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| Cabinet Approves ₹13,041 Crore Railway and Highway Projects |
| The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved infrastructure projects worth ₹13,041 crore across five states. The package includes four railway multi-tracking projects worth about ₹9,450 crore and the four-laning of an important section of NH-22 in Bihar, estimated at ₹3,590.73 crore.
Key Highlights:
- Four railway projects will cover eight districts in West Bengal, Odisha, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
- Kharagpur–Bhadrak (Ranital): 173-km fourth line; about ₹3,352 crore.
- Bhadrak–Haridaspur: 75-km fourth line; nearly ₹1,583 crore.
- Gummidipundi–Gudur: 90-km third and fourth lines across Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu; ₹2,229 crore.
- Cuttack–Paradeep (Badabandha): 72-km third and fourth lines; ₹2,286 crore.
- In Bihar, 82.578 km of NH-22 between Muzaffarpur–Sitamarhi–Sonbarsa will be upgraded to four-lane standards.
- The highway project will be developed under the Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM) and will strengthen connectivity towards the India–Nepal border.
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| President Gives Assent to Taxation and Payment-System Amendments |
| President Droupadi Murmu gave assent to the Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Act, 2026 and legislation amending the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007. The changes are aimed at improving the investment environment, supporting domestic electronics manufacturing and enabling foreign cloud companies to use Indian data centres.
Key Points:
- The Taxation amendment replaces the Income-tax (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026.
- It provides tax exemptions for specified income earned by foreign institutional investors and the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) from government securities.
- Exemptions cover eligible interest income and capital gains related to government securities.
- The PSS-related changes modify the legal framework concerning charges associated with specified digital payment modes.
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| Himalayan Plant Named Impatiens nimspurjae After Nirmal Purja |
| A Himalayan flowering plant has been named Impatiens nimspurjae in honour of Nepali mountaineer Nirmal “Nimsdai” Purja. The plant was discovered in Nepal’s Myagdi district by researchers Bhakta Bahadur Raskoti and Rita Ale.
Important Facts:
- Genus: Impatiens
- Family: Balsaminaceae
- Local name for the group in Nepal: Tiuri
- Habitat: Humid slopes and forest margins.
- Altitude: Around 2,800–2,900 metres.
- The species was first encountered in western Myagdi in 2011.
- Its formal description appeared in a peer-reviewed PLOS ONE study.
- Nirmal Purja climbed all 14 eight-thousanders in 2019 in 6 months and 6 days.
- He was also associated with the first winter ascent of K2 in 2021.
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| UNHCR, SICCI and Ethiraj College Partner for Refugee Inclusion |
| The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Southern India Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) and Ethiraj College for Women signed an MoU to strengthen refugee education, research, community engagement and livelihood opportunities in India.
Highlights:
- The Department of Social Work at Ethiraj College will serve as the nodal department.
- The partnership aims to improve refugee self-reliance and socio-economic inclusion.
- Special attention includes refugee communities such as Sri Lankan refugees in Tamil Nadu.
- UNHCR was established in 1950 and is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.
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| NCW Conducts ‘Yashoda AI’ Programme in Jalandhar |
| The National Commission for Women (NCW) organised “Yashoda AI – Women’s Path to AI Empowerment” at Lovely Professional University in Jalandhar, Punjab. The programme focuses on AI literacy, digital skills, cyber safety and increasing women’s participation in emerging technologies.
Key Highlights:
- Yashoda AI was originally launched on 22 May 2025 at Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Rohilkhand University, Bareilly.
- NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar launched the Jalandhar programme.
- The initiative seeks to provide women with practical AI skills.
- A “She Serves” programme was also inaugurated to encourage young women to explore career opportunities in the Armed Forces.
- NCW is a statutory body established in 1992 and headquartered in New Delhi.
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| General Dhiraj Seth Visits Nepal |
| Indian Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth undertook a three-day official visit to Nepal from 17–19 August 2026 at the invitation of Nepal Army Chief General Ashok Raj Sigdel.
Major Highlights:
- Discussions focused on strengthening India–Nepal defence cooperation.
- General Seth held bilateral discussions with his Nepali counterpart.
- He received a briefing from Nepal Army’s Director General Military Operations.
- He laid a wreath at the Army Pavilion in Tundikhel, Kathmandu.
- He received a Guard of Honour at Nepal Army Headquarters.
- Nepal President Ramchandra Paudel conferred on him the honorary rank of General of the Nepali Army.
- The tradition of both countries conferring honorary general ranks on each other’s Army Chiefs dates back to 1950.
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| Paul Merchants Finance Launches Exclusive Silver Loan Branches |
| Paul Merchants Finance Private Limited became the first NBFC in India to establish exclusive branches for silver loans. The initiative follows RBI’s framework for lending against eligible gold and silver collateral.
Key Facts:
- Operations have initially started in Chandigarh.
- The company plans phased expansion.
- Loan amount: ₹2,000 to ₹15 lakh, subject to applicable conditions.
- Eligible collateral includes specified silver jewellery, ornaments and approved silver coins.
- The initiative operates within the regulatory framework for lending against precious-metal collateral.
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| Paramotor Digital Partners with NSDL Payments Bank |
| Fintech company Paramotor Digital Technology Limited entered into a co-branded partnership with NSDL Payments Bank to issue prepaid cards across India.
Highlights:
- The partnership combines Paramotor’s technology platform with NSDL Payments Bank’s banking infrastructure.
- Applications include consumer spending, digital gifting, rewards and loyalty.
- Platforms involved include SpendPro, Yayyy.shop and RewardOn.
- The prepaid solutions are intended to comply with RBI requirements.
- Paramotor Digital had filed confidential IPO draft papers with SEBI in May 2026.
