NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. CCI Approves 100% Acquisition of Jaiprakash Associates
by Dalmia Cement Under Insolvency Process: The Competition
Commission of India (CCI) has approved the 100% acquisition of Jaiprakash
Associates Limited (JAL) by Dalmia Cement (Bharat) Limited, under the
Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP) as per the Insolvency and Bankruptcy
Code, 2016.Dalmia Cement (Bharat) Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Dalmia
Bharat Limited (DBL), is part of the Dalmia Bharat Group, which is primarily
engaged in the manufacture and sale of cement across India.
2. Ladakh’s Shayok Village to Develop First-Ever Botanical
Garden Near Galwan Valley by 2029:
Shayok village in eastern Ladakh, located en route to the Galwan
Valley, is developing the Union Territory’s first-ever botanical
garden by converting 10 hectares of barren community land into a
conservation space for fruits, medicinal plants, and regional flora and fauna,
with a targeted completion year of 2029.The Leh Hill Council, through the
Command Area Development department, is supporting the project with civil works
like land tilling and water reservoir construction, with a funding of ₹1 crore,
while Councillor Tashi Namgyal Yakzee financed a solar-powered water pumping
system.As part of the Go Green Go Organic initiative by Drikung Kyabsgon
Chetsang Rinpoche, the garden is also envisioned as a potential Battlefield
Tourism site and will feature specimens of apricots, apples, medicinal herbs,
mountain flora, and unique Ladakhi rock varieties.
3. Giriraj Singh Launches Book on Carbon Footprint
Assessment in Indian Handloom Sector to Promote Sustainable Practices: Union Minister of Textiles, Giriraj Singh, launched a book titled
“Carbon Footprint Assessment in the Indian Handloom Sector”, jointly
prepared by the Development Commissioner for Handlooms and IIT Delhi’s
Department of Textiles & Fibre Engineering.The book outlines practical
methodologies to measure and reduce the carbon footprint in handloom
production, promoting environmentally conscious practices and reinforcing the
government’s commitment to sustainable development in the handloom sector.
4. Assam CM Launches Nijut Moina 2.0 Scheme to Support
Over 4 Lakh Girls in Higher Education with Monthly Financial Aid : Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma launched the Mukhya Mantrir Nijut
Moina 2.0 scheme in Guwahati, aiming to increase girls’ enrolment in
higher education through monthly financial assistance, with application forms
distributed statewide.The scheme offers monthly financial aid for girl students
from HS to PG levels in government and government-aided institutions:
₹1,000/month for HS, ₹1,250/month for graduation, and ₹2,500/month for PG, all
for 10 months annually.Over 4 lakh girl students are expected to benefit this
year under the flagship initiative, which is open to girls from all families,
regardless of income, and seeks to reduce school dropouts and promote women’s
empowerment through education.
5. Ayush Ministry & WHO organise workshop on clinical
relevance of Herbal medicines: The Ministry of
Ayush, in collaboration with the World Health Organisation
(WHO), inaugurated the WHO-International Regulatory Cooperation for
Herbal Medicines (IRCH) Workshop in Ghaziabad, focusing on the safety,
efficacy, and regulation of herbal medicines.Ayush Secretary Vaidya Rajesh
Kotecha emphasised India’s dedication to scientific validation and global
recognition of traditional medicine systems, reinforcing its active role in
international regulatory cooperation via the WHO-IRCH platform.The three-day
workshop will cover discussions on regulatory convergence, quality assurance,
and clinical relevance of herbal medicines, with participation from WHO member
states, regulators, researchers, and herbal medicine industry representatives.
6. PM Modi Inaugurates Kartavya Bhavan as Beacon of
Modern Governance and National Duty: Prime
Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Kartavya Bhavan at Kartavya
Path in New Delhi, calling it a modern hub for governance designed to
shape policies for a developed India. The name reflects the spirit of duty and
is inspired by the Bhagavad Gita’s message of selfless action.
The
new building will co-locate key ministries like Home Affairs, External Affairs,
MSME, Petroleum & Natural Gas, and others to improve efficiency, reduce
costs, and overcome issues with colonial-era offices that suffer from poor
infrastructure and high rental expenses.Kartavya Bhavan spans 1.5 lakh square
meters, features IT-ready workspaces, sustainable infrastructure, and advanced
security systems. It targets a GRIHA-4 rating with solar power, rainwater
harvesting, and zero-discharge waste systems.
