In Current Affairs for 24 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 24 August 2026
Dutch Grand Prix 2026
The 2026 Dutch Grand Prix delivered an exciting Formula 1 race at the Zandvoort circuit, with Lando Norris securing his second consecutive victory of the 2026 season.
Driving for McLaren, Norris finished ahead of Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli, who took second place, while George Russell completed the podium in third. Ferrari drivers Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc finished fourth and fifth respectively.
The race also saw a dramatic early exit for home favourite Max Verstappen, who went off the track and crashed after completing just one lap. The contest was shaped by strategic decisions, Virtual Safety Car periods and pressure from Ferrari.
Top 5 Finishers
- Lando Norris – McLaren
- Kimi Antonelli – Mercedes
- George Russell – Mercedes
- Lewis Hamilton – Ferrari
- Charles Leclerc – Ferrari
Exam Point: Lando Norris won the Dutch Grand Prix 2026.
National Space Day 2026
India observes National Space Day on 23 August to commemorate the historic achievement of Chandrayaan-3, which successfully landed near the Moon’s southern polar region on 23 August 2023.
The 2026 observance highlights India’s ambitions in space exploration and its growing role in the global space sector.
Theme of National Space Day 2026
“Towards Viksit Bharat – Innovating, Collaborating and Aspiring Global Space Leadership.”
The landing site of Chandrayaan-3 has been named Shiv Shakti Point, while the location associated with the Chandrayaan-2 mission has been named Tiranga Point.
The successful Chandrayaan-3 mission remains a landmark achievement for India’s space programme and demonstrated the country’s capabilities in lunar exploration.
Exam Points:
- National Space Day: 23 August
- Chandrayaan-3 landing: 23 August 2023
- Chandrayaan-3 landing site: Shiv Shakti Point
- Chandrayaan-2 impact site: Tiranga Point
Mitchell Starc Becomes Leading Wicket-Taker in WTC History
Australian left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Starc has reached the top of the wicket-taking charts in ICC World Test Championship (WTC) history.
Starc has taken 234 wickets in WTC matches, moving ahead of fellow Australians Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon, who have 228 wickets each.
Starc’s WTC record includes 11 four-wicket hauls and eight five-wicket hauls, with his best innings figures being 7/58. His wickets have come at an average of 24.25.
Key Facts
- Player: Mitchell Starc
- Country: Australia
- WTC wickets: 234
- WTC average: 24.25
- Five-wicket hauls: 8
- Best figures: 7/58
Exam Point: Mitchell Starc is the leading wicket-taker in WTC history with 234 wickets.
India Signs Five-Year Fuel Supply Agreement with Mauritius
India has strengthened its energy partnership with Mauritius through a five-year fuel supply agreement.
Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) and Mauritius’ State Trading Corporation signed the sales and purchase agreement in Port Louis. Under the arrangement, IOCL will supply Mauritius with its complete import requirements for motor spirit, high-speed diesel and aviation turbine fuel (ATF).
The agreement follows a government-to-government MoU signed on 20 August 2026 covering cooperation in areas including oil and gas, biofuels, capacity building and training.
Another important development was the groundbreaking ceremony for a US$25 million marine bunker fuel storage facility at Mer Rouge, Port Louis. The facility will have a storage capacity of 27,500 metric tonnes.
The developments underline India’s expanding energy cooperation with neighbouring and partner countries.
India Launches First Non-GMO High-Expansion Popcorn Maize Hybrid
India has launched its first non-GMO high-expansion popcorn maize hybrid seed, marking an important development in agricultural research and the popcorn processing industry.
The hybrid was launched on 24 August 2026 at the Gourmet Popcornica facility in Musunuru, Eluru district, Andhra Pradesh.
The seed was developed through collaboration between the ICAR-Indian Institute of Maize Research (ICAR-IIMR) and Gourmet Popcornica. Their scientific and commercial partnership began in February 2021.
Popcorn maize is a specialised variety of Zea mays whose kernels expand when heated. High-expansion varieties are particularly valuable to the popcorn industry because the volume of popped corn is an important quality parameter.
Importance of the Hybrid
The indigenous hybrid is expected to:
- Reduce dependence on imported popcorn maize technologies.
- Support domestic popcorn production.
- Strengthen the agricultural value chain.
- Benefit farmers involved in popcorn maize cultivation.
- Support export-oriented processing.
The popcorn value chain is reported to support more than 17,500 farming families and cover nearly 40,000 acres.
Exam Point: The first non-GMO high-expansion popcorn maize hybrid was launched in Andhra Pradesh.
Vice President Inaugurates MALHAR 2026
Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan inaugurated MALHAR 2026 in New Delhi, a youth-focused celebration centred on Indian classical music and the monsoon.
The event was organised by Antar Hriday Connect.
The term Malhar is associated with a family of Indian classical ragas traditionally connected with the monsoon season. The Vice President highlighted the ability of music to inspire imagination, renew the human spirit and create hope.
He also emphasised the importance of India’s youth in preserving and promoting the country’s rich cultural heritage.
Key Message
The event sought to connect younger generations with India’s classical musical traditions while encouraging them to become ambassadors of the country’s cultural heritage.
Exam Point: MALHAR 2026 was a youth-centric celebration of Indian classical music inaugurated in New Delhi.
Review Questions
- Who won the Dutch Grand Prix 2026?
A) Max Verstappen
B) Lando Norris
C) Kimi Antonelli
D) George Russell
Answer: B) Lando Norris - National Space Day in India is observed on which date?
A) 15 August
B) 22 August
C) 23 August
D) 24 August
Answer: C) 23 August - What is the name given to the Chandrayaan-3 landing site?
A) Tiranga Point
B) Shiv Shakti Point
C) Vikram Point
D) Bharat Point
Answer: B) Shiv Shakti Point - Who became the leading wicket-taker in World Test Championship history with
234 wickets?
A) Pat Cummins
B) Nathan Lyon
C) Mitchell Starc
D) Josh Hazlewood
Answer: C) Mitchell Starc - Which Indian company signed a five-year fuel supply agreement with Mauritius’
State Trading Corporation?
A) Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited
B) Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited
C) Indian Oil Corporation Limited
D) Oil India Limited
Answer: C) Indian Oil Corporation Limited - The marine bunker fuel storage facility being developed at Mer Rouge, Mauritius,
will have a capacity of:
A) 17,500 metric tonnes
B) 22,500 metric tonnes
C) 27,500 metric tonnes
D) 32,500 metric tonnes
Answer: C) 27,500 metric tonnes - India’s first non-GMO high-expansion popcorn maize hybrid was launched in
which state?
A) Telangana
B) Karnataka
C) Tamil Nadu
D) Andhra Pradesh
Answer: D) Andhra Pradesh - The popcorn maize hybrid was developed through collaboration between ICAR
IIMR and:
A) Amul
B) Gourmet Popcornica
C) NAFED
D) Mother Dairy
Answer: B) Gourmet Popcornica - MALHAR 2026 is primarily associated with which field?
A) Indian classical music
B) Space technology
C) Traditional sports
D) Renewable energy
Answer: A) Indian classical music - Who inaugurated MALHAR 2026 in New Delhi?
A) Narendra Modi
B) Rajnath Singh
C) C. P. Radhakrishnan
D) Jagdeep Dhankhar
Answer: C) C. P. Radhakrishnan
