Rajasthan Current Affairs – August 2026

At a glance

the top events

The most important events of this page, and how many news items each topic holds.

Top events

1. The 16th BRICS Trade Ministers' Meeting was held in Jaipur under India's 2026 BRICS chairship and was chaired by Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal. Its theme was 'Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability'.
2. Rajasthan became the first state in India to get an exploration licence for rare earth elements (REE). The licence area is 207.6 sq km, in Pachpadra tehsil (Navatala-Devigarh) of Balotra and Sherghar tehsil of Jodhpur.
3. India's first pilot of multi-lane free-flow (MLFF) tolling began at the Shahjahanpur toll plaza on NH-48 (Delhi-Jaipur highway) in Alwar district. ANPR cameras and FASTag-based RFID let vehicles pay toll without stopping.
4. The Indian Air Force held the week-long counter-drone exercise ROTOR CLAP-III at the Pokhran Field Firing Range, Jaisalmer. It tested readiness to counter enemy drone attacks quickly and reliably.
5. The Rajasthan Cabinet, chaired by CM Bhajan Lal Sharma, approved the draft Rajasthan Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, 2026. It seeks one law for marriage, divorce, succession, maintenance and live-in relationships, and keeps tribal customs outside its scope.
6. The Cabinet also approved the draft Rajasthan Tree Protection Bill, 2026 to control felling of trees on non-forest land. It protects 29 species, including Khejri, Rohida, banyan, peepal, lasora, tendu, mahua, ker and chironji.
7. The Centre told Parliament that Mangarh Dham in Banswara does not meet the conditions to be a monument of national importance under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites Act, 1958. Large modern construction has affected its original character.
8. Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah is to lay the foundation stone of a new dairy plant at the Saras Dairy campus in Alwar, at the Vijay Nagar ground.
9. The BRICS Tourism Ministers' meeting was held in Jaipur in August 2026 under India's chairship, led by Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, and adopted the Jaipur Declaration 2026.
10. 7 Aug — On 7 August 2026, CRRI (Central Road Research Institute, New Delhi) gave a live demonstration of its MMSS+ (Modified Mix Seal Surfacing Plus) road technology in Jaipur. The Rajasthan government is considering adopting it.

News by topic

Government & States

11 one-liners

Economy & Banking

10 one-liners

Science, Defence & Environment

7 one-liners

Sports, Days & Culture

8 one-liners

Government & States

11 one-liners

Policy · laws · schemes · states.

National

• The Indian Air Force held the week-long counter-drone exercise ROTOR CLAP-III at the Pokhran Field Firing Range, Jaisalmer. It tested readiness to counter enemy drone attacks quickly and reliably.
• ROTOR CLAP-III used the Apache (AH-64), Mi-25/35, Prachand (LCH), Chinook, Mi-17 and Dhruv (ALH) helicopters. The focus was reconnaissance, accurate targeting and coordination between units in war-like conditions.
• The Rajasthan Cabinet, chaired by CM Bhajan Lal Sharma, approved the draft Rajasthan Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, 2026. It seeks one law for marriage, divorce, succession, maintenance and live-in relationships, and keeps tribal customs outside its scope.
• Goa has had a UCC since its Portuguese-era law continued after 1961, and Uttarakhand became the first state to enact one after independence. Article 44 (Directive Principles) mentions the UCC, but it is not legally binding.
• The same Cabinet meeting gave compassionate appointment rights to daughters-in-law of deceased government employees and 90 days of maternity leave to surrogate mothers. Unmarried women employees may now take child-care leave in six spells instead of three.
• Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan approved ₹340.59 crore for Rajasthan: ₹216.12 crore under RKVY (Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana) and ₹124.47 crore under Krishonnati Yojana.
• Rajasthan's annual action plan for 2026-27 under these schemes was approved at ₹849.37 crore, of which the Centre's share is ₹509.62 crore. Telangana got ₹265.12 crore in total.
• The meeting also stressed wider use of the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) in Rajasthan, so that farmers get timely and easy loans.
• At the same Alwar event, development works of about ₹6,262 crore in 17 districts will be foundation-laid and e-inaugurated, under the Centre's 'Sahkar se Samriddhi' vision to expand dairy and cattle-feed processing.
• The Alwar event also includes the announcement of new central cooperative banks and direct benefit transfer (DBT) to beneficiaries of PM Fasal Bima Yojana and PM-KISAN.
• 2 Aug — At the end of the Jaipur conference, all countries unanimously adopted the Jaipur Declaration, and the digital justice initiative Nyayayan was launched. The aim was to promote mediation for settling disputes.

