Current Affairs · 3–9 August 2026
TNPSC current affairs for the week of 3–9 August 2026, grouped by day.
9 August 2026
2 storiesAI4Bharat at IIT Madras is building speech AI for India’s low-resource languages
AI4Bharat at IIT Madras is collecting speech data from 500+ districts to train AI for India’s diverse languages and dialects.
Kerala’s ₹14.4 crore Endosulfan rehabilitation package for Kasaragod victims in 2026-27
Kerala sanctioned ₹14.40 crore for the 2026–27 continuation of the Sneha Sandhwanam rehabilitation package for Endosulfan-affected people in Kasaragod.
8 August 2026
15 storiesTamil Nadu signs Japan job pact with Ehime-Nissan for ITI graduates; 132 government ITIs and 95% placement reported
Tamil Nadu signed an MoU with Ehime-Nissan to place trained ITI graduates in Japan, alongside details on 132 government ITIs and 95% placement in the previous year.
PMFBY for Kharif 2026 in Villupuram: notified crops, insurers and premium rates
Villupuram farmers have been urged to enroll under PMFBY for Kharif 2026, with five notified crops and crop-wise premium rates announced.
Tamil Nadu HR&CE identifies 254 dilapidated temples for restoration; ₹220 crore plan and 285 temple tanks
The HR&CE Department has identified 254 neglected temples in Tamil Nadu for restoration, with an estimated cost of ₹220 crore and 285 temple tanks also listed for attention.
Tamil Nadu handloom day 2026: Kalaivanar Arangam exhibition, Co-optex ‘Vettri Thari’ outlet and ₹22.25 lakh awards
Tamil Nadu marked the 12th National Handloom Day at Chennai’s Kalaivanar Arangam with an exhibition, a Co-optex outlet and awards for 11 weavers and designers.
Tamil Nadu Assembly Mekedatu resolution, Section 4 of Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956, and HC notice
The Madras High Court was told that the Tamil Nadu Assembly unanimously passed the amended Mekedatu resolution on June 19, 2026.
CWMA upholds 3,500 cusecs Cauvery release to Tamil Nadu; key water-dispute body and dates for TNPSC
CWMA on Thursday upheld CWRC’s July 28 order directing Karnataka to release 3,500 cusecs a day to Tamil Nadu for 15 days.
Lok Sabha passes MSME Development (Amendment) Bill, 2026 to curb payment delays
The Lok Sabha passed the MSME Development (Amendment) Bill, 2026 to speed up payments, resolve disputes within 90 days and ease penalties for small firms.
Supreme Court to test DPDP Act impact on RTI and investigative journalism
On August 7, 2026, the Supreme Court agreed to examine whether the DPDP Act, 2023 weakens the RTI Act and affects investigative journalism.
Supreme Court examines 2023 CEC appointment law and PM-led selection panel
On July 30, 2026, the Supreme Court heard challenges to the 2023 law on appointing the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners, focusing on the PM-led selection panel.
Supreme Court orders district-wise prison oversight boards and caste-data reporting to NCRB
On July 30, 2026, the Supreme Court directed all States and Union Territories to form district-wise prison Boards of Visitors within four weeks and submit caste-wise prison data to NCRB.
Madras High Court Full Bench: caste certificate verification can continue after retirement
A three-judge Full Bench of the Madras High Court held that verification of community certificates can legally continue after retirement.
Tamil Nadu extends regularisation deadline for unapproved layouts till 30 June 2027
TN government extended the deadline for regularising unapproved plots and layouts to 30 June 2027 through GO 148 dated 27 July 2026.
India’s R&D spending crosses 0.8% of GDP in 2021-22; private industry becomes majority contributor by 2023-24
DST data show India’s GERD rose to 0.83% of GDP in 2021-22, while private industry’s share reached 51.8% in 2023-24.
India’s Arun Vasu elected Asian Surfing Federation president in 2026
Arun Vasu, president of the Surfing Federation of India, was elected president of the Asian Surfing Federation in 2026 under International Surfing Federation supervision.
