Staying updated with today's current affairs is essential for competitive exam aspirants preparing for SSC, UPSC, Banking, State PSCs, and Railway exams. The 5 August 2026 current affairs cover the RBI MPC keeping repo rate unchanged at 5.25% (neutral stance), LIC OFS 6.5% stake at ₹382 base price, Clouded Leopard Conservation Action Plan, MDR amendment to Payment and Settlement Systems Act, New India Assurance BMIP marine war risk policy, L&T's ₹15,000 crore ADNOC contract, Satish Gujral commemorative stamp, India-Uzbekistan ₹3 billion trade target, India's National Space Day countdown, Jammu & Kashmir's 7th anniversary as UT, and key August important days - all of which frequently appear in the General Awareness section of government exams.
India – National Current Affairs
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- RBI MPC Unanimously Keeps Repo Rate Unchanged at 5.25%; Retains Neutral Policy Stance – The Reserve Bank of India's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) unanimously voted to keep the policy repo rate unchanged at 5.25 percent at its meeting held from August 3 to 5, 2026. The committee also retained its neutral policy stance. RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra announced the decision at 10 AM on Wednesday, 5 August 2026. With the repo rate unchanged, the Standing Deposit Facility (SDF) rate remains at 5 percent, while the Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) rate and the Bank Rate continue at 5.5 percent. Exam importance: Announcing the decision, RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra said the MPC had taken the decision after assessing evolving domestic macroeconomic and financial conditions, as well as the global outlook. He said the continuing conflict in West Asia has disrupted trade routes and supply chains, increased market volatility and weakened business sentiment. He added that global growth is expected to slow, inflation is projected to remain elevated in 2026, and uncertainty has increased as some central banks have tightened monetary policy while others have remained cautious. The RBI said headline inflation is expected to rise further in the near term and peak in the third quarter of FY27, before moderating later in the financial year. "Headline inflation has edged up above target, due to rise in prices of fuel and food. Core inflation continues to be benign. Headline inflation expected to peak in Q3," the RBI Governor said. This is the 3rd consecutive meeting with no change in the repo rate; the rate has been 5.25% since December 2025; RBI Governor: Sanjay Malhotra; MPC members: Governor + Deputy Governors Swaminathan Janakiraman, Poonam Gupta + 3 external members; RBI inflation projection for FY27: revised upward to 5.1% (from 4.6%); RBI GDP growth projection for FY27: maintained at 6.6%; current RBI policy rates: Repo 5.25%, SDF 5.0%, MSF/Bank Rate 5.5%, CRR 4%, SLR 18%.
- Government of India Initiates LIC OFS - Up to 6.5% Stake Sale at Base Price ₹382 per Share – The Government of India has initiated an Offer for Sale (OFS) for the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) by putting up a stake of up to 6.5% at a base price of ₹382 per share. The OFS will be open for institutional investors on 5 August 2026 and for retail investors on 6 August 2026. Exam importance: An OFS (Offer for Sale) is a mechanism where the promoter/government sells existing shares through the stock exchange platform without issuing new shares - it dilutes the government's stake but does not raise capital for LIC itself; LIC is India's largest financial institution by assets (~₹52 lakh crore), established under the Life Insurance Corporation Act, 1956; LIC was listed on BSE and NSE on 17 May 2022 at ₹867 per share (government's first stake sale: 3.5%, IPO price ₹949); the GoI currently holds approximately 96.5% of LIC; the 6.5% OFS will reduce GoI's stake to approximately 90% and raise approximately ₹15,000-20,000 crore for the government; Insurance sector FDI was raised to 100% in Union Budget 2025-26; LIC Chairman: Siddharth Mohanty.
