Talk to a Counsellor +91 76659-44999

13 August 2026 Current Affairs (With PDF)

We bring you the most relevant and important news updates from around the world and India, specially curated for competitive exams and different entrance exams. Today's Current Affairs cover all significant national and international headlines, legal updates, economic news, and environmental highlights to boost your preparation. With our crisp, to-the-point coverage, you can confidently tackle current affairs questions in your exam.

PM E-DRIVE Scheme

Why in News?

The Government has extended incentives for electric two-wheelers under the PM E-DRIVE Scheme until 31 March 2028, with subsidies of up to ₹5,000 per vehicle to accelerate EV adoption.

PM E-DRIVE Scheme: Key Features

1. Full Form

PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE).

2. Nodal Ministry

Ministry of Heavy Industries.

3. Objective

Promote electric mobility, reduce dependence on fossil fuels and strengthen India’s EV ecosystem.

4. Predecessor

Replaced the FAME-II scheme.

5. Extended Incentive for Electric Two-Wheelers

Subsidy extended up to 31 March 2028.
Applicable to electric two-wheelers priced up to ₹1.5 lakh.
Incentive: ₹2,500 per kWh, subject to a maximum of ₹5,000 per vehicle.
Incentives are applicable only to vehicles equipped with advanced batteries, such as lithium-ion batteries.

6. Vehicles Covered

Electric two-wheelers and three-wheelers, Electric ambulances, Electric trucks, Electric buses for public transportation.
Not Covered: Passenger electric four-wheelers.

7. Aadhaar-Based Incentive Delivery

Individual buyers can avail subsidy for one EV per vehicle category.
Aadhaar-linked mobile authentication is used for beneficiary verification.
An Aadhaar-authenticated e-voucher is generated at the dealership.
The incentive is provided as an upfront discount on the vehicle invoice.

8. Support for Electric Trucks

Fleet operators seeking incentives for electric trucks must possess a valid scrapping certificate.
The certificate must be issued by a MoRTH-approved vehicle scrapping centre.

9. Charging Infrastructure

The scheme provides a dedicated ₹2,000 crore grant for expanding EV charging infrastructure.
Target: Deployment of around 72,300 fast chargers across different vehicle categories.

Significance

Accelerates EV Adoption: Reduces the upfront cost of electric vehicles.
Supports Green Mobility: Helps reduce fossil-fuel dependence and transport-sector emissions.
Builds Charging Ecosystem: Addresses a major barrier to large-scale EV adoption.
Promotes Clean Technology: Encourages adoption of advanced battery technologies.
Supports Circular Economy: Scrappage-linked incentives for electric trucks encourage formal vehicle recycling.

Artificial Intelligence in MedTech: Scaling AI for Equitable Healthcare

Context

The Union Health Ministry released a knowledge paper highlighting the need to move Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications in medical technology beyond successful pilot projects towards large-scale clinical adoption, while ensuring safety, affordability and equitable access to healthcare.

India’s MedTech Landscape

India is the 4th-largest MedTech market in Asia, after Japan, China and South Korea, and among the world’s top 20 markets.
India’s medical-device market is projected to reach around US$50 billion by 2030.
Medical-device exports increased by nearly 88% to about US$3.64 billion in FY2024–25.
Domestic manufacturing has expanded, reducing India’s dependence on imported medical devices from around 75–80% historically to nearly 70%, while the domestic share has risen significantly.

How AI Can Transform MedTech

1. AI-Assisted Diagnostics

AI can analyse X-rays, CT scans and MRI images rapidly and assist doctors in identifying abnormalities.
It can potentially reduce diagnostic errors and improve the consistency of clinical decision-making.

2. Expanding Rural Healthcare

AI-enabled portable devices can bring specialist-level diagnostic capabilities to Primary Health Centres (PHCs).
Applications include ECG interpretation and diabetic-retinopathy screening, helping address shortages of specialists in rural areas.

3. Faster Drug Discovery

Machine learning can support molecular modelling, clinical-trial optimisation and identification of drug candidates.
This can reduce the time, cost and failure rates associated with conventional pharmaceutical R&D.

