IRDAI Imposes ₹1 Crore Penalty on ICICI Lombard
Key Updates:
- The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) imposed a ₹1 crore penalty on ICICI Lombard General Insurance for lapses in outsourcing practices, vendor management and corporate governance.
- The penalty was imposed following an inspection of ICICI Lombard conducted in 2019.
- The penalty relates to payments made by the insurer under the head 'sales marketing and business support'.
- ICICI Lombard stated that of the ₹709.57 crore it incurred under the 'sales marketing and business support' head during FY19, about ₹35-37 crore was paid to individual agents of other insurers.
- IRDAI found that the insurer used agents of other insurers for event management activities without adequate supporting documents.
- The insurer failed to classify the event management activities as outsourced or report them in its outsourcing returns.
- In its September 7 order, IRDAI held that by not classifying event management services as outsourced activity, the insurer failed to report these expenses in the Outsourcing Returns, thereby avoiding timely regulatory scrutiny.
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RBI Grants Scheduled Bank Status to Coastal Local Area Bank
Key Updates:
- Coastal Local Area Bank Limited, headquartered in Vijayawada and the first bank of its kind in the country, has attained Scheduled Bank status.
- The bank has been providing banking services for the past 26 years.
- The Scheduled Bank status is expected to strengthen the bank's institutional standing, enhance public confidence and facilitate access to money market operations and RBI liquidity facilities.
- At the end of FY 2025-26, Coastal Bank's deposits stood at Rs 994.72 crore and advances at Rs 910.05 crore.
- Deposits grew 16.25 per cent and advances grew 22.88 per cent compared with FY 2023-24.
- The bank reported a net profit of Rs 19.30 crore and a net worth of Rs 198.08 crore, with net NPA at 0.21 per cent.
- The bank's Capital to Risk-weighted Assets Ratio (CRAR) stood at 24.81 per cent, well above the RBI-mandated benchmark of nine per cent.
- Coastal Bank currently operates 57 branches across 12 districts.
- The bank has RBI approval to expand into Vizianagaram, Prakasam and Khammam districts and open 13 additional branches.
- B Venugopal Reddy is the Managing Director and CEO of Coastal Local Area Bank.
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Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) received Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approval to acquire up to 9.99% of ICICI Bank's paid-up share capital or voting rights within one year. ICICI Bank received the RBI approval…
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has granted in-principle approval to NSHIPOL under the Shipbuilding Development Scheme (SbDS) for a Rs 24,700 crore shipbuilding cluster in Odisha. The cluster will be…
Tata Capital Limited has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Japan's Resona Bank to support Japanese companies exploring business opportunities in India. Under the partnership, Resona Bank will use Tata…
Himachal Pradesh's first ozone-based drinking water treatment project is being established in the Dehra area of Kangra district. The state government has allocated Rs 46 crore for the project.
ADB Signs First TAS Mandate in India with MP for Renewable Energy PPP Projects
Key Updates:
- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has signed its first Transaction Advisory Services (TAS) mandate in India with the Government of Madhya Pradesh to support renewable energy public-private partnership (PPP) projects.
- The agreement is expected to attract up to USD 1 billion in private investment.
- The pact was signed in Bhopal by ADB Country Director for India Mio Oka in the presence of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav.
- ADB will support the structuring and rollout of three clean energy projects across Madhya Pradesh.
- The pipeline includes a solar power generation and battery energy storage facility at Shajapur to address peak electricity requirements and enhance grid stability.
- The engagement aligns with the Madhya Pradesh Renewable Energy Policy 2025, which targets meeting 50 per cent of electricity demand from renewable resources by 2030.
- ADB has maintained an operational relationship with Madhya Pradesh for more than 25 years, including capital investments in energy infrastructure.
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Global investment firm Brookfield has launched Lumara, a renewable energy platform investing about $600 million in India. Lumara's initial portfolio will be more than 6 GW, covering solar, wind, and battery energy…
The government has granted in-principle approval to lease 11 Airports Authority of India (AAI) airports under the PPP model. The move is part of the second phase of the National Monetisation Pipeline, under which 25…
The Government of India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a $230 million loan agreement for the Chennai Climate-Resilient Water Security and Sewerage Project. The project will construct more than 170 km of…
Global private equity firm TPG is acquiring a 100 per cent stake in Aseem Infrastructure Finance from the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) and other entities for an undisclosed sum. TPG is partnering…
Bandhan Bank & Mastercard Launches Credit Card Business with Four-Tier Portfolio
Key Updates:
- Bandhan Bank has entered the credit card segment with the launch of four card variants in partnership with Mastercard.
- The credit card variants are Sparks, Ignite, Flare and Lumina, aimed at different spending and customer segments.
- The cards offer rewards and benefits across categories such as grocery, apparel, travel, dining, entertainment and international spending.
- Customers can apply for the cards through a digital-first process, online, or through Bandhan Bank branches, with card servicing available online.
- The Sparks card offers accelerated rewards on grocery and apparel spends, a welcome reward, domestic airport lounge access, BookMyShow offers, fuel surcharge waiver and EMI cashback benefits.
- The Ignite card provides accelerated rewards on grocery and travel spends, welcome and milestone rewards, domestic and international airport lounge access and EazyDiner benefits.
- The Flare card is positioned as a travel-focused offering with an Amazon Pay voucher as a welcome benefit, domestic and international airport lounge access, BookMyShow and EazyDiner benefits, and golf privileges.
- The Lumina card is the premium variant, offering rewards on international spends, an Oberoi gift voucher as a welcome benefit, domestic and international lounge access, concierge and airport meet-and-greet services, along with BookMyShow, EazyDiner and golf benefits.
- The credit card launch is part of Bandhan Bank's expansion into a wider range of banking products.
- Bandhan Bank currently has more than 6,400 banking outlets across 35 states and Union Territories and serves over 3.2 crore customers.
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YES Bank launched the 'YES Essence' credit card designed for women. The card is tailored for young professionals, salaried, and digitally savvy women.
Kotak Mahindra Bank has reached a definitive agreement to acquire the retail banking, private banking and wealth management business of Deutsche Bank in India. The acquired portfolio comprises nearly ₹29,000 crore in…
Ministry of Finance Secures USD 1 Billion IFC Funding to Boost Long-term MSME Credit
Key Updates:
- India secured USD 1 billion from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to provide long-term credit to MSMEs through banks and financial institutions.
- The facility offers loans up to seven years, addressing a critical gap in long-term financing for MSMEs.
- The first tranche of USD 500 million has already been released to the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) for onward lending.
- The funding aims to boost MSME capital expenditure and modernization, supporting economic growth and employment generation.
- The IFC, established in 1956 and a member of the World Bank Group, focuses on private sector development in developing countries, and this is its largest ever MSME financing package in India.
- SIDBI, set up under the SIDBI Act, 1989, operates under the Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance, and will on-lend to banks, NBFCs, and directly to MSMEs.
- MSMEs contribute approximately 30% to GDP and 45% to manufacturing output, and employ over 110 million people as per the 2023-24 Annual Report of the Ministry of MSME.
- Commercial banks typically offer working capital loans of 1-3 years, creating a maturity mismatch for MSME capital expenditure needs.
- The IFC funding comes without sovereign guarantee, reflecting confidence in India's financial architecture.
- The facility complements the RBI's Priority Sector Lending norms, which mandate 7.5% of Adjusted Net Bank Credit to micro enterprises.
- The 7-year loan tenure aligns with the typical gestation period of industrial projects and supports the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision and Production Linked Incentive schemes.
- Successful deployment could catalyze a second tranche and attract other multilaterals like the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and KfW.
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The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a World Bank Group arm, has committed USD 371 million to Sify through a sustainability-linked loan. The investment is partnered with Sify Infinit Spaces Ltd (SISL), a…
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PM-SETU Steering Committee Approves ₹735.70 Crore Plans
Key Updates:
- The National Steering Committee under the Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs (PM-SETU) has approved Strategic Investment Plans worth ₹735.70 crore for three ITI clusters in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Telangana.
- With the new approvals, PM-SETU's total sanctioned investment stands at ₹2,171 crore across nine ITI clusters.
- The approvals aim to accelerate the transformation of government ITIs through an industry-led approach, with investments in infrastructure, new courses and training programmes aligned with evolving industry requirements, as stated by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE).
- The 5th National Steering Committee meeting, chaired by MSDE Secretary Debashree Mukherjee, approved ₹241 crore for the Bhiwadi ITI cluster in Rajasthan, ₹254.30 crore for the Medchal cluster in Telangana and ₹240.40 crore for the Meerut cluster in Uttar Pradesh.
- In Rajasthan, H.G. Infra Engineering's plan covers five ITIs, with Government ITI Bhiwadi as the main institute.
- In Telangana, ZEN Technologies' plan covers five ITIs, with Government ITI Medchal as the main institute.
- The Telangana plan was earlier deferred for clarifications on operational and financial aspects.
- In Uttar Pradesh, the National Skill Development Corporation's plan covers five ITIs under the Meerut cluster, with Government ITI, Saket, Meerut as the main institute.
