Central Electricity Authority (CEA) flags critical coal stock at 45 power plants in India
Key Updates:
- Central Electricity Authority (CEA) data as of August 25 showed 45 coal power plants with critically low coal inventories.
- The critical category includes plants with coal stocks below 25% of required inventory or less than three days of generation stock.
- The number of critically placed plants rose from 31 at the end of July to 45 by August 25.
- Of the 45 affected plants, 40 are domestic coal-fired plants.
- Total coal stocks at power plants stood at 30.95 million tons, equal to around 10 days of operational requirement against 12 days in July.
- Heavy rainfall in Odisha, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh hit mining and slowed coal transportation to power plants.
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The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) notified the 'Central Electricity Authority (Cyber Security in Power Sector) Regulations, 2026', which will take effect from April 1, 2027. The regulations require power sector…
Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) has proposed a ₹2.73 lakh crore investment over 30 years for India's first integrated Underground Coal Gasification complex in Eluru district, Andhra Pradesh. The complex will be…
The Coal Ministry auctioned six coal blocks under the 15th round and the second attempt of the 13th round of commercial coal mine auctions. Forward auctions for these blocks were conducted from August 3-4, 2026.
The Office of Economic Adviser (OEA) under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) released the revised Index of Core Industries (ICI) series with 2022-23 as the new base year on July 20…
Indian Railways to quadruple capacity on 11,000 km high-density network
Key Updates:
- Indian Railways plans to four-lane 11,000 km of its high-density network to increase train capacity.
- The seven high-density routes account for 41% of total railway traffic while comprising only 16% of the network.
- The routes include Delhi-Howrah, Howrah-Chennai, Chennai-Mumbai, Mumbai-Delhi, Delhi-Chennai, Mumbai-Howrah, and Delhi-Guwahati.
- Kavach 4.0, the indigenous automatic train protection system, has been commissioned on 2,490 route km across the Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Howrah corridors.
- The Delhi-Mumbai route has 1,344 route km of Kavach 4.0 coverage, and the Delhi-Howrah route has 1,146 route km.
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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…
Indian Railways has electrified 99.6% of its broad gauge network, making it the world's second-most electrified rail network after Switzerland. According to the International Union of Railways (UIC) report, India's…
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…
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…
Air India and Drukair-Royal Bhutan Airlines (Drukair) announce interline partnership for India-Bhutan connectivity
Key Updates:
- Tata Group-owned Air India and Drukair-Royal Bhutan Airlines (Drukair) announced an interline partnership on 26 August 2026.
- The partnership allows passengers to book single-ticket itineraries combining Air India and Drukair flights.
- Coordinated baggage transfers will be provided through Air India's hub at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport, removing the need to recheck luggage during transit.
- The arrangement expands Air India's reach across the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) region.
- Air India passengers will gain access to Bhutan through Drukair's services to Paro via Delhi, with onward connections to Bumthang, Gelephu and Yonphula.
- Drukair passengers will be able to access Air India's domestic network via Delhi, Guwahati and Kolkata, with onward connections to Bengaluru, Mumbai and Kochi.
- Drukair passengers will also gain access to Air India's international network, including Paris, Colombo, Newark, Frankfurt, New York, London, Melbourne, San Francisco, Sydney, Toronto and Vancouver.
- Customers will benefit from competitive interline fares, improved routing options and greater travel flexibility.
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Air India and Saudia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deepen their strategic partnership and strengthen air connectivity between India and Saudi Arabia. The MoU builds on the existing codeshare arrangement…
Air India and Riyadh Air signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on June 4 to strengthen air connectivity between India and Saudi Arabia. The partnership introduces codeshare and interline agreements, allowing…
Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) entered into a codeshare partnership with Air India, building on an existing interline agreement between the two carriers. Air India will place its code on AZAL-operated daily flights between…
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Modified Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) Scheme with a total outlay of ₹28,840 crore over 10 years. The scheme is approved for implementation from FY 2026-27 to FY 2035-36 to…
Indian Rice Exporters Federation (IREF) Analysis Shows India's Rice Exports to 26 Priority Markets Outpaced 3-Year Average
Key Updates:
- India's rice exports to 26 priority markets totalled ₹23,476 crore and 4.79 million tonnes between November 2025 and March 2026, covering Basmati and non-Basmati rice, according to an Indian Rice Exporters Federation (IREF) analysis of Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics data.
- Export value for the 26-market basket was 1.1 per cent above the three-year average for the corresponding November-March period, while volume was 5.6 per cent higher.
- Eleven of the 26 priority markets recorded year-on-year growth in both export value and volume during the period.
- The United Arab Emirates recorded a 65 per cent year-on-year rise in rice export value to ₹3,859.04 crore and a 64 per cent rise in volume.
- Belgium's rice export value rose 53.8 per cent and volume rose 44.5 per cent year-on-year.
- Germany's rice export value rose 33.5 per cent and volume rose 24.6 per cent; France's value rose 31.3 per cent and volume 32.9 per cent.
- The United Kingdom's rice export value rose 26.9 per cent and volume rose 25.6 per cent.
- South Africa's rice export value rose 26 per cent and volume rose 42.9 per cent, while Kenya recorded increases of 22.3 per cent in value and 34.1 per cent in volume.
- Mexico's rice export value rose 22.1 per cent and volume rose 50.9 per cent; the Netherlands recorded 20.5 per cent value growth and 13.8 per cent volume growth; Canada recorded 10.2 per cent value growth and 9.1 per cent volume growth.
- Senegal's rice export value rose 5.3 per cent but volume rose 29.9 per cent.
- The United Kingdom, France and Mexico recorded combined export-value growth of 27.2 per cent and volume growth of 26.3 per cent during November 2025-March 2026.
- Eight markets - the UAE, UK, Netherlands, Canada, Belgium, Germany, France and Mexico - recorded four-year highs in both export value and volume.
- Bharat International Rice Conference (BIRC) 2026 is scheduled for October ？？-25, ？？, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
- ITC Hotels will curate a Global Rice Festival featuring 24 international dishes and 10 regional Indian biryanis at BIRC 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…
The second edition of the Bharat International Rice Conference (BIRC) 2026 will be held from 23 to 25 October 2026 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. The Indian Rice Exporters’ Federation (IREF), representing over 8,000…
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.
