Prelims Current Affairs includes World Mosquito Day 2026, World Photography Day 2026, Safta (South Asian Free Trade Area) , Appeal And Complaint Management System (Appcoms 2.0), Un Convention To Combat Desertification (Unccd), Landspace Lands Zhuque-3 Booster In Reusable Milestone, H1n1 Swine Flu, Vignesh Vermula, Saranya Devi Win Asian Junior Blitz Gold & National Sports Awards 2025 Announced

IMPORTANT DAYS

1. WORLD MOSQUITO DAY 2026

Current Context: World Mosquito Day is observed on 20 August to raise awareness about mosquito-borne diseases.

ABOUT WORLD MOSQUITO DAY

• Commemorates:Sir Ronald Ross’s discovery in 1897 establishing the role of female Anopheles mosquitoes in transmitting malaria
• First observed: 1930
• Major focus: Prevention and control of mosquito-borne diseases

Major Mosquito-Borne Diseases in India:

IMPORTANT DAYS

2. WORLD PHOTOGRAPHY DAY 2026

Current Context: World Photography Day is observed on 19 August to celebrate the art, science, and history of photography.

ABOUT WORLD PHOTOGRAPHY DAY

• Theme 2026:“Home”
• First Observed:2010 (Proposed by World Photography Organisation in 2009)
• Commemorates:19 August 1839 – French government declared Daguerreotype a free gift to the world

Historical Background:

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

3. SAFTA (SOUTH ASIAN FREE TRADE AREA)

Current Context: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) recently dismantled a network involved in importing areca nuts by falsely declaring them as Bangladeshi-origin goods to illegally claim preferential customs duty benefits under SAFTA.

ABOUT SAFTA

• It is a regional trade agreement among the member countries of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).
• Its main objective is to promote trade and economic cooperation among South Asian countries by reducing customs duties and trade barriers.
• SAFTA Agreement was signed: 6 January 2004
• Signed at: Islamabad, Pakistan
• Entered into force: 1 January 2006
• It replaced the earlier SAPTA (SAARC Preferential Trading Arrangement 1993).
• Signatory Countries:Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka

HOW DOES SAFTA WORK?

• Lower customs duties → Lower import costs → More regional trade
• Member countries agree to reduce customs duties on eligible products.
• However, not every product automatically receives zero duty.
• Certain products can be placed on a country’s Sensitive List, meaning preferential tariff concessions may not apply to them. Preferential treatment is also subject to Rules of Origin.
• Preferential tariff benefits under SAFTA are available only to goods that satisfy the prescribed rules of origin.
• Rules of Origin determine the country in which a product has been sufficiently produced or processed.
• A product imported from Bangladesh does not automatically become a Bangladeshi-origin product.

GOVERNANCE

4. APPEAL AND COMPLAINT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (AppCoMS 2.0)

Current Context: The Central Information Commission (CIC) launched the upgraded Appeal and Complaint Management System (AppCoMS 2.0) to make the processing of RTI appeals and complaints more efficient, transparent and technology-driven.

ABOUT AppCoMS 2.0

• The platform is designed to digitally manage second appeals and complaints filed before the CIC.

WHAT DOES THE CIC DO?

• The Central Information Commission is the apex statutory body for enforcing the Right to Information Act, 2005 at the Central Government level.
• It deals with second appeals and complaints relating to Central Public Authorities.
• It can direct public authorities to provide information where legally required.
• It can also impose penalties on Public Information Officers (PIOs) in appropriate cases under the RTI Act.

WHAT IS A SECOND APPEAL?

• The RTI process generally follows:
• RTI Application → First Appeal → Second Appeal
• A citizen first submits an RTI application to the Central Public Information Officer (CPIO) or concerned Public Information Officer.
• If dissatisfied with the response, or if no response is received, the applicant can file a First Appeal.
• If still dissatisfied, the applicant can approach the Central Information Commission through a Second Appeal when the matter falls within the CIC’s jurisdiction.
• AppCoMS 2.0 helps digitally manage this later stage.

ENVIRONMENT 

5. UN CONVENTION TO COMBAT DESERTIFICATION (UNCCD)

Current Context: The 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) opened in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, under the theme “Restoring Land, Restoring Hope.” The conference focuses on land degradation, desertification, drought resilience and sustainable land management.

