Glaw Lake in Arunachal Pradesh was designated as India's 101st Ramsar Site on 3 August 2026. The recognition gives Arunachal Pradesh its first Ramsar wetland. The freshwater lake is located in the Eastern Himalayas and has major ecological value because it protects biodiversity and supports the needs of nearby communities.

Key Points:
•   Glaw Lake is located within Kamlang Tiger Reserve and Wildlife Sanctuary in the Eastern Himalayas.
•   It receives water from perennial mountain streams and is a freshwater wetland ecosystem.
•   The site has more than 150 tree species and 49 orchid species.
•   It supports biodiversity conservation, flood moderation and community resource needs.
•   India's Ramsar Site count increased from 26 in 2014 to 101 in 2026.
•   India has the highest number of Ramsar Sites in Asia and ranks third globally.

Additional Information:
•   The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty for conservation and wise use of wetlands.
•   It was adopted in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971, and India became a party on 1 February 1982.
•   Kamlang Tiger Reserve is located in Lohit district of Arunachal Pradesh and is India's 50th Tiger Reserve.

International Clouded Leopard Day was observed on 4 August 2026. India released its Clouded Leopard Conservation Action Plan for the protection of the species in Northeast India. The plan focuses on habitat restoration, scientific monitoring, frontline staff training and improved forest connectivity across key conservation landscapes in the region.

Key Points:
•   The day was founded in 2018 by The Aspinall Foundation.
•   India's conservation plan was released at the 91st meeting of the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wild Life.
•   Clouded leopard has been included in the Species Recovery Programme under the IDWH scheme.
•   M-STRIPES smart application will support capacity building of frontline staff.
•   Monitoring will use camera traps, genetics and environmental DNA.
•   Fourteen priority conservation landscapes have been identified in Northeast India.

Additional Information:
•   Clouded leopard includes Neofelis nebulosa and Neofelis diardi species.
•   Its habitat covers the Himalayas, Northeast India, Southeast Asia and South China.
•   The species is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.

CSIR-Central Road Research Institute launched an indigenous Network Survey Vehicle on 3 August 2026 for road monitoring and dust mitigation in Delhi NCR. The project will use advanced survey tools to assess road conditions and support scientific maintenance planning. It is being implemented with Delhi PWD and SPA New Delhi.

Key Points:
•   The project is supported by the CAQM framework for urban road improvement.
•   The vehicle has high-speed laser profiling and ultra-high-definition imaging systems.
•   It uses GPS, GNSS positioning and AI-enabled data analytics.
•   It can automatically map pavement distress and assess road roughness.
•   The initiative also focuses on road dust control and Road Asset Management Systems.

Additional Information:
•   CSIR-CRRI is a national laboratory under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research.
•   It was established in 1952 and is headquartered in New Delhi.
•   CAQM is a statutory body for air quality management in NCR and adjoining areas.

Nineteen-year-old cyclist Harshita Jakhar became the first Indian woman to feature in Tour de France Femmes on 3 August 2026. She led the ceremonial start of Stage Two at Aigle in Switzerland. Her participation reflects the growing presence of Indian cyclists in global competitions and follows her notable performances at national and Asian junior events.

Key Points:
•   Harshita completed a 4.5-km ride before the professional peloton at Aigle.
•   She was selected among eight cyclists for the UCI World Cycling Talent Programme.
•   The programme gives elite exposure to athletes from developing cycling countries.
•   The 2026 Tour de France Femmes began in Lausanne on 1 August and ends in Nice on 9 August.
•   She won three gold medals at the 2025 Khelo India Youth Games.
•   She won one silver and two bronze medals at the 2024 Asian Junior Cycling Championships.

Additional Information:
•   UCI or Union Cycliste Internationale is the world governing body for cycling.
•   UCI is headquartered in Aigle, Switzerland.
•   Tour de France Femmes is an annual women's road cycling stage race on the UCI Women's World Tour calendar.

The Ministry of Textiles celebrated the 56th Foundation Day of the Cotton Corporation of India at Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar in Maharashtra on 1 August 2026. CCI launched the Kapas Darshan bulletin and Kapas Kisan Mobile App during the event. These initiatives aim to provide cotton growers with timely information, digital services and better advisory support.

Key Points:
•   Kapas Darshan will provide real-time advice on weather, market prices and quality management.
•   Kapas Kisan Mobile App will improve digital engagement with cotton farmers.
•   Kapas Kanti has an allocation of Rs 5,659 crore over five years.
•   The mission focuses on productivity, infrastructure modernisation and sustainable cultivation.
•   MSP for seed cotton increased by 7 percent for the 2026-27 cotton season.
•   CCI transferred Rs 41,530 crore to 24 lakh farmers during the 2025-26 season.

