Welcome to today’s TNPSC Daily Current Affairs for August 27, 2026.
This comprehensive compilation covers all important events across national politics,
international relations, science & technology, economy, sports, and more.
Sourced from The Hindu, Indian Express, PIB, and other reputed media.
Perfect for TNPSC Group 1, Group 2, Group 2A, and Group 4 exam preparation.

📌 Read in Tamil: தமிழில் படிக்க இங்கே கிளிக் செய்யவும்

🏛️ National Politics & Government

1. MoRD Launches Mission Samriddh Gaon to Develop Poverty-Free, Employment-Rich Villages

In August 2026, Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), launched Mission Samriddh Gaon at Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi, Delhi, to develop a comprehensive model for rural transformation by creating poverty-free, employment-rich villages with assured access to basic amenities.

Key points:

• About Mission Samriddh Gaon: Pilot: Initial implementation will be undertaken in Budni block (Sehore district) and Khategaon block (Dewas district) of Madhya Pradesh (MP), with successful models to be replicated nationwide.
• Framework: An integrated development framework will be prepared at family, gram panchayat and block levels, linking households to relevant central and state government schemes based on eligibility and needs.
• Features: The mission emphasises convergence of schemes related to agriculture, employment, health, education and rural infrastructure to ensure holistic and coordinated development outcomes.
• The mission aims to eliminate poverty, ensure livelihood opportunities for every family, reduce distress migration and promote self-reliant rural communities aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat.

📌 Why it matters for TNPSC: Polity & Governance (GS Paper 2). Government policies and administration.

2. PPPAC Grants In-Principle Approval to Private Operation of 11 Airports Across Five Bundles

In August 2026, the Public Private Partnership Appraisal Committee (PPPAC), chaired by Anuradha Thakur, Secretary of Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) under the Ministry of Finance (MoF), granted its in-principle approval for the 3rd round of privatisation of 11 airports across 5 airport bundles, during its August 2026 meeting.

Key points:

• Key Details: Airports Covered Across 5 Bundles: The proposal includes 11 airports in 5 bundles: Amritsar (Punjab) and Kangra (Himachal Pradesh, HP); Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh, UP), Gaya (Bihar), and Kushinagar (Uttar Pradesh); Bhubaneswar (Odisha), Hubballi (Karnataka); Raipur (Chhattisgarh), Aurangabad (Maharashtra); and Tiruchirappalli (Tamil Nadu, TN) and Tirupati (Andhra Pradesh, AP).
• Investment: The total investment to be made by the private concessionaires taking over the operations of these airports is estimated at Rs 8,622 crore.
• Concession Period: As per the proposal, these airports will be leased out under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model for a concession period of 50 years.
• In addition, the concessionaire would be required to retain 60% of Airport Authority of India (AAI) employees for a maximum period of 3 years.

📌 Why it matters for TNPSC: Polity & Governance (GS Paper 2). Government policies and administration.

3. MoD Approves Transfer of DRDO Missile Technologies to Indian Defence Industry

On 25 August 2026, Union Minister, Rajnath Singh, Ministry of Defence (MoD), approved the transfer of technology (ToT) of all conventional missile systems developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to Indian defence manufacturers in New Delhi, Delhi to promote indigenous production and Aatmanirbharta (Self-reliance) in defence.

Key points:

• Highlights of DRDO Missile Technology Transfer: Technology Transfer: The ToT will enable eligible Indian industries to manufacture all conventional missile systems developed by DRDO, subject to required qualifications, certifications, and regulatory approvals.
• Industry Participation: The move promotes greater involvement of Indian private industries, including Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), in the defence supply chain.
• DRDO will work closely with Indian industries to facilitate technology transfer, absorption, and production of advanced defence systems.

📌 Why it matters for TNPSC: Polity & Governance (GS Paper 2). Government policies and administration.

4. Union Minister Chirag Paswan Inaugurates PMFME Bazaar Showcasing India’s Micro Food Enterprises

In August 2026, Union Minister Chirag Paswan, Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) inaugurated the Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Conclave 2026 on 24–25 August 2026 at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, Delhi.

