The Indian government has issued a notice to Meta to provide a detailed explanation regarding the introduction of usernames on WhatsApp within three days. The government has directed Meta to pause the rollout of the…
WhatsApp Launches Bill Payments in India via Bharat Connect, Covering 22,722 Billers
Key Updates:
- WhatsApp launched its bill payments feature in India on Thursday, powered by the Bharat Connect network.
- The feature enables users to pay electricity, gas, water, Fastag, insurance, credit card, and loan repayment bills.
- It provides access to 22,722 billers across 30 categories.
- Users can pay using UPI, credit cards, and debit cards.
- WhatsApp is the eighth largest UPI app by transaction volume, with 167.89 million transactions worth ₹12,957.07 crore in July, up from 74.6 million transactions worth ₹5,412.58 crore in July 2025.
- WhatsApp Pay first reached the 100 million transaction mark in December 2025.
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Viyona Fintech receives National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) certification as Biller Operating Unit (BOU) (Mid of June)
Viyona Fintech has been certified as a Biller Operating Unit (BOU) under the Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS) operated by National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) Bharat BillPay Limited. The BOU certification…
PhonePe Launches UPI 123Pay to Serve Over 200 Million Feature Phone Users (Start of September)
PhonePe has launched UPI 123Pay, an SMS-based UPI payment service for feature phones without internet connectivity. The service targets over 200 million feature phone users in India, making PhonePe the first major…
Digital Bharat Nidhi signs Amended BharatNet Program agreement with Chhattisgarh for Rs 3,942 crore (End of August)
Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) signed an agreement for implementation of the Amended BharatNet Program (ABP) in Chhattisgarh under the state-led model. The agreement was signed between DBN, Department of Telecommunications…
Government sells 4,000 tonnes of onion buffer stock
Key Updates:
- The government sold about 4,000 tonnes of buffer onions across 17 cities in the first 10 days of a subsidised sale aimed at curbing prices.
- The Centre's buffer stock for 2026 stands at 1.21 lakh tonnes of onions, held through NCCF and Nafed.
- Onions are being sold at a subsidised rate of ₹35 per kg in select price-sensitive cities.
- Bulk consignments have reached Delhi and Chennai via the Kanda Express, with a third rake being loaded for Guwahati.
- NCCF alone has sold 1,500 tonnes of buffer onions so far.
- The subsidised sale has led to a ₹2-3 per kg fall in onion prices.
- The average all-India retail price of onions stood at ₹50.79 per kg, compared with ₹48.50 per kg when the subsidised sale was launched on August 28.
- On September 5, onions retailed at ₹58 per kg in Delhi, ₹53 in Mumbai, ₹63 in Chennai and ₹40 in Ranchi, with average wholesale price at ₹42.79 per kg.
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Government Tightens Sugar Stock Limits (Start of September)
The central government tightened sugar stock limits for bulk consumers using more than 10 metric tonnes of sugar per month. Bulk consumers are allowed to hold only 15 days' stock from September 1, 2026, until November…
Centre Launches Kanda Express for Onion Transport (End of August)
The Centre is launching the 'Kanda Express' rail service to transport onions from Nashik to Delhi, Chennai, Kochi, and Guwahati. The rail movement aims to increase onion supplies in high-price markets and prevent further…
OPEC+ Keeps October Oil Output Quota Unchanged
Key Updates:
- OPEC+ decided to keep its oil production targets unchanged for October at a virtual meeting on September 6, 2026.
- The decision was taken by seven OPEC+ members: Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Algeria, and Oman.
- Russia's October quota remains at 9.949 million barrels per day, while Saudi Arabia's is 10.478 million barrels per day.
- Iraq's production level is set at 4.431 million barrels per day, Kuwait at 2.676 million, Kazakhstan at 1.628 million, Algeria at 1.007 million, and Oman at 841,000 barrels per day.
- The combined October quota for the seven countries, excluding compensation volumes, is 31.01 million barrels per day.
- The decision comes as the ongoing Iran war continues to disrupt oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz.
- In August, OPEC+ agreed to increase production for September, completing a phased rollback of a 1.65 million-barrel-per-day supply cut introduced in 2023.
- The next OPEC+ meeting is scheduled for October 4.
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Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries Plus (OPEC+) raises August oil output by 188,000 bpd (Start of July)
Seven countries in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries Plus (OPEC+) alliance decided to raise oil output by a combined 188,000 barrels per day in August. The countries involved in the decision are Saudi…
Amit Shah Chairs 28th Western Zonal Council Meeting
Key Updates:
- Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired the 28th meeting of the Western Zonal Council in Dona Paula, Goa.
- The meeting was attended by representatives of Goa, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.
- The meeting was organized by the Inter-State Council Secretariat under the Ministry of Home Affairs and hosted by the Government of Goa.
- Amit Shah is the Chairman of the Western Zonal Council, and Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant is its Vice-Chairman.
- The Zonal Council comprises the Chief Ministers of each State in the Western region and two senior Ministers from each State as members.
- The meeting is part of PM Modi's vision of TEAM BHARAT based on cooperative federalism.
- A total of 70 meetings of various Zonal Councils and their Standing Committees have been held from June 2014 to date.
- The Councils discuss issues including expeditious investigation of rape cases against women and children and implementation of Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs).
- They also discuss implementation of the Emergency Response Support System (ERSS-112).
- Other issues include food safety standards, banking facilities, nutrition, education, health, power sector reforms, urban planning, cooperative system, cybercrime, and digital infrastructure.
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31st Southern Zonal Council Meeting Held in Tamil Nadu (End of August)
The 31st meeting of the Southern Zonal Council was held in Chengalpet, Tamil Nadu. Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired the 31st Southern Zonal Council meeting.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah will chair the 10th Apex-Level Meeting of the Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD) on 26 June 2026 in New Delhi. The meeting is organised by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) to review and…
Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah inaugurated and laid foundation stones for development projects worth ₹6,453 crore across 17 Rajasthan districts at Alwar. The total package includes 954 development works…
Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the National Urban Cooperative Finance and Development Corporation (NUCFDC) new office premises at Sharada Sadan in Fort, Mumbai on August 8, 2026. Shah launched the Security…
Nasha Mukt Bharat 2029 Roadmap: Zero Narcotics Across Borders
Key Updates:
- Amit Shah launched the Nasha Mukt Bharat 2029 roadmap, focusing on supply reduction, demand reduction, and harm reduction.