7. Chandigarh hosts first National Young Chef Competition
to celebrate Indian culinary heritage:
The Ministry of Tourism, in collaboration with PHDCCI, launched
the first-ever National Young Chef Competition (NYCC) in Chandigarh,
aiming to preserve and promote India’s culinary heritage by encouraging young
chefs to blend tradition with innovation.The North Zone round saw participation
from 11 premier hospitality institutes, with IHM Pusa (New Delhi) and IHM Kufri
emerging as winners; the grand finale is scheduled for January 2026 in New
Delhi.The competition is open to final-year hospitality students across India
and is supported by several industry leaders. It includes zonal rounds, career
sensitization workshops, and offers internship and job opportunities for
participants.
8. 7 August – National Handloom Day: National Handloom Day is celebrated every year on 7th
August to honour the handloom weavers and highlight the contribution of
the handloom industry to India’s economy, culture, and heritage.The day
commemorates the Swadeshi Movement launched on 7 August 1905, which promoted
the use of indigenous goods and boycotting British products during the freedom
struggle.First observed in 2015, the day was officially declared by the
Government of India to raise awareness and encourage support for the handloom
sector.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Bengaluru ranked 26th in Global AI City Index,
Singapore secures top spot: Bengaluru
secured the 26th spot in the Global AI City Index 2025 by Counterpoint Research, making it
India’s leading hub for AI research, development, and data centers.The report
highlighted Bengaluru, Riyadh, Hangzhou, and Sao Paulo as some of the
fastest-growing global AI hubs, with Indian cities climbing rapidly in global
AI rankings.Singapore topped the AI City Index, followed by Seoul, Beijing,
Dubai, and San Francisco, thanks to strong public-private collaborations and a
vibrant startup ecosystem.The report emphasized that Indian cities need a
comprehensive AI roadmap and strong regulatory framework to unlock AI’s full
potential. Microsoft, Google, and Amazon were noted for leading global AI infrastructure
and training initiatives.
2. Gaurav Banerjee Appointed as New Chairman of BARC
India: Gaurav Banerjee, MD
& CEO of Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI), has been appointed as the new Chairman of BARC
(Broadcast Audience Research Council) India, succeeding Shashi Sinha, who held the
position for over three years.Banerjee brings over 20 years of experience in
the Media and Entertainment industry and currently serves as the Vice President
of the Indian Broadcasting & Digital Foundation (IBDF).He also holds board
positions at MSM-Worldwide Factual Media Pvt. Ltd. and Bangla Entertainment
Pvt. Ltd., reflecting his influential role in shaping Indian media.
3. 6 August – International Day of Awareness of the
Special Development Needs and Challenges of Landlocked Developing Countries: The United Nations
General Assembly has designated 6 August as the first-ever International Day of Awareness for the Special
Development Needs and Challenges of Landlocked Developing Countries
(LLDCs), highlighting issues faced by 32 nations across Africa,
Asia, Europe, and South America.Landlocked Developing Countries suffer from a
lack of territorial access to the sea, making them dependent on neighbouring
countries for access to international trade routes, which significantly
restricts their economic development.The first official celebration of this day
is planned during the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing
Countries in 2025, aiming to mobilise global attention and collaborative
action.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. Vice Admiral Manish Chadha takes charge as INA
Commandant: Vice Admiral Manish
Chadha has assumed charge as
the new Commandant of the Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala,
replacing Vice Admiral C.R. Praveen Nair.He was commissioned into the Indian
Navy on July 1, 1991, and is a specialist in Communication and Electronic
Warfare.An alumnus of NDA Khadakvasla and a recipient of the Ati Vishisht Seva
Medal (2025) and Vishisht Seva Medal (2017), Vice Admiral Chadha has held
several key command roles at sea and strategic positions at Naval and Command
Headquarters.