Key points:

• Highlights of PMFME Conclave 2026: PMFME Bazaar: It showcased traditional food products and supported micro food processing enterprises, Self Help Groups (SHGs), Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), cooperatives, and entrepreneurs in product promotion and market access.
• He also launched the PMFME Bazaar featuring micro food enterprises from 25 States and Union Territories (UTs), showcasing a diverse range of unique, ethnic, and traditional food products that reflect India’s rich culinary and cultural heritage.
• The Bazaar promoted branding, digital commerce, and market access, while the conclave brought together 500+ stakeholders for collaboration and knowledge sharing.

📌 Why it matters for TNPSC: Polity & Governance (GS Paper 2). Government policies and administration.

5. Publications:Coffee Table Book

Publications: Released a Coffee Table Book featuring 30 PMFME success stories and FoodNova Magazine, the MoFPI quarterly food processing magazine.

Key points:

• Collaborations: MoFPI signed MoUs with Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), and National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development Kisan Finance Limited (NABKISAN) to strengthen market access and institutional linkages.

📌 Why it matters for TNPSC: Polity & Governance (GS Paper 2). Government policies and administration.

6. UNDP and HUL Partner to Strengthen Plastic Circular Economy Across 50 Indian Cities

In August 2026, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) India and Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) announced the next phase of their 7-year partnership to strengthen an inclusive circular economy for plastics in India.

Key points:

• About UNDP–HUL Partnership: Focus: Building on seven years of collaboration, the partnership will focus on four key areas: social inclusion, strengthening urban waste management systems, improving recycling efficiency, and facilitating knowledge transfer.
• Project Circular Bharat (PCB): The partnership is part of HUL’s PCB, which aims to advance plastic circularity through end-to-end and financially viable recycling models.
• Project Utthaan: It focuses on the social inclusion and welfare of Safai Mitras, with implementation aligned with the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE) and coordinated with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA).
• Significance: The initiative supports India’s efforts under Swachh Bharat Mission–Urban (SBM-U) 2.0 and contributes to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities and SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.
• The initiative aims to support 50,000 Safai Mitras (waste workers) and enhance waste management systems across 50 cities and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) by 2028.

📌 Why it matters for TNPSC: Polity & Governance (GS Paper 2). Government policies and administration.

7. VP C. P. Radhakrishnan Launches India’s First Indigenous Non-GMO Popcorn Maize Hybrid in AP

In August 2026, Vice-President C. P.

Key points:

• Radhakrishnan launched India’s first indigenous non-Genetically Modified Organism (non-GMO) high-expansion Popcorn Maize (Zea mays) hybrid seed at the Gourmet Popcornica facility in Musunuru, Eluru district, Andhra Pradesh (AP).
• About Indigenous Popcorn Maize Hybrid Seed: Development: The hybrid seed was developed through a scientific and commercial collaboration between ndian Council of Agricultural Research-Indian Institute of Maize Research (ICAR–IIMR) and Gourmet Popcornica, initiated in February 2021.
• Technology: The hybrid seed was developed using conventional non-GMO hybrid breeding methods, involving controlled cross-pollination of selected parent lines to combine desirable traits.
• Significance: The indigenous hybrid seed will reduce India’s dependence on imported popcorn maize technologies, supports domestic popcorn production, value-added agricultural processing, and export opportunities for popcorn products.
• About ICAR-IIMR: Established in 1957 and headquartered in Ludhiana, Punjab, it is focused on maize breeding, crop improvement, agronomy, value-chain development, and technology transfer.

📌 Why it matters for TNPSC: Polity & Governance (GS Paper 2). Government policies and administration.

8. ICG Hosts 2nd India-Vietnam Joint Exercise Sahyog HOP TAC in Chennai, TN

In August 2026, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) in collaboration with the Vietnam Coast Guard (VCG), hosted the 2nd edition of India-Vietnam Joint Exercise ‘Sahyog HOP TAC’, in Chennai, Tamil Nadu (TN), to strengthen maritime cooperation between the two nations.