- The initiative aims to ensure no narcotics enter or leave India's borders.
- A four-tier NCORD mechanism was created in 2019.
- Anti-Narcotics Task Forces were established in all states and union territories.
- A national helpline for rehabilitation of drug-addicted youth and a national database of narco offenders (NIDAN) were launched.
- From 2019 to 2026 (till July), a total of 93 lakh 34 thousand kg of narcotics and psychotropic substances were seized.
- From 2024 to June 2026, properties worth ₹1,841 crore were confiscated in 3,016 cases.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch the 'Nasha Mukta Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyaan' on August 2, 2026. The campaign is led by the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports (MYAS), through Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat), launched the district-level competitions of the 'Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat' campaign on 13th July 2026. The initiative aims to…
Ministry of Cooperation (MoC) to launch cooperative life insurance company and expand Bharat Taxi to 500 cities (Start of July)
The Ministry of Cooperation (MoC) announced the establishment of a cooperative life insurance company to strengthen the cooperative movement. The Bharat Taxi initiative will be expanded to 500 cities over the next two…
The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment (DSJE) organised the Nasha Mukt Bharat Saptah 2026 nationwide from June 17 to June 26, 2026. The campaign concluded on the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit…
Belgian PM Bart De Wever Arrives in India for September 2-4 Official Visit
Key Updates:
- Belgian PM Bart De Wever arrived in India for a three-day official visit from September 2 to September 4 at the invitation of PM Narendra Modi.
- The visit aims to strengthen bilateral ties and expand cooperation in trade, investment, defence, technology, and connectivity.
- De Wever was welcomed by Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth.
- This is De Wever's first visit to India as Belgian PM and the first by a Belgian PM in two decades.
- He is accompanied by Belgium's Minister of Defence and Foreign Trade, Theo Francken, and a high-level delegation of officials and business leaders, including representatives from the Belgian defence industry.
- On September 3, De Wever will hold bilateral talks with PM Modi to discuss India-Belgium relations and regional and global issues.
- De Wever will deliver a keynote address at a Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) business event on the India-EU Free Trade Agreement.
- On September 4, he will travel to Mumbai to engage with stakeholders from sectors including diamonds, ports, and logistics.
- The visit follows the Belgian Economic Mission led by Princess Astrid in March 2025, which resulted in 38 MoUs.
- It also follows the inaugural India-Belgium Ministerial-level Strategic Dialogue held in Brussels on July 15, 2026.
- India and Belgium share historical ties spanning more than three centuries, and bilateral trade reached USD 13.01 billion in 2025-26.
- Diamond trade remains a major component of bilateral commerce, with Antwerp serving as a global diamond hub.
- Belgium is an important source of investment in India, with FDI inflows amounting to approximately USD 4.2 billion between April 2000 and December 2025.
- The two countries are seeking to expand cooperation in defence and security, technology and innovation, renewable energy, connectivity, ports and maritime cooperation, and people-to-people ties.
- In March 2023, one of the world's largest liquid mirror telescopes was inaugurated at ARIES in Nainital, built with involvement of Belgian space company AMOS.
- Belgian company John Cockerill is building a major electrolyser production facility in Kakinada with an expected capacity of 2 GW.
- An MoU between India's Ministry of Shipping and the Antwerp Port Authority facilitates training for Indian port officials.
- Defence cooperation has emerged as a newer dimension of bilateral ties, with Belgium appointing a Defence Attache in New Delhi.
- Belgium supports India's candidature for permanent membership of a reformed United Nations Security Council.
- Around 1,131 Indian students are currently studying in Belgium.
- Statues and busts of Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore in Antwerp and Leuven reflect cultural ties.
- More than 9,000 Indian soldiers sacrificed their lives in Flanders during the First World War.
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India and Belgium Sign MoUs on Energy and Defence (Start of September)
India and Belgium signed multiple MoUs covering renewable energy, defence, trade, investment, maritime affairs, critical minerals, semiconductors, and research on September 3, 2026. The agreements were exchanged at…
IAF Sarang Helicopter Display Team Arrives in Egypt for El Alamein International Airshow
Key Updates:
- The Indian Air Force's Sarang Helicopter Display Team arrived in El Alamein, Egypt, to participate in the second edition of the El Alamein International Airshow scheduled from 8 to 10 September.
- The team, along with five helicopters and associated equipment, was ferried from Sulur Air Force Station in south India by the IAF's C-17 Globemaster-III heavy lift transport aircraft.
- Sarang will showcase precision, synchronisation and flying skills using the indigenously designed and manufactured Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv.
- The team is recognised as the world's only helicopter aerobatic display team.
- The team will perform signature aerial displays involving four helicopters during the three-day event at El Alamein International Airport.
- The Indian Embassy in Egypt hosted an event highlighting India-Egypt defence collaboration and participation in the airshow.
- India's Ambassador to Egypt, Suresh Reddy, attended the press conference alongside the commander and pilots of the Sarang Display Team.
- The team's helicopters are brightly painted in a peacock livery, with 'Sarang' meaning peacock in Sanskrit.
- The Sarang team will display its famous 'Dolphin Leap' manoeuvre and also present a new manoeuvre called the Spot Stall Turn.
- The participation marks a significant moment for India's growing defence ties with Egypt.
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Abhinandan Varthaman joined Fly91 as Pilot (Start of September)
Abhinandan Varthaman, a former Group Captain in the Indian Air Force (IAF), joined Goa-based regional carrier Fly91 as a commercial pilot. He took premature retirement from the IAF on March 31 and joined Fly91 in August.
India's Auto-Component Trade Deficit Reaches $1.4 Billion (Start of September)
India's auto-component trade deficit reached $1.4 billion in FY26. Exports of auto components were approximately $24 billion, while imports were $25.4 billion.
China and Egypt commence Eagles of Civilization 2026 air exercise with J-16 and Rafale fighters (End of August)
The Eagles of Civilization 2026 joint air exercise began on August 22, 2026, at multiple air bases across Egypt. This is the second edition of the China-Egypt joint air drills, following the inaugural exercise in 2025.