- The approved plans provide for infrastructure modernisation, upgrading existing trades, introducing new long-term and short-term courses and strengthening operational capabilities.
- A Shareholders' Agreement was signed among H.G. Infra Engineering, the Rajasthan government and MSDE for the Bhiwadi cluster.
- Rajasthan has become the first state to execute a Shareholders' Agreement under PM-SETU, marking the formal commencement of implementation activities for the cluster.
- The PM-SETU cluster-based model is intended to strengthen ITIs' capacity to provide skills aligned with emerging technologies, changing industry requirements and evolving employment opportunities.
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The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) approved strategic investment plans worth ₹1,237.58 crore for the upgradation of five Industrial Training Institute (ITI) clusters. The approved clusters are…
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved four rail multitracking projects worth about ₹9,450 crore. The projects will add about 410 km to the Indian Railways network across West Bengal, Odisha, Tamil…
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has granted approval to Carnelian Asset Management & Advisors to launch its mutual fund business. Carnelian Asset Management currently manages over ₹18,300 crore in…
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) approved 31 more applications under the Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS) with a total investment of ₹7,877 crore. These approvals are…
NITI Aayog Launches PACT for Zero-Emission Freight
Key Updates:
- NITI Aayog Member Rajiv Gauba launched the Platform for Aggregating Clean Transport (PACT) and the Zero Emission Truck (ZET) Marketplace at the 5th E-Fast India Summit 2026 in New Delhi.
- Heavy trucks account for only 3-4% of India's vehicle fleet but contribute more than a third of transport-sector carbon emissions.
- Around 70% of India's freight moves by road, and strategic electrification of key freight corridors was called for.
- Only around 800 heavy-duty electric trucks were sold in 2025.
- PACT and the ZET Marketplace aim to address fragmentation among logistics operators, high financing costs and lack of coordinated corridor planning through demand aggregation, financing innovation and corridor-based projectisation.
- Gauba called for blended finance mechanisms, leasing models and stronger data systems to bring the cost of capital for electric trucks closer to that of diesel-powered vehicles.
- The launch builds on government support including production-linked incentive schemes for automobiles and advanced chemistry cells, public charging infrastructure expansion, and demand-side programmes such as FAME, PM E-DRIVE, PARIVARTAN and PM e-Bus Sewa.
- The transition to electric mobility was described as an economic and strategic imperative linked to energy security and India's net zero emissions goal by 2070.
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The National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog released the report 'India's Services Sector: Insights on Regulatory Regime in Professional Services' on August 10, 2026. The report states that professional…
NITI Aayog has estimated that 8.7 crore Indian youth aged 15-29 fall under the NEET category, based on the 78th round of the National Sample Survey conducted in 2021. The NITI Aayog report, titled 'Reimagining Skilling…
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Annpurna Devi to Launch 9th Rashtriya Poshan Maah
Key Updates:
- The Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India, will launch the 9th Rashtriya Poshan Maah 2026 on 9th September 2026 at the Rudraksh International Cooperation and Convention Centre, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
- Union Minister Annpurna Devi will launch the month-long campaign in the presence of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Minister of State Savitri Thakur, and Uttar Pradesh Cabinet Minister Baby Rani Maurya.
- The 9th edition is themed 'Hamari Anganwadi Hamari Jimmedari', urging citizens to take shared ownership of Anganwadi Centres.
- Poshan Maah 2026 draws on revised Supplementary Nutrition Programme (SNP) Guidelines under Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0, which for the first time define Hot Cooked Meals, mandate SNP Menu Boards, and include guidelines for Anganwadi Management Committees.
- The first theme, Dietary Diversity and Adequate Protein, includes live recipe demonstrations, Poshan Melas and a 'Protein-Rich Foods' campaign.
- The second theme promotes Fresh Hot Cooked Meals at Anganwadi Centres with weekly menu rotation using millets, pulses and seasonal vegetables.
- The third theme, Community Ownership and Accountability, drives constitution of Anganwadi Management Committees per Ministry guidelines issued on 25th June 2026, with at least one AMC meeting at every Anganwadi Centre during the month.
- The fourth theme, Nutrition, Early Stimulation and Education for Childhood Development, includes a drive to record developmental milestones of children aged 0–3 years against 34 milestones and celebration of ECCE Day for children aged 3–6 years.
- The fifth theme celebrates Ten Years of Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) with a 100% saturation drive, expedited Direct Benefit Transfers, and a PMMVY Toolkit for States and UTs.
- Poshan Abhiyaan was launched in 2018, and Rashtriya Poshan Maah is observed every September as a Jan Andolan.
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National Nutrition Week is observed annually from September 1 to 7 in India. National Nutrition Week was launched in India in 1982 by the Food and Nutrition Board.
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The Ministry of Women and Child Development approved the upgradation of 2 lakh Anganwadi Centres as Saksham Anganwadis under Mission Poshan 2.0. The upgraded centres will be equipped with LED screens, water filtration…
Assam Govt Signs MoUs with 6 Organisations to Integrate AI in School Education
Key Updates:
- The Assam government has signed MoUs with six organisations to introduce and use Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the state's school education system.
- Assam Education Minister Ranoj Pegu attended the MoU signing ceremony between Samagra Assam and the six organisations.
- The MoU with Google AI will focus on empowering teachers with AI-powered educational tools, digital skills and professional development.
- The IIT Madras and Bodhan AI partnership will build AI proficiency among teachers, with around 1 lakh teachers of Grades 6-12 proposed to be trained by May 2027.
- The LEHS-Wadhwani AI collaboration will strengthen foundational literacy through AI-enabled assessment of students' reading fluency.
- The partnership with Educate Girls will support the identification, enrolment and retention of out-of-school adolescents, particularly girls.
- The collaboration with EkStep-AXL will promote personalised, AI-assisted learning in foundational literacy and numeracy.
- The MoU with Canva Education will foster digital literacy, creativity, design thinking and innovation among teachers and students.
- The tie-ups aim to create a technology-enabled, inclusive and learner-centric education ecosystem.
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The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) and UNESCO Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace and Sustainable Development (UNESCO MGIEP) have partnered to develop AI and immersive learning…
OIL Green Energy (OGEL), the renewables arm of Oil India, signed MoUs with four Haryana municipalities for integrated waste-to-energy projects. The projects will be located in Gurugram, Faridabad, Hisar, and Ambala with…
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 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…
French President Emmanuel Macron Urges European Union (EU)-Wide Ban on Social Media for Children Under 15
Key Updates:
- French President Emmanuel Macron has urged the European Commission to back a European Union (EU)-wide ban on social media for children under 15 after France failed to enact its own legislation.
- Macron made the appeal in a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen dated August 29, saying it had become urgent to introduce a bloc-wide ban through new EU legislation.
- France's Constitutional Council struck down a national social media bill this summer before it was due to take effect in September.
- Macron wrote that a new European legislative text was needed to harmonise a ban on access to social media platforms for children under 15 in order to protect all children across the Union.
- Following Australia's landmark social media ban for children adopted last year, several European countries are considering their own curbs amid growing concern over the impact of social media on young people's mental health and safety.
- Some European countries, especially in Scandinavia, believe decisions on children's social media use are best left to parents.
- Macron, now in his final year as French president, has taken up the cause as a priority before the next French presidential election in 2027 and has been lobbying other EU governments to back restrictions.
- France would separately rework the legislation struck down by the Constitutional Council, though political fragmentation in parliament and difficult budget negotiations could complicate efforts to pass a new law.
- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in July that the EU would move to limit young children's access to social media across the 27-member bloc, citing proposals from two experts recommending a tiered system.
- Under the tiered approach, children under 13 would only be allowed limited, supervised access, with restrictions eased gradually as they get older.
- Macron is seeking a tougher approach, pushing for a blanket ban on social media access until the age of 15, ahead of Von der Leyen's flagship State of the Union speech to the EU parliament later this month.
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France has become the first EU country to pass a social media ban for children under 15. The law requires parental consent and will be phased in starting September 2026, with full effect in January 2027.
The Supreme Court of India passed an interim order on July 24, 2026, barring unauthorized posting of audio-video recordings of judicial proceedings on social media. The order was issued by a bench comprising Chief…
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Seoul Hosts 27th World Knowledge Forum on Artificial Intelligence under 'The Promethean Moment' Theme
Key Updates:
- The 27th World Knowledge Forum opened in Seoul, South Korea, bringing together global political leaders, scientists, technology pioneers and business leaders to examine humanity's future in an era shaped by artificial intelligence.
- The three-day forum is being held at The Shilla Seoul and Jangchung Arena under the theme 'The Promethean Moment: Architecting the Co-Intelligence Order'.
- Former British Prime Minister David Cameron delivered the forum's opening special address.
- Speaker of South Korea's National Assembly Cho Jeong-sik said artificial intelligence has moved beyond the boundaries of technology and is fundamentally changing the way people work and live.
- Cho Jeong-sik cautioned that the rapid rise of AI is creating ethical and social challenges, including job losses, growing inequality and human alienation.
- Cho Jeong-sik said AI must be a tool to expand human potential rather than replace people, likening it to humanity harnessing Prometheus' fire.