4. Precision Medicine

AI can integrate genetic, behavioural and environmental information to assess disease risks and predict recurrence.
This enables more personalised treatment strategies, particularly in complex diseases such as cancer.

Major Policy and Institutional Initiatives

1. Strategy for Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare (SAHI)

Launched in 2026, SAHI provides an overarching framework for safe, ethical and equitable deployment of AI in healthcare.
It emphasises AI governance, clinical safety and responsible data stewardship.

2. BODH Platform

Developed by IIT Kanpur and the National Health Authority (NHA).
Enables secure benchmarking of AI models using real-world Indian healthcare data while protecting patient identities.

3. IndiaAI–ICMR Partnership

The partnership supports access to the AIKosh Dataset Platform, providing startups and researchers with anonymised biomedical datasets and computational resources.

4. MedTech Mitra

An ICMR–CDSCO initiative designed to assist Indian medical-device innovators with regulatory procedures, testing and clinical validation.
It seeks to reduce the gap between technological innovation and market deployment.

Key Challenges

1. Data Bias

Many AI systems are trained predominantly on Western or urban datasets.
Such models may perform poorly across India's diverse socioeconomic, demographic and genetic populations.

2. Regulatory Gaps

Existing medical-device regulations were primarily designed around conventional hardware.
Rapidly evolving Software as a Medical Device (SaMD) and self-learning AI systems raise unresolved questions regarding safety, accountability and liability.

3. Fragmented Health Data

Healthcare information remains dispersed across public and private systems.
Lack of interoperable, high-quality datasets limits the development of reliable India-specific AI models.

4. Unequal Access

High-end AI tools may remain concentrated in urban hospitals unless supported by affordable infrastructure and public-health deployment models.

5. Commercialisation Constraints

Absence of predictable public procurement and insurance-reimbursement mechanisms for AI-based interventions can discourage large-scale adoption.

Recurring Floods in Assam

Context

Assam experiences recurring annual floods, primarily due to the combined impact of intense monsoonal rainfall, heavy sediment deposition, riverbank erosion, shrinking wetlands and human-induced alterations to natural drainage systems.

Why Assam Faces Recurring Floods?

1. Natural Factors

Topographical Funnel Effect: Runoff from a vast 580,000 sq km transboundary basin is channelled into Assam’s relatively narrow Brahmaputra valley, exceeding its drainage capacity during intense rainfall.
Riverbed Aggradation: Nearly 1,000 million tonnes of sediment annually can accumulate in river channels, raising riverbeds and reducing their flood-carrying capacity.
Riverbank Erosion: Braided channels have reportedly eroded around 4.27 lakh hectares since 1950, altering river courses and expanding vulnerable areas.
Extreme Rainfall: Cloudbursts and exceptionally intense monsoon spells can produce rainfall 435–490% above normal, rapidly swelling tributaries and the Brahmaputra system.
Post-1950 Earthquake Sedimentation: Landslides triggered by the 1950 Assam–Tibet earthquake introduced large quantities of debris into river systems, contributing to long-term channel aggradation.

2. Anthropogenic Factors

Ageing Embankments: The design life of 295 out of 423 earthen embankments has reportedly expired, increasing vulnerability to breaches during high floods.
Wetland Encroachment: Encroachment has drastically reduced the area of Deepor Beel, weakening its natural capacity to retain excess monsoon water.
Deforestation: Loss of upstream forest cover, including in Nagaland, increases surface runoff and sediment delivery into Assam’s river systems.
Drainage Obstruction: Construction and land-use changes across flood-prone areas can block traditional drainage channels, worsening waterlogging and flood intensity.

Broader Flood Vulnerability in India

Around 40 million hectares, or nearly 12% of India’s geographical area, are considered vulnerable to recurrent floods.
Floods affect an average of approximately 75 lakh hectares annually and cause around 1,600 deaths each year.
The Ganga and Brahmaputra river basins account for nearly 60% of India’s flood burden.
Bihar, West Bengal and Assam remain among the most flood-prone states.

