Prelims Current Affairs includes Sadbhavana Diwas 2026, Indian Akshay Urja Day 2026, Putin Visits Iturup Island Amid Japan-Russia Dispute, Pm Cares Fund, Tamil Nadu Extends Maternity Leave For Third Child, Thamirabarani River & Magnus Carlsen Wins Esports World Cup Chess Title 2026

IMPORTANT DAYS

1. SADBHAVANA DIWAS 2026

Current Context: Sadbhavana Diwas is observed every year on 20 August to mark the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and promote national unity, peace, harmony and goodwill.

ABOUT SADBHAVANA DIWAS

• Born: 20 August 1944, Bombay (now Mumbai)
• Meaning: Sadbhavana means goodwill, harmony and mutual understanding.
• Themes:Peace, national unity, harmonious relations between communities

IMPORTANT DAYS

2. INDIAN AKSHAY URJA DAY 2026

Current Context: Indian Akshay Urja Day, is observed on 20 August to create awareness about the importance, development and use of renewable energy in India.

ABOUT AKSHAY URJA DAY

• Initiated: 2004
• Initiated by: Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE)
• The day was chosen to promote the vision of a cleaner and more sustainable energy future for India.
• Meaning:“Akshay Urja” = inexhaustible energy
• Significance:Connected with birthday of Rajiv Gandhi (known for modernising science and technology)

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

3. PUTIN VISITS ITURUP ISLAND AMID JAPAN-RUSSIA DISPUTE

Current Context: Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Iturup Island on 13 August 2026, his first visit to the disputed Kuril Islands. Japan strongly protested the visit, while Russia reaffirmed its sovereignty over the islands.

ABOUT KURIL ISLANDS DISPUTE

• Iturup is the largest of the four southern Kuril Islands disputed between Russia and Japan.
• Russian name: Iturup
• Japanese name: Etorofu
• Japan’s name for the four disputed islands: Northern Territories
• Russian description: Southern Kurils
• The island lies between Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula and Japan’s Hokkaido.
• Location:Volcanic archipelago between Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula and Japan’s Hokkaido

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

• The dispute has roots in 19th-century Russian-Japanese treaties.
• Treaty of Shimoda (1855): Established a boundary between Russian and Japanese-controlled Kuril Islands.
• Treaty of Saint Petersburg (1875): Russia transferred the Kuril Islands to Japan in exchange for Japan giving up its claims to Sakhalin.
• At the end of World War II in 1945, Soviet forces took control of the Kuril Islands.
• Japan disputes Russian sovereignty over the four southernmost islands.
• The territorial dispute has prevented Japan and Russia from concluding a formal peace treaty since World War II.

GOVERNANCE

4. PM CARES FUND

Current Context: The PM CARES Fund released its delayed audited statements for FY 2023-24 and FY 2024-25. The FY 2024-25 statement showed a closing balance of about ₹8,452 crore as on 31 March 2025. During FY 2024-25, expenditure was about ₹87.85 lakh, while a large portion of the corpus was held in fixed deposits.

ABOUT PM CARES FUND

• Full Form: Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund
• Established: 27 March 2020
• Established during: COVID-19 pandemic
• Legal status: Public Charitable Trust
• Trustees: Union Ministers of Defence, Home Affairs and Finance, ex-officio.
• Head Office: Prime Minister’s Office, Seva Teerth, New Delhi.
• Established:27 March 2020 (under Registration Act, 1908)
• Purpose:Assistance during public health crises, natural calamities, or man-made disasters

Key Features:

• Voluntary Contributions:No budgetary allocations from Government
• 100% Tax Exemption:Under Section 80G of Income Tax Act
• CSR Eligibility:Recognised under Companies Act, 2013
• FCRA Exemption:Accepts international donations

STATE NEWS

5. TAMIL NADU EXTENDS MATERNITY LEAVE FOR THIRD CHILD

Current Context: The Tamil Nadu Government has announced that women state government employees will receive 365 days of maternity leave for the birth of a third child, up from the earlier 12 weeks (84 days).

ABOUT THE PROVISION

• First and second children: Already eligible for 365 days under the state’s rules, subject to eligibility conditions.
• The decision was announced by Human Resources Management Minister D. Sarathkumar during the Assembly’s discussion on departmental demands for grants.
• Applies to:Women state government employees in Tamil Nadu

Legal Framework:

• Fundamental Rule 101(A):Service rule for leave-related provisions
• March 2026 Amendment:Limited maternity leave for third child to 12 weeks
• Madras High Court:Upheld restriction in June 2026

GEOGRAPHY

6. THAMIRABARANI RIVER

Current Context: The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court recognised the Thamirabarani (Tamirabharani/Porunai) River as a deity and a juristic person, primarily to strengthen its protection against pollution.

ABOUT THAMIRABARANI RIVER

• Location: Southern Tamil Nadu
• Origin: Pothigai Hills of the Western Ghats
• It is an important perennial river of Tamil Nadu, providing water for agriculture and domestic needs.
• It is also known by the ancient name Porunai.
• The river has significant cultural, religious and historical importance in southern Tamil Nadu.
• Drains into:Gulf of Mannar

Key Features:

• Major Tributaries:Servalar, Manimuthar, Gadananathi, Pachaiyar, Chittar, Ramanathi, Koraiyar
• Major Dams:Karaiyar, Manimuthar, Gadananathi, Ramanathi 

SPORTS

7. MAGNUS CARLSEN WINS ESPORTS WORLD CUP CHESS TITLE 2026

Current Context: World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen of Norway won the 2026 Esports World Cup (EWC) Chess title in Paris, France, on 15 August 2026, successfully defending his 2025 title.

ABOUT THE ACHIEVEMENT

• Venue: Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, Paris, France
• Carlsen’s result: Won the final 2–0 in sets, with both sets ending 3–1.
• Carlsen remained undefeated throughout the tournament.
• Second consecutive yeardefending the title

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