Additional Information:
•   Cotton Corporation of India was established in 1970.
•   CCI is headquartered in Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, and functions under the Ministry of Textiles.
•   It is the main agency for cotton Minimum Support Price operations.

Russia launched Ulyanovsk, a Project 885M Yasen-M nuclear-powered attack submarine, from the Sevmash shipyard on 3 August 2026. The submarine is part of Russia's programme to modernise its undersea fleet. It has been designed for anti-submarine, anti-surface and long-range land-attack operations.

Key Points:
•   Ulyanovsk was designed by Malakhit Design Bureau and built at Sevmash shipyard in Severodvinsk.
•   It is an upgraded version of the original Project 885 Yasen-class submarine.
•   Its submerged displacement is around 13,800 tonnes and its length is 130 metres.
•   It can travel underwater at speeds exceeding 30 knots and has a crew of 64 personnel.
•   It has vertical launch systems for Kalibr and P-800 Oniks missiles.
•   Its delivery to the Russian Navy is planned for December 2027.

Additional Information:
•   Yasen-M has advanced stealth and improved acoustic quieting features.
•   The lead boat of the original Project 885 class is Severodvinsk.
•   Sevmash is Russia's largest shipbuilding enterprise and builds nuclear submarines.

The Central Government extended the tenure of K Rajaraman as Chairperson of the International Financial Services Centres Authority on 30 July 2026. He was re-appointed for 27 months after his earlier tenure ended. His renewed term will continue until 24 October 2028 or until further orders, whichever is earlier.

Key Points:
•   K Rajaraman was re-appointed as IFSCA Chairperson for 27 months.
•   The earlier term ended on 31 July 2026.
•   The extended tenure will end on 24 October 2028 or until further orders.
•   He was first appointed as IFSCA Chairperson in 2023 for three years.
•   IFSCA is the unified regulator for financial products and services in IFSC.

Additional Information:
•   IFSCA was established in April 2020 under the IFSCA Act, 2019.
•   Its headquarters is at GIFT City, Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
•   IFSCA replaced regulatory oversight earlier exercised by RBI, SEBI, PFRDA and IRDAI for IFSC business.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India launched the revamped MyCall application on 3 August 2026. The application enables consumers to rate voice call quality and report issues in real time. Its purpose is to connect technical Quality of Service measurements with actual Quality of Experience reported by users.

Key Points:
•   Users can rate calls through a one-to-five-star rating system.
•   The app allows reporting of call drops, echo, audio delay, cross connection and voice breaking.
•   Feedback is shared with telecom service providers in anonymised form.
•   Automatic post-call prompts make user feedback easier.
•   The Coverage Test feature checks real-time signal strength.

Additional Information:
•   TRAI was established on 20 February 1997 under the TRAI Act, 1997.
•   TRAI is India's independent telecommunications sector regulator.
•   TRAI is headquartered in New Delhi.

SBI Research projected India's GDP growth at around 7 percent for Q1 FY27 in its report released on 1 August 2026. The estimate was above the RBI's earlier 6.6 percent projection. The report cited stronger industrial activity, credit growth, vehicle sales, electricity demand and exports as key factors.

Key Points:
•   GDP growth for Q1 FY27 was estimated at around 7 percent.
•   The projection was higher than RBI's earlier estimate of 6.6 percent.
•   The Index of Industrial Production grew by 7.3 percent.
•   Domestic passenger vehicle sales increased by 24.1 percent in June.
•   Electricity demand rose by 11.5 percent and exports rose by 15.5 percent.

Additional Information:
•   State Bank of India is India's largest public sector bank.
•   SBI was established on 1 July 1955 and is headquartered in Mumbai.
•   The Monetary Policy Committee has six members and fixes the benchmark policy interest rate.

Para-badminton player Biri Takar from Arunachal Pradesh won gold and bronze medals at the Brazil Para Badminton International 2026 on 4 August 2026. The achievement highlights his performance in international para-sports. He won the gold medal in men's doubles and also secured bronze in the men's singles SL4 category.

Key Points:
•   Biri Takar won the gold medal in the men's doubles event at the Brazil Para Badminton International 2026.
•   He also secured a bronze medal in the men's singles SL4 category, adding a second medal to his campaign.
•   Biri Takar represents Arunachal Pradesh in international para-badminton competitions.
•   His achievement is linked with the Chief Minister's Award to Champion Excellence in Sports initiative.
•   CM ACES identifies and supports talented athletes to prepare them for national and international competitions.

Additional Information:
•   SL4 is a para-badminton classification for players with lower-limb impairment who compete in a standing position.
•   Arunachal Pradesh has Itanagar as its capital.
•   Brazil has Brasilia as its capital and Brazilian Real as its currency.