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…
IDFC First Bank and IIM Calcutta Innovation Park (IIMCIP) launch Rs 2 crore startup incubation initiative
Key Updates:
- The IGNITE programme provides total financial and operational support of Rs 2 crore, including a direct startup grant corpus of Rs 1.36 crore.
- The initiative will select 16 startups from across India through a competitive evaluation process.
- Focus areas include green manufacturing, waste recycling and upcycling, cleantech, renewable energy, water management, environmental technologies, and sustainable use of indigenous resources.
- Selected startups will undergo a structured incubation journey comprising business diagnostics, expert mentoring, intensive bootcamps, networking opportunities, and industry ecosystem access.
- Top-performing enterprises will receive performance-linked grant support to scale up their operations.
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The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) launched the GENESIS Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR) Cohort-3 at the GENESIS NextGen Startup Summit in Coimbatore on 4 August 2026. The programme provides…
IDFC FIRST Bank priced its inaugural USD 500 million three-year fixed-rate senior notes due 2029. The notes carry a fixed coupon of 5.625% and were placed under Regulation S to investors outside the United States.
Indian Bank approved around ₹500 crore in MSME loans during a credit outreach programme held in New Delhi as part of its 120th Foundation Day fortnight celebrations. Sanction tickets were handed over to 128 beneficiaries…
MC²+ Ignite, an accelerator programme by the energy innovation platform MC²+, has been launched to support energy deep-tech startups. The inaugural cohort will include approximately 30 startups, each eligible for up to…
TN CM Vijay announces 3 free LPG cylinders, expands free bus travel for women and transgenders
Key Updates:
- Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay announced three free LPG cylinders per year for eligible beneficiaries.
- The cost of the three LPG cylinders will be credited directly to the bank accounts of eligible beneficiaries.
- The Vetri Payanam scheme expands free bus travel for women and transgender persons.
- Under Vetri Payanam, free travel is allowed on Express, LSS, and Deluxe government buses in metropolitan and urban areas.
- For inter-district travel, free travel covers ordinary-fare government buses in mofussil and hilly areas.
- The scheme will take effect from October 2, 2026.
- No income ceiling or trip limit applies to the free bus travel scheme.
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The Annapoorani Super Six scheme will provide the cash value equivalent to three free LPG cylinders per year to eligible families. The scheme is expected to cover about 1.3 crore families at an annual cost of…
The Kerala government announced the launch of the Priyadarshini scheme to provide free travel for women and transgender persons on Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) ordinary buses. The scheme is scheduled…
The Delhi government launched the Pink Saheli Smart Card Yojana on 2 March 2026 to provide free travel on Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and cluster buses operated by the Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System…
The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) has authorised development of about 1,800 km of new LPG pipeline infrastructure with an estimated investment of about ₹7,000 crore. The new LPG pipeline network will…
Bihar Vidya Saathi App Launched to Benefit 3 Lakh Students
Key Updates:
- Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary launched the 'Bihar Vidya Saathi' app for 700 Saraswati Vidya Niketan Model Schools across 38 districts.
- The app will directly benefit approximately 3 lakh students.
- It provides 24x7 access to live teachers for students from Classes 9 to 12.
- 75,000 teachers will provide personalised academic support to students.
- Digital study material will be made available for all subjects for Class 9 and 10 students.
- For Class 11 and 12 Science stream students, live tutor support and digital study materials for Bihar Board, JEE, and NEET preparation will be provided.
- The platform uses modern AI tools to improve concept learning and offers unlimited study and practice facilities.
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Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched the Gramin Gyan Setu app on 13 August 2026, on the occasion of National Library Day. The app connects 752 rural libraries in Gujarat's Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency through a…
The Gujarat government launched the 'Samras Vidya Setu' Mega Campaign on July 22, 2026. The campaign aims to re-enrol over 80,000 school dropout children in Gujarat.
The Centre and Bihar government announced a permanent campus for the National Skill Training Institute for Women (NSTI-W) in Patna and a Skill India International Centre (SIIC). The permanent NSTI (Women) campus will be…
The Bihar government launched the 'Mukhyamantri Bihar Heli-Tourism and Air Tourism Service Scheme-2026' on July 13, 2026. Under the scheme, helicopter services will be operated every Saturday and Sunday starting from…
Telangana Launches Devadurga Gold and Copper Exploration
Key Updates:
- The Telangana government launched a gold and copper mining exploration programme at the Devadurga block in Karnataka.
- Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka launched the initiative on August 28, 2026, at Lingadahalli village in Raichur district.
- Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) secured exploration rights for the Devadurga Block through tenders conducted by the central government.
- SCCL will establish a site office and helipad at Devadurga to monitor exploration activities.
- The exploration aims to find gold and copper, which could create employment opportunities and accelerate regional development.
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The Andhra Pradesh government signed an agreement with CSIR-NGRI for extensive exploration of lithium and gallium deposits in the Kadapa Basin. The exploration project will be funded entirely by the National Mineral…
The Andhra Pradesh government has launched India's first private gold mining project at Swarnagiri (formerly Jonnagiri) in the Kurnool district. The project is operated by Geomysore Services India Pvt Ltd (GMSI) with an…
The Ministry of Mines organised a roadshow for the 8th tranche of critical and strategic mineral block auctions in Patna, Bihar, on August 17, 2026. The 8th tranche includes 20 mineral blocks, comprising 3 Mining Lease…
Rajasthan became the first state to execute an exploration licence for a rare earth elements (REE) block under the Centre’s new exploration licensing regime for critical and strategic minerals. The exploration licence…
Mizoram Declares 79 Monuments and Archaeological Sites as State Protected Monuments
Key Updates:
- 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.
- Art and Culture Minister C. Lalsawivunga informed the state Assembly about the declaration.
- Two heritage sites in Champhai district have been declared Monuments of National Importance under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
- The ASI-declared sites are Kawtchhuah Ropui and Ralven Puk at Vangchhia village, and Lianpui Hmun/Lungphun Ropui at Lianpui village.
