Today’s important current affairs, which are essential for students preparing for government jobs…
NATIONAL
1. ED Director Rahul Navin’s tenure extended
- On 10 August, the Central Government extended the tenure of ED Director Rahul Navin by one more year.
- Rahul’s tenure has been extended till 13 August 2027. His current tenure will end on 13 August.
- Rahul is a 1993 batch Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer of the Income Tax cadre.
- Rahul was appointed as ED Chief on 14 August 2024.
- From 2004 to 2008, worked on matters related to Director of International Taxation Mumbai.
- From 2015 to 17, worked as Commissioner Transfer Pricing and then became Commissioner in Income Tax.
- Rahul investigated several high-profile cases during his tenure, including political consultancy firm I-PAC, Reliance Anil Ambani Group, and online money gaming companies.
IRS Rahul Navin has investigated the Reliance Anil Ambani Group.
2. Joint Navy Exercise between India and US commenced
- On 10 August, the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) 2026 Exercise began between the Indian Navy and the US Navy.
- This exercise is being conducted from 10 to 14 August at the Southern Naval Command in Kochi and this is the 8th edition of this exercise.
- The main focus of this exercise includes identifying Explosive Ordnance Disposal and safely neutralising it.
- Expert diving and EOD teams from both India and the US will participate in this.
- Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEEs), cross-training, equipment displays and practical training will be organised.
- During the exercise, modern EOD technology, new technology and mutual training exchange will take place.
India and the US have been conducting joint rescue and EOD exercises since 2005.
INTERNATIONAL
3. Navy Chief Admiral Krishna Swaminathan reached Mauritius on a 4-day visit
- On 10 August, Navy Chief Admiral Krishna Swaminathan arrived in Mauritius on a four-day official visit.
- The Defence Ministry stated that this visit is part of India’s continuous efforts to strengthen bilateral maritime cooperation and defence relations with Mauritius.
- During this visit, Admiral Swaminathan will hold discussions with the top leadership of the Mauritius government and discuss matters of mutual interest such as maritime security, defence cooperation, capacity building, and military cooperation.
- India and Mauritius have a long-standing partnership in the maritime sector. The Indian Navy has consistently cooperated with the Mauritius National Coast Guard in matters related to training and operations.
- This includes activities such as joint Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) surveillance, port visits, and hydrographic surveys.
- India and Mauritius share platforms with several countries and work together for cooperation.
- Mauritius has regularly participated in important Indian Navy initiatives such as Indian Ocean Naval Symposium, MILAN, International Fleet Review, Goa Maritime Conclave, IOS Sagar, and Exercise AIKEYME.
India and Mauritius share platforms with many countries. They work together for cooperation.
SPORTS
4. Weightlifter Maharanjan won Silver Medal
- On 9 August, Indian weightlifter Maharanjan Arumugapandian won a silver medal at the Asian Junior Weightlifting Championship 2026.
- Maharanjan won this medal in the men’s 65 kg category.
- Meanwhile, Vietnam’s Huang Thach won gold by lifting 291 kilograms.
- Maharanjan lifted a total of 285 kilograms, giving his best performance by lifting 128 kg in snatch and 157 kg in clean and jerk.
- In 2025, Maharanjan had won a gold medal in the 60 kg men’s category.
- Maharanjan had won silver in the 60 kg category at the Asian Youth Games 2025.
- In February 2026, Maharanjan won gold in both Youth and Junior categories at the National Weightlifting Championship.
Miscellaneous
5. TRAI orders telecom companies to use 1601 series
- On 10 August, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, i.e., TRAI, issued new rules for telecom companies to curb spam calls and telecom fraud.
- TRAI has directed the use of 1601 series numbers for service and transaction-related calls in the non-BFSI sector, i.e., Banking, Financial Services and Insurance, and government institutions.
- Its objective is to help customers distinguish between genuine service calls and suspicious/fake calls.
- TRAI has issued these directives to make identification of spam and fake calls easier.
- This rule will increase customer trust and help curb telecom-based fraud.
- TRAI has previously taken action against unauthorised telemarketers including notices, communication bans, and disconnection of telecom resources.
- In 2025, TRAI issued more than 7.31 lakh notices and disconnected more than 1.84 lakh telecom resources.
5. Tamil Thai Vaazhthtu song resolution now passed in Tamil Nadu
- On 10 August, the Tamil Nadu Assembly passed a resolution for ‘Tamil Thai Vaazhthu’ (state song) in all state programmes.
- This resolution was presented in the Assembly by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay.
- This resolution has made it mandatory that state programs should begin with this song.
- This decision has been taken to promote Tamil language and culture.
- ‘Tamil Thai Vaazhthu’ is a song sung in praise of Tamil language and Tamil culture.
- It was composed by Manonmaniam Sundaranar (P. Sundaram Pillai).
- ‘Tamil Thai Vaazhthu’ means worshipping the Tamil language by considering it as mother.
- In 2021, the state government also made it mandatory for people present during its singing to stand, although persons with disabilities were exempted from this.
The state song has also received support from opposition parties DMK and AIADMK.
6. India sent 8 metric tons of medicines to Bolivia
- On 10 August, India sent a consignment of 8 metric tons (MT) of life-saving and essential medicines to Bolivia.
- Bolivia is a country in South America. This step reflects India’s Global South cooperation and humanitarian assistance policy.
- This consignment of medicines is part of India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) South-South Cooperation.
- India has provided medical assistance to Bolivia before. In 2020, India sent approximately 6.2 tons of essential medicines and protective equipment to Bolivia during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Today’s History
- In 1908, young Indian revolutionary Khudiram Bose was hanged by the British.
- In 1999, the last total solar eclipse of the century was visible in Europe and Asia continents.