10 Years of Government e-Marketplace (GeM)

Context

Government e-Marketplace (GeM) completed 10 years, marking a decade of digital transformation in India’s public procurement ecosystem and expanding transparent, technology-driven access to government markets.

About GeM

Nature: GeM is India’s national public procurement portal for online procurement of commonly used goods and services.
Launch: Established in 2016.
Ownership: A Government of India-owned company under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Coverage: Facilitates procurement by Central and State Government departments, PSUs, autonomous bodies and other eligible government entities.
Legal Framework: General Financial Rules (GFR), 2017 made procurement through GeM mandatory for Central Government entities for goods and services available on the platform.

Major Achievements

Global Position: GeM has emerged as the world’s third-largest public procurement platform, after South Korea’s KONEPS and Singapore’s GeBIZ.
Transaction Volume: Cumulative GMV has crossed ₹20 lakh crore, covering more than 3.78 crore orders.
Cost Efficiency: Studies have indicated average savings of around 10% compared with conventional procurement mechanisms.
MSME Participation: Micro and Small Enterprises account for approximately 45.6% of cumulative GMV, strengthening their participation in government supply chains.
Women-led Enterprises: Women-led businesses accounted for 5.6% of order value in FY 2025–26, exceeding the targeted share.
SC/ST Participation: Procurement from SC/ST enterprises has also recorded significant growth.

Key Initiatives

1. Social Inclusion

Womaniya: Facilitates participation of women entrepreneurs.
SWAYATT: Promotes participation of Startups, Women and Youth in public procurement.
SARAS Collection: Provides market access to products created by rural and self-help groups.

2. Startup Access

Startup Runway 2.0 enables DPIIT-recognised startups to showcase innovative products to government buyers while relaxing conventional requirements related to prior experience and turnover.

3. Seller Financing

GeM Sahay facilitates collateral-free financing against eligible purchase orders.
Suvidha Kendras provide physical assistance to smaller vendors and improve digital access.

Persisting Challenges

Delayed Payments: Administrative delays can create working-capital stress for MSMEs.
Uneven State Adoption: Differences in State procurement rules continue to affect wider adoption by State Governments and Urban Local Bodies.
Vendor Exclusion: Complex cataloguing, packaging and compliance requirements can disadvantage rural artisans and SHGs.
Quality Concerns: Weak seller verification and misuse of registered accounts can undermine procurement quality.
Market Concentration: Restrictive tender conditions and shortcomings in digital procurement mechanisms may create concentrated vendor markets in specialised sectors.

Container Manufacturing Assistance Scheme (CMAS)

Context

The Union Government has proposed the Container Manufacturing Assistance Scheme (CMAS) with an outlay of ₹10,000 crore over five years to develop a globally competitive domestic container manufacturing industry.

About CMAS

Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
Outlay: ₹10,000 crore over 5 years
Objective: Build a self-reliant container manufacturing ecosystem under the broader vision of Make in India and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.
Target: Raise India's annual container manufacturing capacity to 7.5 lakh TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units)—around 10 times the present capacity.

Key Features

Capital Assistance: Support for New greenfield manufacturing plants and Brownfield expansion of existing facilities
Ecosystem Support: Assistance for Testing and certification, Operational requirements, Skill development
Focus on creating an end-to-end domestic container manufacturing ecosystem rather than merely increasing production capacity.

Why is it Important?

1. Reduce Import Dependence

India currently depends significantly on imported containers and imports nearly 2 million empty containers annually.
Domestic production can reduce this dependence and improve supply-chain resilience.

2. Strengthen EXIM Logistics

Containers are critical for India's export-import (EXIM) trade.
Greater domestic availability can reduce container shortages and logistical bottlenecks.

3. Maritime Self-Reliance

Supports India's broader objective of developing indigenous capabilities across the maritime and logistics sector.

4. Industrial Development

Can stimulate investment in manufacturing, testing, ancillary industries and logistics-related services.