Tamil Nadu CM C. Joseph Vijay’s first Chennai Metro ride and Phase II review in July 2026
On July 29, 2026, Tamil Nadu CM C. Joseph Vijay rode the Chennai Metro Blue Line and reviewed Phase II works.
7 August 2026
15 storiesMadras High Court permits police complaint against TASMAC staff for excess money collection
The Madras High Court on 7 August 2026 said TASMAC customers may complain to police if salespersons collect excess money.
Madras High Court directs TASMAC to issue bills for every liquor bottle and enforce queue system
The Madras High Court on 7 August 2026 directed TASMAC to ensure bills for every bottle sold and strict compliance through inspections.
Madras High Court allows TASMAC customers to file police complaints for excess collection; bill issuance made mandatory
On 7 August 2026, the Madras High Court directed TASMAC retail shops to issue bills for every bottle and allowed customers to complain to police if excess money is collected.
Puducherry Assembly to meet on August 24, 2026; Lieutenant Governor’s address and budget presentation scheduled
The 16th Puducherry Assembly will meet on August 24, 2026, with the Lieutenant Governor’s address in the morning and Chief Minister Rangasamy’s budget presentation in the afternoon.
Puducherry security tightened for Amit Shah visit and President’s Colour award ceremony
Puducherry has deployed over 1,000 personnel and banned drones on August 8-9, 2026 for Amit Shah’s visit and the President’s Colour award ceremony.
India-China WMCC talks on LAC, border management and trans-border rivers
India and China held WMCC talks in New Delhi on August 7, 2026, reviewing the LAC situation, boundary delimitation and trans-border river cooperation.
India and China hold WMCC talks on LAC, border management and trans-border rivers
India and China discussed the LAC situation, boundary delimitation, border management and trans-border cooperation in New Delhi on August 6, 2026.
Lok Sabha clears MSME Development Amendment Bill, 2026 to speed up delayed payment recovery
Parliament passed the MSME Development (Amendment) Bill, 2026, with provisions for faster dispute resolution and at least 50% payment in some cases.
Supreme Court to decide Tamil Nadu’s power to extend reservation to Muslim converts from backward classes
The Supreme Court will decide whether Tamil Nadu can issue backward class (Muslim) certificates to eligible converts under its March 9, 2024 order.
RBI’s renewed licensing policy for urban cooperative banks: key facts, history and regulation
The RBI has resumed issuing licences to urban cooperative banks after more than two decades, reviving a key segment of cooperative banking.
Supreme Court to decide Tamil Nadu’s quota policy for Muslim converts from backward classes
The Supreme Court on August 7, 2026 reserved judgment on Tamil Nadu’s appeal over reservation benefits for converts to Islam from backward communities.
Tamil Nadu Assembly resolution on Central tax devolution: fiscal federalism, equity and State share
On August 7, 2026, the Tamil Nadu Assembly unanimously urged the Union government to ensure fair tax devolution based on fiscal federalism and equity.
Madras High Court seeks Tamil Nadu government reply on petition to lift toddy ban
The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court asked the Tamil Nadu government to respond to a petition seeking a review of the toddy ban on coconut and palm trees.
NASA astronauts Anil Menon and Jessica Meir complete ISS spacewalk for solar-array upgrade
NASA astronauts Anil Menon and Jessica Meir completed a six-hour, 27-minute spacewalk on August 6, 2026, to prepare the ISS for future solar arrays.
HAL Bengaluru airport first in India to use RNP CAT H helicopter approach procedure
HAL airport in Bengaluru became India’s first airport to operationalise the RNP CAT H helicopter approach, cutting approach time from 12 minutes to about four minutes.
6 August 2026
15 storiesTamil Nadu Budget 2026-27: key education, school and anti-drug schemes with major allocations
Tamil Nadu’s 2026-27 Budget announced new schemes for college laptops, school infrastructure, digital libraries, special schools and anti-drug rehabilitation.