- Kawtchhuah Ropui and Ralven Puk were declared Monuments of National Importance in 2012, while Lianpui Hmun/Lungphun Ropui received the ASI tag in 2025.
- Kawtchhuah Ropui features over 170 intricately carved standing stones or menhirs.
- Ralven Puk is a rock-cut cave traditionally used by Mizo ancestors as a lookout or watchpost during times of conflict.
- Proposals are under consideration to declare four more heritage sites as Protected Monuments.
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The Centre delisted 18 monuments from the protected list since 2021 under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958, citing they had ceased to be of national importance. The Archaeological…
Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena approved the declaration of 23 heritage sites as protected monuments in Ladakh. The declaration was made under the Jammu and Kashmir Ancient Monuments Preservation Act.
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…
Italy has become the world's United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage capital with 61 protected sites. Italy currently holds the highest number of UNESCO-listed sites of…
Mission Samriddh Gaon Launched to Develop Poverty-Free, Employment-Rich Villages
Key Updates:
- Mission Samriddh Gaon will develop pilot models in two blocks of Madhya Pradesh: Budni in Sehore district and Khategaon in Dewas district.
- The mission aims to reduce poverty, generate employment, and achieve overall village development through convergence of various government schemes.
- The objective is to create model villages where every family has an employment or livelihood opportunity, basic amenities are available, and people do not have to migrate out of compulsion.
- An integrated development framework will be prepared at family, gram panchayat, and block levels, linking each family to Central and state schemes based on needs.
- The mission will focus on identifying women farmers, providing agricultural advice, and connecting rural women with livelihood opportunities.
- It promotes integrated farming systems and diversified activities such as fruit/vegetable cultivation, fisheries, goat rearing, animal husbandry, poultry, and beekeeping.
- Warehouses, food processing, and production-based activities will be promoted to strengthen the rural economy.
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The Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) signed a non-financial MoU with PCI India to strengthen women-led enterprises (WLEs) and SHG-led enterprises. The MoU was signed under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana–National…
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) project Samriddh Gram: Integrated Phygital Service Delivery Model Enabled by BharatNet was declared the global winner at the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS)…
A study by University of Cambridge economist Alessio Terzi and Francesco Nicoli of Politecnico di Torino analyzed 6,740 rocket launches between 1960 and 2025. The study estimated India's cost of delivering one kilogram…
Rural Development Secretary Rohit Kansal launched the three-month 'National Campaign on Entrepreneurship-II' under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM). The campaign will run from…
India Plans 100 New Ships to Cut $75 Billion Foreign Freight Bill
Key Updates:
- India plans to add 100 vessels to its merchant fleet over the next five years.
- The plan aims to reduce dependence on foreign shipping lines and retain a larger share of the $75 billion annual freight bill.
- The proposal includes five measures: fiscal reforms, assured cargo support, access to competitive financing, regulatory streamlining, and improved ease of doing business.
- The plan is part of a broader roadmap to make India one of the top five ship-owning nations by 2047.
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India became the world's leading ship recycling nation in 2025, achieving a key target under the Maritime India Vision (MIV) 2030 five years ahead of schedule. According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and…
North Eastern Railway (NER) operated its longest-ever freight train 'Awadh Mahashakti' on August 20, 2026. The 'Awadh Mahashakti' freight train comprised 129 wagons and three engines.
The Registration of Births and Deaths Amendment Bill, 2026 proposes stricter rules for delayed registration of births and deaths. Registration delayed between one and two years will require approval from the District…
Indian Railways unveiled eight new structural reforms under the Reform Express initiative to modernise freight operations. Containerised transportation of fly ash using ISO-standard containers was introduced to enable…
Uttar Pradesh Startup Policy 2026 Launched with Increased Incentive of Rs 40,000
Key Updates:
- Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched the Uttar Pradesh Startup Policy 2026 and the UP Startup Mission Portal on 27 August 2026.
- Under the policy, incentives worth Rs 3.42 crore were distributed to 107 startups and Rs 1.79 crore to 9 incubators.
- The incentive amount under the Startup Policy has been increased from Rs 30,000 to Rs 40,000.
- The policy aims to achieve a 20 percent share for Uttar Pradesh in the country's startup ecosystem.
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The Uttar Pradesh cabinet approved the Startup Policy 2026 and Data Centre Policy 2026 to strengthen the state's innovation ecosystem and digital infrastructure. The Startup Policy 2026 introduces a ₹1,000 crore Startup…
The Delhi Cabinet approved the Delhi Startup and Incubation Policy with a financial outlay of more than ₹400 crore over five years. The policy aims to provide incubation facilities, mentorship, and milestone-based…
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) launched the GENESIS Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR) Cohort-3 at the GENESIS NextGen Startup Summit in Coimbatore on 4 August 2026. The programme provides…
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) signed five MoUs with industry leaders to expand support for startups. The MoUs were signed with Cashfree Payments, Darwin Dynamics, Vultr India, Cars24…
India Sends 10 Tonnes of Relief Aid to Nepal After Deadly Floods
Key Updates:
- India dispatched 10 tonnes of Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) supplies, including essential medicines, to Nepal.
- The relief material was carried by an Indian Air Force C-130J aircraft from Hindon airbase near Delhi to Kathmandu.
- The aid followed a phone call between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Nepalese counterpart Balendra Shah, during which Modi assured full humanitarian support.
- Flash floods along the Nepal-Tibet border have killed at least 95 people, with hundreds still missing.
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India delivered the first tranche of 4.5 tonnes of medical aid to Kenya to strengthen Ebola preparedness. The aid was handed over by Indian High Commissioner Adarsh Swaika to Kenya's Cabinet Secretary for Health Aden…
At least 105 Indian nationals are missing after a flash flood in the Bhote Koshi river in Rasuwa, Nepal. The Nepal Tourism Board reported 384 travellers missing, including 291 foreign nationals and 93 Nepali nationals.
