NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Har Ghar Tiranga 2026 to Be Celebrated from 9–17 August Across India: Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat launched the Har Ghar Tiranga 2026 campaign to be observed from 9–17 August 2026 across India and among the Indian diaspora. Har Ghar Tiranga was first launched in 2022 under the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, and the 2026 edition marks its fifth edition. The campaign encourages citizens to hoist the National Flag and participate in activities promoting patriotism, national unity, and India’s cultural heritage. The 2026 campaign coincides with the 150th anniversary of India’s National Song, “Vande Mataram,” composed by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay. The government also launched SURYAPATH TIRANGA, a symbolic global relay of the Indian National Flag to strengthen patriotic participation worldwide.
2. Cabinet Approves GOBARdhan National Circular Bioenergy Scheme: The Union Cabinet approved the GOBARdhan (National Circular Bioenergy Scheme) with a total outlay of ₹23,731 crore, to be implemented from 2026–27 to 2035–36. The scheme aims to increase domestic Compressed Biogas (CBG) production nearly ten-fold, establish CBG as a key pillar of India’s energy mix, and create 1.5 lakh jobs. GOBARdhan will convert agricultural residue, cattle dung, press mud, municipal organic waste, and other biomass into clean fuel, organic manure, rural income, and economic value.
3. Ministry of Tourism Launches ‘As Seen on Netflix’ Initiative on Incredible India Platform: The Ministry of Tourism, in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and Netflix, organised a special event at the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA), New Delhi, to mark 10 years of Netflix in India. The Ministry of Tourism has integrated the ‘As Seen on Netflix’ section with the Incredible India digital platform. The initiative enables travellers to explore real Indian destinations featured in popular Netflix films and web series, promoting tourism through screen-inspired travel.
4. Government Extends Tenure of Cabinet Secretary T.V. Somanathan and Home Secretary Govind Mohan by One Year: The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved a one-year extension in the tenure of Dr. T.V. Somanathan as Cabinet Secretary, allowing him to continue in office beyond 30 August 2026. The ACC has also approved a one-year extension in the tenure of Govind Mohan as Home Secretary.
5. Tewolde Gebremariam Appointed as Air India’s New CEO and MD: The Board of Directors of Air India has appointed Tewolde Gebremariam as the airline’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Managing Director (MD), succeeding Campbell Wilson. The appointment follows a global leadership search conducted by a dedicated Board committee, which evaluated both internal and international external candidates.
6. India Marks Seven Years Since the Abrogation of Article 370: 5 August 2026 marks seven years since the process to make the provisions of Article 370 inoperative began in 2019, ending the special status of the erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir. The process commenced on 5 August 2019, when the Presidential Order and the resolution related to Article 370 were introduced in Parliament. Parliament approved the proposal on 6 August 2019, while 5 August is widely observed as the anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370.
7 August – National Handloom Day: National Handloom Day is observed every year on 7 August to celebrate India’s rich handloom heritage and honour the contribution of handloom weavers to the country’s cultural and economic development. The day commemorates the Swadeshi Movement, which was launched on 7 August 1905, encouraging the use of indigenous products, including handwoven textiles. National Handloom Day was first observed in 2015, with the objective of promoting the handloom sector, generating employment, and supporting the ‘Vocal for Local’ initiative.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission Recognised as WHO-SEARN Regional Centre of Excellence: The Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) participated in the 10th Anniversary Meeting of the South-East Asia Regulatory Network (SEARN) held in Kathmandu, Nepal. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare announced that the IPC has been recognised as the WHO-SEARN Regional Centre of Excellence in Pharmacovigilance. The IPC has also been designated as the WHO-SEARN Technical Centre in Quality, strengthening its role in promoting medicine quality standards. These recognitions establish the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) as a key regional institution for enhancing the quality, safety, and pharmacovigilance of medicines across South-East Asia.
2. Prashant Agrawal’s Bringing the Cheetah Back to India Chronicles the Story of Project Cheetah: Bringing the Cheetah Back to India, authored by Prashant Agrawal, narrates the story of Project Cheetah, highlighting the diplomatic, ecological, and administrative efforts behind the reintroduction of cheetahs to India after 70 years. Written from the perspective of India’s former High Commissioner to Namibia, the book provides an insider’s account of the India–Namibia collaboration that made the historic cheetah translocation possible.