Air Marshal KAA Sanjeeb Takes Over as Air Officer-in-Charge Maintenance (Start of September)
Air Marshal KAA Sanjeeb has been appointed as the Air Officer-in-Charge Maintenance of the Indian Air Force (IAF), succeeding Air Marshal Sanjiv Ghuratia who superannuated after 39 years of service. He was commissioned…
India to Modify Su-30 MKI for RVV-BD Missiles
Key Updates:
- India's Defence Ministry is considering a proposal to modify the Su-30 MKI aircraft by integrating them with the Russian-origin RVV BD air-to-air missile.
- The RVV BD missile can take out enemy targets at 300 kilometres at high speed in the air.
- The RVV missile provides a 300 km range and hypersonic Mach 6 speed.
- The proposal is being taken up just a few days before the arrival of Russian President Vladimir Putin in New Delhi for the BRICS meeting.
- Various versions of the missile have been developed to engage aerial targets at long ranges, including the capability to engage critical targets such as Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft and other surveillance and intelligence aircraft at a hypersonic speed of around 6 Mach.
- The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is working rapidly to develop existing and future versions of the Astra missile, which is expected to have a range of over 300 kilometres.
- India is also purchasing a large number of Meteor air-to-air missiles from France.
- At present, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has a fleet of 260 Su-30 MKI aircraft.
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DRDO Successfully Conducts Maiden Flight Test of Kusha Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (End of July)
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted the maiden flight test of the 'Kusha' Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) from APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha. The test successfully…
India signed a deal with the US to purchase the Javelin anti-tank guided missile system, nearly 16 years after initial interest. The Javelin system is produced by the Javelin Joint Venture, a partnership between RTX and…
Samtel HAL Display Systems (SHDS), a joint venture between Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Samtel Avionics, inaugurated a new manufacturing facility in Gurugram on August 26, 2026. The facility is India's first…
Around 40 Su-30MKI fighters of the Indian Air Force (IAF) have been integrated with BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles. The IAF operates a total fleet of 270 Sukhoi-MKI aircraft, with the Su-30MKI possessing an unfuelled…
India, China Hold First Corps Commander Meeting in Arunachal Pradesh
Key Updates:
- India and China held their first Corps Commander-level meeting in the Eastern Sector on September 6, 2026, at the Vacha-Damai Border Personnel Meeting Point in Arunachal Pradesh.
- The meeting marked an expansion of the military dialogue mechanism beyond the Ladakh sector.
- The Indian delegation was led by Lieutenant General Girish Kalia, Commander of the 3 Corps (Spear Corps), and included an Inspector General of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police.
- The talks took place amid reports of tension in the Taksing area of the Upper Subansiri district.
- The meeting comes days before India hosts the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi from September 11 to 13, where Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to participate.
- The 3 Corps, headquartered at Rangapahar in Nagaland, is responsible for operational areas along the LAC in Arunachal Pradesh.
- The Indian Army has two Corps formations responsible for the frontier in the State: the Tezpur-based 4 Corps and the Rangapahar-based 3 Corps.
- The Corps Commander-level mechanism had previously been used primarily for the western sector in Ladakh, especially after the June 2020 Galwan Valley clashes.
- On August 6, the two countries held the 36th meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs.
- On August 26, the 25th round of talks between the Special Representatives on the Boundary Question was held in Beijing, with NSA Ajit Doval and Wang Yi.
- The two sides signed an eight-point outcome document following the SR-level talks, including establishing two additional Border Personnel Meeting Points and new hotlines.
- One of the newly proposed meeting points will be in the Eastern Sector under the operational responsibility of the 3 Corps, and another in the Central Sector.
- Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth recently visited the headquarters of the 3 Corps to review operational preparedness.
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India and China announce 8-point boundary consensus ahead of Xi Jinping's September 2026 visit (End of August)
India and China jointly announced an 8-point consensus following the Special Representatives (SR) dialogue co-chaired by Ajit Doval and Wang Yi. The consensus was announced ahead of President Xi Jinping's visit to India…
India and Myanmar hold 23rd National Level Meeting on July 7-8 (Start of July)
The 23rd National Level Meeting between India and Myanmar was held in Delhi on July 7-8. The Indian delegation was led by Govind Mohan, Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), and the Myanmar delegation was led…
Zhao Zongqi was stripped of his membership of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and removed from two other positions. He served as the first commander of the reorganised Western Theatre…
Bisleri International and SBI Partner for Responsible Plastic Waste Management Initiative
Key Updates:
- Bisleri International and State Bank of India (SBI) signed a Letter of Association to drive responsible plastic waste management across SBI branches and offices.
- Bisleri will conduct training and awareness sessions for SBI employees and housekeeping staff on responsible plastic waste management.
- The initiative includes collection of used plastic waste from SBI offices and sending it for recycling.
- The partnership aims to support India's transition towards a circular economy and achieve net zero emissions by 2070.
- SBI's Managing Director stated that the collaboration embeds sustainable practices into workplace culture.
- Bisleri's CEO stated that the partnership encourages responsible segregation, collection and recycling of used plastic.
- The partnership reinforces SBI's commitment to achieve Net Zero by 2055, its centenary year.
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The partnership aims to support 50,000 Safai Mitras and waste management systems across 50 cities by 2028. The programme will focus on four areas: social inclusion, strengthening urban waste management systems, improving…
The Gujarat Forest Department rolled out a plastic waste management project around Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary with an outlay of ₹2.94 crore. The project is approved under the Project for Eco-Restoration in Gujarat (PERG)…
Bisleri International and Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Sign Agreement for Coastal Plastic Waste Management (Start of July)
Bisleri International Pvt. Ltd., through its sustainability initiative Bottles for Change (BFC), signed a Letter of Association (LoA) with the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Kerala & Mahe. The partnership aims to advance…
India Eyes Nuclear Power in Andaman Islands
Key Updates:
- Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) scientists are visiting the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to identify potential sites for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).
- The BARC team briefed Lieutenant Governor Admiral D.K. Joshi on the features and applications of SMRs.
- The proposed nuclear project is significant against the backdrop of the Great Nicobar Project, which is expected to significantly increase electricity demand in the islands.