2. DAC clears proposals worth Rs 67,000 crore to enhance
operational capability of the Armed Forces: Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired
by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, approved
proposals worth ₹67,000 crore, aimed at boosting the operational
capabilities of the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force.For the Indian Army, procurement of Thermal Imager-based Driver Night Sights for
BMP Infantry Fighting Vehicles was approved to enhance night
driving and mobility for Mechanised Infantry.For the Indian Navy, approvals were given for Compact Autonomous Surface Craft, BrahMos
Fire Control System & Launchers, and BARAK-1 Missile System upgradation,
enhancing capabilities in anti-submarine warfare and point defence.For the Indian Air Force, Acceptance
of Necessity was granted for Mountain
Radars, SAKSHAM & SPYDER system upgradation, and MALE Remotely Piloted
Aircraft (RPAs), along with sustenance of C-17 & C-130J fleets
and maintenance of S-400 systems, strengthening air defence and long-endurance
surveillance.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. Eco-Friendly Virus Controls Teak
Defoliator Pest: The Kerala
Forest Research Institute (KFRI) has developed a groundbreaking biological
solution to protect teak plantations from the destructive teak defoliator moth
(Hyblaea puera). This pest has caused severe damage to teak forests for
decades. The new technology uses a naturally occurring virus, Hyblaea puera
Nucleopolyhedrosis Virus (HpNPV), which specifically targets and kills the pest
larvae. This innovation promises a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to
chemical pesticides. The teak defoliator moth larvae feed on teak leaves,
stripping trees up to six times annually. This repeated defoliation weakens
trees and reduces timber growth. Trees expend energy regrowing leaves instead
of increasing wood volume. The economic loss is substantial, estimated at 3
cubic metres of wood per hectare yearly. In Kerala alone, this translates to
losses of ₹562.5 crore and ₹12,525 crore across India.
2. New Rain Snake Species: Recent research from
Mizoram University and Help Earth, a Guwahati-based conservation group, has
identified a new species of rain snake in Mizoram’s elevated tropical forests.
Named Smithophis leptofasciatus, or the narrow-banded rain snake, this
discovery adds to the biodiversity of the region and expands knowledge of the
genus Smithophis. The narrow-banded rain snake was described after detailed
morphological and molecular studies of collected specimens and live
observations. It was previously mistaken for Smithophis bicolor but has been
confirmed as a genetically and physically distinct species. The species name
leptofasciatus means ‘narrow-banded’, referring to its unique creamish-white or
yellowish-lime bands on a shiny black body. Smithophis leptofasciatus has
narrow, incomplete transverse bands unlike its close relatives. Its body is
glossy black with distinct cream or yellowish stripes. These markings help
distinguish it from other species in the Smithophis genus. The snake is
non-venomous and semi-aquatic in nature.
3. Rhisotope Project: The University of the Witwatersrand in
South Africa has launched an innovative anti-poaching campaign. It uses
radioactive isotopes injected into rhino horns. This method aims to make horns
traceable and deter illegal trafficking. The initiative follows six years of
research and testing. It is supported by the International Atomic Energy Agency
(IAEA). The Rhisotope Project began with injecting radioactive isotopes into
five rhinos at the Waterberg Biosphere Reserve. Following a successful pilot
involving 20 rhinos, the university plans mass treatment of rhinos across South
Africa. The radioactive tagging is claimed to be harmless to the animals and
detectable by global customs radiation monitors. Radioactive isotopes are
unstable elements that emit radiation to become stable. Low doses are injected
into rhino horns through a non-invasive procedure. The radiation makes the horn
detectable by radiation portal monitors at borders and ports worldwide. This
helps customs identify trafficked horns easily. Tests used 3D-printed horns
mimicking real keratin to confirm detection inside large shipping containers.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. Repco Bank Pays ₹22.90 Crore Dividend for FY 2024–25 : Repco Bank presented
a cheque of ₹22.90 crore as
dividend for FY 2024–25 to Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit
Shah, after posting its highest-ever profit of ₹140 crore in the history of the
bank.The bank, functioning under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), has been
lauded by Amit Shah for its efficiency, professionalism, and dedication,
serving as an inspiration for the cooperative sector.Repco Bank, a Government
of India enterprise with 50.08% government shareholding, has been a
profit-making cooperative for over three decades, consistently declaring
dividends and achieving a 30% dividend payout in FY 2024–25.
2. RuPay Partners with BookMyShow to Offer Exclusive Ticketing Benefits for Major Events like Sunburn & Lollapalooza: RuPay, India’s national card payment network, has partnered with Bigtree Entertainment (BookMyShow) for a year to offer an enhanced ticketing experience to its cardholders across major entertainment events.RuPay cardholders will get exclusive benefits such as early pre-sale access, premium ticketing zones, curated food and beverage options, merchandise perks, fast-lane top-ups, and lounge access at select events like Sunburn 2025, Lollapalooza India 2026, and Bandland 2026.BookMyShow will integrate RuPay into its homepage and post-transaction journey, ensuring smoother engagement for users and promoting RuPay’s presence at key digital touchpoints.
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