The Directorate of Sainik Welfare, Assam donated Rs 25 lakh to the Chief Minister's Relief Fund for flood relief. The cheque was presented to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma by Brigadier Polash Chowdhury (Retd)…
India and Nepal signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) for eight development projects valued at NPR 803 million. The projects are implemented under India's High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDPs)…
India and Seychelles agree to deepen cooperation in fisheries and blue economy
Key Updates:
- India and Seychelles agreed to deepen cooperation in fisheries and the blue economy, focusing on sustainable marine resource management, aquaculture, and tuna fisheries.
- The meeting was co-chaired by India's Fisheries Secretary Abhilaksh Likhi and Seychelles' Minister of Fisheries, Agriculture and Blue Economy Wallace Cosgrow.
- India reported fish production of 19.7 million tonnes and seafood exports worth USD 8.46 billion.
- Both sides agreed to develop a joint roadmap for sustainable use of marine resources, including technical cooperation in aquaculture, hatchery establishment, and marine conservation.
- They explored partnerships in fisheries data systems, monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS) infrastructure, and deployment of artificial intelligence in harvest management.
- Seychelles expressed interest in expediting a bilateral MoU on fisheries and aquaculture, and both sides agreed on a structured annual work plan.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with the honorary 'Guardian of the Blue Horizon' title by Seychelles. The honour was presented by President Patrick Herminie and is the first such title bestowed by Seychelles.
Vice-President C P Radhakrishnan launched the national programme for issuance of Letter of Authorisation (LoA) for sustainable fishing in high seas in Bhubaneswar. The LoA initiative aims to promote responsible and…
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced that the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) system is targeted to become operational in Seychelles by the end of the year. Seychelles utilizes 90 annual slots under the…
India deposited its Instrument of Acceptance of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies (AFS) on 20 July 2026, becoming a Party to the Agreement. The agreement prohibits subsidies linked to illegal, unreported and…
Taiwan Lawmakers Approve NT$240 Billion Drone Budget on August 27, 2026
Key Updates:
- Taiwan's lawmakers approved a NT$240 billion ($7.6 billion) budget for locally made drones on August 27, 2026.
- The approved proposal was backed by the Kuomintang (KMT) and Taiwan People's Party (TPP) after President Lai Ching-te's government plan was rejected.
- The government had proposed NT$210 billion ($6.6 billion) in a special budget for Taiwan-made unmanned vehicles over more than five years.
- The opposition-backed proposal allocates NT$240 billion over six years and will be included in the annual budget.
- The KMT initially insisted on an annual spending cap of NT$40 billion but later agreed to flexibility and accepted defence ministry oversight of drone procurement.
- Cabinet spokesperson Michelle Lee said the government would make every possible effort to secure funding and that national security cannot afford delays.
- KMT lawmaker Hsu Chiao-hsin said Taiwan must encourage localisation and domestic production and support manufacturers with non-Chinese supply chains and cybersecurity.
- US Republican lawmaker Young Kim said during a visit to Taipei that time was short and Taiwan needed to buy and build drones at a huge scale.
- Taiwan's government has earmarked a record NT$1.1 trillion in defence spending for 2027, accounting for more than three percent of GDP.
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Taiwan's military commenced a five-day combat readiness exercise known as the Immediate Combat Readiness Exercise. The Ministry of National Defense (MND) designed the drill to transition from traditional scripted…
Tamil Nadu announced the 'Vetri Vaanmagal' scheme to train women farmers in drone operation. The scheme was announced in the state's first agriculture budget by Agriculture Minister R Vinoth.
China launched the Plateau Drone R&D Application Centre at Xizang University on July 3, 2026, as its first dedicated platform for high-altitude UAV research and deployment. The centre aims to deploy drones for border…
The Government of India approved only one Chinese foreign direct investment (FDI) proposal worth Rs 1 crore during FY26 under the Press Note 3 screening regime. India cleared 13 Hong Kong investment proposals with a…
Andhra Pradesh and United Kingdom sign MoU on 25 August 2026 for Amaravati smart city development
Key Updates:
- The Andhra Pradesh government signed a government-to-government Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United Kingdom on 25 August 2026.
- The MoU aims to develop Amaravati as a world-class smart, sustainable and liveable capital using UK expertise and technology.
- The partnership will cover 123 municipalities and municipal corporations in Andhra Pradesh, focusing on roads, drainage, drinking water, and waste management.
- The collaboration will focus on four key areas: infrastructure planning, sustainable urban development, technology transfer and innovation, and integrated urban mobility.
- Under the MoU, the state will explore UK expertise in urban planning, sustainable infrastructure, transport, and advanced construction technologies for Amaravati's next phase.
- Technology cooperation will include Intelligent Transport Systems, Building Information Modelling, digital twins, and advanced construction methods.
- The MoU may facilitate innovative financing and investment mobilisation, including potential UK Export Finance support for eligible projects.
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The Andhra Pradesh government signed an MoU with the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) on July 15, 2026, for inclusive and sustainable urban development. The partnership will establish a Centre of…
The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) and the Moscow government signed a memorandum of cooperation (MoC) to strengthen collaboration in sustainable urban transport, digital innovation, smart mobility…
CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT) and Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) signed an MoU to jointly develop indigenous next-generation…
Punjab National Bank (PNB) and the Government of Andhra Pradesh signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish the PNB Quantum Finance Hub at Amaravati Quantum Valley (AQV). The hub is the first bank-led…
Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit 2026 to be held in Bishkek from August 31 to September 1
Key Updates:
- The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit 2026 will be held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, from August 31 to September 1, 2026.
- The summit marks the 25th anniversary of the SCO, with the slogan '25 years of the SCO: Together Towards Sustainable Peace, Development and Prosperity'.
- The core agenda includes enhanced cooperation on regional security, counter-terrorism, separatism, extremism, and cybercrime protection.
- The summit will discuss the creation of an International Centre for Combating Organised Crime.
- Key transport initiatives include the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project and cargo corridors at the Caspian Sea.
- The SCO currently has 10 member states: India, China, Russia, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Iran, and Belarus.
- SCO member states administer about 45 percent of the global population and around 25 percent of the world's land area.
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The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Women’s Forum 2026 was held in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic. Union Minister for Women and Child Development Annapurna Devi addressed the forum through a video message.
