Fino Payments Bank has granted a three-month extension to Ketan Merchant as interim MD & CEO, effective from August 27, 2026, subject to RBI approval. Ketan Merchant was previously the bank’s CFO and was entrusted with interim leadership following the resignation of Rishi Gupta

NASA’s proposed SR-1 Freedom mission is scheduled to be launched in 2028 to utilize nuclear-electric propulsion technology and conduct scientific exploration of Mars. As part of the mission, three ‘SkyFall’ helicopters will study the Martian surface and potential subsurface water-ice deposits.

UPI was launched by NPCI on August 25, 2016, and has become a key pillar of India’s digital public infrastructure and financial inclusion. It has expanded the reach of digital payments, while cybersecurity, digital fraud, and data security remain its major challenges.

The Tamil Nadu government has announced the Annapoorni Super Six LPG Scheme to reduce domestic LPG expenses for eligible families; it will be implemented starting from Pongal in January 2027. Under this scheme, the cost of LPG purchases will be reimbursed via DBT, and the initiative aligns with clean energy, women’s health, and SDGs 3, 5, and 7

Indian female wrestlers delivered an impressive performance at the Under-20 World Wrestling Championships held in Slovakia, winning gold, silver, and bronze medals. Mansi Lather won silver; Tanvi Gundesh Magdum and Komal won bronze; Kajal Dhochak won gold; and Tanu Sharma and Savita secured silver medals.

Indian Grandmaster Pranesh M won the Kanizsa Open 2026 Group A title, held in Nagykanizsa, Hungary, by securing 7 points out of 9 rounds and achieving a superior tie-break score. The 19-year-old Pranesh from Tamil Nadu defeated Germany’s Vadim Petrovsky in the final round, showcasing the rising strength of India’s young chess talent.

Odia poet Ashutosh Parida was honored with the Sarala Puraskar 2026 for his poetry collection ‘Vishwas De Prithvi’. Guru Durga Charan Ranbir and Damodar Behera will be honored with the Ila-Bansidhar Panda Kala Samman 2026 for their lifelong contribution to the arts.

In December 2018, the historic Ross Island in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands—which served as a major administrative center during British rule—was renamed Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Island. As part of this same renaming initiative, Havelock Island was renamed Swaraj Dweep and Neil Island was renamed Shaheed Dweep

The 65th Subroto Cup International Football Tournament 2026 kicked off on August 18, 2026, at the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Stadium in New Delhi, with Air Marshal S. Shivakumar as the chief guest and Lavpreet Singh as the guest of honour. A total of 108 teams across three age categories are participating in the tournament; in the opening match, Meghalaya defeated Chandigarh in the Under-17 Junior Girls’ category.

210 Indian peacekeepers serving under UNMISS in Juba, the capital of South Sudan, were awarded the United Nations Medal for their outstanding services. With the deployment of 1,775 Indian military personnel to UNMISS, India was the largest troop contributor to this mission.

Reliance Industries and Britain’s Rolls-Royce are collaborating to develop an indigenous aero-engine and Advanced Propulsion ecosystem in India, which will strengthen the AMCA program and defense self-reliance. Indigenous aero-engines will reduce India’s foreign dependency and boost technological sovereignty, supply chain security, and strategic autonomy

The Hungarian Parliament elected former Supreme Court chief András Baka as the new President in a secret ballot with a 140-6 vote; he was nominated by the ruling Tisza Party. Baka is a former judge of the ECHR, and his election is considered significant in the context of the Rule of Law, judicial independence, and the end of Viktor Orbán’s long political dominance.

According to MoSPI, India’s retail inflation rose from 4.38% in June 2026 to 4.45% in July, primarily driven by food inflation rising to 5.52%. Rural inflation stood at 4.84% and urban inflation at 3.96%; among states, Telangana recorded the highest at 6.32%, while Delhi recorded the lowest at 2.68%.

The Indian Navy has launched the multinational maritime security training exercise ‘Operation Southern Readiness 26-2’ at the Southern Naval Command in Kochi, with 254 representatives from 26 countries participating. This exercise is being conducted in collaboration with CMF and CTF-154; India is hosting it for the first time, thereby further strengthening its strategic role in the Indian Ocean region.

The Chief Minister Ayushman Arogya Yojana (MAAY) is a flagship health insurance scheme of the Rajasthan government, under which eligible families are provided cashless health insurance of up to ₹25 lakh per year and accident insurance of ₹10 lakh.

Indian theoretical physicist Deepak Dhar was awarded the 2026 Dirac Medal for his contributions to statistical mechanics, complex systems, and AI; his major contributions lie in the study of the Sandpile Model and SelfOrganized Criticality. The Dirac Medal was established by ICTP in 1985, and Deepak Dhar has previously been honored with the Boltzmann Medal in 2022 and the Padma Bhushan in 2023.

