Daily GK Update- 14th Aug, 2026

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Centre Redefines Ganga Floodplain Norms: The Union Jal Shakti Ministry issued the River Ganga (Rejuvenation, Protection and Management) Authorities (Second Amendment) Order, 2026 on 7 August 2026, and the order was published in the official Gazette on 10 August 2026. The amendment revised the floodplain framework for the Ganga and its tributaries under the National Mission for Clean Ganga. The amendment defined the “Active Floodplain” of the Ganga and its tributaries for the first time as areas inundated during a flood with a one-in-five-year return period. The order retained strict building prohibitions in this zone, with limited exceptions for minor temporary structures such as religious events. The order also created a “Regulatory Zone” for areas flooded once every 5 to 25 years. Construction in this zone is permitted only after obtaining official clearances. A “Warning Zone” was introduced for outer-periphery areas subject to rare flooding with a 25-to-100-year frequency. Construction activities in this zone are also allowed subject to clearances.

 

2. Karnataka Launches Tathyakosh Public Data Portal: Karnataka launched the public data portal Tathyakosh.in in Bengaluru on 12 August 2026. The portal was developed by the ACSEL Technology Forum, a Karnataka government Centre of Excellence in artificial intelligence, in collaboration with the IIT Alumni Centre Bengaluru. It was introduced as an open, non-commercial digital public good. Karnataka Information Technology and Biotechnology Minister Priyank Kharge unveiled the portal and made it live on 12 August 2026. The portal is linked with data-heavy applications in agriculture, healthcare, climate, legal research, and financial inclusion. Startups, researchers, and technology teams are listed as the main users of the platform.

 

3. Uttarakhand Approves High Court Relocation to Haldwani: The Uttarakhand government approved the relocation of the Uttarakhand High Court from Nainital to Haldwani in August 2026. The final executive order identified a 30-hectare site at Lamachaur on the Haldwani-Rudrapur highway (NH-05) for the new High Court campus. The Supreme Court of India set aside a 2024 Uttarakhand High Court order that had blocked the relocation. A bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice V Mohana held that establishing or shifting a High Court is an administrative decision. The Supreme Court directed Uttarakhand authorities to obtain the required clearances and hand over the identified land to the High Court within six weeks. The order was issued on 16 July 2026.

 

4. Important Public Interest Litigation Concepts in India: Public Interest Litigation (PIL) is a judicial tool that allows any public-spirited person or organization to seek relief for violations affecting the public, especially marginalized groups. It has become an important means of enforcing rights, ensuring accountability, and addressing issues of public concern. Public Interest Litigation (PIL) is a legal mechanism that allows any individual or organization to file a lawsuit in a court of law for the protection of public interest. Unlike traditional litigation, the petitioner does not need to be a personally aggrieved party. The primary objective of a PIL is to secure justice for marginalized, disadvantaged, or unrepresented groups of society. This litigation model focuses on matters of public concern, such as environmental pollution, consumer protection, human rights violations, and administrative lapses.

 

5. Andhra Pradesh Signs Lithium and Gallium Exploration Pact: The Andhra Pradesh Department of Mines and Geology signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research-National Geophysical Research Institute on 12 August 2026 for exploration of lithium and gallium deposits in the Kadapa Basin. The agreement was signed at the State Secretariat in Vijayawada in the presence of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Mines Minister Kollu Ravindra. The geological survey will focus on the Vempalle and Thummalapalle areas in the Kadapa Basin. Preliminary studies in these areas indicated lithium concentrations of up to 1,000 parts per million and gallium concentrations of up to 250 parts per million. The Kadapa Basin is a sedimentary basin in Andhra Pradesh and is known for mineral-bearing formations. Thummalapalle is also associated with uranium mineralisation in Andhra Pradesh.

 

6. NCLT Launches e-Inspection and e-Certified Copy Services: The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) launched e-Inspection and e-Certified Copy services on 12 August 2026 to provide electronic access to judicial records and certified copies. The services were inaugurated by NCLT President Justice Anupinder Singh Grewal through a video conferencing ceremony. The National Company Law Tribunal is a quasi-judicial body in India that adjudicates matters under the Companies Act, 2013, and the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016. It functions through benches that hear company law and insolvency-related cases across the country. The e-Inspection service allows advocates, litigants, and other stakeholders to access judicial records in electronic form. The e-Certified Copy service provides certified copies through a digital process, which reduces dependence on physical filing and manual collection.

 

7. IIHT SUTRA 2026 Held as First National Conclave: IIHT SUTRA 2026 was held on 12 August 2026 at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi as the first National Conclave of the Indian Institutes of Handloom Technology (IIHTs). The event was organised by the Ministry of Textiles through the Office of the Development Commissioner (Handlooms) and brought together institutional, academic, and industry stakeholders linked to handloom education. The Indian Institutes of Handloom Technology are specialised institutions under the handloom education framework in India. The conclave referred to 6 Central IIHTs and 5 State IIHTs, which were discussed as centres of excellence for training, research, and skill development in the handloom sector. The official theme of the conclave was “IIHTs: Weaving the Future of the Indian Handloom Sector – Educate • Innovate • Transform”. The programme focused on technical innovation, modern design upgrades, and stronger industry linkages for weavers and artisans.

 

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Indian Railways Supplies Coaches to Bangladesh Railway: The Rail Coach Factory in Kapurthala, Punjab, rolled out the first rake of Linke Hofmann Busch broad gauge passenger coaches for Bangladesh Railway on 12 August 2026. The 19-coach rake is part of a 2024 export contract for 200 broad gauge passenger coaches across seven variants, with financing linked to the European Investment Bank. Rail Coach Factory supplied 120 passenger coaches to Bangladesh during 2015–2016. The 2026 delivery resumed Indian passenger coach exports to Bangladesh after a gap of about ten years. The first rake has three AC sleeper cars, three AC chair cars, 11 non-AC chair cars, and two power cars. Some early reports mentioned a 20-coach rake, but the Ministry of Railways clarified the initial batch as 19 coaches.

