NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. India Crosses 300 GW of Installed Non-Fossil Fuel-Based Power Capacity: India has crossed 300 GW of installed non-fossil fuel-based electricity capacity, marking a major milestone in its clean energy journey. India’s renewable energy capacity has surged by 400% over the last 12 years, reflecting rapid growth in the clean energy sector. New and Renewable Energy Minister Pralhad Joshi said the milestone demonstrates India’s clean energy transition and its growing role in setting global benchmarks.
2. JP Nadda Chairs CEO Round Table at India Medical Device Conference 2026a: Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda chaired a CEO Round Table at the India Medical Device Conference 2026 in New Delhi. The round table focused on strengthening innovation, regulatory excellence, domestic manufacturing, value chains, market access and exports to position India as a global hub for quality medical devices. The government reaffirmed its commitment to building a competitive, innovation-driven and globally integrated MedTech ecosystem through closer industry collaboration.
3. Amit Shah Inaugurates NUCFDC Office in Mumbai: Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the new office complex of the National Urban Cooperative Finance and Development Corporation (NUCFDC) in Mumbai’s Fort area and launched several related services. NUCFDC and the National Forensic Sciences University signed an MoU to strengthen cybersecurity, technological capabilities and institutional capacity in the Urban Cooperative Banking sector. Amit Shah also inaugurated a Security Operations Centre (SOC) to enhance cybersecurity and resilience of Urban Cooperative Banks, along with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
4. West Bengal Announces ₹10,000 Monthly Pension for 325 Emergency-Era Protesters: West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced a monthly pension of ₹10,000 for 325 people who were jailed for participating in protests during the Emergency (1975–77). The beneficiaries will be honoured under the ‘Paschimbanga Loktantra Senani Samman’ scheme for their sacrifices in defending democracy during the Emergency.
5. ED Director Rahul Navin Gets One-Year Extension.: Rahul Navin has been granted a one-year extension as the Director of the Enforcement Directorate (ED). His tenure has been extended beyond August 13, 2026, up to August 13, 2027, or until further orders, whichever is earlier. Navin, a 1993-batch Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer of the Income Tax cadre, has been heading the ED since September 2023.
6. Government Introduces Bill in Lok Sabha to Rename Kerala as Keralam: The Union government introduced the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026 in the Lok Sabha on 10 August 2026 for changing the name of the state from Kerala to Keralam. The proposal relates to Article 3 of the Indian Constitution, which provides for the formation of new States and the alteration of areas, boundaries, or names of existing States. The renaming of a State in India requires a constitutional amendment to the First Schedule, which lists the names of States and Union Territories. The Eighth Schedule contains the official languages of the Constitution, and the Kerala proposal has been linked to the State’s name in the constitutional text. Article 3 empowers Parliament to alter the name of a State after following the prescribed procedure. The President may refer such a Bill to the concerned State Legislature for its views before Parliament takes a final decision.
7. DGFT Removes Physical Challans for EODC Applications: The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has removed the requirement for physical duty payment challans in applications for Export Obligation Discharge Certificates (EODC) under the Advance Authorisation and Export Promotion Capital Goods (EPCG) schemes. The change uses direct electronic integration of license-wise voluntary duty payment data from Customs and ICEGATE into the DGFT online system. An Export Obligation Discharge Certificate is issued after an exporter fulfils the export obligation attached to an authorisation or licence. In India, EODC processing is linked mainly with the Advance Authorisation scheme and the EPCG scheme under the Foreign Trade Policy.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. 11th BRICS Culture Ministers’ Meeting Held in Bhopal: The 11th BRICS Culture Ministers’ Meeting was held in Bhopal under India’s BRICS Chairship and adopted the Bhopal Declaration to strengthen cultural cooperation. Representatives from 14 countries—10 BRICS members and 4 partner countries—discussed cultural and creative industries, opportunities for artists, digital platforms, and protection of cultural heritage. India announced a pilot Voluntary Artist Registry to promote cultural exchanges and professional networks, while the meeting also addressed artists’ rights and copyright in the age of AI.
