new athlete category → intended to expand the development pipeline.
- Census 2027 self-enumeration → Assam → online from 2-16 August 2026.
- Census self-enumeration portal → se.census.gov.in → generates a unique Self-Enumeration ID.
- India-China border trade → Shipki La Pass → resumed after nearly six years.
- Shipki La location → Kinnaur district → Himachal Pradesh.
- BRICS Presidency 2026 → India → ministerial meetings began before the Leaders’ Summit.
- PM-VBRY milestone → more than 72 lakh first-time employees → brought into the formal workforce.
- Samudra Manthan scheme → Rs 84,084 crore → offshore oil and gas exploration.
- Samudra Manthan target → domestic production of 80 MMTOE → implementation through FY 2030-31.
- Pradhan Mantri Surya Sarovar Yojana → Rs 5,070 crore → floating solar with energy storage.
- PM-SSY capacity target → 5,000 MW → with 10,000 MWh minimum storage.
- PM-KISAN extension → five years → outlay of Rs 3,15,614 crore.
- PM-KISAN annual benefit → Rs 6,000 → three DBT instalments of Rs 2,000.
- Sarnath → UNESCO World Heritage List → inscribed at the 48th session in Busan.
- UNESCO 48th WHC session → 25 new sites → 19 cultural, five natural and one mixed.
- Busan Declaration → added collaboration → sixth strategic objective of the heritage framework.
- Favara-UPI corridor → India-Maldives → enables real-time cross-border transfers.
- Favara → Maldives’ instant payment system → integrated with India’s UPI.
- RBI MPC meeting → began 3 August 2026 → reviewed repo rate, inflation, liquidity and growth.
- Monetary Policy Committee → six members → chaired by the RBI Governor.
- BMIP P&I insurance → India’s first sovereign-backed product → coverage up to USD 1.5 billion.
- BMIP sovereign guarantee → Rs 12,980 crore → supports Indian maritime insurance capacity.
- AYUSH-IndiaAI MoU → AI innovation in traditional medicine → includes AIKosh and IndiaAI Compute access.
- IndiaAI Mission outlay → Rs 10,371.92 crore → approved in 2024.
- New GSI Director General → Varsha Ashok Aglawe → first woman to head the organisation.
- General Vishwa Nath Sharma → former 14th Army Chief → passed away at age 91.
- Franco Baresi → Italy and AC Milan football legend → passed away at age 66.
- Kailash Chandra Pant → Padma Shri Hindi writer → passed away at age 90.
- World FinTech Day → 1 August → highlights financial technology’s role in modern finance.
- World Wide Web Day → 1 August → honours the development and impact of the Web.
- World Wide Web inventor → Tim Berners-Lee → developed it at CERN in 1989.
- IMD rainfall alert → several states → southwest monsoon intensified in early August 2026.
Explore More on thejobsme.com
Strengthen your preparation by revising the daily current affairs section, learning related facts through Static GK, and checking the latest government job notifications. Aspirants can also practise with the daily current affairs quiz.
Free quiz • No signup required
Put this topic into practice with Daily Current Affairs Quiz 12 September 2026: 15 Important GK MCQs for UPSC, SSC, Banking & Railways Exams. It is the quickest way to reinforce what you just learned.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the total outlay approved for the expanded Khelo India Scheme and enhanced ANSF support?
What is the Samudra Manthan Scheme?
What is the target of the Pradhan Mantri Surya Sarovar Yojana?
For how long was PM-KISAN extended in 2026?
Which Indian site was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List at the 48th session?
What is the Favara-UPI payment corridor?
When did the Census 2027 self-enumeration window open in Assam?
Where is Shipki La Pass located?
What was the purpose of the RBI MPC meeting that began on 3 August 2026?
Who became the first woman Director General of the Geological Survey of India?
About the author
