Prelims Current Affairs includes Centre Launches Kanda Express For Onion Transport , Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (Pm-Aasha), Google’s Back To School 2026 Campaign, India Plans Bharatiya Antariksha Station By 2035, India’s First Indigenised Ak-203 Sher Rifle Test-Fired, Lando Norris Wins Dutch Grand Prix 2026 & Pori Fair At Trilokinath

ECONOMY/AGRICULTURE

1. CENTRE LAUNCHES KANDA EXPRESS FOR ONION TRANSPORT

Current Context: The Union Government launched ‘Kanda Express’ on 24 August 2026 to transport onions from Nashik, Maharashtra, to major consumption centres such as Delhi, Chennai, Kochi and Guwahati, amid a sharp rise in onion prices.

ABOUT KANDA EXPRESS

• The government is using buffer-stock onions to improve supply in deficit markets.
• Nashik is one of India’s major onion-producing and trading regions.
• The initiative is intended to make transportation faster, more reliable and cost-effective compared with relying only on road transport.
• Same model used:October 2024
• Major procurement agencies: NAFED and NCCF
• About NAFED: National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India
• Established: 2 October 1958
• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Legal status: Registered under the Multi-State Co-operative Societies Act.
• About NCCF: National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation of India
• Established: 16 October 1965
• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Administrative control: Department of Consumer Affairs, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution.
• Legal status: Registered under the Multi-State Co-operative Societies Act, 2002.

SCHEMES/PROGRAMMES 

2. PRADHAN MANTRI ANNADATA AAY SANRAKSHAN ABHIYAN (PM-AASHA)

Current Context: PM-AASHA has emerged as an important mechanism to provide remunerative prices to farmers through procurement at MSP and other price-support measures, while also helping control price volatility of essential commodities.

ABOUT PM-AASHA

• Launched: September 2018
• Ministry: Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
• Nature: Umbrella scheme for price support and price stabilisation
• Main objective: To ensure remunerative prices for farmers and protect them from distress sales.
• It also aims to ensure essential commodities are available to consumers at reasonable prices.

Four Components:

EDUCATION

3. GOOGLE’S BACK TO SCHOOL 2026 CAMPAIGN

Current Context: Google launched its “Back to School 2026” campaign with a focus on AI-powered learning tools to help students with studying, research, writing, organisation and exam preparation.

ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN

• Focus: Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education
• Target users: Students, teachers and educational communities.
• The campaign highlights Google’s AI tools that can help students learn more effectively and personalise their study experience.

Key Features:

• Free Google AI Plus:12 months free for eligible college students (400 GB storage + higher Gemini limits)
• AI-Powered Search:Interactive visuals, practice quizzes, step-by-step explanations
• Competitive Exam Prep:JEE, NEET, SAT, GRE, LSAT, MCAT
• Gemini Student Hub:Organise academic work, personalised study plans
• Teacher Integration:Google Classroom enables customised AI experiences

SCIENCE & TECH

4. INDIA PLANS BHARATIYA ANTARIKSHA STATION BY 2035

Current Context: India is working to establish its own Bharatiya Antariksha Station (BAS) by 2035.

• The first module, BAS-01, has already been approved and is targeted for launch by 2028.
• ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan reiterated the 2035 target during the 3rd National Space Day celebrations in August 2026.

ABOUT BHARATIYA ANTARIKSHA STATION

• Type: India’s planned indigenous space station
• Orbit: Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
• Planned modules: 5
• BAS-01 is the first/base module of the proposed space station.
• The estimated cost of developing and launching BAS-01 is ₹1,763 crore for the 2025-2028 period.
• Altitude:400-450 km (Low Earth Orbit)
• Mass:52 tonnes
• Crew:3-4 astronauts
• Duration:3-6 months

DEFENCE

5. INDIA’S FIRST INDIGENISED AK-203 SHER RIFLE TEST-FIRED

Current Context: India has achieved a major defence-manufacturing milestone with the successful test-firing of the first 100% indigenised AK-203 assault rifle, named ‘Sher’, at the Korwa facility in Amethi, Uttar Pradesh.

• The rifle uses Indian components and input materials, marking a shift from licensed production towards end-to-end indigenous manufacturing.

ABOUT SHER RIFLE

• Manufacturer: Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL)
• Calibre: 7.62×39 mm
• Origin of design: Russian Kalashnikov/AK family
• The rifle is intended primarily for the Indian Armed Forces.
• WHAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT ‘SHER’?
• Earlier AK-203 production in India involved imported components and technology transfer from Russia.
• The new ‘Sher’ prototype has been manufactured using 100% Indian components and raw materials.
• Delivery Schedule:Late 2030 (moved from 2032)
• IRRPL is an India-Russia joint venture established in 2019.

SPORTS

6. LANDO NORRIS WINS DUTCH GRAND PRIX 2026

Current Context: Lando Norris won the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix at the Circuit Zandvoort, Netherlands, securing a major Formula 1 victory.

ABOUT DUTCH GRAND PRIX 2026

• Winner: Lando Norris
• Team: McLaren
• The Dutch Grand Prix is one of the races on the FIA Formula One World Championship
• Key Moments:
• Max Verstappen:Crashed out on lap 1 (disappointing for home fans)
• Antonelli:Led race, finished 2^nd

HIMACHAL NEWS

7. PORI FAIR AT TRILOKINATH

Current Context: State-level Pori Fair began at Trilokinath, Lahaul-Spiti, inaugurated.

ABOUT PORI FAIR

• Duration:3 days
• Type:Traditional and cultural festival

Key Features:

• Grand traditional Shobha Yatra
• Traditional musical instruments and cultural performances
• Local products and traditional handicrafts displayed
• Platform for local artists, artisans, and producers

Significance:

• Associated with religious faith, folk culture, and centuries-old traditions
• Aims to preserve and promote local heritage and traditional folk arts

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