2. India Makes First-Ever Sea Export of GI-Tagged Mithila Makhana from Bihar to Australia: India completed its first-ever sea export of GI-tagged Mithila Makhana from Bihar to Australia in August 2026. The consignment was flagged off from the Integrated Unit of Irradiation-cum-Packhouse at Bihta near Patna and routed through Kolkata for sea transport. Mithila Makhana is a GI-tagged agricultural product associated with the Mithila region of Bihar. GI registration in India is governed by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999.
3. P. Radhakrishnan Launches ‘Har Ghar Tiranga Abhiyan’ in Andaman & Nicobar Islands: Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan launched the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga Abhiyan’ in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands by hoisting the National Flag at Flag Point, Sri Vijaya Puram on August Kranti Diwas. He recalled Mahatma Gandhi’s “Do or Die” call of 8 August 1942, which inspired millions of Indians and strengthened the Quit India Movement. Radhakrishnan highlighted the islands’ historical connection with the Tricolour, noting that Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose hoisted the Indian National Flag there on 30 December 1943.
4. Justice Abha Nayar Patel Becomes First Woman of Indian Origin Appointed to Zambia’s Supreme Court: Justice Abha Nayar Patel has made history as the first woman of Indian origin appointed as a Judge of the Supreme Court of Zambia. She was recently welcomed at the Supreme Court of India by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and other judges, marking a notable judicial and India–Zambia connection. Justice Patel was appointed to Zambia’s Supreme Court on 27 May 2026; she previously served on the Zambian Court of Appeal and holds an LLM from the University of Cambridge.a
5. 9 August – International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples: International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples is observed every year on 9 August. Theme 2026 – Honouring Indigenous Midwives: Safeguarding Life and Well-being The day aims to raise awareness about the rights, cultures, traditions, and contributions of Indigenous Peoples around the world. It also highlights the need to protect Indigenous communities, their cultural heritage, and their traditional knowledge.
6. India’s Asiatic Lion Population Reaches 891: India’s Asiatic lion population increased from 523 in 2015 to 891 in 2025, as recorded in the 16th Asiatic Lion Population Estimation. The species is found mainly in Gujarat’s Gir and Greater Gir landscape, and its range has expanded from about 30,000 square kilometres in 2020 to nearly 35,000 square kilometres. The 16th Asiatic Lion Population Estimation was conducted from 10 to 13 May 2025 across 11 districts in Gujarat. The exercise used the direct beat verification method and involved more than 3,800 forest officials and local volunteers. The published count of 891 lions included 330 adult females and a satellite population of 497 lions outside core protected areas.
7. Indian-Origin Bodhana Sivanandan, Shreyas Royal Make British Chess History: Indian-origin chess players Bodhana Sivanandan and Shreyas Royal won major titles at the 2026 British Chess Championships on 9 August 2026. The nine-day event was held at the University of Warwick in Coventry, England, and drew more than 2,600 entries across all sections. Bodhana Sivanandan became Britain’s youngest-ever Women’s Chess Champion at the age of 11. She defeated Irish Women Grandmaster Trisha Kanyamarala in a rapid playoff after the main rounds ended with tied scores. Sivanandan completed the tournament with only one loss. That defeat came in Round 6 against Shreyas Royal, who later won the overall title. The British Chess Championships is a long-running national chess event in the United Kingdom. The 2026 edition was the 122nd year of the championship series and included multiple title categories, including the overall championship and the women’s championship.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. Indian Navy–US Navy EOD Exercise 2026 Begins in Kochi to Boost Interoperability: The Indian Navy–US Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Exercise 2026 is being conducted, from 10 to 14 August 2026. The five-day exercise aims to enhance interoperability and strengthen professional cooperation between the specialist diving and EOD teams of the Indian and US Navies. The exercise includes Subject Matter Expert Exchanges, cross-training, equipment demonstrations, and scenario-based practical exercises. It is the eighth edition of the specialised bilateral training exercise.
2. HAL Revives Su-30MKI Production at Nashik: Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) has revived the Su-30MKI production line at its Nashik facility in Maharashtra. The plan covers 12 new Su-30MKI fighter aircraft for the Indian Air Force, with deliveries scheduled up to 2029 and the first aircraft expected in 2027–2028. HAL’s Nashik division previously manufactured 222 Su-30MKI aircraft under licence from Russia. The production line was later paused while the facility focused on aircraft repair work and Light Combat Aircraft production.
