Staying updated with today's current affairs is essential for competitive exam aspirants preparing for SSC, UPSC, Banking, State PSCs, and Railway exams. The 3 August 2026 current affairs cover India's CWG 2026 final tally (4th, 39 medals including 13 gold, historic boxing campaign, Mirabai's hat-trick), CWG 2030 handover to Ahmedabad, PM Modi's inauguration of Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram, Ajit Doval receiving Lokmanya Tilak National Award, India's IIP growing 7.3% in June 2026, Parliament's Public Examinations Amendment Bill 2026 and Births & Deaths Amendment Bill, Nauru renaming itself Republic of Naoero, 16th Census Phase 1, new catfish species discovered in Odisha, and India's 79th Independence Day countdown important days - all of which frequently appear in the General Awareness section of government exams.
India – National Current Affairs
Advertisement
- PM Modi Inaugurates Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram, Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh – Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram in Vizianagaram district, Andhra Pradesh, on 1 August 2026. The new greenfield airport, built at a cost of approximately ₹2,800 crore, is a joint venture between the Government of Andhra Pradesh and GMR Group and is designed to handle approximately 6 million passengers annually in Phase 1 (expandable to 24 million). Exam importance: The airport is named after Alluri Sitarama Raju - the legendary tribal freedom fighter of Andhra Pradesh known as 'Manyam Veerudu' (Hero of the Forest) who led the Rampa Rebellion against British rule (1922–24); the airport replaces the ageing Visakhapatnam Airport (Waltair Air Force Station) as the primary international gateway for the Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region; it is one of India's largest greenfield airports, located in Bhogapuram, approximately 45 km from Visakhapatnam; GMR Group operates several Indian airports including Delhi, Hyderabad, and Goa; Andhra Pradesh CM: N. Chandrababu Naidu; AP Governor: Justice S. Abdul Nazeer.
- Ajit Doval Conferred Lokmanya Tilak National Award 2026 on 1 August in Pune – National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval received the Lokmanya Tilak National Award 2026 on 1 August 2026 in Pune, Maharashtra. Union Home Minister Amit Shah conferred the 'Lokmanya Tilak National Award 2026' to National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval. The award was presented by the Lokmanya Tilak Smarak Trust on the occasion of the 106th death anniversary of Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak. The award comprises a memento, a citation, and a cash prize of ₹1 lakh. Doval was honoured for his exceptional contribution to national security, counter-terrorism operations, covert missions, and border security. He has played a key role in significant national security initiatives including Operation Black Thunder, the Doklam diplomatic negotiations, and the Balakot air strike. Exam importance: Ajit Doval (born 20 January 1945, Pauri Garhwal, Uttarakhand) has served as NSA since 2014 and is serving his 5th term; previous Lokmanya Tilak National Award recipients include the Dalai Lama, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Sharad Pawar, and Ratan Tata; Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak died on 1 August 1920; the Lokmanya Tilak Smarak Trust was established in 1921 to honour his legacy; 1 August is also called Bal Gangadhar Tilak Punyatithi (Death Anniversary).
- Parliament Passes Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 – India introduces Public Examinations Amendment Bill 2026, strengthening law against paper leaks with tougher penalties, fast-track courts, and dedicated task forces. The Bill amends the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, introducing provisions for dedicated fast-track courts for paper leak cases, multi-agency task forces, and enhanced jail terms of 7-10 years (from the earlier 3-5 years) for organised paper leak gangs. Exam importance: The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 was enacted in response to the NEET-UG 2024 paper leak controversy and SSC/railway exam malpractices; the 2024 Act was India's first central legislation specifically targeting examination fraud; the 2026 Amendment makes the law more deterrent and operationally effective; the National Testing Agency (NTA) - established in 2017 under the MoE - conducts NEET, JEE Main, CUET, and other competitive exams; NTA DG: (post vacant pending permanent appointment, 2026). S
- Parliament Passes Births and Deaths (Registration Amendment) Bill, 2026 – Lok Sabha passes Births and Deaths Amendment Bill 2026 amidst Opposition protests. The Bill amends the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969, to include provisions for online registration, integration with Aadhaar, and mandatory linkage of birth certificates with educational and property records, creating a unified digital identity for all citizens from birth. Exam importance: The Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969 is the principal legislation governing vital events registration in India; birth and death certificates are foundational documents for access to government welfare schemes and educational institutions; the amendment enables a "single source of truth" for demographic data across government databases; the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India (ORGI) oversees birth and death registration; India's Sample Registration System (SRS) tracks birth and death rates; this Amendment builds on the Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Act, 2023.
