13 August 2026 — Current Affairs Quiz

Explanation

Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah presented the President's Colour to the Puducherry Police at the Armed Police Ground in Gorimedu on 9 August 2026. It was handed to the force's Ensign Officer, with Director General of Police Shalini Singh present. President Droupadi Murmu had approved the conferment on 8 May 2026 for exceptional service, discipline and distinguished achievements. Also called Nishaan, it is the highest ceremonial honour given to a force.

Explanation

Nikhil Wagh won gold in the men's sabre at the U-23 Commonwealth Fencing Championship held at Lagos, Nigeria, in August 2026. India swept the podium in the event, with Lakshay Badser taking silver and Ashwini Arya and Laishram Moramba sharing bronze. On the opening day India won 17 medals in all, comprising 4 gold, 4 silver and 9 bronze, and reached the podium in every one of the six individual events across sabre, foil and epee.

Explanation

By an order of 8 August 2026, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet extended the tenure of Enforcement Directorate chief Rahul Navin by one year beyond 13 August 2026, up to 13 August 2027, including continuation in service past his superannuation date of 31 July 2027. Navin is a 1993-batch Indian Revenue Service officer of the Income Tax cadre. He took charge as acting Director in September 2023 and was appointed full-time Director in August 2024, succeeding Sanjay Kumar Mishra.

Explanation

Author and columnist Gurcharan Das received the Lifetime Libertarian Award at the 40th Liberty International World Conference in Kathmandu, Nepal, on 8 August 2026, becoming the first Indian to be given the honour. The citation noted his lasting contribution to the advancement of liberty. Das, 82, is a former CEO of Procter and Gamble India and the author of India Unbound. He has also chaired the Board of Trustees of the Centre for Civil Society.

Explanation

The Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026 changes the state's name in the First Schedule of the Constitution from Kerala to Keralam, since the state is called Keralam in Malayalam. The Lok Sabha passed it on 11 August and the Rajya Sabha on 12 August 2026 by voice vote, piloted by Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai. The Kerala Assembly had passed a resolution on 24 June 2024 and the Union Cabinet approved the proposal in February 2026. Article 3 empowers Parliament to alter state names.

Explanation

The International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP), Trieste, gave its 2026 Dirac Medal to four physicists, among them Deepak Dhar of India, an INSA Distinguished Professor at ICTS-TIFR Bengaluru. The co-recipients are Bernard Derrida, Marc Mezard and Haim Sompolinsky. Dhar is known for the sandpile model, explaining how complex systems stay stable for long spells before a sudden large change. Instituted in 1985 and named after Paul Dirac, it is announced each year on 8 August.