Odisha secured investment commitments worth ?41,748 crore from 27 companies in food and agro processing during an investors' meet on 8 August 2026. The commitments are expected to expand processing capacity, support exports and create employment across the state.

Key Highlights:
•   The first-day investment proposals totalled ?43,437 crore in food and agro processing.
•   MoUs accounted for ?41,748 crore of the proposed investment.
•   Twelve Investment Intent Forms accounted for a further ?1,689 crore.
•   The proposed investments are expected to create 43,316 jobs in Odisha.
•   Odisha aims to expand its economy from USD 130 billion to USD 500 billion by 2036.
•   The state has set a long-term economic target of USD 1.5 trillion by 2047.
•   Seafood export target will rise from ?5,000 crore to ?25,000 crore through dedicated missions.
•   The investors' meet was organised by Odisha Government with ASSOCHAM.

Additional Information:
•   Odisha plans to generate one crore non-farm jobs by 2047.
•   The state will implement Deep Sea Fishing Mission and Shrimp Export Mission.
•   ASSOCHAM was established in 1920 and is headquartered in New Delhi.

APEDA facilitated the first commercial sea shipment of GI-tagged Mithila Makhana from Bihar to Australia on 8 August 2026. The consignment demonstrates growing export opportunities for Bihar's premium agricultural products.

Key Highlights:
•   The first sea consignment contained 18 metric tonnes of premium raw Mithila Makhana.
•   The Makhana was sourced from farmers in Darbhanga district of Bihar.
•   The consignment was flagged off from BIADA Industrial Area in Bihta, Bihar.
•   M/s NIAD Green exported the consignment to Australia.
•   M/s Jitban Supply Chain Private Limited handled logistics for the export.
•   APEDA supported the initiative through its BHARATI export innovation scheme.
•   The shipment generated 18 percent higher returns for farmers than prevailing market rates.
•   Bihar contributes about 85 percent of India's total Makhana production.

Additional Information:
•   Mithila Makhana received its Geographical Indication tag in August 2022.
•   Mithila Makhana is cultivated mainly in Bihar's Mithila region and parts of Nepal.
•   Makhana is obtained from the aquatic plant Euryale ferox.

National e-Governance Division partnered with Association of Australian Education Representatives in India on 7 August 2026 to launch AAERI Verify. The platform will enable secure and consent-based verification of documents for Indian students seeking admission in Australian universities.

Key Highlights:
•   AAERI Verify will authenticate academic, identity and financial documents digitally.
•   The platform is designed for Indian students applying to Australian universities.
•   Stage 1 Student Check is conducted before formal university application submission.
•   Stage 2 Sponsor Check starts after an admission offer to verify financial records.
•   The platform uses India's Digital Public Infrastructure and DigiLocker for verified records.
•   AAERI Verify was unveiled during AAERI Annual Convention in New Delhi.
•   National e-Governance Division manages the platform under Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.

Additional Information:
•   DigiLocker is a flagship Digital India DPI platform for digitally signed document storage and verification.
•   DigiLocker currently serves more than 72 crore registered users.
•   NeGD was established in 2009 as an independent business division under MeitY.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Param Pragya AI-powered supercomputing facility at IIT Delhi Sonipat campus and addressed the institute's 57th Convocation on 8 August 2026. The facility will support advanced artificial intelligence and high-performance computing research.

Key Highlights:
•   Param Pragya is an AI-powered high-performance computing facility established at IIT Delhi Sonipat campus.
•   The government is arranging ?1 lakh crore funding for the research sector.
•   National Research Foundation and Prime Minister's Research Fellowship will support research implementation.
•   One Nation One Subscription provides access to global research journals in smaller towns without cost.
•   Research, Development and Innovation Scheme supports advancement of new technological ideas.
•   Higher education enrolment has exceeded 4.5 crore students since 2014.
•   Since 2014, seven IITs, nine IIMs and thirteen AIIMS have been established.
•   Women's enrolment in STEM disciplines has reached 44 percent.