Tamil Nadu Budget 2026-27: Solar panel subsidy up to ₹1 lakh, smart meters and power sector allocations
The budget announced a new rooftop solar subsidy scheme, smart meters for 50 lakh consumers, and major power sector spending.
Tamil Nadu Budget 2026-27: Vetri Veedu scheme, ₹3,500 crore for 70,000 houses and key rural welfare allocations
Tamil Nadu Budget 2026-27 announced the Vetri Veedu housing scheme, higher housing assistance, and major rural development allocations.
Tamil Nadu Agriculture Budget 2026-27: 100% crop insurance, ₹4,000 organic farming incentive and new millet missions
Tamil Nadu’s 2026-27 Agriculture Budget announced 100% crop insurance, ₹4,000 organic farming incentive, and multiple crop-specific missions with budget allocations.
Maharashtra bans analogue paneer for 1 year under Food Safety law; 35.4% samples failed standards
Maharashtra imposed a one-year ban on manufacture and sale of analogue paneer after FDA found 35.4% of samples failed standards.
Bihar Cabinet approves PPP operation of 16 medical colleges, sports science centre and AMRUT 2.0 water projects
Bihar approved PPP operation of 16 medical colleges and hospitals, a sports science centre at Rajgir, and AMRUT 2.0 water supply projects worth over ₹280 crore.
Railway Board makes bedrolls mandatory for RAC passengers in AC coaches
The Railway Board has ordered that RAC passengers in AC coaches must receive the full bedroll kit without extra charge.
Supreme Court order on uninsured vehicles: fuel denial, Section 146 and 2018 third-party cover norms
The Supreme Court has asked the Centre and IRDAI to implement a model to deny fuel to uninsured vehicles and strengthen compulsory motor insurance compliance.
South States Chief Ministers’ Conference at Kovalam on August 19-20, 2026
The 31st South States Chief Ministers’ Conference will be held at Kovalam, Chennai, on August 19-20, 2026, under Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Tamil Nadu Budget 2026-27: ₹560 crore for Thaimaman Thanga Mothiram scheme, fisheries and river-linking allocations
The budget announced a gold ring scheme for newborns in government hospitals, higher fishing assistance, and river-linking funds.
Tamil Nadu Budget 2026-27: Health, tourism and HR&CE allocations with mobile geriatric care and temple restoration
The budget set out health, tourism and HR&CE spending, including 1,000 mobile geriatric care centres and temple restoration plans.
Tamil Nadu Budget 2026-27: Right to Service Act, AI-based governance and PDS expansion
The budget proposed an AI-enabled governance system, a Right to Service Act, and expanded doorstep PDS delivery.
Tamil Nadu 2026-27 budget: Thoothukudi and Tirunelveli to be space industry investment zones
The 2026-27 Tamil Nadu budget proposed space industry investment zones in Thoothukudi and Tirunelveli and new industrial policy measures.
Chennai budget 2026-27: 1 lakh new houses, CMDA AI portal and ₹29,863 crore for urban services
Tamil Nadu’s 2026-27 budget announced 1 lakh new houses in Chennai, an AI-based approval portal, and major allocations for urban development.
RBI keeps repo rate unchanged at 5.25%; growth revised to 6.7% and inflation to 5%
The RBI’s August 2026 MPC kept the repo rate at 5.25%, raised FY 2026-27 growth estimate to 6.7%, and cut inflation estimate to 5%.
5 August 2026
10 storiesTamil Nadu Assembly speaker hears AIADMK defection complaint against four former MLAs
Assembly Speaker J.C.D. Prabhakar heard explanations from four former AIADMK MLAs on 4 August over a defection complaint filed by Edappadi K. Palaniswami.
FSSAI action on liquor makers: key rules on flavouring, age claims and labelling under 2018 regulations
FSSAI issued prohibition-of-sale orders on 2 August 2026 against liquor makers over flavour additions and misleading age claims under the 2018 and 2020 regulations.
Chennai Open 2026 women’s tennis: TN govt sanctions ₹10 crore for November event at Nungambakkam
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay announced ₹10 crore for the Chennai Open International Women’s Tennis Championship-2026 to be held in November at Nungambakkam.