The 52nd Group of Seven (G7) Summit is being held in the French resort town of Évian-les-Bains from 15 to 17 June 2026 under the presidency of Emmanuel Macron. The G7 member leaders attending the summit include Mark…
The Group of Seven (G7) leaders' summit is scheduled to take place from 15 June to 17 June in Évian-les-Bains, France. United States (US) President Donald Trump confirmed his attendance at the summit following the…
External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar spoke at the Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity 2026 in Jeju, South Korea. Jaishankar said India and the Republic of Korea (ROK) must cooperate more closely in…
Vietnam Coast Guard Ship Arrives in India for 2nd Edition of Joint Exercise Sahyog HOP TAC
Key Updates:
- The 2nd edition of Joint Exercise Sahyog HOP TAC is being held with the visit of Vietnam Coast Guard Ship CSB8002 to Chennai on August 24, 2026.
- A six-member delegation from the Vietnam Coast Guard is visiting for the 7th ICG-VCG High-Level Meeting and the 2nd edition of the exercise.
- The exercise aims to strengthen operational cooperation through professional exchanges and sharing best practices in marine pollution response and maritime law enforcement.
- Earlier, a five-member delegation from the Vietnam People's Army, led by Major General Do Minh Xuong, visited Mhow from August 17-20, exploring modern AI and quantum computing labs and advanced weapon systems.
- High-level bilateral military talks were held during Air Chief Marshal A P Singh's visit to Hanoi, where both sides reiterated commitment to bolster military collaboration under the Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
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The 7th High-Level Meeting between the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and Vietnam Coast Guard (VCG) was held in Chennai on August 25, 2026. The meeting was co-chaired by ICG Director General Paramesh Sivamani and VCG Vice…
The 15th edition of the India-Thailand joint military exercise 'Maitree' is scheduled to be held from August 18 to 31, 2026. Exercise Maitree will be conducted at Vibhavadi Rangsit Camp, Surat Thani, Thailand.
The opening ceremony of Exercise Tiger Lightning (TL)-2026 was held at the Para Commando Brigade in Jalalabad Cantonment, Sylhet on July 19, 2026. The joint exercise involves the Bangladesh Army and the United States…
The Indian Navy will host Operation Southern Readiness 26-2 at the Southern Naval Command, Kochi, from 20 to 23 July 2026. The four-day multinational maritime-security training is conducted with the Combined Maritime…
Indian Coast Guard Receives ICGS Ajit Fast Patrol Vessel on 25 August 2026
Key Updates:
- Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) handed over the 51.43-metre fast patrol vessel ICGS Ajit to the Indian Coast Guard on 25 August 2026.
- The vessel, designated Yard 1277, was formally handed over after the First Reading Ceremony.
- ICGS Ajit is a 330-tonne vessel with a beam of 8 metres, a draught of 2.5 metres, and more than 65 percent indigenous content.
- It is powered by twin marine diesel engines coupled with controllable pitch propellers, a first-of-its-kind feature in this class of fast patrol vessels.
- The vessel can achieve a top speed of over 27 knots and has an endurance of 1,500 nautical miles.
- It will be operated by a crew of six officers and 35 sailors.
- Its operational roles include fisheries protection, exclusive economic zone surveillance, coastal patrolling, anti-smuggling and anti-piracy operations, and search and rescue missions.
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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…
Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) launched Shruti, the second Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel (NGOPV), at its Kolkata facility on 11 August 2026. The vessel, designated as Yard 3037, was formally…
The 7th High-Level Meeting between the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and Vietnam Coast Guard (VCG) was held in Chennai on August 25, 2026. The meeting was co-chaired by ICG Director General Paramesh Sivamani and VCG Vice…
The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) inducted the first indigenously constructed air cushion vehicle (ACV), H-561, into service on 18 June 2026. The ACV H-561 is the first of six hovercraft being built for the ICG.
India Signs Deal with US to Purchase Javelin Anti-Tank Guided Missile System
Key Updates:
- India signed a deal with the US to purchase the Javelin anti-tank guided missile system, nearly 16 years after initial interest.
- The Javelin system is produced by the Javelin Joint Venture, a partnership between RTX and Lockheed Martin.
- The deal includes provisions for co-production and additional opportunities to strengthen defence industrial bases.
- The US had earlier notified Congress of the sale of 100 Javelin missiles and associated equipment for $45.7 million.
- The acquisition had previously stalled due to cost and US restrictions, but was revived as part of deepening defence ties, including a 10-year Defence Framework Agreement signed in October.
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Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh confirmed that India has signed a deal with Vietnam for the supply of BrahMos missiles. The deal with Indonesia for BrahMos missiles is in the final stages.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh approved the transfer of DRDO-developed technologies for all conventional missile systems to Indian defence companies for local production on August 25, 2026. The technology transfer aims…
India and the United States of America (USA) have completed 99 per cent of negotiations for the first tranche of their bilateral trade agreement. A USA trade delegation is scheduled for negotiations in New Delhi from…
Mission Sudarshan Chakra is a multi-level missile defence system designed to protect military installations, critical infrastructure, and civil establishments. The mission was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi…
India inaugurates first public-private defence avionics facility in Gurugram
Key Updates:
- Samtel HAL Display Systems (SHDS), a joint venture between Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Samtel Avionics, inaugurated a new manufacturing facility in Gurugram on August 26, 2026.
- The facility is India's first public-private joint venture in defence avionics to indigenously design, qualify, and serially produce multifunction displays for fighter aircraft.
- The new facility will house testing and quality assurance capabilities for advanced display systems, supporting design, development, manufacturing, and product support.
- SHDS displays are already fitted on the Su-30 MKI and have been selected for HAL's Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) and Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) programmes.
- The company expects its annual turnover to potentially double to ₹400-500 crore over the next three to four years.
