Lok Sabha Passes Bill Empowering Government to Levy Charges on UPI Transactions
Key Updates:
- The Lok Sabha passed the Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which amends the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007.
- The bill empowers the central government to notify electronic payment modes, including UPI, that may attract charges.
- The amendment removes the legal barrier under Section 10A that prevented banks from levying Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI and other notified digital payments.
- The bill does not immediately impose charges; any charges will be introduced only through a separate government notification.
- Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman moved the bill, which was passed by voice vote without discussion amid disruptions.
- The bill also amends the Income Tax Act, 2025, and the Finance Act, 2026.
- Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Sanjay Malhotra stated that the cost of payment infrastructure must be borne either by taxpayers or through MDR under the 'user pays' model.
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The Lok Sabha passed the Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026 to attract foreign investment, promote domestic manufacturing, and provide greater tax certainty. The Bill replaces the Income-tax (Amendment)…
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman introduced The Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026 in Parliament. The bill proposes changes to the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007 to allow banks and payment system…
The Lok Sabha passed the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 by voice vote. The amendment enhances punishment for unfair means from three to five years to five to ten years of…
The Indian Statistical Institute Bill, 2026 was introduced in the Lok Sabha by Union Minister Rao Indrajit Singh. The bill seeks to incorporate the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) as a body corporate and strengthen…
Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM) and GoodWorks Group sign MoU targeting ₹5,000 crore GCC investment
Key Updates:
- Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM) and GoodWorks Group signed an MoU on August 6 targeting investment commitments of more than ₹5,000 crore for 50 new Global Capability Centres (GCCs) in Karnataka.
- The initiative is projected to generate more than 62,500 direct and indirect jobs, including 12,500 direct high-skilled jobs.
- It could create around ₹2,250 crore in annual salaries and absorb approximately 1.25 million square feet of commercial real estate.
- The partnership will focus on high-value sectors including artificial intelligence, engineering, financial services, manufacturing, healthcare and semiconductors.
- International outreach will cover North America, Europe, Japan, South Korea and the Middle East.
- Karnataka hosts over 1,100 GCCs, about 40% of India's GCC base, contributing more than $22 billion to the state's economic output.
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Kerala has set a target of hosting 150 Global Capability Centres (GCCs) by 2031. The state aims to generate two lakh associated jobs through GCCs by 2031.
HCLTech has announced an investment of ₹14,257 crore to set up its first AI data centre at the Odisha Sovereign AI Park. The project is in partnership with sovereign AI startup Sarvam and the Odisha government, which…
The Government of Odisha signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) with ACME Group and Japan’s IHI Corporation on July 3, 2026, for clean energy and industrial projects worth ₹67,000 crore. Adani Enterprises and UAE’s…
The Union Cabinet approved an additional investment commitment of ₹30,000 crore to the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF), doubling the Centre's total commitment to ₹60,000 crore. The allocation will…
Andhra Pradesh to Procure 1,600 MW Thermal Power
Key Updates:
- Andhra Pradesh will procure 1,600 MW of coal-based thermal power through a competitive bidding process.
- The Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (APERC) granted in-principle approval on August 6, 2026.
- The procurement will be executed under Tariff-Based Competitive Bidding (TBCB) under Section 63 of the Electricity Act, 2003, using the DBFOO model.
- The bidding will follow standard RfQ, RfP, and PSA documents notified by the Union Ministry of Power.
- This is the first phase of the state's long-term thermal capacity addition, with a total requirement of 5,588 MW by 2035-36 as per the Central Electricity Authority's Resource Adequacy Plan.
- APERC directed distribution companies to reject bids if discovered tariffs are not competitive.
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REC Limited and Power Finance Corporation Limited (PFC) signed a Rs 26,850 crore common loan agreement with Meja Urja Nigam Private Limited (MUNPL) to finance a 2,400 MW thermal power expansion in Uttar Pradesh. MUNPL is…
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu announced the commissioning of a 600 MW solar power project under the Integrated Clean Energy Policy 2024. The project has been developed with a total investment of…
Minister of State for Power Shripad Naik stated in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha that India’s installed power generation capacity is likely to reach 874 GW by 2031-32. As of June 30, 2026, India had a total…
The Government of Andhra Pradesh approved the Policy on Reuse of Treated Used Water, 2026, issued by the Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MA&UD) department under the Swarna Andhra Vision 2047. The policy…
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issues new loan recovery rules effective January 1, 2027
Key Updates:
- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued new loan recovery directions on August 6, 2026.
- The new loan recovery rules will come into effect from January 1, 2027.
- RBI prohibited recovery agents and bank employees from using threatening or abusive language, excessive calling, and social media harassment.
- The rules prohibit recovery agents from intimidating or publicly humiliating borrowers or their relatives, referees, friends, or co-workers.
- Lenders cannot disable mobile phones, tablets, or laptops of defaulting borrowers except when the loan was financed by the lender.
- Where device disabling is permitted, lenders must take gradual measures and cannot restrict essential functions such as incoming calls, SMS, and emergency SOS features.
- The RBI rules also disallow false or misleading representations about the extent of debt or the consequences of non-repayment.
