NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. DPIIT Signs MoU with HDFC Capital to Boost Innovation
in Affordable Housing and PropTech through H@ART Programme : The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT)
has signed an MoU with HDFC
Capital Advisors Limited to encourage innovation and support
startups in the affordable housing and PropTech sectors.The collaboration will
leverage the H@ART Programme (HDFC Affordable Real Estate and Technology
Programme), aimed at increasing efficiency and lowering costs in residential
real estate development.The programme seeks to foster innovation by building
connections with affordable housing developers and investing in emerging
PropTech companies.Mentorship opportunities will be provided through
partnerships with accelerators, academic institutions, and investors, creating
a robust support ecosystem for startups.
2. DPIIT Signs MoU with Roche India to Boost Innovation
and Startup Growth in Healthcare Sector:
The Department for Promotion of
Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) signed an MoU with Roche India to promote innovation
and entrepreneurship in the healthcare sector.The partnership aims to
support DPIIT-recognised startups working in key therapeutic areas such as
oncology, neurology, ophthalmology, haematology, and rare diseases.Roche India
will offer mentorship from global experts, assistance with pilot and validation
studies, and access to advanced technologies, infrastructure, and international
platforms.
3. Rajarajan Appointed as New Director of Vikram Sarabhai
Space Centre: Rajarajan,
a senior ISRO scientist, has been appointed as the new Director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), succeeding Unnikrishnan Nair.Before this
appointment, Rajarajan served as the Director of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre
(SDSC-SHAR) in Sriharikota and has nearly four decades of experience in ISRO.He
joined VSSC in January 1987 and has held several leadership roles, specializing
in the design and development of launch vehicles and spacecraft composite
systems.
4. Khalid Jamil Appointed Head Coach of Indian Men’s
Football Team: Khalid
Jamil has been appointed as the head coach of the Indian men’s national football team, becoming
the first Indian in 13 years to hold this prestigious position.He is well-known
for leading Aizawl FC to a historic I-League title in 2017, a remarkable
achievement in Indian football history.Jamil, currently coaching Jamshedpur FC
in the Indian Super League (ISL), was selected by the AIFF executive committee
from a shortlist of three candidates.
5. Tiger Introduction in Debrigarh Sanctuary: The Odisha government has
announced plans to introduce tigers into Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary in
Bargarh district. This move aims to revive the big cat population in the state.
The National
Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has granted technical permission to convert Debrigarh into
a tiger reserve. An expert committee has been formed to demarcate the core and
buffer zones for tiger habitation. Once completed, the government will initiate
steps for tiger relocation. Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Bargarh
district near Hirakud Dam on the Mahanadi River. It spans about 347 square
kilometres. Established in 1985, the sanctuary is a biodiversity hotspot. It
also has historical importance as the base of freedom fighter Veer Surendra Sai
during his rebellion against British rule.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. 1 – 7 August – World Breastfeeding Week : World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) is observed every
year from 1st to 7th August to promote and support breastfeeding
globally. It is a joint initiative by WHO, UNICEF, ministries of health, and
civil society partners.WBW 2025 emphasizes the importance of continued
healthcare support for mothers and babies as part of WHO’s Healthy beginnings,
hopeful futures campaign launched earlier in the year.The official theme for
WBW 2025 is “Invest in breastfeeding,
invest in the future,” highlighting the potential to save over 820,000
children’s lives annually by improving breastfeeding practices.
2. Cascade Schengen Visa: The European Commission
introduced a new fast-track Schengen
visa system for Indian
travellers. This “cascade” system rewards applicants with a clean visa history
by offering long-term, multiple-entry visas. It simplifies travel across 29
European countries in the Schengen Area. The scheme aims to strengthen
people-to-people contacts and facilitate easier movement for trusted
travellers. A Schengen visa permits non-EU nationals to enter and move freely
within the Schengen Area. The area includes 29 countries, mostly EU members and
some European Free Trade Association states. Visa holders can stay up to 90
days within any 180-day period. The visa covers tourism, business, family
visits, medical treatment, and cultural events. It does not allow employment.
Indian citizens with two Schengen visas in the past three years qualify for a
2-year multi-entry visa. This visa can later be upgraded to five years if the
passport is valid. The visa allows free travel across all Schengen countries
without restrictions on travel purpose. However, the 90 days in 180 days stay
rule remains. The scheme provides convenience and encourages repeat travel.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. Recent Appointments in Defence
Sector: Director General of the Sashastra Seema Bal
(SSB) -Sanjay Singhal (replace Amrit Mohan Prasad)Vice-Chief of Army
Staff – Lieutenant General Pushpendra Singh (replace Lt. Gen. NS Raja
Subramani)First Woman DG of Railway Protection Force (RPF) – Sonali Mishra
(replace Manoj Yadava)Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Strategy) – Lieutenant
General Rajiv Ghai Director General of Defence Estates -Shailendra Nath
Gupta
2. Sonali Mishra Becomes First Woman Director General of
RPF in 143-Year History: Sonali Mishra, a 1983-batch
IPS officer of the Madhya Pradesh cadre, has been appointed as the
Director General (DG) of the Railway Protection Force (RPF), becoming the
first woman to head the force in its 143-year history.Her appointment was
approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, and she will serve as DG
of RPF until her superannuation on October 31, 2026.
