Daily Current Affairs (DCA) 22 August, 2026

Daily Current Affairs Quiz | NABARD Grade A & RBI Grade B | Economy, Banking & Agriculture

Daily Current Affairs for NABARD Grade A and RBI Grade B 2026 covering the most important developments in Indian Economy, Banking, RBI, Agriculture, Rural Development, Government Schemes, Financial Markets, Reports & Indices, International Relations, Environment and Science & Technology.

NABARD Current Affairs

PIB in News

1. National Report on Deep-Sea and Distant-Water Fishery Resources of the Indian EEZ

Source: PIB

Context: Marking the Silver Jubilee of the Centre for Marine Living Resources & Ecology (CMLRE), the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) released the “National Report on Deep-Sea and Distant-Water Fishery Resources of the Indian EEZ.”

What is an Exclusive Economic Zone?

• An EEZ extends up to 200 nautical miles from a country’s coastline. Within it, the country has exclusive rights to explore and exploit marine resources — fish, minerals, energy — though other countries retain freedom of navigation.
• India’s EEZ, at 2.37 million sq km, is larger than two-thirds of its land area.

Where the Research Was Done

• The Arabian Sea
• The Bay of Bengal
• Lakshadweep waters
• The Andaman Sea
• The Southern Ocean (Antarctica)

Key Findings

• Twilight Zone (200–1,000 metres): This deep part of the ocean has lanternfish, shrimps and squid-like animals. They move up at night to feed and go deeper during the day. This helps carry carbon from the surface to the deep ocean, helping control the climate.
• Deep-sea resources: The sea floor beyond 200 metres has large but less-used stocks of shrimps, fish, flatfish and eels.
• Important ocean species: The report covers tuna, billfish, sharks, squid and Antarctic krill.
• Biodiversity hotspots: Important areas include Kollam Bank, Angria Bank, Mangalore Deep-Sea Slope, Trivandrum Terrace, Lakshadweep and Andaman-Nicobar Islands.
• New technology: The study uses underwater sound, eDNA, satellites, AI and automated observation systems to study marine life.
• Why it matters: Identifying breeding and important habitat areas can help protect marine life while allowing fishing in suitable areas.

2. The Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA)

Source: Times of India

Context: CARA is reviewing the Adoption Regulations, 2022 to address procedural bottlenecks and improve the adoption of special needs children, including those with treatable conditions.

What is CARA?

• The statutory apex body and nodal authority for the adoption of Indian children — specifically orphaned, abandoned and surrendered children.
• Parent ministry: Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD)

Establishment and Status

• Originally established: 1990, as an autonomous body to oversee and streamline child adoption
• Statutory status: conferred under Section 68 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, as amended in 2021
• International mandate: designated as India’s Central Authority for inter-country adoption under the 1993 Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption, which India ratified in 2003
• Aim: ensure transparent, ethical and child-centric adoptions, prevent trafficking, and secure safe, permanent families for orphaned, abandoned and surrendered children.

RBI Current Affairs

Banking/Finance

1. IDFC FIRST Bank Makes Maiden $500 Million Bond Issuance

• IDFC FIRST Bank completed its maiden $500 million bond issuance through its IFSC Banking Unit at GIFT City, Gujarat.
• The bonds have a 3-year maturity, due in 2029, with a fixed 5.625% coupon rate.
• The bonds were issued under the Regulation S format to investors outside the US.
• The notes received a ‘BBB-‘ rating with Stable Outlook from S&P Global Ratings.
• The issuance marks the bank’s entry into the global debt capital market.

2. S. Somanath and Anand Mahindra Appointed to RBI Central Board

• Former ISRO Chairman S. Somanath and Anand Mahindra were appointed/re-appointed as Part-time, Non-official Directors on the RBI Central Board.
• Their tenure is for 4 years from 20 August 2026.
• Somanath served as the 10th Chairman of ISRO from January 2022 to January 2025.
• During his tenure, India achieved the Chandrayaan-3 soft landing near the lunar south pole.

3. Wizzmoni and Oman Air Launch AI-Powered Multi-Currency Travel Card

• Wizzmoni Financial Services partnered with Oman Air to launch the Wizz Voyager Multi-Currency Card.
• The AI-powered prepaid card supports more than 35 currencies.
• It targets international travellers, including students, professionals and tourists.
• The card offers features such as real-time tracking, digital forex services and financial controls.
• Wizzmoni is an RBI-authorised Category II Dealer, and the card is issued in association with Visa.

