In Current Affairs for 26 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 26 August 2026
Onam 2026
Onam is one of the most important festivals of Kerala and is celebrated with great enthusiasm across the state. The festival is marked by colourful floral decorations, traditional feasts, cultural programmes and community celebrations.
Onam is observed over a period of 10 days, beginning with Atham and culminating in Thiruvonam. In 2026, Thiruvonam falls on Wednesday, 26 August.
The festival is celebrated during Chingam, the first month of the Malayalam calendar, which generally falls during August–September.
Legend of King Mahabali
The central legend associated with Onam revolves around King Mahabali, who is remembered as a generous and capable ruler. According to tradition, his kingdom was prosperous and his people lived happily during his reign.
As Mahabali’s fame and influence grew, the gods became concerned about his increasing power and sought the help of Lord Vishnu. Vishnu appeared before the king in the form of Vamana, a dwarf Brahmin.
Vamana asked Mahabali for as much land as he could cover in three steps. Mahabali agreed. Vishnu then assumed a gigantic form and covered the Earth with his first step and the sky with his second.
With no land left for the third step, Mahabali offered his own head. Vishnu placed his foot on Mahabali’s head and sent him to the underworld. However, impressed by the king’s generosity and devotion, Vishnu granted him permission to return to Earth once every year.
Onam is traditionally associated with the annual return of King Mahabali.
Exam Points
- Festival: Onam
- State: Kerala
- Major day: Thiruvonam
- 2026 Thiruvonam: 26 August
- Malayalam month: Chingam
- Legendary king: Mahabali
- Vishnu’s avatar: Vamana
e-Shram Portal Completes Five Years
The e-Shram Portal completed five years on 26 August 2026, marking an important milestone in India’s efforts to strengthen social-security support for workers in the unorganised sector.
The portal was launched by the Ministry of Labour and Employment on 26 August 2021 with the objective of creating India’s first Aadhaar-based National Database of Unorganised Workers (NDUW).
Initially conceived primarily as a registration platform, e-Shram has developed into a broader digital platform connecting workers with various government schemes and services related to social security, employment, skill development, apprenticeship and pensions.
According to the provided information, more than 31.89 crore workers had registered on the portal by August 2026.
The portal was developed with the involvement of the National Informatics Centre (NIC). Registered workers receive a unique 12-digit Universal Account Number (UAN).
Why e-Shram is Important
The platform helps create a central database of unorganised workers and can facilitate better delivery of welfare and social-security benefits to this large segment of India’s workforce.
Exam Points
- Launch date: 26 August 2021
- Ministry: Ministry of Labour and Employment
- Database: National Database of Unorganised Workers
- Technology: Aadhaar-based registration
- Worker ID: 12-digit Universal Account Number
- Five-year milestone: 26 August 2026
Hijab, Religious Freedom and Institutional Dress Codes
The Allahabad High Court’s decision in Sukaina Rizvi v. State of U.P. (2026) has brought renewed attention to the constitutional relationship between religious freedom, educational institutions and dress-code regulations.
The dispute involved a minor student of Tagore Public School, Prayagraj, who sought permission to wear a headscarf along with the prescribed school uniform.
The Allahabad High Court upheld the institution’s uniform policy and held, in the context described in the provided material, that wearing a headscarf was not an essential religious practice in Islam.
The case raises important constitutional questions concerning Article 25 of the Constitution of India, which protects freedom of conscience and the right to freely profess, practise and propagate religion.
However, Article 25 is subject to restrictions based on public order, morality and health. In educational institutions, questions concerning religious expression can also involve principles of equality, non-discrimination and institutional discipline.
Constitutional Importance
The case highlights the need to balance an individual’s religious expression with the rules and administrative framework of educational institutions.
Exam Points
- Case: Sukaina Rizvi v. State of U.P. (2026)
- Court: Allahabad High Court
- Place involved: Prayagraj
- Constitutional provision: Article 25
- Article 25: Freedom of conscience and religion
- Key issue: Religious freedom vs institutional dress code
HAL and Safran Sign Contract for ‘Aravalli’ Helicopter Engine
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Safran Helicopter Engines have signed a final contract in Bengaluru for the development and production of a new high-power turboshaft engine for 13-tonne-class helicopters.
The programme is being undertaken through SAFHAL Helicopter Engines Pvt. Ltd., a joint venture between HAL and Safran Helicopter Engines.
The new engine has been named Aravalli, after India’s famous mountain range. It is planned for the 3,500–4,000 shaft horsepower category.