3. World Marks 81st Anniversary of Hiroshima Atomic Bombing: 6 August 2026 marks 81 years since the United States dropped the first atomic bomb, “Little Boy,” on Hiroshima, Japan, during World War II. The bombing of Hiroshima (6 August 1945) was followed by the bombing of Nagasaki (9 August 1945) with the “Fat Man” atomic bomb. The atomic bombings caused massive destruction and loss of life, leading to Japan’s surrender on 15 August 1945 and the end of World War II.
4. Shah Rukh Khan Becomes India’s Most Valued Celebrity Brand in 2025: Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan emerged as India’s most valued celebrity brand in 2025, according to the India Celebrity Brand Valuation Report released by global financial and risk advisory firm Kroll. Shah Rukh Khan moved from the third position in 2024 to the first position in 2025, with an estimated brand value of $177.9 million.
5. Muthoot Finance Appoints Alexander George as Managing Director : Alexander George has been recommended by the Board of Directors as the Managing Director of Muthoot Finance, effective October 1, 2026, subject to shareholders’ approval at the upcoming AGM. George Alexander Muthoot, the current Managing Director, will transition to the role of Executive Vice Chairman.
6. 6 August – International Day of Awareness of the Special Development Needs and Challenges of Landlocked Developing Countries : International Day of Awareness of the Special Development Needs and Challenges of Landlocked Developing Countries is observed annually on 6 August to raise awareness about the unique development challenges faced by 32 Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs). The day highlights issues such as lack of direct access to the sea, high transport and trade costs, geographical isolation, and limited connectivity, which hinder sustainable economic growth and development. The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed this international observance in 2025, with the first observance held on 6 August 2025, to promote global partnerships and support for the sustainable development of LLDCs.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. Hiroshima Marks 81st Anniversary of Atomic Bombing: Hiroshima marked the 81st anniversary of the atomic bombing on 6 August 2026, which occurred during the Second World War on 6 August 1945. The annual Peace Memorial Ceremony was held at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, and the city observed a minute of silence at 8:15 AM, the exact time when the bomb was dropped in 1945. Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui delivered the Peace Declaration during the ceremony. He referred to nuclear weapons as tools of intimidation and called for their abolition. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi attended the ceremony for the first time as prime minister and reaffirmed Japan’s Three Non-Nuclear Principles.
2. France Submits Proposal for 114 Rafale Fighter Jets to India: France submitted a techno-commercial proposal to India for 114 Rafale fighter jets on 29 July 2026. The proposed government-to-government deal is valued at about ₹3.25 lakh crore, or around $39 billion, and it is linked to India’s Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft procurement plan. The Defence Acquisition Council cleared the Acceptance of Necessity in February 2026. India sent the formal Letter of Request to France in May 2026, and the Ministry of Defence began examining the proposal through its Acquisition Wing in August 2026. Rafale is a twin-engine, multirole combat aircraft developed by Dassault Aviation of France. It is used for air defence, deep strike, reconnaissance, and nuclear deterrence roles, and it operates from both land bases and aircraft carriers in naval variants.
SPORTS
1. India Finishes 4th at 2026 Commonwealth Games with 39 Medals, Including 13 Gold: India finished 4th in the 2026 Commonwealth Games held in Glasgow, winning a total of 39 medals — 13 Gold, 17 Silver, and 9 Bronze. Indian boxers delivered an outstanding performance, winning 10 medals on the final day, including 7 gold medals, significantly boosting India’s overall medal tally. Mirabai Chanu won India’s first gold medal in the women’s 48 kg weightlifting event, while para-powerlifter Jhandu Kumar secured India’s first medal of the Games with a bronze. India’s 13 gold medals came from Weightlifting (1), Para-athletics (2), Judo (2), and Boxing (7), highlighting the country’s dominance in combat sports and para-events.