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| India’s FY27 Growth Forecast Raised to 6.8% |
| India Ratings and Research (Ind-Ra) increased its forecast for India’s real GDP growth in FY 2026–27 to 6.8%, up from 6.7%. Lower crude oil prices were identified as one of the factors supporting the upward revision.
Important Projections:
- Real GDP growth: 6.8%
- Nominal GDP growth: 10.4%
- WPI inflation: 8.5%
- CPI inflation: 4.9%
- Fiscal deficit target: 4.3% of GDP
- Current Account Deficit: 1.5% of GDP, compared with 0.6% in FY26.
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| Reliance Industries and Rolls-Royce Collaborate on AMCA Engine |
| Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) and Rolls-Royce entered a strategic partnership to explore the development and manufacturing of an indigenous combat aircraft engine for India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme.
Key Highlights:
- The companies will explore establishing an Aerospace Gas Turbine Complex in India.
- The facility is intended to function as a Centre of Excellence for propulsion technology.
- Rolls-Royce brings advanced propulsion expertise, while RIL contributes industrial and manufacturing capabilities.
- AMCA is India’s planned fifth-generation stealth multi-role fighter aircraft.
- The programme includes technologies such as stealth, supercruise, advanced avionics and AI-assisted systems.
- AMCA is managed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) under the Ministry of Defence’s defence R&D framework.
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| Google Wins Bid for Spirit Airlines’ Enterprise Data |
| Google emerged as the winning bidder in a bankruptcy auction to acquire part of Spirit Airlines’ internal enterprise data and software assets for US$10 million. The proposed transaction still requires approval from a US bankruptcy court.
Key Points:
- Spirit Airlines ceased operations in May 2026 after financial difficulties.
- Google defeated AI-data company Mercor, whose bid was US$7.5 million.
- The assets include enterprise data such as employee emails, Teams messages, spreadsheets, calendars and operational information.
- The data is intended for product development and AI model training.
- According to the source, the dataset will be de-identified and will not include customer information or personally identifiable information.
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| Lakshmanan Meyyappan Recognised as World’s Youngest Male Chartered Accountant |
| Indian-origin finance professional Lakshmanan Meyyappan, based in Dubai, was recognised by Guinness World Records as the world’s youngest male Chartered Accountant. He achieved the record at 16 years and 141 days in June 2021.
Important Facts:
- Completed the ACCA qualification at 16.
- Started the course at 15 and completed it in about one year.
- Obtained the CFA Charterholder designation in 2025.
- He is pursuing an MSc in Finance at American University of Sharjah.
- He also works as a Senior Research Analyst at Century Financial in Dubai.
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| Dr. Eluri Sreedhar Named Honorary Advisor to BRICS CCI |
| Dr. Eluri Sreedhar was appointed Honorary Advisor to the BRICS Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BRICS CCI). His role will focus on areas such as economic cooperation, strategic partnerships, inclusive development and community empowerment.
Quick Facts:
- Dr. Sreedhar is an educator, technocrat and enterprise strategist.
- He founded Sreedhar’s CCE (College of Competitive Exams).
- BRICS CCI was established in 2012.
- Its headquarters is in New Delhi.
- The organisation works on business and economic cooperation among BRICS-related stakeholders.
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| LIC Gets RBI Approval to Raise HDFC Bank Stake to 9.99% |
| The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approved the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) to increase its aggregate holding in HDFC Bank to as much as 9.99% of the bank’s paid-up share capital or voting rights.
Key Points:
- LIC’s existing stake was 4.11% as of 14 August 2026.
- The approval does not mean LIC must immediately increase its holding to 9.99%.
- Any additional acquisition must comply with RBI, Banking Regulation Act, FEMA and SEBI requirements.
- The decision gives LIC greater flexibility as an institutional investor in the banking sector.
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| CCI Clears Prudential’s Proposed Majority Stake in Bharti Life Insurance |
| The Competition Commission of India (CCI) approved Prudential Corporation Holdings Limited’s proposal to acquire a majority stake in Bharti Life Insurance Company.
Highlights:
- Proposed acquisition: 75% stake.
- Transaction value: around ₹3,500 crore.
- The acquisition remains subject to other regulatory approvals.
- Prudential will need to comply with applicable requirements concerning its existing Indian insurance interests.
- CCI also approved Tata Steel’s proposal to acquire an additional 23% stake in TM International Logistics Limited (TMILL).
- After the TMILL transaction, Tata Steel and NYK Europe are expected to hold 74% and 26%, respectively.
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| AkinAnalytics Launches Indigenous NIKA2 Kisan Drone |
| Hyderabad-based women-led DeepTech and defence technology startup AkinAnalytics launched the indigenous NIKA2 Kisan Medium Drone for agriculture and other field-intensive sectors. The drone was unveiled by Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in New Delhi.
Key Features:
- Spraying payload: 16 litres.
- Spreading payload: 12 litres.
- Terrain-following capability.
- Fail-safe systems.
- Night-operation capability.
- Applications across agriculture, aquaculture, plantations, mining, energy, infrastructure and defence.
- The launch supports India’s indigenous drone ecosystem and the broader Make in India, Go Global approach.
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| World Mosquito Day 2026 – 20 August |
| World Mosquito Day is observed every year on 20 August to commemorate Sir Ronald Ross’s discovery in 1897 that female Anopheles mosquitoes transmit malaria between humans.
Important Facts:
- Date of discovery: 20 August 1897
- Location: Secunderabad, Telangana
- Scientist: Sir Ronald Ross
- Vector: Female Anopheles mosquito
- His findings were published in the British Medical Journal in December 1897.
- Ronald Ross received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1902 for his malaria research.
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