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Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav inaugurated India's first virtual zoo at Kamla Nehru Zoological Garden in Indore on August 16, 2026. The virtual zoo includes a 14-D cinema theatre and a virtual jungle safari…
Paras Defence and Space Technologies Limited announced a Rs 6,200 crore ($644 million) investment for a semiconductor unit through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Paras Semiconductors. An MoU has been signed with the Madhya…
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…
D-Propulse successfully demonstrated India's first indigenous 5 kN air-breathing rotating detonation engine (RDE) integrated with an aerospike nozzle. The hot-fire demonstration was conducted at a DRDO test facility and…
T-Hub Partners with Indian Army Central Command to Accelerate Defence Startup Deployments
Key Updates:
- Hyderabad-based T-Hub partnered with the Indian Army's Central Command to create a direct pathway for defence startups to develop and validate military technologies.
- Under the partnership, T-Hub will receive problem statements from Central Command and select relevant defence startups to work on the challenges.
- A joint oversight committee will supervise the execution of the programme and engagements between startups and Army stakeholders.
- The initiative will allow founders to develop and validate technologies against practical military challenges with operational feedback from Army personnel.
- T-Hub CEO Kavikrut said the partnership reflects confidence in Indian defence startups and Hyderabad's ability to build technologies for critical requirements.
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The United States (US) Department of Defence (Pentagon) launched Project Patriot Pipeline to channel veterans, military spouses, and federal workers into critical defence manufacturing, engineering, and cybersecurity…
Hyderabad-based startup incubator T-Hub launched the third cohort of ORBIT, a spacetech accelerator programme under the AIC T-Hub Foundation. The third cohort inducts 13 startups: Sanyark Space Technologies, Trishul…
Saudi Arabia has officially launched a multinational maritime defense coalition involving representatives from 39 countries. The coalition aims to strengthen maritime security and protect trade and energy routes in the…
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced Task Force Falcon Strike, an inaugural task force focused on multi-domain, multinational attack drones. Task Force Falcon Strike will use one-way attack drones composed of…
US President Trump signs order renaming Lake Ontario to Lake America amid Canada trade dispute
Key Updates:
- US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on August 27, 2026, renaming Lake Ontario to 'Lake America'.
- The order directs the Interior Secretary to update the Geographic Names Information System to reflect the new name.
- Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney stated that Canada will continue to call the lake Lake Ontario.
- This is the second such renaming by Trump, following the earlier change of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.
- The renaming occurred amid a breakdown in US-Canada trade talks, with Trump imposing 50% tariffs on about $20 billion worth of Canadian goods.
- Canada responded with 'dollar for dollar' retaliatory tariffs of up to 50% on US imports, though some were later pared back.
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The United Nations (UN) General Assembly adopted Resolution A/RES/79/142 on December 12, 2024, designating August 27 as World Lake Day. World Lake Day commemorates the opening of the first World Lake Conference in Shiga…
On August 24, 2026, US President Donald Trump announced a 50% tariff on Canadian automobiles, automotive parts, and steel, effective Jan. 1, 2027. The tariff was announced after US-Canada trade negotiations collapsed.
Glaw Lake, located inside the Kamlang Tiger Reserve and Wildlife Sanctuary in Arunachal Pradesh, has been designated as the state's first Ramsar site and India's 101st. The designation was announced by Union Environment…
The United States Department of Defence (DoD) has restored the name of the US Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) to the US Pacific Command (USPACOM). USPACOM was originally established on 1 January 1947 by President…
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal Chairs Inaugural Sagar Samvad in New Delhi
Key Updates:
- The inaugural edition of Sagar Samvad, a dialogue by the National Shipping Board (NSB), was held in New Delhi and chaired by Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal.
- The NSB pressed for a five-point roadmap including fiscal reform, assured cargo support, competitive financing, regulatory streamlining, and ease of doing business to add 100 vessels to India's merchant fleet over five years.
- The event was themed 'Charting the Roadmap Towards Maritime India Vision 2030 and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047'.
- India pays approximately $75 billion annually in freight to foreign shipping lines, as highlighted by Minister of State Shantanu Thakur.
- The Container Manufacturing Assistance Scheme worth ₹10,000 crore has led to global shipping major Maersk ordering containers built in India.
- The NSB is a statutory advisory body under the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025, and its chairperson Sameer Kumar Khare submitted the board's annual report for 2025-26.
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Deendayal Port Authority (DPA), Kandla was honoured with the Sagar Aankalan Award for the financial year 2024–25. The award was granted under the category Handling of Container Cargo – Less than 0.5 Million TEUs.
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) launched a comprehensive 'Seafarer-First' response following attacks on merchant vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. The initiative mandates real-time vessel-by-vessel…
Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) Sarbananda Sonowal announced a development pipeline worth Rs 5,028.17 crore for the Mumbai Port Authority. The development plan consists of 63 projects covering…
Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan inaugurated 'MALHAR 2026' on August 21, 2026 in New Delhi. 'MALHAR 2026' is a youth-centric, monsoon-themed celebration of Indian classical music organized by Antar Hriday Connect.
Astronauts Anil Menon and Sophie Adenot Install Ku-band Antenna on ISS
Key Updates:
- Astronauts Anil Menon and Sophie Adenot successfully installed a Ku-band communications antenna on the International Space Station (ISS) during a spacewalk on August 26, 2026.
- The spacewalk, the 283rd in ISS history, restored critical communications redundancy for the orbital laboratory.
- The antenna was installed on the Z1 truss segment above the Unity module.
- This was Menon's third spacewalk and Adenot's second, making her the first French woman to perform an extravehicular activity (EVA).
- NASA astronauts Jack Hathaway and Jessica Meir assisted from inside the ISS, with Hathaway commanding the Canadarm2 robotic arm.
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Sophie Adenot became the first French woman to walk in space during a spacewalk outside the International Space Station (ISS). The spacewalk was performed with American astronaut Anil Menon and lasted nearly six and a…
Russia launched the Soyuz MS-29 spacecraft carrying National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) astronaut Anil Menon and Roscosmos State Corporation for Space Activities (Roscosmos) cosmonauts Pyotr Dubrov and…
Anil Menon, a National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) astronaut of Indian descent, is scheduled to launch on an eight-month mission to the International Space Station (ISS) on July 14 from the Baikonur…
ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan announced India's plan to establish the Bharatiya Antariksha Station by 2035. The first module of the proposed space station has received approval.
