Karnataka & Group C Current Affairs – August 25th to September 11th, 2026

Appointments

Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra 

Retired Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra has been appointed as the first-ever Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust in Ayodhya. An Indian Air Force veteran commissioned in 1986 with over 3,000 flying hours, he was selected from over 5,200 applicants. The newly created position aims to significantly strengthen the trust’s administration and financial management

Awards

1. Kaziah Liz Mejo Crowned Miss Universe India 2026

Context: A 19-year-old law student from Kerala won the national beauty pageant, securing her spot to represent India on the global stage.

Key Highlights:

• Award: Miss Universe India 2026.
• Awardee: Kaziah Liz Mejo (the first woman from Kerala to win the national title).
• Issuing Authority: Miss Universe India.
• Presenter: Manika Vishwakarma (Miss Universe India 2025).
• Key Achievement: Emerged victorious against 52 finalists, earning the right to represent India at the 75th Miss Universe pageant scheduled for November 2026 in Puerto Rico.

About the Award:

• The national title selects India’s official representative for the annual international Miss Universe competition.
• The 2026 selection committee featured a panel of notable former pageant winners, including India’s first Miss Universe, Sushmita Sen, alongside Celina Jaitly, Urvashi Rautela, and Rhea Singha.

2. PM Modi Receives Uzbekistan’s Highest Honour

Context: The Indian Prime Minister was awarded Uzbekistan’s highest honour during his two-day state visit to Tashkent in August 2026, marking a major diplomatic breakthrough that significantly elevated bilateral ties.

Key Highlights:

• Award: ‘Oliy Darajali Do’stlik’ Order (Order of Supreme Friendship).
• Awardee: Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• Issuing Authority: Republic of Uzbekistan.
• Presenter: Government of Uzbekistan.
• Key Achievement: Successfully elevated India-Uzbekistan ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which notably included securing a landmark long-term agreement for the supply of uranium to India to strengthen its nuclear energy program.

About the Award:

• It is the highest state order of Uzbekistan awarded for outstanding contributions to friendship and international collaboration.
• The Prime Minister dedicated the honor to India’s 1.4 billion people, noting that the word “Dostlik” translates to friendship, fittingly representing the millennia-old historic ties between India and the Central Asian region.

3. Ramon Magsaysay Awards 2026

Context: Three Asian leaders were recognized for their transformative contributions in diplomacy, rural development, and human rights advocacy.

Key Highlights:

• Award: Ramon Magsaysay Award 2026.
• Issuing Authority: Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation (RMAF).

2026 Awardees & Achievements:

About the Award:

• Established in 1958 to honor the democratic ideals of former Philippine President Ramon Magsaysay.
• Recognizes “greatness of spirit” and selfless service to the peoples of Asia.
• Since 2009, the foundation shifted from six rigid categories to recognize un-categorized outstanding service, with the exception of the Emergent Leadership category.

4. Joheirry Mola Crowned Miss World 2026

Context: The grand finale of the 73rd Miss World pageant (celebrating its 75th-anniversary milestone edition) was held in Nha Trang, Vietnam, where a new global beauty queen was crowned.

Key Highlights:

• Award: Miss World 2026.
• Awardee: Joheirry Mola (representing the Dominican Republic).
• Issuing Authority: Miss World Organisation.
• Presenter: Opal Suchata Chuangsri (reigning Miss World 2025 from Thailand).
• Key Achievement: Emerged victorious among 111 global contestants. Spain’s Elisabeth Reynes and Malaysia’s Taanusiya Chetty finished as first and second runners-up, respectively.

About the Award:

• Established in 1951, it is the oldest-running international major beauty pageant.
• Joheirry Mola’s victory marks only the second Miss World title for the Dominican Republic, coming 44 years after Mariasela Álvarez won the crown in 1982.

5. Kishor Makwana Awarded Kalam Jan Seva Puraskar

Context: The Chairman of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) was honoured for public service and advancing social justice for marginalized communities.

Key Highlights:

• Award: Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Jan Seva Puraskar 2026.
• Awardee: Kishor Makwana (Chairman, NCSC).
• Issuing Authority: Prime Point Foundation and the Sansad Ratna Awards Jury Committee.
• Key Achievement: Safeguarding constitutional safeguards, addressing community grievances, and driving social empowerment for Scheduled Castes.

About the Award:

• Conferred during the 16th edition of the Sansad Ratna Awards in New Delhi.
• Recognizes exceptional leadership and institutional dedication toward upholding constitutional rights and social inclusion.

Important days

1. World Sanskrit Day

• Observed Date: August 28, 2026 (Shravana Purnima)
• Observing Organisation: Ministry of Education, Government of India
• Objective: To celebrate the cultural, intellectual, and linguistic legacy of Sanskrit, promote its study in alignment with NEP 2020, and encourage the preservation of ancient Vedic literature and classical traditions.

