UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit 2026 will be an important milestone for the organisation as it celebrates 25 years of its establishment. The summit will be hosted by Kyrgyzstan in Bishkek, from August 31 to September 1, 2026.

New satellite images reveal fresh construction on Yagong Islet, part of the Paracel Islands in the South China Sea, roughly 14 kilometers from Antelope Reef; a feature analysts say China is turning into its largest military outpost in the region.

The 7th High-Level Meeting between the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and Vietnam Coast Guard (VCG) was held in Chennai.

Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement on 7 August 2026 in Mecca.

India and Mauritius have significantly strengthened their energy partnership by signing a Government-to-Government (G2G) Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in the oil and gas sector. Alongside the MoU, Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) and Mauritius’ State Trading Corporation (STC) concluded a five-year Sales and Purchase Agreement for petroleum products.

India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi held a bilateral defence dialogue in New Delhi during Koizumi’s maiden visit to India.

Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Iturup Island in the disputed Kuril Islands on August 13, 2026, triggering strong protests from Japan.

The world observed World Humanitarian Day on 19 August 2026. This year's global campaign is built around the theme "Families of Fallen Humanitarians", while the World Health Organization used the occasion to renew its call for greater protection of health care in conflict zones.

India and the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) have signed the Terms of Reference (ToR) to begin negotiations for a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA). 

Members of the BRICS grouping are discussing the possibility of linking their respective fast payment systems and Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) to make cross-border payments faster, cheaper and more efficient.