- India's 16th Census Phase 1 (House Listing) Underway - West Bengal Begins Digital Self-Enumeration – India's 16th Census is being conducted in two phases during 2026 and 2027 after postponement from 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. West Bengal began its digital self-enumeration. Exam importance: India's 16th Census is being conducted in two phases - Phase 1 (House Listing and Housing Census, 2026) and Phase 2 (Population Enumeration, February 2027); the Census was originally scheduled for 2021 but was postponed due to COVID-19 - making this the longest gap between two consecutive Indian censuses (16 years); the Census uses a mobile-based digital app for the first time (replacing paper questionnaires); the Census Enumerator App was developed by the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India (ORGI); the 15th Census (2011) recorded India's population at 121.08 crore; India's current estimated population: approximately 1.43 billion (world's most populous nation since April 2023); Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) oversees the Census; Census Commissioner: (post held by ORGI under Vivek Joshi as Registrar General).
- IIP Grows 7.3% in June 2026 - Fastest in Two Years; Manufacturing Leads – India's Index of Industrial Production (IIP) grew by 7.3% (y-o-y) in June 2026, marking the fastest growth in nearly two years and the third consecutive month of acceleration. Exam importance: The IIP data is released by the National Statistical Office (NSO) under MoSPI; IIP measures the output of industrial production across three sectors: Mining (weight: 14.37%), Manufacturing (77.63%), and Electricity (7.99%); growth in June 2026 was driven by robust manufacturing output (especially automobiles, pharmaceuticals, and electronics), revival in capital goods production, and improved consumer durables; the IIP uses 2011-12 as the base year; the Core Industries Index (ICI) grew 5% in June 2026 (reported earlier, base year revised to 2022-23 in July 2026); MoSPI Secretary: Saurabh Garg.
- Air Marshal Tejpal Singh Assumes Charge as Deputy Chief of Air Staff – Air Marshal Tejpal Singh assumed the charge of Deputy Chief of the Air Staff on Saturday. Deputy Chief of Air Staff → Air Marshal Tejpal Singh. Exam importance: The Deputy Chief of Air Staff (DCAS) is responsible for operational planning, air power development, and policy within the Indian Air Force; CAS: Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh; VCAS: Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit (appointed 1 July 2026); Air Marshal Tejpal Singh succeeds the previous DCAS on superannuation; IAF was established on 8 October 1932; Air Force Day is observed on 8 October annually.
- Vice Admiral A. N. Pramod Appointed Deputy Chief of Naval Staff – Deputy Chief of Naval Staff → Vice Admiral A. N. Pramod. Exam importance: The Deputy Chief of Naval Staff (DCNS) assists the CNS in coordinating naval operational policy; CNS: Admiral Krishna Swaminathan; Vice Admiral A. N. Pramod previously served as Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief (FOC-in-C) of the Eastern Naval Command, Visakhapatnam; the Indian Navy has 3 Commands: Western Naval Command (Mumbai), Eastern Naval Command (Visakhapatnam), and Southern Naval Command (Kochi); India Navy Day is observed on 4 December annually.
- Nasha Mukta Yuva for Viksit Bharat Campaign Launched for 100 Weeks – Nasha Mukta Yuva for Viksit Bharat campaign → 100 weeks. The Government of India launched the "Nasha Mukta Yuva for Viksit Bharat" (Drug-Free Youth for Developed India) campaign as a 100-week intensive national awareness and de-addiction initiative, targeting youth aged 15-35 across all districts. Exam importance: The campaign builds on the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (NMBA) launched on 15 August 2020 under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE); NCB (Narcotics Control Bureau) provides enforcement support; India faces a significant drug abuse challenge - approximately 2.26 crore Indians used cannabis, 8.3 lakh used heroin, and 60 lakh used pharmaceutical opioids (National Drug Survey, 2019); the 100-week timeline targets completion by 31 October 2028 (Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Jayanti).
International Current Affairs
- Nauru Officially Renames Itself 'Republic of Naoero' – The Pacific island nation of Nauru has officially adopted the name Republic of Naoero. The change was confirmed by President David Adeang on 31 July 2026. Exam importance: Nauru (now Republic of Naoero) is the world's smallest island nation and the world's smallest state by area outside of Europe (21 sq km); it is the world's smallest state to have an independently operating airline; located in the Pacific Ocean, northeast of Australia; population: approximately 10,500; capital: Yaren (de facto, as Nauru has no official capital city); the name 'Naoero' is the indigenous Nauruan name for the island; this name change follows Turkey's international renaming to 'Türkiye' (June 2022) and North Macedonia's renaming (February 2019); Nauru is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations and Pacific Islands Forum.
