Daily Current Affairs- 8th August 2026

Daily Current Affairs- 8th August 2026

Why Centre says ‘creamy layer’ cannot apply to SC/ST quotas

In the News: The Centre has told the Supreme Court that the creamy-layer principle should not automatically be extended to Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs). In an affidavit opposing petitions seeking such exclusion, the government argued that SC/ST reservation addresses deep-rooted historical and social discrimination rather than economic disadvantage alone. It also maintained that any wider change in this reservation policy should primarily be a legislative or policy decision.

Key Points

• What is the Creamy Layer?: The creamy layer refers to the relatively advanced sections within a reserved category that may be excluded from reservation benefits. The concept was developed mainly for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) through the Supreme Court's Indra Sawhney v. Union of India judgment of 1992. For competitive exams, remember: Indra Sawhney → OBC reservation + creamy-layer principle.
• Centre's Main Argument: The government argues that discrimination against SCs and STs does not disappear merely because an individual achieves economic prosperity. SC/ST reservations are rooted in historical caste-based discrimination, exclusion and social disadvantage. The Centre has therefore opposed using income alone to determine eligibility for SC/ST reservation benefits.
• Jarnail Singh Judgment, 2018: An important exam nuance is Jarnail Singh v. Lachhmi Narain Gupta. In 2018, a five-judge Constitution Bench applied the principle of creamy-layer exclusion to SC/ST reservation in promotions. Thus, questions must distinguish between the Centre's present policy stand and earlier judicial rulings concerning promotion quotas.
• Davinder Singh Case, 2024: In State of Punjab v. Davinder Singh, a seven-judge Bench, by 6:1 majority, permitted sub-classification within Scheduled Castes for distributing reservation benefits more equitably. Several judges also favoured excluding advanced sections, but the principal issue before the Bench was sub-classification. The judgment overruled the earlier E.V. Chinnaiah position against such sub-classification.

Astrobase Unveils India’s First Private 800 kN Rocket Engine

In the News: Bengaluru-based Astrobase Space Technologies has unveiled “Everest”, which it describes as India's first privately developed 800-kilonewton Full-Flow Staged Combustion (FFSC) LOX-methane rocket engine. The engine is being developed for reusable medium-lift launch vehicles and represents a major step in India's expanding private-space ecosystem.

Key Points:

• Everest Rocket Engine: Everest produces about 800 kN of vacuum thrust and uses liquid oxygen (LOX) and methane as propellants. Astrobase lists a throttle capability of about 50% to 110% and says the engine is designed for multiple operating cycles. These numbers are especially relevant for science and technology MCQs.
• Full-Flow Staged Combustion Technology: Everest uses the Full-Flow Staged Combustion (FFSC) engine cycle, considered among the more complex high-performance liquid-rocket architectures. Methane-based engines are attractive for reusable launch systems because of their operational and combustion characteristics. LOX-methane is commonly called a methalox combination.
• Additive Manufacturing: Astrobase says core components of the engine are manufactured using 3D-printing or additive manufacturing. Such manufacturing can reduce the number of separate components and enable complex engine geometries. The company has also installed industrial-scale 3D-printing capability for high-thrust engine production.
• Future Launch Vehicle: Astrobase is developing a two-stage reusable launch vehicle powered by LOX-methane engines. Its published specifications target around 3 tonnes of payload to a 500-km Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and return-to-launch-site recovery. These remain development targets rather than demonstrated operational capability.
• Role of IN-SPACe: Astrobase was selected under IN-SPACe's Technology Adoption Fund for development of its indigenous 800-kN engine. IN-SPACe stands for Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre and is an autonomous single-window nodal agency under the Department of Space for promoting and authorising private space activities.

International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples 2026

In the News: The International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples is observed every year on 9 August. The UN's 2026 observance focuses on the theme “Honouring Indigenous Midwives: Safeguarding Life and Well-being.” The day highlights the rights, cultures, traditional knowledge and contributions of Indigenous communities worldwide.

