Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu flags off expanded transshipment cargo operations at IGI Airport, adding 4 domestic and 2 international destinations
Key Updates:
- On 19 August 2026, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu flagged off the scaled-up phase of transshipment cargo reform at Delhi's IGI Airport.
- The Proof of Concept on the Chennai–Delhi–Frankfurt route reduced average end-to-end transit time from 60 hours to 20 hours.
- The PoC, which commenced on 20 June 2026, transshipped 280 metric tonnes of cargo.
- Aircraft capacity utilization on the PoC route rose from 75% to nearly 100%.
- The network expanded to four additional domestic origin stations: Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, and Hyderabad.
- Two new international destinations were added: London and Copenhagen.
- The expanded network is projected to increase Air India's monthly cargo carriage from 1,763 metric tonnes to 3,183 metric tonnes, an increase of nearly 80%.
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Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) commenced its first scheduled international flight to Abu Dhabi on July 15, 2026. The flight is operated by Air India Express and will run three times a week.
Union Minister of State for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences Dr. Jitendra Singh inaugurated India’s first SkyCast aviation weather monitoring system at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport in New Delhi.…
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.
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) launched the Logistics Port Performance Index (LPPI) for FY 2024-25 under the Sagar Aankalan framework to benchmark the operational performance of Indian ports. The…
Ministry of Commerce & Industry (MoCI) data: India's total exports increased 13.31% to USD 80.14 billion in July 2026
Key Updates:
- Ministry of Commerce & Industry (MoCI) data shows India's total exports (merchandise and services) rose 13.31% year-on-year to USD 80.14 billion in July 2026.
- Total imports increased 15.83% to USD 95.16 billion, resulting in a trade deficit of USD 15.03 billion for July 2026.
- Cumulative exports for April-July 2026-27 stood at USD 316.42 billion, up 13.16% from USD 279.63 billion in the same period of 2025-26.
- Merchandise exports in July 2026 rose to USD 44.24 billion from USD 36.98 billion in July 2025, while merchandise imports increased to USD 76.22 billion from USD 64.86 billion.
- Services exports were estimated at USD 35.89 billion in July 2026, compared with USD 33.74 billion a year earlier, and services imports rose to USD 18.94 billion from USD 17.30 billion.
- Petroleum products exports surged 67.64% to USD 6.92 billion, and electronic goods exports grew 57.40% to USD 5.92 billion in July 2026.
- Among top export destinations, China saw a 64.57% growth, Singapore 83.7%, and USA 12.85% in July 2026.
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India's total exports (merchandise and services) grew 11.37% year-on-year to USD 232.73 billion in the first quarter of FY27, as per the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoC&I). The trade deficit widened to USD 37.42…
India's merchandise exports grew by approximately 15 per cent during April-May 2026-27. The Commerce Ministry is scheduled to release the trade data for May on June 15.
NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman Shri Ashok Kumar Lahiri released the 8th edition of the Trade Watch Quarterly for the fourth quarter (January–March 2026) of FY2025-26 in New Delhi. India's total goods and services trade grew…
India's merchandise trade deficit widened to $30.43 billion in June 2026, a 59% year-on-year increase from $19.10 billion in June 2025. Imports rose 31% to $70.84 billion, while exports grew 15.5% to $40.41 billion in…
National Statistics Office (NSO) Releases PLFS Monthly Bulletin: Unemployment Rate Drops to 5.1% in July 2026
Key Updates:
- The National Statistics Office (NSO) reported India's unemployment rate for persons aged 15 years and above declined to 5.1% in July 2026 from 5.5% in June 2026.
- Rural unemployment rate fell to 4.5% in July from 5.0% in June, while urban unemployment rate remained nearly steady at 6.7% against 6.6% in June.
- Urban unemployment rate in July 2026 was 0.5 percentage points lower than the 7.2% recorded in July 2025.
- Male unemployment rate declined to 5.0% in July from 5.3% in June, while female unemployment rate in urban areas rose to 8.8% from 8.4% month-on-month.
- The overall Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) rose to 55.4% in July from 54.4% in June, with rural LFPR climbing to 58.0% and urban LFPR to 50.4%.
- Female LFPR increased to 34.4% in July from 32.7% in June, and the Worker Population Ratio (WPR) rose to 52.5% from 51.4%.
- The July 2026 bulletin is the sixteenth in the monthly series since the PLFS methodology was revised from January 2025, based on a sample of 3,71,021 persons.
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The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) quarterly bulletin for April-June 2026 on August 10, 2026. The all-India unemployment rate for persons aged…
The National Statistics Office (NSO) reported that India's overall unemployment rate fell to 3.1% in 2025, the lowest level recorded in eight years. India aims to achieve full and productive employment by 2030 under the…
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released the 101st Survey of Professional Forecasters (SPF) conducted in July 2026. The SPF projected FY27 real GDP growth at 6.6 per cent, up from 6.5 per cent in the 100th SPF.
The Finance Ministry has kept interest rates unchanged for all major post office small savings schemes for the July-September quarter of financial year 2026-27. For the period from July 1 to September 30, 2026, the rates…
ICRA Projects India's GDP Growth at 7% in April–June Quarter of FY27
Key Updates:
- ICRA estimated India's GDP growth at 7% in the April–June quarter of FY27, a four-quarter low, down from 7.8% in the March quarter of FY26.
- ICRA projected the industrial sector to grow at 7.7%, agriculture at 4%, and services at 7.9% in the June quarter of FY27.
- For full FY27, ICRA projected India's real GDP growth to moderate to 6.7% from 7.7% in FY26.
