8 August 2026 — Current Affairs Quiz

Explanation

The Ministry of Home Affairs told the Lok Sabha in August 2026 that heatwaves and lightning have been added to the list of notified natural calamities under the operational guidelines of the SDRF and NDRF for the 2026-31 award period, acting on a recommendation of the 16th Finance Commission. This takes the notified list from 12 to 14. The Commission cited rising frequency and mortality linked to climate change. Exam angle: SDRF and NDRF operate under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.

Explanation

The 16th BRICS Trade Ministers' Meeting concluded in Jaipur on 7 August 2026 under India's BRICS Chairship 2026, chaired by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal. Members adopted a Joint Declaration and four annexes and finalised the Strategy for BRICS Economic Partnership 2030, covering trade, investment, the digital economy, industry, innovation, financial cooperation and sustainable development. It will be placed before BRICS Leaders at the New Delhi Summit in September 2026.

Explanation

The 13th BRICS Education Ministers' Meeting was held on 7 August 2026 at Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha, under India's BRICS Chairship 2026. Led by Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi, the meeting unanimously adopted the BRICS Education Ministers' Declaration. The 3rd Senior Officials' Meeting had been held in Bhubaneswar on 5 August. Priorities included early childhood care and education, skill development, research and innovation, and mutual recognition of qualifications.

Explanation

At a Rajasthan cabinet and council of ministers meeting chaired by Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma at the CMO in Jaipur on 7 August 2026, it was decided that the coming panchayati raj and urban local body elections will be held together on the One State-One Election concept. The cabinet also accepted the recommendations of the OBC Commission, with a lottery process for reserved seats. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Jogaram Patel said the announcement had been made in the 2024-25 state budget.

Explanation

The Rajasthan cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma on 7 August 2026, approved the Rajasthan Food Park Development Policy-2026. Under it, cluster-based modern food parks will be developed in a phased manner in every district of the state, providing facilities for processing, storage, preservation and export of farm produce and linking farmers and producer groups to a stronger supply chain. The same meeting also approved the Rajasthan Agriculture and Food Processing Policy-2026.

Explanation

At the Rajasthan cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma on 7 August 2026, labour reform decisions were taken under which workers' dearness allowance will now be raised twice a year, with a thirty-minute break made mandatory after five hours of work. The same meeting decided that government employees will receive State Insurance Scheme cover up to their actual date of retirement, instead of only up to 1 April of the retirement year.