Daily Current Affairs · Last published 31 August 2026
UPSC Prelims Current Affairs: 31 August 2026
India and Uzbekistan elevate ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, FSSAI proposes red warning labels, and Jharkhand allows prisoners to work outside jail.
India and Uzbekistan elevate ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
India and Uzbekistan agreed on Sunday, 30 August 2026, to elevate their bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, setting a target of USD 5 billion in annual bilateral trade by 2030. The two countries agreed to deepen cooperation across trade, defence and energy, and signed a memorandum of understanding on mining cooperation covering critical minerals, including a framework for the long term supply of uranium from Uzbekistan to India.
Jharkhand allows selected prisoners to work outside jail under new reform
The Jharkhand government will allow selected prisoners with a record of good conduct to step outside jail during the day to work and earn a livelihood, returning to prison by evening. The arrangement will be introduced through open and semi open barracks at four central jails, the Birsa Munda Central Jail in Ranchi, the Jai Prakash Narayan Central Jail in Hazaribag, the Ghaghidih Central Jail in East Singhbhum, and the Dumka Central Jail. IG (Prisons) Sudarshan Mandal said prisoners would have reasonable opportunities to earn a living since these jails are in urban centres. The state cabinet approved the initiative through a government resolution that draws on the Jharkhand Prison and Correctional Service Act, 2025, which provides for the establishment of open correctional institutions.
Tamil Nadu to set up safe houses in every district for inter-caste couples
The Tamil Nadu government has decided to set up a safe house in every district to provide security to individuals and families vulnerable to, or affected by, honour killings, caste killings and related violence. Announcing the decision in the Assembly, Minister for Social Justice Vanni Arasu said it was in line with the Supreme Court's judgment in Shakti Vahini versus Union of India and followed representations from survivors of honour killings and activists. The government also indicated it would enact separate legislation against caste killings.
FSSAI proposes red hexagonal warning labels for unhealthy packaged foods
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, in a compliance affidavit filed before the Supreme Court on 28 August 2026, proposed a red hexagonal front of pack warning label for packaged foods high in added saturated fat, sugar or salt, based on thresholds set out in the Dietary Guidelines for Indians, 2024, issued by ICMR's National Institute of Nutrition. The rollout is proposed in two phases, with the first covering products high in two or more of the specified nutrients and the second extending the warning to products high in even one. Single ingredient foods and products inherently rich in these nutrients, such as ghee, edible oil, salt, sugar, jaggery and honey, are proposed to be exempted. The affidavit came in response to a Supreme Court bench hearing a public interest litigation filed by the NGO 3S and Our Health Society.
PM Modi renews drug-free India call in 137th Mann Ki Baat
In the 137th episode of his monthly radio address Mann Ki Baat, broadcast on 30 August 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi renewed his appeal around the Drug Free Youth for a Developed India campaign, urging citizens, especially young people, to help build a drug free India. He also renewed his Vocal for Local appeal, urging citizens to buy India made products.
NBEMS announces NEET-PG re-exam for Jaipur candidates hit by power outage
The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences announced a re examination for candidates affected at two test centres, numbers 41682 and 41683, at the iON Digital Zone in Jaipur's Sitapura during NEET PG 2026, after internal power supply issues disrupted the exam there. The re examination will be held on 5 September 2026 at 3 pm in Jaipur. About 2,445 candidates were affected at the Jaipur centres, out of 2,65,980 who appeared nationally for NEET PG 2026.