This is the current affairs 20 August 2026. Here are questions and answers of daily current affairs for better preparation of competitive exams for government jobs.
1. Which astronomer of Indian origin discovered a unique celestial object known as a “black hole star”?
a. Dr. Rohan Naidu
b. Ashwin Shekhar
c. Kumar Venkataramani
d. Ritu Parekh
Answer: a. Dr. Rohan Naidu
– Rohan Naidu of Hyderabad and his team have discovered a unique black hole star in the early universe with the help of the James Webb Space Telescope.
– They named this black hole star MoM-BH-1, which is billions of light-years away from Earth.
– Scientists say that it does not shine like a normal star.
– This black hole star is the size of the Solar System and is surrounded by clouds of gas.
– The James Webb Telescope has found several small and very red-looking sources in the early universe, which makes this discovery extremely special.
– Scientists call these objects Little Red Dots.
– Dr. Rohan Naidu’s research, published in the journal Nature, may help in understanding the mystery of supermassive black holes and ‘Little Red Dots’.
How does a black hole star shine?
– Ordinary stars shine because of a process occurring inside them called nuclear fusion.
– In our Sun too, hydrogen is converted into helium, and this process releases energy.
– According to scientists, there is a black hole at its center and a large amount of gas around it.
– During this process, the gas becomes very hot and emits intense light. – This is why the object may appear like a shining star from a distance.
Found in a 660-million-year-old universe
– MoM-BH*-1 has been observed from a time when the universe was about 660 million years old.
– This means that the James Webb Telescope is showing us light that was emitted billions of years ago.
– Very few signs of heavy elements have been found in its light.
– Hydrogen and helium were the most abundant elements in the early universe.
– Heavy elements were formed later after several generations of stars were formed. – Therefore, this information also connects this discovery with the early universe.
– Rohan Naidu has previously conducted research on the early universe and distant galaxies observed by James Webb.
About Rohan Naidu
– Rohan left his engineering studies at the age of 18 and went abroad.
– He joined a batch of 150 students at Yale-NUS College in Singapore.
– Rohan began his exploration of astronomy after studying blazars in the Andes of Chile.
– He completed his PhD under Professor Charlie Conroy at Harvard University and conducted research on ancient galaxies.
– Currently, Rohan Naidu is working as an Assistant Professor at the Institute for Astronomy, University of Hawaii.
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2. Who is the person of Indian origin to become the world’s youngest Chartered Accountant (CA)?
a. Kanishk Rao
b. Rajiv Tiwari
c. Lakshmanan Mayyappan
d. Adi Sharma
Answer: c. Lakshmanan Mayyappan
– Lakshmanan Mayyappan, a Dubai-based person of Indian origin, created this world record at the age of 16 years and 141 days.
– Lakshmanan has been declared the world’s youngest male Chartered Accountant in the Guinness World Records.
– Lakshmanan developed an interest in finance during the lockdown.
– Lakshmanan obtained a degree from ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants).
– After this, he also obtained a degree as a CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst).
– He is currently pursuing an MSc in Finance.
– Along with this, he is also working as a Senior Research Analyst at Century Financial Company in Dubai.
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3. When is National Renewable Energy Day celebrated?
a. 18 August
b. 19 August
c. 20 August
d. 21 August
Answer: c. 20 August
– This day was started by the Central Government in 2004 as Renewable Energy Day.
– This day was established to support the Renewable Energy Development Program and to promote the use of renewable energy instead of traditional sources of energy.
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4. Sadbhavna Diwas is celebrated on 20 August to mark the birth anniversary of which former Prime Minister of India?
a. Indira Gandhi
b. Atal Bihari Vajpayee
c. Rajiv Gandhi
d. Lal Bahadur Shastri
Answer: c. Rajiv Gandhi
– Rajiv Gandhi was born on 20 August 1944.
– This day is observed to pay tribute to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and to promote the spirit of goodwill.
– The Indian National Congress established the Rajiv Gandhi Sadbhavna Award in 1992, one year after his death.
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5. Who was re-elected as the President of Zambia?
a. Nelly Mutti
b. Hakainde Hichilema
c. Mumba Malila
d. Mutale Nalumango
Answer: b. Hakainde Hichilema
– Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema was re-elected for a second five-year term.