 

2. China’s Former Premier Zhu Rongji Dies: Zhu Rongji, China’s fifth premier, died in Beijing on 12 August 2026 at 11:06 a.m. local time after an unspecified illness. He served as premier from 17 March 1998 to 16 March 2003 and held major offices in Shanghai and the People’s Bank of China before becoming head of government. Zhu Rongji served as Mayor and Party Secretary of Shanghai from 1988 to 1991. He was Governor of the People’s Bank of China from 1993 to 1995, a post linked to monetary policy and financial administration in China. During the late 1990s, Zhu Rongji led economic reforms that closed thousands of inefficient state-owned enterprises. These reforms were associated with private sector expansion, debt reduction measures, and large-scale worker layoffs in China.

 

3. Russia Appoints D.Y. Chandrachud in Ukraine Arbitration: Russia has appointed former Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud as its arbitrator in an investment treaty arbitration filed by Ukraine’s state-owned Oschadbank. The dispute concerns assets and operations that Oschadbank says it lost in the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions after Russia’s 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Investment treaty arbitration is a dispute-settlement process used under bilateral or multilateral investment agreements. It usually involves claims by an investor or a state-owned entity against a host state for alleged breaches of investment protection obligations. The present case is being heard under the 1998 Agreement between the Government of the Russian Federation and the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine on the Encouragement and Mutual Protection of Investments. Such agreements are commonly called bilateral investment treaties and often provide for arbitration before a three-member tribunal.

 

4. Important Railway Gauge Systems in India and Abroad: A railway track gauge is the clear minimum perpendicular distance between the inner faces of the two running rails. It shapes the size, speed, stability, and freight capacity of trains, and has played a major role in the development of railway networks in India and abroad. A railway track gauge is the clear minimum perpendicular distance between the inner faces of the two running rails. It determines the physical dimensions of the locomotives, coaches, and wagons that can operate on a rail network. Historically, different countries and regions developed varied gauge systems based on local terrain, economic conditions, and engineering philosophies.

 

5. Gujarat to Get Asia’s First Desert-Themed Night Safari: Gujarat has received approval for the Desert Zoological Park and Night Safari at Juna Deesa in Banaskantha district. The project will be developed on about 103 hectares of contiguous government land and is planned as Asia’s first desert-themed drive-through night safari. The estimated budget for the project is ₹542.14 crore. The park is planned to house around 2,700 animals and birds from nearly 83 species, including native, exotic, and avian species. The design includes a separate day zoo and five dedicated night safari enclosures. The night safari format is intended for viewing nocturnal species after sunset in controlled enclosures. The collection is planned to include Indian species such as chinkara, blackbuck, and Indian wild ass. It will also include African species such as cheetahs, giraffes, and zebras, along with Australian fauna such as kangaroos and emus. The project will use rainwater harvesting, solar energy, sewage treatment, and solid waste management systems. It is also planned as a centre for wildlife conservation breeding, rescue, rehabilitation, and environmental education.

 

6. Perseid Meteor Shower Peaks Across Northern Hemisphere: The Perseid meteor shower is an annual meteor display associated with debris from Comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle, and it is visible mainly in the Northern Hemisphere. In 2026, the shower peaked around 12 August under a new moon phase, which created dark skies for observation across many regions. The Perseids are one of the most observed meteor showers of the year and are active from mid-July to late August. The meteors appear to radiate from the constellation Perseus in the north-eastern sky, which gives the shower its name. On 12 August 2026, the peak coincided with a new moon, and this phase reduced lunar brightness during the night. Astronomers estimated that rural observers in the United States could see about 30 to 50 meteors per hour, while ideal dark-sky conditions could produce up to 100 meteors per hour.

 

7. Important Ocean and Polar Science Initiatives in India: India’s ocean and polar science ecosystem is driven by the Ministry of Earth Sciences through major schemes, research stations, observatories, and deep-sea missions. These initiatives support climate research, blue economy goals, marine biodiversity studies, and sustainable exploration of polar and ocean resources. The Prithvi Vigyan (PRITHVI) scheme is an umbrella initiative of the Ministry of Earth Sciences. It integrates several specialized sub-schemes to study the earth system, oceans, and polar regions. The Deep Ocean Mission, also referred to as the “Samudra Manthan Mission,” is a five-year program launched in 2021. It carries a budget of USD 4,077 crore. The mission aims to develop indigenous technologies for deep-sea exploration and resource extraction.

 

8. Major Indian Institutions for Polar and Ocean Research: India’s polar and ocean research system is anchored by a set of specialized institutions under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, with support from CSIR. Together, they handle expeditions, ocean observations, deep-sea technology, marine ecology, and climate-related research. India manages its polar and oceanographic studies through a dedicated network of research institutes. The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) serves as the nodal administrative body for most of these institutions. The Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) also plays a critical role. Together, these bodies implement key national programs such as the Prithvi Vigyan (PRITHVI) scheme and the Deep Ocean Mission. Their collective objective is to map marine ecosystems, explore deep-sea mineral wealth, and monitor climate change processes in the polar regions. The National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) is an autonomous research and development institution under the Ministry of Earth Sciences. It was established in May 1998 in Vasco da Gama, Goa, originally under the name National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research (NCAOR). It acts as the nodal agency for planning, coordinating, and executing India’s polar and Southern Ocean scientific expeditions.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

DEFENCE

 

1. Important Military Test Ranges in India: India’s military test ranges are specialized facilities used to evaluate missiles, aircraft, artillery, explosives, and electronic warfare systems before induction into service. These ranges provide secure airspace, isolated land areas, and controlled conditions for safe trials and telemetry collection. This coastal facility is used mainly for short-range tactical missiles, surface-to-air systems, and multi-barrel rocket launchers. The beach is known for its low-tide phenomenon, when the sea recedes by up to 5 kilometres, exposing a hard sand bed that helps recover missile parts and debris. Weapons tested here include the Prithvi missile, Akash system, and Pinaka rocket system.