4. SEBI Proposes Advertisement Code for Online Bond Platforms

Source: The Hindu

Context: SEBI has proposed an advertisement code for Online Bond Providers Platforms (OBPPs), in a consultation paper released to boost reach and address the need for investor awareness about this asset class.

What is an Online Bond Providers Platform?

• An OBPP is a SEBI-registered electronic platform that allows retail investors to buy and sell corporate bonds online, in the same way they would buy shares through a broking app.
• Why they were created. Corporate bonds in India have traditionally been an institutional market — traded in large lots between banks, insurers and mutual funds. A retail investor with ₹50,000 had no practical way in. OBPPs broke the market into small, purchasable units and put them on an app.
• SEBI introduced the OBPP framework in November 2022, requiring such platforms to register as stock brokers in the debt segment of a recognised stock exchange.

RBI and NABARD Current Affairs

1. The Zhuque-3 Y2 Reusable Launch Vehicle

Context: Beijing-based private firm LandSpace launched its Zhuque-3 Y2, placing the Honghu-03 satellite into orbit and successfully soft-landing the reusable first stage in Gansu Province.

What is Zhuque-3?

• A two-stage, medium-to-heavy, partially reusable orbital launch vehicle, built with a stainless-steel structural frame and propelled entirely by liquid oxygen and methane (methalox).
• Developer: LandSpace, a private Chinese firm
• Recovery method: Vertical Takeoff, Vertical Landing (VTVL) — the booster lands upright on its own engines
• Aim: cut space transportation costs by recovering and reusing the expensive first stage multiple times, enabling high-frequency, low-cost deployment of large Low Earth Orbit satellite internet constellations.

Reusable Launch Vehicles Around the World

• United States — Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy, Starship, New Shepard, New Glenn
• China — Long March-10B, Zhuque-3
• India — RLV-TD / RLV-LEX
• Europe (ESA) — the Themis programme
• Japan (JAXA) — CALLISTO

2. Mobile Phone Manufacturing Scheme (MPMS)

Source: BS

Context: The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) notified the Mobile Phone Manufacturing Scheme (MPMS), aimed at incentivising domestic assembly of smartphones and greater local value addition. The ₹62,500 crore scheme was approved by the Union Cabinet on 15 July and continues the earlier PLI Scheme for Large Scale Electronics Manufacturing, which ran from 2020 to FY26.

What is Mobile Phone Manufacturing Scheme (MPMS)?

The Mobile Phone Manufacturing Scheme (MPMS) is a ₹62,500 crore, five-year government scheme aimed at making India a stronger global hub for mobile phone manufacturing.

• Scheme outlay: ₹62,500 crore
• Duration: through 2030-31
• India’s position: second largest phone manufacturer in the world
• Main aim: Increase mobile phone production and domestic value addition in India.
• Indian brands: The scheme also provides special support to Indian-owned mobile phone brands, including incentives for Indian design and R&D.

MPMS is designed to encourage companies to make more mobile phones and their components in India, while also helping Indian mobile brands compete with global companies.

Economy in News

1. India and ADB Sign $230 Million Loan for Chennai Water Infrastructure

• India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a $230 million loan agreement for the Chennai Climate-Resilient Water Security and Sewerage Project.
• The project will modernise and expand water supply and sanitation infrastructure in Chennai.
• It aims to strengthen climate resilience, public health and quality of life.
• The project also seeks to create a more efficient and financially sustainable urban water system.
• It aligns with urban development initiatives including AMRUT 2.0 and the Urban Challenge Fund.

2. Jindal Steel and IIT Hyderabad to Establish Centre of Excellence

• Jindal Steel Limited and IIT Hyderabad signed an MoU to establish the Jindal Steel Centre of Excellence at the IIT Hyderabad campus.
• The CoE will focus on high-strength, value-added and value-engineered steel products and solutions.
• It will support research, application development, technical demonstrations and training.
• The initiative aims to promote lighter, stronger and more efficient steel solutions for infrastructure and strategic sectors.

Misc GA in News

1. Permanent Bench of J&K High Court Approved for Ladakh

• The Union Cabinet approved a permanent bench of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh in the Union Territory of Ladakh.
• It will become the third judicial location of the common High Court after Jammu and Srinagar.
• The bench will improve access to justice for people living in remote areas of Leh and Kargil.
• It is expected to reduce the need for litigants to travel to Jammu or Srinagar.

2. International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to Victims of Terrorism

• The International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism was observed on 21 August 2026.
• The day was established by the UN General Assembly in 2017 through Resolution A/RES/72/165.
• 2026 Theme: “Healing Through Memory“.
• The observance focuses on honouring victims and survivors of terrorism and supporting their recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration.
• A UN event also highlighted online harms faced by victims of terrorism.

