One of the major developments is the in-principle approval for RNFI Services to operate as a Payment Aggregator-Physical, allowing it to facilitate physical payment services through its distribution network.

Key Highlights:

• RNFI Services received in-principle authorisation for Payment Aggregator-Physical operations.
• The approval comes under the Payment and Settlement Systems framework.
• PB Pay has commenced commercial operations as a Payment Aggregator.
• PB Pay received its regulatory authorisation earlier in 2026.
• ICICI Prudential Asset Management Company received approval to acquire up to 9.95% of CSB Bank’s paid-up capital or voting rights.
• The developments strengthen the regulated digital and physical payments ecosystem.

The exercise is designed to improve coordination between the two air forces through advanced missions, operational planning, and professional exchanges.

Key Highlights:

• Exercise: Veer Guardian-2026.
• Edition: Second edition of the Veer Guardian Air Exercise 2026.
• Venue: Air Force Station Jodhpur, Rajasthan.
• Duration: 9–22 September 2026.
• Indian aircraft: Tejas, Su-30 MKI and Rafale.
• Japanese aircraft: F-2A fighter aircraft.
• Japanese contingent: Around 110 personnel.
• Main objectives: Interoperability, tactical proficiency, and operational coordination.
• The first edition was held in Japan in 2023.

The facility is designed to help assess drones and other critical defence equipment while strengthening cyber resilience and operational preparedness.

Key Highlights:

• Lab name: AASHVAST Laboratory.
• Full form: Assessment and Analysis of Electronic Systems Hardware for Vulnerabilities and Security Threats.
• Location: Directorate General of Electronics and Mechanical Engineering headquarters, New Delhi.
• Focus: Examination of electronic components and security vulnerabilities in drones.
• The facility uses air-gapped and read-only systems.
• It operates offline during equipment assessment.
• The lab is intended to strengthen defence-system security and operational readiness.

The agreement establishes performance targets covering storage, logistics, quality control, and technology adoption. It also places emphasis on reducing storage losses and improving supply-chain operations.

Key Highlights:

• Agreement period: Financial Year 2026-27.
• Main objective: Modernisation of foodgrain management.
• Focus areas: Storage, logistics, quality control and technology.
• Storage losses will be targeted for reduction.
• Depot performance will be monitored through the Depot Darpan system.
• Employee training and skill development will support the adoption of modern technologies.
• FCI is responsible for procurement, storage, movement, and distribution of foodgrains.

Goa Police has also introduced technology-driven measures to improve policing and emergency response.

Key Highlights:

• Award: President’s Colour.
• Presented in: Panaji, Goa.
• Goa Police has more than 80 years of service.
• AI-based assistance has been introduced for the cybercrime helpline 1930.
• The AI system initially supports Konkani, Marathi, and Hindi.
• The service is planned to expand to all 22 languages listed in the Eighth Schedule.
• Emergency response time through helpline 112 has been reduced from 18 minutes to 8 minutes.
• Goa Police has recorded significant improvement in implementing new criminal laws.

The approved projects cover ITI clusters in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Telangana. With these approvals, the total investment sanctioned under PM-SETU has reached ₹2,171 crore across nine ITI clusters.

Key Highlights:

• Total newly approved investment: ₹735.70 crore.
• Rajasthan ITI cluster: ₹241 crore.
• Uttar Pradesh ITI cluster: ₹240.40 crore.
• Telangana ITI cluster: ₹254.30 crore.
• Total PM-SETU investment so far: ₹2,171 crore.
• The programme focuses on upgrading ITIs and strengthening employability-oriented skill development.

The 62-year-old Dr. Dinesh Sharma has held important political responsibilities in Uttar Pradesh and has also served as a member of the Rajya Sabha. His appointment comes as the Andaman and Nicobar Islands continue to hold major administrative, strategic and maritime importance for India.

Dr. Dinesh Sharma’s Rajya Sabha tenure was scheduled to end on November 25. His new role will place him at the head of the Union Territory’s administration, where he will oversee key matters related to governance and development.

Key Highlights:

• New Lieutenant Governor: Dr. Dinesh Sharma.
• Union Territory: Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
• Previous Lieutenant Governor: Retired Admiral Devendra Kumar Joshi.
• Political background: Former Deputy Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh.
• Current position: Rajya Sabha MP from the Bharatiya Janata Party.
• Devendra Kumar Joshi: Took charge as Lieutenant Governor on October 8, 2017.
• Rajya Sabha tenure: Dr. Sharma’s term was scheduled to end on November 25.
• New responsibility: Administration and governance of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
• Strategic importance: The islands are important for India’s maritime security and regional strategic interests.

The unusual discovery has raised concerns about possible illegal wildlife trafficking. Authorities are investigating how the endangered animals reached Odisha and whether they were brought into India illegally before being abandoned or escaping into the forest.

The rescued orangutans have undergone veterinary examination and are being kept under observation. Officials are also checking nearby areas to determine whether there could be any additional animals or evidence connected with their arrival.

Key Highlights:

• Animals found: Five young orangutans.
• Location: Bichitrapur forest area, Balasore district, Odisha.
• Habitat: Casuarina forest near Badapahi village.
• Natural range: Orangutans are native to parts of Indonesia and Malaysia.
• Status: Orangutans are critically endangered great apes.
• Rescue: Forest officials rescued all five animals after receiving information from local residents.
• Health check: Veterinary teams examined the animals and assessed their condition.
• Main concern: Authorities suspect possible illegal wildlife trafficking.
• Investigation: Officials are trying to determine where the animals came from and how they reached Odisha.
• Further action: The animals are expected to remain under observation while authorities complete the investigation.