 

2. India Plans ₹1 Lakh Crore Tender for 60 Transport Aircraft: India’s Ministry of Defence issued a Request for Proposal on 12 August 2026 for 60 multirole transport aircraft for the Indian Air Force, with an estimated value of about ₹1 lakh crore. The procurement plan places Indian companies in the lead role with foreign original equipment manufacturers for domestic production and Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul facilities. Multirole transport aircraft are military aircraft designed for troop movement, cargo carriage, airdrop missions, and logistics support. The Indian Air Force is seeking aircraft in the 18-tonne to 30-tonne cargo-carrying category for replacement of the Antonov An-32 fleet, which is of Soviet origin. Under the proposed terms, about 20% of the aircraft are expected in fly-away condition, while the remaining 80% are to be manufactured in India through joint ventures. The indigenisation requirement begins at a minimum of 40% and rises to more than 60% indigenous content in a phased manner.

 

3. Major Defence Procurement Models in India: The Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020 is the main policy framework for capital procurement by the Indian Armed Forces. It replaced the Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) 2016 and gives top priority to indigenous design, development, and manufacturing. The capital acquisition of military hardware for the Indian Armed Forces operates under the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020. This document replaced the Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) 2016. It serves as the primary policy framework for buying warships, aircraft, tanks, and missiles. The framework covers requirements for the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard. The primary objective is to build self-reliance in defence manufacturing. It also aims to shorten acquisition timelines. The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by the Defence Minister, is the apex decision-making body for these procurements.

 

4. India and Malaysia Commence Exercise Udara Shakti 2026: The Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) commenced the bilateral air exercise Udara Shakti 2026 on 10 August 2026. The five-day exercise is scheduled to continue until 14 August 2026 at Subang Air Base in Malaysia. Udara Shakti is a bilateral air exercise between India and Malaysia. The exercise was inaugurated at the Air Warfare Centre in Subang Air Base by RMAF Exercise Director Colonel Shamsul Shahreen bin Isa and IAF Exercise Director Group Captain Parijat Jha. Indian Defence Adviser Colonel Praveen Sukumaran attended the opening ceremony. The exercise involves 83 personnel from both air forces. The IAF deployed four Rafale fighter jets from No. 101 Squadron and two C-17 Globemaster III strategic transport aircraft from No. 81 Squadron. The Rafale is a twin-engine, multirole combat aircraft developed by Dassault Aviation of France.

 

5. Army to Set Up Youth Training Centres in Telangana: The Indian Army has agreed to establish youth training centres at district headquarters across Telangana after a meeting between Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and Lieutenant General C. Rajesh Pushkar, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Southern Command, in Hyderabad on 12 August 2026. The proposal is linked to preparation of local youth for nationwide military recruitment drives and to closer coordination between the state government and the Army during disasters. The Indian Army conducts recruitment for soldiers through nationwide drives under the Agnipath scheme and other service-specific entry routes. District-level training support is used in several states for physical preparation, documentation guidance, and awareness about recruitment procedures. The Southern Command is one of the Indian Army’s operational commands and has its headquarters in Pune, Maharashtra. Telangana falls within the area where Army formations coordinate with civil authorities for security, disaster response, and ceremonial duties.

 

SPORTS 

 

1. Sports Ministry Suspends Table Tennis Federation of India Recognition: The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports suspended recognition of the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) on 12 August 2026 over governance deficiencies. The order cited the federation’s failure to hold organisational elections within the mandated timeframe and an unsatisfactory reply to a show-cause notice. In India, recognition of a national sports federation is granted by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports for administration of a sport at the national level. Recognition is linked with compliance on elections, office-bearer tenure, athlete selection, and adherence to the National Sports Development Code of India, 2011. The Table Tennis Federation of India is the national governing body for table tennis in India. It manages domestic competitions, selection processes, and affiliation with the International Table Tennis Federation, which is the world governing body for table tennis.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. Digital India BHASHINI Division, NITI Aayog sign AI pact: The Digital India BHASHINI Division and NITI Aayog signed a Statement of Intent in New Delhi on 12 August 2026 to advance multilingual, voice-first artificial intelligence for public governance. The Digital India BHASHINI Division functions under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, and the partnership uses BHASHINI language translation application programming interfaces and reference applications across NITI Aayog’s digital platforms and communication workflows. BHASHINI is India’s national language technology mission for machine translation, speech-to-text, text-to-speech, and related language services. The platform supports Indian languages through application programming interfaces, reference applications, and digital tools for public service delivery.

 

2. Government Outlines Roadmap for Self-Reliant Nuclear Energy Ecosystem: India has set a target of 100 GWe of nuclear energy capacity by 2047 under the Nuclear Energy Mission. The roadmap combines large indigenous Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors at greenfield sites with Small Modular Reactors at brownfield sites, including locations of retiring fossil-fuel plants. The Nuclear Energy Mission is linked to a capacity target of 100 GWe by 2047. The government has also set a target to develop and operationalise at least five indigenously designed Small Modular Reactors by 2033 with support from a ₹20,000 crore allocation. Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors are a reactor type in which heavy water acts as both moderator and coolant. Small Modular Reactors are compact nuclear reactors designed for factory-based construction, modular deployment, and phased capacity addition. The Bhabha Atomic Research Centre is developing several domestic reactor designs for the programme. These include the 220 MWe Bharat Small Modular Reactor, the 55 MWe SMR-55, and a High Temperature Gas Cooled Reactor of up to 5 MWth for hydrogen production.

 

3. 8th BRICS Oceanic-Polar Science and Tech Meet Begins in Goa: The 8th Meeting of the BRICS Working Group on Ocean and Polar Science and Technology (OPST) began in Goa on 12 August 2026 and is scheduled to continue until 14 August 2026. The meeting is hosted by the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) under the Ministry of Earth Sciences as part of India’s 2026 BRICS Presidency. The BRICS Working Group on Ocean and Polar Science and Technology was established in 2018. BRICS is a grouping of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, and the OPST mechanism deals with marine and polar scientific cooperation among member states. The National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research is India’s nodal institution for polar and ocean research under the Ministry of Earth Sciences. Dr. Thamban Meloth, Director of NCPOR, chaired the 2026 meeting as the Working Group Chair and welcomed the delegates.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. India, SACU Sign Terms of Reference for Trade Pact Talks: India and the five-member Southern African Customs Union signed the Terms of Reference for negotiations on a Preferential Trade Agreement at Vanijya Bhawan in New Delhi on 12 August 2026. The Southern African Customs Union comprises South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho and Eswatini. A Preferential Trade Agreement is a trade arrangement in which participating economies reduce or eliminate tariffs on a selected list of goods. It differs from a comprehensive free trade agreement because it usually covers a positive list of products and may not include services, investment or intellectual property in the initial phase. The proposed India-SACU pact will initially cover eight chapters, including trade in goods, market access, customs procedures, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, trade remedies, technical barriers to trade, rules of origin and dispute settlement. Sanitary and phytosanitary measures relate to food safety, animal health and plant health, while technical barriers to trade cover product standards, testing and certification.