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The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued final directions for the revised Kisan Credit Card (KCC) Scheme, which will come into effect from 1 January 2027. The revised framework applies to all commercial banks, small…
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has directed banks to waive collateral security and margin requirements for agricultural loans, including allied activities, up to ₹2 lakh per borrower under the Kisan Credit Card (KCC)…
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has appointed Shri Gunveer Singh as the new Executive Director (ED). The RBI issued revised draft amendment directions regarding the Conduct of Regulated Entities in Recovery of Loans and…
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued revised guidelines for the Lead Bank Scheme (LBS) superseding all earlier instructions on the subject. The LBS aims to coordinate activities of banks, governments, and…
Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) Discovers ₹5.25/Unit RTC Renewable Tariff
Key Updates:
- The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) hailed the ₹5.25 per unit tariff discovered by Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) in its latest round-the-clock (RTC) renewable energy auction.
- The RTC renewable energy bid provides for 90 per cent assured power availability in each time block, with solar accounting for only 50 per cent of supply during daytime.
- India has crossed 300 GW of renewable energy installations and is on course to achieve 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030.
- India has more than 213 GW of solar module manufacturing capacity and over 32 GW of solar cell manufacturing capacity.
- Around 85 per cent of wind energy manufacturing is indigenised.
- The PM Surya Ghar scheme has crossed 50 lakh households and is progressing towards the target of one crore rooftop solar installations.
- MNRE Secretary Santosh Sarangi attributed the sector's progress to policy certainty, domestic manufacturing and market-creation initiatives.
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The Uttar Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (UPERC) approved the proposal of Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Ltd (UPPCL) to import electricity from the Khorluchu Hydro Power Ltd (KHPL) project in Bhutan. The…
The United States placed India in the lower 10% tariff bracket under new Section 301 tariffs. India secured the 10% rate after productive discussions on labour practices with the US.
India added a record 44 gigawatts (GW) of solar capacity in 2025, bringing the total installed solar power capacity to 150 GW. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) attributed this growth to the PM Surya Ghar…
Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) Pralhad Joshi announced that India aims to achieve 100 GW of installed wind energy capacity by 2030 and 155 GW by 2035. India launched its first dedicated digital…
International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) grants in-principle approval to Standard Chartered for wealth management at GIFT City
Key Updates:
- Standard Chartered received in-principle approval from the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) to distribute capital market products from GIFT City.
- The bank expects to launch wealth management services from GIFT City over the next few months.
- Standard Chartered was the first foreign bank to commence operations at GIFT City in 2020.
- The bank serves over 600 clients in GIFT City and has financed more than $25 billion across products.
- The approval will allow the bank to extend its global wealth management capabilities from GIFT City.
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The International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) has revised the Master Circular for Credit Rating Agencies operating in GIFT City. Credit rating agencies (CRAs) must now provide issuers an opportunity to…
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Standard Chartered Bank signed agreements in Mumbai to strengthen supply chain finance in India through risk-sharing arrangements for US dollar and Indian rupee transactions. The…
CTBC Bank of Taiwan (CTBC Bank) has opened a branch at GIFT City in Gujarat to support cross-border financing and enhance financial connectivity. CTBC Bank is the first Taiwanese lender to establish a presence at GIFT…
Skydo received in-principle approval to operate as a Payment Service Provider (PSP) at the GIFT City International Financial Services Centre (IFSC). The fintech firm secured regulatory approval from the Reserve Bank of…
Bajaj General Insurance Partners with Swiss Re Arm to Expand Commercial Insurance Offerings
Key Updates:
- Bajaj General Insurance and Swiss Re Corporate Solutions have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to explore a partnership in India's commercial insurance segment.
- The proposed partnership will focus on developing structured insurance solutions for businesses, subject to definitive agreements and regulatory approvals.
- The companies plan to combine Bajaj General Insurance's domestic presence with Swiss Re Corporate Solutions' global commercial insurance capabilities.
- The partnership will explore the use of Swiss Re Corporate Solutions' International Programs platform to support Indian businesses, including in high-tech and manufacturing sectors.
- The collaboration will also look at providing international insurance programmes for Indian companies expanding overseas.
- Swiss Re Corporate Solutions is the commercial insurance arm of Swiss Re Group, providing risk transfer solutions for large and mid-sized companies globally.
- Bajaj General Insurance is part of the Bajaj Group, offering general insurance products across retail and commercial segments.
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US-based Liberty Mutual Insurance has increased its shareholding in Liberty General Insurance Limited (LGI) to 74%. The stake was previously increased from 49% to 55.40% in September 2025.
Bajaj General Insurance Limited (formerly Bajaj Allianz General Insurance Company Limited) has launched 'My Health Care Plan Edge+' (MHCP EDGE+), a comprehensive health indemnity plan. The plan offers sum insured options…
The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has approved Patanjali Ayurved and DS Group's acquisition of Magma General Insurance for nearly ₹4,500 crore. Patanjali Ayurved will acquire a 73.6%…
Canara HSBC Life Insurance Company Limited (Canara HSBC Life Insurance) has entered into a strategic bancassurance partnership with West Bengal Gramin Bank (WBGB). Canara HSBC Life Insurance will offer its life insurance…
Lok Sabha Passes MSME Development (Amendment) Bill 2026 to Tackle Delayed Payments
Key Updates:
- The Lok Sabha passed the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Amendment) Bill, 2026, without a debate amid opposition protests.
