Current Affairs 28 August 2026

CSIR-NAL Unveils Indigenous Micro and Small Gas Turbine Engines.

• CSIR-NAL unveiled three indigenous gas turbine engines: NJ-05, NJ-50 and NJ-100.
• The engines were unveiled on August 25, 2026, in New Delhi.
• NJ-05: 5 kg thrust; NJ-50: 50 kg thrust; NJ-100: 100 kg thrust.
• Designed for tactical UAVs, drone interceptors and compact missile systems.
• Developed using advanced high-RPM turbomachinery and high-temperature combustion technology.
• The initiative aims to promote self-reliance in aerospace propulsion under Atmanirbhar Bharat.

DRDO Transfers Conventional Missile Technology to Indian Industry.

• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh approved the transfer of DRDO-developed conventional missile technologies to Indian defence companies.
• The move enables Transfer of Technology (ToT) to both private and public-sector firms.
• It aims to boost indigenous missile production and reduce import dependence.
• The initiative will increase participation of Indian MSMEs in the defence supply chain.
• Focus is on moving missile systems from development to large-scale production.
• It will strengthen domestic value addition and India’s defence industrial base.

Mission Samriddh Gaon Launched to Drive Rural Prosperity.

• Mission Samriddh Gaon was launched by Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on August 25, 2026.
• The mission aims to create poverty-free and employment-rich villages.
• It is a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Rural Development.
• Focus areas include self-reliance, economic development and basic amenities.
• The mission seeks to build prosperous and self-reliant rural communities.
• It supports the vision of a Developed India.

India-Morocco Seek to Double Bilateral Trade in Five Years.

• India and Morocco agreed to double bilateral trade within five years.
• Bilateral trade stood at around USD 4 billion in 2025.
• A Joint Working Group was established to explore a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA).
• The Morocco–India Business Council was revived to strengthen private-sector cooperation.
• India and Morocco signed an MoU on food safety and finalized the Cultural Exchange Programme 2026–2030.
• Cooperation will focus on phosphates and fertilizers, including the IMACID joint venture.
• 70 years of India–Morocco diplomatic relations will be commemorated in 2027.

SEBI Unveils IT Resilience Index for Financial Market Institutions.

• SEBI introduced the IT Resilience Index (ITRI) to strengthen IT systems and cybersecurity of Market Infrastructure Institutions (MIIs).
• ITRI will assess IT resilience on a 100-point scale across 9 parameters.
• The Industry Standards Forum (ISF) will finalize detailed sub-parameters by November 30, 2026.
• The index will be calculated twice a year, with reports due within 60 days.
• The first report will cover the period ending March 31, 2027.
• MIIs must use automated systems, early-warning mechanisms and real-time monitoring dashboards.