– The Electoral Commission of Zambia announced this on 18 August 2026.
– The election remained controversial.
Zambia
– It is a landlocked country.
– Capital: Lusaka
– President: Hakainde Hichilema
– Currency: Zambian Kwacha
– Neighboring countries: DRC Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Angola
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6. How many bills were passed by both Houses during the 2026 Monsoon Session of Parliament?
a. 5
b. 12
c. 25
d. 22
Answer: b. 12
During the 2026 Monsoon Session of Parliament (20 July to 13 August 2026), a total of 12 bills were passed by both Houses (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha).
1) Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026: Provides for fast-track courts and strict punishment to prevent paper leaks and irregularities in competitive examinations.
2) Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026: Related to providing legal protection to ‘Vande Mataram’ and making disruption during its singing an offence.
3) Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2026: To make delayed registration procedures more transparent and strict.
4) Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Amendment) Bill, 2026: Provides for a national digital platform for the MSME sector and easier financial access.
5) Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026: To amend the Constitution to change the name of the state of ‘Kerala’ to ‘Keralam’.
6) Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026: The Bill was introduced to replace an ordinance issued before the session. Under this, the sanctioned strength of judges in the Supreme Court, including the Chief Justice, has been increased from 34 to 38 (i.e., other judges have been increased from 33 to 37).
7) Tribunal Reforms Bill, 2026: For the establishment of the National Tribunal Commission and transparency in appointments.
8) Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026
9) Appropriation (No. 3) Bill, 2026
10) Bankers’ Books Evidence Bill, 2026
11) Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026
12) National Cooperative Development Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2026
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7. By passing the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026, what provision did Parliament make regarding the new name for Kerala?
a. Keralasva
b. Keralam
c. Karakoram
d. Keralite
Answer: b. Keralam
– This is a historic legislative step introduced under Article 3 of the Constitution, aimed at making the name of the state consistent with its linguistic and cultural traditions.
Objective and Need:
– The official name of the state in the Malayalam language has always been ‘Keralam’. The State Legislative Assembly had unanimously passed a resolution to this effect and sent it to the Central Government.
Main Provision:
– The Bill amends the First Schedule of the Constitution, making it mandatory to use the word ‘Keralam’ in place of ‘Kerala’ in all government records, international treaties and official correspondence.
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8. When Parliament passed the Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2026, whose permission became mandatory for obtaining birth and death certificates in cases of delays exceeding two years?
a. Executive Magistrate
b. First-Class Judicial Magistrate
c. District Judge
d. High Court Judge
Answer: b. First-Class Judicial Magistrate
– Original Act: Amendment to the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969.
– Delayed Registration Rules: For a delay of 1 year to 2 years: permission of the Executive Magistrate is mandatory. For a delay of more than 2 years: permission of the First-Class Judicial Magistrate (JMFC) is required.
Objective and Need:
– To eliminate paperwork and create a 100% digital database of births and deaths, which can be linked with various government schemes.
Main Provisions:
– Digital registration of births and deaths has been made mandatory at the hospital level itself.
– This database will be synced in real time with the National Population Register (NPR), electoral rolls, Aadhaar, ration cards and passport-issuing authorities.
– There is a provision for automatically adding the name to the electoral roll upon attaining the age of 18 years.
Impact:
– Fake certificates will be curbed, fraud in pension schemes will be prevented, and the benefits of welfare schemes will automatically reach eligible beneficiaries without any delay.
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9. When Parliament passed the National Cooperative Development Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2026, what was included in the legal definition of ‘food grains’ under it?
a. Processed food, packaged products
b. Dairy products, value-added agricultural goods
c. Poultry and fisheries products
d. All of the above
Answer: d. All of the above (processed food, packaged products, dairy products, value-added agricultural goods, poultry and fisheries products)
National Cooperative Development Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2026
– Amendment to the original Act: Amendment to the NCDC Act, 1962
What changed:
– The NCDC law, enacted in 1962, was mainly limited to financing traditional agricultural products and limited cooperative activities. The objective of the 2026 amendment is to expand its scope and powers.