Additional Information:
•   IIT Delhi was established in 1961 as the College of Engineering and Technology.
•   IIT Delhi was granted Institution of Eminence status in 2018.
•   National Research Foundation is governed by Anusandhan National Research Foundation Act, 2023.

Abelardo de la Espriella was sworn in as President of Colombia on 7 August 2026, succeeding Gustavo Petro. His inauguration took place in Cali instead of Bogotá, making it a rare presidential inauguration outside Colombia's capital city.

Key Highlights:
•   Abelardo de la Espriella succeeded Gustavo Petro as President of Colombia.
•   The swearing-in ceremony was held at Pichincha Military Canton in Cali.
•   He became the first Colombian President in recent history to be inaugurated outside Bogotá.
•   The United States announced a USD 1 billion financial package for the new Colombian administration.
•   The financial package will support crime reduction and energy-sector development.

Additional Information:
•   Colombia is located in northwestern South America and has Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea coastlines.
•   Bogotá is the capital of Colombia and Colombian Peso is its currency.
•   Colombia's main exports include coffee, emeralds and coal.

Astrobase Space Technologies unveiled Everest, India's first privately-built 800 kN Full-Flow Staged Combustion liquid oxygen-methane rocket engine, in Bengaluru on 7 August 2026. The reusable engine is intended for medium-lift launch vehicles and domestic launch infrastructure.

Key Highlights:
•   Everest is India's first privately-built 800 kN reusable rocket engine.
•   The engine provides 800 kN thrust with specific impulse of 340 seconds.
•   It has throttle range from 50 percent to 110 percent for medium-lift launch vehicles.
•   The engine uses Full-Flow Staged Combustion cycle with liquid oxygen and methane propellants.
•   Astrobase plans to produce 50 Everest engines annually.
•   The company plans hot-fire testing capacity of one engine per week.
•   The initial launch capacity target is 100 tonnes annually, rising to 1,000 tonnes over the long term.
•   The engine development received Technology Adoption Fund support from IN-SPACe.

Additional Information:
•   Astrobase Space Technologies was established in 2024 and is headquartered in Bengaluru.
•   Astrobase works in propulsion systems, test infrastructure and reusable space technologies.
•   IN-SPACe is an autonomous agency under Department of Space for private participation in India's space sector.

Indian athlete Ashish Yadav won silver medal in men's javelin throw at World Athletics U20 Championships on 8 August 2026. He became only the second Indian to win a medal in this event at the championship.

Key Highlights:
•   Ashish Yadav won silver with his best javelin throw of 74.09 metres in the third attempt.
•   Jan-Hendrik Heymans of South Africa won gold with an 80.50-metre throw.
•   Indian athlete T Dharanidharan finished sixth with a best throw of 72.35 metres.
•   Ashish Yadav ended India's ten-year medal drought in men's javelin at the World U20 Championships.
•   Mohommed Ashfaq set a new men's U20 national record of 45.81 seconds in the 400m heats.
•   Amanat Kamboj finished sixth in women's discus final with a personal best of 53.24 metres.
•   Basant qualified for men's high jump final after clearing 2.14 metres.

Additional Information:
•   Neeraj Chopra won India's first World U20 javelin gold medal in 2016.
•   Neeraj Chopra set a World Junior Record of 86.48 metres at Bydgoszcz in Poland.
•   World Athletics U20 Championships is a biennial event established in 1986.

HAL Airport in Bengaluru became India's first airport to operationalise a satellite-guided helicopter approach procedure on 7 August 2026. The system improves safety, speed and all-weather helicopter operations.

Key Highlights:
•   The procedure uses Required Navigation Performance Category H, a satellite-based navigation protocol designed for helicopters.
•   Airports Authority of India developed the RNP CAT H procedure for HAL Airport.
•   HAL test pilots validated the procedure and DGCA approved it for operations.
•   The approach time to HAL Airport has been reduced from 12 minutes to about 4 minutes.
•   The system provides accurate flight paths around terrain and urban obstacles in adverse weather.
•   HAL Airport handles nearly 50 helicopter movements every day.
•   The procedure will support air ambulance and search-and-rescue operations.

