26 August 2026 — Current Affairs Quiz

Explanation

Udara Shakti is the biennial bilateral air exercise of the Indian Air Force and Royal Malaysian Air Force. The 2026 edition ran at Subang Air Base, Selangor, Malaysia, ending 14 August. India sent four Rafale jets of 101 Squadron and two C-17 Globemaster III of 81 Squadron, the Rafale's first outing in this exercise since its 2020 induction. Malaysia fielded Su-30MKM, F/A-18D Hornet and A400M. Earlier editions used Su-30MKI jets. The contingent arrived via Exercise Pitch Black 2026, Australia.

Explanation

The Union Cabinet approved the Pradhan Mantri Surya Sarovar Yojana on 31 July 2026, outlay Rs 5,070 crore. This Central Sector Scheme of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy will develop 5,000 MW of Floating Solar PV capacity with co-located Energy Storage of at least two hours, or 10,000 MWh. Projects are sanctioned FY 2026-27 to FY 2030-31, support running till FY 2032-33. CFA is Rs 1 crore per MW. NISE puts India's floating solar potential at 102.18 GWp; present capacity is near 700 MW.

Explanation

The BRICS Tourism Ministers' Meeting concluded at Jaipur, Rajasthan on 21 August 2026 with consensus adoption of the BRICS Tourism Ministers' Communique 2026, the Jaipur Declaration. It capped the tourism track under India's 2026 BRICS Chairship, themed Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability. Its four priorities are AI and Tourism, Sustainability and Responsible Tourism, Tourism Skilling, and Tourism Exchanges with seamless travel. Nine member states took part.

Explanation

The BRICS Tourism Ministers' Meeting that adopted the Jaipur Declaration was chaired by Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat. It concluded at Jaipur, Rajasthan on 21 August 2026 and capped the tourism track of India's 2026 BRICS Chairship. Nine member states joined; ministers from Brazil, Iran, South Africa and the UAE attended. Tourism Secretary Bhuvnesh Kumar was in the Indian delegation. Shekhawat stressed tourism's role in Viksit Bharat 2047.

Explanation

The 25th Round of the India-China Special Representatives Talks on the boundary question was held in Beijing on 25 August 2026. India was represented by NSA Ajit Doval and China by Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a CPC Politburo member and Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs. The SR mechanism began in 2003, with Political Parameters and Guiding Principles agreed in 2005. The 23rd round was in Beijing in December 2024, the 24th in New Delhi in August 2025.