- ICRA projected nominal GDP growth to accelerate to a four-year high of 13% in FY27 from 8.9% in FY26.
- ICRA Chief Economist Aditi Nayar noted that high-frequency indicators showed healthy domestic volume growth in Q1 FY27.
- ICRA's FY27 GDP projection assumes an average crude oil price of USD 80-85 per barrel.
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ICRA has projected India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth at 6.4–6.6 per cent for the April-June quarter (Q1 FY27). The projected GDP growth in Q1 FY27 is lower than the 7.8 per cent growth recorded in the…
State Bank of India (SBI) research projects India's GDP growth at 8% for the April-June quarter of FY27. The SBI projection is sharply higher than the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) forecast of 7% for the same quarter.
India Ratings and Research (Ind-Ra) raised India's FY27 real GDP growth forecast by 10 basis points to 6.8% from 6.7%. Ind-Ra lowered its baseline crude oil price assumption for FY27 to $85 per barrel from $95 per…
India's economic growth for the financial year 2025-26 (FY26) reached 7.7%, compared to 7.1% in the previous year. The economy expanded by 7.8% in the January-March quarter of FY26, adopting 2022–23 as the new base year…
Supreme Court Revises Industry Definition Under Labour Law
Key Updates:
- The Supreme Court, by a 5:4 majority, modified the test for determining what constitutes an 'industry' under the Industrial Disputes Act.
- A nine-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant held that the reference questioning the 1978 Bangalore Water Supply ruling was maintainable.
- The court modified certain aspects of the 'triple test' laid down in the 1978 Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board v A Rajappa judgment.
- The reformulation will operate only prospectively and will not unsettle pending or concluded cases.
- The court clarified that its observations are confined to the Industrial Disputes Act and should not be treated as an interpretation of 'industry' under the Industrial Relations Code 2020.
- The bench was split on whether the 1978 formulation itself required reconsideration, with four judges dissenting.
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The Supreme Court observed that compensation disputes under the National Highways Act, 1956 should be adjudicated by judicially trained authorities instead of bureaucrats. A Supreme Court bench led by Chief Justice Surya…
Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal introduced the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026 in the Lok Sabha. The Bill seeks to increase the strength of Supreme Court judges from 33 to 37, excluding the…
The Supreme Court bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta directed Karnataka to comply with the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) directions on releasing water to Tamil Nadu. The Cauvery Water Management…
The Supreme Court of India directed the Centre to set up a panel for uniform post-retirement benefits for former high court judges. The panel is to be constituted within two weeks and must submit its report within three…
Cabinet Approves Rs 3,590.73 Crore Upgrade of NH-22 Section in Bihar
Key Updates:
- The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by the Prime Minister, approved the upgradation of the 82.578-km Muzaffarpur-Sitamarhi-Sonbarsa section of NH-22 in Bihar to four-lane standard at a total capital cost of Rs 3,590.73 crore.
- The NH-22 upgrade will be implemented under the Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM).
- The corridor will connect Muzaffarpur to Sonbarsa near the India-Nepal border, with the Muzaffarpur end linking to NH-27 of the East-West Corridor.
- The project is planned under the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan and aims to ease congestion at locations including Muzaffarpur, Runni Saidpur, Dumra, Bhutahi and Sonbarsa.
- The upgraded highway is designed for a maximum speed of 100 kmph with an average speed of 80 kmph and will have no at-grade median openings.
- The project includes seven major bridges, including a 340-metre bridge over the Bagmati River, three railway overbridges and two flyovers.
- It will improve connectivity to 11 PM GatiShakti nodes, comprising five economic nodes, four social nodes and two logistics nodes.
- The corridor is expected to boost cross-border passenger and cargo movement through the Bhithamore Land Port and support movement of agricultural produce, goods and passenger traffic.
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Indian Railways has approved a ₹163 crore project to upgrade the electric traction system on the Parbhani-Mudkhed double line section in the Nanded Division of South Central Railway. The project involves replacing the…
The Uttarakhand cabinet approved the transfer of 38-hectares of forest land at Lamachaur in Haldwani for the proposed new Uttarakhand high court complex. The high court currently functions from a heritage building…
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the widening of National Highways 63 and 563 in Telangana to four-lane standards at a total cost of ₹7,597.16 crore. The…
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved National Highway (NH) projects worth approximately ₹24,249.6 crore in Odisha, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, and Bihar. The Rameshwar-Paradip section of the Odisha…
Ministry of Railways Approves 100 kmph Speed Limit on Katra-Banihal Section
Key Updates:
- The Ministry of Railways approved a plan to increase the maximum permissible train speed to 100 kmph on the 111-km Katra-Banihal broad gauge section.
- The approved speed enhancement covers the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra-Banihal section under Northern Railway's Jammu Division.
- The speed increase was approved after the prescribed safety conditions for raising the speed limit were met.
- Trains currently run at 85 kmph on the Katra-Sangaldan section and 75 kmph on the Sangaldan-Banihal section.
- The higher speed is expected to reduce travel time and strengthen connectivity, tourism, trade, and economic activity in Jammu and Kashmir.
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The Railway Board approved seven new Amrit Bharat Express trains on August 14, 2026, to expand rail connectivity. The trains are designed to provide affordable service for passengers from lower and lower-middle income…
The Kailaras-Birpur rail section (56 km) was virtually inaugurated on August 19, 2026, by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya M Scindia, and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan…
Japan has backed India's target to start commercial operations on priority sections of the 508-km Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR) corridor by 2027. The MAHSR project utilizes Shinkansen technology with trains…
Indian Railways approved a Rs 976-crore multitracking project on the 29km Danapur–Fatuha section under East Central Railway (ECR). The project includes construction of third and fourth lines between Danapur and Patna, a…
DoT Enforces Nine-SIM Limit Using Subscriber Photographs
Key Updates:
- The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) issued a circular on August 17, 2026, to enforce the nine-SIM limit using subscriber photographs.