Additional Information:
•   Hindustan Aeronautics Limited was established in 1940 as Hindustan Aircraft.
•   HAL is headquartered in Bengaluru and functions under the Ministry of Defence.
•   AAI was established on 1 April 1995 by merging IAAI and NAA.

Karnataka Digital Economy Mission and GoodWorks Group signed an MoU on 9 August 2026 to attract ?5,000 crore investment in Global Capability Centres across Karnataka over the next five years.

Key Highlights:
•   The partnership aims to attract ?5,000 crore GCC investment in Karnataka over five years.
•   The initiative targets establishment of 50 new Global Capability Centres in the state.
•   Existing GCCs will also be expanded under the partnership.
•   The project is expected to create more than 62,500 direct and indirect jobs.
•   Annual salaries are projected to contribute ?2,250 crore to the state economy.
•   The initiative is expected to create demand for 1.25 million square feet of commercial real estate.
•   Investment outreach will target North America, Europe, Japan, South Korea and West Asia.
•   The partnership will develop virtual Centres of Excellence and strengthen academia-industry cooperation.

Additional Information:
•   KDEM works as a knowledge bridge between Karnataka Government and industry ecosystem.
•   KDEM aims to accelerate growth in IT, biotechnology and science and technology sectors.
•   Karnataka, especially Bengaluru, has the highest share of GCCs in India.

Ministry of Railways approved merger of Chitrakutdham Karwi-Kanpur Central and Pratapgarh-Kanpur Central Express services on 8 August 2026. The merged train will improve direct connectivity between Bundelkhand and Awadh regions without changing trains at Kanpur Central.

Key Highlights:
•   The merged train will operate as Maa Belha Devi Dham Pratapgarh-Chitrakutdham Karwi Express.
•   The merged service will use train numbers 14123 and 14124.
•   The train composition has been increased from 12 coaches to 24 coaches.
•   The merger doubles seating capacity to reduce crowding on Kanpur-Pratapgarh section.
•   The service creates direct rail connectivity between Pratapgarh, Lucknow region and Chitrakoot.
•   Key stations include Bhimsen, Ghatampur, Hamirpur Road, Amethi, Rae Bareli and Lucknow.
•   Passengers will no longer need to change trains at Kanpur Central for this journey.

Additional Information:
•   India's first passenger train ran between Bori Bunder and Thane on 16 April 1853.
•   Indian Railways functions under the Ministry of Railways headquartered in New Delhi.
•   Chitrakoot is a religious and cultural centre shared by Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.

Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade signed MoUs with five industry partners on 8 August 2026 to support India's startup ecosystem, innovation and technology-led growth across fintech, cloud, mobility and clean technology sectors.

Key Highlights:
•   DPIIT signed MoUs with Cashfree Payments, Darwin Dynamics, Vultr India, Cars24 and Council for Startup India.
•   Cashfree Payments will provide risk management, identity verification and AI buildathon support.
•   Vultr India will provide cloud credits and training in Kubernetes and storage technologies.
•   Cars24 will promote automotive technology, road safety and AI-driven innovation.
•   Darwin Dynamics will focus on clean energy, green hydrogen and climate technologies.
•   The initiative is being implemented under Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Additional Information:
•   DPIIT was established in 1995 and was reconstituted in 2019.
•   DPIIT is the nodal agency for Startup India, Make in India and PM Gati Shakti initiatives.
•   DPIIT is responsible for formulation of Foreign Direct Investment policy and is headquartered in New Delhi.

Ministry of Railways approved the daily Itarsi-Madan Mahal passenger service in Madhya Pradesh on 8 August 2026. The new train will improve low-cost travel for commuters in the Jabalpur-Narmadapuram region.

