Prelims Current Affairs includes International Day Against Nuclear Tests, National Sports Day 2026, Mission Samriddh Gaon, Nepal Flash Floods Triggered By Ice And Rock Avalanch , Hal And Safran Sign Deal To Develop Aravalli Helicopter Engine, East Bengal Lift Durand Cup For Record 17th Time & Mitchell Starc Becomes Leading Wicket-Taker In Wtc History

IMPORTANT DAYS

1. INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST NUCLEAR TESTS

Current Context: International Day against Nuclear Tests is observed annually on 29 August to raise awareness about the harmful effects of nuclear weapon testing and promote efforts towards a nuclear-weapon-free world.

ABOUT THE DAY

• Established by: United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 2009
• The date 29 August was chosen because the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site in Kazakhstan was permanently closed on 29 August 1991.
• The Soviet Union conducted more than 450 nuclear tests at the site between 1949 and 1989.
• The day calls for greater awareness of the health, environmental and humanitarian consequences of nuclear testing.

IMPORTANT DAYS

2. NATIONAL SPORTS DAY 2026

Current Context: National Sports Day is observed annually on 29 August in India to commemorate the birth anniversary of legendary hockey player Major Dhyan Chand and promote sports, fitness and sporting excellence.

ABOUT NATIONAL SPORTS DAY

• First observed: 2012.
• He is popularly known as the “Wizard of Hockey” because of his exceptional ball-control and goal-scoring abilities.
• He represented India at three Olympic Games – 1928, 1932 and 1936.
• India won Olympic gold medals in hockey at all three Games.
• It aims to encourage sports participation, physical fitness and a sporting culture across the country.

SCHEMES/PROGRAMMES

3. MISSION SAMRIDDH GAON

Current Context: Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched Mission Samriddh Gaon at Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi.

ABOUT MISSION SAMRIDDH GAON

• The mission aims to develop poverty-free, employment-rich, prosperous and self-reliant villages with assured access to basic amenities.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Rural Development.
• The mission seeks to bring different Central and State government schemes together rather than implementing them in isolation.
• The basic idea is to ensure that every rural family has a livelihood or employment opportunity, basic amenities are available, and people do not have to migrate because of lack of economic opportunities.

PILOT PROJECT

• The initial pilot is being implemented in two blocks of Madhya Pradesh:
• Budni Block: Sehore district.
• Khategaon Block: Dewas district.
• Successful models emerging from these pilots are intended to be replicated in other parts of the country.

ENVIRONMENT/DISASTER

4. NEPAL FLASH FLOODS TRIGGERED BY ICE AND ROCK AVALANCH

Current Context: A devastating flash flood struck Nepal’s Rasuwa district on 26 August 2026, near the Nepal-China (Tibet) border.

ABOUT THE EVENT

• Preliminary scientific assessments indicate that an ice-rock avalanche caused the disaster. The avalanche appears to have entered the Lhende Khola, blocking the river and creating a temporary natural dam/debris lake. Its subsequent failure released a sudden surge of water, sediment and boulders downstream.
• Location: Rasuwa district, northern Nepal, close to the China/Tibet border.
• Affected river system: Lhende Khola → Bhote Koshi → Trishuli → Narayani.
• The sudden flood propagated downstream through the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli river systems, carrying enormous quantities of water, mud, rocks and debris.
• Areas including Timure and Syabrubesi were severely affected, with roads, bridges, buildings and hydropower infrastructure damaged or destroyed.

Himalayan Vulnerability:

• Himalayas prone to floods, landslides, glacial lake outbursts
• Climate change: Accelerating glacier loss in Hindu Kush Himalaya
• Similar incident: August 2025 glacial lake outburst in Tibet

DEFENCE

5. HAL AND SAFRAN SIGN DEAL TO DEVELOP ARAVALLI HELICOPTER ENGINE

Current Context: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and France’s Safran Helicopter Engines signed the final contract through their joint venture SAFHAL Helicopter Engines Pvt. Ltd. to design, develop, manufacture, supply and provide lifecycle support for the new Aravalli helicopter engine.

ABOUT ARAVALLI ENGINE

• Type: High-power turboshaft engine for helicopters.
• Power class: 3,500-4,000 shaft horsepower (shp).
• The name Aravalli is derived from India’s Aravalli mountain range and symbolises India’s pursuit of greater self-reliance in critical aerospace propulsion technology.

SPORTS

6. EAST BENGAL LIFT DURAND CUP FOR RECORD 17TH TIME

Current Context: East Bengal FC defeated arch-rivals Mohun Bagan Super Giant 4-1 in the 135th Durand Cup final at Kolkata, winning the tournament for the 17th time.

ABOUT THE MATCH

• Venue: Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata
• Edition: 135th Durand Cup
• The victory ended East Bengal’s 22-year wait for the Durand Cup

ABOUT DURAND CUP

• Established: 1888
• First venue: Shimla, Himachal Pradesh
• Founder: Sir Henry Mortimer Durand, then Foreign Secretary of British India
• Organised by: Indian Armed Forces, through the Durand Football Tournament Society

SPORTS

7.  MITCHELL STARC BECOMES LEADING WICKET-TAKER IN WTC HISTORY

Current Context: Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc became the leading wicket-taker in ICC World Test Championship (WTC) history, reaching 234 wickets during Australia’s second Test against Bangladesh at Mackay, Queensland.

ABOUT THE RECORD

• Previous leaders: Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon – 228 wickets each
• Starc achieved the record after taking 10 wickets in the match against Bangladesh.

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