Key points:

• About Sahyog HOP TAC: Key Participant: Vietnam Coast Guard (VCG) ship CSB8002 along with its 6 members delegation arrived in Chennai to participate at the joint maritime exercise, coinciding with the 7th ICG-VCG High-level meeting.
• Significance: The exercise was expected to bolster operational effectiveness between Vietnamese Coast Guard and ICG through professional exchanges and sharing of best practices in Marine Pollution Response & Maritime Law Enforcement.
• Previous Edition: The inaugural edition of India-Vietnam joint coast guard exercise was held in 2018 in the Bay of Bengal off the Chennai coast in TN.
• About ICG: Initiated in February 1977 and formally established in August 1978 under the Coast Guard Act, 1978, the ICG is a maritime law enforcement and search & rescue agency with jurisdiction over India’s territorial waters.

📌 Why it matters for TNPSC: Polity & Governance (GS Paper 2). Government policies and administration.

9. WAE Partners with UN GCNI Advancing Technology-Led Water Sustainability

In August 2026, WAE Limited, an Indian sustainability-led water technology and engineering company, entered into a strategic partnership with the United Nations Global Compact Network India (UN GCNI), the Indian local network of the UN Global Compact (UNGC), to promote technology-driven water sustainability solutions across India..

Key points:

• Objective: The collaboration aims to accelerate adoption of innovative water management technologies to address water scarcity, improve resource efficiency, and promote sustainable industrial practices.
• Commitment: By forging collaboration with UN GCNI, WAE pledges to advancing the 10 Principles of the UNGC that covers human rights, labour environment, and anti-corruption, and to integrating these principles across its strategy, operations, technology development and stakeholder ecosystem.
• Alignment: Further, this newly formed strategic partnership is expected to strengthen WAE’s contributions to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG-9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure); SDG-12 (Responsible Consumption and Production); SDG-13 (Climate Action); and SDG-17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
• About UN GCNI: Formed in 2000, it was officially registered as a non-profit society in 2003, to function as the Indian Country Network of the Global Compact, New York, the United States of America(USA).
• It is mandated to help in aligning stakeholders’ responsible practices towards the 10 universally accepted principles of UNGC.

📌 Why it matters for TNPSC: Polity & Governance (GS Paper 2). Government policies and administration.

10. Puducherry’s CM Rangasamy Presented Rs 14,300 Crore Tax-Free Budget for FY27

In August 2026, Natesan (N.) Rangasamy, Chief Minister (CM) of Union Territory (UT) Puducherry, who also holds the finance portfolio, presented a Rs 14,300 crore tax-free budget for the Financial Year 2026-27 (FY27) in the legislative assembly of Union Territory (UT) Puducherry.

Key points:

• Fiscal Estimates: Expenditure: Of the total budget, Rs 12, 115 crore (accounting 84.7% of the budget) allocated for Revenue Expenditure (RevEx); and Rs 2,185 crore for Capital Expenditure (CapEx) (15.3%).
• Committed Expenditure: Rs 2,693 crore has been allocated for salaries (18.83%); Rs 1,619 crore for pension (11.33%); Rs 1,981 crore for repayment of loan and payment of interest (13.86%); and Rs 2,327 crore for buy of power (16.28%).
• Total Revenue Receipts: The budget estimated UT’s revenue receipts at Rs 11,965.07 crore, including Rs 7,890 crore from the UT’s Own Tax Revenues and Rs 2,918.41 crore from non-tax revenue.
• Fiscal Deficit: The budget estimated the UT’s fiscal deficit in 2026-27 at 4.2% of Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) (Rs 2,334.93 crore).
• Other key Allocations: The budget has allocated Rs 2,202 crore, accounting for 15.4% of the total budget, towards major welfare schemes (such as: free rice scheme, productive incentive or subsidy for farmers, old age pension, financial assistance to women and subsidy for Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), among others); Rs 560 crore (3.92%) for Grant-in-aid to Society-run Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) and Rs 1,082 crore (7.57%) for the Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) and cooperative institutions.

📌 Why it matters for TNPSC: Polity & Governance (GS Paper 2). Government policies and administration.

11. TN CM Vijay Announced 3 free LPG cylinders, expands free bus travel for women and transgenders

In August 2026, C. Joseph Vijay, Chief Minister (CM) of Tamil Nadu (TN) made a series of welfare announcements, including 3 free Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders, expansion of free bus travel for women and transgenders, among others, in the state assembly in Chennai (TN) on the completion of 100 days of state government under his leadership.

