India targets 100 GWe nuclear energy capacity by 2047.

Dated: 16 August 2026

Government of India presented a roadmap to establish a self-reliant nuclear energy ecosystem and expand nuclear power capacity to 100 GWe by 2047 under the Nuclear Energy Mission announced in Union Budget 2025-26.

Key Highlights:
•   India aims to achieve 100 GWe nuclear energy capacity by 2047.
•   The target is part of the Nuclear Energy Mission announced in Union Budget 2025-26.
•   At least five indigenous Small Modular Reactors will be developed and operationalised by 2033.
•   Indigenous designs include the 220 MWe Bharat Small Modular Reactor and 55 MWe SMR-55.
•   A 5 MWth High Temperature Gas Cooled Reactor is proposed for hydrogen production.
•   The SHANTI Act, 2025 enables private participation in nuclear manufacturing, engineering services and research.

Additional Information:
•   Department of Atomic Energy was established in 1954.
•   DAE functions directly under the Prime Minister of India.
•   BARC is headquartered at Trombay, Mumbai.
•   India's three-stage nuclear programme ultimately focuses on thorium-based uranium-233 fuel.

Parliament passes MMDR Amendment Bill 2026.

Dated: 16 August 2026

Parliament passed the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 on 13 August 2026 after its approval in the Rajya Sabha. The bill amends the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 to broaden the mineral resource base and promote exploration.

Key Highlights:
•   The bill allows lease holders to add strategic minerals such as Lithium, Graphite, Nickel, Cobalt, Gold and Silver to existing leases.
•   No additional payment is required for adding specified critical minerals to an existing lease.
•   The earlier 50 percent ceiling on sale of surplus minerals from captive mines has been removed.
•   National Mineral Exploration Trust will be renamed National Mineral Exploration and Development Trust.
•   The trust can finance mine development in addition to mineral exploration.
•   A one-time area expansion is allowed for minerals found more than 200 metres below the surface.

Additional Information:
•   MMDR Act was enacted in 1957.
•   Mineral Exchanges are proposed as registered electronic trading platforms for minerals and metals.
•   Composite licence can receive up to 30 percent area expansion for deep-seated minerals.

NCLT launches e-Inspection and e-Certified Copy services.

Dated: 16 August 2026

National Company Law Tribunal officially launched e-Inspection and e-Certified Copy services on 12 August 2026 to digitise access to judicial records. The services are integrated with the e-Courts 2.0 initiative and the revamped NCLT website.

Key Highlights:
•   The services provide advocates and litigants faster access to judicial records.
•   They are part of the broader e-Courts 2.0 initiative.
•   NCLT approved a record 78 resolution plans in Q1 of FY 2026-27.
•   The approved resolution plans involved approximately Rs 5,517.66 crore.
•   NCLT is using a data-driven mechanism to monitor and reduce case pendency across benches.
•   Special Benches and workload redistribution are being used to optimise judicial resources.

Additional Information:
•   NCLT was established under the Companies Act, 2013.
•   It was formed on the recommendations of the V. Balakrishna Eradi Committee.
•   NCLT functions under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs and is headquartered in New Delhi.
•   NCLT is the adjudicating authority for corporate insolvency under IBC, 2016.

Indian Railways approves Kavach 4.0 for Izzatnagar Division.

Dated: 16 August 2026

Indian Railways approved installation of Kavach Version 4.0 across 660 Route Km of the Izzatnagar Division under North Eastern Railway on 12 August 2026. The project has been sanctioned at an estimated cost of Rs 295 crore.

Key Highlights:
•   Kavach 4.0 will be installed across 660 Route Km of Izzatnagar Division.
•   The project cost is estimated at Rs 295 crore.
•   Long-Term Evolution technology will be used as the communication backbone for the Kavach network.
•   Kavach is India's indigenous Automatic Train Protection system.
•   It prevents Signal Passed at Danger incidents and mid-section collisions.
•   It automatically applies brakes if the loco pilot fails to respond.
•   It improves safety and reliability in adverse weather, including dense fog.

Additional Information:
•   Kavach was developed by Research Designs and Standards Organisation.
•   It has Safety Integrity Level 4 certification, the highest safety level.
•   North Eastern Railway is headquartered in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh.
•   North Eastern Railway was established in 1952.

CBDC-based DBT launched in Chandigarh and Dadra and Nagar Haveli.

