Daily Current Affairs – 15-08-2026

National News

CRPF 77th Battalion and Har Ghar Tiranga

The 77th Battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) conducted a Har Ghar Tiranga rally at Karayanchavadi, Poonamallee, Chennai, as part of the nationwide campaign. The rally was attended by Mukesh Kumar, Commandant, Suma K.P., Second-in-Command, Vinod Kumar, Deputy Commandant, CRPF personnel, administrative officials, and students and teachers of Sarojini Varadappan Girls Higher Secondary School, Poonamallee. The headquarters of the CRPF 77th Battalion is located at Karayanchavadi.

Census 2027 and Caste Enumeration

The Census 2027 will include 40 questions, compared with 29 questions in the 2011 Census, with 13 new questions covering details such as spouse, nationality, parents, digital literacy, permanent address, bank accounts, passport, driving licence, mobile number, Aadhaar and voter ID. Question No. 10 will record caste through an open-column method, under which the caste will be recorded as declared by the respondent. This will be the first census in Independent India to enumerate caste beyond Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs). Population Enumeration under Phase II will begin in February 2027 in most parts of India, while it will begin earlier in Ladakh, parts of Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh. The self-enumeration facility is scheduled from August 17 to 31, 2026. The census is conducted under the Census Act, 1948 by the Ministry of Home Affairs and consists of Housing and House Listing Operations (HLO) followed by Population Enumeration.

India at 80: Key Democratic Challenges

India entered its 80th year of Independence in 2026 and has recorded progress in science, technology, defence, nuclear capabilities and the economy since Independence. Key democratic challenges include concerns over fraternity, social divisions, communal conflicts, electoral influence of money and muscle power, and the functioning of constitutional institutions. The role of the Supreme Court in protecting individual freedoms has been examined in the context of important judgments such as the K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India (2017) case, which recognised the right to privacy as a fundamental right. Concerns have also been raised regarding delays in judicial proceedings, Parliament’s deliberative role, the credibility of the Election Commission of India, and the role of the media in a democracy. Philosopher Hannah Arendt is associated with the concept of the “banality of evil”, while economist Amartya Sen has emphasised the concept of “government by discussion” in relation to democracy. The Preamble to the Constitution of India emphasises justice—social, economic and political, along with liberty, equality and fraternity as core constitutional values.

Personalities, Awards and Events

Kargil Food Culture and Yash Saxena

Yash Saxena, author of the book Stories From A Kargili Kitchen, documented the food history and indigenous culinary traditions of Kargil based on his four-year stay in the region. The work was presented as part of The Hindu Lit For Life Unplugged event held in Chennai. Kargil is home to seven ethnic communities and four religions, with diverse indigenous food traditions. Foraging, the use of locally available ingredients, apricots, and traditionally limited use of oil and spices are notable features of Kargili cuisine. The Public Distribution System (PDS) has influenced indigenous food practices in Ladakh by contributing to the standardisation of food consumption. The event also featured a five-course Ladakhi meal prepared by Chef Nilza Wangmo of Alchi Kitchen.

M. Krishnasamy to Receive Thagaisal Thamizhar Award

Former Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) president M. Krishnasamy has been selected for the Thagaisal Thamizhar Award for 2026. He served as TNCC president from 2006 to 2008 and represented the Vandavasi Lok Sabha constituency from 1991 to 1996 and the Arani Lok Sabha constituency from 2009 to 2014. The award is to be presented by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Independence Day, August 15, 2026.

Science and Technology News

PM Surya Ghar and Rooftop Solar

The Pradhan Mantri-Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, implemented by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), is a ₹75,000 crore scheme aimed at installing rooftop solar (RTS) systems in one crore households by March 2027. The scheme provides incentives, including subsidised installations and bank loans, and enables households with rooftop solar systems to receive up to 300 units of free electricity per month. To support households that already receive subsidised electricity under State schemes, some States, including Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Bihar, are adopting the Utility-Led Aggregation (ULA) Model, under which recurring electricity subsidies can be converted into one-time capital expenditure for rooftop solar installations. As of August 13, 2026, rooftop solar systems under the Surya Ghar scheme had been installed in 52 lakh households, while about 2 lakh installations had been completed against the 30-lakh target under the ULA component. J.V.N. Subramanyam, Joint Secretary, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, provided the information.

States’ News

Songs to be Sung at Independence Day Court Events

The Madras High Court administration issued a revised circular stating that Tamil Thai Vazhthu, the State Song of Tamil Nadu, Vande Mataram, the National Song of India, and the National Anthem should be sung during Independence Day celebrations at the Principal Seat of the Madras High Court in Chennai, the Madurai Bench, and all district judicial units in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. As per the revised sequence, Tamil Thai Vazhthu will be sung first, followed by Vande Mataram before the hoisting of the national flag, and the National Anthem thereafter. The revision followed concerns over the omission of Tamil Thai Vazhthu from an earlier circular dated August 11, 2026. A Government Order issued on August 12, 2026 made the singing of the State Song mandatory during specified events. The revised circular was also issued in the context of the Har Ghar Tiranga Campaign 2026, associated with the commemoration of 150 years of Vande Mataram.

Tamil Nadu News

Governor Arlekar’s Independence Day Greetings

Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar extended Independence Day greetings to the people of Tamil Nadu on the eve of Independence Day, August 15. Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar is the Governor of Tamil Nadu and conveyed his greetings in connection with the national Independence Day observance.