Current affairs — 25 August 2026

Prelims pointers

• RBI scheduled the VRRR auction for Tuesday, August 25, 2026 under the Liquidity Adjustment Facility.
• The notified amount for the auction was ₹1,75,000 crore.
• The Variable Rate Reverse Repo operation had a tenor of two days.
• The auction window was scheduled from 9:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
• The reversal date was Thursday, August 27, 2026.

Prelims pointers

• The U.S. Treasury announced Iran-related determinations covering digital assets, technology, gold, aviation and shipping.
• Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent threatened removal from the U.S. dollar system for entities facilitating Iranian money laundering.
• The planned approach relied on secondary-sanctions threats and warned countries declining to join the U.S. pressure campaign of consequences.
• The report said Iran was preventing most traffic through the Strait of Hormuz while peace negotiations remained stalled.
• The West Asian war described in the report began with U.S. and Israeli bombing of Iran on February 28, 2026.

Prelims pointers

• Kerala officially launched the People’s Plan Campaign on August 17, 1996, and it completed 30 years in August 2026.
• The campaign draws on Gram Swaraj, the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments, the Kerala Panchayati Raj Act and the Kerala Municipality Act.
• The LDF government devolved 35%-40% of the State Plan outlay to local governments during the original campaign.
• The proposed People’s Plan 2.0 includes student internships with local bodies and coordination through an online portal.
• Government estimates cited in the article say 96.43% of Kerala’s population could be urban by 2036.

Prelims pointers

• Ground-truthing was completed in 102 Karnataka taluks before a proposed drought declaration under the Centre’s 2020 Drought Manual.
• Karnataka received 454 mm rainfall from June 1 to August 24 against a normal 654 mm, producing an overall 31% deficit.
• Rainfall deficits were 31% in North Interior Karnataka, 41% in South Interior Karnataka, 35% in Malnad and 24% in the coastal region.
• Reservoir storage stood at 679.6 tmcft, compared with 790 tmcft during the corresponding period of the previous year.
• Sowing covered 60 lakh hectares, or 71% of the target of 84.10 lakh hectares, while 132 taluks faced severe groundwater stress.

Prelims pointers

• The Chief Minister said 23,000 CAA certificates had been distributed out of 2.30 lakh applications, with about 2.07 lakh pending.
• The Union Home Ministry transferred pending CAA application processing from Empowered Committees to District Collectors in eight States and Union Territories.
• The Citizenship (Amendment) Act referred to in the report was enacted in 2019.
• The West Bengal Maintenance of Public Order (Amendment) Bill, 2026 provides for compensation for damage to public or private property.
• The West Bengal Public Safety and Control of Anti-Social Activities Bill, 2026 would allow detention for 12 months and awaited presidential assent.

Prelims pointers

• A NITI Aayog report was cited as estimating that 8.7 crore Indians aged 15-29 were neither studying, working nor receiving training.
• PLFS figures for July 2026 cited in the article put youth unemployment at 15.6% and unemployment among young women at 19.5%.
• Graduates were said to account for 67% of unemployed Indians in the 20-29 age group.
• “Reimagining Skilling for Viksit Bharat@2047” uses data from the 78th National Sample Survey round conducted in 2021.
• The NITI Aayog report recommended subsidised training for self-employment and alignment of skills with local demand and emerging sectors.

Prelims pointers

• The Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, 2024 and Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024 seek to synchronise Lok Sabha and State Assembly polls.
• The two bills were introduced in the Lok Sabha in December 2024 and sent to a 31-member joint committee chaired by P.P. Chaudhary.
• The article states that passage of the constitutional amendment requires support from two-thirds of members of Parliament.
• Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections were held together in 1951-52, 1957, 1962 and 1967; premature Assembly dissolutions in 1968-69 broke the cycle.
• The Fourth Lok Sabha was dissolved in 1970, while the Fifth Lok Sabha's term was extended until 1977 under Article 352 during the Emergency.

