Weekly Edition

Weekly Current Affairs

11–18 August 2026 • 6 Key Topics

Polity

India's 80th Independence Day & Vande Mataram at Red Fort

India celebrated its 80th Independence Day on 15 August 2026, with Vande Mataram sung at the Red Fort for the first time during the main ceremony.

President Droupadi Murmu addressed the nation on the eve of Independence Day.
The occasion's theme centered on youth and Yuva Shakti in nation building.
Vande Mataram was composed by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay.

Exam Context: National symbols and Independence Day milestones are recurring GK/Polity topics across exams.

Polity

Jharkhand Cancels JSSC-CGL Exam

The Jharkhand government, led by CM Hemant Soren, cancelled the JSSC-CGL exam and all recruitment tests conducted by private agency TDPL since 2014, after 24 days of student protests.

Protests were over alleged irregularities in the recruitment process.
All TDPL-conducted exams since 2014 were cancelled, not just JSSC-CGL.

Exam Context: State recruitment exam governance is a frequently tested current-affairs topic for state-level exams.

Security

ISI-Backed Shahzad Bhatti Network Busted

Security agencies dismantled an ISI-backed network linked to Shahzad Bhatti in a multi-state operation timed close to Independence Day.

Over 250 people were detained across 14 states.
The operation involved a multi-agency effort including NIA and state police.

Exam Context: National security operations are commonly tested in defence/security current-affairs sections.

Railways

South Coast Railway — India's 18th Railway Zone

South Coast Railway, headquartered in Visakhapatnam, continued operations after becoming functional on 1 June 2026 as the 18th zone of Indian Railways.

Carved mainly from the South Central and East Coast Railway zones.
Includes divisions such as Visakhapatnam, Guntur, and Guntakal.
Primarily serves the Andhra Pradesh coastal region.

Exam Context: Railway zones and their headquarters are a staple static-GK topic for railway exams.

International Relations

BRICS Environment Working Group Meetings Held in Delhi

The BRICS Environment Working Group meetings were held in New Delhi at Bharat Mandapam, chaired by India, focusing on climate action, biodiversity, and sustainable development.

Meetings were held on 17-18 August 2026.
The venue was Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.

Exam Context: India's role in multilateral groupings like BRICS is a key international-relations topic.

Defence

Exercise MAITREE and Gallantry Awards

An Indian Army contingent left for the 15th edition of the India-Thailand joint military exercise MAITREE, while the President approved 78 gallantry awards including 13 posthumous, on the eve of Independence Day.

MAITREE is a joint Army exercise between India and Thailand.
78 gallantry awards were approved; 13 of them were posthumous.

Exam Context: Defence exercises and gallantry awards are frequently asked in defence-current-affairs sections.

Prelims Quick-Revision Facts

India's 80th Independence Day

Polity

Vande Mataram sung at Red Fort for the first time on 15 August 2026.

Vande Mataram Composer

Polity

Composed by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay.

JSSC-CGL Cancellation

Polity

Jharkhand cancelled JSSC-CGL and all TDPL exams since 2014 after 24 days of protest.

Shahzad Bhatti Network

Security

ISI-backed network busted; 250+ detained across 14 states.

South Coast Railway

Railways

India's 18th railway zone; HQ at Visakhapatnam; operational since 1 June 2026.

South Coast Railway Origin

Railways

Carved from South Central and East Coast Railway zones.

BRICS Environment Meet

International Relations

Held 17-18 August 2026 in New Delhi at Bharat Mandapam.

Exercise MAITREE

Defence

15th edition of the India-Thailand joint Army exercise.

Gallantry Awards 2026

Defence

78 gallantry awards approved, including 13 posthumous.

Test Yourself on This Edition

Attempt 22 MCQs based on the 11–18 August 2026 edition.