5. Employment & Skills

Expansion of manufacturing capacity can generate employment while encouraging specialised skills in container fabrication, engineering, testing and logistics.

Term	Meaning
Greenfield	Establishing a completely new manufacturing facility
Brownfield	Expanding or modernising an existing facility

Moon Base Programme

Context

NASA has invited ISRO to participate in its planned Moon Base programme, deepening India–US cooperation in lunar exploration under the Artemis Accords.

About the Moon Base Programme

The programme envisages establishing humanity’s first permanent outpost on another celestial body near the lunar South Pole.
It is intended to support long-duration scientific missions, astronaut habitation and technological experiments.
The initiative forms part of NASA’s broader objective of establishing a sustained human presence on the Moon.
It is also expected to provide a foundation for future deep-space exploration, including missions beyond the Earth–Moon system.
The programme is planned to be implemented in three phases, progressively expanding lunar infrastructure and human presence.

Why the Lunar South Pole?

The region is scientifically significant because of the possibility of water ice in permanently shadowed craters.
Water resources could potentially be used for drinking, life support and production of hydrogen–oxygen propellant.
Some elevated areas may receive relatively long periods of sunlight, offering opportunities for solar power generation.

Artemis Accords

1. The Artemis Accords are a set of non-binding multilateral agreements governing the peaceful civil exploration and use of outer space.

2. They build upon principles of the 1967 Outer Space Treaty.

3. Key principles include:

Peaceful exploration and use of space.
Transparency and interoperability among missions.
Emergency assistance to astronauts.
Registration of space objects.
Preservation of space heritage.
Extraction and utilisation of space resources consistent with the Outer Space Treaty.
Prevention of harmful interference between space activities.

4. India signed the Artemis Accords in 2023.

Significance for India

Strategic cooperation: Expands India–US collaboration beyond Earth-orbiting missions towards sustained lunar exploration.
Technology development: Could provide opportunities for Indian participation in advanced systems related to life support, robotics, communications and lunar science.
Scientific gains: Strengthens India's role in international lunar research.
ISRO's global positioning: Participation would reinforce India's emergence as a major partner in collaborative human-spaceflight and deep-space exploration.

Khudiram Bose

Context

The nation observed the 119th martyrdom anniversary of Khudiram Bose on August 11, remembering one of the youngest revolutionaries of India’s freedom struggle.

Early Life & Revolutionary Influence

Born: December 3, 1889, Midnapore, Bengal Presidency (present-day West Bengal).
He was influenced by nationalist figures such as Sri Aurobindo and Sister Nivedita.
The Partition of Bengal (1905) intensified his involvement in revolutionary nationalism.
He became associated with the Jugantar group of the Anushilan Samiti, founded by Pramatha Nath Mitra.

Muzaffarpur Conspiracy, 1908

Khudiram Bose and Prafulla Chaki were assigned to assassinate Douglas Kingsford, the former Chief Presidency Magistrate of Calcutta, who was serving as District Judge at Muzaffarpur.
On April 30, 1908, they threw a bomb at a carriage believed to be carrying Kingsford.
The carriage contained two British women, wife and daughter of barrister Pringle Kennedy, who were killed.
Prafulla Chaki later took his own life to avoid capture.
Khudiram was arrested near Waini Railway Station.

Trial & Martyrdom

He was tried for the Muzaffarpur bombing and sentenced to death.
He was executed on August 11, 1908, at the age of 18 years.
His execution made him a powerful symbol of youthful revolutionary nationalism during the freedom movement.

Lebanon

Context

Lebanon abolished the death penalty, becoming the first Arab country to replace capital punishment with life imprisonment with aggravated hard labour.

Geographical Profile

Location: Western Asia, along the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea
Capital: Beirut
Borders: North & East: Syria, South: Israel, West: Mediterranean Sea
Political System: Parliamentary republic
Major Mountain Range: Lebanon Mountains
Highest Peak: Qurnat as Sawda
The Lebanon Mountains run roughly parallel to the Mediterranean coast.
The Beqaa Valley lies between the Lebanon Mountains and the Anti-Lebanon Mountains.
UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) has operated in southern Lebanon since 1978.
UNIFIL was established to help maintain international peace and security in southern Lebanon and assist the Lebanese Government in restoring effective authority in the area.