- The Bill was earlier passed by the Rajya Sabha on August 3, 2026, and has now been cleared by Parliament.
- The legislation seeks to address delayed payments faced by MSMEs by improving the administrative structure and strengthening payment mechanisms.
- The Bill prescribes timelines for faster adjudication of payment disputes and provides for recovery of settlement agreements.
- It includes measures to address liquidity issues of MSMEs.
- It empowers courts to order payment of at least 50 per cent of the awarded amount to MSME suppliers if an application to set aside an order remains pending for more than six months.
- MSMEs contribute 31 per cent to India's GDP, 36 per cent to manufacturing output, and 41 per cent to exports.
- Outstanding credit disbursed to MSMEs rose from Rs 10 lakh crore in 2014-15 to over Rs 38.35 lakh crore currently.
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The Lok Sabha passed the Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026 to attract foreign investment, promote domestic manufacturing, and provide greater tax certainty. The Bill replaces the Income-tax (Amendment)…
The Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Development (Amendment) Bill, 2026 was introduced in the Rajya Sabha on July 28, 2026. The Bill proposes a national digital platform for free and voluntary MSME…
The Lok Sabha passed the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 by voice vote. The amendment enhances punishment for unfair means from three to five years to five to ten years of…
The Rajya Sabha passed the Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2026 by a voice vote. The Bill requires an order from a first-class judicial magistrate for registrations of births or deaths delayed beyond two years.
Cabinet Approves GOBARdhan Scheme: India’s ₹23,731 Crore Push for Compressed Biogas and Circular Bioenergy
Key Updates:
- The Union Cabinet approved the GOBARdhan (National Circular Bioenergy Scheme) with an outlay of ₹23,731 crore.
- The scheme will be implemented by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas over 10 years from 2026-27 to 2035-36.
- GOBARdhan aims to increase domestic compressed biogas (CBG) production by nearly 10-fold between 2026 and 2036.
- City gas distribution entities will procure CBG to meet blending obligations of 3% in 2026-27, 4% in 2027-28, and 5% from 2028-29 onwards in CNG and household piped natural gas segments.
- The scheme introduces a stable administered CBG price of ₹2,110 per MMBTU with a minimum 10-year horizon.
- Eligible greenfield CBG projects will receive capital assistance of up to ₹2 crore per tonne per day of installed capacity.
- Brownfield projects expanding their production capacity are also eligible for capital assistance under the scheme.
- The scheme supports cluster-based and standalone pipeline infrastructure connecting CBG plants with trunk pipelines and city gas distribution networks.
- A dedicated credit guarantee mechanism will expand institutional credit access for eligible MSME-based CBG projects.
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The Union Cabinet approved a revamped Khelo India Scheme and enhanced assistance to National Sports Federations with a combined outlay of Rs 36,441 crore for 2026-27 to 2030-31. The Khelo India Scheme receives Rs 29,054…
The Union Cabinet approved the Pradhan Mantri Surya Sarovar Yojana (PM-SSY) to scale up floating solar photovoltaic capacity in India. The scheme targets 5,000 MW of floating solar capacity over five years, with a total…
The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) signed an MoU with Mahatma Phule Renewable Energy and Infrastructure Technology (MAHAPREIT) to finance green, climate-resilient and sustainable…
The Union Cabinet approved the BHAVYA Rasayan Scheme (Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojana Rasayan) with a total financial outlay of Rs 3,030 crore. The scheme will run for five years from FY2026-27 to FY2030-31.
Operation Mukta: Bengaluru Police Drive to Identify Illegal Immigrants
Key Updates:
- Bengaluru City Police launched 'Operation Mukta' on August 8, 2026, to identify suspected illegal immigrants residing in the city.
- The drive covered more than 30 locations in the Whitefield division and 15-20 locations in the Electronic City area.
- Over 500 police personnel were involved in the exercise in the Whitefield division.
- Around 40 suspicious people were taken into custody for verification in the Whitefield division, and four people were identified as Bangladeshi nationals based on recovered documents.
- Police verified identity and citizenship documents including Aadhaar cards and voter IDs, and foreign nationals found staying illegally are to be produced before the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO).
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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.
Gujarat Police launched 'Operation Surakshit Cyberspace', a 28-day statewide campaign running from July 1 to July 28, 2026, to create a secure digital ecosystem for women and children. The initiative is conducted under…
The Gujarat Police successfully traced 1,470 missing persons during a month-long statewide special drive titled Operation Milap. The operation was launched on 7 May under the leadership of Deputy Chief Minister Harsh…
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) will launch the Smart Border Project equipped with drones, radars, and advanced cameras to create an impregnable security grid along the borders within the next year. Prime Minister…
Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission’s Scan and Register Service Crosses 25 Crore OPD Registrations
Key Updates:
- The ABHA-based 'Scan and Register' service under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) has crossed 25 crore outpatient (OPD) registrations.
- The service, introduced in October 2022, is used by nearly four lakh patients daily.
- Patients scan a QR code at participating hospitals through an ABDM-enabled health app and share their ABHA-linked details with consent, reducing paperwork and waiting time.