Key points:

• Key Details of Announcements: Free LPG Cylinders: TN CM Vijay announced a new “Annapurnam Super Six” scheme under which the state government will provide 3 free LPG cylinders to women from economically disadvantaged families with an annual income not exceeding Rs 2.5 lakh; small and marginal farming families; transgender families, incurring an annual cost of Rs 4,000 crore.
• Vetri Payanam: He also announced the “Vetri Payanam” scheme, expanding the existing fare-free bus travel programme for women and transgenders across the state.
• These announcements were made under Rule 110 of the TN Legislative Assembly, which empowers the CM to present key policies and schemes of public importance.
• The scheme will be implemented during Pongal in January 2026, expected to benefit approximately 1.30 crore families.
• Under the expanded travel programme, women will be allowed to travel free of charge on express, Limited Stop Service (LSS) and Deluxe government buses operating in metropolitan and urban areas.

📌 Why it matters for TNPSC: Polity & Governance (GS Paper 2). Government policies and administration.

12. Other Key announcements:

Include the scrapping of Parandur greenfield airport project (at Parandur outskirts of Chennai); extension of 365 days maternity leave to women state government employees for the 3rd child; monthly allowance of Rs 1 lakh for administrative tasks and vehicle maintenance for Members of Legislative Assembly (MLA) (with expected annual expenditure of Rs 28.08 crore).

📌 Why it matters for TNPSC: Polity & Governance (GS Paper 2). Government policies and administration.

🔬 Science & Technology

13. GSL Hands Over Fast Patrol Vessel ICGS Ajit to Indian Coast Guard

In August 2026, Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) handed over Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Ajit (Yard 1277), the 7th vessel in a series of 8th state-of-the-art Fast Patrol Vessels (FPVs), to the Indian Coast Guard (ICG).

Key points:

• Background: Overview: Under the Buy-Indian Designed, Developed, and Manufactured (Buy-IDDM) scheme, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) awarded a Rs 473 crore contract to GSL) in March 2022 for the construction of eight FPVs for the ICG.
• About FPV: It is a small to medium-sized naval or coast guard vessel designed for rapid-response maritime security and surveillance operations.
• The formal handover was preceded by the traditional First Reading Ceremony and attended by Brajesh Kumar Upadhyay, Chairman and Managing Director (C&MD), GSL, Comdt (JG) Manish Talan, Commanding Officer, ICGS Ajit.

📌 Why it matters for TNPSC: Science & Technology (GS Paper 3). Achievements of Indians in S&T.

14. CSIR-NAL Unveils Three Indigenous Micro & Small Gas Turbine Engines for Defence UAVs

In August 2026, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Aerospace Laboratories (CSIR-NAL) unveiled three indigenous micro and small gas turbine engines: NJ-05, NJ-50 and NJ-100, at CSIR Headquarters, New Delhi, Delhi, developed for defence Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAVs) and missile systems, with thrust capacities of 5 kilogram (kg), 50 kg and 100 kg.

Key points:

• About Indigenous Gas Turbine Engines (NJ Series): Engines: Gas turbine engines operate on the Brayton cycle, a thermodynamic cycle widely used in jet propulsion and power generation, where air is compressed, mixed with fuel, combusted, and expanded through a turbine to produce thrust or shaft power.
• Development: The NJ-100 engine builds upon earlier NJ-05 demonstrator data, indicating progressive scaling within the same engine family, showcasing India’s growing expertise in miniaturised gas turbine technologies.
• Features: The engines incorporate high-RPM (Revolutions Per Minute) turbomachinery and advanced combustion technologies, making them suitable for lightweight, high-speed, and compact aerial platforms.

📌 Why it matters for TNPSC: Science & Technology (GS Paper 3). Achievements of Indians in S&T.

💰 Economy & Banking

15. SEBI Introduces IT Resilience Index Framework for Market Infrastructure Institutions

In August 2026, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) introduced an IT Resilience Index (ITRI) Framework for Market Infrastructure Institutions (MII) to evaluate the robustness and operational resilience of their critical Information Technology (IT) systems, covering entities such as stock exchanges, depositories, and clearing corporations.

