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Current Affairs 27 August 2026
World Lake Day 2026
World Lake Day 2026 will be observed on 27 August 2026 to highlight the ecological, economic and social importance of lakes and the urgent need to protect these vital freshwater ecosystems.
Lakes are much more than scenic natural features. They provide freshwater, support biodiversity, sustain communities and livelihoods, regulate local environmental conditions and contribute to food and water security.
Why Is World Lake Day Observed?
The observance of World Lake Day was established by the United Nations General Assembly through Resolution 79/142, adopted by consensus on 12 December 2024.
The date 27 August was selected to commemorate the first World Lake Conference, which was held in Shiga Prefecture, Japan, in 1984.
The day provides an opportunity to increase awareness about the threats faced by lakes, including pollution, excessive water extraction, habitat degradation and other environmental pressures.
Why Are Lakes Important?
Lakes perform several essential functions for both humans and nature:
- Freshwater resources: They provide water for domestic, agricultural and other needs.
- Biodiversity: Lakes support diverse aquatic plants, animals and microorganisms.
- Livelihoods: Fishing, tourism and other lake-based activities support communities.
- Environmental regulation: Lakes influence local environmental and climatic conditions.
- Food security: Inland fisheries and agriculture depend on healthy freshwater ecosystems.
- Water security: Proper conservation of lakes helps maintain reliable freshwater resources.
The observance therefore underlines the importance of sustainable management and long-term conservation of lake ecosystems.
US Open 2026 Prize Money Reaches Record $108 Million
The US Open 2026 is set to make history with a record $108 million prize-money pool, making it the richest edition of the Grand Slam tournament so far.
The tournament is scheduled to begin on 30 August 2026, with the men’s singles final scheduled for 13 September 2026.
According to the United States Tennis Association (USTA), the overall prize purse represents an increase of approximately 20% compared with the previous year.
Singles Players Receive Major Boost
A significant part of the increase is focused on the singles competitions. Players will receive higher payouts even in the early rounds and qualifying stages.
The singles champions will receive $5.5 million each.
The increase is particularly important for lower-ranked players, for whom tournament participation involves considerable expenses related to travel, coaching, accommodation and training.
US Open and Equal Prize Money
The US Open has a long-standing record of promoting gender equality in tennis.
In 1973, it became the first Grand Slam tournament to award equal prize money to men and women.
The 2026 edition continues the tournament’s tradition of supporting players across different stages of competition.
Kerala Officially Renamed Keralam
Another significant development is the official renaming of Kerala as Keralam.
The change was implemented through the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Act, 2026, which changed the State’s entry in the First Schedule of the Constitution of India.
Constitutional Procedure for Renaming a State
The process is governed by Article 3 of the Indian Constitution.
Article 3 gives Parliament the power to alter the name, boundaries or area of an existing State. Before Parliament considers such a Bill, the President refers it to the concerned State Legislature for its views.
However, the State Legislature’s opinion is not binding on Parliament.
Importantly, a State renaming carried out under Article 3 does not require a constitutional amendment under Article 368.
Timeline of the Renaming
The major stages in the process were:
- 24 February 2026: Union Cabinet approved the proposal.
- July 2026: Kerala Legislative Assembly accepted the draft proposal.
- 10 August 2026: Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026 introduced in Lok Sabha.
- 11 August 2026: Lok Sabha passed the Bill.
- 12 August 2026: Rajya Sabha passed the Bill.
- 14 August 2026: President Droupadi Murmu gave assent.
- 25 August 2026: The Union Home Ministry issued the commencement notification.
- 25 August 2026: The official transition to Keralam took effect.
The development demonstrates the constitutional process through which Parliament can alter the name of an existing State.
DRDO Conducts High-Altitude Trial of Combat Parachute System
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted a high-altitude trial of India’s indigenous Military Combat Parachute System (MCPS) at the Nyoma-Mudh Drop Zone in Ladakh’s Leh district on 26 August 2026.
The trial involved a jump from an altitude of 22,000 feet above mean sea level, under extremely cold conditions of around −15°C.
Indigenous Military Combat Parachute System
The MCPS is an indigenous parachute system designed for high-altitude deployment by the Indian Armed Forces.
The system was developed by the Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE), Agra, with the Defence Bioengineering and Electromedical Laboratory (DEBEL), Bengaluru, contributing to its physiological and operational aspects.
The MCPS had previously been tested at an altitude of 32,000 feet in October 2025.
The successful high-altitude trial demonstrates India’s growing capability to develop specialised equipment for challenging operational environments.
PM Jan Dhan Yojana Completes 12 Years
The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) has completed 12 years since its launch on 28 August 2014.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the scheme as one of his early flagship programmes with the objective of expanding access to formal banking and strengthening financial inclusion.
Over the years, PMJDY has become an important component of India’s financial inclusion architecture.
Focus on Rural Areas and Women
The scheme has played a major role in extending banking services to people who were previously outside the formal financial system.
According to the information provided:
- 78% of PMJDY accounts have been opened in rural or semi-urban areas.
- Around 56% of the accounts are held by women.
These figures highlight the scheme’s focus on reaching economically disadvantaged and geographically remote sections of society.
Importance of PMJDY
PMJDY has helped expand access to formal financial services and supports India’s broader goals of:
- Financial inclusion
- Digital financial participation
- Economic empowerment
- Access to banking services
- Inclusive growth
As the scheme enters its 13th year, it continues to remain an important part of India’s financial inclusion efforts.
Review Questions
1. World Lake Day is observed annually on which date?
A. 22 August
B. 25 August
C. 27 August
D. 29 August
Answer: C. 27 August
2. World Lake Day was established by the United Nations General Assembly through which resolution?
A. Resolution 79/142
B. Resolution 78/142
C. Resolution 79/124
D. Resolution 80/142
Answer: A. Resolution 79/142
3. The first World Lake Conference, commemorated by World Lake Day, was held in:
A. Tokyo, Japan
B. Shiga Prefecture, Japan
C. Kyoto, Japan
D. Osaka, Japan
Answer: B. Shiga Prefecture, Japan
4. What is the total prize-money pool for the US Open 2026?
A. $90 million
B. $100 million
C. $108 million
D. $120 million
Answer: C. $108 million
5. Under which Article of the Indian Constitution can Parliament alter the name of an existing State?
A. Article 1
B. Article 2
C. Article 3
D. Article 4
Answer: C. Article 3
6. What is the new official name of the State formerly known as Kerala?
A. Keralam
B. Kerala Pradesh
C. Cheralam
D. Malabar
Answer: A. Keralam
7. The Military Combat Parachute System (MCPS) was developed by which DRDO laboratory?
A. DRDL, Hyderabad
B. ADRDE, Agra
C. LRDE, Bengaluru
D. CVRDE, Chennai
Answer: B. ADRDE, Agra
8. The high-altitude trial of the Military Combat Parachute System on 26 August 2026 was conducted at:
A. Siachen, Ladakh
B. Nyoma-Mudh, Ladakh
C. Leh Air Base
D. Pokhran, Rajasthan
Answer: B. Nyoma-Mudh, Ladakh
9. Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) was launched on:
A. 15 August 2014
B. 26 January 2014
C. 28 August 2014
D. 2 October 2014
Answer: C. 28 August 2014
10. Approximately what percentage of PMJDY accounts are held by women?
A. 46%
B. 50%
C. 56%
D. 62%
Answer: C. 56%