Nepali mountaineer Nirmal Purja died on 1 August 2026 during an expedition on Broad Peak in Gilgit-Baltistan. He was widely known for climbing all 14 mountains above 8,000 metres in record time. Pakistani mountaineering authorities handled the recovery operation in the Karakoram region.

Key Points:
•   Nirmal Purja was attempting to summit Broad Peak as part of a 10-member team.
•   Broad Peak is the world's 12th-highest mountain.
•   He climbed all 14 peaks above 8,000 metres in six months and six days.
•   The expedition was conducted under his mountaineering company Elite Exped.
•   The recovery operation was managed by Pakistani authorities in the Karakoram range.

Additional Information:
•   Nirmal Purja was popularly known as Nimsdai.
•   He served in the Gurkha Regiment and the British Army's Special Boat Service.
•   He was associated with the documentary 14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible.

Securities and Exchange Board of India extended the deadline for regulated entities to complete digital accessibility audits and resolve related platform gaps until 31 October 2026. The extension gives entities additional time to comply with accessibility obligations for persons with disabilities and improve equal access to digital financial-market platforms.

Key Points:
•   SEBI-regulated entities must complete digital accessibility audits and necessary remediation by 31 October 2026.
•   The earlier deadline for completing the audit was 30 April, while remediation was earlier due by 31 July.
•   The accessibility requirements were initially issued in July 2025 for all SEBI-regulated entities.
•   The framework aims to make digital platforms accessible to persons with disabilities.
•   Entities are required to resolve problems identified during the accessibility audit within the new timeline.

Additional Information:
•   SEBI was established on 12 April 1988 and received statutory status in 1992.
•   SEBI headquarters is located in Mumbai.
•   The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 increased recognised disability categories from 7 to 21.

REC Limited and Power Finance Corporation signed a loan agreement worth Rs 26,850 crore with Meja Urja Nigam Private Limited on 31 July 2026. The funding will support the Stage-II expansion of the Meja Thermal Power Project in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. The expansion is planned to add 2,400 MW capacity through three ultra-supercritical units.

Key Points:
•   The Meja Thermal Power Project Stage-II expansion will be developed in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh.
•   The project includes three ultra-supercritical units of 800 MW each, adding 2,400 MW capacity.
•   The total completion cost of the expansion is estimated at Rs 38,357.81 crore.
•   REC and PFC will provide the debt facility equally, with each contributing 50 percent.
•   REC Limited has been designated as the lead financier for the project.
•   The project includes air-cooled condenser technology to reduce coal consumption and emissions.

Additional Information:
•   MUNPL is a 50:50 joint venture between NTPC Limited and UPRVUNL.
•   REC is a Maharatna public sector enterprise under the Ministry of Power.
•   PFC is a Maharatna CPSE and a major infrastructure finance company in India's power sector.

World Breastfeeding Week 2026 was observed globally from 1 to 7 August. The observance focused on child health, nutrition and poverty reduction. The theme for 2026 was Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works, highlighting the need to strengthen systems that support mothers and breastfeeding children.

Key Points:
•   The 2026 theme was Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works.
•   The observance is coordinated by WABA, WHO and UNICEF.
•   It seeks to address financing gaps in maternal and child support systems.
•   The campaign highlights the effect of breastfeeding on food security and nutrition outcomes.
•   Breastfeeding should begin within the first hour after birth.
•   Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for the first six months, followed by safe complementary food with continued breastfeeding for two years or more.

Additional Information:
•   WHO was established on 7 April 1948 and is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.
•   UNICEF was established on 11 December 1946 and is headquartered in New York, United States.
•   WABA was formed on 14 February 1991 and is headquartered in Penang, Malaysia.

Alexandra Eala became the first player from the Philippines to win a WTA Tour-level singles title on 5 August 2026. She won the women's singles title at the Washington Open by defeating top seed Jessica Pegula. Taylor Fritz won the men's singles title at the same tournament by defeating Spanish teenager Rafa Jodar.

Key Points:
•   Alexandra Eala defeated Jessica Pegula 4-6, 6-4, 6-0 to win her first WTA Tour-level singles title.
•   She became the first player from the Philippines to win a singles title on the WTA Tour.
•   Eala reached a career-high WTA world ranking of number 20.
•   Her ranking rise followed a five-match winning streak against top-10 opponents.
•   Taylor Fritz defeated Rafa Jodar 7-6(2), 6-4 to win the men's singles title.
•   The title was Fritz's first tournament victory of the 2026 season.

Additional Information:
•   Washington Open is also known as the Mubadala Citi DC Open.
•   It is played on outdoor hard courts and is a combined ATP 500 and WTA 500 event.
•   The capital of the Philippines is Manila and its currency is Philippine Peso.