- Maekyung Media Group Chairman Chang Dae-whan said the defining challenge of the AI revolution is not technological invention alone but how widely and deeply AI spreads across society.
- Chang Dae-whan announced Maekyung Media Group's ambition for an 'AI Native Korea' where all citizens use AI as fluently as their mother tongue.
- Chang Dae-whan described 'Co-Intelligence' as humans using AI to broaden the horizons of their thinking while AI operates within norms set by humans.
- In his keynote address, David Cameron described a 'double-headed crisis' of an increasingly dangerous world and unstable, populist-driven domestic politics.
- Cameron warned that political instability, economic dislocation, uncontrolled migration and the growing influence of social media are weakening consensus and pushing societies towards greater polarisation.
- Cameron said countries must prioritise both economic and national security, noting there is no national security without economic security.
- Cameron urged leaders to build stronger alliances based on shared values and interests and cautioned against expecting global institutions alone to resolve emerging geopolitical challenges.
- Cameron described South Korea as a global example of how political and economic choices shape national destiny, crediting its rise to democracy, the rule of law and free enterprise economics.
- The forum's international speaker line-up includes Oxford University Emeritus Professor Richard Dawkins, former New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Stanford University Professor Erik Brynjolfsson, former Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt, Google X founder Sebastian Thrun, and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals founder and CEO Leonard Schleifer.
- Drawing on the Greek myth of Prometheus, the forum describes artificial intelligence as the 'fire of the 21st century', a force capable of transforming civilisation while carrying significant risks if left unchecked.
- Under the 'Co-Intelligence' theme, discussions over the three days will focus on five key pillars: Power, Capital, Intelligence, Planet and Humanity.
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Kanishka Narayan was appointed as the United Kingdom's first dedicated Minister for Artificial Intelligence by Prime Minister Andy Burnham in July 2026. He was born in Muzaffarpur, Bihar, and moved to Cardiff, Wales at…
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SPJIMR Ranks 26th Globally in FT MiM 2026
Key Updates:
- S.P. Jain Institute of Management & Research (SPJIMR) rose nine places to rank 26th globally and 2nd in India in the Financial Times Masters in Management (FT MiM) 2026 ranking, up from 35th globally and 3rd in India in 2025.
- SPJIMR ranks 2nd globally for Careers Service and 6th globally for Alumni Network in the FT MiM 2026 ranking.
- SPJIMR ranks 1st in India across Careers Service, Alumni Network, Value for Money, and ESG and Net Zero Teaching.
- SPJIMR has featured among the world's top 50 business schools for the seventh consecutive year.
- In the 2026 ranking, SPJIMR is the second-highest ranked Indian business school, behind IIM Bangalore and ahead of IIM Ahmedabad.
- Five Indian business schools feature in the global top 50 in 2026, compared with four in 2025.
- 14 Indian business schools feature in the FT MiM 2026 global ranking, compared with 11 in 2025.
- SPJIMR recorded an overall satisfaction score of 9.6 out of 10 in the 2026 ranking.
- SPJIMR's global rank for ESG and Net Zero Teaching improved to 28th from 63rd, and Value for Money to 50th from 56th.
- SPJIMR holds the Triple Crown of accreditations from EQUIS, AACSB, and AMBA.
- SPJIMR is ranked 74th globally in the Financial Times Global MBA 2026 ranking for its PGPM programme.
- The FT MiM ranking considers only business schools accredited by AACSB or EQUIS and evaluates criteria including alumni career progress, diversity, international experience, research, ESG teaching, and careers service.
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India is ranked 13th globally in the QS World Future Skills Index 2027 with an overall score of 89.4 out of 100, improving from 25th position in the 2025 pilot edition. The United States of America (USA) topped the…
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United Kingdom Recognises India's Carbon Credit Trading Scheme for Price Relief Under Its Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism
Key Updates:
- The United Kingdom has recognised India's Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS) as a qualifying criterion for pricing relief under its carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM), a move expected to reduce the tax burden on Indian exporters.
- The UK's HM Treasury confirmed the recognition in a communication addressed to the Bureau of Energy Efficiency, Ministry of Power.
- The CCTS has been included in the UK's published indicative list of overseas carbon pricing schemes assessed as qualifying criteria under the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (Calculation of CBAM Rate and Determination of Carbon Price Relief) Regulations 2026.
- India notified the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS) with the objective of reducing, removing, or avoiding greenhouse gas emissions by pricing such emissions through the trading of Carbon Credit Certificates.
- With the recognition, UK importers of eligible Indian goods covered under CBAM can seek carbon price relief corresponding to the effective carbon price borne under CCTS, subject to satisfying evidence and verification requirements prescribed under UK law.
- The recognition will reduce the effective CBAM liability on Indian goods, directly benefiting Indian exporters to the UK.
- The recognition follows sustained technical-level engagement between the two governments on the design and implementation of the CCTS.
- The move reflects the UK CBAM's core principle of avoiding double taxation on goods that have already borne an eligible carbon price in their country of origin.
- Going forward, cooperation on carbon market design and implementation will continue through the UK-India Energy Memorandum of Understanding and the Partnership for Market Implementation.
- The UK government decided in December 2023 to implement its Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, or carbon tax, starting in 2027, under which importers of carbon-intensive products such as iron and steel pay a charge in the UK based on the carbon emissions linked to those goods.
- Experts anticipate that certain Indian exports to the UK, including iron and steel, aluminium, fertiliser, hydrogen, ceramic, glass and cement, may be impacted by Britain's carbon tax from 2027.
- India and the United Kingdom implemented a comprehensive economic and trade partnership on July 15.
- Merchandise trade between India and the UK stood at $25.1 billion in 2025-26, while bilateral services trade reached $35.4 billion in 2024.
- Financial support for the implementation of the CCTS will be met by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency from fees and charges collected from entities under the scheme and its own resources.
- The amount of relief that can be claimed will depend on the effective carbon price to which the goods in question have been subject.
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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…
BRICS nations, including India, China, Russia, South Africa, Brazil, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, UAE and Saudi Arabia, opposed the European Union's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) at the group's 12th…
Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) and Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) signed an MoU to collaborate on biofuels, biomass utilisation, waste-to-resource solutions, and circular economy initiatives. The…
The ICAR-Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute (ICAR-CCARI) and Core CarbonX Solutions Pvt. Ltd. launched the Carbon Pathshala initiative in Goa, India. The workshop titled 'Carbon Pathshala: Voluntary Carbon…
Indian Army Sets Up AASHVAST Lab for Drone Security
Key Updates:
- The Indian Army has launched AASHVAST Labs to identify hidden vulnerabilities in military drones, defence electronics, and critical digital systems.
- AASHVAST stands for Assessment and Analysis of Electronic Systems Hardware for Vulnerabilities and Security Threats.
- The initiative was inaugurated by Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth in Delhi and aims to improve cyber resilience and operational readiness.
- The facility can inspect hardware and software components used in drones, communication systems, sensors, and other defence equipment.
- AASHVAST can identify hidden passwords, embedded digital keys, unauthorized remote-access tools, and suspicious software features.
- The labs can help identify Chinese or other foreign-linked components inserted during manufacturing, maintenance, or supply-chain processes.
- AASHVAST evaluates whether drone systems can resist cyberattacks, GPS spoofing, signal jamming, and hidden software threats.
- The initiative supports India's defence modernisation and indigenisation goals by building a secure and self-reliant defence ecosystem.
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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…
The Indian Army conducted a 13-day tactical training programme for Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel at Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport in Agartala from July 27 to August 8, 2026. The training was organised…
The indigenous Bhargavastra counter-drone system is developed by Solar Defence and Aerospace Ltd (SDAL). Internal trials of the Bhargavastra system are expected to be completed within two to three months.
National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) Hosts APNIC 62 in Mumbai from 4 to 10 September 2026
Key Updates:
- More than 600 Internet experts, policymakers and technology leaders will meet in Mumbai in September for the 62nd APNIC Conference (APNIC 62), organized by the Asia Pacific Network Information Centre (APNIC), the region's not-for-profit Internet number registry.
- APNIC 62 runs from 4 to 10 September 2026 in Mumbai, with technical workshops, conference sessions, policy meetings and community events focused on a secure and resilient Internet in the Asia Pacific.
- The conference is hosted by the National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) and the Internet Service Providers Association of India (ISPAI) with the support of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the Government of Maharashtra.
- Discussions will cover AI-powered services, network automation, cybersecurity, routing security and Internet governance issues, as Artificial Intelligence (AI), cybersecurity and rapidly growing demand for digital services put pressure on the underlying Internet infrastructure.
- Distinguished guests will include Shri S. Krishnan, Secretary, MeitY, Government of India, and Shri Rajesh Aggarwal, Chief Secretary of the Government of Maharashtra.
- Shri Sushil Pal, Joint Secretary, MeitY, said APNIC 62 provides an important platform for India to engage with the Asia Pacific technical community and strengthen collaboration towards an open, inclusive and trusted Internet.
- APNIC Director General Jia Rong Low said AI and other major technical and societal shifts are placing unprecedented demands on the networks that underpin economies and societies.
- Jia Rong Low highlighted India's leadership in IPv6 adoption and called Mumbai a natural place to bring together the Asia Pacific Internet community.