Appointment of High Court Judges

Context

Centre notified the appointment of 30 judges to the High Courts of Madras, Calcutta, Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka.

1. Constitutional Basis

Article 217 – Appointment of High Court judges.
Article 124(2) – Appointment of Supreme Court judges.

2. Collegium System

SC Collegium: CJI + four senior-most Supreme Court judges.
HC Collegium: Chief Justice of the concerned High Court + two senior-most judges.

3. Initiation of Proposal

Supreme Court: Initiated by the Chief Justice of India.
High Court: Initiated by the Chief Justice of the concerned High Court.

4. Appointment Process

Recommendations of the High Court Collegium are forwarded for consideration by the Supreme Court Collegium, after which the Union Government makes the appointment.

Colombia

Context

A 7.4-magnitude earthquake recently struck western Colombia, highlighting the country's significant seismic vulnerability due to its location in the tectonically active northwestern edge of South America.

Geographical Profile

Capital: Bogotá
Location: Northwestern South America
Coastlines: Colombia is the only South American country with coastlines on both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.
Colombia lies within the broader Pacific Ring of Fire.
Its seismic activity is associated with interactions involving the Nazca, Caribbean and South American tectonic plates.
The subduction of the Nazca Plate beneath the South American Plate is particularly important for earthquake and volcanic activity along the western margin.
Colombia is one of the world's 17 megadiverse countries.

Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve (ABR)

Context

The Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve (ABR) has recently come into focus after Tamil Nadu issued eviction notices to certain households allegedly occupying forest land, following directions of the Supreme Court in A. John Kennedy v. State of Tamil Nadu & Others (2025).

About Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve

Established: 2001
Location: Southern Western Ghats, covering parts of Tamil Nadu (Tirunelveli and Kanniyakumari districts) and Kerala (Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam districts).
Named after: Agasthya Mala/Agastya Peak, traditionally associated with Sage Agastya.
UNESCO: Added to the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves in 2016.

One-Liner

Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026: The Lok Sabha passed the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026, proposing to change the State’s constitutional name from “Kerala” to “Keralam” in the First Schedule.
Article 3 empowers Parliament to alter the name, area or boundaries of States through legislation.

All Set with 13 August Current Affairs? Let’s Quiz!

Essential for Exams: The Current Affairs of 13 August 2026 cover topics that are often asked in competitive exams.
Boosts Your Knowledge: Helps you stay informed about the latest events and updates.
Improves Accuracy: Daily practice with Current Affairs of 13 August 2026 improves your speed and accuracy in exams.
Quick Revision: Acts as a daily revision tool for upcoming exams.
Saves Time: You don’t need to search multiple sources; everything is here in one place!
Helps in Interviews: Being updated with Current Affairs of 13 August 2026 gives you confidence for personal interviews and group discussions.

Why is 13 August 2026 Current Affairs Important for You?

Read Properly: Go through the 13 August 2026 Current Affairs to stay updated.
Make Notes: Summarize key points and important updates in your own words.
Link with Syllabus: Identify topics relevant to your exam and connect them with your syllabus.
Practice Daily Quizzes: Test your knowledge by taking daily quizzes based on 13 August 2026 Current Affairs.
Revise Often: Review the updates multiple times to boost your recall and confidence.
Discuss with Peers: Join discussions and share insights to deepen your understanding

Get Daily Updates and Stay Ahead!

Law Prep Tutorial is committed to giving you the best daily current affairs updates to help you excel in various exams. Our platform is trusted by thousands of toppers for timely, accurate, and concise updates that matter most for your exams. Explore our dedicated sections below:

• CLAT Current Affairs

• Judiciary Current Affairs

• CLAT Current Affairs Quiz

• Judiciary Current Affairs Quiz

• Monthly Current Affairs for CLAT