– Meaning: Through this, the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) has now been given the legal authority to provide loans and financial assistance not only to traditional farming but also to other modern and allied sectors (such as cooperative-based start-ups, processing and logistics).
Expansion of the Definition (‘Food Grains’ / Foodstuffs)
– What changed: The old legal definition of ‘food grains’ was very limited, mainly covering basic crops such as wheat, paddy or pulses.
– Meaning: The definition has now been broadened. It also includes processed food, packaged products, value-added agricultural goods, dairy products, poultry and products related to aquaculture (fisheries).
– Impact: The direct benefit of this will be that cooperative societies engaged in the business of packaged food, dairy or processed food will also now become eligible to receive funds and subsidies directly from NCDC.
Geographical Restrictions Removed
– What changed: Earlier, certain regional or state-level restrictions were applicable to the marketing, trading and financing of industrial or non-agricultural goods.
– Meaning: These restrictions have been removed after the amendment.
– Impact: Now any local or state-level cooperative society can trade and supply its industrial and manufactured goods throughout the country (and international markets) without any inter-state legal barrier. At the same time, NCDC can provide them funding to set up projects in any part of the country.
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10. Information on some other bills passed during the Monsoon Session of Parliament
i) Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Amendment) Bill, 2026
– Original Law: Amendment to the MSMED Act, 2006.
– Digital Platform: Establishment of a national digital platform for free and voluntary registration of MSMEs.
– Decriminalization: Graded financial penalties instead of criminal cases for minor violations (Graded Penalties
– Payment Limit: Time-bound settlement mechanism for delayed payment disputes.
Main Provisions:
– Under this Bill, a framework has been prepared for the establishment of a ‘National Digital MSME Credit Platform’. It will now be mandatory for large corporates to make payments to MSME suppliers within 30 days. In case of failure to do so, there is a provision for compound interest. Also, relaxation has been given in the classification criteria for micro units.
Impact:
– This will improve cash flow in micro and small industries. Easy access to quick loans through the formal banking system will provide a major boost to employment generation and local manufacturing (Make in India).
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ii) Tribunal Reforms Bill, 2026
Main Provisions: The Bill paves the way for the formation of the ‘National Tribunals Commission’. The tenure and eligibility criteria of members and chairpersons of tribunals have been clearly defined. The role of the Search-cum-Selection Committee has been strengthened.
Impact: The scope for executive interference will be eliminated and judicial independence will be maintained. Cases in the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), NGT and tax tribunals will be disposed of more quickly.
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iii) Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026
– In Place of Ordinance: Replaced the Income-Tax (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026.
– Framework: Provisions to reduce the impact of international economic conditions under the new income tax law implemented from 1 April 2026.
Main Provisions: The tax audit threshold has been relaxed for small taxpayers. The Faceless Assessment process has been technically improved and made more transparent. In addition, transfer pricing rules related to international transactions have been simplified.
Impact: It will promote the ‘Ease of Doing Business’. Unnecessary legal disputes between tax departments and traders will decrease, and revenue collection will become more transparent.
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iv) Bankers’ Books Evidence Bill, 2026
– Old Law Repealed: The Bankers’ Books Evidence Act, 1891, was updated/replaced.
Electronic Evidence: Cloud-based records, digital books, blockchain and digital authentication have been legally recognized as evidence in courts.
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v) Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026
Original Law: Amendment to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957.
Fiscal Framework: State governments are prohibited from imposing new taxes on mineral rights/mineral land without the consent of the Centre.
Objective: To create a uniform and balanced financial/fiscal framework for the mining sector across the country.
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vi) Appropriation (No. 3) Bill, 2026
Constitutional Provision: A Money Bill introduced under Articles 114(1) and 115 of the Constitution.
Objective: Legal approval for withdrawal of funds from the Consolidated Fund of India under the Demands for Excess Grants for the financial year 2022-23.
– This Bill relates to legalizing the total excess expenditure for the financial year 2022-23.
– An amount of ₹53,871.01 crore for Debt Repayment.
– An amount of ₹196.45 crore for the Capital Expenditure of the Ministry of Railways under a court order.
Note – According to Article 114 of the Constitution, not even a single rupee can be withdrawn from the Consolidated Fund of India without the permission of Parliament.
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