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Current affairsPM Modi's Third High-Level Secretaries Meeting 2026: Data as National Asset, Port-Led Development, and AI-First GovernancePrime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the third high-level meeting with Secretaries to the Government of India on August 20, 2026, at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg, New Delhi. The session covered Infrastructure and Connectivity, Security and External Affairs, and Governance, with key directives on breaking inter-departmental silos, leveraging AI and data as national assets, port-led development, and building informal team networks across government cadres. Current affairsTribunals Reforms Act 2026: National Tribunals Commission Ends Executive Control — Judicial Independence RestoredThe Tribunals Reforms Act, 2026 received Presidential assent on August 13, 2026, after passing both Houses of Parliament within a single day. It repeals the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2021 — key provisions of which the Supreme Court had struck down for violating separation of powers — and establishes a National Tribunals Commission (NTC) as an independent institutional mechanism for appointments, performance review, and oversight of tribunals across India. Current affairsSupreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026: Sanctioned Strength Raised from 34 to 38 — Tackling 92,000+ Case BacklogParliament has passed the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026, raising the apex court's sanctioned strength from 34 to 38 judges (including the Chief Justice). The Bill replaces the May 2026 ordinance and amends the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956 — a direct response to the 92,000+ case pendency crisis in India's highest court. Current affairs12th BRICS Environment Ministers' Meeting — New Delhi 2026: India's Chairship, Four Priority Areas, and the New Delhi Statement on EnvironmentIndia hosted the 12th BRICS Environment Ministers' Meeting at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, on August 17–18, 2026, under its BRICS Chairship theme "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability." Union Minister Bhupender Yadav presided. The ministerial session adopted the non-binding New Delhi Statement on Environment, covering four priority areas: sustainable lifestyles, afforestation and wildfire resilience, circular economy, and adaptation. The BRICS Summit is scheduled for September 12–13, 2026, in New Delhi.