3. World Senior Citizen’s Day 2026

• World Senior Citizen’s Day is observed annually on 21 August to recognise the contributions of senior citizens.
• The day was officially proclaimed by US President Ronald Reagan in 1988.
• The UN separately observes 1 October as the International Day of Older Persons.
• According to the source, the global population aged 60+ is expected to reach 2.1 billion by 2050.
• India is projected to have more than 300 million senior citizens by 2050.

4. MALHAR 2026 Celebrates India’s Classical Music Heritage

• Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan inaugurated MALHAR 2026 in New Delhi.
• It is a youth-centric, monsoon-themed celebration of Indian classical music organised by Antar Hriday Connect.
• The initiative aims to connect young people with India’s traditional musical heritage.
• The Vice President highlighted the role of youth as custodians and ambassadors of India’s cultural heritage.

5. Japan Defence Minister Shinjirō Koizumi Visits India

• Japan’s Defence Minister Shinjirō Koizumi visited India from 19–20 August 2026 to strengthen defence and maritime security cooperation.
• India and Japan signed a Memorandum of Arrangement (MoA) on Maritime Security Cooperation.
• India’s DRDO and Japan’s ATLA agreed to strengthen cooperation in advanced defence technologies.
• Both sides also agreed to establish a Defence Industry Forum and expand military exercises such as Dharma Guardian and JAIMEX.
• Koizumi visited INS Chennai, the National War Memorial and the Manekshaw Centre.

6. Flying Wedge Defence Unveils AI-Piloted Fighter Jet Programme

• Indian defence startup Flying Wedge Defence & Aerospace Technologies unveiled FWD Supreme Lite, described in the source as India’s first AI-piloted fighter jet programme.
• The aircraft is designed and developed in India and targets AI-driven autonomous operations.
• The platform is projected to have up to 30 hours of endurance and a 3,000-km range.
• Phase-I targets speeds up to Mach 0.9, while Phase-II aims for Mach 2 and autonomous multi-aircraft teaming.
• The programme is based on the proposed “Mobbing Doctrine”, involving large numbers of AI-piloted aircraft.

7. Astronomers Discover ‘Mega-Earth’ GJ 523b

• Astronomers confirmed the existence of GJ 523b, an unusually large exoplanet informally called a “mega-Earth.”
• It is around 23 times Earth’s mass and has a radius about 2.55 times that of Earth.
• The planet orbits a K-dwarf star located around 87 light-years away.
• It completes one orbit in approximately 17.75 days.
• The planet was initially detected by NASA’s TESS and later confirmed using ground-based observations.

8. Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir Elected Bangladesh President

• Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, a senior BNP leader, was elected the 23rd President of Bangladesh.
• He was elected by the Jatiya Sangsad for a 5-year term.
• He secured 255 votes, defeating Colonel (Retd.) Oli Ahmed, who received 88 votes.
• The election followed the resignation of Mohammed Shahabuddin.
• The 2026 election was described in the source as Bangladesh’s first contested presidential election in 35 years.

9. Two Indian Doctors Nominated for Pakistan’s Nishan-e-Imtiaz

• Pakistan nominated Mumbai-based doctors Dr Jal Ratanji Patel and Dr Jal Dhaybho-Koo for the Nishan-e-Imtiaz, Pakistan’s highest civilian award.
• The doctors reportedly treated Muhammad Ali Jinnah and kept his terminal illness confidential before Partition.
• They had diagnosed Jinnah with advanced tuberculosis in 1946 through an X-ray.
• The award is scheduled to be conferred posthumously in March 2027.

10. Ahmedabad to Host Commonwealth Cue Sports Championships 2026

• Ahmedabad, Gujarat, will host the 2nd Commonwealth Cue Sports Championships in October 2026.
• The event will be held at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex.
• Athletes from 45 countries will compete across 5 disciplines and 10 medal events.
• The championship will be conducted under the aegis of the Billiards and Snooker Federation of India (BSFI) and World Confederation of Billiards Sports (WCBS).

11. Sri Lankan Singer Nanda Malini Dies at 82

• Nanda Malini, an iconic Sri Lankan singer, passed away at the age of 82 in Nawala near Colombo.
• She was born in 1943 in British Ceylon and became one of Sri Lanka’s most celebrated Sinhalese artistes.
• Her music reflected the political and social changes in Sri Lanka during the 1970s and 1980s.
• She studied Hindustani music at Bhatkhande College of Hindustani Music, Lucknow, India.
• The Sri Lankan government announced three days of mourning in her honour.