- The limit is nine mobile connections per individual across all telecom operators, and six for subscribers in Jammu and Kashmir, Assam, and the North-East.
- From August 23, 2026, a representative image of the photo of every subscriber who has reached the permitted limit will be made available to telecom operators through the Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP).
- From August 24, 2026, telecom operators must use these photographs to identify subscribers seeking additional connections and inform them that they have reached the maximum limit.
- Telecom operators must integrate the photo-based identification into their enrollment process on a real-time basis by November 30, 2026.
- Any SIM activated beyond the allowed limit during the interim period will be suspended immediately.
- The government is expected to notify the Telecommunications (User Identification) Rules, 2025, which propose a biometric-based system for identifying telecom users.
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The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) disconnected over five crore fraudulent mobile connections in the past two years. Over 12 lakh lost and stolen mobile phones were recovered during the same period.
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Telecommunications Standards Development Society of India (TSDSI) to boost India's participation in global telecom standards…
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) notified the draft Telecommunications (Spectrum Assignment by Administrative Process) Rules, 2026, on June 17 to regulate satellite communication services. Satellite companies…
Malaysia has enforced rules barring children under 16 from owning social media accounts. The regulations apply to social media platforms with at least 8 million users, including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
Digital Bharat Nidhi signs Amended BharatNet Program agreement with Chhattisgarh for Rs 3,942 crore
Key Updates:
- Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) signed an agreement for implementation of the Amended BharatNet Program (ABP) in Chhattisgarh under the state-led model.
- The agreement was signed between DBN, Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Government of Chhattisgarh, Chhattisgarh State BharatNet Infrastructure Limited (CSBIL), BSNL, and Chhattisgarh Infotech Promotion Society (CHiPS).
- The program aims to upgrade, consolidate, and expand the existing BharatNet network to provide broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayats and villages on demand.
- In Chhattisgarh, the project will be implemented through CSBIL with a total scope of 11,682 Gram Panchayats, including upgradation of 4,048 Phase I GPs, coverage of 5,964 Phase II GPs, and inclusion of 1,670 newly created GPs.
- Additionally, 8,328 villages will be provided connectivity on demand to strengthen last-mile connectivity.
- The Government of India approved financial support of Rs 3,942 crore for implementation of the program in Chhattisgarh.
- The initiative is expected to facilitate more than three lakh rural home fibre connections with financial support from the Government of India.
- It will enhance delivery of digital services including e-Governance, online education, telemedicine, and digital payments across rural and remote areas.
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The Department of Telecommunications (DoT), through Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN), signed an addendum with Gujarat Fibre Grid Network Limited (GFGNL) and BSNL to implement the Amended BharatNet Programme in Gujarat under…
The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with BharathCloud to provide cloud infrastructure services to members across India. Under the agreement, ICSI members and…
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the joint research, development, testing, deployment, and commercialisation of…
Bharti Airtel Limited's Airtel Business and ITI Limited (ITI) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for a strategic collaboration. The collaboration will enable Indian enterprises to modernise legacy systems…
Kaushal Mahotsav: Over 7,000 Job Opportunities for Youth
Key Updates:
- The Kaushal Mahotsav was organized by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) in collaboration with the Government of West Bengal and the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC).
- The event provided over 7,000 job opportunities from more than 50 employers across sectors like manufacturing, retail, logistics, healthcare, hospitality, food processing, banking and financial services.
- Over 7,500 interviews were conducted and more than 4,500 candidates were shortlisted during the Mahotsav.
- The Kaushal Mahotsav is a flagship initiative of the MSDE aimed at connecting youth with employment opportunities.
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West Bengal officially implemented the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) on August 16, 2026. Under AB-PMJAY, eligible families in West Bengal get cashless treatment up to ₹5 lakh per family per…
The self-enumeration exercise of India's 16th Census (Census 2027) kicked off in West Bengal on August 1, 2026. West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari marked the launch by digitally filling his own self-enumeration…
The West Bengal government plans to set up two dolphin parks along the Hooghly river to conserve aquatic biodiversity and develop eco-tourism. The project will be implemented by the state government in coordination with…
West Bengal has received Geographical Indication (GI) tags for 23 additional traditional products. With these additions, West Bengal ranks third among Indian states with a total of 59 GI registrations.
Cabinet Approves ₹9,450 Crore Rail Multitracking Projects
Key Updates:
- 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 Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh.
- The projects are planned for completion by 2030-31.
- The capacity augmentation is expected to enable additional freight traffic of 76 million tonnes per annum.
- The projects are expected to reduce oil imports by around 13 crore litres and lower carbon dioxide emissions by around 65 crore kg.
- The additional rail connectivity will benefit around 6,448 villages with a combined population of about 60 lakh.
- The projects have been planned under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan.
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On 16 July 2026, the Union Cabinet approved Semicon 2.0 with a total outlay of ₹1.275 lakh crore to develop a semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem. Semicon 2.0 aims to attract nearly ₹4 lakh crore in investments and…
The Union Cabinet approved two elevated highway corridors in Varanasi at a total cost of Rs 25,446 crore. The Varuna river corridor (43 km) will connect NH-31 to Varanasi ring road and reduce travel time to Kashi railway…
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved the Paradeep-Haridaspur Doubling Project and the Rajkharsawan-Dangoaposi Fourth Rail Line Project on July 15, 2026. The projects cover approximately 145 km across…
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved two highway projects with a combined investment of ₹14,114.81 crore. A six-lane road tunnel on NH-148AE connecting Shivmurti Interchange on Dwarka Expressway…
Key Updates:
- The Centre approved the Incentive Scheme for Promotion of Domestic PNG Connections to expand household piped natural gas access.