- Nirmal Purja (Nimsdai) Killed in Avalanche in Karakoram, Pakistan – Famous climber Nirmal Purja, a Nepal-born British citizen, was killed in an avalanche in Karakoram range of Pakistan on Thursday. Exam importance: Nirmal Purja MBE (born 25 July 1983, Myagdi, Nepal) was one of the world's greatest mountaineers; he set the world record in 2019 by summiting all 14 eight-thousanders (peaks above 8,000m) in just 6 months and 6 days - shattering the previous record of 7 years 310 days; his mission was called "Project Possible"; he was also a former British Special Boat Service (SBS) commando; he was portrayed in the Netflix documentary 14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible; K2 (8,611 m) in the Karakoram is the world's 2nd highest peak after Everest; the Karakoram range is shared between Pakistan, India (Gilgit-Baltistan/PoK), and China.
Daily Current Affairs 03 August 2026: Download Free PDF Now
Sports
- India Finishes 4th at Commonwealth Games 2026 Glasgow with 39 Medals (13G-17S-9B) - Best-Ever Para Campaign – India concluded the 23rd Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow with 39 medals - 13 gold, 17 silver, and 9 bronze - finishing 4th in the overall medal standings, behind Australia (1st), Canada (2nd), and England (3rd). <cite index="42-1">Boxing spearheaded India's campaign with a record 10 medals, including an unprecedented 7 golds - the most won by any nation in boxing at a single Commonwealth Games. Sakshi Chaudhary emerged as one of India's standout performers, while Olympic medallist Lovlina Borgohain added silver in the women's 75 kg category. Weightlifting also enjoyed another productive Games - Mirabai Chanu completed a historic hat-trick of CWG titles, becoming only the second Indian to win three successive gold medals at the event. Glasgow also marked India's most successful Commonwealth Games para campaign yet, winning 7 medals - 3 gold, 2 silver, 2 bronze - matching India's combined medal tally from all previous CWG para editions.</cite> Exam importance: First Indian judoka to win CWG gold → Asmita Dey (women's 48 kg); Murali Sreeshankar became the first Indian male to win two CWG medals (long jump); Dilip Gavit won the 100m T47 gold with a record of 10.71 seconds; Jaismine Lamboria (women's 57 kg boxing gold) named India's flag-bearer for the Closing Ceremony; India has competed at every CWG since 1934; India's all-time CWG medal tally: 564 medals (203G-190S-171B); India's best CWG performance: 101 medals at CWG 2010 (New Delhi); CWG 2026 ran from 23 July to 2 August 2026; CGF: Commonwealth Games Federation; CGF President: Sophie Olsson.
- CWG 2030 Official Handover to Ahmedabad, India at Glasgow Closing Ceremony – At the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games Closing Ceremony on 2 August 2026, the Commonwealth Games Flag and Host Baton were officially handed over to Ahmedabad (Amdavad), Gujarat, India, which will host the 24th Commonwealth Games - the centenary edition - in 2030. Exam importance: CWG 2030 in Ahmedabad will be: India's 2nd hosting of the Commonwealth Games (after New Delhi 2010); the centenary (100th anniversary) edition - first CWG was held in Hamilton, Canada, in 1930; Ahmedabad is a UNESCO World Heritage City (2017) and will be India's largest-ever sports hosting project; Commonwealth Games 2030 → Ahmedabad, India; the IOA (Indian Olympic Association) bid for CWG 2030; sports programme will be significantly expanded compared to Glasgow 2026, with India expected to push for the reinstatement of wrestling, shooting, badminton, hockey, and cricket; Ahmedabad was also the venue for India's inaugural World Yogasana Championship 2026 (June 2026).