 

2. Indian Railways Approves Kavach 4.0 in Izzatnagar Division: Indian Railways approved the deployment of Kavach Version 4.0 across 660 route kilometres of the Izzatnagar Division of the North Eastern Railway on 12 August 2026. The sanctioned budget for the project is ₹295 crore, and the plan falls under the umbrella initiative titled “Provision of Kavach with communication backbone of Long-Term Evolution (LTE) on balance sections of Indian Railways”. Kavach is an indigenous Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system developed for Indian Railways. An ATP system is a train safety technology that monitors train movement, checks signal compliance, and applies brakes when required to prevent accidents. Kavach is designed to prevent Signal Passed at Danger (SPAD) incidents, which occur when a train passes a stop signal without authority. The system is also intended to reduce the risk of train collisions by maintaining continuous supervision of train operations.

 

Daily GK Update- 13th Aug, 2026

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Kavach 4.0 Approved for 660 Route Km in Izzatnagar Division at ₹295 Crore: Kavach Version 4.0 has been approved for 660 route kilometres of the Izzatnagar Division of North Eastern Railway. The project will be implemented at an estimated cost of ₹295 crore under the umbrella work for providing Kavach with an LTE communication backbone. Kavach is India’s indigenous Automatic Train Protection system that helps prevent Signal Passed at Danger (SPAD) incidents and train collisions by continuously monitoring train movements and automatically applying brakes when required.

 

2. Shivraj Singh Chouhan Launches NSP Initiative to Provide Monthly Scholarships to Agriculture Students: Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched the scholarship and fellowship fund disbursement for agriculture students through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) at ICAR-IARI, Pusa. A total of ₹21.35 crore was transferred through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to more than 6,000 agriculture students across the country. Under the new initiative, agriculture students will receive their scholarship amounts every month through DBT, helping eliminate delays and difficulties in the traditional payment system.

 

3. CZA Approves Asia’s First Desert-Themed Drive-Through Night Safari in Gujarat: The Central Zoo Authority (CZA) has approved the Desert Zoological Park and Night Safari at Deesa, Banaskantha, Gujarat, spread over 103 hectares with an estimated cost of ₹542.14 crore.

The project will feature Asia’s first desert-themed drive-through night safari, with a day zoo and five dedicated night safari enclosures. The park will house around 2,700 animals and birds across nearly 83 species and focus on conservation breeding, wildlife rescue, rehabilitation and environmental education.

 

4. Ladakh Hosts First-Ever Black-necked Crane Festival to Promote Conservation: Ladakh is hosting its first-ever Black-necked Crane Festival to raise awareness about the conservation of the endangered species and highlight Ladakh’s role in protecting its habitat. Changthang Cold Wildlife Sanctuary is the only breeding ground of the Black-necked Crane in India, with key breeding wetlands including Tsokar and Hanle, located at elevations of 2,500–5,000 metres. The Black-necked Crane is the only alpine crane species in the world and was officially declared the State Bird of Ladakh after its formation as a Union Territory; it is also regarded as a sacred bird and a symbol of peace in the region.

 

5. Amit Shah Launches ‘Gramin Gyan Setu’ App to Connect Rural Libraries in Gujarat: Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched the ‘Gramin Gyan Setu’ app through video conferencing to integrate libraries across the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency of Gujarat. The app was launched on the birth anniversary of Padma Shri S. R. Ranganathan, observed as National Library Day, with the aim of establishing a library in every village, preferably near schools. Around 63 village libraries have already been established, while 752 libraries are connected through the app; four libraries with nearly 2.8 lakh books have also been linked to rural libraries.

 

6. Delhi Schools Add Idli-Sambar to PM-POSHAN Menu: Delhi’s Directorate of Education (DoE) revised the PM-POSHAN menu for government and government-aided schools in New Delhi on 11 August 2026. The updated midday meal plan includes idli-sambar, along with changes in several weekly dishes under the school nutrition scheme. PM-POSHAN stands for Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman and is the centrally sponsored school meal programme for students in government and government-aided schools. It replaced the earlier Mid-Day Meal Scheme and covers classes from primary to upper primary in many states and Union territories.

 

7. Visakhapatnam Port Gets ₹335-Crore Internal Flyover: The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways approved a ₹334.89-crore internal flyover project for the Visakhapatnam Port Authority on 11 August 2026. The project covers a 3.584-kilometre elevated corridor between Convent Junction and the Dock Area at Visakhapatnam Port. Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal approved the project after appraisal by the Delegated Investment Board. The Delegated Investment Board was chaired by the Secretary of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. The construction period has been fixed at 30 months from the formal commencement of work. The proposed corridor is designed as an internal port link for cargo movement. The project includes civil works, electrical works, utility shifting, safety installations, and five years of post-construction maintenance.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Dr. Bhooma VG Selected as Vice-Chancellor of AIPSI in Mauritius: Dr Bhooma VG (IRPS Retd.) has been selected as the Vice-Chancellor of the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Public Service and Innovation (AIPSI), Mauritius. AIPSI, formerly the Civil Service College of Mauritius, was jointly inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mauritius PM Navinchandra Ramgoolam in March 2025 and is being developed as a premier training agency and centre of excellence for the African region.

 

2. 13 August- International Left-Handers Day: International Left-Handers Day is observed annually on 13 August to celebrate left-handed people and recognise their unique experiences and abilities. The day was first observed in 1976, initiated by Dean R. Campbell, founder of the organisation Left-Handers International, Inc. It aims to raise awareness about the challenges faced by left-handers in a predominantly right-handed world and promote inclusivity and understanding.

