14 August 2026 — Current Affairs Quiz

Explanation

Parliament passed the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 on August 12 (Lok Sabha) and August 13 (Rajya Sabha). Moved by Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy, it inserts Section 9D in the 1957 Act, barring state governments from imposing any tax, cess or levy on mineral rights or mineral-bearing lands except as prescribed by the Centre. It follows the Supreme Court's 2024 Mineral Area Development Authority verdict that had upheld states' taxing power.

Explanation

Udara Shakti is a bilateral air exercise between the Indian Air Force and the Royal Malaysian Air Force. The 2026 edition is being held at Subang Air Base in Selangor, Malaysia, with air warriors from both nations in joint field training and Subject Matter Expert exchanges aimed at operational learning, sharing best practices and improving interoperability. The 2024 edition ran from 5 to 9 August at Kuantan, Malaysia, where the IAF fielded Su-30MKI fighters.

Explanation

The Indian Navy-US Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal Exercise 2026 was conducted at Southern Naval Command, Kochi, from 10 to 14 August 2026. The five-day bilateral drill comprised Subject Matter Expert Exchanges, cross-training, equipment demonstrations and scenario-based practical exercises, aimed at raising interoperability between the specialist diving and EOD teams of both navies. The two navies have held joint Salvage and EOD exercises since 2005; this was the eighth edition.