- The scheme will come into effect from September 1, 2026.
- Eligible City Gas Distribution (CGD) entities will receive an additional 200 SCM of domestically produced APM gas for every incremental billed domestic PNG connection above a prescribed threshold.
- The scheme will be implemented in two six-month tranches.
- The additional domestic gas allocation will replace costlier LNG, reducing gas sourcing costs for CGD companies.
- The savings could reduce the payback period for domestic PNG connections from around 10 years to nearly three years.
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The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) issued the Natural Gas and Petroleum Products Distribution Order, 2026, prohibiting households from simultaneously holding Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and Piped Natural…
The Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) approved an incentive of Rs26 crore for the Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) for raising Rs200 crore through the Clean Godavari Bond. The incentive was sanctioned…
The Government of India (GoI) has approved the joint venture (JV) between Dixon Technologies and Vivo Mobile India for manufacturing smartphones and other electronic devices. Under the JV, Dixon Technologies will hold a…
The Ministry of Heavy Industries extended the PM E-DRIVE Scheme till March 31, 2028. The incentive for electric two-wheelers has been halved to Rs 2,500 per kWh, capped at Rs 5,000 per vehicle.
Amended BharatNet Programme: ₹3,942 Crore for Chhattisgarh
Key Updates:
- The Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN), under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), signed an agreement on 18 August 2026 for the implementation of the Amended BharatNet Program (ABP) in Chhattisgarh.
- The agreement was signed by DBN, the Government of Chhattisgarh, Chhattisgarh State BharatNet Infrastructure Limited (CSBIL), Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), and Chhattisgarh Infotech Promotion Society (CHiPS).
- The Amended BharatNet Program, approved by the Union Cabinet on 4 August 2023, aims to upgrade and expand broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayats and villages on demand.
- In Chhattisgarh, the project will cover 11,682 Gram Panchayats, including upgradation of 4,048 Phase I GPs, coverage of 5,964 Phase II GPs, and inclusion of 1,670 newly created GPs.
- Additionally, 8,328 villages will be provided connectivity on a demand basis.
- The Government of India has approved financial support of ₹3,942 crore for the implementation of the program in Chhattisgarh.
- The initiative is expected to facilitate more than three lakh rural home fibre connections in the state.
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The Department of Telecommunications (DoT), through Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN), signed an addendum with Gujarat Fibre Grid Network Limited (GFGNL) and BSNL to implement the Amended BharatNet Programme in Gujarat under…
The Government of India will launch a CBDC-based Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system for food subsidies under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) in Chandigarh and Dadra & Nagar Haveli on August 14…
The Ministry of Jal Shakti (MoJS) has lauded the Chhattisgarh government's initiatives under the Modernisation of Command Area Development and Water Management (M-CAD) scheme. The MoJS has advised other states and Union…
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE) will launch the PM-AJAY portal and the AJAY mobile application to digitise the implementation and monitoring of the Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojna…
FAO-WFP Hunger Hotspots Report 2026 Flags 13 Countries and Territories for Acute Food Insecurity
Key Updates:
- The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) jointly prepared the UN Hunger Hotspots Report for June to November 2026.
- The report identified 13 countries and territories as hunger hotspots for the June-November 2026 outlook.
- Sudan, South Sudan, Yemen, Palestine, Northeast Nigeria, and Somalia were placed in the 'Highest Concern' category.
- Afghanistan, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Haiti were placed in the 'Very High Concern' category.
- Myanmar, Mali, Lebanon, and Madagascar were listed as other hotspots.
- In Sudan, around 19.5 million people, about 41% of the population, faced high levels of acute food insecurity through May 2026.
- In South Sudan, about 7.8 million people, 55% of the population, were projected to face Crisis or worse acute food insecurity between April and July 2026.
- In Yemen, an estimated 18.3 million people were projected to face Crisis or worse acute food insecurity in 2026.
- In the Gaza Strip, around 1.6 million people, 77% of the analysed population, were acutely food insecure, with more than 500,000 in Emergency conditions.
- Around 15,000 people in Northeast Nigeria were projected to face Catastrophe-level food insecurity between June and August 2026.
- Conflict, climate shocks, economic instability, and displacement were identified as major drivers of hunger.
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An estimated 645 million people faced hunger in 2025, down from 2024 but still 61 million higher than before the COVID-19 pandemic. Africa overtook Asia as the region with the largest number of hungry people, with 309…
World Hunger Day is observed globally on May 28. The 2026 Global Report on Food Crises found 35.5 million children aged 6–59 months were acutely malnourished across 23 countries and territories.
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…
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) released the World Cities Report 2026 during the World Urban Forum (WUF13) held in Baku, Azerbaijan. Anacláudia Rossbach serves as the Executive Director of the…
India and Japan Sign Maritime Security Pact
Key Updates:
- India and Japan signed a Memorandum of Arrangement on Maritime Security Cooperation on August 20, 2026, in New Delhi.
- The pact aims to strengthen coordination between the Indian Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force in protecting Sea Lines of Communication.
- Key areas of cooperation include Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA), Search and Rescue (SAR), and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR).
- The two nations agreed to enhance mine countermeasures capabilities and explore joint development in naval shipbuilding and design.