- Dr. Devesh Tyagi, Chief Executive Officer of NIXI, said NIXI is proud to host APNIC 62 in Mumbai at a time when India's digital economy and Internet infrastructure are growing rapidly.
- Rajesh Chharia, President of ISPAI, said India's Internet service providers are at the frontline of meeting rapidly growing demand for reliable, secure and high-performing connectivity, and that APNIC 62 gives operators across the Asia Pacific an opportunity to share practical experience and strengthen technical cooperation.
- The Opening Ceremony will feature keynotes from Lightstorm Group CEO and Managing Director Amajit Gupta on AI-driven network automation and JPCERT/CC's Yukako Uchida on the role of trust and cooperation in cybersecurity.
- On 8 September, on the sidelines of APNIC 62, NIXI and APNIC will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance the deployment of IPv6 and routing security, contributing to the security, resilience and long-term development of India's Internet infrastructure.
- APNIC helps manage Internet addresses and network identifiers across 56 economies in the Asia Pacific region, working with thousands of organizations from major global providers to small community networks.
- APNIC's role is technical rather than regulatory or political, helping the Internet function as a single, interoperable system across borders.
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The 19th Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF) is a biennial festival for non-feature films scheduled from June 15 to 21, 2026. MIFF 2026 received 1,459 film entries from across the world, with the Competition…
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 Union Health Ministry has authorised the Navi Mumbai Airport as a new entry point for pharmaceutical imports into India. The inclusion of the airport was notified by amending Rule 43A of the Drugs Rules.
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…
India and France Inaugurate BAPS Temple in Paris
Key Updates:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the inauguration of the BAPS Swaminarayan Hindu Mandir in Paris as a landmark moment in India-France cultural relations, addressing the gathering through video conference.
- PM Modi said the temple embodies the spirit of universal brotherhood and the ancient Indian philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, and will enrich France's cultural diversity.
- PM Modi paid homage to Param Pujya Pramukh Swami Ji Maharaj, whose vision was to take India's ancient cultural and spiritual traditions to the world, and drew a parallel with the BAPS temple in Abu Dhabi inaugurated earlier in 2024.
- India and France are working together to build a Special Global Strategic Partnership, with cooperation expanding into artificial intelligence, defence, space and climate action.
- The two countries are moving ahead with the upcoming 2026 India-France Year of Innovation.
- PM Modi recalled the contribution of Indian soldiers who fought on French soil and the role of French scholars in popularising Sanskrit, as well as Romain Rolland's writings on Indian mystics and Srila Prabhupada Swami's role through ISKCON in deepening spiritual links.
- The temple represents a synthesis of traditional Indian craftsmanship and contemporary French engineering, with stones sent from India and shaped before integration in France; PM Modi called it truly 'Made in India' and 'Built in France'.
- PM Modi expressed confidence that the Paris centre would become a platform for humanitarian initiatives and a source of India's cultural and spiritual message for people across Europe.
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France is scheduled to inaugurate its first traditional Hindu temple in September. The temple has been crafted in India using stones sourced from India and is being assembled in France.
The Government of India, through Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, launched the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) at Galeries Lafayette in Nice, France. UPI was previously launched at the Eiffel Tower in Paris…
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman commenced a four-day official visit to France on July 1, 2026, to strengthen economic cooperation and the India-France Strategic Partnership. The Finance Minister will co-chair…
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron inaugurated Bharat Innovates 2026, a three-day global deep tech showcase and accelerator initiative organised by India's education ministry in Nice. The…
DAC Approves Rs 1.10 Lakh Crore Defence Procurement for Indian Armed Forces
Key Updates:
- The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on September 7, 2026, approved Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for defence acquisition proposals worth around Rs 1.10 lakh crore.
- The approvals cover requirements of the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force, with about 98% of the procurements expected to be sourced from Indian industry.
- For the Army, the DAC cleared proposals for CBRN reconnaissance vehicles, High Mobility Vehicles, Self-Propelled Mechanical Mine Layers, Advanced Light Helicopters, Trawl Tanks and the Sarvatra Bridge System.
- The CBRN reconnaissance vehicles will detect, identify, monitor and mark areas contaminated by chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear agents.
- The Advanced Light Helicopters will be used by the Army and Air Force for missions across different terrains and operational situations.
- For the Indian Navy, the DAC cleared procurement of Arudhra Radars and the design and development, followed by procurement, of Marine Gas Turbines.
- The Arudhra Radars will replace existing Air Route Surveillance Radars at various Naval Air Stations, while Marine Gas Turbines are used for warship propulsion and their indigenous development will reduce dependence on foreign vendors.
- For the Indian Air Force, the DAC approved Ground-Based Multi-Purpose Jammers to counter adversary radars and the Defence Forces Secure Access Card (DEFSAC) system, which will replace paper-based identity cards with interoperable RFID smart cards.
- An Acceptance of Necessity is an in-principle administrative approval that allows a procurement proposal to move forward but does not amount to signing a contract.
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The Indian Navy is likely to seek a 75 per cent retention rate for Agniveers, while the Indian Army and Indian Air Force (IAF) may seek an increase to 50 per cent from the current 25 per cent. The first batches of…
The second Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) meeting between India and Rwanda was held in New Delhi on July 6-7, 2026. The two nations decided to expand their partnership in the areas of military training…
The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for defence procurement proposals worth approximately ₹52,000 crore. For the Indian Army, the DAC…
The Indian Ministry of Defence signed contracts worth approximately Rs 1,577 crore with Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and NIBE Private Limited for Loiter Munition Systems. The contracts, signed in New Delhi on…
Malaysia Declares Emergency as Serian Haze Index Hits 519
Key Updates:
- Malaysia declared a state of emergency in the Serian district of Sarawak state after thick haze from forest fires in neighbouring Indonesia pushed air pollution to hazardous levels on Friday.
- The Air Pollution Index (API) reached 519 in Serian on Friday, according to government data.
- Malaysian authorities categorise API readings above 300 as hazardous, with a measurement of 500 serving as the threshold for declaring an emergency.
- The emergency declaration was issued by Malaysia's king, Sultan Ibrahim, on the advice of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Sarawak premier Abang Johari Openg.
- Sarawak, on Borneo, has been heavily affected by fires on the Indonesian side of the island, with haze forcing school closures in some parts of the state.
- Sarawak disaster management committee chairman Douglas Uggah Embas said the state had requested an emergency declaration after API readings breached 500.
- The emergency is confined to the Serian district, covering an area of about a 20-kilometre (12.4-mile) radius, with essential services such as supermarkets, petrol stations, and banks expected to continue operating.
- Cloud-seeding operations were being carried out to combat the haze.
- Malaysia is a constitutional monarchy in which the king has a largely ceremonial role, but the monarch can decide whether an emergency should be declared based on grave threats to national security, the economy, or public order.
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The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Food Price Index averaged 131.1 points in July 2026, up from 130.3 in June, marking the highest level since January 2023. The FAO cereal price index rose 3.4% month-on-month…
Ecuador declared a national red alert over the El Nino phenomenon on Saturday, August 29, 2026. Officials said the current El Nino could be the strongest on record.
Wildfires have burned over 107,000 hectares (264,000 acres) of land across Indonesia as of Monday, with 43 helicopters deployed for firefighting. The largest blaze is in Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park in East Java…
Australia Signs Five New Space Industry Partnerships with India
Key Updates:
- Australia and India signed five new industry partnerships covering satellite communications, research and development, and launch and re-entry technologies.
- The agreements were signed over two days during an Australian business delegation's engagement at the 9th edition of the Bengaluru Space Expo.
- One partnership brings together Australian satellite communications company LatConnect 60 and NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL).
- Another partnership involves the University of Western Australia and the Space Industry Association of India (SIA) India for research, development and education collaboration.
- Australian launch and re-entry company Space Machines partnered with Indian companies Angel Technologies, Red Balloon Aerospace and Inbound Aerospace.
- The agreements build on a memorandum of understanding between the Australian Space Agency and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on space cooperation.
- Australia has allocated about AUD 20 million through grants supporting companies collaborating with Indian organisations.
- India-Australia bilateral trade has crossed AUD 50 billion, with Austrade supporting more than 1,400 businesses engaging with India and South Asia over the past year.
- Critical minerals and rare earths have been identified as another emerging area of India-Australia cooperation, including processing, refining and offtake agreements.
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Turkey signed the Artemis Accords, becoming the 71st country to do so. The signing ceremony took place at NASA headquarters in Washington, D.C.
The Indian Space Industry E-Catalogue, India's first comprehensive digital repository of space-sector capabilities, was launched at the India Space Congress (ISC). The platform was developed by the Satcom Industry…
India's private space sector investment crossed $618.5 million as of March 31, 2026, growing nearly six-fold from $100.5 million in 2021-22. Private investment worth $187 million was reported in 2026 alone.
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…
India Joins Global 6G Network Initiative
Key Updates:
- India has joined the United States and 24 other nations in a global initiative to guide the development and deployment of next-generation 6G telecommunications networks, the US Department of Commerce announced on Monday.