Economy & Banking

10 one-liners

RBI · markets · trade · reports.

Economy & Banking

• The 16th BRICS Trade Ministers' Meeting was held in Jaipur under India's 2026 BRICS chairship and was chaired by Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal. Its theme was 'Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability'.
• The BRICS meeting in Jaipur issued the Jaipur Sahmati (Jaipur Consensus) to help small businesses get trade finance. Members agreed on rule-based trade with the WTO at the centre and special relief for developing countries.
• Rajasthan became the first state in India to get an exploration licence for rare earth elements (REE). The licence area is 207.6 sq km, in Pachpadra tehsil (Navatala-Devigarh) of Balotra and Sherghar tehsil of Jodhpur.
• Geological studies show signs of lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium and neodymium in the REE licence area. The licence agency is the public-sector CMPDIL (Central Mine Planning and Design Institute Limited).
• The Centre started the exploration licence system in 2024 and held the first auction in 2025. Rare earths are used in electric vehicles, renewable energy, defence, aerospace, semiconductors and telecom, so local finds reduce import dependence.
• India's first pilot of multi-lane free-flow (MLFF) tolling began at the Shahjahanpur toll plaza on NH-48 (Delhi-Jaipur highway) in Alwar district. ANPR cameras and FASTag-based RFID let vehicles pay toll without stopping.
• Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah is to lay the foundation stone of a new dairy plant at the Saras Dairy campus in Alwar, at the Vijay Nagar ground.
• 7 Aug — On 7 August 2026, CRRI (Central Road Research Institute, New Delhi) gave a live demonstration of its MMSS+ (Modified Mix Seal Surfacing Plus) road technology in Jaipur. The Rajasthan government is considering adopting it.
• 7 Aug — Along with MMSS+, the Smart Mix Pro plant was shown, India's first mobile machine that mixes road material in the right proportion by itself. It is meant to cut emissions, energy use and material waste.
• 7 Aug — The MMSS+ road technology has already been used on more than 100 km of roads in other states.

Science, Defence & Environment

7 one-liners

Space · tech · forces · ecology.

Science & Technology

• Rajasthan decided to strengthen digital tracking of high-risk pregnancies and its maternal referral system, after more than 20 maternal deaths in government hospitals in two months. Chief Secretary V. Srinivas chaired the review meeting at Swasthya Bhawan, Jaipur.
• An ANM (auxiliary nurse midwife) will be assigned to every high-risk pregnancy to monitor it continuously and connect the woman to a doctor when needed. The 104 and 108 ambulance services will also be strengthened for timely referral.
• The NHRC (National Human Rights Commission) sent a notice to the Rajasthan government asking for a detailed report on the maternal deaths.
• The main causes of maternal death cited were heavy bleeding after delivery, very high blood pressure, severe anaemia (lack of blood) and failure of many organs together.

Defence & Security

• 2 Aug — The Indian Air Force concluded Exercise ROTOR CLAP-III, a week-long counter-drone drill for helicopters at the Pokhran range near Jaisalmer. Apache, Prachand, Chinook and Mi-17 helicopters took part.