- They welcomed the expansion of bilateral exercises including Dharma Guardian, JAIMEX, and the upcoming Veer Guardian 26 air exercise.
- They affirmed commitment to the shipborne UNICORN integrated communications antenna system project, the first defence equipment transfer project between the two countries.
- They welcomed the first trilateral naval PASSEX exercise involving Japan, India, and Indonesia conducted in February 2026.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi held the 16th India-Japan Annual Summit in New Delhi. The two nations signed a pact on co-development in the defence sector, with the first project…
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred the 'Bintang Adipurna', the highest civilian honour of Indonesia. India and Indonesia signed agreements for the supply of BrahMos missiles and Air-to-Air Missile ASTRA systems…
Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal held bilateral talks with Panama's Foreign Minister Javier Martinez-Acha Vasquez to deepen maritime cooperation. Both sides identified logistics…
India and the South African Customs Union (SACU) will sign terms of reference for trade talks on August 12, 2026. The negotiations will be for a preferential trade agreement (PTA) between India and SACU.
DRDO invites Indian firms to develop and produce missile and guided bomb systems under DcPP programme
Key Updates:
- Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has invited Indian firms to develop and produce missile and guided bomb systems under its Development Cum Production Partner (DcPP) programme.
- DRDO's Research Centre Imarat (RCI) issued Expression of Interest RCI/DcPP/EOI/001 to shortlist potential Development Cum Production Partners for projects under the DG (MSS) Cluster.
- Proposals must be submitted by September 24, 2026; a technical interaction is scheduled for September 2, 2026, and proposals will be opened on September 25, 2026.
- Shortlisted firms will be considered for project-specific Requests for Proposals (RFPs), and generally two DcPP firms will be selected for each project.
- Eligible firms need a minimum annual turnover of ₹100 crore, minimum net worth of ₹34 crore, profitability in at least two of the last five years, and a minimum long-term credit rating of BBB (stable).
- Selected partners must have or build explosive storage capacity of at least five tonnes, including TNT and RDX, within one year of a production order.
- Evaluation will be based on 100 marks, with firms required to score more than 60% overall and at least 50% in each technical compliance category.
- Transfer of technology will be provided free of cost on a non-exclusive basis after successful completion of the DRDO development project phase.
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The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted the maiden flight test of the 'Kusha' Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) from APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha. The test successfully…
Adani Defence & Aerospace laid the foundation stone for South Asia's largest private-sector missile ecosystem in Shivpuri, Madhya Pradesh. The company will invest ₹2,500 crore over the next three years to build the…
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully demonstrated a multi-layered Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) capability through three consecutive flight-tests conducted on June 10 and 11. The…
Adani Defence & Aerospace laid the foundation stone for South Asia's largest private-sector missile ecosystem in Shivpuri, Madhya Pradesh. The company will invest ₹2,500 crore over the next three years, creating 5,000…
Russia's Putin Visits Disputed Iturup Island on August 13, Exacerbating Japan-Russia Tensions
Key Updates:
- Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Iturup Island on August 13, 2026.
- Iturup, known in Japan as Etorofu, is the largest of the disputed Southern Kurils, occupied by Russia since World War II and also claimed by Japan.
- This was Putin's first visit to the disputed islands; former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev visited in 2010.
- Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae called Putin's visit absolutely unacceptable and said it has hardened Japanese public sentiment toward Russia.
- Russia suspended peace treaty negotiations with Japan in 2022, including talks over the Northern Territories, and canceled visa-free Japanese visits to the islands.
- Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin summoned Japan's ambassador to Moscow, Muto Akira, to protest Takaichi's statements as anti-Russia.
- Putin's visit came as Russia's Pacific Fleet conducted live-fire exercises near the disputed islands, scheduled until August 29, 2026.
- The visit occurred two days before the 81st anniversary of Japan's announcement of its intent to surrender in World War II.
- On the same day, the Chinese and Russian ambassadors to Japan issued a joint statement opposing attempts to revise the results of World War II and warning against remilitarization in the region.
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Former Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud has been appointed by Russia as an arbitrator in an international investment treaty dispute filed by Ukraine's state-owned Oschadbank. The arbitration has been initiated under…
Zanzibar President Hussein Ali Mwinyi paid an official visit to India from July 17 to 20, 2026. He met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Vice President CP Radhakrishnan on July 19.
Tropical Storm Lala brought heavy rain and strong winds to Hawaii, causing flooding and landslides. At least 100 homes were damaged or lost across the islands.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is exploring a visit to India in July for the annual Summit. The visit aims to strengthen cooperation in security to counter China's increasing economic pressure on other nations.
India hosts 8th BRICS Youth Energy Summit virtually on August 17, 2026
Key Updates:
- India hosted the 8th BRICS Youth Energy Summit 2026 virtually on August 17 as part of its BRICS chairship.
- The summit brought together over 100 participants, including young energy professionals from academia, government institutions, and energy ministries of BRICS member countries.
- Representatives from the BRICS Youth Energy Agency (BRICS YEA), Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL), International Solar Alliance (ISA), and International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) participated.
- India's BRICS chairship theme is 'Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability (BRICS)', with the Energy Track adopting 'Energy for All' (सर्वेषां ऊर्जम्).
- Discussions focused on three priority areas: Energy Security and Sustainability, Energy Access and Equity, and Technology and Innovation.
- Indian youth representatives highlighted national initiatives including PM-KUSUM, PM Surya Ghar, the SHANTI Act, the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), and the India Energy Stack (IES).