Key Highlights:
•   Train number 51673 will run from Itarsi to Madan Mahal.
•   Train number 51674 will operate from Madan Mahal to Itarsi.
•   The service will cover a distance of 242 kilometres.
•   The journey time will be about 5 hours and 5 minutes.
•   The route connects Jabalpur and Itarsi railway nodes.
•   Key stops include Pipariya, Narsinghpur, Gadarwara and Sridham.
•   The service will benefit daily commuters and short-distance passengers.

Additional Information:
•   Itarsi Junction is located in Narmadapuram district of Madhya Pradesh.
•   Itarsi Junction falls under the West Central Railway zone.
•   Indian Railways was nationalised in 1951.

Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh dedicated Prakriti Gyan Dham, India's first eco-educational hub, to the nation at CSIR-NBRI Banthra campus in Lucknow on 8 August 2026. The hub combines biodiversity conservation, environmental learning and plant heritage.

Key Highlights:
•   Prakriti Gyan Dham was established at Maharishi Parashar Bioresource Centre in Banthra.
•   PAaVan Path is an interpretive heritage trail for experiential learning about plants and vegetation.
•   Indian Heritage Garden contains trees from historically significant locations.
•   The garden includes Bawan Imli Tamarind linked to 52 freedom fighters.
•   It also includes Mother Dussehri Mango, Patalpuri Banyan and Dandi March tree descendants.
•   Vibhav Enclave protects rare, endangered and threatened plant species.
•   Bhairav Enclave displays official State Plants of Indian States and Union Territories.
•   Bamboosteum houses 43 indigenous and exotic bamboo species.

Additional Information:
•   CSIR-NBRI is a constituent laboratory of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research.
•   CSIR-NBRI is headquartered in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.
•   The Ministry of Science and Technology oversees CSIR research institutions.

Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences and Bureau of Indian Standards signed an MoU on 7 August 2026 to create scientific quality benchmarks and global standards for Ayurveda products and practices.

Key Highlights:
•   The agreement is BIS's 100th MoU with a research institution.
•   It is BIS's first-ever partnership with an Ayush organisation.
•   There are 128 active Indian Standards under the Ayurveda Sectional Committee.
•   A total of 243 standards across Ayush domains were formulated in the last three years.
•   The MoU will support development of Indian Standards and laboratory capabilities.
•   It will strengthen conformity assessment for Ayurvedic products.
•   Scientists from 30 CCRAS peripheral institutes will serve as Project Leaders.
•   The framework aligns Ayurveda with ISO and NABL quality benchmarks.

Additional Information:
•   CCRAS is the apex body for Ayurveda research under Ministry of Ayush.
•   BIS is the statutory National Standards Body of India under BIS Act, 2016.
•   BIS functions under Ministry of Consumer Affairs and is headquartered in New Delhi.

The 12th India-Russia Working Group meeting on Modernization and Industrial Cooperation was held at Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi, on 7 August 2026. Both countries discussed cooperation across railways, aerospace, defence, technology, mining and fertilisers.

Key Highlights:
•   The Indian side was co-chaired by DPIIT Secretary Amardeep Singh Bhatia.
•   The Russian side was co-chaired by Deputy Minister Alexey Gruzdev.
•   The countries discussed cooperation on Vande Bharat project and railway signalling modernisation.
•   They considered joint production of SJ-100 regional aircraft and aero-engines.
•   Talks covered unmanned aerial systems and propulsion technologies.
•   Both sides discussed 3D printing, automation and carbon-fibre technologies.
•   Cooperation on lithium, titanium, aluminium and rare earth elements was discussed.
•   The group discussed a joint venture for urea production and long-term DAP-NPK supplies.

Additional Information:
•   DPIIT operates under Ministry of Commerce and Industry and implements industrial policy.
•   SJ-100 is a Russian regional jet developed by United Aircraft Corporation.
•   Critical minerals include lithium, cobalt, nickel and graphite for high-tech and defence sectors.