- India Launches Clouded Leopard Conservation Action Plan on International Clouded Leopard Day – India launched a new Clouded Leopard Conservation Action Plan on International Clouded Leopard Day, observed on 4 August 2026. The plan was prepared under the Government of India-GEF-UNDP project for strengthening the conservation of clouded leopards across their range in the Northeast and Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Exam importance: The Clouded Leopard (Neofelis nebulosa) is the State Animal of Meghalaya and is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List; it is protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972; India's clouded leopard population is concentrated in the Northeast (Assam, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland) and Andaman & Nicobar Islands; International Clouded Leopard Day was established in 2018 by institutions (San Diego Zoo and Smithsonian's National Zoo) and is observed annually on 4 August; the Action Plan covers habitat protection, anti-poaching, corridor conservation, and community engagement; GEF (Global Environment Facility) is headquartered in Washington D.C., USA; UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) is headquartered in New York.
- Finance Ministry Proposes MDR Reintroduction on Select Digital Payments Through Payment and Settlement Systems Act Amendment – The Union Ministry of Finance proposed amendments to the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007, on 3 August 2026 to reintroduce Merchant Discount Rate on select digital payment transactions, particularly for high-value B2B (business-to-business) transactions and certain premium card categories, while maintaining zero-MDR for Person-to-Merchant (P2M) UPI payments for small merchants. Exam importance: MDR (Merchant Discount Rate) is the charge that merchants pay to banks/payment processors for accepting digital payments; the Government had waived MDR on UPI and RuPay debit card transactions in January 2020; zero-MDR was introduced to boost digital payment adoption among small merchants; this amendment proposes targeted MDR reintroduction to make digital payment infrastructure commercially viable for banks and payment networks; the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007 (PSS Act) is the principal legislation governing payment systems in India; administered by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI); NPCI (National Payments Corporation of India) operates UPI, RuPay, and other national payment systems.
- New India Assurance Issues First Policy Under Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool (BMIP) to Shipping Corporation of India – New India Assurance Company issued the first policy under the Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool (BMIP) to Shipping Corporation of India. It offers third-party liability coverage with an indemnity limit of up to $1.5 billion. BMIP has already reduced maritime war risk insurance premiums by 35-40%. Exam importance: BMIP (Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool) was established in 2025 under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) to develop a domestic marine war risk insurance facility, reducing India's dependence on London P&I Club and foreign insurers; New India Assurance (NIA) is India's largest non-life general insurer, a PSU under the Ministry of Finance; HQ: Mumbai; Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) is India's largest shipping company, a PSU under MoPSW; the BMIP is significant given the West Asia conflict that had elevated maritime war risk premiums globally by 200-400% in 2025-26; India's shipping sector is critical as approximately 95% of trade by volume is handled via sea.
- Department of Posts Releases Commemorative Stamp on Birth Centenary of Satish Gujral – The Department of Posts released a commemorative postage stamp on 3 August 2026 to mark the birth centenary of Satish Gujral, an Indian artist, sculptor, and architect. Exam importance: Satish Gujral (born 25 December 1925 – died 26 March 2020) was a renowned Indian painter, sculptor, muralist, graphic artist, and architect; he was born in Jhelum, Punjab (now Pakistan); he is credited with designing the Belgian Embassy Building in New Delhi (1983), which won the International Award for Architecture; he suffered a childhood accident that left him deaf; he is the brother of former Prime Minister Inder Kumar Gujral (PM: 1997-98); he received the Padma Vibhushan (India's 2nd highest civilian honour) in 1999 in Arts; notable works: massive murals across India including the Lok Sabha complex, Vigyan Bhavan, and Parliament Library building; commemorative postage stamps are issued by the Department of Posts under the Ministry of Communications.
- India and Uzbekistan Set Target to Double Bilateral Trade to USD 3 Billion in 3 Years – India and Uzbekistan have set a target to double bilateral trade to about $3 billion within three years. The target was discussed at the India-Uzbekistan Business Forum. Exam importance: Uzbekistan is a landlocked country in Central Asia and one of two double-landlocked countries in the world (along with Liechtenstein); capital: Tashkent; Uzbekistan's President: Shavkat Mirziyoyev; India-Uzbekistan bilateral trade: approximately USD 1.5 billion (FY26); India exports pharmaceuticals, machinery, cotton yarn, and chemicals to Uzbekistan; Uzbekistan exports cotton, fertilisers, and mineral products to India; India has been actively expanding its Central Asia Connect (CAC) strategy since 2012; India-Central Asia Summit was first held in January 2022; Uzbekistan is a member of SCO (India joined SCO in 2017).