Prelims pointers

• The U.S. administration was considering a 7.5% additional tariff on China, but the decision had not been finalised.
• The excess-capacity investigation used Section 301 of the U.S. Trade Act of 1974.
• Section 301 permits tariffs against countries that discriminate against U.S. companies or commerce.
• The possible levy would be additional to tariffs of 10%-12.5% announced for 60 economies over forced-labour enforcement.
• China’s export surge pushed its trade surplus to a record of nearly $1.2 trillion in the previous year.

Prelims pointers

• NPCI launched the Unified Payments Interface on August 25, 2016, and it completed ten years in August 2026.
• Annual UPI transaction volume rose from 1.78 crore in FY17 to more than 24,162 crore in FY26.
• Annual transaction value increased from ₹0.07 lakh crore in FY17 to approximately ₹314 lakh crore in FY26.
• UPI is an interoperable, real-time platform supporting peer-to-peer and peer-to-merchant payments through one application.
• UPI was operational in 11 countries and was acknowledged by the IMF as the largest real-time payment system by volume.

Prelims pointers

• The study defines food subsidies as abundant, predictable food supplied through garbage and intentional feeding.
• It was conducted by NCBS fellow Nishant Kumar and published in the journal Nature Cities.
• Predictable food can influence dog numbers, congregation, movement, reproduction, territorial defence and human conflict.
• Free-ranging dogs can prey on wildlife, compete with native scavengers and transmit pathogens to wild carnivores.
• The study calls for coordination across public health, veterinary services, waste management, planning and conservation.

Prelims pointers

• China announced on August 23, 2026 that Chang’e-7 could not launch during its planned window that year.
• Chang’e-7 was scheduled to lift off from the Wenchang Space Launch Site on Hainan island in southern China.
• The mission planned to explore permanently shadowed craters and survey the lunar south pole’s environment and resources.
• Searching for water ice on the Moon was among the exploration goals reported for Chang’e-7.
• Chang’e-6 returned in 2024 with rock and soil from the Moon’s far side, described as a world first.

Prelims pointers

• A launch window is a period when the spacecraft, Earth and target body have suitably aligned positions and motions.
• The Moon orbits Earth once every 27.3 days, causing basic lunar launch windows to open about once a month.
• The plane of the Moon’s orbit is tilted 5.1° relative to the plane of Earth’s orbit.
• The lunar equator is tilted about 1.5° relative to Earth, affecting the desired trajectory near the lunar poles.
• Chang’e 7 must reach a sufficiently sunlit south-pole landing site because the spacecraft is powered by sunlight.

Prelims pointers

• The 2023 monsoon ended at 94% of the long-period average, broadly validating forecasts that it would be slightly deficient.
• In 2026, June rainfall was 40% below normal, while July recovered rapidly to 1% above normal.
• El Niño prediction skill was described as about 80%, whereas monsoon prediction skill was lower at around 60%.
• India's forecast tiers cover short range at days 1-3, medium range at days 3-10, and extended range from week 2 onward.
• AI-based forecasting needs data that captures monsoon drivers and local amplifiers including urbanisation, deforestation, irrigation, and land-use change.

Prelims pointers

• Datura are highly poisonous flowering plants with psychoactive properties and are also called thorn apple or devil’s trumpets.
• Karnataka acted under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and the Food Safety and Standards Rules, 2011.
• The licences of Amazon, Swiggy Instamart and BigBasket were suspended over online Datura fruit and seed sales.
• Officials found packets carrying food registration numbers, warehouse storage and listings on online platforms.
• A medical officer said toxic Datura seeds can adversely affect the nervous and metabolic systems.

Prelims pointers

• The parliamentary standing committee on law and personnel reviewed the functioning of the tribunal system in the country.
• It urged the NGT to use suo motu powers more proactively on critical environmental concerns.
• Suggested enforcement tools included action-taken reports, joint committees and clear assignment of responsibility.
• The NGT was established in 2010 for expeditious environmental cases and conservation of forests and natural resources.
• The concerns listed included air pollution, illegal sand mining, river pollution, highway tree-felling and sensitive mining.