- The Great Nicobar Project includes an International Container Transshipment Terminal, a greenfield international airport, and a new township spread across 16,610 hectares.
- Diesel generator sets are currently the primary source of electricity in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
- India launched its Nuclear Energy Mission as part of the Union Budget 2025-26, focusing on research and development of Small Modular Reactors.
- The government allocated ₹20,000 crore for the initiative and aims to develop at least five indigenously designed and operational SMRs by 2033.
- According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), SMRs are advanced nuclear reactors with a power capacity of up to 300 MWe per unit, roughly one-third of conventional nuclear power reactors.
- SMRs can be deployed at locations that may not be suitable for large conventional nuclear power plants.
- SMRs have a modular design that allows systems and components to be factory-assembled and transported as units to a site for installation.
- SMRs can potentially be integrated into existing grids or deployed in remote, off-grid locations.
- The Great Nicobar Project aims to transform Great Nicobar into a strategic maritime and economic hub by leveraging its proximity to major East-West shipping routes.
- The project also aims to strengthen national security and defence infrastructure.
- The proposed International Container Transshipment Terminal is aimed at addressing the lack of deep-water berths at Indian ports capable of handling large container vessels.
- A significant portion of India-bound cargo is currently transshipped through ports such as Colombo and Singapore.
- The project includes a proposed international airport, given the archipelago's proximity to international tourist destinations such as Phuket and Langkawi.
- The planned township is intended to cater to the residential, commercial and institutional requirements expected to emerge from the port-led development of Great Nicobar.
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Dr Dinesh Sharma Appointed Lieutenant Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands (Start of September)
President Droupadi Murmu appointed Dr Dinesh Sharma as Lieutenant Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The appointment will take effect from the date he assumes charge of the office.
India's Non-Fossil Fuel Power Capacity Surpasses 300 GW (End of August)
India's installed non-fossil fuel-based power capacity reached 300.50 GW as of 31 July 2026, forming over 54% of total installed capacity. Solar energy contributed the largest share at 164.59 GW, followed by wind at…
India Targets 100 GW Nuclear Power by 2047 (Mid of August)
India has set a target of 100 GWe nuclear power capacity by 2047, including commissioning five new nuclear reactors in the current decade. India currently has 25 operational nuclear reactors totalling 8.7 GWe capacity…
Anushakti Vidhyut Nigam Limited (ASHVINI) floats ₹28,000 crore EPC tender for Mahi Banswara nuclear project (Mid of July)
Anushakti Vidhyut Nigam Limited (ASHVINI), a joint venture between Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL) and NTPC, has invited bids for the Nuclear Island Mega EPC Package for the Mahi Banswara Rajasthan Atomic…
National Workshop on Vulture Conservation Held in Panchkula
Key Updates:
- Union Minister Bhupender Yadav inaugurated a national-level workshop on vulture conservation in Panchkula, Haryana, on International Vulture Awareness Day 2026.
- The workshop was organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Central Zoo Authority, Haryana Forest & Wildlife Department, Bombay Natural History Society, and Jatayu Conservation Breeding Centre, Pinjore.
- Yadav emphasized a holistic ecosystem-oriented conservation approach covering multiple species, including vultures.
- India hosts a diverse range of resident and migratory vulture species such as White-rumped, Long-billed, and Slender-billed vultures.
- Vulture populations have sharply declined since the 1990s due to food chain disruption and the use of painkillers.
- Yadav called for a 'Whole of Government' and 'Whole of Society' approach and the creation of Vulture Safe Zones.
- The Jatayu Conservation Breeding Centre, a collaborative initiative of the Haryana Forest Department and Bombay Natural History Society, is a key conservation breeding centre.
- In 2025-26, the centre housed 356 vultures, bred 35 chicks, released 87 vultures, transferred 90 birds, and trained 1,222 participants.
- A coffee table book titled 'Story of Jatayu: Saving India's Vulture' was released during the inaugural session.
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A captive-bred, radio-tagged white-rumped vulture (Gyps bengalensis) died of electrocution on 28 June 2026 in The Nilgiris forest division. The bird was released in the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) in April 2026, after…
Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change inaugurates National Workshop on Tiger Re-introduction in Rajasthan (Start of July)
The Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) inaugurated the National Workshop on “Tiger Re-introduction: Opportunities & Challenges” in Alwar, Rajasthan, organised by the National Tiger Conservation…
Bhupender Yadav Inaugurates International Workshop on Tiger Landscapes (Start of September)
Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, inaugurated the two-day International Workshop on Tiger Landscapes in New Delhi. The workshop is themed 'Tiger Landscapes: Conservation…
IIT-M’s Bodhan AI Launches 4 Multilingual AI Models to Build India’s Education Stack
Key Updates:
- IIT Madras' Bodhan AI launched four AI models for Indian languages.
- The models are available as open-weight models and APIs on sovereign digital infrastructure.
- The models are part of the Bharat EduAI Stack.
- The models were trained and optimised using NVIDIA's Nemotron open models and libraries, including the NVIDIA NeMo framework.
- The models support speech recognition, machine translation, and OCR.
- The company launched two applications: Student Tutor Bot and Teacher Assistant Bot.
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Vice-President Launches Gnani Artha Sovereign AI Stack (Start of September)
Vice-President C P Radhakrishnan launched the sovereign AI stack 'Artha' developed by Bengaluru-based startup Gnani at his official residence in New Delhi on August 28, 2026. Artha is an end-to-end sovereign AI stack for…
Digital India BHASHINI Division (DIBD) and NITI Aayog sign pact to advance multilingual AI for governance (Mid of August)
The Digital India BHASHINI Division (DIBD) under the Digital India Corporation and NITI Aayog signed a statement of intent (SoI) to collaborate on multilingual, voice-first AI solutions. The collaboration aims to…
Sarvam AI Launches Epoch Builder Edition (Start of August)
Sarvam AI launched the Epoch Builder Edition platform for building, fine-tuning, and deploying large language models (LLMs) tailored to Indian languages and use cases. The platform features 7-billion and 70-billion…
German’s Isar Aerospace Launches ‘Spectrum Rocket’ into Space
Key Updates:
- Isar Aerospace, a German space company, successfully launched its Spectrum rocket into orbit, becoming the first commercial space company from Europe to do so.
