Prelims Current Affairs includes National Space Day 2026, Nbss&Lup Develops India’s First Soil Texture Map , Cochin Shipyard Delivers Asw Craft Mangrol, Rk-251 Smart Cancer Drug, Christmas Island, Fifa Unveils 2027 Women’s World Cup Schedule, National Teachers Awards 2026 & Himachal Pradesh Becomes Fifth State To Ban Analogue Paneer

IMPORTANT DAYS

1. NATIONAL SPACE DAY 2026

Current Context: National Space Day is observed every year on 23 August to commemorate the historic Chandrayaan-3 soft landing on the Moon on 23 August 2023.

ABOUT NATIONAL SPACE DAY

• First observed: 23 August 2024
• 2026: 3rd National Space Day

WHY 23 AUGUST?

• On 23 August 2023, the Vikram Lander of Chandrayaan-3 successfully soft-landed on the lunar surface.
• India became the fourth country in the world to achieve a soft landing on the Moon.
• India became the first country to land near the Moon’s southern polar region.
• The landing site was named Shiv Shakti Point.
• Theme 2026:“Towards Viksit Bharat – Innovating, Collaborating and Aspiring Global Space Leadership”

AGRICULTURE

2.  NBSS&LUP DEVELOPS INDIA’S FIRST SOIL TEXTURE MAP

Current Context: The ICAR-National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning (NBSS&LUP) has developed India’s first nationwide Soil Texture Map.

ABOUT SOIL TEXTURE MAP

• The map provides spatial information on the texture and composition of soils, helping in crop planning, irrigation management and efficient use of fertilisers.
• Main role: Survey, classification and mapping of India’s soil resources and providing scientific inputs for land-use planning.
• NBSS&LUP is also the nodal organisation for the Soil geospatial data theme under India’s National Geospatial Policy, 2022.
• Soil texture refers to the relative proportion of three major soil particles: Sand, Silt and Clay

ABOUT THE SOIL TEXTURE MAP

• It is a nationwide digital map showing the spatial distribution of different soil-texture classes.
• The map is available through the BHOOMI Geoportal developed by ICAR-NBSS&LUP.
• The BHOOMI platform provides various soil-resource layers, including soil texture, soil depth, soil erosion and soil slope.
• The soil texture layer is available at 1:1 million scale on the geoportal.

DEFENCE

3. COCHIN SHIPYARD DELIVERS ASW CRAFT MANGROL

Current Context: Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) delivered Mangrol, the third of eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts (ASW-SWCs), to the Indian Navy.

ABOUT MANGROL

• The vessel is indigenously designed and constructed, with more than 80% indigenous content.
• ASW-SWCs are specialised naval vessels designed to detect, track and neutralise enemy submarines.
• They are particularly useful in shallow coastal waters, where larger anti-submarine platforms may have limitations.
• Length:78 metres
• Named After:Mangrol, coastal township in Gujarat

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

4. RK-251 SMART CANCER DRUG

Current Context: Indian researchers have developed RK-251, an experimental “smart” cancer drug designed to become active mainly inside cancer cells.

ABOUT RK-251

• It is designed to remain relatively inactive in healthy tissues and become active mainly inside cancer cells.
• The research was led by Asis Bala of the Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST) and Dr. K.P. Bhabak of IIT Guwahati.
• IASST is an autonomous institute under the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India.

PLACES IN NEWS

5. CHRISTMAS ISLAND

Current Context: SpaceX’s Starship Ship 40 was towed to waters off Christmas Island, after remaining afloat for about 24 days following its controlled splashdown on 24 July 2026. The recovery allowed SpaceX engineers to inspect the spacecraft after its first successful intact ocean landing.

ABOUT CHRISTMAS ISLAND

• Official name: Territory of Christmas Island
• Country: Australia, It is an Australian external territory, not a part of mainland Australia.
• Location: Indian Ocean
• Nearest major country: Indonesia
• Located about 350 km south of Java and around 500 km from Jakarta.
• Area: About 135 km²
• Capital/administrative centre: Flying Fish Cove (The Settlement)

SPORTS

6. FIFA UNVEILS 2027 WOMEN’S WORLD CUP SCHEDULE

Current Context: FIFA unveiled the complete 64-match schedule for the FIFA Women’s World Cup. The tournament will be hosted by Brazil from 24 June to 25 July 2027.

ABOUT THE TOURNAMENT

• Edition: 10th FIFA Women’s World Cup
• Participating teams: 32
• This will be the first FIFA Women’s World Cup held in South America.
• FIFA Women’s World Cup:
• First Held:1991

AWARDS & HONOURS

7.  NATIONAL TEACHERS AWARDS 2026

Current Context: 48 teachers selected for National Teachers Awards 2026, to be presented on 5 September 2026.

ABOUT THE AWARD

• Instituted:1958
• Presented by:President of India
• Organised by:Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education

State-wise Highlights:

• Uttar Pradesh: 3 teachers (highest)
• Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, West Bengal: 2 teachers each
• Himachal Pradesh: 1 teacher (Ms. Manjari V Mahajan, GSSS Bhaleth)
• Various categories: Kendriya Vidyalaya, Navodaya Vidyalaya, CBSE, CISCE, Sainik Schools, Eklavya Model Residential Schools

HIMACHAL NEWS

8. HIMACHAL PRADESH BECOMES FIFTH STATE TO BAN ANALOGUE PANEER

Current Context: Himachal Pradesh issued ban on manufacture, storage, distribution, and sale of analogue paneer on 20 August 2026.

ABOUT ANALOGUE PANEER

• Paneer-like product made without full dairy milk solids
• Milk fat replaced with vegetable oil, plant fats, or other non-dairy ingredients

Ban Details:

• Applicable To:Food business operators, restaurants, hotels, dhabas, cloud kitchens, hostel messes, caterers
• Legal Basis:Section 30(2)(a) of Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006
• Validity:1 year
• States with Similar Bans:
• Maharashtra, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh

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