Daily Current Affairs 13 August 2026 – IAS Current Affairs

Current Affairs 13 August 2026 focuses on the Prelims-Mains perspective. Major events are :

Total Solar Eclipse And Solar Corona

Source: Indian Express
GS III: Science and Technology- Awareness in the field of Space

Why in the News?

A total solar eclipse was visible across parts of Europe on August 12–13, 2026, providing scientists an opportunity to study the Sun’s corona and magnetic activity under natural observing conditions.

News in Brief

• Its path of totality crossed Greenland, Iceland, Northern Russia, Spain, and a small part of Portugal, bringing brief  daytime darkness.
• A partial eclipse was visible across much of North America, Europe, and Northwest Africa.
• It was not visible in India because it occurred during local nighttime hours when the Sun was below the horizon.

What is a Total Solar Eclipse

• A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth and blocks sunlight from reaching parts of the Earth.
• In a total solar eclipse, the Moon completely covers the Sun’s disc for observers located within the narrow path of totality.
• The eclipse is not visible in the same way from every location.
• While some places experience complete darkness for a short period, others may see only a partial eclipse or experience little noticeable change in daylight.
• The path where totality can be observed is called the path of totality.
• The duration of totality depends on factors such as the relative positions of the Sun, Moon and Earth and the location of the observer.

Solar Corona

• The corona is the outermost layer of the Sun’s atmosphere.
• It extends millions of kilometres into space and is extremely hot, but it is much fainter than the Sun’s visible surface.
• Normally, the intense brightness of the solar disc makes it difficult to observe the corona from Earth.
• During a total eclipse, however, the Moon blocks the bright disc and the corona appears as a glowing halo around it.
• Scientists study this region because the corona contains clues about the Sun’s magnetic activity.
• Changes in its magnetic structures are associated with solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs).

Solar Activity and Earth

• The Sun does not remain equally active all the time.
• Its activity follows an approximately 11-year solar cycle, marked by changes in sunspots, solar flares and other phenomena.
• During periods of high activity, powerful solar eruptions can release large amounts of charged particles and electromagnetic radiation.
• When these interact with Earth’s magnetic environment, they can produce space weather events.
• Strong space weather can interfere with satellite operations, radio communication and GPS signals.
• It can also create additional risks for spacecraft and, in extreme cases, affect power infrastructure.

UPSC Prelims and Mains Practice Question

Consider the following statements regarding solar eclipses:

1. A solar eclipse can occur only during the New Moon phase.
2. A total solar eclipse occurs when the observer is located within the Moon’s penumbral shadow.
3. An annular eclipse occurs when the Moon appears smaller than the Sun and leaves a bright ring around it.
4. A hybrid eclipse can appear total from some locations and annular from others.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1, 3 and 4 only
C. 2, 3 and 4 only
D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer: B. 1, 3 and 4 only

Mains Practice Question

Q. Solar eclipses are not merely astronomical phenomena but also provide valuable opportunities for scientific research. Explain the conditions necessary for a solar eclipse and discuss the significance of studying solar eclipses and their impact on Earth. (150  Words)

UPI Revolution In India: Growth And Challenges

Source: Indian Express
GS III: Indian Economy, Financial Inclusion

Why in the News?

The Unified Payments Interface (UPI), launched in 2016, has transformed India’s digital payments ecosystem and  its rapid expansion has also raised concerns about who bears the cost of maintaining and scaling a largely low-cost payment system.

News in Brief

• UPI has expanded from a nascent digital-payment platform to the dominant mode of retail digital transactions in India.
• PhonePe and Google Pay together account for a major share of UPI transactions, raising concerns about market concentration.
• The zero-MDR model makes UPI attractive to users and merchants but creates questions about the long-term sustainability of payment infrastructure.
• The next phase of UPI growth is expected to come from rural/semi-urban areas, internationalisation and wider merchant adoption.