Environment & Ecology

• The Cabinet also approved the draft Rajasthan Tree Protection Bill, 2026 to control felling of trees on non-forest land. It protects 29 species, including Khejri, Rohida, banyan, peepal, lasora, tendu, mahua, ker and chironji.
• Under the Tree Protection Bill, felling without permission can bring up to one year in jail, a fine up to ₹1 lakh, or both. A fixed number of new trees must be planted in place of each tree cut.

Sports, Days & Culture

8 one-liners

Results · important days · heritage.

Art, Culture & Tourism

• The Centre told Parliament that Mangarh Dham in Banswara does not meet the conditions to be a monument of national importance under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites Act, 1958. Large modern construction has affected its original character.
• In 2022, Tarun Vijay, then chairman of the National Monuments Authority, had recommended national status for the Mangarh hill.
• In November 1913, about 1.5 lakh Bhils gathered at Mangarh at the call of tribal leader and freedom fighter Govind Guru. British police firing killed about 1,500 tribals, and it is called the 'Jallianwala Bagh of Rajasthan'.
• Mangarh Dham is a main centre of shared faith for the tribal communities of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat.
• The BRICS Tourism Ministers' meeting was held in Jaipur in August 2026 under India's chairship, led by Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, and adopted the Jaipur Declaration 2026.
• The Jaipur meeting's theme was "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability", and its four priorities were AI and tourism, sustainability and responsible tourism, skills and capacity building, and tourism exchanges with seamless travel.
• The Jaipur Declaration aims to bring the ordinary citizens of BRICS countries closer and to simplify tourism transactions, and it calls tourism an important contributor to India's Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.
• India Post released a Rs 5 commemorative stamp at Bikaner House, New Delhi, on the birth centenary of Satish Gujral, the painter, sculptor and architect. Jyotiraditya Scindia unveiled it.

Quick quiz

test yourself

Practice questions on this period. Tap an option to check your answer.

Fill in the blank: one-liner flashcards

The _____ was held in Jaipur under India's 2026 BRICS chairship and was chaired by Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal. Its theme was 'Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability'.

16th BRICS Trade Ministers' Meeting

Rajasthan became the first state in India to get an exploration licence for rare earth elements (REE)_____207.6 sq km, in Pachpadra tehsil (Navatala-Devigarh) of Balotra and Sherghar tehsil of Jodhpur.

. The licence area is

India's first pilot of _____ began at the Shahjahanpur toll plaza on NH-48 (Delhi-Jaipur highway) in Alwar district. ANPR cameras and FASTag-based RFID let vehicles pay toll without stopping.

multi-lane free-flow (MLFF) tolling

The Indian Air Force held the week-long counter-drone exercise _____ at the Pokhran Field Firing Range, Jaisalmer. It tested readiness to counter enemy drone attacks quickly and reliably.

ROTOR CLAP-III

The Rajasthan Cabinet, chaired by CM _____, approved the draft Rajasthan Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, 2026. It seeks one law for marriage, divorce, succession, maintenance and live-in relationships, and keeps tribal customs outside its scope.

Bhajan Lal Sharma

The Cabinet also approved the draft _____ to control felling of trees on non-forest land. It protects 29 species, including Khejri, Rohida, banyan, peepal, lasora, tendu, mahua, ker and chironji.

Rajasthan Tree Protection Bill, 2026

The Centre told Parliament that _____ in Banswara does not meet the conditions to be a monument of national importance under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites Act, 1958. Large modern construction has affected its original character.

Mangarh Dham

Union Home and Cooperation Minister _____ is to lay the foundation stone of a new dairy plant at the Saras Dairy campus in Alwar, at the Vijay Nagar ground.

Amit Shah

The _____ was held in Jaipur in August 2026 under India's chairship, led by Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, and adopted the Jaipur Declaration 2026.

BRICS Tourism Ministers' meeting

On 7 August 2026, CRRI (Central Road Research Institute, New Delhi) gave a live demonstration of its _____ (Modified Mix Seal Surfacing Plus) road technology in Jaipur. The Rajasthan government is considering adopting it.

