Prelims Current Affairs includes International Day Commemorating The Victims Of Acts Of Violence Based On Religion Or Belief, Southern Zonal Council Meeting 2026, National Medical Commission (Nmc), Friends Of My Bharat Initiative, Hunger Hotspots 2026 (Fao-Wfp Report), 65th Subroto Cup International Football Tournament, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir Elected Bangladesh President, Two Mumbai Doctors To Receive Nishan-E-Imtiaz

IMPORTANT DAYS

1. INTERNATIONAL DAY COMMEMORATING THE VICTIMS OF ACTS OF VIOLENCE BASED ON RELIGION OR BELIEF

Current Context: The International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief is observed every year on 22 August.

ABOUT THE DAY

• Established by: United Nations General Assembly
• Established in: 2019
• Main purpose: To honour victims and raise awareness against violence, intolerance and discrimination based on religion or belief and promote religious freedom, tolerance, human rights and peaceful coexistence.

GOVERNANCE

2. SOUTHERN ZONAL COUNCIL MEETING 2026

Current Context: The 31st Southern Zonal Council meeting was held on 20 August 2026 in Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu.

ABOUT SOUTHERN ZONAL COUNCIL

• The Southern Zonal Council (SZC) is one of India’s five Zonal Councils.
• It was established under the States Reorganisation Act, 1956 (Sections 15-22)
• Zonal Councils are advisory bodies that provide a platform for States and the Centre to discuss matters of common interest.
• Member States/UTs: The Southern Zonal Council therefore covers 5 States and 3 Union Territories.
• Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana
• Puducherry, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep

CHAIRMAN

• Chairman: Union Home Minister (2026 Chairman: Amit Shah)
• The Chief Ministers of member States participate in the Council, while the Vice-Chairmanship among State Chief Ministers is held by rotation.

Purpose:

• Formal forum for states and Centre to deliberate on regional issues
• Advisory body promoting cooperative federalism
• Major 2026 issues: Water disputes, river linking, delimitation, tax devolution and regional development

HEALTH

3. NATIONAL MEDICAL COMMISSION (NMC)

Current Context: NMC proposed a UID system for doctors, allowing nationwide practice without separate state registration.

ABOUT Draft

• NMC notified the draft amendment regulations on 11 August 2026.
• Under the proposed system, doctors would initially be registered with the relevant State Medical Council.
• The Ethics and Medical Registration Board (EMRB) of NMC would then generate a centrally generated UID.
• The UID would be linked to the doctor’s entry in the National Medical Register (NMR).
• Once registered in the NMR, the doctor would be eligible to practise across India without fresh State registration/licensing.

About NMC

• NMC is India’s statutory regulatory body for medical education and medical practice.
• Constituted under:National Medical Commission Act, 2019 (came into force 25 September 2020)
• Replaced:Medical Council of India (MCI)
• Headquarters:New Delhi
• Composition:33 members (Chairperson + 10 ex-officio + 22 part-time)

SCHEMES/PROGRAMMES

4. FRIENDS OF MY BHARAT INITIATIVE

Current Context: The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, through MY Bharat, launched the “Friends of MY Bharat” digital initiative to connect Indian-origin youth living across the world with India’s youth-led programmes,

• It was announced at the BRICS Youth Summit 2026 in Gandhinagar.
• Platform: Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat)
• To create a global youth engagement ecosystem connecting Indian-origin youth with India.
• To provide opportunities for overseas Indian youth to participate in nation-building and volunteering activities.

KEY FEATURES

• Registration: Indian-origin youth can register as a “Friend of MY Bharat.”
• Youth Clubs: Members can share information about their Youth Clubs and Associations
• Volunteering: Provides information about volunteering opportunities in India.

REPORTS/INDICES

5. HUNGER HOTSPOTS 2026 (FAO-WFP REPORT)

Current Context: The FAO-WFP Hunger Hotspots report, released on 17 June 2026, warned that acute food insecurity could worsen across 13 countries and territories between June and November 2026.

ABOUT HUNGER HOTSPOTS REPORT

• Prepared by: Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Food Programme (WFP)
• Frequency: Released twice a year
• Purpose: Provides early warning of countries and territories where acute food insecurity is expected to worsen.
• The report is produced through the Global Network Against Food Crises (GNAFC)
• Sudan, South Sudan, Yemen and Palestine were identified as the world’s most critical hotspots in terms of the severity and magnitude of hunger.
• Northeast Nigeria was added to this highest-concern group because of the risk of Catastrophe-level food insecurity, particularly in Borno State.
• Somalia also faced a deteriorating situation, including a risk of famine in Burhakaba District.

Key Findings:

• Sudan:5 million food insecure (41% of population)
• South Sudan:8 million (55% of population)
• Yemen:~18.3 million at Crisis level or higher
• Palestine:6 million acute food insecure (77% of population)
• Somalia:6 million at Crisis level or higher

Main Causes:

• Conflict and insecurity
• Climate shocks (droughts, floods)
• Economic instability (inflation, currency depreciation)
• Displacement and limited humanitarian access

SPORTS

6. 65TH SUBROTO CUP INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT

Current Context: 65th Subroto Cup 2026 began on 18 August 2026 in New Delhi.

ABOUT SUBROTO CUP

• Full Name: Subroto Mukerjee Cup International Football Tournament
• Started: 1960
• Organised by: Subroto Mukerjee Sports Education Society (SMSES) under the aegis of the Air Force Sports Control Board
• Named after: Air Marshal Subroto Mukerjee, the first Indian Chief of the Air Staff.
• It is an international inter-school football tournament aimed at promoting grassroots football and identifying young talent.
• Venue: B.R. Ambedkar Stadium, New Delhi

Categories:

1. Junior Girls – Under-17
2. Junior Boys – Under-17
3. Sub-Junior Boys – Under-15

APPOINTMENTS

7. MIRZA FAKHRUL ISLAM ALAMGIR ELECTED BANGLADESH PRESIDENT

Current Context: Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir elected as 23rd President of Bangladesh on 20 August 2026.

ABOUT THE ELECTION

• Winner:Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir (BNP) – 255 votes
• Runner-up: (retd) Oli Ahmed (LDP) – 88 votes

Key Points:

• First contested presidential election in Bangladesh in 35 years
• Predecessor: Mohammed Shahabuddin (resigned 24 July 2026 due to health issues)

AWARDS

8. TWO MUMBAI DOCTORS TO RECEIVE NISHAN-E-IMTIAZ

Current Context: Pakistan has nominated two Mumbai-based Parsi doctors for its highest civilian honour, the Nishan-e-Imtiaz, for maintaining the confidentiality of Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s terminal illness before Partition. The honour is expected to be formally conferred in March 2027.

ABOUT THE TWO DOCTORS

• Jal Ratanji Patel: Physician
• Jal Dhaybho-Koo: Radiologist
• They examined Jinnah’s medical condition and X-rays in Bombay in 1946.
• Historical accounts state that they diagnosed Jinnah with advanced/terminal tuberculosis and estimated that he had only around one to two years to live.
• Nishan-e-Imtiaz:Pakistan’s highest civilian honour
• Awarded for:Distinguished service in public service, literature, arts, sports, science
• Presented by:President of Pakistan
• Historical Context:
• Mentioned in book “Freedom at Midnight” (Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre)

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