Tamil Nadu notifies three new elephant corridors
Key Updates:
- The Tamil Nadu government notified three elephant corridors in the Cauvery North Wildlife Sanctuary, located in the Hosur Forest Division.
- The three corridors are Jawalagiri-Ulbanda-Thaggatti (18.50 km), Jawalagiri-Panai-Anchetty (20.90 km), and Bilikkal-Jawalagiri (2.20 km).
- These corridors enable trans-Cauvery migration of elephants and other large mammals between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
- All three corridors lie entirely within reserved forest and sanctuary areas, with no revenue villages, public lands, or private lands within their boundaries.
- The notification was based on recommendations from expert committees constituted pursuant to Madras High Court orders, which identified 41 corridors across two landscapes with the Palghat Gap as the boundary.
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World Elephant Day is observed annually on August 12. The first World Elephant Day was observed on August 12, 2012.
Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan reaffirmed the government's commitment to elephant protection on World Elephant Day (August 12, 2026). He described elephants as guardians of forests and symbols of…
Australia has agreed to return three stolen ancient antiquities to India, comprising a six-headed Karttikeya, a Nandi, and a ceremonial trishul. The nine-century-old Karttikeya sculpture belongs to the Naganathaswamy…
Tamil Nadu Government will introduce the TN-Analytical thinking, Reasoning, Innovation, Venture and entrepreneurship, Upskilling (TN-ARIVU) curriculum with artificial intelligence and emerging technology from the 2027-28…
SpaceX to Build USD 100 Bn Rocket Launch Complex in Southern Louisiana
Key Updates:
- SpaceX announced plans for a $100 billion Starship launch complex named Starbase Louisiana on Pecan Island in Vermilion Parish, southern Louisiana.
- The 125,000-acre (50,585-hectare) site will begin construction in 2027, with the first Starship launch targeted for 2029.
- The facility is designed to be self-sufficient, featuring its own methane production, power generation, deep-water shipping infrastructure, vehicle processing facilities, and potentially an airport.
- Starships will be transported to Louisiana from Texas by sea, and the site will not include rocket manufacturing.
- The location offers a southern launch path over the Gulf of Mexico and access to sun-synchronous orbits suitable for satellite deployment.
- The project is expected to create over 3,000 jobs with an average salary of about $92,600.
- The proposed site is a protected wildlife habitat and an important stop for migratory birds, with SpaceX committing to preserve natural wetlands and support coastal restoration.
- A settlement in June resolved a decade-long legal dispute with ExxonMobil over the site, clearing the way for the project.
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A study by University of Cambridge economist Alessio Terzi and Francesco Nicoli of Politecnico di Torino analyzed 6,740 rocket launches between 1960 and 2025. The study estimated India's cost of delivering one kilogram…
Vietnamese aerospace company VinSpace has signed a contract with SpaceX to launch its first satellites on a Transporter rideshare mission in 2027. The satellites will test VinSpace's technology in orbit and support…
SpaceX launched two Falcon 9 rockets within 38 minutes on August 15, 2026, setting a new company record for the shortest gap between orbital launches. The first Falcon 9 lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station…
SpaceX launched its 13th Starship test flight from Starbase, Texas, deploying 20 next-generation Starlink V3 satellites. The 407-foot (124-metre) Starship V3 rocket lifted off after replacing six engines that failed to…
WAE Limited joins United Nations Global Compact Network India to advance technology-led water sustainability
Key Updates:
- 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 advanced purification, circular water systems, decentralised drinking-water generation, sustainable glass bottling, atmospheric water generation, intelligent dispensing, IoT-enabled monitoring and data-led water management.
- WAE commits to advancing the Ten Principles of the United Nations Global Compact covering human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption.
- The alignment strengthens WAE's contribution to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 6, 9, 12, 13 and 17.
- WAE's sustainability strategy shifts water infrastructure from a linear extract-treat-consume-discard model to circular, decentralised and digitally intelligent water ecosystems.
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The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS), under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, organised a national workshop to strengthen capacity-building for gram panchayats, village water and sanitation committees (VWSCs)…
World Water Week 2026 was observed from August 23 to 27, 2026. The theme of World Water Week 2026 was 'Water for People and Progress'.
Bisleri International Pvt. Ltd., through its sustainability initiative Bottles for Change (BFC), signed a Letter of Association (LoA) with the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Kerala & Mahe. The partnership aims to advance…
The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) transferred four indigenous technologies to industry and commercially launched an IoT-enabled rural water monitoring system. The technologies licensed to Pump…
MYAS Approves 15-member Indian Esports Contingent for Asian Games 2026
Key Updates:
- The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) approved a 15-member Indian esports contingent for the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
- The esports competitions will be held from September 23 to October 2, 2026, featuring 13 video game titles.
- India will compete in four titles: League of Legends, Pokémon UNITE, eFootball, and Puyo Puyo Champions.
- The six-member Pokémon UNITE team is captained by Adnan Mohammed Badshah.
- The League of Legends team is captained by Akshaj Shenoy and includes five other players.
- Chinmay Sahoo and Danial Shakeel Patel will represent India in eFootball, while Paritosh will compete in Puyo Puyo Champions.
- The Indian League of Legends team finished 5th in the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games.
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India announced the men's and women's kabaddi squads for the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya. Both teams are defending champions, having won gold at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games.
The 20th Asian Games, branded as Aichi-Nagoya 2026, will be held from 19 September to 4 October 2026 in Aichi Prefecture and Nagoya, Japan, featuring 43 sports. The Opening and Closing Ceremonies are scheduled at Paloma…
SBI Life Insurance has partnered with the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) as the Principal Partner of the Indian Contingent for the 2026 para sports season. The company will serve as the Official Life Insurance…
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) granted conditional recognition to the interim body of the Judo Federation of India (JFI). The JFI has been under a court-appointed administrator since 2022 following a…
Praggnanandhaa defeats Fabiano Caruana to win Grand Chess Tour title
Key Updates:
- R Praggnanandhaa defeated Fabiano Caruana 15-13 in the final of the 2026 Grand Chess Tour Finals.
- He became the first Indian to win the Grand Chess Tour title.