- IRDAI Tightens Ownership Norms and Eases Capital Infusion Rules for Insurers – IRDAI now requires prior approval for shareholding changes exceeding 5 percent. The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) issued new regulations tightening ownership disclosure and approval norms - requiring prior approval for any shareholding change exceeding 5% in an insurer - while simultaneously easing capital infusion rules to encourage new players to enter India's underpenetrated insurance sector. Exam importance: IRDAI was established in 1999 under the IRDAI Act, 1999; HQ: Hyderabad, Telangana; IRDAI Chairperson: Debasish Panda; India's insurance penetration: approximately 4.2% of GDP (FY26) - still significantly below the global average of approximately 7%; India's insurance sector comprises 57 life insurers and 35 general/health insurers as of 2026; the recent Sabka Bima Sabki Raksha Amendment Act, 2025 raised FDI in insurance to 100%; India's vision is 'Insurance for All by 2047'.
Daily Current Affairs 05 August 2026: Download Free PDF Now
International Current Affairs
- L&T Energy Hydrocarbon Offshore Wins Ultra-Mega ₹15,000 Crore ADNOC Offshore Contract – L&T Energy Hydrocarbon Offshore secured an ultra-mega offshore contract from ADNOC Offshore on 4 August 2026. The contract value is over ₹15,000 crore and covers engineering, procurement, construction, and installation of offshore oil production facilities in the UAE's Abu Dhabi oil fields. Exam importance: ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company) is one of the world's largest oil companies; UAE is one of India's largest trade partners (bilateral trade: USD 83 billion in FY26); L&T (Larsen & Toubro) is India's largest infrastructure and engineering conglomerate; L&T Energy Hydrocarbon is a division specialising in hydrocarbon processing, offshore, and refinery projects; this is one of India's largest-ever engineering export orders; the contract underscores India's growing engineering and EPC (Engineering, Procurement, Construction) exports, which contribute significantly to India's services balance; L&T CMD: S.N. Subrahmanyan.
- India's PM Modi Holds Bilateral Meeting with New UK PM Andy Burnham on Sidelines of Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting – PM Modi met new UK PM Andy Burnham. PM Modi and UK PM Andy Burnham held bilateral talks on the sidelines of a Commonwealth-related meeting in early August 2026, reviewing the implementation of the India-UK CETA (which came into force on 15 July 2026) and identifying new areas of cooperation. Exam importance: Andy Burnham assumed office as UK's 59th PM on 20 July 2026, succeeding Keir Starmer; this is their first formal bilateral meeting following Burnham's assumption of office; the India-UK CETA provides 99% duty-free access for Indian exports to the UK; UK is India's 6th largest goods trade partner (FY26 exports: USD 13.44 billion); the meeting built on PM Modi's visits to France, Slovakia, Indonesia, Australia, and New Zealand in June-July 2026.
Science & Technology
- India's Installed Power Generation Capacity Projected to Reach 874 GW by 2031-32 – India's installed power generation capacity is projected to reach 874 GW by 2031-32. The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) updated its generation capacity expansion projection, setting a target of 874 GW installed capacity by March 2032, including approximately 450 GW from renewable sources (solar, wind, hydro) and 200+ GW from coal/gas thermal. Exam importance: India's current total installed generation capacity: approximately 1,000 GW (crossed in 2026), comprising approximately 450 GW non-fossil + 550 GW fossil (including 210 GW coal thermal); India's NDC target: 500 GW non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030; Ministry of Power: Manohar Lal Khattar; CEA is India's apex technical body for electricity planning; NTPC Limited (India's largest power generating company) has a capacity of approximately 73 GW; India's per capita power consumption: approximately 1,400 units (FY26).