- The facility is available in 30,800 healthcare facilities across 36 states and Union Territories and 756 districts, including over 24,000 government facilities and 6,400 private hospitals.
- Among states, Bihar recorded the highest digital OPD registrations with over 7.3 crore, followed by Uttar Pradesh (4.09 crore), Andhra Pradesh (3.38 crore), and Jammu & Kashmir (1.39 crore).
- AIIMS New Delhi recorded the highest number of Scan and Register transactions at over 54.29 lakh, followed by AIIMS Bhopal, AIIMS Bhubaneswar, AIIMS Patna, and AIIMS Raipur.
- The National Health Authority (NHA) said the service is operational across AIIMS, central and state government hospitals, medical colleges, district hospitals, ESIC and railway hospitals, and private healthcare facilities.
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The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) has created over 93.95 crore health accounts. The ABDM has linked 105 crore health records.
The National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) celebrated its 23rd Foundation Day in New Delhi. NIXI launched four new digital initiatives: the IX Portal, myIRINN Portal, .IN Auction Portal, and an AI-powered WHOIS…
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) stated that the Digital India programme has completed 11 years, shifting focus toward Artificial Intelligence (AI), semiconductors, and quantum technologies…
The Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) launched the Atmanirbhar Panchayat Programme, the SAMARTH Panchayat Portal, and Model Own Source Revenue (OSR) Rules on July 27, 2026. The Atmanirbhar Panchayat Programme aims to…
NITI Aayog School Education Quality Index 2026: Punjab Overtakes Kerala
Key Updates:
- Punjab has overtaken Kerala to rank first in the NITI Aayog School Education Quality Index 2026.
- Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains presented a four-year report on changes to Punjab's school system since 2022 in the Vidhan Sabha.
- An initial infrastructure survey after July 2022 found over 8,000 schools without boundary walls, 3,200 schools without functional toilets, and nearly 4 lakh children sitting on the floor.
- Textbooks now reach district headquarters by February 15 and are fully distributed by March 31, compared to reaching schools only in October-November earlier.
- NEET-UG qualifiers from Punjab's government schools rose from 80 in 2021 to 882 in 2026, attributed to the Punjab Academic Coaching for Excellence (PACE) initiative.
- Mission Samarth groups students by learning ability rather than grade and covers nearly 12 lakh students with over 70,000 teachers engaged annually.
- Infrastructure works worth ₹2,638 crore have been carried out across 19,125 government schools, with an additional ₹1,000 crore approved from the World Bank for further upgrades.
- Bains linked the declining government school enrolment partly to the Centre's APAAR ID initiative, which ended duplicate enrolments of single students across multiple schools.
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The Ministry of Education (MoE) released the Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+) 2025-26 report on 'School Education in India'. The UDISE+ report highlighted an increase in the number of…
The Union Ministry of Education (MoE) released the Performance Grading Index 2.0 for States and Union Territories (PGI-S) and the Performance Grading Index for Districts (PGI-D) for the academic year 2025-26. The PGI-S…
The National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog) released the Investment Friendliness Index (IFI) on July 17, 2026, assessing investment ecosystems across 28 states and eight Union Territories. Gujarat…
National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog) convened the first meeting of the High-Powered Education to Employment and Enterprise Standing Committee on May 22. The committee, announced in the Union Budget…
Karnataka Launches AI-Powered Composite Digital Crop Survey to Improve Agricultural Data Accuracy
Key Updates:
- 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, Synthetic Aperture Radar, GIS data, and Machine Learning with the existing Digital Crop Survey system.
- The Composite Digital Crop Survey will be implemented on a pilot basis in five selected hoblis representing all geographical divisions of Karnataka.
- A stakeholder workshop was organised by the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (e-Governance) in collaboration with the Revenue, Agriculture, Horticulture, Sericulture, Fisheries, and IT-BT departments.
- The workshop outlined the roadmap for deploying the technology-driven digital crop survey system across the state.
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Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma inaugurated India’s first AI-powered “phygital” banking branch of Slice Small Finance Bank in Guwahati, Assam. The branch is located at GS Road and features AI-enabled self-service…
On August 5, 2026, Telangana Police launched the AI-powered Next-Gen 112 platform at the Telangana Integrated Command and Control Centre (TGiCCC) in Hyderabad. The system brings together Police, Fire Services, Ambulance…
Kerala has deployed ANNAM.AI smart weather stations in collaboration with IIT Ropar. The AI-powered stations provide real-time climate data at a 3 km resolution, tracking solar radiation, soil moisture, wind patterns…
The National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) celebrated its 23rd Foundation Day in New Delhi. NIXI launched four new digital initiatives: the IX Portal, myIRINN Portal, .IN Auction Portal, and an AI-powered WHOIS…
PM Modi Inaugurates Param Pragya AI Supercomputing Facility at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi
Key Updates:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Param Pragya, an AI-powered high-performance supercomputing facility, at the Sonipat campus of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi.
- Param Pragya is expected to significantly enhance IIT Delhi's capabilities in AI, data science, advanced computing, and interdisciplinary research.