Prelims pointers

• WWA reported that climate change made a recent South Asian heatwave about three times likelier and up to 1°C warmer.
• Attribution simulations compare pre-industrial carbon dioxide near 280 ppm with present-day levels above 420 ppm.
• Detection asks whether an event falls outside its normal range arising from natural variations in the climate system.
• The IPCC generally assigns higher confidence to large-scale, longer-duration extremes than to thunderstorms and tornadoes.
• Most global climate models use daily averages and therefore struggle to capture fast-changing, sub-daily rainfall processes.

Prelims pointers

• Dung beetles clear dung, recycle soil nutrients and bury seeds in fertilised sites; their activity has been linked to 17% higher plant growth.
• A Clark University study on Onthophagus orpheus was reported in Ecology and Evolution on August 12.
• Adult O. orpheus strongly preferred dog faeces over cow dung and made larger brood balls on dog waste.
• Eggs developed faster and offspring emerged larger on dog faeces, but egg mortality was also higher.
• Researchers described a preference-performance mismatch because the adults' preferred dung type produced the lowest offspring survival.

Prelims pointers

• The UN and ICRC called for bans and restrictions on autonomous weapons systems but did not seek a blanket ban.
• They had not confirmed battlefield use of autonomous weapons systems, although such systems were being developed.
• Negotiators were scheduled to meet in Geneva in November on strengthening the Convention on Conventional Weapons.
• The organisations called that convention process the clearest available path toward binding legal rules for autonomous systems.
• Ground robots in Ukraine had mainly transported supplies and carried out evacuations, while armed efforts remained limited.

Prelims pointers

• The National Shipping Board proposed adding 100 vessels to India’s merchant fleet over a five-year period.
• Its roadmap covers fiscal reforms, assured cargo support, competitive financing, regulatory streamlining and ease of doing business.
• India pays close to $75 billion annually in freight charges to foreign shipping lines, according to the NSB.
• Operating under the Indian flag was reported to be 16% to 20% costlier than operating under foreign flags.
• Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision aims to make India one of the world’s top five ship-owning nations by 2047.

Prelims pointers

• The Union Home Ministry made the name Keralam effective from August 25, 2026 through a gazette notification.
• The notification invoked sub-section (2) of Section 1 of the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Act, 2026.
• The Kerala government forwarded the State Assembly’s name-change resolution to the Centre in June 2024.
• The Lok Sabha passed the Bill on August 11, 2026, and the Rajya Sabha passed it the following day.
• President Droupadi Murmu assented to the Bill, and the Act makes constitutional amendments and consequential changes.

Prelims pointers

• Conservationists sought a cumulative Environmental and Social Impact Study covering all 64 Aravalli districts.
• The disputed definition covered hills at least 100 metres high and associated landforms within 500 metres of one another.
• On December 29, the Supreme Court kept in abeyance its November 20 judgment that had upheld the disputed definition.
• The Supreme Court formed the high-powered committee on May 25 with the ICFRE Director General as chairperson.
• The committee must evaluate the October 3, 2025 report submitted by a panel headed by the Environment Ministry Secretary.

Prelims pointers

• The CWMA directed Karnataka to release water to Tamil Nadu at 9,000 cusecs a day for 15 days from August 25, 2026.
• The ordered flow totals 11.66 tmcft, and 11,574 cusecs flowing for 24 hours is stated to equal one tmcft.
• Karnataka said inflows into four Cauvery-basin reservoirs were about 49.18% below the 30-year average.
• Biligundlu received 18.748 tmcft against an ordered 15.940 tmcft from July 29 to August 23, according to Karnataka.
• Tamil Nadu sought 28.386 tmcft, comprising a 17.49 tmcft backlog and a 10.896 tmcft pro-rata share.

Prelims pointers

• Ajit Doval and Wang Yi met in Beijing for the 25th round of Special Representatives’ talks on the boundary question.
• Their small-group discussion lasted more than 90 minutes before the two sides moved to larger delegation-level talks.
• Doval linked improving India-China relations over the previous year to peace and tranquillity in the border areas.
• The previous New Delhi round produced understandings on delimitation, border management, mechanism building and cross-border cooperation.
• Xi Jinping was expected at the September 12 BRICS Summit in New Delhi, his first visit to India in seven years.