2. National Small Industry Day 2026

• Observed Date: August 30
• Observing Organisation: Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Government of India
• Objective: To recognise the vital contributions of small-scale industries and MSMEs to the nation’s economic and social development, promote entrepreneurship, highlight supportive government initiatives, and celebrate their crucial role in generating widespread employment across urban and rural areas.

3. National Wildlife Day 2026

• Observed Date: September 4 (also observed on February 22 in some calendars to honor Steve Irwin’s birthday).
• Observing Organisation: Established in 2005 by animal behaviourist Colleen Paige; globally recognized by conservation organizations.
• Objective: To spread awareness about wildlife conservation, address the increasing threats to endangered species and natural habitats (such as pollution, climate change, and poaching), and emphasize the importance of local flora and fauna in maintaining healthy ecosystems.

4. National Teachers’ Day 2026

• Observed Date: September 5
• Observing Organisation: Ministry of Education, Government of India
• Objective: To commemorate the birth anniversary of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan—India’s first Vice-President, second President, and a renowned philosopher—while honouring the foundational role of educators in shaping young minds and nation-building. First observed in 1962, the occasion is also marked by the conferment of the National Teachers’ Awards; in 2026, President Droupadi Murmu honoured 48 distinguished school teachers in New Delhi for their exceptional contributions and innovative teaching methodologies.

5. International Literacy Day 2026

• Observed Date: September 8 (2026 marks its 60th anniversary)
• Observing Organisation: UNESCO
• Objective: To highlight the importance of literacy as a fundamental human right and a foundation for lifelong learning, employment, and sustainable development, while addressing the persistent global gap where millions still lack basic reading and writing proficiency.
• Theme: “Literacy for people, the planet and prosperity”

6. Himalaya Diwas 2026

• Observed Date: September 9
• Observing Organisation: First declared by the Government of Uttarakhand in 2015; observed broadly by environmental and conservation bodies.
• Objective: To highlight the ecological, cultural, and economic significance of the Himalayan ecosystem. The 2026 observance specifically emphasizes alarming scientific data regarding accelerated glacier retreat (a 12% loss in coverage between 1990 and 2020) and declining snow cover in the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region, raising critical awareness about the growing threat to India’s long-term water security.

Science & Technology

1. ISRO Launches EOS-05 Aboard GSLV-F17

Context: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully conducted a major space mission from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, advancing India’s capabilities in high-end earth observation from a geosynchronous orbit.

Key Highlights:

• Launch Vehicle: GSLV-F17 (19th flight of the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle).
• Payload: EOS-05.
• Issuing/Launching Authority: ISRO.
• Key Achievement: Successfully placed the heavy, state-of-the-art EOS-05 satellite into its intended Sub-Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (Sub-GTO), making it the heaviest satellite ever carried by a GSLV to this orbit.

About the Satellite:

• EOS-05 is India’s first dedicated imaging satellite designed to operate from a geosynchronous orbit (at an altitude of 36,000 km).
• It is equipped to capture near real-time, continuous images of the Indian region in visible, infrared, multi-spectral, and hyperspectral bands.
• The satellite’s advanced capabilities will significantly enhance data gathering for agriculture, environmental monitoring, resource assessment, and disaster management.

2. TRISHNA Mission: ISRO and France Join Hands to Study Earth

Context: India and France are collaborating on a joint high-resolution Earth observation mission to address emerging climate challenges, terrestrial water stress, and global food security.

Key Highlights:

• Mission: TRISHNA (Thermal InfraRed Imaging Satellite for High-resolution Natural Resource Assessment).
• Collaborating Agencies: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the French Space Agency (CNES).
• Target Launch: Scheduled for 2027.
• Primary Objective: To globally map Land Surface Temperature (LST), monitor plant water stress (evapotranspiration), and analyze coastal and inland water dynamics with high spatial and frequent temporal resolution.

About the Mission Payloads:

• TIR Payload (by CNES): A four-channel thermal/long-wave infrared imaging sensor that maps surface temperature and emissivity.
• VNIR-SWIR Payload (by ISRO): A seven-band optical sensor observing in the visible and short-wave infrared spectrum to determine surface reflectance, soil moisture, and radiation budget variables.
• Combining thermal and optical data, TRISHNA will deliver crucial insights for precision agriculture, urban heat island monitoring, and glacier dynamics tracking.

Sports

1. Apoorv Kamble Wins FIDE-Rated Rapid Chess Tournament

Why in News: Seventeen-year-old chess prodigy Apoorv Kamble won the FIDE-rated rapid chess tournament held in Bengaluru as a precursor to Season 4 of the Global Chess League (GCL).

Key Highlights:

• Champion Performance:- Scored 8.5 points out of 9 rounds in a Swiss-system format, emerging on top against an open field of more than 700 players.
• Event & Venue:- FIDE-Rated Rapid Chess Tournament organized under the grassroots Road2GCL program in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
• Podium Finishers:- Outperformed second-place finisher Sammed Jaykumar Shete and third-place finisher Vaidyanathan Kannan.
• Global Chess League Context:- Served as a curtain-raiser for the Tech Mahindra GCL Season 4 featuring top grandmasters including Magnus Carlsen, Viswanathan Anand, and Gukesh D.