 

3. 13 August- World Organ Donation Day: World Organ Donation Day is observed annually on 13 August to raise awareness about the importance of organ donation and transplantation. The day encourages people to pledge their organs and highlights how organ donation can save and transform the lives of patients suffering from organ failure. It also aims to dispel myths and misconceptions about organ donation and promote awareness about the need for more voluntary donors.

 

4. India Reaffirms Elephant Conservation on World Elephant Day: India marked World Elephant Day on 12 August 2026 with official statements on elephant conservation, habitat protection, and human-elephant conflict management. The country has 33 Elephant Reserves across 14 States and 150 scientifically validated elephant corridors. India is home to nearly 60% of the global wild Asian elephant population. World Elephant Day is observed on 12 August and is associated with awareness on elephant protection, habitat continuity, and coexistence measures. In India, elephant conservation is linked with forest ecosystems, biodiversity, and ecological heritage. The Asian elephant is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Elephant Reserves are landscape-level conservation areas notified for elephant populations and their movement routes. Elephant corridors are narrow habitat links used by elephants to move between larger forest patches. India’s 33 Elephant Reserves are spread across 14 States, and 150 corridors have been scientifically validated for conservation planning.

 

5. New York and New Jersey Declare India Independence Day: New York and New Jersey issued official proclamations in August 2026 designating 15 August 2026 as “India Independence Day” and “Indian Independence Day” respectively. The proclamations were linked to India’s 80th Independence Day, which falls on 15 August 2026. New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed a state proclamation for 15 August 2026. New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill signed a parallel proclamation for the same date. State proclamations are formal executive declarations issued by governors in the United States. The New Jersey proclamation recognised the contributions of the Indian-American community in education, healthcare, technology, business, and civic leadership. The New York declaration referred to the economic, cultural, and civic presence of the Indian-American diaspora in the state.

 

6. Russia Buys Gasoline From India For First Time: Russia began importing gasoline from India in 2026 for the first time in history amid a domestic fuel shortage caused by repeated Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian refineries. The first physical cargo of Indian gasoline reached Russia in August 2026, after a shipment loaded at the Vadinar refinery in Gujarat was routed through the Egyptian port of Damietta. Russia’s crude oil processing averaged 3.6 million barrels per day in July 2026, which was about one-third below the normal seasonal level. The decline followed successive strikes on refining facilities, and Russia kept its ban on gasoline and diesel exports to protect domestic supply. Industry estimates placed Russia’s possible monthly gasoline import requirement at up to 400,000 tonnes from multiple countries.

 

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

DEFENCE

 

1. DRDO Opens NETRA-2026 Seminar on Electronic Warfare: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) opened NETRA-2026, a two-day national seminar on Electronic Warfare, Digital Twin, and Mission Critical System Design, in Bengaluru on 11 August 2026. Dr. B.K. Das, Director General of Electronics and Communication Systems at DRDO, inaugurated the seminar as chief guest. Electronic warfare is a military field that uses the electromagnetic spectrum for detection, protection, disruption, and deception. It includes electronic support, electronic attack, and electronic protection, which are standard categories used in defence studies. A digital twin is a virtual model of a physical system, asset, or process that is used for simulation, testing, and monitoring. Mission critical system design refers to engineering systems whose failure can affect operations in defence, aviation, communications, and other high-reliability sectors.

 

SPORTS 

 

1. Jammu and Kashmir to Host Irani Cup in Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir is scheduled to host the Irani Cup match at Sher-I-Kashmir Stadium in Srinagar from 1 to 5 October 2026. The fixture will be played between Jammu and Kashmir and the Rest of India in a five-day first-class format. The Irani Cup is a first-class cricket match played between the Ranji Trophy champions and the Rest of India team. First-class cricket in India follows multi-day rules and is recognised by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Sher-I-Kashmir Stadium in Srinagar currently has a spectator capacity of about 5,000. The venue requires a commentators’ box, a media box, live telecast infrastructure, and additional spectator stands for hosting a televised domestic match. Jammu and Kashmir qualified for the Irani Cup after winning the 2025–26 Ranji Trophy title on 28 February 2026. The team defeated Karnataka in the final on the basis of a first-innings lead, which gave the side its maiden Ranji Trophy championship.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. Giriraj Singh Inaugurates IIHT SUTRA 2026, First National Conclave of Handloom Technology Institutes: Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh inaugurated IIHT SUTRA 2026, the first national conclave of Indian Institutes of Handloom Technology (IIHTs), in New Delhi to strengthen technical education, research, innovation and industry collaboration. Organised by the Office of the Development Commissioner (Handlooms), Ministry of Textiles, the conclave was held under the theme “IIHTs: Weaving the Future of the Indian Handloom Sector – Educate. Innovate. Transform.” The conclave aims to position IIHTs as centres of excellence for technical education, research, entrepreneurship and technological innovation, helping enhance productivity, design, technology and global competitiveness in the handloom sector.

2. Vietnam’s VinSpace Signs Deal with SpaceX to Launch First Satellites in 2027: Vietnam’s VinSpace has signed a contract with SpaceX to launch its first satellites into orbit in 2027. The satellites will be launched through a SpaceX Transporter rideshare mission, allowing multiple customers to share a single rocket and reduce launch costs. VinSpace, a subsidiary of Vingroup, was established in November 2025 and will develop and operate the satellites to test its technology and support future commercial applications.

 

3. Amgen to Open Science and Innovation Centre in Hyderabad: Amgen announced a Science and Innovation Centre in Genome Valley, Hyderabad, after signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of Telangana on 11 August 2026. The facility is planned to become operational in 2027 and is expected to add around 200 highly skilled jobs. Genome Valley is a life sciences cluster in Hyderabad, Telangana, and it houses research, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical facilities. Hyderabad is a major Indian hub for life sciences, information technology, and pharmaceutical research. Amgen is a biotechnology company with seven existing research laboratories worldwide. The Hyderabad centre will join its global Research and Development network and will complement its existing Technology and Innovation operations in the region.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. India’s Retail Inflation Rises to 4.45% in July 2026: India’s retail inflation (CPI) increased to 4.45% in July 2026, up from 4.38% in June 2026, according to data released by MoSPI. Based on the new 2024=100 CPI base, July inflation stood at 4.84% in rural areas and 3.96% in urban areas. Compared with June, rural inflation rose from 4.74% to 4.84%, while urban inflation increased slightly from 3.93% to 3.96%.