Key Points

• Date and Origin: The Day is observed annually on 9 August. The UN General Assembly established the observance through Resolution 49/214 of 23 December 1994. The date commemorates the first meeting of the UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations in 1982.
• Theme for 2026: The official 2026 theme is “Honouring Indigenous Midwives: Safeguarding Life and Well-being.” It highlights the contribution of Indigenous midwives to maternal care, traditional knowledge, cultural continuity and community well-being. The theme is a likely direct current-affairs question.
• UN Declaration on Indigenous Rights: The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) was adopted on 13 September 2007. It is associated with UN General Assembly Resolution 61/295 and recognises principles relating to self-determination, culture, traditional lands and Indigenous institutions.
• UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues: The UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) was established by ECOSOC through Resolution 2000/22 in July 2000. It consists of 16 independent experts and advises the UN system on Indigenous issues concerning development, culture, environment, education, health and human rights.

Sriganganagar’s Basant Wins Silver at World Athletics U20 Event

In the News: Rajasthan's Basant Kumar Meghwal created history by winning the silver medal in men's high jump at the World Athletics U20 Championships 2026 in Eugene, Oregon, USA. The 19-year-old cleared 2.21 metres, becoming the first Indian high jumper to win a medal at the World U20 Championships.

Key Points:

• Historic Performance: Basant Kumar Meghwal cleared 2.21 m in the men's high-jump final. He won silver after clearing the height on his second attempt. The achievement was historic because no Indian high jumper had previously won a World Athletics U20 Championships medal.
• Gold and Bronze Winners: Algeria's Younes Ayachi won gold, while Great Britain's Otis Poole took bronze. All three athletes cleared 2.21 m and failed at 2.24 m, so the medals were determined by countback. Ayachi cleared 2.21 m on his first attempt, Basant on his second and Poole on his third.
• About Basant Meghwal: Basant is from the Anupgarh area of Rajasthan's Sriganganagar district and was 19 at the championships. His 2.21-m performance matched his lifetime-best level, and he had also won gold at the Asian U20 Athletics Championships earlier in 2026.
• About World Athletics U20 Championships 2026: The championships were held from 5–9 August 2026 at Hayward Field, University of Oregon, in Eugene. It was the 21st edition of the World Athletics U20 Championships. Oregon had previously hosted the global U20 meet in 2014.
• India's Other Medallists: India's Ashish Yadav won silver in the men's javelin throw, while Shahnavaz Khan secured bronze in the men's long jump. Along with Basant's silver, India reached three medals at the championships. Shahnavaz recorded a best jump of 7.84 m.

Operation Safed Sagar: How the IAF Dominated the Skies During the Kargil War

In the News: Operation Safed Sagar returned to focus during the 27th Kargil Vijay Diwas commemorations in July 2026 and recent public discussion of the IAF's role in the 1999 conflict. It was the codename for the Indian Air Force's air campaign during the Kargil War, undertaken in support of the Army's Operation Vijay.

Key Points

• Launch of Operation Safed Sagar: The Indian Air Force formally entered combat through Operation Safed Sagar on 26 May 1999. Its objective was to strike hostile positions, supply routes and concentrations occupying high-altitude areas in the Kargil sector. The Indian Army's corresponding campaign was known as Operation Vijay.
• Aircraft Used: The IAF employed aircraft including MiG-21s, MiG-23s, MiG-27s and Mirage 2000s in various roles during the campaign. Mirage 2000 aircraft became particularly important for precision attacks against fortified high-altitude positions. MiG-29s were also employed for fighter protection and air superiority tasks.
• Mirage 2000 and Precision Bombing: Mirage 2000 fighters were adapted to conduct precision strikes using laser-guided bombs. Their attacks against strategically important positions such as Tiger Hill demonstrated the value of precision-guided munitions in high-altitude warfare. Operation Safed Sagar marked an important stage in the evolution of IAF precision-strike capability.
• Restriction on Crossing the LoC: India imposed the important operational restriction that its aircraft would not cross the Line of Control (LoC). This was intended to limit escalation while Indian forces sought to clear positions on the Indian side. For exams, remember the combination: military force + strategic restraint + respect for the LoC.
• Kargil Vijay Diwas Connection: India observes Kargil Vijay Diwas on 26 July every year to commemorate the successful culmination of the 1999 Kargil operations. In 2026, India marked the 27th anniversary of the victory. A useful exam mapping is: Army – Operation Vijay; Air Force – Operation Safed Sagar; Kargil Vijay Diwas – 26 July.