- He won a prize money of $200,000 (approximately INR 1.91 crore).
- He overcame a six-point deficit after the classical games by winning both rapid games and holding his composure in the blitz section.
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R Praggnanandhaa became the first Indian to win the Norway Chess title since the tournament's inception in 2013. The 20-year-old player from Chennai finished the tournament with a total of 18 points.
Praggnanandhaa clinched the Grand Chess Tour Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz 2026 title. He finished 1.5 points ahead of runner-up Javokhir Sindarov of Uzbekistan.
Apoorv Kamble won the FIDE-rated rapid tournament with 8.5 points from nine rounds. Sammed Jaykumar Shete finished second and Vaidyanathan Kannan finished third.
Viswanathan Anand assumed the role of Interim President of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) on July 24, 2026. He took over after incumbent President Arkady Dvorkovich suspended his duties due to sanctions…
World Sanskrit Day 2026: Observed on Friday, August 28
Key Updates:
- World Sanskrit Day, also known as Sanskrit Diwas, is observed on Shravan Purnima, the full moon day of the Shravan month.
- In 2026, World Sanskrit Day falls on Friday, August 28.
- Since the date follows the lunar calendar, it changes every year in the Gregorian calendar.
- Sanskrit is revered as the language of many ancient Indian scriptures, philosophy, science, mathematics, literature, and the arts.
- In 1969, the Ministry of Education of the Government of India encouraged the celebration of Sanskrit Day.
- UNESCO supports the observance of World Sanskrit Day.
- In ancient India, the academic year began on this day, with students starting their study of the Vedas.
- Sanskrit has relatively few native speakers, around 25,000, but remains one of the world's most widely studied classical languages.
- Sanskrit is studied in more than 40 countries, including the US, Germany, the UK, France and Japan.
- Samskrita Bharati, a non-profit organisation working to revive Sanskrit, actively promotes the observance.
- World Sanskrit Day also celebrates Pāṇini, a great Sanskrit scholar.
- Many eminent writers like Patanjali, Ved Vyas, Adi Shankaracharya, and Kalidas wrote classics in Sanskrit.
- Many Indian languages, including Hindi, Marathi, Bengali, Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam, Odia, and Nepali, derive much of their vocabulary from Sanskrit.
- The United Nations observes six official Language Days: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish.
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World Lung Cancer Day is observed annually on August 1. It was established in 2012 by the Forum of International Respiratory Societies (FIRS).
International Tiger Day is observed annually on July 29 to raise awareness about tiger conservation. The day was established in 2010 at the Saint Petersburg Tiger Summit, where the TX2 initiative was launched to double…
Chartered Accountants Day is celebrated annually on July 1 to mark the foundation of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI). The ICAI was established on July 1, 1949, under the Chartered Accountants Act…
India will celebrate its 80th Independence Day on August 15, 2026. The theme for Independence Day 2026 is 'Yuva Shakti for Viksit Bharat@2047'.
IICT and Netflix announce scholarships for 100 students in creative arts
Key Updates:
- IICT and Netflix announced scholarships for 100 students offering up to 80% financial support.
- The scholarships cover two one-year diploma programmes and four six-month certificate programmes.
- The diploma programmes are Interactive Comics & Sequential Arts and Visual Effects Mastery.
- The certificate programmes include Virtual Art Department Content Creation, Media Tech Workflow, Art of Character Animation, and E-Sports & Gaming Management.
- The initiative follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting with Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos on August 5.
- IICT is India's national centre of excellence for the AVGC-XR sector, established by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting with the Maharashtra government, FICCI, and CII.
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The Ministry of Tourism partnered with Netflix to launch a dedicated 'As Seen on Netflix' section on the Incredible India portal. The initiative was launched by Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh…
The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare launched the National Scholarship Portal-Direct Benefit Transfer (NSP-DBT) system for agriculture students. Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched the…
Myanmar President U Min Aung Hlaing conducted an official visit to India from May 30 to June 3, 2026. Prime Minister Narendra Modi described Myanmar as a key partner at the intersection of India's Neighbourhood First…
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…
Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat Launched Biographical Novel ‘Kaho Kalidasa!’ in New Delhi on August 25
Key Updates:
- Kaho Kalidasa! is a biographical novel by author Yugul Joshi, published by Manjul Publishing House.
- The book launch was organised by the Kala Nidhi Division of the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) at Samvet Auditorium, New Delhi.
- Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat attended the launch as Chief Guest.
- IGNCA Chairman Ram Bahadur Rai presided over the event, and NITI Aayog Member Dr. Joram Aniya was the Guest of Honour.
- The novel explores the life, creative personality and literary world of Sanskrit poet Kalidasa.
- Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said that in Kalidasa's works, woman is not merely a subject of beauty.
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The Jayaprakash Narayan Public Library was inaugurated by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on July 11, 2026, on Udyan Marg in Delhi. The library is established under the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC).
The Ministry of Tourism partnered with Netflix to launch a dedicated 'As Seen on Netflix' section on the Incredible India portal. The initiative was launched by Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh…
BRICS Tourism Ministers adopted the Jaipur Declaration at a meeting in Jaipur to strengthen cooperation in the tourism sector. The tourism track under India's BRICS presidency was themed 'Building for Resilience…
Ministry of Textiles (MoT) organised IIHT SUTRA 2026, the first National Conclave of Indian Institutes of Handloom Technology, on 12 August 2026. The conclave was inaugurated at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre in New…
Filmmaker Kuku Kohli Dies at 77
Key Updates:
- 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.
- He began his career as an assistant director to legendary filmmaker Raj Kapoor.
- He also assisted Rahul Rawail in the films Betaab (1983) and Arjun (1985).
- He directed other successful films including Suhaag (1994) and Anari No. 1 (1999).
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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.
K Bhagyaraj, a Tamil actor and director, passed away at the age of 73 at Apollo Hospitals in Chennai. Born as Krishnaswamy Bhagyaraj on January 7, 1953, near Gobichettipalayam.
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 Tamil actor-filmmaker Bharathiraja passed away in Chennai on June 10 at the age of 84. He made his directorial debut with the film 16 Vayathinile in 1977.