Tamil Nadu inaugurates ₹1,027.49 crore completed works in health, higher education, urban administration and housing
Tamil Nadu inaugurated completed projects worth ₹1,027.49 crore and laid foundation stones for ₹710.50 crore of new works across multiple departments.
Supreme Court directs RBI to frame 4-week guidelines on bank accounts linked to digital frauds
The Supreme Court ordered the RBI to frame guidelines within 4 weeks for handling bank accounts linked to digital frauds and asked states to strengthen cyber-crime response.
Tamil Nadu Budget 2026-27: TVK government to present maiden Budget amid ₹13.18 lakh crore debt white paper
Tamil Nadu’s 2026-27 Budget will be presented on August 5, 2026, with the government citing ₹13.18 lakh crore outstanding debt in its White Paper.
Gaza 2026: 112 bodies recovered from 2023 strike, mass funeral highlights war toll and ceasefire impact
On August 4, 2026, Palestinians held a mass funeral for 112 bodies recovered from a November 22, 2023 Israeli strike in Gaza City’s Sabra neighbourhood.
Nepal border unrest ends: July 2026 curfew lifted in Koshi, Madhesh and Siraha districts
A July 26, 2026 religious clash in Nepal’s Koshi Province killed 3 people, and curfew was later lifted in Sunsari, Dhanusha and Siraha as normalcy returned.
Mumbai police salary fraud: 10 fake employees, ₹6.41 crore siphoned through payroll manipulation
A payroll scam in Mumbai police allegedly used 10 fake employee names between 2019 and 2020 to draw ₹6.41 crore in salaries.
NEET OMR sheet mismatch case reaches Supreme Court; students seek urgent hearing
Students approached the Supreme Court in August 2026 alleging mismatch between original NEET OMR sheets and the NTA-uploaded sheets.
4 August 2026
11 storiesMadras High Court on station bail, FIR sections and PMLA joint trial in two Tamil Nadu cases
On 4 August 2026, the Madras High Court dealt with Udhayanidhi Stalin’s arrest-related bail and separately upheld the Thoothukudi trial in Anitha Radhakrishnan’s disproportionate assets case.
India brings back 274 fugitive offenders from 36 countries in 2019-2026, says MHA
The Home Ministry said 274 fugitive offenders were brought back to India from 36 countries between 2019 and 2026, with 401 Interpol notices issued in the last three years.
Hiroshima blast debris reveals new alloy, showing nuclear events can create novel materials
Scientists identified a previously unknown alloy in Hiroshima atomic-bomb debris, published in Science Advances on July 29, 2026.
India invites Bangladesh PM Rahman to BRICS outreach session as BIMSTEC chair
India invited Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to the BRICS 2026 outreach session in New Delhi as the current BIMSTEC chair.
Cauvery water reaches Hogenakkal after Kabini release; inflow touches 18,000 cusecs
Cauvery water from Karnataka’s Kabini reservoir reached Hogenakkal on August 4, 2026, with inflow rising to 18,000 cusecs.
TN Open University extends 2026-27 admissions deadline to September 15
Tamil Nadu Open University has extended the last date for 2026-27 admissions to September 15, 2026.
Chennai Open 2026: Tamil Nadu allocates ₹10 crore for women’s tennis championship
Tamil Nadu has sanctioned ₹10 crore for the Chennai Open International Women’s Tennis Championship-2026 to be held in November at Nungambakkam.
Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026: key changes for FDI, data centres and REITs/InvITs
The Lok Sabha saw a 2026 Bill to amend tax laws for foreign capital, data centres, fund managers and REIT/InvIT dividends.
Tamil Nadu SC/ST Development Council approves 2026-27 action plan with ₹5,903.51 crore for SC welfare
On 4 August 2026, the Tamil Nadu State Council for the Development of SCs and STs approved the 2026-27 action plan and reviewed welfare fund use.