- The BRICS Digital Centre of Excellence (DCoE) on Smart Grids and Energy Storage was highlighted as a platform for knowledge exchange and cooperation.
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India hosted the 7th meeting of the BRICS Working Group for Cooperation in ICTs in Pune on August 18, 2026, under India's BRICS Chairship. The in-person meetings of the BRICS Track on Cooperation in Information and…
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) organized the Meeting of Heads of BRICS Competition Authorities on August 8, 2026, in Udaipur, Rajasthan, under India's BRICS Chairship 2026. CCI Chairperson Smt. Ravneet Kaur…
India will host the 11th BRICS Energy Ministers’ Meeting in Gurugram, Haryana, on June 25-26 under its BRICS Chairship 2026. The meeting is guided by the theme Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and…
The 11th Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS) Energy Ministers’ Meeting was held in Gurgaon to strengthen cooperation in energy security, sustainability, and innovation. Union Minister of Power Manohar…
Key Updates:
- Astronomers discovered a rocky exoplanet named GJ 523b, informally dubbed a 'mega-Earth'.
- GJ 523b has a mass 23 times that of Earth and a radius about 2.55 times larger.
- The planet's density is approximately 126.82 grams per cubic inch.
- The exoplanet orbits its host star every 17.75 days, and the system is about 170 million years old.
- The discovery was made using NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) and confirmed with the WIYN 3.5-meter Telescope at Kitt Peak National Observatory.
- The planet's existence challenges traditional planetary formation models, which predict such massive rocky bodies should become gas giants.
- Two proposed theories for its formation are atmospheric stripping and a giant impact between protoplanets.
- The research paper detailing the discovery has been submitted to The Astronomical Journal.
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A team of astronomers led by the University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine) discovered an Earth-like exoplanet named GJ 3378b. The planet is located approximately 25 light-years from the Solar System and orbits within…
An unusually thick ozone layer was detected at an altitude of 21-23 km in the lower stratosphere over the North Bay of Bengal. The discovery was made during the Phase-I NetRAD-ASMA campaign, a coordinated effort…
A group of international scientists has identified a new shortcut to the Moon that reduces fuel consumption and maintains stable communication with Earth throughout the journey. The research, published in the journal…
Scientists discovered a 120-million-year-old fossil of a birdlike dinosaur, named Jian changmaensis, in the Changma Basin of Gansu province, China. The specimen belongs to a group of small feathered predators known as…
Scientists identify S301 as fastest star in Milky Way
Key Updates:
- Astronomers discovered the fastest known star in the Milky Way, designated S301, which orbits the supermassive black hole Sagittarius A
- .
- S301 reaches speeds of about 15,500 miles per second (25,000 kilometers per second), exceeding 8% of the speed of light.
- The star completes an orbit around Sagittarius A
- in just 8.7 years, approaching within 12 times the Earth-Sun distance.
- The discovery was made using the GRAVITY instrument on the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope Interferometer in Chile.
- S301 was traced back through observations from 2021 and 2017, and its highly elongated orbit suggests it may have been captured from a binary system.
- The next close pass of S301 is expected in 2031, and observations spanning two full orbits could measure the black hole's spin via frame dragging.
- The research was published in the journal Nature on August 19.
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The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Kepler mission and other observatories have confirmed the existence of circumbinary planets, which are worlds that orbit two suns. Researchers from Cornell…
A team of astronomers led by the University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine) discovered an Earth-like exoplanet named GJ 3378b. The planet is located approximately 25 light-years from the Solar System and orbits within…
Annapurni Subramaniam, director of Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Bengaluru, was awarded the COSPAR Vikram Sarabhai Medal 2026. The medal is awarded jointly by the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) and the…
A team led by doctoral student Jyotirmoy Das at the National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA) discovered five new millisecond pulsars in the ancient globular clusters Messier 69 (M69) and Messier 70 (M70). The…
Banaras Hindu University (BHU) secures six ICMR research grants for high-impact biomedical innovation
Key Updates:
- Banaras Hindu University (BHU) secured funding approval for six high-impact biomedical research projects under the NIRF specialised grant initiative of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
- The six approved projects received grants totalling around ₹15 crore.
- The projects target early detection of gallbladder cancer, next-generation antimicrobial resistance (AMR) solutions, post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis diagnostics, pediatric septic shock, and precision oncology for renal cell carcinoma.
- The grants will support extensive cohort studies, precision clinical trials, multi-omics biomarker discovery, and state-of-the-art laboratory analyses.
- The research will be conducted across the Institute of Medical Sciences (IMS), Institute of Science (IoS), and collaborating engineering departments of BHU.
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The draft National Health Research Policy 2026 was released by the Centre and prepared by the Department of Health Research. It proposes a three-tier governance structure comprising a National Health Research Stewardship…
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the Gates Foundation have launched a Rs 1-crore Grand Challenge to develop iron-rich food products for adolescent girls and women of reproductive age. The initiative…
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) organised the 'Medical Innovations Patent Mitra: Innovators-to-Industry (I2I) Connect' event at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi. The event saw the transfer of 41 public…
Researchers from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Bibinagar and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) demonstrated that drones can reduce costs and delays in Tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis in…
Razorpay launches Vulcan, India's first AI-powered payments foundation model
Key Updates:
- Razorpay launched Vulcan, described as India's first transformer-based AI foundation model built specifically for payments.
- Vulcan was developed using technology from NVIDIA and Amazon Web Services (AWS) and is built on Amazon SageMaker.
- The model is designed to address payment failures, fraud, transaction routing and checkout-related friction across India's digital payments ecosystem.