- The inauguration was held during the 57th convocation ceremony of IIT Delhi.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the CG Semi Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test (OSAT) facility in Sanand, Gujarat. The facility marks the commissioning of India's third semiconductor manufacturing plant.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Advanced Mother and Child Centre and the Advanced Neurosciences Centre at PGIMER Chandigarh on July 17, 2026. The Advanced Mother and Child Centre is expected to strengthen…
The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of the ASIP Semiconductor Project at Visakhapatnam, with an investment of over ₹460 crore, under the India Semiconductor Mission. The Prime Minister inaugurated the Alluri…
Microsoft India and FITT IIT Delhi have launched the Unnati AI 2.0 initiative to support startups and innovators in developing applied AI solutions. The initiative targets sectors such as healthcare, agriculture…
Astrobase Unveils India's First Private 800 kN Rocket Engine
Key Updates:
- Astrobase Space Technologies unveiled EVEREST, India's first privately built 800 kN Full-Flow Staged Combustion (FFSC) LOX-Methane rocket engine.
- The EVEREST engine is designed for reusable medium-lift launch vehicles and is intended to be reused more than 100 times.
- Astrobase plans to produce up to 50 engines annually, supporting 100 tonnes of launch capacity in Phase 1 and scaling to over 1,000 tonnes in Phase 2.
- The company targets a full-engine hot-fire test in 2026 and aims to launch its first vehicle by December 2028.
- The engine's turbopump handles about 5 MW of power while operating in a high-density, high-pressure liquid oxygen environment.
- The development of the engine is supported by IN-SPACe's Technology Adoption Fund (TAF).
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Hyderabad-based startup Skyroot Aerospace launched India’s first privately-built orbital rocket, Vikram-1, under Mission Aagaman from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. The multi-stage Vikram-1 rocket…
The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) has selected three startups for the first round of funding under the Technology Adoption Fund (TAF) scheme. The selected companies are Astrobase…
The Defence Research and Development Organisation's (DRDO) Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) designed India's first indigenous expendable turbojet engine in the 350 kg thrust class. The engine was manufactured…
Agnikul Cosmos, an Indian private space company incubated at IIT Madras, plans to launch Mission 02 to attempt the country's first orbital-class rocket booster recovery. The mission will use a two-stage Agnibaan rocket…
India Develops Beam Catcher for Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research (FAIR)
Key Updates:
- 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 for India's participation.
- The beam catcher absorbs remnants from primary heavy-ion beams of energy 0.4-1.5 GeV/nucleon, with an energy deposition of about 29 kJ per spill in the graphite absorber.
- The peak energy density in the absorber reaches 300 J/g per pulse, inducing thermal shock waves, a major design challenge.
- The first of three beam catcher units has reached the FAIR site in Darmstadt, Germany, and is awaiting installation.
- FAIR is expected to be the world's largest radioactive beam accelerator, with the first beam for users expected by 2027.
- Indian researchers are participating in the NUSTAR and CBM experiments at FAIR, and India's in-kind contributions include power converters, vacuum chambers, beam catchers, superconducting magnets, and detector systems.
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The Xianglong tunnel boring machine, jointly developed by Tsinghua University and a subsidiary of China Railway Group, combines mechanical excavation with an integrated drilling and blasting system. The machine has a…
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has developed India's first indigenous African swine fever (ASF) vaccine for pigs. The vaccine was developed by scientists at ICAR-National Institute of High Security…
The Defence Research and Development Organisation's (DRDO) Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) designed India's first indigenous expendable turbojet engine in the 350 kg thrust class. The engine was manufactured…
Tata Group's Agratas Energy Storage Solutions is developing its own lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery cell technology. A pilot production line for LFP cells is being set up at Agratas' upcoming battery manufacturing…
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) targets first uncrewed Gaganyaan mission with Vyommitra in late 2026
Key Updates:
- The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has completed development and ground testing of all propulsion stages and structures for the Human Rated Launch Vehicle (HLVM3).
- The propulsion systems of the Crew Module and Service Module have been developed, tested, and qualified.
- Key technologies including the Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) Engineering Model, Thermal Protection System, Deceleration System, and Crew Module Up-righting System have been successfully developed and tested.
- All five types of motors for the Crew Escape System (CES) have been developed and successfully undergone static testing.
- The TV-D1 Test Vehicle Mission for in-flight validation of the Crew Escape System was successfully completed.
- Integrated Air Drop Test-01 and 02 validated the deceleration system using a simulated Crew Module.
- The first uncrewed Gaganyaan mission carrying the Vyommitra half-humanoid is targeted for the fourth quarter of 2026.
- Two additional uncrewed missions are targeted by 2027 before the maiden human orbital mission.
- The Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) is planned to become operational by 2035, with the first module BAS-01 approved.
- The Union Cabinet approved a budgetary allocation of ₹20,193 crore in September 2024 for eight missions under the Human Spaceflight Programme.
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The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) tested a stored cold-gas-based crew module uprighting system (CMUS) to ensure upright position after sea splashdown. ISRO conducted a separation test of the umbilical…
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully tested the main parachutes for the Gaganyaan crew module at the Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE) drop zone in Sheopur, Madhya…
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully carried out the flight acceptance hot test of the CE20 cryogenic engine for the seventh operational mission of the LVM3 launch vehicle (LVM-M7). The test was…
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) completed the first ground test of the solid motor for its Sub-Orbital Launch Vehicle for Experiments (SOLVE) on 3 July 2026 at Sriharikota. The static test of the SOLVE-ST01…
Sandip Upadhyay's chess students win 120 trophies and 179 medals
Key Updates:
- Sandip Upadhyay, a teacher in Ratusinh na Muvada village, introduced chess at his school in 2021.