MMSS+

MCQs

1. What document was unanimously adopted at the Commonwealth conference in Jaipur?

   1. Jaipur Treaty
   2. Jaipur Protocol
   3. Jaipur Charter
   4. Jaipur Declaration
   Show answer

   Answer: Jaipur Declaration — All countries agreed on the Jaipur Declaration, and the digital justice initiative Nyayayan was launched.

2. Who chaired the 16th BRICS Trade Ministers' Meeting in Jaipur?

   1. S. Jaishankar
   2. Piyush Goyal
   3. Nirmala Sitharaman
   4. Amit Shah
   Show answer

   Answer: Piyush Goyal — The meeting was chaired by Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal under India's 2026 BRICS chairship.

3. How many tree species are protected under the draft Rajasthan Tree Protection Bill, 2026?

   1. 9
   2. 19
   3. 29
   4. 39
   Show answer

   Answer: 29 — Species such as Khejri, Rohida, banyan, peepal and mahua are protected.

4. In which district is Mangarh Dham, which the Centre said does not meet the national monument norms?

   1. Dungarpur
   2. Udaipur
   3. Banswara
   4. Pratapgarh
   Show answer

   Answer: Banswara — The Centre told Parliament that Mangarh Dham does not fit the 1958 Act's conditions for national importance.

5. Which commission sent a notice to Rajasthan over maternal deaths in government hospitals?

   1. NCW
   2. NCPCR
   3. NITI Aayog
   4. NHRC
   Show answer

   Answer: NHRC — The National Human Rights Commission asked for a detailed report.

6. Where was the Air Force exercise ROTOR CLAP-III held?

   1. Suratgarh
   2. Pokhran Field Firing Range
   3. Tanot
   4. Mahajan Field Firing Range
   Show answer

   Answer: Pokhran Field Firing Range — The week-long counter-drone exercise was held at Pokhran in Jaisalmer district.

7. Which document was issued at the BRICS trade meeting to help small businesses get trade finance?

   1. Jaipur Declaration
   2. Jaipur Sahmati (Consensus)
   3. Nyayayan
   4. Jaipur Accord
   Show answer

   Answer: Jaipur Sahmati (Consensus) — The Jaipur Sahmati aims to help small businesses obtain trade finance.

8. Who called the Bhils to Mangarh in November 1913?

   1. Govind Guru
   2. Motilal Tejawat
   3. Tantya Bhil
   4. Bhogilal Pandya
   Show answer

   Answer: Govind Guru — About 1.5 lakh Bhils gathered at his call, and police firing killed about 1,500 tribals.

9. How many days of maternity leave did the Rajasthan Cabinet approve for surrogate mothers?

   1. 60 days
   2. 90 days
   3. 120 days
   4. 180 days
   Show answer

   Answer: 90 days — The same Cabinet meeting also let unmarried women employees take child-care leave in six spells instead of three.

10. What is the area of India's first rare earth exploration licence given to Rajasthan?

    1. 107.6 sq km
    2. 307.6 sq km
    3. 57.2 sq km
    4. 207.6 sq km
    Show answer

    Answer: 207.6 sq km — The area covers Pachpadra tehsil in Balotra and Sherghar tehsil in Jodhpur.

11. Which article of the Constitution mentions the Uniform Civil Code?

    1. Article 14
    2. Article 21
    3. Article 51
    4. Article 44
    Show answer

    Answer: Article 44 — Article 44, in the Directive Principles, mentions the UCC but is not legally binding.

12. Which agency holds the rare earth exploration licence in Rajasthan?

    1. CMPDIL
    2. ONGC
    3. NMDC
    4. Coal India
    Show answer

    Answer: CMPDIL — The Central Mine Planning and Design Institute Limited (CMPDIL) is the agency.