- The Spectrum rocket carried five scientific satellites and a scientific experiment.
- The rocket crossed the Kármán line at an altitude of about 100 kilometres above Earth's surface.
- The launch took place from the Norwegian spaceport at Andøya at 10:12 pm (2012 GMT).
- The Spectrum rocket is 28 metres long.
- Isar Aerospace aims to produce 40 rockets per year.
- Isar Aerospace has orders worth several hundred million dollars through 2028.
- The Spectrum rocket is intended to place civilian and military satellites into low Earth orbit.
- Isar Aerospace has raised more than half a billion euros, including a €200-million contract with the European Space Agency (ESA).
- Europe currently relies on SpaceX for most satellite launches; the US launched 198 rockets last year while Europe launched only eight.
- The first Spectrum launch in March last year crashed into the sea 30 seconds after take-off.
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Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) Successfully Launches Low-Cost H3 Rocket Variant (Mid of June)
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) successfully launched a new low-cost variant of the H3 rocket from the Tanegashima Space Center. The mission debuted the H3's 30 configuration, which features triple…
Skyroot Aerospace signed a multi-launch agreement (MLA) with space technology company HEX20 for launches aboard the Vikram series of launch vehicles. Under the agreement, HEX20 has booked three dedicated launches with…
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Successfully Launches India's First Geosynchronous Imaging Satellite EOS-05 (Start of September)
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched the GSLV-F17 rocket carrying the EOS-05 Earth observation satellite. The launch was conducted from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra…
BSI Discovers New Plant Species “Osbeckia ulotricha” in Kerala-Tamil Nadu Region
Key Updates:
- Scientists from the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) discovered a new flowering plant species named Osbeckia ulotricha.
- Osbeckia ulotricha belongs to the Melastomataceae family.
- The species was found in the shola grasslands of the Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve in the Western Ghats.
- It grows at elevations of 1,200–1,500 metres.
- The plant's woolly-haired appearance helps it survive in the cool, wet shola-grassland ecosystem.
- The Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve is home to protected areas including the Kalakkad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve.
- Osbeckia ulotricha is endemic to its elevation range, making its conservation critical.
- The discovery highlights how much remains unknown in India's biodiversity hotspots.
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Scientists Discover Devil Flower Species in Thailand (Start of September)
Scientists have described a new flowering plant from Thailand, naming it Thismia daemona, the 'devil flower', for its dark, horn-like appearance. Thismia daemona contains no chlorophyll and cannot photosynthesise…
A team of botanists from Government Victoria College and Sri Vyasa NSS College discovered the new fern species Pteris madhusoodananii in the Kolli Hills of the Eastern Ghats in Tamil Nadu. The species has been classified…
Researchers Name New Himalayan Plant Impatiens nimspurjai After Legendary Mountaineer Nirmal Purja (Mid of August)
Researchers Bhakta Bahadur Raskoti and Rita Ale have named a newly discovered Himalayan plant Impatiens nimspurjai in honour of the legendary Nepali mountaineer Nirmal 'Nimsdai' Purja. The plant species was discovered in…
US Ambassador Launches TRUST Fellowship to Boost India-US Tech Collaboration
Key Updates:
- US Ambassador Sergio Gor launched the TRUST Fellowship at the US Mission's National Day reception in Bengaluru.
- The TRUST Fellowship is a public-private partnership bringing together American and Indian researchers.
- It focuses on critical technologies including artificial intelligence, semiconductors, quantum computing, and biotechnology.
- The fellowship is funded by private benefactors Kris Gopalakrishnan and Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, in partnership with IIT Madras, IISc Bengaluru, and Manipal Academy of Higher Education.
- The program will fund stipends for U.S. postdoctoral researchers and early-career faculty for 12-month collaborative research projects with Indian institutions.
- Ambassador Gor announced an expanded US Commercial Service presence in Bengaluru.
- He cited India-US cooperation in space, including recent joint missions and discussions on lunar exploration.
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The Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA) launched the Global Biofuel Champion Fellowship (GBCF) to induct 15 early-career researchers as biofuel ambassadors. Each fellow will receive a research grant of up to USD 15,000 and…
AICTE Launches ₹245 Crore Doctoral Fellowship Programme (Start of September)
The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has initiated the AICTE Innovation and Entrepreneurship Doctoral Fellowship Programme (AIEDFP), aimed at encouraging doctoral research that can translate into…
Retired Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra Appointed First CEO of Ram Temple Trust (Start of September)
Retired Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra was appointed the first chief executive officer (CEO) of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust on September 2, 2026. Mishra, who hails from Deoria, Uttar Pradesh, commanded…
NSP-DBT Agriculture Scholarship System Launched; ₹21.35 Crore Disbursed to 6,000+ Students (Mid of August)
The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare launched the National Scholarship Portal-Direct Benefit Transfer (NSP-DBT) system for agriculture students. Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched the…
16th National Meet of State Biodiversity Boards and UT Councils Inaugurated in Chandigarh
Key Updates:
- The 16th National Meet of State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs) and Union Territory Biodiversity Councils (UTBCs) was inaugurated in Chandigarh on 6 September 2026.
- The two-day event, organised by the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA), was held from 6–7 September 2026 and brought together chairpersons and member secretaries of SBBs and UTBCs from across India.
- The inaugural session was attended by Governor of Punjab and Administrator of UT Chandigarh Gulab Chand Kataria, Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav, and Haryana's Minister for Environment Rao Narbir Singh.
- Senior MoEFCC officials present included Secretary Tanmay Kumar, Director General of Forests Sushil Kumar Awasthi, and Additional Secretary Ashutosh Agnihotri, with NBA Chairperson Virendra Tiwari representing the authority.
- Governor Kataria emphasised the links between ecological security and food, water security and livelihoods, and called for integrating traditional knowledge with modern conservation strategies.
- Union Minister Bhupender Yadav stressed the need for cohesive policy and institutional coordination among biodiversity stakeholders.
- Participants were urged to strengthen local conservation mechanisms, notably Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) and People's Biodiversity Registers (PBRs), to enhance cooperation between institutional bodies and communities.