- The initiative is focused on developing secure, competitive and innovative 6G networks.
- The agreement was finalised following a bilateral meeting between US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada on the sidelines of the G20 Innovation Ministerial.
- The 6G effort seeks to ensure next-generation networks reflect shared security interests, strengthen competitiveness, and drive innovation in 6G, according to the US Department of Commerce.
- Jitin Prasada led the Indian delegation at the G20 Innovation Ministers' meeting held on September 1 and September 2 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States.
- The G20 Innovation Ministers' meeting was hosted by the US Department of Commerce and the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP).
- Prasada was accompanied by Ajit Kumar, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), along with senior officials from MeitY, the Department of Science and Technology (DST), the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), and officials of the Embassy of India in the US.
- At the conclusion of the Ministerial, the G20 Ministers released an Innovation Ministerial Statement recognising that emerging technologies have the potential to unlock prosperity, enhance productivity, and expand opportunity.
- During the bilateral discussion with Howard Lutnick, US Secretary of Commerce, both sides exchanged views on strengthening cooperation across semiconductors, AI and data centres.
- Prasada encouraged the possibility of more US investments in ISM2.0, proposed strengthening the AI technology partnership, and shared a mechanism for safeguards for AI.
- Prasada stated on X that semiconductors, AI and data centres are critical building blocks of the emerging digital economy.
- Both sides examined avenues to deepen practical collaboration and advance technology-led opportunities between India and the United States.
- The engagements underscored India's growing role in shaping the global technology and innovation agenda and reaffirmed its commitment to building strategic partnerships that translate advances in AI, semiconductors, DPI, robotics and other emerging technologies into innovation, economic growth and improved quality of life for its citizens.
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WAE Limited, an Indian sustainability-led water technology and engineering company, has joined the United Nations Global Compact Network India (UNGCNI). WAE develops next-generation water infrastructure including…
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has signed a multi-million, multi-year deal with ABB to transform its global network operations. The deal marks a 20-year partnership milestone between TCS and ABB.
The European Union (EU) and three nations, namely Germany, Greece, and the Netherlands, joined Pax Silica, a United States-led initiative. Pax Silica aims to secure artificial intelligence (AI) supply chains, including…
Supreme Court Sets November 30 Deadline for Aravalli Panel
Key Updates:
- The Supreme Court rejected a six-month extension sought by its high-powered committee on the Aravallis and directed it to submit its final report by November 30, 2026.
- Chief Justice of India Surya Kant questioned whether the committee was 'waiting for his retirement'; he is due to demit office on February 9, 2027.
- The Bench, also comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana, said no further extension would be granted and asked the panel to 'work day and night'.
- The five-member committee is headed by Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education Director General Kanchan Devi.
- The committee must evolve a uniform definition of the ecologically fragile Aravalli hills and range and recommend measures to regulate future mining.
- The court asked the committee to submit interim reports on issues requiring immediate consideration and to hear all stakeholders, including tribal communities in Rajasthan and Gujarat.
- The matter will be heard next on December 2, by which time the final report is expected.
- The Aravalli range forms a natural barrier between the arid desert regions in the northwest and the fertile northern plains.
- The Supreme Court has been regulating mining in the region since 2002.
- A 2018 Forest Survey of India report recorded the disappearance of 31 hillocks across nearly 3,000 sites in Rajasthan and Haryana due to illegal mining.
- In November 2025, the Supreme Court accepted a definition proposed by an eight-member committee headed by the Union Environment Secretary: a landform rising 100 metres or more above local relief qualifies as an Aravalli hill, and two or more such hills within 500 metres constitute the Aravalli range.
- The definition triggered concern that large parts of the Aravalli landscape could fall outside its ambit and be opened to mining.
- On December 29, 2025, the Supreme Court took suo motu cognisance of these concerns, kept its November order in abeyance, and barred new mining leases and renewals.
- In May, the court constituted the high-powered committee for a scientific assessment of the Aravalli landscape and to examine ecological consequences of mining and development.
- In its interim report submitted on August 31, 2026, the committee said the Aravallis could not be adequately defined on the basis of a single terrain or elevation criterion.
- The committee is assessing spatial, ecological, geological, hydrological, and socio-economic factors along with stakeholder inputs.
- The committee comprises Brij Mohan Singh Rathore, Ashok K. Bhatnagar, Subhash Ashutosh, and Rajendra Kumar Sharma, with Professors Jagdish Krishnaswamy and Laxmikant Sharma as special invitees.
- The Aravalli Virasat Jan Abhiyaan (AVJA) criticised the court's refusal to grant the extension, alleging inadequate public consultations and no visits to villages affected by illegal mining.
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The Supreme Court directed states to raise the retirement age of judicial officers in district judiciary from 60 to 62 years. The move aims to address the backlog of 5.18 crore pending cases in district courts.
The Supreme Court of India, on August 4, 2026, extended mandatory third-party insurance cover for new cars to four years and for new two-wheelers to six years. The court directed the Insurance Regulatory and Development…
The Supreme Court asked 19 remaining states and Union territories to declare cancer a notifiable disease. 17 states and UTs have already notified cancer as a notifiable disease.
The Supreme Court delivered a 5:4 verdict on August 21, 2026, refining the 'industry' test under the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947. The verdict was given by a nine-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice of…
Astrogate Labs Develops India's First Indigenous OISL Terminal
Key Updates:
- Bengaluru-based deep-tech company Astrogate Labs is developing India's first indigenous Optical Inter-Satellite Link (OISL) terminal, targeting flight readiness in 2027.
- The company unveiled its OISL capability and demonstrated AstroLink Micro, its 10 Gbps laser communication terminal, at Bengaluru Space Expo 2026, held from 7-9 September at BIEC.
- Astrogate Labs has supplied an indigenously developed satellite-to-ground laser communication terminal to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), making it the only Indian company to deliver this technology to the national space agency.
- The company's space-to-ground laser communication terminals have reached TRL 8, meaning they are complete and qualified for flight.
- Astrogate completed cross-compatibility testing with the University of Western Australia's TeraNet mobile optical ground station, confirming interoperability with international ground infrastructure.
- OISL technology allows satellites to communicate directly with one another, moving data across a constellation before it is routed to Earth.
- SpaceX's 2025 Starlink progress report describes more than 13,000 bidirectional laser links operating as an optical mesh in orbit.
- Astrogate is targeting three markets with the terminal: satellite backhaul, sovereign defence constellations and orbital compute.
- The core building blocks of the OISL terminal, including the Pointing, Acquisition and Tracking (PAT) system, optical modem, stabilized coarse tracking gimbals and system-level integration, were developed and validated for the company's space-to-ground terminals.
- Astrogate Labs is headquartered in Bengaluru with an office in Durham, England, and is led by Founder & CEO Nitish K. Singh and Co-Founder & CTO Jayaraman Yogeshwaran.
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The CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT) has developed India's first indigenous process technology for manufacturing hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs). CSIR-IICT developed a technology platform for the…
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…
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 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…
Agnikul Cosmos Opens New Testing Units in Chennai
Key Updates:
- Spacetech startup Agnikul Cosmos inaugurated two new units at its Assembly & Testing Facility in Chennai.
- The new units are the Stage Testing & Inspection Facility (STIF) and the Pressurant Tank Realization, Over-wrapping and Outfitting Facility (PROOF).
- Astronaut and Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla inaugurated the facilities.
- STIF is a fully in-house facility for testing reusable rocket stages under flight-like operating conditions.
- STIF also supports post-flight inspection and requalification of recovered stages.
- PROOF enables in-house manufacturing of pressure vessels, which hold gases or liquids at a pressure significantly different from the outside environment.
- The new facility can produce more than 10 vessels a month, including vessels of up to 3,500 litres and 350 bar.
- Srinath Ravichandran, Co-founder and CEO of Agnikul Cosmos, said STIF enables testing of complete stages for the duration of their mission and requalification of recovered stages, while PROOF advances end-to-end in-house quality control.
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S. Somanath, former Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), joined the Board of Directors of Agnikul Cosmos as an observer. Agnikul Cosmos is a Chennai-based spacetech startup.
The Tamil Nadu government signed 97 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) involving over ₹67,452 crore investment at the Vettri Tamil Nadu Investment Conclave 2026. The MoUs were exchanged in the presence of Chief Minister…
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…
Agnikul Cosmos (Agnikul) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Finnish space technology firm ICEYE to build, launch, and operate Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Earth observation systems from India. SAR…
New Legless Amphibian Discovered in Maharashtra
Key Updates:
- Scientists have discovered a new species of legless, worm-like amphibian named Gegeneophis chandgadi from a rural village in Maharashtra.
- The discovery was made during field surveys in August 2025 in Buzawade village, in the Chandgad region of the northern Western Ghats.
- The research team included scientists from the Zoological Survey of India, Yashwantrao Chavan Mahavidyalaya Halkarni, Savitribai Phule Pune University, and Mhadei Research Centre.
- The new species was found beneath wood piles and damp leaf litter close to human homes, and residents reported the creatures are commonly unearthed by domestic chickens.
- The discovery was confirmed using DNA barcoding and detailed physical inspections, with genetic comparison to known species like Gegeneophis mhadeiensis proving it a unique lineage.