- 23 August - National Space Day 2026 (3rd Observance) Approaching – With India's National Space Day approaching on 23 August 2026, ISRO and the Department of Space are organising a series of outreach events and competitions for students across India. National Space Day was established on 23 August 2023 - the day Chandrayaan-3's Vikram lander soft-landed near the Moon's south pole - making India the first country to achieve a soft landing near the lunar south pole. Exam importance: National Space Day (NSD) was declared by PM Modi on 26 August 2023 following Chandrayaan-3's historic success; first NSD was observed on 23 August 2024; 2026 marks the 3rd NSD; the Pragyan rover travelled approximately 100 metres on the lunar surface; the Vikram lander was named after Dr. Vikram Sarabhai (father of India's space programme); India's ISRO Chairman: V. Narayanan; India's space economy is projected to grow from ~USD 8.4 billion to USD 44 billion by 2033.
Economy & Banking
- Q1 FY27 Corporate Earnings - Nykaa, Bharti Airtel, ONGC Release Results – Nykaa Q1 Results, Bharti Airtel Q1 Results, Q1 Results Today, ONGC Q1 Results were among the major corporate earnings announcements on 5 August 2026 (Q1 FY27 - April-June 2026). Exam importance: Quarterly earnings (Q1 FY27) are a key indicator of India's corporate sector health; Nykaa (FSN E-Commerce Ventures) is India's leading online beauty and fashion platform; Bharti Airtel is India's 2nd largest telecom operator by subscribers; ONGC (Oil and Natural Gas Corporation) is India's largest oil and gas producer; Sensex and Nifty 50 react to MPC decisions and corporate earnings; SEBI regulates quarterly reporting under LODR (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015.
Important Days
- 5 August - Jammu and Kashmir's 7th Foundation Day as a Union Territory (2026) – The 5th of August marks the 7th anniversary of the passing of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, which came into force on 31 October 2019. On 5 August 2019, the Government of India revoked the special status granted by Article 370 and bifurcated the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories - the UT of Jammu and Kashmir (with a legislature) and the UT of Ladakh (without a legislature). Exam importance: The J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019 was passed by Parliament on 5 August 2019 and came into effect on 31 October 2019; J&K has a legislature (Legislative Assembly) while Ladakh is a UT without a legislature; J&K LG: Manoj Sinha; Ladakh LG: Vinai Kumar Saxena; the Supreme Court upheld the constitutional validity of the revocation of Article 370 in December 2023; the government has committed to restoring statehood to J&K when the time is appropriate; 31 October - the day J&K was formally bifurcated - is also observed as Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Jayanti (National Unity Day).
- 6 August - Hiroshima Day 2026 (81st Anniversary) – Hiroshima Day is observed globally on 6 August to mark the 81st anniversary of the first atomic bombing of a city in history - the US dropping 'Little Boy' on Hiroshima, Japan at 8:15 AM on 6 August 1945. Exam importance: The atomic bomb killed an estimated 80,000–140,000 people; the 'Enola Gay' B-29 bomber, piloted by Colonel Paul Tibbets, dropped the bomb; a second bomb ('Fat Man') was dropped on Nagasaki on 9 August 1945; Japan surrendered on 15 August 1945 (V-J Day); the Hiroshima Peace Memorial (Genbaku Dome) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site; the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW, 2021) is the first legally binding international agreement to comprehensively prohibit nuclear weapons; India has not signed the TPNW.
- 7 August - National Handloom Day 2026 (12th Observance) – National Handloom Day is observed on 7 August every year to commemorate the Swadeshi Movement launched on 7 August 1905, when Indian leaders resolved to boycott British goods and promote Indian-made textiles. Exam importance: First observed on 7 August 2015; 2026 marks the 12th observance; PM Modi launched the first NHD at Chennai in 2015; the day is organised by the Ministry of Textiles; India has approximately 35 lakh handloom workers; India's handloom exports: approximately USD 490 million; the Handloom Reservation Act, 1985 reserves 11 items exclusively for handloom production; significant handloom products: Varanasi Silk (UP), Kanjivaram (TN), Chanderi (MP), Phulkari (Punjab), Pochampally Ikat (Telangana).