- The agenda focused on practical measures to conserve and sustainably use biological resources, capacity-building for local biodiversity governance, and sharing best practices across states and union territories.
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National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) disburses ₹3.79 crore under Access and Benefit Sharing mechanism (Mid of August)
The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) disbursed approximately ₹3.79 crore as Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) to 33 State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs) and Union Territory Biodiversity Councils (UTBCs), ICAR-National…
National Biodiversity Authority disburses Rs 5.68 crore to states under ABS mechanism (Start of September)
The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) disbursed Rs 5.68 crore to State Biodiversity Boards and Union Territory Biodiversity Councils under the Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) mechanism. The funds were derived from…
National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) releases Rs 15.52 crore to States and Union Territories for mustard genetic resources (Mid of August)
The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) released Rs 15.52 crore in Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) proceeds to States and Union Territories for mustard genetic resources. The NBA is a statutory body established under…
India Launches Campus Biodiversity Register Initiative (End of July)
The Nature Conservation Foundation (NCF) and the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) launched a nationwide initiative to create Campus Biodiversity Registers (CBR) for higher education institutions. The CBR is inspired…
National Biodiversity Authority Crosses Rs 200-Crore ABS Disbursement Milestone
Key Updates:
- The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) has crossed cumulative access and benefit-sharing (ABS) disbursements exceeding Rs 200 crore.
- NBA sanctioned Rs 8.23 crore to 27 State Biodiversity Boards and 5 Union Territory Biodiversity Councils from four crops: bitter gourd, okra, chilli, and onion.
- The ABS proceeds were realised from seed companies Nunhems India Pvt. Ltd., East West Seeds India Pvt. Ltd., and Bayer Science and Innovation Pvt. Ltd.
- The distribution of ABS proceeds is based on the area under cultivation as published by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
- Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra are the largest cumulative recipients across the four crops.
- Maharashtra's share is primarily attributed to its 49 per cent share of India's onion cultivation area.
- The highest ABS amount disbursed was to Madhya Pradesh at INR 1,17,39,914, followed by Maharashtra at INR 1,01,30,649 and Andhra Pradesh at INR 75,55,077.
- Other recipient states include Karnataka (INR 65,22,893), Gujarat (INR 64,05,708), Odisha (INR 57,63,361), Bihar (INR 47,63,367), Chhattisgarh (INR 39,91,285), West Bengal (INR 36,04,978), and Uttar Pradesh (INR 35,72,456).
- The remaining states and union territories collectively received INR 1,82,88,892.
- The funds are to be utilised for activities under Section 32(2) of the Biological Diversity Act 2002, including documentation of People's Biodiversity Registers, conservation, restoration, and capacity building.
- The initiative contributes to India's commitments under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Nagoya Protocol, and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) Target 13.
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National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) disburses ₹3.79 crore under Access and Benefit Sharing mechanism (Mid of August)
The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) disbursed approximately ₹3.79 crore as Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) to 33 State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs) and Union Territory Biodiversity Councils (UTBCs), ICAR-National…
National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) releases Rs 15.52 crore to States and Union Territories for mustard genetic resources (Mid of August)
The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) released Rs 15.52 crore in Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) proceeds to States and Union Territories for mustard genetic resources. The NBA is a statutory body established under…
National Biodiversity Authority disburses Rs 5.68 crore to states under ABS mechanism (Start of September)
The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) disbursed Rs 5.68 crore to State Biodiversity Boards and Union Territory Biodiversity Councils under the Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) mechanism. The funds were derived from…
The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) has released a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the notification of threatened species under Section 38 of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002. The Ministry of Environment…
India Commissions First Spherical Tokamak for Fusion Research
Key Updates:
- The Institute for Plasma Research (IPR) in Gujarat has commissioned India's first spherical tokamak and begun plasma experiments.
- A spherical tokamak is more compact than conventional doughnut-shaped tokamaks and resembles a hollowed-out apple.
- The first plasma was produced on December 11, 2025, and scientists have since carried out 114 plasma discharges.
- When the magnetic system is switched on, large unwanted electrical currents are induced in the metal walls of the vessel, producing magnetic effects that interfere with the plasma.
- Researchers are exploring ways to compensate for the unwanted current by changing the arrangement of magnetic coils or using additional sources.
- The vacuum inside the machine has improved substantially through regular glow-discharge cleaning to remove gases and impurities from vessel walls.
- The challenge for IPR is to make plasma last longer and remain stable.
- The UK has the Mega Ampere Spherical Tokamak Upgrade (MAST-U), and private company Tokamak Energy is developing the ST40 spherical tokamak.
- Britain is also working on the Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP), a prototype fusion power plant.
- The US has the National Spherical Torus Experiment Upgrade (NSTX-U) at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory.
- Japan has the Q-shu University Experiment with Steady-State Spherical Tokamak (QUEST).
- China, South Korea, Russia, Italy and Spain also have spherical tokamak research programmes.
- Commercial fusion power could provide large quantities of low-carbon electricity.
- Unlike conventional nuclear fission, fusion does not depend on a chain reaction; if the conditions needed for fusion disappear, the reaction stops.
- The significance of India's spherical tokamak lies in the knowledge and expertise it can build for the future.
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China Completes Testing of World’s Largest Fusion Magnet (End of July)
China completed testing of the world's largest superconducting fusion magnet, a key component for nuclear fusion energy. The magnet was developed by the Institute of Plasma Physics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
The beam catcher for the Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research (FAIR) was designed by the Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-CMERI) under the supervision of Bose Institute, the nodal institution…
CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratories (CSIR-NAL) unveils three indigenous gas turbine engines for UAVs, drone interceptors and missiles (End of August)
CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratories (CSIR-NAL) unveiled three indigenously developed micro and small gas turbine engines named NJ-05, NJ-50, and NJ-100. The NJ-05 engine produces five kilograms of thrust, the NJ-50…
India plans to develop and operationalise at least five indigenously-designed small modular reactors (SMRs) by 2033. The Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) is designing three SMRs: the 220 MWe Bharat Small Modular…
Google's India-Developed Agricultural AI Models Gain Global Traction
Key Updates:
- Google's agricultural AI models, Agricultural Landscape Understanding (ALU) and Agricultural Monitoring & Event Detection (AMED), were developed by Google DeepMind to analyse agricultural landscapes using satellite imagery.