Prelims pointers

• Israeli forces have held a southern Syrian security zone since Bashar al-Assad fell in December 2024.
• The occupied area had been a UN-patrolled buffer zone between Israeli and Syrian forces in the Golan since 1974.
• Syria called Israel Katz's visit a violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
• Israel struck the disused Abu Duhur base one week earlier, alleging an attempted Turkish deployment; Ankara denied visiting.
• Israeli officials seek a broader demilitarised area and have vowed to keep troops in the security zone.

Prelims pointers

• Canada's announced counter-tariffs ranged from 15% to 50% and were due to begin September 8, 2026.
• Canada paired the tariff response with a $5.4 billion, or CA$7.5 billion, aid package for firms and workers.
• The U.S. tariffs affected about $20 billion in Canadian goods, roughly 5.5% of Canada's exports to the United States.
• Oxford Economics estimated the effective U.S. tariff rate on Canadian exports rose from 5.1% to 6.9%.
• The United States took 70% of Canada's total exports; Canada was its second-largest goods partner behind Mexico.

Prelims pointers

• SSBSK was launched on 29 June 2026 during the 16th Conference of the Central Council of Health and Family Welfare.
• The programme integrates HBNC and HBYC into care from birth through 36 months.
• SSBSK uses risk-differentiated care, giving at-risk children additional visits, closer monitoring and stronger referral support.
• The Shaishav App supports digital line-listing, home-visit scheduling, referral follow-up, supervision and programme monitoring.
• Implementation involves ASHAs, ANMs, Community Health Officers, Medical Officers and Anganwadi Workers.

Prelims pointers

• India's surveillance network includes 73 DHR-ICMR Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratories.
• Circulating H1N1 viruses were identified as A/Missouri/11/2025 (H1N1) pdm09-like viruses.
• Hemagglutinin-gene analysis placed the isolates in clade 6B.1A.5a2a and subclade D.3.1.1.
• The lineage has circulated in India since 2025, and observed changes were described as normal antigenic drift.
• Higher-risk groups include elderly people, young children, people with co-morbidities and persons with compromised immunity.

Prelims pointers

• The approved transfer covers DRDO-developed technologies of all conventional missile systems.
• Indian production remains subject to applicable qualifications, certifications and regulatory requirements.
• The measure is intended to move missile-system development into industrial production within India.
• Indian MSMEs and other technology partners are expected to gain opportunities in the defence supply chain.
• Stated aims include greater operational capability, lower import dependence and higher domestic value addition.

Prelims pointers

• India made its drought-resilience intervention at UNCCD CoP17 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
• Rainfall monitoring and satellite-based drought assessments are used to trigger preparedness at Union and State levels.
• Catchment and riverscape forestry are intended to reduce erosion, improve water retention and recharge groundwater.
• The pan-India watershed programme addresses degraded rainfed land through a community-supported ridge-to-valley approach.
• The prevention measures named include water harvesting, afforestation, groundwater recharge and climate-resilient crops.

Prelims pointers

• India has 28 RRBs operating 22,273 branches across 26 States and three Union Territories, covering about 700 districts.
• RRB total business crossed ₹13.5 lakh crore in FY 2025-26, while net profit reached ₹10,176 crore.
• The previous year's consolidated RRB net profit was ₹6,820 crore in FY 2024-25.
• RRB gross and net NPA ratios reached stated all-time lows of 5.3% and 2.1%, respectively.
• RRBs opened over 54.98 lakh new PMJDY accounts and reached a credit-deposit ratio of 75.2% in FY 2025-26.

Prelims pointers

• Sujal Gram Samvad's tenth edition focused on community-led operation and maintenance under Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0.
• The DDWS Secretary linked Panchayat responsibility to devolution of Funds, Functions and Functionaries under the 73rd Amendment.
• Village Water and Sanitation Committees were highlighted as vehicles for participation by women, youth and ex-servicemen.
• Choupra Gram Panchayat trained women to use Field Test Kits and collects ₹100 per household each month.
• The Jal Sarthi App is used in Barabanki to disseminate groundwater-level information.