- Gegeneophis chandgadi is distinguished by its slender, flesh-colored body and a pattern of rings (annuli), with secondary rings concentrated only on the back half of its body.
- The species is named after the 'Chandgadi language,' a distinct dialect of Marathi spoken in the region where it was found.
- Researchers noted the northern Western Ghats is a hotspot for caecilians, with at least four other unknown lineages possibly awaiting formal naming.
- The team recommends listing the new species as Data Deficient until further surveys determine its population and range.
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The Maharashtra Forest Department and Resqink Association for Wildlife Welfare (RAWW) launched Project STRIPES (Star Tortoise Repatriation Initiative Protecting Endangered Species) to rehabilitate trafficked Indian Star…
The newly described spider, nicknamed the 'ballista spider', was discovered in the rainforests of far north Queensland, Australia. The spider uses a silk-powered trap that launches prey with accelerations reaching up to…
Astronomers discovered a new millisecond pulsar using the Murchison Widefield Array (MWA). The discovery was made as part of the Southern-sky MWA Rapid Two-metre SMART survey.
Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) scientists discovered two new spider species: Simonia lawbah from Meghalaya and Hamataliwa papikonda from Andhra Pradesh. Simonia lawbah, found in the Krem Lawbah cave, measures less than…
Tata Boeing Aerospace Delivers 400th Apache Fuselage
Key Updates:
- Tata Boeing Aerospace Limited (TBAL), a joint venture between Boeing and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), rolled out its 400th fuselage for the AH-64E Apache attack helicopter from its Hyderabad facility.
- The TBAL manufacturing facility in Hyderabad spans 52,000 square metres.
- The fuselages are manufactured entirely in India and integrated into Apache aircraft supplied to customers worldwide, including the US Army.
- Six Apache helicopters were delivered to the Indian Army in 2025, while the Indian Air Force currently operates 22 AH-64E Apache helicopters.
- Established in 2016, TBAL employs more than 750 engineers and technicians using advanced robotics, automation and aerospace manufacturing technologies.
- TASL signed an MoU last week with the Javelin Joint Venture, a partnership between Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, for co-production of the Javelin All Up Round (AUR) missile in India.
- Under the Javelin agreement, sub-assembly kits will be manufactured at Lockheed Martin's facility in Troy, Alabama, and guidance electronics units at Raytheon's facility in Tucson, Arizona, before final assembly in India.
- The parties intend to explore setting up a dedicated final assembly and integration facility in India with local component manufacturing to support the Indo-Pacific region.
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Tata Elxsi Limited and Sarla Aviation signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly develop the Shunya, a six-seater plus pilot electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. Tata Elxsi will provide…
Munitions India Limited (MIL), a Defence Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Defence, signed an MoU with Drogo Aerospace Private Limited for collaboration in design, development and integration of indigenous…
MIDHANI became the first Indian company to secure GE Aerospace's S400 approval for its metallic-material testing laboratory. The S400 approval qualifies the laboratory for a wide range of chemical, mechanical and…
Airbus has awarded Mahindra Aerostructures a multi-year contract to manufacture and supply fuselage skins for A320neo and A321XLR aircraft. The fuselage skins will be used for the rear fuselage and tail sections of the…
Pixxel Raises $100 Million to Expand Space Infrastructure
Key Updates:
- Indian space startup Pixxel has raised $100 million in Series C funding to expand beyond hyperspectral Earth observation.
- The funding round was led by Temasek and Seraphim Space, with new investors including 360 ONE Asset and IMM Invest participating.
- The Bengaluru-based company will use the capital to develop new sensing technologies, advanced software and sovereign space systems.
- Pixxel was founded seven years ago by Awais Ahmed and Kshitij Khandelwal while they were students.
- Pixxel has launched what it says are the world's highest-resolution commercial hyperspectral satellites.
- The company has worked with NASA, the US National Reconnaissance Office and the Indian Air Force.
- Hyperspectral satellites capture information across hundreds of narrow spectral bands to detect changes not visible in conventional imagery.
- Pixxel aims to build 'planetary infrastructure' combining satellite constellations with software that turns Earth observation data into actionable intelligence.
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The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) launched its USD 4.3 billion Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The telescope is headed to…
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…
India celebrates National Space Day 2026 on August 23, 2026, marking the third annual celebration of the country's space achievements. The day commemorates the soft landing of the Vikram lander of Chandrayaan-3 on the…
Amazon announced an additional $13 billion investment to expand artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud infrastructure in India by 2030. The total planned investment for 2026-2030 is $48 billion, bringing the cumulative…
International Vulture Day 2026 – September 5
Key Updates:
- International Vulture Awareness Day falls on the first Saturday of September each year.
- The Union Environment Minister led the International Vulture Awareness Day 2026 celebrations on 6 September 2026.
- India's Gyps vulture populations collapsed from tens of millions to near extinction from the mid-1990s.
- The cause of the collapse was diclofenac, a painkiller given to cattle.
- Vultures that fed on treated carcasses suffered fatal kidney failure.
- India banned the veterinary use of diclofenac in 2006.
- Later restrictions targeted other toxic veterinary drugs such as aceclofenac and ketoprofen.
- The Vulture Action Plan guides recovery through captive breeding and safe zones.
- Conservation breeding runs at centres such as the one at Pinjore, Haryana.
- Several Indian vulture species remain Critically Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.
- Vultures are scavengers that clear carcasses.
- The loss of vultures raised feral dog numbers and disease risk.
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International Day of Charity 2026 is observed on September 5. The date marks the death anniversary of Mother Teresa, who died on September 5, 1997.
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…
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…
International Literacy Day is observed annually on September 8. The theme for International Literacy Day 2026 is "Literacy for people, the planet and prosperity."
India's 4 More Heritage Sites Added to UNESCO Tentative List, taking India's total to 73
Key Updates:
- Four more properties were added to India's UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List, bringing the total number of Indian properties on the list to 73.
- The 73 properties include 53 cultural, three mixed and 17 natural properties.
- The four new sites are the Colonial Penal Settlement of Andaman Islands, Nicobarese Cultural Continuity in the Central Group of Nicobar Islands, Rangpur-Sivasagar Historic Ensemble and The Painted Haveli Towns of Shekhawati.
- The additions span the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Assam and Rajasthan.
- The Tentative List is the first mandatory stage in UNESCO's World Heritage nomination process, and a country cannot submit a property for the World Heritage List unless it is first on its Tentative List.
- The Colonial Penal Settlement of Andaman Islands comprises Cellular Jail, Viper Island, Chatham Island and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Island, formerly Ross Island.
- The Cellular Jail, completed in 1906, became a powerful symbol of colonial repression and India's freedom struggle.
- The Nicobarese Cultural Continuity property is recorded under UNESCO cultural criteria (iii), (v) and (vi).
- The Rangpur-Sivasagar Historic Ensemble in Assam's Sivasagar district represents the Ahom Kingdom's achievements, including Talatal Ghar and Rang Ghar, and was submitted to the Tentative List on 19 June 2026.
- The Painted Haveli Towns of Shekhawati is a serial nomination covering 14 towns in the Jhunjhunu, Churu and Sikar districts of Rajasthan, built largely between the 18th and early 20th centuries.
- Assam's World Heritage profile grew following the inscription of the Moidams in 2024.
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The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Committee held its 48th session at the Busan Exhibition and Convention Center (BEXCO) in Busan, South Korea, concluding on July…
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has declared Gollala Gudi in Palampet, Mulugu district, Telangana, a site of national importance. This brings the total number of ASI-protected sites to 10.
Mizoram has declared 79 monuments and archaeological sites as State Protected Monuments. The 79 sites were declared protected under the Mizoram Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 2001.
The Rangpur-Sivasagar Historic Ensemble was added to India's UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List on 5 September 2026. India's Permanent Mission to UNESCO submitted the nomination for the ensemble on 19 June 2026.
VP C. P. Radhakrishnan Releases Books on ‘Bhupen Hazarika’ and ‘Assamese Lexicography’
Key Updates:
- Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan released the book 'Bhupen Hazarika: Hundred Years of a Wandering Songs', edited by Ankuran Dutta and Nani Gopal Mahanta, marking Bhupen Hazarika's centenary.
- He also released the fifth revised and enlarged edition of 'Chandrakanta Abhidhan', an Assamese lexicon.
- The book release took place at a programme at Gauhati University on September 7, 2026, where the Vice-President described Assam-Tamil literary exchanges as an expression of India's cultural unity.
- The programme was attended by Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Education Minister Ranoj Pegu, Chief Secretary Ravi Kota and Gauhati University Vice-Chancellor Nani Gopal Mahanta.
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The Publications Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, won seven honours at the Federation of Indian Publishers (FIP) Excellence in Book Production Awards 2026. The awards comprised…
Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan released the book titled Sanskritir Ratna Bhandar: Bhaowaiyar Itibritto (Bhawaiya: A Cultural Treasure and Its Historical Journey) at Uprashtrapati Bhavan. The book is co-authored by…
The Kannada and English editions of the book 'Memorable Trials, Unforgettable Cases' were released in Shivamogga, Karnataka. The book was written by former Karnataka High Court judge H.N. Nagamohan Das.
Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan released the book 'Sankalp Se Siddhi Ka Modi Yug' on August 27, 2026 at Uprashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi. The book is authored by Rajya Sabha MP Ghanshyam Tiwari.
Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan Releases Commemorative Postage Stamp Marking 75 Years of Dinamalar in Chennai
Key Updates:
- Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan released a commemorative postage stamp and first-day cover in Chennai to mark the 75th anniversary of newspaper Dinamalar.
- The stamp release event was held at the Valluvar Kottam auditorium in Nungambakkam, Chennai.
- Dinamalar, founded on September 6, 1951 in Thiruvananthapuram, completed 75 years of publication on Friday.
- The programme began with Vande Mataram, the National Anthem and Tamil Thai Vazhthu.
- Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan, Chennai City Region Postal Director Major Manoj, Dinamalar Madurai publisher L. Ramasubbu, and Tirunelveli-Nagercoil publisher Jayasree Vaidyanathan lit the ceremonial lamp.
- Associate Editor R. Krishnamurthy delivered the welcome address, followed by the screening of a documentary on the newspaper's 75-year journey.
- Journalist Rangaraj Pandey spoke about the publication and its evolution.
- Dinamalar Coimbatore edition publisher L. Adhimoolam presented a shawl and memento to the Vice President, while Vellore edition publisher R.R. Gopalji honoured Major Manoj.
- In his address, Radhakrishnan described Dinamalar as a touchstone of truth, saying that running a newspaper is difficult and maintaining neutrality is even harder.
- Radhakrishnan said the presence of leaders from different political parties at the event reflected the publication's standing, and expressed pleasure at releasing the special stamp.
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The Department of Posts released a commemorative postage stamp to mark the birth centenary of Satish Gujral. The stamp was unveiled by Union Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia at Bikaner House, New Delhi.
Vice President CP Radhakrishnan released a book titled Agatthiyar – The Unifier. The book release event took place at Uprashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.
Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan released the book 'Sankalp Se Siddhi Ka Modi Yug' on August 27, 2026 at Uprashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi. The book is authored by Rajya Sabha MP Ghanshyam Tiwari.
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…
PM Modi Inaugurates Rs 35,000 Crore Projects in Vadodara
Key Updates:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated, dedicated and laid foundation stones for development projects worth more than Rs 35,000 crore in Vadodara, including key sections of the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC), railway and highway projects.
- The event marked the completion of the 2,800-km Dedicated Freight Corridor, which Modi described as a very historic achievement for 21st-century India.
- The three newly completed WDFC sections span 326 route kilometres and were developed at a cost of more than Rs 20,700 crore.
- The completed WDFC sections are New Sanand (N)-New Makarpura, New Umbergaon-New Saphale and New Saphale-New JNPT.
- Direct connectivity to Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) is expected to enable faster movement of export-import cargo, improve links between industrial centres and ports, lower logistics costs and help decongest Mumbai's railway network.
- Modi flagged off freight train services from New Sanand (North), New Makarpura, New Umbergaon and New JNPT in Mumbai.
- A new passenger train service between Tanda Road and Vadodara (Pratapnagar) was flagged off.
- The Jobat-Tanda Road new rail line, developed as part of the Chhota Udepur-Dhar project, was dedicated to the nation and will connect remote and tribal areas of Alirajpur with the national rail network.
- Modi said the idea for the freight corridor was initiated in 2004, the company was established in 2006, but work remained stalled in files for 14 years.
- Modi laid the foundation stone for three railway projects spanning 329 kilometres at a cost of more than Rs 9,700 crore.
- The railway projects include the third and fourth lines between Vadodara and Ratlam, gauge conversion of the Miyagam Karjan-Choranda-Malsar section and doubling of the Vishwamitri-Dabhoi line.
- Modi laid the foundation stone for three National Highway projects costing around Rs 1,780 crore.
- The highway projects include six-laning of the Kamrej-Chalthan section of NH-48, additional structures including major bridges over the Tapi and Narmada on the Vadodara-Surat section of NH-48, and grade-separated structures at Abhava, Mindhola and Khajod junctions on NH-53.
- Foundation stones were laid for and various Gujarat government projects worth around Rs 2,600 crore were inaugurated.
- Gujarat projects include Phase II of the Vadodara Urban Development Authority Ring Road, a 110 MW floating solar project at Kadana Dam and a new office building for the Vadodara Municipal Corporation.
- Projects inaugurated include housing developments under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) and a water-supply project covering 11 villages in eastern Vadodara.
- Modi addressed the 'NaMo for Viksit Bharat' event, saying the projects were part of a broader push to accelerate India's development journey towards a Viksit Bharat.
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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…
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Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated seven infrastructure projects worth ₹427.80 crore at Paradip Port Authority. The ₹352-crore capital dredging project enabled Paradip Port to…
Kashmir Hosts Inaugural International Film Festival
Key Updates:
- Kashmir hosted its first-ever four-day international film festival, beginning September 7, 2026, in Srinagar.
- The festival opened with the screening of the Lebanese film 'Dead Dog', directed by Sarah Francis, at the Inox theatre in Srinagar's Shiv Pora area.
- A total of 135 films from 41 countries will be screened at venues including SKICC and Inox in Srinagar, Gulmarg, and Jammu city.
- Around 1,100 entries were received, of which 135 were shortlisted, including more than 60 foreign films.
- Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah called the festival 'a new chapter in the long-standing relationship between J&K and cinema' and highlighted Kashmir's potential as a global filmmaking destination.
- The festival was inaugurated by Jammu & Kashmir Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo and Directorate of Information and Public Relations director Shreya Singhal.
- India leads country-wise participation with 64 films, followed by France with 13 and Iran with eight.
- The jury comprises filmmakers Santosh Sivan, Dorothee Wenner, Keiko Bang, Sriram Raghavan, and Himansu Sekhar Khatua.
- The 'best film' award carries a top prize of ₹25 lakh, while 'best director' and 'best debut film of a director' carry ₹15 lakh each.
- A distinctive feature of the festival is a floating screen on the waters of Dal Lake near SKICC.
- The event is tipped to be the second major event in the valley after the 3rd G20 Tourism Working Group Meeting held in Srinagar in 2023.
- All 15 cinema halls in Kashmir had closed down in the wake of militancy over three decades; the first multiplex to reopen was in 2022 after 23 years.
- Hindi films such as 'Junglee' (1961), 'Kashmir ki Kali' (1964), 'Jab Jab Phool Khile', and 'Arzoo' were shot in Kashmir, making it a favourite destination in the 1960s.
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The 19th Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF) is a biennial festival for non-feature films scheduled from June 15 to 21, 2026. MIFF 2026 received 1,459 film entries from across the world, with the Competition…
The first Steering Committee meeting for the 57th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) was held in New Delhi on August 21, 2026. The meeting was chaired by Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Dr L…
The 72nd National Film Awards (NFA) ceremony will be held in Kevadia, Gujarat, shifting from its traditional venue at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. The ceremony is scheduled for September 22, and President of India…
Influential Carnatic Musician S. R. Janakiraman Passed Away
Key Updates:
- S. R. Janakiraman, a doyen in the Carnatic music field, passed away on 4th September 2026.
- He was known for giving his knowledge freely to everyone and was compared to Guru Dakshinamurthy for his generosity as a teacher.
- He was regarded as one of the great musicologists and music communicators of the 20th century, alongside Dr. S. Ramanathan.
- He used lecture demonstrations as the medium to communicate his research and ideas to students of music.
- He gave many concerts featuring rarely sung songs and had an extensive repertoire of rare pieces.
- Despite reverence for his gurus, he formed his own conclusions and stated his theories in unambiguous language.
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Chandrashekhar Shilpi, a national award-winning sculptor, passed away on August 15, 2026, in Kalaburagi, Karnataka. He was admitted to a private hospital on August 13, 2026, with pneumonia and suffered a severe heart…
Gaurang Vyas, a renowned Gujarati music composer, passed away at the age of 87 in Ahmedabad. He was the son of music composer Avinash Vyas.
Kailash Chandra Pant, a Hindi writer and journalist, died at the age of 90 on July 31, 2026, due to cardiac arrest. He was born on April 26, 1936, in Mhow, Indore district, Madhya Pradesh.
Glen Hansard, an Oscar-winning Irish musician, died at the age of 56 in a motorbike crash in Dublin. He was the lead singer of the rock band The Frames.
Athira Suresh Joins Indian Army as Lieutenant
Key Updates:
- Lieutenant Athira Suresh of Kozhikode, Kerala, was commissioned into the Indian Army on September 5, 2026, at the Officers Training Academy (OTA) in Gaya.
- She was commissioned during OTA Gaya's 29th passing-out parade, where 253 officer cadets, including 218 men and 35 women, completed the Short Service Commission (Technical) course.
- Combined with a simultaneous parade at OTA Chennai, the Army commissioned 595 new officers that day, including 64 women.
- Before joining the Army, Athira Suresh worked at ExxonMobil as a Project Controls Engineer after completing a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from the National Institute of Technology Calicut.