 

2. Karnataka Launches Tathyakosh Public Data Portal: Karnataka launched the public data portal Tathyakosh.in in Bengaluru on 12 August 2026. The portal was developed by the ACSEL Technology Forum, a Karnataka government Centre of Excellence in artificial intelligence, in collaboration with the IIT Alumni Centre Bengaluru. It was introduced as an open, non-commercial digital public good. The platform aggregates more than 1.5 million datasets from 458 public data repositories. It is built to make institutional data structured and easier to discover across separate systems. The portal functions as a data discovery layer for public information already held in multiple repositories.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Ministry of Textiles to Organise ‘Srijan: Voices from the Loom’ to Honour Women Weavers: The Ministry of Textiles will organise ‘Srijan: Voices from the Loom’ in New Delhi to celebrate women weavers and recognise their contribution to India’s rich handloom heritage. More than 100 women weavers from six handloom clusters will participate and share their stories of resilience, creativity and preservation of India’s weaving traditions. An anthology featuring the inspiring stories, journeys and voices of these women weavers will also be released during the programme.

 

Daily GK Update- 12th Aug, 2026

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Shivraj Singh Chouhan Releases ₹21 Crore+ Scholarships for Agriculture Students via NSP-DBT: Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan released scholarship and fellowship funds for agriculture students through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) in New Delhi. Under the initiative, more than 6,000 students received over ₹21 crore directly through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanism. Agriculture students will now receive their scholarships every month directly through DBT, ensuring timely, transparent and hassle-free financial assistance.

 

2. Government Sanctions Additional ₹1,000 Crore Under PM E-DRIVE to Boost Electric Two-Wheelers: The Central Government has sanctioned an additional ₹1,000 crore for electric two-wheelers (e2Ws) under the PM E-DRIVE scheme to continue incentives for the segment. The additional funding will extend e2W incentives until March 2028, after the earlier deadline of 31 July 2026 was due to expire. India’s current electric two-wheeler penetration is around 7.6%, with the government aiming to increase it to 9–10% to support mass mobility and last-mile transportation. Under the PM E-DRIVE scheme, originally notified in September 2024 with a total outlay of ₹10,900 crore, each approved e2W is eligible for an incentive of up to ₹5,000.

 

3. PM Modi to Release Former President Ram Nath Kovind’s Autobiography ‘Triumph of the Indian Republic’: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to release the autobiography of former President Ram Nath Kovind, titled “Triumph of the Indian Republic: My Life, My Struggles.” The book will chronicle Ram Nath Kovind’s life, struggles and journey in public service, offering insights into his experiences and contributions to India.

 

4. India Raises Urea Imports From Alternative Suppliers: India increased urea imports from Egypt, Algeria, Nigeria and Georgia in 2026 to support domestic fertiliser availability during supply disruptions linked to the West Asia war. During April to June 2026, India sourced 52% of its 2.5 million tonnes of imported urea from these non-traditional suppliers. India imported 15.08 lakh tonnes of urea and 7.11 lakh tonnes of diammonium phosphate between April and June 2026 from 17 countries. June 2026 import data included 3.95 lakh tonnes from Egypt, 1.65 lakh tonnes from Algeria, 1.38 lakh tonnes from Nigeria and 1.22 lakh tonnes from Georgia. The subsidy disbursement for imported urea rose by 128.4% to ₹47,956.24 crore in 2025–26 from ₹21,000 crore in 2024–25. Fiscal projections placed the fertiliser subsidy bill at up to ₹3.4 lakh crore for 2026–27, against an initial budget allocation of ₹1.71 lakh crore.

 

5. Widow and Orphan Cess on Fuel Begins in Himachal Pradesh: Himachal Pradesh introduced a Widow and Orphan Cess on petrol and high-speed diesel under Section 6-A of the Himachal Pradesh Value Added Tax Act, 2005. The State Taxes and Excise Department issued the notification on 11 August 2026, and the levy took effect from midnight on the same day. The levy was enabled by the Himachal Pradesh Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2026. The notification authorised the State Government to impose a cess on fuel sold within Himachal Pradesh, with a statutory ceiling of up to ₹5 per litre. The initial rate of the cess was fixed at ₹0.60 per litre on petrol and high-speed diesel. The cess is collected from oil dealers at the first point of sale within Himachal Pradesh, and retail consumers began paying the revised price from 12 August 2026.

 

6. Government Strengthens SMILE-Beggary Rehabilitation Framework: The Government of India has placed the SMILE-Beggary scheme under a wider rehabilitation framework for persons engaged in begging. The scheme was launched on 23 October 2023 and is implemented by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. SMILE stands for Support for Marginalised Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise. The beggary component of the scheme covers rehabilitation, shelter, education, skill development, and family reunification for persons rescued from begging. Between 23 October 2023 and 31 July 2026, a total of ₹45.59 crore was released under the scheme. Of this amount, ₹40.04 crore was allocated directly to implementing authorities and cities. The scheme is operational across 216 major cities and towns in India.

 

7. Colletes bhutanicus Found in Arunachal Pradesh: Colletes bhutanicus, a rare solitary Himalayan bee, was recorded in India for the first time in Tawang district of Arunachal Pradesh on 12 August 2026. The species was documented by scientists from the Zoological Survey of India during a survey in the Eastern Himalayas, and its first Indian record expanded its known range beyond Bhutan and China. Colletes bhutanicus belongs to the group of solitary bees and is also called a plasterer bee. Solitary bees do not form large eusocial colonies like honeybees, and each female generally nests individually. The species was first described from Bhutan in 2003 and later recorded from high-altitude areas of China, including the Xizang region. Field surveys conducted between 2019 and 2022 found the species in Tawang at elevations from 1,500 to 3,800 metres. The bee has been documented in high-altitude Himalayan habitats, which are part of the Eastern Himalayan biodiversity region. Its presence in India adds a new locality to the known distribution of the species.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Assam Records World’s First-Ever Release of Captive-Bred Slender-Billed Vultures: Assam has recorded the world’s first-ever release of captive-bred slender-billed vultures, with five birds bred at the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) conservation facility released into the wild. The five slender-billed vultures, along with five captive-bred white-rumped vultures, were released at the Jatayu Soft Release Centre in Biswanath Division of Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve. India’s Gyps vulture population has declined by around 99% over the last two decades, mainly due to veterinary drugs; although several drugs have been banned, pesticide poisoning continues to threaten vultures in Assam.