Key Highlights

Rapid adoption

• UPI has grown rapidly in both transaction volume and value and has become a major part of India’s retail payment ecosystem. Its widespread use has reduced dependence on cash and, to some extent, traditional card-based payments.
• A key advantage of UPI is its interoperability, which allows users to make payments across different banks and payment applications without being restricted to a single platform.

Role of policy support

• The growth of UPI has been supported by government initiatives such as Digital India and the development of robust digital payment infrastructure.
• The low or zero direct cost of UPI transactions for users and merchants has also encouraged wider adoption.
• Incentives and other support measures have helped banks and payment service providers manage the growing transaction ecosystem.

The MDR Challenge

• Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) refers to the fee associated with processing digital payments and is an important source of revenue in the payment ecosystem.
• It emerged as an important barrier to wider digital-payment adoption, particularly among small merchants.
• The High-Level Committee on Deepening of Digital Payments recommended that customers and small merchants should not bear such charges and that the government should support MDR for small-value transactions.
• The zero-MDR framework for UPI has helped make digital payments affordable and encouraged merchant adoption.
• However, it also limits the direct revenue available to banks and payment providers, even as the cost of maintaining and upgrading payment infrastructure continues to rise.
• A targeted MDR could therefore provide additional revenue without significantly affecting small merchants and the mass adoption of UPI.

Private investment strengthened the payment ecosystem

• Government support was accompanied by substantial private investment in India’s fintech sector. Investment in payment companies increased sharply in 2019 and 2021, with payment firms accounting for a significant share of fintech investment.
• The growth of UPI, large investments in companies such as PhonePe and Paytm, and the increased preference for digital payments following the pandemic encouraged investors to expand funding into payment services and point-of-sale infrastructure.

The next phase should move beyond transaction volumes

• The future challenge is not simply to increase the number of UPI transactions but to derive greater economic value from the existing ecosystem.
• Wider UPI usage can create a foundation for accessible, affordable and data-driven credit for consumers and small businesses that have traditionally remained outside formal credit markets.
• A carefully designed MDR framework could help finance this next stage without undermining the affordability that contributed to UPI’s success.

Rural and international markets offer the next growth opportunity

• The government expects the next wave of UPI adoption to come largely from rural and semi-urban areas, where digital payments still have considerable room for expansion.
• Internationalisation is another major opportunity.
• UPI is already operational, to varying degrees, in nine countries — France, Bhutan, Mauritius, Nepal, Singapore, Sri Lanka, the UAE, Qatar and Cambodia.
• Greater acceptance in countries frequented by Indian tourists and migrant workers could make cross-border payments faster and cheaper.

UPI can strengthen India’s global digital-payment footprint

• The linkage between India’s UPI and Singapore’s PayNow is an important example of cross-border payment integration.
• Such systems can reduce the time and cost associated with conventional international transfers, which may take several days and can involve relatively high charges.
• Wider international adoption of UPI could therefore support tourism, remittances and India’s broader digital-public-infrastructure diplomacy.

Conclusion

UPI has evolved from a payment innovation into a critical pillar of India’s digital economy. The next phase should focus not merely on increasing transaction volumes, but on ensuring financial sustainability, healthy competition, cybersecurity and wider inclusion.

A calibrated policy framework that preserves UPI’s affordability while creating viable incentives for the payment ecosystem can help India consolidate its position as a global leader in digital payments.

UPSC Prelims and Mains Practice Question

Consider the following statements regarding the Unified Payments Interface (UPI):

1. UPI was developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).
2. UPI enables interoperable bank-to-bank transactions through participating banks and payment applications.
3. The Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) is a fee paid by the Reserve Bank of India directly to merchants for accepting UPI payments.
4. UPI has been increasingly used for cross-border digital payments through linkages with payment systems of other countries.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1, 2 and 4 only
(c) 2, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer: (b) 1, 2 and 4 only

Mains Practice Question 

Q. UPI has transformed India’s digital payment ecosystem, but its rapid expansion has also created concerns regarding market concentration, financial sustainability and cybersecurity. Discuss the challenges and suggest measures to ensure the long-term sustainability of UPI. (250 Words)

National Cooperative Development Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2026

Source: Indian Express
GS II: Government Policies and Interventions for Development in various sectors and Issues arising out of their Design and Implementation.