2. Praggnanandhaa Becomes First Indian to Win Grand Chess Tour

Why in News: Grandmaster R. Praggnanandhaa became the first Indian to win the Grand Chess Tour (GCT), overcoming a six-point deficit on the final day to defeat defending champion Fabiano Caruana.

Key Highlights:

• Championship Victory:- Secured a 15–13 comeback win across the rapid and blitz segments, earning a $200,000 purse and qualification for 2027.
• Event & Venue:- 2026 GCT Finals organized in St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
• Key Opponents:- Dethroned two-time defending champion Fabiano Caruana (USA); Wesley So (USA) clinched third place over Vincent Keymer (Germany).

2026 Grand Chess Tour: Final Standings

3. India Finish 8th in FIH World Cup

Why in News: The Indian men’s hockey team secured an eighth-place finish at the FIH World Cup following a shootout loss to co-hosts Belgium, while Germany successfully defended the world title.

Key Highlights:

• Classification Match:- India and Belgium drew 3–3 in regulation time, with Belgium ultimately winning the decisive penalty shootout 4–3.
• Tournament Champion:- Germany secured first place (their fourth World Cup crown) by defeating Spain 1–0 in the final.
• Event & Venue:- FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup 2026, held at the Belfius Hockey Arena in Wavre, Belgium.

FIH World Cup 2026: Final Standings (Select)

4. Mandhana Sets World Run Record

Why in News: Indian vice-captain Smriti Mandhana became the all-time leading run-scorer in women’s international cricket, surpassing Mithali Raj’s long-standing tally during an Asia Cup clash against Hong Kong.

Key Highlights:

• Record Milestone:- Reached 10,880 career runs across all formats (Tests, ODIs, and T20Is), overtaking Mithali Raj’s mark of 10,868 runs.
• Match Performance:- Smashed 124 runs off 64 balls (14 fours, 7 sixes), steering India to a 138-run victory.
• Event & Venue:- Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2026, held in Dubai.
• Additional Records:- Marked her 18th international century (most in women’s cricket history) and set the highest individual score in Women’s T20 Asia Cup history.

All-Time Leading Run-Scorers in Women’s International Cricket

5. Satwik-Chirag Win China Masters

Why in News: Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty mounted a three-game comeback to win their maiden China Masters Super 750 title, becoming the first Indian pair to lift the trophy.

Key Highlights:

• Championship Comeback:- Defeated China’s He Ji Ting and Ren Xiang Yu in a 70-minute battle after dropping the opening game.
• Event & Venue:- China Masters 2026 (BWF Super 750) organized in Shenzhen, China.
• Career Milestone:- Secured their second Super 750 crown of 2026 (after the Singapore Open) following runner-up finishes in 2023 and 2025.

China Masters 2026: Men’s Doubles Final

6. India 4th at Pickleball World Cup

Why in News: India secured a historic fourth-place finish among 82 nations at the Pickleball World Cup 2026, improving from seventh in the prior edition.

Key Highlights:

• Medal Haul:- Captured 41 medals (7 Gold, 17 Silver, 17 Bronze).
• Event & Venue:- Pickleball World Cup 2026 in Da Nang, Vietnam.
• Contingent:- 48-member Indian squad competed across Junior, Open, Senior, and Masters categories.

Pickleball World Cup 2026: India Medal Tally

7. Sheetal Devi Wins Para Series Gold

Why in News: Indian para-archer Sheetal Devi clinched her maiden individual gold medal at the World Archery Para Series following a dramatic shoot-off victory.

Key Highlights:

• Championship Victory:- Defeated Kazakhstan’s Aizada Seidan by hitting a perfect 10 (X) in the tie-breaker shoot-off after both archers tied at 144-144 in regulation.
• Event & Venue:- World Archery Para Series Stage III, held in Ahmedabad, India.
• Key Milestones:- Topped the qualification rounds with a season-best score of 698 (improving her own Asian record) to build momentum ahead of the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games.

World Archery Para Series (Ahmedabad): Compound Women’s Individual

8. East Zone Wins Duleep Trophy

Why in News: East Zone clinched the 2026-27 Duleep Trophy title, ending a 13-year drought, by securing a massive first-innings lead over South Zone after the final ended in a draw.

Key Highlights:

• Championship Victory:- Claimed the trophy based on a 372-run first-innings lead, having posted a mammoth 708 runs in their first innings.
• Event & Venue:- 2026-27 Duleep Trophy Final, held at Chepauk in Chennai.
• Key Performers:- Captain Ishan Kishan was adjudged Player of the Match for his knocks of 270 and 80. Md Kounain Quraishi struck his maiden first-class century (116*).

2026-27 Duleep Trophy Final: Match Summary