 

2. Lebanon Parliament Abolishes Death Penalty, Replaces It With Life Imprisonment: Lebanon’s Parliament voted to abolish the death penalty, making Lebanon the first country in the Arab world and the Middle East to formally eliminate capital punishment. The law replaces death sentences with life imprisonment with aggravated hard labour. A majority of the 128-member Parliament backed the measure, while the Hezbollah parliamentary bloc opposed it. Venezuela was the first country in the world to permanently abolish the death penalty for all crimes.

 

3. Andras Baka Elected Hungary’s Next President Amid Fidesz Boycott: Hungary’s Parliament elected former Supreme Court chief Andras Baka as the country’s next President, a largely ceremonial position. Baka secured the support of lawmakers from the governing centre-right Tisza party, while opposition Fidesz lawmakers boycotted the vote.

 

4. 12 August – International Youth Day: International Youth Day is observed every year on 12 August to highlight the challenges and opportunities faced by young people worldwide. Theme 2026 – Different Contexts, Common Aspirations. The day was designated by the United Nations General Assembly in 1999, following a recommendation by the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth.

 

5. 10 August – World Biofuel Day: World Biofuel Day is observed annually on 10 August to highlight the importance of biofuels as an alternative source of energy. The day aims to promote the use of renewable and sustainable fuels and reduce dependence on conventional fossil fuels.

 

6. Lebanon Formally Abolishes Death Penalty: Lebanon’s Parliament voted on 11 August 2026 to formally abolish the death penalty and replace it with life imprisonment with aggravated hard labour for future offences. The law also commutes the sentences of people on death row and codifies a de facto moratorium under which no executions had been carried out in Lebanon since 17 January 2004. Capital punishment is the legal execution of a person as a criminal penalty. Countries that abolish it may do so in law, in practice, or for ordinary crimes only, while retaining it for exceptional offences under military or wartime law. Lebanon became the first country in the Middle East to legally end capital punishment. It is also described in some records as the second member of the 22-state League of Arab States to abolish the death penalty, after Djibouti.

 

7. RCF Kapurthala to Roll Out First LHB Coach Rake for Bangladesh: The Rail Coach Factory (RCF) at Kapurthala in Punjab is scheduled to roll out its first rake of 19 Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) broad gauge passenger coaches for Bangladesh Railway on 12 August 2026. The rake is part of a 2024 export contract executed through RITES Ltd. for 200 broad gauge passenger coaches in seven variants. Linke Hofmann Busch coaches are a type of passenger coach used in broad gauge railway systems. In India, LHB coaches are associated with improved ride quality, higher speed potential, and stainless steel or aluminium-based construction in many variants. The first 19-coach rake includes three AC Sleeper Cars, three AC Chair Cars, 11 Non-AC Chair Cars, and two Power Cars. The coaches operate at 415 V, which differs from the conventional 750 V systems used in Indian Railways passenger coaches. The rake also includes a strengthened roof structure for roof-load conditions and a crashworthy car body shell designed to comply with European Standard EN 15227. EN 15227 is a railway crashworthiness standard used in Europe for passenger rolling stock.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

DEFENCE

 

1. Indian Navy’s Second Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel ‘Shruti’ Launched by GRSE in Kolkata: The Indian Navy’s second Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel (NGOPV), named INS Shruti (Yard 3037), was launched by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata, West Bengal. The 11-ship NGOPV programme was contracted by the Ministry of Defence on 30 March 2023 at a cost of ₹9,781 crore, with 7 ships assigned to Goa Shipyard Limited and 4 to GRSE. GRSE’s NGOPVs are 113 metres long, have a 3,000-tonne displacement, a maximum speed of 23 knots, and an endurance of 8,500 nautical miles at 14 knots. GRSE had earlier launched the first NGOPV, Sanghmitra (Yard 3039), on 20 May 2026 and plans to launch the remaining two contracted NGOPVs by the end of FY 2026–27.

 

2. Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel Shruti Launched: The Indian Navy’s second Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel (NGOPV), named Shruti and designated Yard 3037, was launched on 11 August 2026 by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd (GRSE) in Kolkata, West Bengal. The vessel was launched in the presence of Vice Admiral Sanjay Sadhu, Controller of Warship Production & Acquisition, and Manika Sadhu performed the formal launch ceremony. The NGOPV programme is an 11-ship Indian Navy project for offshore patrol duties. The Ministry of Defence signed the contract on 30 March 2023 for ₹9,781 crore, with seven ships assigned to Goa Shipyard Limited and four ships assigned to GRSE. GRSE’s NGOPVs are 113 metres long and 14.6 metres wide. The vessels have a displacement of 3,000 tonnes, a maximum speed of 23 knots, and an endurance of 8,500 nautical miles at 14 knots.

 

3. Indigenous Unmanned Systems to Be Showcased at Pokhran: Indigenous unmanned systems will be showcased for the Indian Air Force at the Pokhran Firing Range in Rajasthan in September 2026. The demonstration will include long-range unmanned aerial vehicles, swarm drone technologies, expendable surveillance drones, logistics drones, and one-way attack drones. Pokhran Firing Range is a military training area in Rajasthan and lies about 270 kilometres from the Pakistan border. The site has been used for field trials, weapons testing, and military exercises by the Indian Armed Forces. Unmanned systems in military use include unmanned aerial vehicles, loitering munitions, and logistics drones. These platforms are used for surveillance, intelligence gathering, cargo delivery, casualty evacuation, and strike missions.