• Adopted: 17 June 1994 (World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought)
• One of three Rio Conventions(alongside UNFCCC and CBD)
• Entered into force: 26 December 1996
• Headquarters: Bonn, Germany
• Nature: Legally binding international environmental agreement
• Main focus: Desertification, land degradation and drought
• Type:Sole legally binding international agreement linking environment and development to sustainable land management
• Major focus: COP17 is focusing on global drought resilience, land restoration, financing, sustainable rangeland management and water security.
• Key issue: Countries are negotiating a stronger global drought framework, along with measures to mobilise finance for combating land degradation and desertification.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

6. LANDSPACE LANDS ZHUQUE-3 BOOSTER IN REUSABLE MILESTONE

Current Context: Chinese private space company LandSpace successfully launched the Zhuque-3 Y2 rocket on 19 August 2026 and achieved a successful vertical landing of its first-stage booster, marking a major milestone in China’s reusable orbital-class rocket programme.

ABOUT ZHUQUE-3

• Type: Reusable orbital launch vehicle
• Propellant: Liquid methane + liquid oxygen (LOX)
• The rocket successfully delivered the Honghu-03 satellite into its designated orbit.
• This was LandSpace’s second attempt at recovering the Zhuque-3 booster.
• Its first attempt in December 2025 reached orbit but failed during the controlled landing phase.
• Key Milestones:
• China’s first land recoveryof an orbital-class rocket booster
• Second orbital booster recovery in China(first: Long March 10B on 10 July 2026)
• Fourth entity globallyto recover an orbital-class rocket booster (after SpaceX and Blue Origin)

HEALTH

7. H1N1 SWINE FLU

Current Context: Delhi has reported 1,449 H1N1 cases up to 12 August 2026, compared with 229 cases during the corresponding period in 2025, according to NCDC data. The sharp increase has prompted hospitals to strengthen preparedness.

ABOUT H1N1

• H1N1 is a subtype of Influenza A virus.
• It primarily affects the respiratory system, including the nose, throat and lungs.
• The H1N1 virus that emerged during the 2009 pandemic is now circulating mainly as a seasonal human influenza virus. Therefore, calling it simply “swine flu” can be misleading.
• The term swine flu originally became popular because the 2009 H1N1 virus had genetic links to influenza viruses found in pigs.
• H = Haemagglutinin
• N = Neuraminidase
• H1N1 means the virus has H1 haemagglutinin and N1 neuraminidase surface proteins.

Symptoms:

• Fever, cough, headache, body aches, fatigue, chills, sweating

High-Risk Groups:

• Senior citizens, children, pregnant women
• Immunosuppressed individuals
• Asthma, diabetes, heart problems

Treatment:

• Antiviral medications (oseltamivir)
• Symptom management
• Seasonal influenza vaccine available

SPORTS

8. VIGNESH VERMULA, SARANYA DEVI WIN ASIAN JUNIOR BLITZ GOLD

Current Context: Vignesh Vermula and Saranya Devi won Open and Girls’ gold at Asian Junior Blitz Chess Championship 2026 in Mumbai.

ABOUT THE CHAMPIONSHIP

• Event:Asian Junior Blitz Chess Championship 2026
• Venue:ITC Maratha Sheraton, Mumbai
• Organised by:Maharashtra Chess Association

Winners:

What is Blitz Chess?

• Chess with time constraints (limited time to complete matches)
• Focus on tactics, quick thinking, time management
• Tie-break points used in case of equal points

SPORTS

9.  NATIONAL SPORTS AWARDS 2025 ANNOUNCED

Current Context: The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports announced the National Sports Awards 2025 on 18 August 2026. The most notable feature is that no sportsperson was selected for the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award this year.

MAJOR HIGHLIGHTS

• Khel Ratna 2025: No awardee
• Arjuna Award: 17 sportspersons
• Dronacharya Award: 5 coaches
• Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar: Army Paralympic Node, Pune
• The awards recognise outstanding achievements in sports and coaching

KEY AWARDS:

Arjuna Awards (17 Sportspersons):

Arjuna Award (Lifetime):

1. Arumainayagam– Football (1962 Asian Games gold medallist)

Dronacharya Awards:

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