SSC Daily Current Affairs – 21 August 2026

01

International

India hosts 12th BRICS Communications Ministers Meeting

India is hosting the 12th BRICS Communications Ministers Meeting on 21 August 2026.

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Exam takeaways

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4 points

• 112th meeting
• 2Host: India
• 3Chair: Jyotiraditya M. Scindia
• 4Focus: ICT and digital transformation

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The meeting is being held under India’s 2026 BRICS Chairship and focuses on cooperation in ICT, digital transformation, innovation and resilient digital infrastructure. Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia is chairing it.

02

National

Delhi Master Plan 2047 unveiled

Union Minister Manohar Lal unveiled the Delhi Master Plan 2047.

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Exam takeaways

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4 points

• 1Plan: MPD-2047
• 2Unveiled by: Manohar Lal
• 3Affordable homes: about 40 lakh
• 4Includes TOD policy

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MPD-2047 is a roadmap for a planned and future-ready national capital. It envisages around 40 lakh new affordable housing units and includes a Transit-Oriented Development policy.

03

Polity & Governance

Cabinet enables J&K High Court bench in Ladakh

The Union Cabinet enabled a sitting of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir in Ladakh.

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Exam takeaways

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3 points

• 1Court: High Court of Jammu and Kashmir
• 2Bench location: Ladakh
• 3Purpose: better access to justice

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The decision is intended to improve access to justice for residents of remote areas of Ladakh by reducing the time required to obtain legal services.

04

Science & Technology

Aadhaar App crosses 5 crore downloads

The Aadhaar App has surpassed 50 million downloads.

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Exam takeaways

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4 points

• 1Downloads: 5 crore
• 2Mobile updates: over 60 lakh
• 3Address updates: over 15 lakh
• 4OVSEs: 200

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UIDAI’s Aadhaar App crossed 5 crore downloads. More than 60 lakh users updated mobile numbers, over 15 lakh updated addresses, and 200 entities were onboarded as Offline Verification Seeking Entities.

05

Economy & Business

DPIIT signs startup MoUs with PhonePe and Shell India

DPIIT signed MoUs with PhonePe and Shell India to strengthen the startup ecosystem.

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Exam takeaways

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4 points

• 1Agency: DPIIT
• 2Partners: PhonePe and Shell India
• 3Signed: 19 August 2026
• 4Goal: startup support and innovation

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The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade signed the agreements on 19 August 2026 to support DPIIT-recognised startups and promote innovation in key economic sectors.

06

Appointments & Institutions

Reconstituted National Commission for Minorities holds first meeting

The reconstituted NCM held its first meeting of 2026 under Harjit Singh Grewal.

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Exam takeaways

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3 points

• 1Body: National Commission for Minorities
• 2Chairman: Harjit Singh Grewal
• 3Vice Chairperson: S. Munawari Begum

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The National Commission for Minorities reviewed welfare measures and safeguards for minority communities. Harjit Singh Grewal chaired the meeting, with S. Munawari Begum serving as Vice Chairperson.

07

Government Schemes

Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission highlighted

PMJVM promotes tribal entrepreneurship through community-owned Van Dhan Vikas Kendras.

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Exam takeaways

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4 points

• 1Mission: PMJVM
• 2Implementing model: Van Dhan Vikas Kendras
• 3Focus: Minor Forest Produce value addition
• 4ST population cited: 10.4 crore

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The mission helps Scheduled Tribe communities move from selling raw Minor Forest Produce to value addition and entrepreneurship. Many of India’s 10.4 crore Scheduled Tribes derive 20–40% of annual income from MFP.

08

Infrastructure

Cabinet approves four railway multitracking projects

CCEA approved four railway projects costing about ₹9,450 crore.

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Exam takeaways

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4 points

• 1Projects: 4
• 2Cost: about ₹9,450 crore
• 3Network addition: about 410 km
• 4States: West Bengal, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh

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The projects cover eight districts in West Bengal, Odisha, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, add about 410 km to the rail network, and are targeted for completion up to 2030-31.

09

Infrastructure

CCEA approves four-laning of Bihar NH-22 section

The Muzaffarpur–Sitamarhi–Sonbarsa section of NH-22 will be upgraded to four lanes.

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Exam takeaways

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5 points

• 1Highway: NH-22
• 2Length: 82.578 km
• 3Cost: ₹3,590.73 crore
• 4Mode: HAM
• 5State: Bihar

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The 82.578-km Bihar project will be developed under Hybrid Annuity Mode at a capital cost of ₹3,590.73 crore. It connects the India–Nepal border at Sonbarsa with Muzaffarpur and NH-27.

10

Awards & Sports

National Sports Awards 2025 announced

The Sports Ministry announced the National Sports Awards 2025, including 17 Arjuna awardees.

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Exam takeaways

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3 points

• 1Award year: 2025
• 2Arjuna awardees: 17
• 3Announced by: Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports

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The awards recognise outstanding sporting performance and contributions. The announced list contains 17 recipients of the Arjuna Award for outstanding performance, along with other award categories.