- Her father, Naik Suresh, served in the Corps of Signals before joining the Railway Protection Force, and both her grandfathers, Gangadharan Nayar and the late Velayudhan Nayar, also served in the Army.
- She cleared the Services Selection Board on her first attempt and joined OTA Gaya as an officer cadet on the SSC Technical (Women) course.
- The passing-out parade was reviewed by Lieutenant General Le Van Huong, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army, and parents of the newly commissioned officers received the Gaurav Padak.
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The Indian Army expressed readiness to set up training centres for youth in various district headquarters of Telangana. Lieutenant General C Rajesh Pushkar, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Southern Command…
Indian Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth received the honorary rank of General of the Nepali Army from Nepal President Ram Chandra Paudel in Kathmandu. The honour was conferred during his three-day official visit to Nepal…
The Ladakh Scouts Regimental Centre of the Indian Army won the 6th Lieutenant Governor's Cup Horse Polo Tournament. The tournament was held at the Goshan International Polo Stadium in Drass.
He assumed command as General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Southern Command, succeeding Lieutenant General Sandeep Jain who became Vice Chief of the Army Staff. He is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy (NDA)…
Malayalam Filmmaker R Sarath Dies at 65
Key Updates:
- Malayalam filmmaker R Sarath died at the age of 65 at a private hospital in Trivandrum while undergoing treatment for health-related ailments.
- His best-known film Sayahnam (2000) won the Indira Gandhi Award and received seven Kerala State Film Awards that year.
- His 2011 film The Desire – A Journey of a Woman won the Best Narrative Feature Film award at the Geneva International Film Festival.
- He directed short films including Achinte Katha, Chumar Chithrangal, Bhoomikkoru Charama Geetham and Mahatma Gandhi Road, and made a documentary on the paintings of Raja Ravi Varma that received international attention.
- He was also a mural artist and received the Central Government's Junior Fellowship; his project Burial of Dreams dealt with the Bhopal gas tragedy.
- Born in Vilakkudy in Kollam district, he worked as a journalist with Kerala Kaumudi and later retired in 2021 as Deputy Director of the Kerala government's Public Relations Department.
- He is survived by his wife and two sons, and the Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA) Directors' Union condoled his death.
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Raja Sen, a three-time National Film Award-winning Bengali filmmaker, died at the age of 71. He died at SSKM Hospital in Kolkata after a prolonged illness.
Filmmaker Kuku Kohli died at the age of 77 following a heart attack. He was best known for directing the 1991 film Phool Aur Kaante, which marked the acting debut of Ajay Devgn.
Veteran actor Sowcar Janaki died on August 21, 2026, at the age of 94 in Chennai. She was hospitalised at Kauvery Hospital in Chennai before her death.
Veteran actor Pradeep Rawat died at the age of 74 after battling blood cancer. He was known for his performances in Ghajini, Lagaan and Mahabharat.
Dr Vinaya Prakash Singh Re-elected as Secretary-General of APPU for Second Term
Key Updates:
- Dr Vinaya Prakash Singh, a 1988-batch Indian Postal Service officer, has been re-elected as Secretary-General of the Asian-Pacific Postal Union (APPU) for a second consecutive four-year term.
- He was elected unopposed by acclamation during the 14th APPU Congress in Bangkok on September 4, 2026.
- His second term will begin in January 2027 and run through December 2030.
- The APPU, headquartered in Bangkok, is an intergovernmental organisation of 32 member countries and functions as a regional union of the Universal Postal Union (UPU).
- Dr Singh first assumed the APPU Secretary-General's position in January 2023, following his election at the 13th APPU Congress in 2022.
- He has held senior positions including Member, Postal Services Board; Senior Deputy Director General, Department of Posts; Chief Vigilance Officer, Department of Posts; Chief Postmaster General, Uttar Pradesh Circle; and Chief General Manager, India Post Headquarters.
- He was a Gold Medallist in Modern History from the University of Allahabad and earned a Ph.D. in Management from the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi.
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Hakainde Hichilema was re-elected as President of Zambia for a second five-year term, receiving about 61.4 percent of valid votes. Election Commission chairperson Mwangala Zaloumis declared Hichilema president-elect on…
Tushar Mehta was re-appointed as Solicitor General (SG) for a period of three years or until further orders by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC). The ACC extended the tenure of Additional Solicitor Generals…
Ülle Madise was elected as the next President of Estonia by the Riigikogu (Estonian Parliament) on 2 September 2026. She received 71 votes in a secret ballot, surpassing the required two-thirds majority of 68 votes in…
The Centre appointed Justice Sanjay Kumar Agrawal as the chief justice of the Rajasthan High Court. The appointment was made amid allegations of corruption, nepotism, favouritism and misuse of administrative powers…
DoSJ&E Appointed Bhagwat Prasad Makwana as Chairperson of NCSK
Key Updates:
- The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment (DoSJ&E) appointed Bhagwat Prasad Makwana as Chairperson of the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK).
- Kaishab Bihari was appointed Vice-Chairperson of the NCSK.
- Manoj Kumar Balmiki, Sushma Gaudiyal and Ravi Ramu Kalose were appointed Members of the NCSK, with Sushma Gaudiyal serving as a returning Member.
- All the appointments run up to 31 March 2028, matching the remaining tenure of the present Commission.
- The NCSK is a non-statutory body that exists by executive decision since the 1993 Act lapsed in 2004, which is why its term must be extended periodically.
- Safai karamcharis are persons engaged in or employed for manually cleaning, carrying, disposing of or handling human excreta or sanitation waste, whose rights the Commission is mandated to safeguard.
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Deepti Gaur Mukerjee, a 1993-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Madhya Pradesh cadre, has been appointed Secretary of the Department of Higher Education. She was serving as Secretary, Ministry of…
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has appointed Saibal Chattopadhyay as the Chairperson of the National Statistical Commission (NSC). Shubhabrata Das, Satyendra Bahadur Singh, and Madhavan Mukund have been…
On July 17, 2026, the Centre appointed Harjit Singh Grewal as the chairperson of the National Commission for Minorities (NCM). Munawari Begum was appointed as vice-chairperson and Glenn E Souza Ticlo as a member of the…
Konda Surekha was removed from the Telangana cabinet as minister for endowments and forests by Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on September 3, 2026. The removal was on disciplinary grounds after her daughter Konda…
Key Updates:
- Spain and Atletico Madrid footballer Marcos Llorente announced his retirement from international football, a little over a month after winning the FIFA World Cup with Spain.
- The 31-year-old Llorente was an unused substitute during Spain's 1-0 victory over Argentina in extra time in the World Cup final in East Rutherford on July 19.
- He made appearances in Spain's group-stage games against Cape Verde and Uruguay, and came on as a substitute in the 2-0 semifinal win over France under coach Luis de la Fuente.
- Llorente made his Spain debut in 2020 and represented the country 27 times.
- He was a member of the Spain squad at the European Championships in 2021 and the World Cup in 2022.
- Llorente said his decision to retire from the national team was already made regardless of whether he had gone to the World Cup or won it.
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Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international football seven weeks after Argentina lost to Spain in the World Cup final in the US. Messi's last international match was the World Cup final against Spain.
Neymar announced his retirement from the Brazil national football team on July 5, 2026, following the team's exit from the World Cup. The 34-year-old player made his final appearance during a 2-1 loss to Norway in the…
Nicolás Otamendi announced his retirement from international football after a 17-year career. He made 139 appearances for Argentina.
Mohun Bagan's Lallianzuala Chhangte was named Indian Player of the Year at the FPAI Indian Football Awards 2026. Manisha Kalyan won the Indian Women's Player of the Year award.
Jharkhand Minister Sudivya Kumar Sonu Passed Away
Key Updates:
- Sudivya Kumar Sonu, Jharkhand Minister for Higher and Technical Education, Urban Development, Housing, Tourism, Art and Culture, and Sports and Youth Affairs, passed away following a heart attack.
- He was a senior leader of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and represented Giridih as a legislator.
- He died at Mercy Hospital in Giridih after his health suddenly deteriorated late Saturday night; he had been rushed to the hospital after complaining of chest pain at his residence in Harsingraiyadih.
- The JMM described his death as an irreparable loss for the party, the government and Jharkhand, and offered condolences to his family.
- BJP spokesperson Pratul Shahdeo also paid tribute to the late minister and expressed his condolences.
- His death triggered widespread grief in Giridih, with party leaders, workers, the general public and senior officials, including the district magistrate, superintendent of police and Dhanbad SSP, gathering at the hospital.
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Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) Combined Graduate Level (CGL) examination was cancelled by the Jharkhand government on August 17, 2026. The Jharkhand government cancelled all examinations conducted by TSR…
Bihar and Jharkhand signed an MoU on August 31, 2026, in Delhi for sharing Sone River water. The MoU allocates 5.75 million acre-feet (MAF) of Sone River water to Bihar and 2 MAF to Jharkhand.
Misir Besra, the last remaining Central Committee and Politburo member of the Communist Party of India (Maoist) (CPI (Maoist)), was arrested in Jharkhand's Dhanbad district. He carried a reward of over ₹1 crore on…
