In Current Affairs for 29 August 2026, we will see the latest national and international current affairs news. These important current affairs will be beneficial for your upcoming NDA, CDS, CDS OTA, AFCAT, TA, Agniveer Army, Agniveer Navy, Agniveer Air Force, Women Military Police, INET, MNS, ACC exams, SCO, PCSL, CAPF, and SSB interviews, and direct entries for Army, Navy, and Air Force like SSC Tech, TGC, JAG, NCC, TES, 10+2 Cadet. Download a PDF file about current events at the end of this article. Let us now see the Current Affairs.
Current Affairs 29 August 2026
Praggnanandhaa Becomes First Indian to Win Grand Chess Tour
Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa has created history by becoming the first Indian to win the Grand Chess Tour.
Praggnanandhaa produced a remarkable comeback against American Grandmaster Fabiano Caruana at the Saint Louis Chess Club. After being six points behind, the Indian chess star fought back to secure a 15–13 victory on the decisive day.
With this triumph, Praggnanandhaa claimed his maiden Grand Chess Tour title along with US$200,000 in prize money.
His achievement adds to an impressive 2026 season. Earlier in the year, he won Norway Chess, defeating world No. 1 Magnus Carlsen twice during the tournament.
Key Facts
- Winner: R Praggnanandhaa
- Achievement: First Indian to win the Grand Chess Tour
- Opponent in decisive match: Fabiano Caruana
- Venue: Saint Louis Chess Club
- Final score: 15–13
- Prize money: US$200,000
India Finishes Eighth in FIH World Cup
The Indian men’s hockey team finished eighth at the FIH World Cup after losing to Belgium in the classification match.
The encounter ended 3–3 in regulation play at Wavre, forcing the contest into a shootout. Belgium eventually prevailed 4–3 in the shootout and secured seventh place, while India finished eighth.
India made a positive start, with Abhishek scoring early. Captain Harmanpreet Singh also contributed two goals to help India remain level at the end of regulation time.
India converted three of its four shootout attempts through Shilanand Lakra, Dilpreet Singh and Abhishek. Belgium, however, performed better in the decisive phase to claim victory.
Final Classification
- 7th – Belgium
- 8th – India
US President Announces Renaming of Lake Ontario as Lake America
US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on 27 August 2026 directing the renaming of Lake Ontario as “Lake America” for federal purposes within the United States.
The order, titled “Honoring the American History of the Great Lakes and Renaming Lake Ontario as Lake America,” directs the US Department of the Interior to undertake the necessary steps for the change in federal geographical records.
Lake Ontario is one of North America’s Great Lakes and lies between the US state of New York and Canada’s province of Ontario.
The lake is an important part of the Great Lakes–St. Lawrence water system and supports shipping, industry, agriculture and drinking-water supplies.
World Sanskrit Day 2026
World Sanskrit Day 2026 was observed on 28 August 2026, celebrating the rich linguistic, literary and intellectual heritage of Sanskrit.
Also known as Sanskrit Diwas or Vishva Sanskrit Diwas, the occasion is observed on the Purnima (full moon) of the Shravana month.
The day provides an opportunity to highlight Sanskrit’s contributions to Indian literature, philosophy, science, religion and linguistics. It also encourages younger generations to explore the language and its historical significance.
Sanskrit has a vast literary heritage. The Vedas were composed in Vedic Sanskrit, while major works associated with Sanskrit literature include the Ramayana, Mahabharata, Abhijnanashakuntalam, Raghuvamsha and Kumarasambhava.
National Sports Day 2026
India observes National Sports Day on 29 August every year to commemorate the birth anniversary of legendary hockey player Major Dhyan Chand.
The occasion promotes sporting culture, physical fitness and awareness about the importance of sports in everyday life.
Major Dhyan Chand represented India in three Olympic Games in which India won hockey gold medals:
- 1928 – Amsterdam
- 1932 – Los Angeles
- 1936 – Berlin
At the 1936 Berlin Olympics, Dhyan Chand captained the Indian hockey team, which defeated Germany 8–1 in the final.
He joined the Indian Army in 1922 and developed a distinguished international hockey career. He was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1956.
India’s highest sporting honour was renamed the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award in 2021, replacing its earlier name, the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award.
Why National Sports Day is Important
The day aims to:
- Promote participation in sports and physical activities
- Encourage a healthy lifestyle
- Honour India’s sporting legends
- Create greater awareness about sporting achievements
- Inspire young people to pursue excellence in sports
India to Host 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi
India is scheduled to host the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on 12–13 September 2026. The summit will be held at Bharat Mandapam.
India’s BRICS Chairship for 2026 is guided by the theme:
“Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”
India assumed the BRICS chairship on 1 January 2026.
The 2026 summit is particularly significant as it marks the 20th anniversary of BRICS, which began as BRIC in 2006. South Africa joined the grouping in 2010, resulting in the name BRICS.
What is BRICS?
BRICS is an intergovernmental grouping involving major emerging economies. The grouping has expanded beyond its original members of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
According to the information provided, the current full members are:
- Brazil
- China
- Egypt
- Ethiopia
- India
- Indonesia
- Iran
- Russia
- Saudi Arabia
- South Africa
- United Arab Emirates
BRICS Partner Countries
The partner countries listed are:
- Belarus
- Bolivia
- Cuba
- Kazakhstan
- Malaysia
- Nigeria
- Thailand
- Uganda
- Uzbekistan
- Vietnam
India has previously held the BRICS chairship in 2012, 2016 and 2021.
Review Questions
1. Who became the first Indian to win the Grand Chess Tour?
A. D. Gukesh
B. R. Praggnanandhaa
C. Viswanathan Anand
D. Arjun Erigaisi
Answer: B. R. Praggnanandhaa
2. Whom did Praggnanandhaa defeat in the decisive Grand Chess Tour match?
A. Magnus Carlsen
B. Hikaru Nakamura
C. Fabiano Caruana
D. Ian Nepomniachtchi
Answer: C. Fabiano Caruana
3. How much prize money did Praggnanandhaa receive for winning the Grand Chess Tour?
A. US$100,000
B. US$150,000
C. US$200,000
D. US$250,000
Answer: C. US$200,000
4. At which position did India finish in the FIH World Cup mentioned in the article?
A. Fifth
B. Sixth
C. Seventh
D. Eighth
Answer: D. Eighth
5. National Sports Day in India is observed on which date?
A. 15 August
B. 26 August
C. 29 August
D. 31 August
Answer: C. 29 August
6. National Sports Day commemorates the birth anniversary of which legendary sportsperson?
A. Milkha Singh
B. Major Dhyan Chand
C. Balbir Singh Sr.
D. Kapil Dev
Answer: B. Major Dhyan Chand
7. On which dates is India scheduled to host the 18th BRICS Summit 2026?
A. 5–6 September
B. 10–11 September
C. 12–13 September
D. 15–16 September
Answer: C. 12–13 September
8. Where will the 18th BRICS Summit 2026 be held?
A. Vigyan Bhavan
B. Bharat Mandapam
C. Rashtrapati Bhavan
D. India Habitat Centre
Answer: B. Bharat Mandapam
9. What is the theme of India’s BRICS Chairship 2026?
A. One Earth, One Future
B. Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability
C. Partnership for Global Peace
D. Inclusive Growth and Global Development
Answer: B. Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability
10. World Sanskrit Day 2026 was observed on which date?
A. 26 August
B. 27 August
C. 28 August
D. 29 August
Answer: C. 28 August