- Initially focused on India, the models are now being tested by partners in 11 countries across Asia-Pacific and Africa.
- The models are available to the broader ecosystem through APIs and as a data layer on Google Earth, with ALU becoming one of the most popular layers globally.
- CarbonFarm is using the ALU API alongside Gemini to automate field-level insights, including mapping individual field boundaries, for sustainable rice cultivation, targeting 2 million hectares by 2030.
- Terrastack has built a spatial intelligence platform using ALU and AMED APIs, mapping more than 140 million hectares of farmland for agricultural finance.
- In Telangana, the ADeX platform is using ALU and AMED to build digital services for over 5 million farmers, including the Krishivaas app that provides localised information on crop stress, weather patterns, and pest outbreaks.
- Karnataka's Water Resources Department is combining ALU and AMED with local weather and remote sensing data to improve monitoring across about 2.6 million hectares of irrigated land.
- Google is working with the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) on geoAI4stats, an initiative to incorporate ALU and AMED into the FAO's global CROPGRIDS data repository.
- Alok Talekar, lead for agriculture and sustainability research at Google DeepMind, said the wider adoption of the models is an extension of the team's work on targeted agricultural applications.
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Hyderabad-based drone startup AkinAnalytics launched the indigenous NIKA2 Kisan medium drone for agricultural applications. Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan unveiled the drone in New Delhi and…
Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) launches ‘Oilseeds Kisaan Mitra’ AI Advisory Service (Mid of June)
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) launched ‘Oilseeds Kisaan Mitra’, a WhatsApp-based artificial intelligence (AI) powered advisory service for oilseed farmers. Developed by the ICAR-Indian Institute of…
Karnataka Launches AI-Powered Composite Digital Crop Survey to Improve Agricultural Data Accuracy (Start of August)
Karnataka launched the Composite Digital Crop Survey on August 6, 2026, to improve the accuracy and reliability of agricultural data. The initiative integrates satellite imagery, artificial intelligence, drones…
Mission Samriddh Gaon will develop pilot models in two blocks of Madhya Pradesh: Budni in Sehore district and Khategaon in Dewas district. The mission aims to reduce poverty, generate employment, and achieve overall…
Vice-President Launches India Valve Registry in Chennai
Key Updates:
- Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan launched the India Valve Registry on September 4, 2026, during the 'India Valves 2026' national conference in Chennai.
- The India Valve Registry is a clinician-led, multicentre, patient-level and longitudinal research platform focused on valve disease and valve interventions.
- Vice-President said India must generate evidence from its own patients and clinical experience.
- Tamil Nadu Health Minister K.G. Arunraj said the state will support the registry by encouraging every empanelled hospital performing valve interventions to enrol its cases and use the evidence to refine treatment packages.
- The CMCHIS provides cashless care to about 1.48 crore families at over 2,000 empanelled hospitals, and the annual cover was enhanced from ₹5 lakh to ₹25 lakh per family.
- Under the Tamil Nadu STEMI programme, 18 government medical college hub hospitals with cath labs are networked to 188 peripheral hospitals.
- The hub-and-spoke model of the STEMI programme was cited internationally as a template for heart attack care, and 10 more hub hospitals are being added.
- In the last 20 months, 2,590 patients received heart valve replacement surgery at 110 empanelled hospitals, with the government paying over ₹34 crore.
- The youngest patient was a four-year-old child and the oldest was an 83-year-old person.
- A majority of these patients — 53% — were women.
- Nearly four out of every five bioprosthetic valves implanted were manufactured in India.
- Nearly half of the case sheets still carry the diagnosis of rheumatic heart disease, and one in four of these patients was below 40 years of age.
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Yuko Keicho was appointed as the Vice President and Auditor General of the World Bank Group. She is a Japanese national.
NCDEX Launches RAINCHNNAI Weather Derivatives Contract for Chennai's Northeast Monsoon (Start of September)
NCDEX launched RAINCHNNAI, a rainfall-based weather derivatives futures contract for Chennai's Northeast Monsoon, on August ularly 31. The contract is based on the Cumulative Deviation Rainfall (CDR) model, which tracks…
Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) proposes Public Insurance Registry as Digital Public Infrastructure (Start of September)
The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) released a consultation paper on September 1, 2026, proposing a Public Insurance Registry (PIR) as Digital Public Infrastructure for the insurance…
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Kimi Antonelli Wins Italian Grand Prix at Monza
Key Updates:
- Kimi Antonelli won the Italian Grand Prix at Monza from 19th on the grid, leading a Mercedes one-two ahead of George Russell.
- Antonelli became the first Italian to win at Monza since Ludovico Scarfiotti in 1966, ending a 60-year drought.
- Max Verstappen completed the podium in third place.
- A first-lap crash for Charles Leclerc brought out a red flag, and the restart handed everyone free tyre changes.
- Antonelli took the lead by lap 18 after passing both Verstappen and Russell, with Russell twice taking the position back.
- A virtual safety car for Lance Stroll's retirement let Antonelli pit for fresh medium tyres while Russell stayed out on used hards.
- Antonelli won by 3.857 seconds.
- Antonelli ran wide and nearly pitched his Mercedes into the gravel on a high-speed stretch before his decisive move.
- Victory extended Antonelli's lead to 66 points over Russell in the championship.
- Ferrari's home race ended with Leclerc in the barriers on lap two and Lewis Hamilton only sixth.
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Lando Norris wins 2026 Dutch Grand Prix (End of August)
Lando Norris won the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix, finishing ahead of Kimi Antonelli and George Russell. The race was held at Circuit Zandvoort, which hosted its final Formula 1 race before being removed from the calendar.
Charles Leclerc wins British Grand Prix (Mid of July)
Charles Leclerc of Ferrari won the British Grand Prix held at the Silverstone circuit, marking his first race victory since the 2024 United States Grand Prix. George Russell of Mercedes finished the race in second place…
Lewis Hamilton wins 2026 Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix (Mid of June)
Lewis Hamilton secured his maiden Grand Prix victory for Scuderia Ferrari at the Barcelona-Catalunya circuit. The victory ended a nearly two-year winless drought for the seven-time world champion and broke Mercedes'…
George Russell wins Austrian Grand Prix 2026 (Start of July)
George Russell of Mercedes won the Austrian Grand Prix in June 2026. Max Verstappen of Red Bull finished in second place, while Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes secured third place.