Prelims pointers

• C-DOT is the telecom R&D centre of the Department of Telecommunications under the Ministry of Communications.
• C-DOT was established in 1984 and marked its 43rd Foundation Day after 42 years of contribution.
• The Quantum Products Wall included indigenous Quantum Key Distribution and Post-Quantum Cryptography solutions.
• The conference theme was 'Beyond Connectivity: Secure, Trusted and Intelligent Communication'.
• Conference sessions covered cybersecurity, 6G communications and quantum-secure communications.

Prelims pointers

• PRAGATI is described as an ICT-enabled, multi-modal platform for Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation.
• The 53rd meeting reviewed six railway, road and power projects spanning nine States and costing more than ₹30,000 crore.
• Ministries and States were asked to examine common utility corridors at the planning stage where technically and economically feasible.
• AgriStack was reviewed under the Digital Agriculture Mission, with emphasis on using AI across the agricultural value chain.
• Cyber-fraud prevention measures highlighted training, awareness, education and campaigns for senior citizens, youth and vulnerable groups.

Prelims pointers

• More than 500 Booth Level Officers and 30 BLO Supervisors participated in the Lucknow interaction.
• The CEC described BLOs as the Election Commission of India's first interface with citizens.
• Uttar Pradesh completed a Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in April 2026.
• The final Uttar Pradesh electoral roll after the revision included more than 13.39 crore electors.
• The revision involved 1.77 lakh BLOs and concurrent audit by over 5.82 lakh BLAs appointed by recognised political parties.

Prelims pointers

• India's domestic semiconductor demand is projected in the release to reach USD 150 billion by 2032.
• The semiconductor strategy covers design, machinery and materials, fabrication, ATMP/OSAT, R&D and talent development.
• The release cites USD 10 billion under Semicon India 1.0 and an additional USD 15 billion under Semicon India 2.0.
• Around 21 leading Japanese companies took part in the semiconductor and artificial-intelligence roundtable in Tokyo.
• India and Japan agreed to accelerate the CEPA review and noted progress towards JPY 10 trillion in Japanese private investment in India.

Prelims pointers

• The capacity-building initiative follows decriminalisation of provisions of the Legal Metrology Act, 2009 and related reforms.
• Frontline Legal Metrology Officers of States and Union Territories directly enforce the Act and Rules.
• Gujarat officers attended the first five-day programme from 10 to 14 August 2026.
• IILM Ranchi trained 38 Uttar Pradesh officers in a five-day course from 17 to 21 August 2026.
• Training topics included Jan Vishwas reforms of 2023 and 2026, Improvement Notices, Model Approval and GATCs.

Prelims pointers

• ICGS Ajit is a Fast Patrol Vessel handed over by Goa Shipyard Limited to the Indian Coast Guard.
• The vessel contains more than 65% indigenous content and measures 51.43 metres by 8 metres.
• ICGS Ajit displaces 330 tonnes at a draught of 2.5 metres and uses twin marine diesel engines.
• Its top speed exceeds 27 knots, while its stated endurance is 1,500 nautical miles.
• Its missions include fisheries protection, EEZ surveillance, coastal patrol, anti-smuggling, anti-piracy and search and rescue.

Prelims pointers

• Nipun is the second Diving Support Vessel of the Indian Navy's Nistar class.
• The vessel is scheduled for commissioning at Naval Dockyard, Mumbai, on 31 August 2026.
• Hindustan Shipyard Limited, Visakhapatnam, designed and constructed Nipun indigenously.
• Nipun was delivered to the Indian Navy on 30 July 2026 after outfitting and trials.
• Its capabilities include sustained diving support, underwater intervention, precise station keeping, medical support and submarine-rescue support.