Why in the News?

The National Cooperative Development Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2026 has received approval in Parliament.

News in Brief

• The Bill amends the National Cooperative Development Corporation Act, 1962.
• It expands the scope of activities eligible for NCDC assistance, including production, processing, marketing, storage and export/import of agricultural produce and other commodities.
• It enables NCDC to provide loans and grants directly to cooperative societies.
• The Bill has raised concerns regarding States’ role in the cooperative sector and cooperative federalism.

Key Highlights

• The National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) is a statutory body established in 1963 under the National Cooperative Development Corporation Act, 1962.
• Operating under the Ministry of Cooperation, it provides funds and support to grow rural economies through cooperative societies focused on agriculture, storage, processing, and marketing.

Key Changes and Provisions

• Direct Loans and Grants– Empowers the NCDC to provide financial assistance and grants directly to cooperative societies or non-registered entities engaged in cooperative development, removing previous delays caused by routing funds only through state governments.
• Expanded State Funding Powers- Allows state governments to pass funding from the NCDC to any eligible entity working on cooperative growth, even if that entity is not formally registered as a cooperative society.
• Broader Share Capital Participation– Permits the corporation to invest in the share capital of single-state cooperative entities and other bodies involved in cooperative development (subject to central government approval), beyond its previous national-level limits.
• Redefining Foodstuffs & Industrial Goods– Broadens the definition of “foodstuffs” to include processed foods and other items notified by the central government, and removes geographical location restrictions on industrial goods funding.
• Information Sharing– Authorizes the NCDC to collect and exchange credit data and other relevant business information with the central government, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), or notified financial institutions.

Significance for Agriculture

Faster Capital Access- Eliminates the red tape of routing funds through state governments, speeding up financial support for warehousing, storage, cold chains, and processing units.

Better Bargaining Power- Empowers farmer-backed cooperatives  in dairy, fisheries, and farming by scaling up modern processing, marketing infrastructure and improve collective bargaining.

Diversified Value Chains- Broadens support toward modern food processing, diverse edible goods and value-addition endeavors beyond raw crop production.

Federalism and Governance Concerns

• State Autonomy- Direct central financing to local or state-level societies can bypass State Cooperative Banks and District Central Cooperative Banks (DCCBs).
• Power Balance- Increased Union government involvement through statutory bodies raises questions regarding the constitutional division of powers over state-level cooperatives.
• Constitutional Context- Heightens tensions around cooperative federalism following the framework established by the 97th Constitutional Amendment.

Conclusion

The NCDC Amendment Bill can strengthen cooperatives as instruments of rural development, agricultural value addition and inclusive growth.

However, its implementation should preserve cooperative autonomy and cooperative federalism, ensuring effective coordination between the Centre, States and grassroots institutions.

UPSC Prelims and Mains Practice Question

Consider the following statements regarding cooperative societies in India:

1. Article 43B directs the State to promote the voluntary formation and autonomous functioning of cooperative societies.
2. Part IXB of the Constitution deals with cooperative societies.
3. The 97th Constitutional Amendment placed cooperative societies under the Concurrent List.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3

Answer: A. 1 and 2 only

Mains Practice Question

Q. Cooperatives can play a crucial role in strengthening India’s rural economy, but greater Central intervention may raise concerns over cooperative federalism. Discuss in the context of the National Cooperative Development Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2026. (250 Words)

PRAHAAR: National Counter Terrorism Policy

Source: PIB
GS III: Security Challenges and their Management in Border Areas – Linkages of Organized Crime with Terrorism.

Why in the News?

The Ministry of Home Affairs highlighted PRAHAAR, India’s first comprehensive National Counter Terrorism Policy & Strategy.