- An internal study involving 1.5 million shoppers and more than 51,000 businesses found that payment-related friction affected consumers across metropolitan and smaller markets.
- Early components of the model were deployed across around 3 trillion data points on Razorpay's payments network to test routing, fraud and risk decisions on live transactions.
- The technology improved payment success rates by up to 10 per cent and detected and prevented eight times more international card fraud.
- The model identified five times more fraudulent or disputed transactions without increasing the number of alerts.
- On Razorpay's Magic Checkout platform, 40 per cent more shoppers saw their preferred UPI application, facilitating an additional 1-2 lakh purchases every month.
- The model is designed to assess payment routes in real time and select the most suitable route before a transaction is attempted.
- Razorpay plans to expand Vulcan to power payment decisions across authentication, routing, fraud detection and lending.
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On July 1, 2026, Razorpay partnered with NBBL, a wholly owned subsidiary of National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), to launch Banking Connect. Banking Connect is a mobile-first solution that modernises NetBanking…
AI startup Sarvam raised $234 million in the first close of its $300 million series B funding round. The company achieved a post-money valuation of $1.5 billion.
Ladakh Lt Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena laid the foundation stone for the first model border village at Chumur, located at an altitude of 16,700 feet along the India-China border. The village is being developed under the…
The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has approved jUMPP as a Third Party Application Provider to launch Unified Payments Interface (UPI) services. jUMPP is an AI-powered conversational fintech platform…
Meghalaya defeats Chandigarh in opening match of 65th Subroto Cup International Football Tournament
Key Updates:
- Meghalaya defeated Chandigarh in the opening Junior Girls under-17 match of the 65th Subroto Cup International Football Tournament.
- The match was played at Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Stadium in New Delhi on 18 August 2026.
- The tournament features 108 teams across three age categories: Junior Girls (U-17), Junior Boys (U-17), and Sub-Junior Boys (U-15).
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The Irani Cup match between Jammu and Kashmir and Rest of India will be held at Sher-I-Kashmir Stadium in Srinagar from October 1 to 5, 2026. This will be the biggest cricket match in Jammu and Kashmir since the…
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…
The 135th IndianOil Durand Cup Trophy Tour arrived in Guwahati on July 16, 2026. The event at Hotel Vivanta was attended by Assam Sports Minister Biswajit Daimary and other dignitaries.
Nicolás Otamendi announced his retirement from international football after a 17-year career. He made 139 appearances for Argentina.
Key Updates:
- Akshay Urja Day is observed on August 20 to promote renewable energy in India.
- Akshay Urja Day was introduced in 2004 to highlight clean-energy technologies.
- Solar power is India's largest renewable energy source with 162.15 GW installed capacity by June 30, 2026.
- Wind power capacity in India reached 57.44 GW by June 30, 2026.
- India had more than 57 GW of large and small hydropower capacity by June 2026.
- India's total renewable energy capacity, including large hydro, reached about 288.59 GW by June 30, 2026.
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The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) commissioned ICGS Akshay, the fourth of eight Adamya-class Fast Patrol Vessels (FPV) built by Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL). The vessel features over 65 percent indigenous content and is part of…
The International Day of the Celebration of the Solstice is celebrated on June 21 and was added to the United Nations (UN) international days list in 2019. The day is designed to highlight the importance of the solstice…
International Yoga Day 2026 will be observed on June 21 to promote the ancient Indian practice of yoga for global health and well-being. The official theme for International Yoga Day 2026 is Yoga for Healthy Ageing…
NLC India Renewables Ltd (NIRL), an arm of NLC India Ltd, has received a Letter of Intent (LoI) from Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd (GUVNL) for a 900 MW solar power project. The project was awarded through a tariff-based…
World Photography Day observed on August 19, 2026
Key Updates:
- World Photography Day was celebrated on August 19, 2026.
- The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protests in India demanded the resignation of Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan over irregularities in NEET UG 2026.
- The CJP protest culminated in Pradhan's resignation on July 25, 2026.
- The Delhi Police used tear gas and lathi charge against protesters on July 20, 2026.
- In Jharkhand, the state government cancelled the JSSC-CGL exam on August 17, 2026, after a 24-day protest.
- The FIFA World Cup 2026 was held from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
- Spain won the FIFA World Cup 2026, defeating Argentina in the final on July 19.
- The 2026 FIFA World Cup featured 48 teams, the largest in the tournament's history.
- The US and Israeli forces launched strikes on Iran on February 28, 2026, killing former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
- An airstrike on an elementary school in Iran on February 28 killed 156 people, including 120 children.
- A mass funeral for 112 Palestinians was held on August 4, 2026, in Gaza City.
- Canadian wildfires in 2026 began in June, with more than 949 active wildfires in mid-July.
- As of August 18, 2026, there were 582 active wildfires in Canada.
- About 72,000 migrants crossed into the Spanish city of Ceuta from Morocco in late July 2026.
- The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) launched the Artemis II mission on April 1, 2026, carrying four astronauts on the first crewed flight around the Moon in more than 50 years.
- Artemis II broke Apollo 13's distance record, reaching 252,756 miles from Earth.
- A total solar eclipse occurred on August 12, 2026, visible in Siberia, Iceland, Portugal, Greenland, and Spain.
- Spain experienced its first major total solar eclipse since 1905 on August 12, 2026.
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Mahindra & Mahindra Named Overall Industry Champion at Prime Minister Internship Scheme (PMIS) Industry Awards
Key Updates:
- The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) hosted the PMIS Industry Awards on August 14, 2026, in New Delhi.
- Mahindra & Mahindra Limited was named the Overall Industry Champion for its contribution to the Prime Minister Internship Scheme (PMIS).