Tamil Nadu finances in 2026-27: revenue growth, central transfers and SOTR trends
A 2026 Tamil Nadu budget primer tracks GSDP, own revenue, central transfers and the shrinking share of State Own Tax Revenue.
Sri Lanka’s Dissanayake seeks national consensus on new Constitution and provincial polls
Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on August 3, 2026 said constitutional reform must be built through national consensus and dialogue.
3 August 2026
15 storiesDheeran Chinnamalai memorial day tribute by Tamil Nadu CM Vijay: freedom struggle, East India Company resistance, 221st remembrance
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay paid tribute on the 221st memorial day of freedom fighter Dheeran Chinnamalai in August 2026.
Karnataka SIR: 16 districts cross 12% ASDDO; migration and documentation gaps flagged
Karnataka’s Special Intensive Revision has placed over 12% voters in ASDDO in 16 districts, with migration and low-HDI patterns highlighted.
Aung San Suu Kyi meets ICRC representative in Naypyitaw amid detention since 2021 coup
Myanmar said Aung San Suu Kyi met an International Committee of the Red Cross representative in Naypyitaw on 3 August 2026 amid health concerns.
Japan-U.S. joint yen intervention: 2011-style coordinated currency action and BOJ rate-watch
Japan confirmed a coordinated yen-buying intervention with the U.S. on 3 August 2026, the first such joint action since 2011, and signalled more steps if needed.
U.S.-Iran de-escalation, Strait of Hormuz talks and OPEC+ output hike move global oil prices
On 3 August 2026, Brent fell to $83.85 and WTI to $80.66 after Trump paused an Iran strike, while OPEC+ approved a 188,000 bpd output increase from September.
Taipei Open 2026: Tanvi Sharma wins women’s singles title at Super 300 event
Indian shuttler Tanvi Sharma won the women’s singles title at the Taipei Open Super 300 badminton tournament in Chinese Taipei.
Supreme Court petition seeks recovery of 3,000 Indian idols smuggled abroad
A petition before the Supreme Court seeks the return of 3,000 Indian idols and antiquities reportedly held in museums in the US and UK.
Madras High Court grants conditional bail to DMK MLA Markandeyan in July 2026 threat case
The Madras High Court granted conditional bail to DMK MLA G.V. Markandeyan in a July 20, 2026 case linked to alleged threats against Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay.
Chennai to begin home delivery of ration supplies for senior citizens and persons with disabilities from August 4, 2026
Chennai will start doorstep delivery of ration supplies to eligible senior citizens and persons with disabilities from August 4, 2026 across 19 zones.
VCK MP raises issue of derogatory caste names in Census; cites 1922 Madras Presidency order and SC/ST Act
VCK MP D. Ravikumar urged the Union government to stop derogatory caste names in Census and official records, citing a 1922 Madras Presidency order and the SC/ST Act, 1989.
Parliament Monsoon Session 2026: Indian Statistical Institute Bill and Bankers’ Books Evidence Bill listed
The third week of Parliament’s Monsoon Session 2026 includes two bills for introduction and one bill for passage.
July 2026 GST collection rises to ₹2.11 lakh crore; IGST-led growth and state-wise trends
India’s GST collection in July 2026 rose 15.4% to ₹2,11,205 crore, with IGST on imports driving the increase.
Commonwealth Weightlifting 2026: Mirabai Chanu, Lovepreet Singh and Bindyarani Devi receive airport welcome after medals
Indian weightlifters Mirabai Chanu, Lovepreet Singh and Bindyarani Devi were welcomed at Delhi airport after winning medals at the 23rd Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
Supreme Court to urgently hear plea on accountability for July 20 violence linked to NEET-UG protests
On August 3, 2026, the Supreme Court agreed to urgently list a plea seeking accountability of organisers linked to the July 20 violence during NEET-UG protests.
Karnataka Apartment (Ownership and Management) Bill, 2026 proposes federations for multi-association complexes
The 2026 Karnataka apartment Bill creates a legal framework for federations to manage shared infrastructure in large and phased apartment projects.