- India's Para Athletes Deliver Best-Ever CWG Performance with 7 Medals Including 3 Golds – India's para contingent at CWG 2026 Glasgow won 7 medals (3 Gold, 2 Silver, 2 Bronze) - the best-ever para campaign in India's CWG history, matching the country's combined medal tally from all previous CWG para editions. Standout performer Dilip Gavit won the 100m T47 gold with a record of 10.71 seconds. With 7 medals, Indian para team delivers best-ever CWG show. Indian athlete Soman Rana won the gold medal with a best throw of 13.40m, while Shubham Juyal secured the silver medal with a best throw of 13.28m. Exam importance: India's para athletics programme has seen rapid growth following the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics (India won 19 medals including 5 Gold) and Paris 2024 Olympics (India's best-ever para performance with 29 medals including 7 Gold); Dilip Gavit is from Maharashtra and competes in the T47 classification (below-elbow amputee); para cricket was not included in Glasgow 2026.
Science & Technology
- Pseudolaguvia khairii - New Freshwater Catfish Species Discovered in Budhabalanga River, Odisha – A new species of freshwater catfish, Pseudolaguvia khairii, was discovered in the Budhabalanga river in Mayurbhanj district, Odisha, and described in the international taxonomic journal Zootaxa. Exam importance: Pseudolaguvia is a genus of freshwater catfish belonging to the family Sisoridae, commonly known as Torrent catfish or Hill stream catfish; the Budhabalanga river drains into the Bay of Bengal in Balasore district, Odisha; the species is named after a scientist or the location/discoverer (details per Zootaxa publication); the discovery adds to India's rapidly growing freshwater biodiversity database - India added 709 new faunal species in 2025 (ZSI annual release); ZSI, Kolkata, is India's premier zoological survey institution.
- ISRO's Bharatiya Antariksh Hackathon 2026 Grand Finale Scheduled at NRSC, Hyderabad - 6-7 August 2026 – ISRO's Bharatiya Antariksh Hackathon 2026 Grand Finale is scheduled at NRSC, Hyderabad, on 6-7 August 2026. Exam importance: NRSC (National Remote Sensing Centre) is an autonomous institution under ISRO, HQ: Hyderabad (Balanagar); NRSC specialises in satellite remote sensing and space data applications; the Bharatiya Antariksh Hackathon 2026 invites student innovators, startup teams, and tech professionals to develop solutions to real-world challenges using space technology, satellite data (Resourcesat, Cartosat, RISAT series), and AI/ML; ISRO Chairman: V. Narayanan.
Important Days
- 1 August - Death Anniversary of Bal Gangadhar Tilak (Punyatithi, 106th Anniversary) – 1 August 2026 marks the 106th death anniversary (Punyatithi) of Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak, who passed away on 1 August 1920 in Mumbai at the age of 63. Exam importance: Key facts: born 23 July 1856, Ratnagiri; co-founder of the Deccan Education Society (1884) and Fergusson College (1885), Pune; publisher of Kesari (Marathi) and Mahratta (English); reviver of Ganesh Chaturthi (1893) as a community festival; architect of the militant nationalist movement; wrote Gita Rahasya (1915); the famous slogan "Swarajya is my birthright and I shall have it" is attributed to him; India's NSA Ajit Doval received the Lokmanya Tilak National Award 2026 on this date.
- 2 August - Jaismine Lamboria Named India's Flag-Bearer at CWG 2026 Closing Ceremony – Jaismine Lamboria (women's 57 kg boxing gold, CWG 2026 Glasgow) served as India's flag-bearer at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games Closing Ceremony on 2 August 2026, following a remarkable boxing campaign where India won 7 gold medals - more than any other nation in boxing at a single CWG. Exam importance: This is a significant sporting milestone - India's flag-bearer at CWG closing ceremonies reflects the athlete's outstanding campaign performance; Jaismine Lamboria is a young boxer from Haryana; the closing ceremony featured the official handover to Ahmedabad (CWG 2030); previous India closing ceremony flag-bearers at CWG have included PV Sindhu, Bajrang Punia, and MC Mary Kom.
- 3 August - World Friendship Day (First Sunday of August) 2026 – World Friendship Day is observed on the first Sunday of August (3 August in 2026), a popular celebration of friendship across South Asia, including India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Nepal. Exam importance: The concept of Friendship Day was first proposed in 1930 by Joyce Hall, founder of Hallmark Cards; in 1958, Dr. Ramon Artemio Bracho founded the World Friendship Crusade in Paraguay; the UN's International Day of Friendship falls on 30 July (established 2011 through UNGA Resolution A/RES/65/L.72); the first-Sunday-in-August tradition is particularly strong in South Asia; in India, Friendship Day is celebrated by the exchange of friendship bands (bands of different colours given on the right wrist).