- Top PSU partners recognized were Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited, NTPC Limited, and Western Coalfields Limited.
- Top private partners recognized were Reliance Industries Limited, Infosys Limited, and Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Limited.
- Sectoral champions included ITC Limited (FMCG), Larsen & Toubro Limited (Infrastructure & Construction), and Tata Consumer Products Limited (Retail & Consumer Durables).
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Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL) received the Prime Minister Internship Scheme (PMIS) Recognition of Partner Company Award in the 'Innovation in Exit Pathways' category. The award was conferred at a…
Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) and Canada-based Manulife have incorporated a life insurance joint venture named Mahindra Manulife Insurance Limited (MMIL) following approval from the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA). The…
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…
Jyotiraditya M. Scindia conferred the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Telecom Excellence Awards-2025 to two organizations for outstanding contributions in telecom technology. The awardees were Amantya Technologies Pvt. Ltd.…
Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir Elected Bangladesh President
Key Updates:
- Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was elected as the 23rd President of Bangladesh.
- He won the presidential election with 255 votes, defeating rival Oli Ahmed who received 88 votes.
- The election was held at the Jatiya Sangsad (Bangladesh Parliament) under the supervision of Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin.
- This was the first contested presidential election in Bangladesh in 35 years.
- Alamgir stepped down as Secretary General of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) after being nominated for the presidency.
- The election was held after President Mohammed Shahabuddin resigned on July 24, 2026, citing health problems.
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Khalilur Rahman, Foreign Minister of Bangladesh, was elected President of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on 2 June 2026. Rahman secured 99 votes against 91 votes for Andreas Kakouris of…
Bangladesh and Cyprus are candidates for the presidency of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). The election for the one-year term is scheduled for June 2, with the session officially beginning…
Banwarilal Purohit was unanimously elected as the president of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan on June 7. Deepak Parekh was elected as the vice president of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan.
On 11 August 2026, Andras Baka was elected president of Hungary by the National Assembly with 140 votes. Baka had served as chief of the Supreme Court before being removed from office by the Fidesz government in 2011…
Key Updates:
- Former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar died at the age of 80 in Delhi.
- He was serving a life sentence in connection with the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case.
- He was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Delhi High Court on 17 December 2018 for the killing of five Sikhs and burning of a gurdwara.
- In February 2025, a Delhi court sentenced him to life imprisonment in another case involving the killing of two Sikh men.
- He represented the Outer Delhi constituency in the Lok Sabha three times and resigned from the Congress in 2018.
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Suraj Hegde passed away in Bengaluru after suffering a cardiac arrest at around 55 years of age. He served as the secretary of the All India Congress Committee (AICC).
KP Dhanapalan, a senior Congress leader and former Member of Parliament, passed away at the age of 76 at a private hospital in Paravur, Ernakulam. He was elected to the Lok Sabha in 2009 from the Chalakudy constituency.
Venkataramanappa, a veteran leader of the Indian National Congress (INC), passed away at the age of 80 in Bengaluru. He died following a heart attack at a private hospital on Friday morning.
H. Hanumanthappa, a former Rajya Sabha member and senior Indian National Congress (INC) leader, died at the age of 94. He passed away on July 12, 2026, in Bengaluru due to age-related illness.
Two Mumbai Doctors to Receive Nishan-e-Imtiaz
Key Updates:
- Pakistan will confer its highest civilian honour, the Nishan-e-Imtiaz, on two Indian doctors from Mumbai's Parsi community.
- A radiologist and a physician were recognised for keeping the terminal illness of Pakistan's founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah a secret in 1946.
- The announcement was made by Minister Ahsan Iqbal on Pakistan's Independence Day, August 14.
- Jinnah died in September 1948, thirteen months after the formation of Pakistan, from tuberculosis which was incurable at the time.
- Nishan-e-Imtiaz, also called the Order of Excellence, is the first category of Pakistan's Order of Imtiaz and is given for achievements towards global recognition of the country or outstanding national service.
- The award is formally conferred at a presidential investiture ceremony on Pakistan Day, March 23.
- Indian actor Dilip Kumar was awarded the Nishan-e-Imtiaz in 1998 in the field of fine arts.
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National Doctors' Day is celebrated in India every year on July 1 to recognise the contribution of doctors to society. The theme for National Doctors' Day 2026 is "Behind the Mask: Who Heals the Healers?".
The International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers is observed annually on May 29. The theme for the 2025 International Day of UN Peacekeepers is 'Invest in Peace'.
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…
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma launched the application distribution for the Mukhya Mantrir Nijut Moina Scheme and the Mukhya Mantrir Nijut Babu Scheme on August 6, 2026. The Nijut Moina Scheme aims to cover 10…
Bill Rasmussen, Founder of Entertainment and Sports Programming Network (ESPN), Passed Away at 93
Key Updates:
- Bill Rasmussen died on August 18, 2026, at the age of 93 from complications of Parkinson's disease.
- In 1979, Rasmussen and his son Scott founded the Entertainment and Sports Programming Network (ESPN), a Connecticut-based cable channel.
- ESPN was the first television channel dedicated entirely to sports, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- In 1994, USA TODAY described Rasmussen as the Father of Sports Television.
- Rasmussen was inducted into the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame in 2025.
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Don Nelson died at the age of 86, surrounded by family. He won five NBA championships as a player with the Boston Celtics.
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…
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.
British artist David Hockney, a defining figure in contemporary art and the Pop art movement, passed away at the age of 88 in London in June 2026. He received his artistic training at the Bradford School of Art and…
