UPSC current affairs — 16 August 2026

The 8 exam-relevant stories for 16 August 2026.

  1. NASA Invites ISRO to Join Lunar Outpost Programme at Moon’s South Pole (S&T)
    NASA has invited ISRO to participate in its human outpost initiative near the lunar south pole, leveraging rich water-ice deposits and prolonged sunlight for deep-space exploration.
  2. SCTIMST Develops Indigenous Coronary Stent 'Chitra Core' with 30-40% Less Metal (S&T)
    Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology has developed 'Chitra Core', an indigenous coronary stent engineered to minimize restenosis and thrombosis risks.
  3. Government Rolls Out Foreign Asset Disclosure Scheme for Small Taxpayers (Economy)
    The Union government has introduced a compliance window allowing small taxpayers to declare undisclosed foreign income and assets at an effective levy of 60%.
  4. Data Shows Cash Usage Quickening Even as Government Weighs MDR on UPI (Economy)
    An analysis shows a moderation in the growth rate of UPI transaction values alongside an uptick in cash circulation, raising questions over proposals to introduce Merchant Discount Rates.
  5. Federal Concerns Raised Over Revenue Taxation in Latest Mining Amendment Act (Polity)
    Mineral-rich states have voiced concerns that the latest Mining Amendment Act could undermine federalism by curbing states' powers to tax natural resources.
  6. CAG Audit Flags Major Gaps in Green India Mission Implementation (Environment)
    A CAG audit has highlighted significant deficiencies in the Green India Mission, citing weak inter-scheme convergence, inadequate funding, and poor monitoring mechanisms.
  7. Study Reveals BCG Tuberculosis Vaccine May Alter Immune Response Against Alzheimer's (S&T)
    New medical research indicates that the BCG vaccine reprograms central nervous system immunity, providing potential pathways for early therapeutic intervention in Alzheimer's disease.
  8. Indian Courts to Decide on Extradition of Sheikh Hasina Amid Dhaka Outreach (IR)
    India has stated that legal procedures in domestic courts will determine the extradition request for former Bangladeshi PM Sheikh Hasina as diplomatic efforts seek to de-escalate bilateral tensions.

All stories for 16 August 2026 · ← 15 August 2026 · 17 August 2026 →