Dr. Srinivas Kumar Tummala is a renowned oceanographer who made significant contributions to strengthening UNESCO-IOC’s IOTWMS and India’s Tsunami Early Warning System. He has served as the Director of INCOIS since August 2020 and has received the 2008 Indian National Geospatial Award and the 2010 National Geosciences Award for his contributions to Remote Sensing, Satellite Oceanography, and Disaster Risk Reduction

On August 9, 2026, Union Home Minister Amit Shah awarded the President’s Colour to the Puducherry Police for their gallantry, dedication, and distinguished service. The Puducherry Police played a crucial role in maintaining law and order, ensuring civil safety, and managing the COVID-19 pandemic; this honor recognizes their excellent police administration and contributions to internal security.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari awarded the ‘Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak’ to 12 rat-hole miners for their courage and selfless service during the Silkyara Tunnel rescue operation. The ‘Jeevan Raksha Padak’ is awarded to individuals who display courage in saving human lives and comprises three categories: Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak, Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padak, and Jeevan Raksha Padak.

In its August 2026 monetary policy, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) kept the repo rate unchanged at 5.25% and maintained a ‘neutral’ monetary policy stance. The RBI has projected a GDP growth rate of 6.7% and CPI-based inflation of 5.0% for the financial year 2026-27.

The Ministry of Finance has proposed reintroducing the Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on certain digital transactions via UPI and RuPay to develop a sustainable revenue model for the digital payment system. This proposal is likely to apply primarily to large merchants, while small merchants and consumers are expected to receive relief.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has appointed Monisha Chakraborty as Executive Director effective from August 3, 2026. She will oversee the Department of Foreign Exchange and the Financial Markets Regulation Department and possesses over 30 years of experience in central banking

Indian astrophysicist Dr. Annapurni Subramaniam has been honored with the COSPAR Vikram Sarabhai Medal for the year 2026. She has become the first Indian woman, the fourth Indian scientist, and the third female scientist globally to receive this honor.

A total of 177 countries were evaluated in the Environmental Performance Index (EPI) 2026; Estonia ranked first, while India stood at the 176th position. This index assesses the environmental performance of countries based on 12 categories and 47 indicators, highlighting challenges faced by India such as air pollution and the conservation of forests and biodiversity.

At the 2026 Commonwealth Games, India’s Lovepreet Singh won the silver medal in the men’s +110 kg weight category by lifting a total of 388 kg; he also set a new Games record by lifting 176 kg in the snatch event. New Zealand’s David Liti secured the gold medal by lifting 389 kg, winning by a margin of just 1 kg.

India delivered an impressive performance at the ISSF World Cup 2026, winning a total of 4 medals, comprising 1 gold, 1 silver, and 2 bronze. Esha Singh, Sainyam Vij, Manu Bhaker, and the duo of Sonam Maskar and Himanshu Dhillon won medals for India, thereby strengthening preparations for the upcoming Asian Games and Olympics

The Indian Army has inducted an indigenous ‘Extreme Weather Grade (XWG) Diesel’ for military vehicles operating in extremely cold regions; it remains effective at temperatures as low as –42°C. Based on BS-VI and IS 1460:2025 standards, this fuel will enhance the operational capabilities of military platforms such as the T-90, T-72, BMP-2K, and K-9 Vajra, while also strengthening the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-Reliant India) initiative.

On August 1, 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram, Andhra Pradesh; it was constructed by the GMR Group at a cost of approximately ₹5,000 crore. This airport will boost regional air connectivity, tourism, industry, investment, and exports, while strengthening the objectives of UDAN, the National Civil Aviation Policy, and PM Gati Shakti.

At the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games, Harsh Singh and Asmita Dey won gold medals in judo, securing India’s first-ever Commonwealth gold in the sport. This achievement signals the rising standard of Indian judo and strong prospects for future success at the Olympics and Asian Games

Indian Railways has introduced an Emergency Quota facility to ensure timely travel for cancer patients and their authorized attendants during medical emergencies. A total of 12 reserved berths will be made available on selected trains, subject to document verification and berth availability via the PRS system.

The Central Government stated in the Supreme Court that SC/ST reservation is not based solely on economic grounds, as it encompasses factors such as historical discrimination, social backwardness, and inadequate representation; The *Indra Sawhney* case (1992) forms the primary basis for the ‘creamy layer’ concept. In *State of Punjab v. Davinder Singh* (2024), the Supreme Court, by a 6:1 majority, permitted the evidence-based subclassification of SC/ST categories, aiming to extend the benefits of reservation to the most deprived groups among them.

The Delhi Government launched the Vidya Vahini Scheme, under which free bicycles are being provided to female students in Class 9 of government schools; 3,000 bicycles were distributed in the first phase, and the scheme aims to benefit approximately 1.40 lakh female students. The scheme seeks to promote girls’ education, school attendance, and safe commuting, and it aligns with SDG-4, SDG-5, and SDG-10.

International Youth Day is observed annually on August 12; the theme for 2026 is “From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development,” which focuses on the role of youth in digital technology and sustainable development. India’s youth form the foundation of its demographic dividend; through education, skills, employment, and digital opportunities, they can make significant contributions toward achieving SDGs 4, 5, 8, 9, and 13.

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched the NSP-DBT initiative for agriculture students, under which scholarships worth ₹21.35 crore were transferred directly to the bank accounts of over 6,000 students. The new system emphasizes practical training in agricultural education while strengthening digital governance, financial inclusion, and targeted welfare delivery through monthly scholarship payments.

