In Current Affairs for 21 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 21 August 2026
Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir Elected Bangladesh’s 23rd President
Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, a senior leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has been elected as the 23rd President of Bangladesh, according to the information provided.
The presidential election attracted particular attention because multiple candidates contested the position, making it an unusual development in Bangladesh’s recent presidential election history.
The election became necessary following the resignation of Mohammed Shahabuddin, who had served as Bangladesh’s 22nd President since April 2023. Shahabuddin had originally been elected unopposed as the candidate of the Awami League.
Key Facts
- Country: Bangladesh
- President: Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir
- President number: 23rd
- Previous President: Mohammed Shahabuddin
- Political party: Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)
Exam Focus: Bangladesh’s political system, presidency and India-Bangladesh relations may be relevant areas for competitive-exam preparation.
Ashutosh Parida Selected for 47th Sarala Puraskar
Odia poet, essayist and former CSIR-IMMT scientist Dr. Ashutosh Parida has been selected for the 47th Sarala Puraskar for his poetry collection Bishwas De Pruthwi.
The award ceremony is scheduled to take place in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, on 25 October 2026.
The honour includes a citation, a copper plaque and a cash award of ₹7 lakh.
The Sarala Puraskar is a prominent literary award associated with Odisha. It is presented by the Indian Metals Public Charitable Trust (IMPaCT), the charitable arm of IMFA, and recognises outstanding contributions to Odia literature.
Ila-Bansidhar Panda Kala Samman
The organisation also announced the 2026 Ila-Bansidhar Panda Kala Samman for lifetime contribution to the arts.
The awardees are:
- Guru Durga Charan Ranbir – Odissi exponent
- Damodar Behera – Sculptor
Each recipient will receive a citation, copper plaque and ₹2.5 lakh.
Exam Facts
- Award: Sarala Puraskar
- Edition: 47th
- Winner: Dr. Ashutosh Parida
- Work: Bishwas De Pruthwi
- Field: Odia literature
- Ceremony: Bhubaneswar
- Cash prize: ₹7 lakh
Veteran Actress Sowcar Janaki Dies at 94
Veteran South Indian actress Sowcar Janaki, whose full name was Sankaramanchi Janaki, passed away at the age of 94 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, on 21 August 2026, according to the information provided.
She had a long and distinguished career in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam cinema.
Her film journey began with the 1950 Telugu film Shavukaru, directed by L. V. Prasad. The film helped establish the screen name Sowcar Janaki, which became closely associated with her career.
She worked in South Indian cinema for several decades and appeared in hundreds of films across different languages. Published accounts have differed regarding the exact number of films in her career.
Major Honours
Sowcar Janaki received several important honours during her career, including:
- Padma Shri – 2022
- Kalaimamani – 1969
- Multiple Nandi Awards
Exam Facts
- Name: Sowcar Janaki
- Full name: Sankaramanchi Janaki
- Field: Cinema
- Languages: Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam
- Debut film: Shavukaru
- Padma Shri: 2022
- Age at death: 94
India and ADB Sign $230 Million Chennai Water Project Loan
The Government of India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have signed a $230 million loan agreement for the Chennai Climate-Resilient Water Security and Sewerage Project.
The project aims to improve water supply and sanitation infrastructure across the Greater Chennai region and is expected to benefit approximately 4.5 million people.
Major Components of the Project
The initiative includes:
- More than 170 km of water supply and sewer networks
- Upgradation of 7 water pumping stations
- Improvement of 38 sewer pumping stations
- Digital monitoring of water and sewer networks
- Mechanised equipment for sewer inspection
- Measures to strengthen climate resilience
One of the notable features of the project is the planned implementation of a closed-loop ring-main water supply system, designed to improve network resilience and help maintain more balanced water pressure.
The ADB approved the loan on 3 July 2026.
Signatories
The agreement was signed by:
- Saurabh Singh, Deputy Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs
- Mio Oka, Country Director, ADB India Resident Mission
Key Facts for Exams
| Particular | Information |
|---|---|
| Project | Chennai Climate-Resilient Water Security and Sewerage Project |
| Loan | $230 million |
| Lender | Asian Development Bank |
| Location | Chennai, Tamil Nadu |
| Beneficiaries | About 4.5 million people |
| Water/sewer network | More than 170 km |
| Water pumping stations | 7 |
| Sewer pumping stations | 38 |
| Focus | Water security, sanitation and climate resilience |
Review Questions
1. World Senior Citizens Day is observed every year on:
A. 15 August
B. 21 August
C. 29 August
D. 5 September
Answer: B. 21 August
2. Which of the following is an important objective of World Senior Citizens Day?
A. Promoting industrial development
B. Promoting respect and dignity of older persons
C. Increasing agricultural production
D. Promoting international trade
Answer: B. Promoting respect and dignity of older persons
3. Which mosquito is the principal vector of malaria?
A. Aedes
B. Culex
C. Female Anopheles
D. Mansonia
Answer: C. Female Anopheles
4. Which pair is correctly matched?
A. Dengue — Anopheles
B. Malaria — Aedes
C. Chikungunya — Aedes
D. Japanese Encephalitis — Anopheles
Answer: C. Chikungunya — Aedes
5. Dr. Ashutosh Parida was selected for which literary award?
A. Jnanpith Award
B. Sarala Puraskar
C. Sahitya Akademi Award
D. Vyas Samman
Answer: B. Sarala Puraskar
6. Dr. Ashutosh Parida received the 47th Sarala Puraskar for which work?
A. Bishwas De Pruthwi
B. Pruthwi O Manisha
C. Heritage of Odisha
D. Odia Sahitya
Answer: A. Bishwas De Pruthwi
7. Sowcar Janaki made her film debut in which 1950 Telugu film?
A. Devadasu
B. Shavukaru
C. Missamma
D. Malliswari
Answer: B. Shavukaru
8. Sowcar Janaki was honoured with the Padma Shri in:
A. 2018
B. 2019
C. 2020
D. 2022
Answer: D. 2022
9. The Government of India and the Asian Development Bank signed a loan agreement worth how much for the Chennai water and sewerage project?
A. $150 million
B. $180 million
C. $230 million
D. $300 million
Answer: C. $230 million
10. The Chennai Climate-Resilient Water Security and Sewerage Project is primarily focused on:
A. Metro railway expansion
B. Water supply and sanitation infrastructure
C. Coastal tourism development
D. Airport modernisation
Answer: B. Water supply and sanitation infrastructure