- His students have won 120 trophies and 179 medals in chess competitions.
- Neha Chauhan and Divya Chauhan represented Gujarat at the National School Chess Championship in Raipur.
- Divya Chauhan was selected for a residential chess training programme in Maharashtra.
- The US-based non-profit Gift of Chess donated 500 chess sets to the school.
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Swara Lakshmi Nair became the second chess player from Karnataka to achieve Women's International Master (WIM) status. Isha Sharma was the first chess player from Karnataka to become a Women's International Master (WIM).
Ethan Vaz became India's 96th Grandmaster (GM) at the age of 14 years, 9 months, and 27 days. He is the third person from Goa to achieve the GM title, following Anurag Mhamal and Leon Mendonca.
Indian Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi secured the No. 8 spot in the International Chess Federation (FIDE) ratings released for June 2026. Erigaisi is the only Indian player featured in the top 10 rankings for June 2026 after…
Indian Grandmaster Rohith Krishna won the Menuires International Chess Championship in France, edging compatriot Raja Rithvik on tie-break. Both Rohith Krishna and Raja Rithvik finished unbeaten with seven points from…
Ariha Pangambam wins historic gold at Aerobic Gymnastics Asian Championships
Key Updates:
- Ariha Pangambam became the first Indian to win a gold medal in the senior women's individual event at the Aerobic Gymnastics Asian Championships.
- She scored 19.100 in the final, with 8.650 in artistry, 7.600 in execution, and 2.850 in difficulty.
- The 2026 Asian Aerobic Gymnastics Championships were held in the Philippines from August 4 to 7.
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India won the gold medal in the women’s 4x100m relay at the second edition of the Asian Relays Championships held in Shaoxing, China. The gold-winning women's 4x100m relay team comprised Srabani Nanda, SS Sneha, Sudeshna…
India concluded the Asian Boxing U15 Championships 2026 in Tashkent with a total of 27 medals, comprising 9 gold, 6 silver, and 12 bronze. The Indian U-15 girls team topped their medal standings by securing 7 gold, 2…
The inaugural Asian U23 Athletics Championships were held in Ordos from 9-12 July 2026. China topped the medal tally with 23 gold, 17 silver, and 12 bronze medals.
India's women's wrestling team won a total of 10 medals, comprising two gold, three silver, and five bronze, at the U17 Asian Wrestling Championships 2026 in Da Nang, Vietnam. Gold medals were won by Diksha in the 43kg…
India’s GI-Tagged Handloom Sarees: Complete Guide to Geographical Indication Textiles
Key Updates:
- India’s Geographical Indication (GI) system is governed by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999.
- A GI tag is granted to products with a specific geographical origin and qualities or characteristics essentially attributable to that origin.
- India has over 400 registered GI tags, and textiles account for the largest single category.
- Banarasi sarees are GI-tagged handloom textiles woven in Varanasi and the surrounding districts of Mirzapur, Chandauli, Bhadohi, Jaunpur, and Azamgarh in Uttar Pradesh.
- The Banarasi GI tag covers Banarasi brocade, Banarasi silk, and Banarasi georgette sarees.
- Kanjivaram (Kanjeevaram) silk sarees are GI-tagged and woven in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, using heavy pure mulberry silk and real zari borders.
- Chanderi sarees are GI-tagged from Chanderi town, Madhya Pradesh, and the tag covers Chanderi silk, Chanderi cotton, and Chanderi silk-cotton sarees.
- Pochampally Ikat from Telangana is GI-tagged for its double Ikat weaving tradition and protected geometric patterns and resist-dyed technique.
- Sambalpuri sarees from Odisha are GI-tagged for the Ikat (Bandha) weaving tradition of Sambalpur, Sonepur, Bargarh, and Boudh districts.
- Paithani sarees are GI-tagged from Paithan (Aurangabad), Maharashtra, and are known for their silk body, real zari borders, and peacock and lotus motifs.
- Patola sarees from Patan, Gujarat, are GI-tagged and cover both single and double Ikat Patola.
- Mysore silk sarees are GI-tagged and produced by the Karnataka Silk Industries Corporation (KSIC) in Mysore, Karnataka.
- Ilkal sarees are GI-tagged from Ilkal town, Karnataka, and are distinctive for their cotton body with a silk pallu.
- Kota Doria from Kota and Kaithoon, Rajasthan, is GI-tagged for its square-check weave created by alternating cotton and silk threads.
- Bengal cotton sarees are GI-tagged for the fine cotton weaving traditions of West Bengal, including Tant sarees.