2. Arunachal’s Boleng to Host Asian Rafting Championships 2026: Boleng in Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh will host the Asian Rafting Championships 2026 from 5 October to 9 October 2026. The five-day event will take place on the Simang River, a Class III+ tributary of the Siang River, and will bring paddlers from across Asia to compete in white-water rafting events. Boleng is a town in Siang district, which lies in central Arunachal Pradesh. The Siang River is the name used for the Brahmaputra in Arunachal Pradesh, and the Simang River is one of its tributaries with strong currents and technical rapids. Rafting championships commonly include Sprint, RX and Slalom disciplines. Sprint events test speed over a short course, RX refers to knock-out racing between teams, and Slalom requires boats to pass through a series of gates on moving water.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. Tamil Nadu Launches Vetri Vaanmagal Drone Training Scheme: Tamil Nadu announced the Vetri Vaanmagal scheme on 6 August 2026 in the 2026-27 Agriculture Budget. The scheme is designed to train women farmers in operating agricultural drones and to support drone pilot licensing in the state. The state government has allocated Rs 1.50 crore for drone training under the scheme. Training will be conducted through the Remote Pilot Training Organisation of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, which functions as a state agricultural institution in Tamil Nadu. An additional Rs 2.50 crore has been earmarked from state funds to provide drones at a 50% subsidy to 50 trained women. The scheme links skill training with equipment support for agricultural use.
2. IT Rules Cut Unlawful Content Removal Deadline to 3 Hours: India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology notified the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules, 2026 on 10 February 2026. The amended framework reduced the time limit for intermediaries to remove unlawful content from 36 hours to 3 hours after receiving a valid court order or government notice. The amended rules also reduced the time limit for action on sensitive user grievances, including nudity and impersonation, from 24 hours to 2 hours. The standard time limit for intermediaries to resolve general user complaints was reduced from 72 hours to 36 hours. The rules came into force on 20 February 2026 across India. The framework applies to valid notices issued by a court or by the government under the applicable legal process.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. RBI Proposes Fresh Licensing of Urban Co-operative Banks After 20 Years: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has proposed to resume issuing fresh licences for Urban Co-operative Banks (UCBs) after a gap of 20 years, following an ‘on tap’ licensing approach. Only existing multi-state Credit Co-operative Societies (CCSs) with at least 10 years of operations, ₹10,000 crore in deposits, and a minimum net worth of ₹300 crore will be eligible to apply. Eligible CCSs must have maintained a CRAR of at least 12%, a Net NPA ratio of not more than 3%, and demonstrate a positive financial and operational track record over the previous five years. Conversion of a Credit Co-operative Society into a UCB will require approval by at least two-thirds of the shareholders, both in number and value, at a specially convened meeting.
2. EPFO to Launch ‘E-PRAAPTI’ Portal for Tracking and Activating Inoperative EPF Accounts : The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) will launch the EPF Aadhaar-Based Access Portal for Tracking Inoperative Accounts (E-PRAAPTI) to help members identify, track, link, and activate old EPF accounts. The portal will use Aadhaar-based authentication to enable secure access to old EPF accounts, allowing members to update their profile and seamlessly link and activate their Universal Account Number (UAN). E-PRAAPTI is expected to reduce manual intervention, minimise documentation, and improve the transparency, efficiency, and ease of accessing inactive EPF accounts.
3. Andhra Pradesh Targets ₹9.5 Lakh Crore Investment in Visakhapatnam Region : The Andhra Pradesh government has set an investment target of up to ₹9.5 lakh crore for the Visakhapatnam Economic Region (VER). The plan covers eight districts and spans 36,000 sq km in north coastal Andhra Pradesh and adjoining areas. The Visakhapatnam Economic Region includes Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, Srikakulam, Anakapalli, Kakinada, East Godavari, Alluri Sitarama Raju, and Parvathipuram Manyam. The region is linked to the ‘Bay City’ project, which uses micro-level planning for regional development.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. IIT Bombay Professor Karthikeyan Lanka Selected for NASI Young Scientist Award 2026: Professor Karthikeyan Lanka of the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay has been selected for the NASI Young Scientist Award 2026. He is an Associate Professor at the Centre of Studies in Resources Engineering and an associate faculty member in the Interdisciplinary Programme in Climate Studies at IIT Bombay. The award presentation is scheduled during the 96th Annual Session and Symposium of the National Academy of Sciences, India, at Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, on 4–5 December 2026. The National Academy of Sciences, India is one of the oldest science academies in the country and was established in 1930. It is based in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, and it conducts annual sessions, symposia, and academic recognitions for scientists in India.
No comments:
Post a Comment