Prelims pointers

• AMRUT covers 500 cities reporting about 7.41 crore urban households in 2025.
• Based on data reported by AMRUT cities, the Ministry placed actual mission coverage at approximately 55%.
• Sewerage and septage projects form about 6.8% of approved projects but nearly 36% of AMRUT 2.0 investment.
• Their approved cost is about ₹71,133 crore out of a total approved AMRUT 2.0 project cost of ₹1,97,191 crore.
• There are 394 sewerage projects worth about ₹47,230 crore currently under implementation.

Prelims pointers

• The Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission functions under the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
• IPC launched seven Indian Pharmacopoeia Nitrosamine Impurities Reference Standards for the first time.
• The seven standards are NDMA, NDEA, NEIPA, NDBA, NMPA, NDIPA and NMBA.
• Nitrosamines are described as potent genotoxic and carcinogenic compounds that may arise during manufacture, storage or packaging.
• The reference standards support impurity detection and quantification, method validation, quality assurance and regulatory compliance.

Prelims pointers

• MoFPI held the PMFME Conclave on 24–25 August 2026 at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi.
• More than 500 stakeholders participated, including States, banks, technical institutions, field functionaries and beneficiaries.
• Five States presented their best practices and implementation experiences under the PMFME Scheme.
• NIFTEM-Kundli and NIFTEM-Thanjavur highlighted technology, training and handholding support for micro food processors.
• Awards recognised States and Union Territories, banks, SRLMs, SULMs, District Nodal Officers and District Resource Persons.

Prelims pointers

• MoSPI monitored 1,775 ongoing projects worth more than ₹150 crore each across 17 Central Ministries and Departments.
• Aggregate original cost was ₹33,70,138 crore and revised cost was ₹37,10,642 crore.
• The July 2026 report put cumulative cost overrun at about ₹3,40,504 crore but did not count the projects with overruns.
• Transport and Logistics contained 1,246 projects, or 70% of the portfolio, and 53% of total revised cost.
• The portfolio included 735 Mega projects costing at least ₹1,000 crore and 1,040 Major projects below ₹1,000 crore.

Prelims pointers

• The United States first listed Syria as a state sponsor of terrorism in 1979 under Hafez al-Assad.
• Washington rescinded Syria's designation on August 24, 2026, after Bashar al-Assad's 2024 ouster.
• The State Department also revoked the global-terrorist designation of al-Nusra Front, later called HTS.
• Hayat Tahrir al-Sham had been al-Qaeda's Syria branch before breaking ties in 2016.
• The World Bank estimate cited in the report puts Syria's reconstruction cost above $216 billion.

Prelims pointers

• The August 2026 RBI Bulletin includes the August 3–5, 2026 bi-monthly monetary policy statement.
• The issue contains six speeches, one article and current statistics; its article is titled “State of the Economy”.
• The south-west monsoon picked up in July 2026 after recording a deficit in June.
• Headline CPI inflation rose fractionally due to food inflation, while core inflation remained stable.
• The Bulletin article says liquidity eased and foreign capital inflows rebounded, but its views are not RBI’s official views.

Prelims pointers

• The Fourth Amendment Directions govern CRR and SLR requirements for Small Finance Banks and took immediate effect.
• Eligible fresh FCNR(B) deposits have a minimum tenor of three years and a maximum tenor of five years.
• The FCNR(B) exemption window was shortened to June 8-August 31, 2026 from a September 30 closing date.
• The NRE term-deposit exemption window was shortened to June 19-August 31, 2026 and includes maturity renewals.
• RBI cited Section 42 of the RBI Act, 1934 and Sections 18, 24 and 35A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.

Prelims pointers

• RBI issued notification RBI/2026-27/240 for Regional Rural Banks on August 25, 2026.
• Fresh FCNR(B) deposits covered by the exemption have a minimum tenor of three years and a maximum tenor of five years.
• Covered fresh NRE term deposits have a tenor of three years or more, including deposits renewed on maturity.
• The FCNR(B) mobilisation window began June 8, 2026, while the NRE term-deposit window began June 19, 2026.
• RBI replaced September 30 with August 31, 2026 in paragraphs 20(5) and 20(6), with immediate effect.