3. Navy takes delivery of Project 17A frigate Himgiri
from GRSE: Himgiri, the third ship of the Nilgiri-class
(Project 17A) and the first of its class built by GRSE Kolkata, has been
delivered to the Indian Navy.The new Himgiri is equipped with BrahMos cruise
missiles, Barak 8 air defence missiles, AESA radar, and modern combat systems,
and is capable of anti-air, anti-surface, and anti-submarine warfare,
showcasing a major boost in India’s naval combat capabilities.With 75%
indigenous content, the warship project has involved 200+ MSMEs and provided
employment to over 4,000 personnel directly and 10,000 indirectly, further
strengthening India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem.Designed by the Warship
Design Bureau and launched in December 2020, the ship is a reincarnation of the
old INS Himgiri, which was decommissioned in May 2025 after serving the nation
for 30 years.
4. Operation Shiv Shakti: The Indian Army launched
Operation Shiv Shakti in the Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir. The
operation successfully eliminated two terrorists attempting infiltration across
the Line
of Control (LoC). This came
shortly after Operation Mahadev neutralised three terrorists involved in the
deadly April 22 Pahalgam attack that killed 26 civilians. These operations show
India’s intensified efforts to counter cross-border terrorism and secure
vulnerable regions. Operation Shiv Shakti was initiated following precise
intelligence inputs from the Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police. The operation
targeted Lashkar-e-Taiba militants trying to infiltrate via the Maldivalan
sector of Degwar in Poonch. This region is prone to militant activity due to
its challenging terrain and proximity to the LoC. The primary aim was to
intercept and neutralise armed infiltrators before they could enter Indian
territory. The operation also sought to protect civilian populations and
important pilgrimage routes such as the Budha Amarnath Yatra. It was designed
to pre-empt terror activities and maintain peace in the border areas.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. Project Cimon: The International
Space Station (ISS) has recently
integrated advanced artificial intelligence (AI) robots to assist astronauts
during extended missions. Key among these is Cimon, an AI-powered companion
designed to ease crew workload and improve operational efficiency. Alongside
Cimon, NASA’s Astrobee robots support various station tasks, marking a new era
of human-machine collaboration in space. Cimon, short for Crew Interactive
MObile companioN, is an AI assistant developed by Airbus, IBM, and the German
Space Agency. It was launched to the ISS in 2018. This voice-controlled robot
floats freely inside the station, providing hands-free support to astronauts.
It acts as a database, computer, and mobile camera, aiding scientific
experiments and maintenance work.
2. Digital Payments Index Surges: India’s digital payments
ecosystem has witnessed leap in 2025. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced
that its Digital Payments
Index (RBI-DPI) reached
493.22 in March 2025. This marks a strong rise from 465.33 in September 2024.
The RBI-DPI tracks the growth and extent of digital
payment adoption across the
country. It marks the rapid digital transformation in both urban and rural
India. Since 2018, the index has shown a steady upward trend. Starting at 100
in March 2018, it rose to 153.47 by March 2019. By March 2020, it reached
207.84. The surge accelerated with the index hitting 349.30 in March 2022. It
further climbed to 445.50 in March 2024 and 465.33 by September 2024. The
current figure of 493.22 in March 2025 represents more than a fourfold increase
in digital payment activity over seven years.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. Banking Laws Amendment Act 2025: The Banking Laws
(Amendment) Act, 2025 came into effect on 1 August 2025. This act introduces
key reforms across five major banking legislations. It aims to improve
governance, protect depositors, and enhance audit quality in India’s banking
sector. The amendments reflect the need to modernise rules that have remained
unchanged for decades. The Act includes 19 amendments spanning the Reserve Bank
of India Act, 1934, Banking Regulation Act, 1949, State Bank of India Act,
1955, and the Banking Companies (Acquisition and Transfer of Undertakings) Acts
of 1970 and 1980. The Central Government notified the implementation date as 1
August 2025 for several key sections. These provisions were formally notified
in the Official Gazette in July 2025. One major change is the increase of the
threshold for ‘substantial interest’ from ₹5 lakh to ₹2 crore. This limit,
fixed since 1968, determines eligibility for directorship in banks. The
revision ensures that only stakeholders can influence bank governance. This
modernisation aligns with the current economic environment and banking
practices.
2. IEPFA Launches Saksham Niveshak Campaign: The Investor Education and Protection
Fund Authority (IEPFA) under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs launched the
Saksham Niveshak campaign in 2025. This 100-day national drive ran from 28th
July to 6th November. It focused on empowering shareholders by raising
awareness about unclaimed dividends and guiding them to update KYC and
nomination details. The campaign aimed to help investors reclaim their
dividends and prevent transfer of shares to the IEPFA. The campaign was
initiated to address the issue of unclaimed dividends held by companies. Many
shareholders remain unaware of dividends owed to them due to outdated records
or lack of communication. Saksham Niveshak sought to bridge this gap by
encouraging companies to reach out proactively. It also urged shareholders to
update their KYC and nomination information to ensure smooth dividend payouts.
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