Welcome to Selection Pro's daily current affairs. Today's current affairs are selected with a focus on important developments that can be useful for SSC, UPSC, Railway, Banking, Defence and State PCS examinations.
Instead of reading dozens of unrelated headlines, revise these Top 10 current affairs of 20 August 2026 and test your preparation with the quick MCQs at the end.
📌 Today's Current Affairs
🔥 Most Important Today
NTA Examination System Overhaul: The National Testing Agency is undergoing a major restructuring, including a four-tier question-paper checking system and changes to its expert panel.
NTA conducts major examinations such as JEE Main, NEET-UG, UGC-NET and CUET.
NTA introduces four-tier checking system for question papers
The National Testing Agency has begun a major overhaul of its examination system. Around 600 existing experts have been removed from its examination team and new specialists are being inducted.
The agency is also introducing a four-tier scrutiny system for question papers to strengthen accuracy and examination security.
Why It Matters
NTA conducts several major entrance and eligibility examinations in India. Therefore, changes in its examination system are important for students.
📌 Exam Fact
NTA stands for National Testing Agency.
Possible Question
Which agency conducts examinations such as JEE Main and NEET-UG?
Answer: National Testing Agency (NTA)CAT issues notice to UPSC over 8 disputed Prelims questions
The Central Administrative Tribunal has issued notice to the Union Public Service Commission after candidates challenged eight questions from the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2026.
The petitioners have argued that errors or ambiguities in the questions could affect scores by more than 16 marks.
Why It Matters
The development is related to the fairness and evaluation process of one of India's most competitive examinations.
📌 Exam Fact
CAT stands for Central Administrative Tribunal.
Possible Question
Which tribunal issued notice to UPSC regarding disputed questions in Civil Services Prelims 2026?
Answer: Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT)BRICS Youth Council Meeting and Youth Summit held in Gandhinagar
The BRICS Youth Council Meeting and BRICS Youth Summit were held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, under India's BRICS Chairship for 2026.
Discussions focused on education, entrepreneurship, future readiness, inclusive development, sustainability and youth participation.
Why It Matters
India is holding the BRICS Chairship in 2026, making BRICS-related meetings important for international relations questions.
📌 Exam Fact
India's BRICS 2026 theme is Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.
Possible Question
In which city was the BRICS Youth Summit 2026 held?
Answer: Gandhinagar, GujaratIndia hosts 8th BRICS Youth Energy Summit 2026
India hosted the eighth BRICS Youth Energy Summit virtually on 17 August 2026 under its BRICS Chairship.
More than 100 young energy professionals, policymakers, academics and representatives of international organisations participated.
Why It Matters
The summit focused on youth participation in energy cooperation, energy access, security and innovation.
📌 Exam Fact
The 2026 BRICS Youth Energy Summit was hosted virtually by India.
Possible Question
Which country hosted the 8th BRICS Youth Energy Summit 2026?
Answer: IndiaNational Sports Awards 2025: 17 sportspersons selected for Arjuna Award
The National Sports Awards 2025 announcement included 17 sportspersons selected for the prestigious Arjuna Award.
The awards recognise outstanding achievements and contributions in sports.
Why It Matters
Sports awards are frequently relevant to SSC, Railway, Banking, Defence and State-level examinations.
📌 Exam Fact
The Arjuna Award is given for outstanding performance in sports and games.
Possible Question
How many sportspersons were selected for the Arjuna Award under the National Sports Awards 2025?
Answer: 17Amit Shah to chair 31st Southern Zonal Council meeting
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah is scheduled to chair the 31st meeting of the Southern Zonal Council on 20 August 2026 in Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu.
Why It Matters
Zonal Councils are important institutions for Centre-State cooperation and regional coordination.
📌 Exam Fact
The meeting is being held in Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu.
Possible Question
Where will the 31st Southern Zonal Council meeting be held?