Prelims pointers

• RBI issued notification RBI/2026-27/241 for Urban Co-operative Banks on August 25, 2026.
• Fresh FCNR(B) deposits covered by the exemption have a minimum tenor of three years and a maximum tenor of five years.
• Covered fresh NRE term deposits have a tenor of three years or more, including deposits renewed on maturity.
• The FCNR(B) mobilisation window began June 8, 2026, while the NRE term-deposit window began June 19, 2026.
• RBI replaced September 30 with August 31, 2026 in paragraphs 21(5) and 21(6), and the amendment took immediate effect.

Prelims pointers

• RBI issued notification RBI/2026-27/242 for Rural Co-operative Banks on August 25, 2026.
• Fresh FCNR(B) deposits covered by the exemption have a minimum tenor of three years and a maximum tenor of five years.
• Covered fresh NRE term deposits have a tenor of three years or more, including deposits renewed on maturity.
• The FCNR(B) mobilisation window began June 8, 2026, while the NRE term-deposit window began June 19, 2026.
• RBI replaced September 30 with August 31, 2026 in paragraphs 21(5) and 21(6), and the amendment took immediate effect.

Prelims pointers

• The Third Amendment Directions were issued on August 25, 2026 and came into force immediately.
• RBI changed the temporary relaxation’s end date from September 30, 2026 to August 31, 2026.
• The change covered fresh FCNR(B) deposits with tenors of three to five years.
• The arrangement also concerned NRE deposits of three years and above, including deposits renewed at maturity.
• RBI issued the amendment under Section 35A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 and other enabling laws.

Prelims pointers

• The amendment applies to the RBI's Interest Rate on Deposits Directions for Small Finance Banks.
• It was issued on August 25, 2026, and came into force with immediate effect.
• The temporary arrangement covers fresh FCNR(B) deposits with tenors of three to five years.
• It also concerns NRE deposits of three years and above, including deposits renewed at maturity.
• The RBI substituted August 31, 2026 for the earlier end date of September 30, 2026.

Prelims pointers

• The cited study estimated India's 2025 low-earth-orbit launch cost at $13,302 per kilogram.
• The same comparison gave China $5,809, the United States $3,225 and a global average of $3,868 per kilogram.
• India carried out five launches in 2025, compared with 30 launches that had been projected.
• GSAT-N2 weighed 4,700 kg, was too heavy for ISRO's LVM-3 and launched on Falcon 9.
• SpaceX carried Pixxel and Digantara and placed three-quarters of the world's payload into orbit in 2025.

Prelims pointers

• RBI issued notification RBI/2026-27/246 for Regional Rural Banks on August 25, 2026.
• The underlying Interest Rate on Deposits Directions, 2025 were dated November 28, 2025 and updated on June 17, 2026.
• The temporary measure covered fresh FCNR(B) deposits of three-to-five-year tenors and NRE deposits of three years and above.
• RBI advanced the end-date of the temporary arrangement from September 30, 2026 to August 31, 2026.
• The amendment changed paragraphs 26(4) and 31(7) of the applicable 2025 directions and took effect immediately.

Prelims pointers

• The Third Amendment Directions apply specifically to Local Area Banks' interest rates on deposits.
• RBI changed the temporary arrangement's closing date from September 30 to August 31, 2026.
• Fresh FCNR(B) deposits covered by the temporary ceiling withdrawal have tenors of three to five years.
• The NRE provision covers deposits of three years and above, including deposits renewed on maturity.
• The immediately effective amendment invoked Section 35A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 and changed paragraphs 26(4) and 31(7).

Prelims pointers

• RBI issued notification RBI/2026-27/247 for Urban Co-operative Banks on August 25, 2026.
• The underlying Interest Rate on Deposits Directions, 2025 were dated November 28, 2025 and updated on June 17, 2026.
• The temporary measure covered fresh FCNR(B) deposits of three-to-five-year tenors and NRE deposits of three years and above.
• RBI advanced the end-date of the temporary arrangement from September 30, 2026 to August 31, 2026.
• The amendment changed paragraphs 24(4) and 29(7) of the applicable 2025 directions and took effect immediately.