The Karnataka government has challenged the High Court’s verdict of January 23, 2026, in the Supreme Court; that verdict had paved the way for bike taxi operations by allowing motorcycles to be registered as ‘transport vehicles’. The matter involves balancing Article 19(1)(g), the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, passenger safety, insurance, permits, and the gig economy.

France has become the first country in Europe to implement a nationwide age-based ban on social media usage for children under 15. The law aims to protect children’s mental health and curb cyberbullying and online exploitation by mandating age verification.

Kanishka Narayan, of Indian origin, has been appointed as Britain’s first Artificial Intelligence (AI) Minister; he will strengthen AI policy, digital governance, technological innovation, and AI regulation. His appointment is a crucial part of Britain’s strategy to promote safe and responsible AI, the digital economy, and global technological leadership.

In August 2026, an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.4 struck the western region of Colombia; its epicenter was near San José del Palmar in the Chocó department, and it occurred at a depth of approximately 107 km. Colombia’s seismic vulnerability is linked to the interaction and subduction of the Nazca, South American, and Caribbean plates, as well as the Andes mountain range and the Pacific Ring of Fire.

On August 14, 2026, Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh inaugurated the first national conference of IIHT SUTRA 2026 in New Delhi, aimed at promoting technical education, research, and innovation in the handloom sector. The conference emphasized developing IIHTs into Centres of Excellence and fostering skill development, research, internships, entrepreneurship, and leadership development in collaboration with Grasim Industries, the Northern India Textile Research Association, and IIM Sambalpur.

Smt. Archana Varma assumed the role of Secretary, Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation; she is a 1995-batch Assam-cadre IAS officer and previously served as the Mission Director of NWM. This appointment is significant for water security, IWRM, water conservation, river conservation, and good governance; the Ministry of Jal Shakti was formed in May 2019.

On August 10, 2026, the Karnataka government imposed a one-year ban on the manufacture, sale, distribution, storage, and transportation of tobacco and nicotine products—including gutkha and pan masala—aiming to protect public health and curb tobacco consumption. The ban will be enforced by the Food Safety and Drug Administration Department and falls under the purview of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and FSSAI regulations; Karnataka was originally formed as Mysore State in 1956 and was renamed Karnataka in 1973.

On August 12, 2026, Amit Shah launched the ‘Gramin Gyan Setu’ app in Gujarat; this app connects 752 rural libraries in the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency to provide rural youth with access to knowledge and competitive exam study materials. It is based on a ‘Hub-and-Spoke’ model, offering access to approximately 2.80 lakh books and a system for the fortnightly distribution and return of books via vans funded by MPLAD funds.

On August 11, 2026, the Lebanese Parliament abolished the death penalty, replacing it with provisions for life imprisonment with hard labor, making it the first abolitionist country in the Arab world; a *de facto* moratorium on the death penalty had been in place there since 2004. This decision is linked to the Right to Life, Human Dignity, the UDHR, and the ICCPR, and is considered a significant step towards human rights and criminal justice reform in West Asia.

The Central Government has initiated a CBDC-based DBT scheme under PMGKAY, wherein food grains can be purchased only at authorized shops/FPS using programmable tokens of the RBI’s Digital Rupee (e₹). This could foster transparency, traceability, and leakage control within the PDS; however, challenges such as the digital divide, cybersecurity, privacy, and connectivity persist.

Indian Renewable Energy Day is observed annually on August 20th with the aim of raising awareness about renewable energy and promoting energy security and sustainable development. India is implementing initiatives such as the International Solar Alliance, the National Green Hydrogen Mission, and the PM-Surya Ghar Yojana to promote solar, wind, hydroelectric, biomass, and green hydrogen energy.

Sunil Bharti Mittal, the Non-Executive Chairperson of Airtel Payments Bank, will retire on September 30, 2026, and Shabnam Sinha will take over as the new Chairperson starting October 1, 2026. Amidst Sinha’s extensive financial experience, the bank is playing a pivotal role in promoting digital banking, UPI, and financial inclusion in rural areas

The Tamil Nadu government has announced 365 days of maternity leave for female government employees upon the birth of a third child. This decision will promote women’s empowerment, maternal and child health, female workforce participation, and gender equality in the workplace.

The objective of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) is to promote social security and inclusive development by providing affordable and permanent housing to eligible families. PMAY-G is implemented for homeless families in rural areas, while PMAY-U is implemented to provide affordable housing to EWS, LIG, and other eligible families in urban areas.

According to the joint Hunger Hotspots Report 2026 by the FAO and WFP, there is a high risk of acute food insecurity and starvation in 13 countries and territories during the period from June to November 2026. The report identifies conflict, climate change, displacement, economic instability, rising food prices, and limited humanitarian aid as the primary causes of the food crisis.

The 31st Southern Zonal Council meeting will be held on August 20, 2026, in Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu, under the chairmanship of Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah. Constituted under the States Reorganisation Act, 1956, Zonal Councils strengthen cooperative federalism and “Team India” through Centre-State and inter-state coordination.