 

SPORTS 

 

1. India Wins 5 Honours at 23rd International Linguistics Olympiad 2026 in Romania: India won 1 gold, 3 bronze medals and 1 Honourable Mention at the 23rd International Linguistics Olympiad (IOL) 2026, held in Bucharest, Romania. Shrilakshmi Venkatraman won the individual gold medal with a score of 70.0, while Aarav Anil Rao, Nishanth Shankar Lakshmanan and Advay Misra secured bronze medals. With this performance, India’s cumulative IOL tally since its first participation in 2009 reached 37 individual medals — 6 gold, 9 silver and 22 bronze.

 

2. India’s Para-Cyclists Win 12 Medals in Denmark: Indian para-cyclists won 12 medals at the UCI Parasport Denmark Grand Prix in Odense, Denmark, after a three-day track cycling competition that began on 7 August 2026 and ended on 10 August 2026. The Indian tally included 2 gold, 5 silver and 5 bronze medals in para-cycling events. The UCI Parasport Denmark Grand Prix was a track cycling competition under the Union Cycliste Internationale framework. Para-cycling events at such meets commonly include the individual time trial, individual pursuit, scratch race, elimination race and 200m sprint. Arshad Shaikh of Andhra Pradesh won six individual medals in the MC2 category and emerged as India’s most successful athlete at the event. His medal haul included two gold medals in elimination races, three silver medals in the individual time trial, individual pursuit and scratch race, and one bronze medal in the 200m sprint.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. PM Modi Inaugurates ‘Param Pragya’ AI Supercomputing Facility at IIT Delhi’s 57th Convocation: Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the 57th Convocation Ceremony of IIT Delhi as the chief guest and presented prestigious awards to meritorious graduating students. PM Modi inaugurated ‘Param Pragya’, an AI-powered supercomputing facility, at the Sonipat campus of IIT Delhi, aimed at strengthening advanced computing and AI capabilities. He conferred prestigious honours including the President’s Gold Medal, Director’s Gold Medal, Shankar Dayal Sharma Gold Medal, and Perfect Ten Gold Medals on outstanding students.

 

2. Meta Launches ‘Muse Glimmer’, a New Open-Weight AI Model for Agentic Tasks: Meta has launched Muse Glimmer, a new open-weight AI model designed primarily for agentic AI tasks, enabling AI systems to perform multi-step tasks with limited human intervention. Muse Glimmer is relatively smaller than leading frontier AI models and can run directly on a Mac or PC using a single GPU, making it more accessible for local AI deployment.

 

3. NASA Invites ISRO for Moon Base Programme: NASA has invited the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to join its Moon Base programme under the Artemis Accords. The discussions on lunar cooperation and open scientific data sharing were linked to India’s signature on the Artemis Accords on 21 June 2023. The Artemis Accords are a set of non-binding principles for civil space exploration and use. They were launched by the United States in 2020 and cover transparency, interoperability, emergency assistance, release of scientific data, and the registration of space objects. India became a signatory to the Artemis Accords on 21 June 2023. Other signatories include several spacefaring nations that support cooperation in lunar and deep-space activities.

 

4. Skyroot Signs Multi-Launch Deal After Vikram-1 Success: Skyroot Aerospace, a Hyderabad-based private space company, signed a Multi-Launch Agreement (MLA) with HEX20, a Thiruvananthapuram-based spacetech startup, for Earth-observation and payload demonstration missions. The agreement covers three dedicated launches on Skyroot’s Vikram series of launch vehicles, with missions scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2027. A Multi-Launch Agreement is a commercial contract for multiple satellite launches over a defined period. In this case, the agreement was finalised on 6 August 2026 and was signed by Naga Bharath Daka, co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Skyroot Aerospace, and M.B. Aravind, co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of HEX20.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Karnataka Launches Tathyakosh Public Data Portal: Karnataka launched the public data portal Tathyakosh.in in Bengaluru on 12 August 2026. The portal was developed by the ACSEL Technology Forum, a Karnataka government Centre of Excellence in artificial intelligence, in collaboration with the IIT Alumni Centre Bengaluru. It was introduced as an open, non-commercial digital public good. The name Tathyakosh is derived from two Sanskrit words. “Tathya” means truth or “that which it is”, and “Kosh” means repository or storehouse. The portal is designed as a searchable platform for public datasets. The platform aggregates more than 1.5 million datasets from 458 public data repositories. It is built to make institutional data structured and easier to discover across separate systems. The portal functions as a data discovery layer for public information already held in multiple repositories.

 

2. Andhra Pradesh Signs Lithium and Gallium Exploration Pact: The Andhra Pradesh Department of Mines and Geology signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research-National Geophysical Research Institute on 12 August 2026 for exploration of lithium and gallium deposits in the Kadapa Basin. The agreement was signed at the State Secretariat in Vijayawada in the presence of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Mines Minister Kollu Ravindra. Lithium is a light metal used in rechargeable batteries, ceramics, lubricants, and alloys. Gallium is a post-transition metal used in semiconductors, light-emitting diodes, integrated circuits, and solar-related technologies. Critical minerals are minerals that have strategic industrial use and limited supply chains. Lithium and gallium are included in this group because they are used in energy storage, electronics, and advanced manufacturing.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Sangeet Natak Akademi Announces 2024 and 2025 Awards: Sangeet Natak Akademi announced the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship, also called Akademi Ratna, and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards, also called Akademi Puraskar, for the 2024 and 2025 cycles. The Akademi’s General Council selected seven fellows, 108 Akademi Awardees, and 106 young artists for the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar. Sangeet Natak Akademi is India’s national academy for music, dance, and drama. It functions under the Ministry of Culture and recognises performers and scholars in the performing arts. The seven selected Akademi Fellows are Ramlal Bareth, A V Anand, Rita Ganguly, Puru Dadheech, Chittaranjan Jyotishi, Pasumarthi Rattaiah Sarma, and Sudharani Raghupathy. The 2024 music awardees include Arun Nagesh Kashalkar, Nirmalya Dey, Bharat Bhushan Goswami, Sanjay Mukherjee, Krishna Vageesh, and Rakesh Chaurasia.