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The 'Weaves of India' Festival is organized by the Ministry of Textiles through the Office of the Development Commissioner (Handlooms). The festival is held at the Central Cottage Industries Emporium (CCIE) on Janpath…
Pithora painting, a centuries-old wall art tradition of the Rathwa tribal community in Gujarat, has received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag. The GI tag protects the authenticity of Pithora painting and safeguards…
Four iconic cultural and artisan products from Assam have been granted Geographical Indication (GI) status by the Geographical Indications Registry of the Government of India. The newly GI-tagged products are Karbi…
Between April 2025 and March 2026, 125 Geographical Indication (GI) registrations were recorded in India, bringing the total number of registered GIs in the country to 822. Madhya Pradesh recorded the highest number of…
GI-tagged Mithila Makhana's first sea shipment to Australia flagged off on August 8, 2026
Key Updates:
- GI-tagged Mithila Makhana was exported from Bihar to Australia by sea for the first time in August 2026.
- The 18-metric-tonne consignment was procured directly from farmers in Darbhanga, Bihar, providing them nearly 18 per cent higher returns than the market price.
- The shipment was facilitated by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA).
- Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal announced the development.
- Bihar Agriculture Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha flagged off the consignment from the Integrated Unit of Irradiation Cum Packhouse at Bihta, Patna.
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The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) facilitated the first-ever sea shipment of flavoured Makhana from Darbhanga, Bihar, to Canada on 29 July 2026. The consignment comprised 7…
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) facilitated the first-ever air shipment of Neelam and Totapuri mangoes from Karnataka to the Maldives. The export consignment comprised…
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, in collaboration with the ICAR-Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture (CISH)…
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) facilitated the first-ever sea shipment of botanical-infused ready-to-cook millet functional foods from Karnataka to New Zealand on June…
Tamil Nadu announces Vetri Vaanmagal scheme to train women farmers in drone operation
Key Updates:
- Tamil Nadu announced the 'Vetri Vaanmagal' scheme to train women farmers in drone operation.
- The scheme was announced in the state's first agriculture budget by Agriculture Minister R Vinoth.
- A total of 500 eligible persons, including 100 women, will receive drone operator training and a drone pilot licence through the Remote Pilot Training Organization of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University.
- The state government allocated Rs 1.50 crore for training and Rs 2.50 crore for providing drones at 50 per cent subsidy to 50 trained women.
- The scheme aims to ease fertiliser and pesticide spraying, crop monitoring, and address labour shortages in agriculture.
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The Tamil Nadu government allocated ₹44,527 crore for school education in the 2026-27 budget. The 'Palli Niraivu Thittam' will upgrade infrastructure in 3,734 government schools at an estimated cost of ₹2,132 crore, with…
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay launched the Singappen Special Force, a policing unit dedicated to preventing crimes against women and girls, at Rajarathinam Stadium in Chennai. The state government has provided…
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), in collaboration with the Drone Federation India (DFI), launched the second edition of the National Innovation Challenge for Drone Application and Research…
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is conducting Exercise Rotor Clap-III, a counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) drill, in Rajasthan. The exercise brings together IAF helicopter units to validate operational concepts against…
12 Rat Miners Conferred Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak
Key Updates:
- The Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak was awarded to 12 rat miners for their exceptional courage and selfless service during the 2023 Silkyara tunnel rescue operation.
- Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari presented the awards at an event in New Delhi on August 5, 2026.
- Each awardee received a certificate, a miniature medal, and a cash award of ₹2 lakh.
- The 12 recipients are Vaqeel Hasan, Munna, Ankur Kumar, Monu Kumar, Devendra, Mohd Rashid, Firoz Qureshi, Jatin Kashyap, Shorabh Kashyap, Mohd Irshad, Nasruddin, and Naseem.
- The rat miners cleared the final 12 metres of the 57-metre-thick debris wall using shovels, spades, hammers, and drills, working for nearly 24 hours to rescue 41 trapped workers.
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The second technical meeting of the BRICS Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Working Group was held in Puri, Odisha, from June 3 to 5, 2026, under India's presidency. The meeting brought together officials from 11 member and…
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced two policy reforms for the Indian Coast Guard on July 28, 2026. The first reform introduces a gender-neutral framework for officer induction and career progression, allowing women…
The Yashoda programme has operated under the Norway-India Partnership Initiative since 2008, focusing on immediate and exclusive breastfeeding for maternal and neonatal care. Jeevan Dhara, Rajasthan's first state-run…
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is deploying the Link robotic spacecraft to rescue the Swift Observatory, a 1.6-ton gamma-ray telescope. The Link robot, built by Katalyst Space, is a…
Abelardo de la Espriella Sworn In as Colombia President
Key Updates:
- Abelardo de la Espriella was sworn in as the President of Colombia on August 7, 2026.
- He succeeded leftist President Gustavo Petro.
- He was inaugurated in Cali, becoming the first Colombian president in recent history to be inaugurated outside the capital, Bogotá.
- He pledged to crack down on crime, including building mega-prisons and using the military against criminal organizations.
- The United States announced a $1 billion financial package to support his administration's crime-fighting efforts.
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Abelardo de la Espriella, a conservative political outsider and lawyer, secured 49.7% of the votes in Colombia’s runoff presidential election. Progressive lawmaker Iván Cepeda of the Pacto Historico party received 48.7%…
Laura Fernández was sworn in as the president of Costa Rica. Fernández is the second woman to lead the Central American country.