The agreement covers several stages of the engine’s lifecycle, including:
- Design
- Development
- Manufacturing
- Supply
- Lifecycle support
The engine has been selected for HAL’s proposed Indian Multi-Role Helicopter (IMRH) and its naval version, the Deck-Based Multi-Role Helicopter (DBMRH).
The IMRH is intended as a 13-tonne-class helicopter, while the DBMRH is designed for shipborne operations for the Indian Navy.
The programme may also support civilian applications such as offshore transportation, utility operations and VVIP transportation. Plans also include establishing domestic Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) capabilities.
Exam Points
- Engine: Aravalli
- Companies: HAL and Safran Helicopter Engines
- JV: SAFHAL Helicopter Engines Pvt. Ltd.
- Power class: 3,500–4,000 shaft horsepower
- Designed for: IMRH and DBMRH
- IMRH: Indian Multi-Role Helicopter
- DBMRH: Deck-Based Multi-Role Helicopter
India–Japan Startup Roundtable Held in Tokyo
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal highlighted India’s rapidly expanding startup ecosystem at the India–Japan Startup Roundtable in Tokyo.
According to the provided information, India has emerged as the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem, with nearly 250,000 startups established during the past decade.
India’s large consumer market, STEM talent, digital public infrastructure and growing innovation ecosystem were highlighted as major factors that make the country attractive for Japanese investment and technology partnerships.
The India–Japan Pitching Series has connected 65 Indian startups with around 100 Japanese corporations and facilitated more than 30 business tie-ups.
A 222-member Indian business delegation participated in the broader engagement, providing opportunities for collaboration between Indian and Japanese businesses.
Promising Areas for Cooperation
Venture capital investors identified several sectors as having significant potential for future India–Japan collaboration:
- Artificial Intelligence
- Semiconductors
- Healthcare
- Space technology
- Defence
- Advanced manufacturing
- Deep technology
The discussions also reflected a broader transformation in India’s startup landscape—from an earlier concentration on internet and software companies towards manufacturing-intensive and technology-driven enterprises.
Exam Points
- Event: India–Japan Startup Roundtable
- Venue: Tokyo
- Indian Minister: Piyush Goyal
- Indian startups connected: 65
- Japanese corporations involved: Around 100
- Business tie-ups: 30+
- Key sectors: AI, semiconductors, healthcare, space, defence and deep tech
Review Questions
1. Onam is primarily associated with which state of India?
A. Tamil Nadu
B. Kerala
C. Karnataka
D. Andhra Pradesh
Answer: B. Kerala
2. In 2026, Thiruvonam was celebrated on which date?
A. 24 August 2026
B. 25 August 2026
C. 26 August 2026
D. 27 August 2026
Answer: C. 26 August 2026
3. According to the traditional legend, Onam is associated with the return of which king?
A. Harshavardhana
B. Mahabali
C. Vikramaditya
D. Rajaraja Chola
Answer: B. Mahabali
4. The e-Shram Portal was launched by which ministry?
A. Ministry of Rural Development
B. Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
C. Ministry of Labour and Employment
D. Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
Answer: C. Ministry of Labour and Employment
5. What type of identification number is provided to workers registered on the e-Shram Portal?
A. 10-digit Worker ID
B. 12-digit Universal Account Number
C. 16-digit Labour Card Number
D. 14-digit Social Security Number
Answer: B. 12-digit Universal Account Number
6. The Sukaina Rizvi v. State of U.P. case discussed which major constitutional provision?
A. Article 14
B. Article 19
C. Article 21
D. Article 25
Answer: D. Article 25
7. The ‘Aravalli’ engine is being developed by HAL in collaboration with:
A. Rolls-Royce
B. Safran Helicopter Engines
C. General Electric
D. Pratt & Whitney
Answer: B. Safran Helicopter Engines
8. The Aravalli engine is intended for which helicopter programme?
A. LCA Tejas
B. IMRH
C. AMCA
D. LUH only
Answer: B. IMRH
IMRH stands for: Indian Multi-Role Helicopter.
9. The India–Japan Startup Roundtable mentioned in the article was held in:
A. New Delhi
B. Mumbai
C. Tokyo
D. Osaka
Answer: C. Tokyo
10. Which of the following was identified as a promising area for India–Japan startup and investment cooperation?
A. Deep technology
B. Coal mining only
C. Traditional textiles only
D. Petroleum refining only
Answer: A. Deep technology