Answer: Mahabalipuram, Tamil NaduIndia-Japan defence talks scheduled in New Delhi
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is scheduled to hold bilateral discussions with Japan's Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi in New Delhi on 20 August 2026.
Why It Matters
India-Japan defence and strategic cooperation is an important part of India's Indo-Pacific engagement.
📌 Exam Fact
The meeting focuses on India-Japan bilateral defence cooperation.
Possible Question
With which country is Defence Minister Rajnath Singh scheduled to hold bilateral defence talks?
Answer: JapanMaharashtra declares snakebite a notifiable disease
Maharashtra declared snakebite a notifiable disease under the state's public health framework.
The move requires reporting of suspected, probable and confirmed snakebite cases and deaths by relevant healthcare institutions.
Why It Matters
The decision strengthens disease surveillance and helps authorities track snakebite cases for public-health planning.
📌 Exam Fact
A notifiable disease is one that healthcare authorities require to be reported to government authorities.
Possible Question
Which state recently declared snakebite a notifiable disease?
Answer: MaharashtraBRICS countries oppose EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism
BRICS environment ministers adopted a joint statement opposing the European Union's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, commonly known as CBAM.
Why It Matters
CBAM is an important topic linking climate policy, international trade and carbon pricing.
📌 Exam Fact
CBAM stands for Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism.
Possible Question
What does CBAM stand for?
Answer: Carbon Border Adjustment MechanismJal Jeevan Mission completes seven years
The Jal Jeevan Mission was launched on 15 August 2019 to provide tap-water connections to rural households.
The programme remains an important government initiative related to rural development, drinking water and public infrastructure.
Why It Matters
Jal Jeevan Mission is frequently relevant to questions on government schemes, rural development and water management.
📌 Exam Fact
Jal Jeevan Mission was launched on 15 August 2019.
Possible Question
On which date was the Jal Jeevan Mission launched?
Answer: 15 August 2019⚡ Quick Revision – 20 August 2026
- NTA → Four-tier question-paper checking
- UPSC Prelims → CAT notice over 8 disputed questions
- BRICS Youth Summit → Gandhinagar
- BRICS Youth Energy Summit → India
- National Sports Awards 2025 → 17 Arjuna Award selections
- Southern Zonal Council → Mahabalipuram
- India-Japan → Bilateral defence talks
- Snakebite → Notifiable disease in Maharashtra
- CBAM → Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism
- Jal Jeevan Mission → Launched 15 August 2019
🧠 20 August 2026 Current Affairs MCQs
Try answering these questions before revealing the answers.
Q1. Which agency introduced a four-tier question-paper scrutiny system?
Answer: National Testing Agency (NTA)
Q2. Which tribunal issued notice to UPSC over disputed Prelims questions?
Answer: Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT)
Q3. Where was the BRICS Youth Summit 2026 held?
Answer: Gandhinagar, Gujarat
Q4. How many sportspersons were selected for the Arjuna Award?
Answer: 17
Q5. What is the full form of CBAM?
Answer: Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism
Q6. Which state declared snakebite a notifiable disease?
Answer: Maharashtra
Q7. Where will the 31st Southern Zonal Council meeting be held?
Answer: Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu
Q8. Jal Jeevan Mission was launched in which year?
Answer: 2019
🎯 Quick Exam Tip
- Remember important organisations and their full forms.
- Focus on locations, dates and numbers.
- Revise today's current affairs again before attempting a mock test.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I read 20 August 2026 Current Affairs?
You can read the important current affairs of 20 August 2026 on Selection Pro with exam facts, quick revision points and MCQs.
Which exams are these current affairs useful for?
These updates are useful for SSC, UPSC, Railway, Banking, Defence and State PCS examinations.
Are MCQs included with today's current affairs?
Yes. A quick daily MCQ section is included for revision and self-testing.
Sources & Verification
Important developments have been cross-checked with official government releases and established news organisations. Current affairs may be updated when significant new information becomes available.