Yoweri Museveni was sworn in for a seventh term as the President of Uganda on 12 May 2026. The swearing-in ceremony took place at the Kololo Independence Grounds in Kampala.
Keiko Fujimori has been declared the winner of the presidential runoff election in Peru. Fujimori received 9,223,000 votes, accounting for 50.135% of the total.
President Droupadi Murmu Presented Sant Kabir Handloom Awards and National Handloom Awards 2025
Key Updates:
- President Droupadi Murmu presented the Sant Kabir Handloom Awards and National Handloom Awards 2025 at Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre, New Delhi, on August 8, 2026.
- The awards were presented during the 12th National Handloom Day celebrations.
- Four commemorative postage stamps celebrating India's handloom weaving traditions were released on the occasion.
- The Sant Kabir Handloom Award is the country's highest honour for handloom weavers, recognising extraordinary craftsmanship, lifelong dedication, and sustained contributions to preserving and promoting India's weaving traditions.
- The National Handloom Award honours handloom weavers and other stakeholders for outstanding creativity, quality, innovation, and excellence while preserving traditional skills and embracing modern techniques.
- The Government of India has been observing August 7 as National Handloom Day since 2015, in honour of the formal launch of the Swadeshi Movement on August 7, 1905.
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President Droupadi Murmu presented the Distinguished Service Awards during the Defence Investiture Ceremony 2026 (Phase-2). The awards were presented to officers and personnel of the Armed Forces for their exceptional…
President Droupadi Murmu presented the Padma awards to 65 eminent personalities during the second civil investiture ceremony held on 23 June 2026 at the Gantantra Madap of Rashtrapati Bhavan. Former Supreme Court (SC)…
President Droupadi Murmu to confer the Padma Awards on 65 distinguished personalities during the second Civil Investiture Ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan on June 23. The Padma Awards are announced annually on Republic Day…
The Jury committee has selected 10 Lok Sabha (LS) MPs, 2 Rajya Sabha (RS) MPs, and 4 Parliamentary Standing Committees for the Sansad Ratna Awards 2026. Individual awardees include Jagdambika Pal, P.P. Chaudhary…
Basavaraj Horatti Resigns as Chairman of Karnataka Legislative Council
Key Updates:
- Basavaraj Horatti, a Congress leader, resigned as Chairman of the Karnataka Legislative Council on August 7, 2026.
- He stated that he was asked to resign by the Congress government led by D K Shivakumar.
- Horatti admitted that he was under pressure to resign ahead of the Legislative Council session beginning on August 13, 2026.
- He was previously with the Janata Dal (Secular) (JD(S)) and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on May 18, 2022.
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The All India Congress Committee (AICC) approved 20 names for induction into the Karnataka cabinet, with the swearing-in ceremony scheduled for August 3, 2026. The induction of 20 new ministers will take the Karnataka…
Karnataka Chief Minister (CM) Siddaramaiah is expected to submit his resignation to Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot following directions from the Indian National Congress (INC) leadership. Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar, an…
DK Shivakumar took oath as the Chief Minister of Karnataka on 3 June 2026, with the oath administered by Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot at Lok Bhavan in Bengaluru. Dr G Parameshwara was sworn in as the sole Deputy Chief…
Sanjay Kumar Jain resigned as the Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC). The Ministry of Railways approved the resignation with effect from July 20, 2026.
Baldeo Purushartha Appointed Senior Adviser to Asian Development Bank (ADB)
Key Updates:
- The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved the appointments of 10 officials and one extension to foreign and international posts on August 5, 2026.
- Baldeo Purushartha, an IAS officer, was appointed Senior Adviser to the Executive Director at the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Manila, for three years, succeeding Ponnuraj V.
- Rahul Jain, an IAS officer, was appointed Senior Adviser to the Executive Director (India) at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Washington D.C., for three years, succeeding Anand Singh.
- Brij Mohan Mishra, an IAS officer, was appointed Minister (Economic and Commercial) at the Embassy of India in Tokyo.
- Balamurugan D., an IAS officer, was appointed Minister (Agriculture) at the Embassy of India in Rome for three years, succeeding Jujjavarapu Balaji.
- Satyajit Mohanty, an IRS officer, was appointed Representative of India in the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Montreal, succeeding Angshumali Rastogi.
- Hemang Jani's tenure as Senior Adviser to the Executive Director at the World Bank, Washington D.C., was extended for two years beyond July 16, 2027, up to July 16, 2029.
- Kapil Patidar, an IES officer, was appointed Adviser to the Executive Director (India) at the IMF for three years.
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The Department of Expenditure under the Ministry of Finance issued an Office Memorandum barring senior bureaucrats from being allotted more than one official staff car, even if they hold additional charge of another…
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has lowered India's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth forecast for FY27 to 6.6% from the 6.9% projected in April. ADB retained India's growth forecast for FY28 at 7.3% in the July…
The Ministry of Heavy Industries invited global bids for setting up 10 GWh cumulative capacity Advanced Chemistry Cell manufacturing facilities under the PLI ACC Scheme. Under the PLI ACC Scheme, out of the targeted 50…
The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) signed two MoUs with Business France and the India & Arab Countries Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (IACCIA) on August 3, 2026. The MoU…