SPORTS
1. Titli Maji Wins Silver in Women’s 45kg at Asian Youth & Junior Weightlifting Championships: Indian weightlifter Titli Maji won the silver medal in the women’s 45 kg category at the Asian Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. She recorded a total lift of 145 kg, including 65 kg in snatch and 80 kg in clean & jerk. Parishmita Gogoi finished fourth in the same event.
2. Ashmita Chaliha Becomes First Indian to Win Korea Masters: Indian badminton player Ashmita Chaliha won the women’s singles title at the Korea Masters, becoming the first Indian to win the tournament. Chaliha secured her maiden BWF World Tour Super 300 title in Asan, South Korea, defeating China’s fourth seed Han Qian Xi in the final. She won the final in 53 minutes with a score of 14-21, 21-14, 21-14, after losing the opening game at the Yi Sun-sin Gymnasium.
3. Maharajan Arumugapandian Wins Silver in 65kg Category at Asian Junior Weightlifting Championships: Indian weightlifter Maharajan Arumugapandian won the silver medal in the men’s 65 kg category at the Asian Junior Weightlifting Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Maharajan recorded a personal best total of 285 kg, lifting 128 kg in the snatch and 157 kg in the clean and jerk. Vietnam’s Hoang Thach won the gold medal with a total lift of 291 kg, finishing 6 kg ahead of Maharajan.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. DPIIT Signs Five MoUs to Strengthen India’s Startup Ecosystem and Innovation: DPIIT has signed strategic MoUs with five organisations—Cashfree Payments, Darwin Dynamics, Vultr India, Cars24, and Council for Startup India (CSI)—to strengthen India’s startup ecosystem. The partnerships focus on digital infrastructure, cloud computing, mentorship, entrepreneurship, investment opportunities, skilling, and access to markets for DPIIT-recognised startups. The MoUs aim to promote innovation-led growth, expand Startup India’s reach to Tier-II, Tier-III and rural regions, and enhance the global competitiveness of Indian startups.
2. Important Rocket Engine Types and Propulsion Systems: Rocket propulsion works on Newton’s Third Law: a rocket produces thrust by expelling mass at high speed in the opposite direction. Modern propulsion systems range from solid and liquid engines to electric, nuclear, and advanced reusable cycles, with efficiency commonly measured by specific impulse. Major Emerging Aviation Technologies: The aviation sector is moving rapidly toward cleaner propulsion, smarter operations, and faster air travel through a mix of sustainable fuels, hydrogen, electric systems, AI, and advanced aerodynamics. Sustainable Aviation Fuel is the most immediate way to reduce the carbon footprint of air travel without replacing existing airport infrastructure. SAF is produced from renewable resources such as municipal solid waste, agricultural residues, used cooking oils, and woody biomass. It is a drop-in fuel and can be blended with conventional Jet A-1 fuel for use in existing aircraft engines.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. NABL Launches India’s First Mobile Food Testing Accreditation: The National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL), a constituent of the Quality Council of India (QCI), launched India’s first accreditation scheme for mobile food testing laboratories on 10 August 2026. The scheme was unveiled at the “Gunvatta Samanvaya – A Multilateral MoU Exchange Ceremony” held at Hotel Ashoka in New Delhi. NABL is India’s national accreditation body for testing and calibration laboratories, medical laboratories, and proficiency testing providers. It operates under the Quality Council of India, which was set up in 1997 as an autonomous body to promote quality standards in India. The new scheme recognises the competence of mobile laboratories in testing methods, equipment, and personnel. Accreditation in this framework does not provide funding for the physical establishment of mobile laboratories.
2. TRAI Begins Phase-Wise Rollout of 1601-Series: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) issued a direction on 10 August 2026 for the phase-wise implementation of the 1601-series numbering system for service and transactional voice calls. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has allocated the 1601-series for sectors other than Banking, Financial Services & Insurance (BFSI) and Government, which already use the 1600-series. India uses dedicated numbering series for specific categories of calls under the National Numbering Plan. The 1600-series is used by BFSI entities and Government entities, while the 1601-series has been assigned for other eligible service and transactional callers. Under Phase-I, the 1601-series will cover utilities and logistics-related entities. The utilities sector includes electricity distributors, water suppliers, city gas distributors, and LPG distributors, along with courier and logistics firms.
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