India Qualifies for AFC U20 Asian Cup After 20 Years
Key Updates:
- India qualified for the AFC U20 Asian Cup for the first time in 20 years after a 3-0 win over Bangladesh.
- The match was a final Group B qualifier played in Tashkent.
- Danny Meitei Laishram, Vishal Yadav, and substitute Md Arbash scored the goals.
- India finished as runner-up in Group B with six points from three matches.
- India qualified as one of the best second-placed teams across eight groups.
- The AFC U20 Asian Cup 2027 will be held in China.
- The tournament is scheduled from March 24 to April 10, 2027.
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The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) approved a 15-member Indian esports contingent for the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. The esports competitions will be held from September 23 to October 2, 2026…
Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya differ from Olympics in geography, sports programme and regional identity (End of August)
The 2026 Asian Games, officially known as Aichi-Nagoya 2026, will be held in Japan's Aichi Prefecture with Nagoya as the main hub from September 19 to October 4. More than 11,000 athletes from 45 countries are expected…
India to defend kabaddi titles at Asian Games 2026 (End of August)
India announced the men's and women's kabaddi squads for the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya. Both teams are defending champions, having won gold at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games.
India, Japan to Play First Men’s T20I (Start of September)
The Indian and Japanese men's cricket teams will play each other for the first time ever on September 22 ahead of the 2026 Asian Games at the Sano International Cricket Ground in Tochigi Prefecture. The historic fixture…
Tamil Nadu Launches Third Phase of Poompuhar Underwater Exploration
Key Updates:
- The Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology (TNSDA) commenced the third phase of underwater archaeological exploration off the coast of Poompuhar in Mayiladuthurai district.
- The exploration was launched by Minister for School Education Rajmohan, who holds the Archaeology portfolio.
- The exploration has been planned for nearly 20 days, considering the pattern of ocean currents and the Northeast monsoon season.
- The team went nearly two kilometres into the sea and dived to a depth of 10 metres to look for structures.
- The previous underwater exploration off the Poompuhar coast was carried out by TNSDA in collaboration with Indian Maritime University in September 2025.
- The earlier exploration used advanced marine exploration instruments including a remotely operated vehicle, side-scan sonar, sub-bottom profiler and multibeam scanner to map the ocean floor.
- Sangam-period literary works such as Pattinappaalai, Silappadikaram and Manimekalai refer to the ancient port city of Poompuhar and its maritime trade with Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia and the West.
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Tamil Nadu notifies three new elephant corridors (End of August)
The Tamil Nadu government notified three elephant corridors in the Cauvery North Wildlife Sanctuary, located in the Hosur Forest Division. The three corridors are Jawalagiri-Ulbanda-Thaggatti (18.50 km)…
Telangana Launches Devadurga Gold and Copper Exploration (End of August)
The Telangana government launched a gold and copper mining exploration programme at the Devadurga block in Karnataka. Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka launched the initiative on August 28, 2026, at…
Supreme Court Directs Tamil Nadu to Frame Rules for Fishing Vessel Transit to EEZ (Start of September)
The Supreme Court directed the Tamil Nadu government to frame rules under the Marine Fishing Regulation Rules, 2020 to create a specified channel for transit of fishing vessels from territorial waters to Exclusive…
Tamil Nadu Business Facilitation (Amendment) Bill 2026 Mandates 21-Day Approval Cap (Start of September)
The Tamil Nadu government introduced the Business Facilitation (Amendment) Bill, 2026, setting a 21-day deadline for regulatory clearances for new businesses. Under the bill, applications not processed within the 21-day…
Indore Metro Priority Corridor-2 Inaugurated
Key Updates:
- Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav inaugurated Indore Metro Priority Corridor-2 on 5 September at the Brilliant Convention Centre in Vijay Nagar.
- Regular passenger services on the expanded Gandhi Nagar-Malviya Nagar Square corridor began.
- The operational network expanded from approximately 6 km to 17 km, with the extended corridor covering 16 stations.
- Metro trains run every 15 minutes with more than 80 trips scheduled daily; the first train departs at 9 am and the last at 7 pm.
- The initial 6 km priority section entered operations on 31 May 2025 and was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi via video conferencing.
- The new 11 km extension runs from Super Corridor-3 to Malviya Nagar Chauraha, also known as Radisson Square.
- The newly inaugurated phase-I (Reach-II) of approximately 11 km comprising 11 stations was developed at an estimated cost of Rs 2,850 crore.
- With this expansion, the Indore Metro network now has 16 operational stations covering approximately 17 km, with a cumulative project cost of about Rs 4,370 crore.
- The Asian Development Bank approved a $190 million loan to support an 8.62 km underground metro line with seven stations connecting congested areas to the airport.
- Chief Minister Yadav said the second phase marked the metro's gradual movement from outskirts towards populated parts, with the planned Yellow Line continuing beyond Malviya Nagar towards Shaheed Bagicha, Khajrana Chauraha, Bengali Chauraha, Patrakar Colony and Palasia before reaching the railway station.
- The corridor received approval from the Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety in March 2026.
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India's first integrated refinery-cum-petrochemical complex with 9 MMTPA capacity was dedicated at Pachpadra in Balotra, Rajasthan. The refinery is a joint venture between Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL)…
Delhi–Amritsar–Katra Greenfield Expressway: First 157.92 km stretch inaugurated, total outlay ₹38,905 crore (Mid of July)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the first 157.92 km stretch of the Delhi–Amritsar–Katra Greenfield Expressway. The total length of the expressway corridor is 667 km, built at an estimated cost of ₹38,905 crore.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav inaugurated India's first virtual zoo at Kamla Nehru Zoological Garden in Indore on August 16, 2026. The virtual zoo includes a 14-D cinema theatre and a virtual jungle safari…
The Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal released the Delhi Master Plan 2047 on August 20, 2026. The plan targets construction of 30-40 lakh housing units to accommodate Delhi's projected population of…