News in Brief

• The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) unveiled PRAHAAR on 23 February 2026 as India’s first comprehensive national counter-terrorism policy and strategy.
• The policy seeks to address terrorist activities as well as radicalisation within a unified national framework.
• Its implementation will be progressive and phased, with institutional integration being prioritised in the initial stages.
• The strategy was highlighted by Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.

The Seven Pillars

• PRAHAAR is built on a comprehensive acronym-based seven-pillar strategy,
  • Prevention of terror attacks to protect Indian citizens and interests.
  • Responses, which are swift and proportionate to the threat posed
  • Aggregating internal capacities for achieving synergy in a whole-of-government approach.
  • Human rights and ‘Rule of Law’ based processes for mitigation of threats.
  • Attenuating the conditions conducive to terrorism, including radicalization.
  • Aligning and shaping the international efforts to counter terrorism.
  • Recovery and resilience through a whole-of-society approach.

Counter-Terrorism Measures Under PRAHAAR

• PRAHAAR adopts a comprehensive, intelligence-led and proactive framework to address counter-terrorism objectives, shifting India from a reactive security stance to a proactive doctrine.
• It formalises real-time intelligence sharing through the Multi Agency Centre (MAC) and strengthens coordination between State agencies/police and specialised central forces such as the National Security Guard (NSG).
• The strategy combines critical infrastructure protection (aviation, railways, atomic energy, space installations, and power grids), advanced technology, Rule of Law and human rights safeguards in counter-terrorism operations.
• It promotes community-based counter-radicalisation measures to address the broader terror ecosystem.
• PRAHAAR also counters terror financing by tracing crypto wallets, disrupting dark-web crowdsourcing, and enabling Central Agencies to seize terror-linked assets.
• It aligns India’s counter-terror financing efforts with Financial Task Force (FATF)  standards and uses international treaties to block cross-border state-sponsored terror funding networks.
• The Annual Anti-Terror Conference (ATC), organised by the NIA under the Ministry of Home Affairs, brings together stakeholders from law enforcement, intelligence, security forces, policymaking and legal fields.
• The ATC reviews the effectiveness of existing counter-terrorism measures while assessing operational gaps and preparedness.
• It also facilitates policy, legal and institutional reforms, capacity building and coordinated national responses to address the evolving security environment.

Limitations

• PRAHAAR is primarily an MHA-led framework, so it does not clearly address the external and offensive aspects of counter-terrorism.
• The roles of the Armed Forces and external intelligence agencies are not clearly defined, which may create coordination and operational challenges.
• Overlapping responsibilities and differences in organisational culture could lead to turf issues and gaps in implementation.
• A stronger intelligence-based offensive approach could complement PRAHAAR’s focus on preventing and disrupting terrorist activities.
• The strategy also does not clearly define the role of political leadership, which is important for setting priorities and ensuring accountability.
• Strong political direction and executive commitment are essential for ensuring the effective implementation of counter-terrorism policies.

Conclusion

PRAHAAR marks an important shift towards a proactive, intelligence-led and coordinated approach to counter-terrorism. However, its effectiveness will depend on clear inter-agency roles, stronger coordination with external security agencies, and sustained political leadership.

A whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach, backed by accountability and institutional cooperation, can make India’s counter-terrorism framework more comprehensive and resilient.

UPSC Prelims and Mains Practice Question

With reference to PRAHAAR, consider the following statements:

1. PRAHAAR is India’s first comprehensive National Counter Terrorism Policy and Strategy.
2. It includes measures to counter terror financing through tracking of crypto wallets and disruption of dark-web financing.
3. The strategy focuses exclusively on countering terror financing and does not address terrorist attacks.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: A

Mains Practice Question

Q. Terrorism poses a complex challenge to India’s internal security. Discuss the major measures required to strengthen India’s counter-terrorism framework. (250 Words)

Daily Current Affairs: Click Here

Rate this Article and Leave Feedback