Key points:

• ITRI Framework Overview: Parameters: The ITRI will use the following nine parameters to assess the resilience of technology systems across MIIs: Availability, Security, Integrity, Governance, Reliability & Monitoring, Business Continuity, Modularity & Flexibility, Scalability and other aspects, including incident handling.
• Weightage: The availability and security parameter has the maximum weightage of 20% each.
• Implementation: EWS and Real Time Monitoring of Service Delivery, must be operationalized by February 28, 2027, with the first ITRI computation covering the half-year ending March 31, 2027.
• Integrity, governance, reliability and monitoring, business continuity, and modularity and flexibility are each assigned a weightage of 10%.
• On the other hand, the Scalability parameter has a weightage of 5%.

📌 Why it matters for TNPSC: Economy (GS Paper 3). Banking, monetary policy, fiscal developments.

16. TCL Signs MoU with Japan’s Resona Bank to Help Japanese Companies to Explore Business Opportunities in India

In August 2026, Tata Capital Limited (TCL), a major Indian Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) and subsidiary of Tata Sons Private Limited, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Japan’s Resona Bank, core banking subsidiary of Resona Holdings, to help Japanese companies to explore and access financial solutions and business opportunities in India.

Key points:

• Key Details of MoU: Support: Under the partnership, Resona Bank will leverage the network and market expertise of Tata Capital Limited to assist its clients in entering the Indian market or expanding their existing operations.
• Business Linkages: The collaboration will also facilitate connections between businesses and potential partners, enabling access to new opportunities.
• Investment Commitment: The agreement was signed following a USD 20 million investment commitment by Resona Bank as a Limited Partner in Tata Capital Growth Fund III LP, which invests in Tata Capital Growth Fund III, a fund managed by Tata Capital.
• About TCL: Founded in 2007, TCL is a financial services company of Tata Group, providing loans, investment solutions, and financial services, with its headquarters in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

📌 Why it matters for TNPSC: Economy (GS Paper 3). Banking, monetary policy, fiscal developments.

📘 General Knowledge & Miscellaneous

17. Country Music Legend Dolly Rebecca Parton Passed Away at 80

In August 2026, legendary American singer, songwriter, actress and philanthropist Dolly Rebecca Parton passed away at the age of 80 in Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America (USA).

Key points:

• She was born on January 19, 1946, in Sevier County, Tennessee(USA).
• About Dolly Parton: Musical Journey: Known as the “Queen of Country Music,” Dolly Parton’s nearly seven-decade career featured iconic hits including “Jolene,” “I Will Always Love You,” and “9 to 5.” Philanthropic Contributions: She founded the Imagination Library, which distributed over 270 million free books to children worldwide, and was associated with Dollywood, a major Tennessee theme park and regional employer.
• Legacy: She left a lasting impact on music, cinema, business and philanthropy, becoming one of America’s most iconic entertainers.
• Awards: She was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame (1999), the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (2022) and received 10 Grammy Awards from 55 nominations, and appeared in films like “9 to 5” and “Steel Magnolias” while working as an author and television personality.

📌 Why it matters for TNPSC: General Knowledge. Important for TNPSC prelims.

18. World Water Week 2026 – August 23–27

World Water Week (WWW), the leading global conference on the water crisis, is observed annually during the last week of August and addresses global water challenges while promoting sustainable, equitable, and climate-resilient water management that includes vulnerable communities.

Key points:

• Background: Origin: WWW has been organized annually since 1991 by the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI), beginning with Stockholm’s public festival celebrating clean waters and hosting the first Stockholm Water Symposium.
• Renaming: In 2001, the Stockholm Water Symposium was officially renamed World Water Week (WWW) in Stockholm, becoming a premier global platform for discussions on freshwater issues.
• Related Observance: World Water Day is an annual UN observance held on March 22 to highlight the importance of freshwater, coordinated by UN-Water.
• 2026 Theme: “Water for People and Progress”.

📌 Why it matters for TNPSC: General Knowledge. Important for TNPSC prelims.