Dated: 16 August 2026

Government of India launched Central Bank Digital Currency based Direct Benefit Transfer in the Union Territories of Chandigarh and Dadra and Nagar Haveli. The initiative operationalises food subsidy transfers under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana through programmable Digital Rupee tokens.

Key Highlights:
•   Chandigarh and Dadra and Nagar Haveli are the first Union Territories to implement CBDC-based food subsidy transfers.
•   Food subsidies are credited directly to beneficiaries' CBDC wallets instead of conventional bank accounts.
•   Beneficiaries can use programmable Digital Rupee tokens to purchase foodgrains from empanelled merchants.
•   The system enables real-time digital payments for foodgrain purchases.
•   The rollout follows earlier pilot implementations in Puducherry and Gujarat.
•   The initiative aims to reduce leakages, diversion and cash-handling issues.

Additional Information:
•   Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana was launched in 2020.
•   Its nodal ministry is the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.
•   The scheme provides free foodgrains to beneficiaries covered under the National Food Security Act.

India and Malaysia begin Exercise Udara Shakti 2026.

Dated: 16 August 2026

Indian Air Force and Royal Malaysian Air Force commenced the bilateral air exercise Udara Shakti 2026 at Subang Air Base, Malaysia, on 13 August 2026. The exercise focuses on operational learning, exchange of best practices and enhancing interoperability.

Key Highlights:
•   Exercise Udara Shakti 2026 is a bilateral air exercise between India and Malaysia.
•   It is being conducted at Subang Air Base in Malaysia.
•   The exercise includes joint field training and Subject Matter Expert exchanges.
•   It focuses on operational learning and exchange of best practices.
•   The exercise aims to enhance interoperability between the Indian Air Force and Royal Malaysian Air Force.

Additional Information:
•   Indian Air Force was established on 8 October 1932.
•   IAF headquarters is located in New Delhi.
•   Royal Malaysian Air Force is the air arm of the Malaysian Armed Forces.
•   Subang Air Base is located in Malaysia.

Defence Ministry issues Rs 1 lakh crore tender for 60 Medium Transport Aircraft.

Dated: 16 August 2026

Ministry of Defence issued a tender worth around Rs 1 lakh crore to procure 60 Medium Transport Aircraft for the Indian Air Force. The procurement aims to strengthen the airlift capability of the Indian Air Force.

Key Highlights:
•   The tender is for procurement of 60 Medium Transport Aircraft.
•   The estimated value of the tender is around Rs 1 lakh crore.
•   The aircraft will have cargo-carrying capacity between 18 and 30 tonnes.
•   The procurement process is expected to conclude in FY 2026-27.
•   The tender was issued to HAL, Tata Advanced Systems, Mahindra Group, Adani Defence and Aerospace, and Reliance Defence.
•   The acquisition is aimed at improving IAF airlift operations.

Additional Information:
•   Indian Air Force was established on 8 October 1932.
•   IAF is headquartered in New Delhi.
•   HAL was established in 1940 as Walchand Aircraft.
•   HAL headquarters is in Bengaluru, Karnataka.

India and SACU sign Terms of Reference for PTA negotiations.

Dated: 16 August 2026

India and the Southern African Customs Union signed Terms of Reference in New Delhi to formally begin negotiations for a Preferential Trade Agreement. This is the first Terms of Reference signed by India with any African region for a trade agreement.

Key Highlights:
•   The Terms of Reference were signed at Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi.
•   The agreement will begin negotiations for a Preferential Trade Agreement between India and SACU.
•   The PTA will cover trade in goods, market access, rules of origin and customs procedures.
•   It will also cover trade remedies, sanitary and phytosanitary measures and dispute settlement.
•   India seeks improved market access for engineering goods, machinery, automobiles, pharmaceuticals, textiles and agri-processing products.
•   This is India's first trade-agreement ToR with an African region.

Additional Information:
•   SACU is recognised as the oldest customs union in the world.
•   SACU was established in 1910.
•   SACU headquarters is located in Windhoek, Namibia.
•   Its members are Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia and South Africa.

Karnataka bans tobacco and nicotine products for one year.

Dated: 16 August 2026

Karnataka government prohibited the sale, distribution and manufacture of tobacco and nicotine products across the state on 10 August 2026. The ban specifically covers gutkha and pan masala containing tobacco and nicotine.

Key Highlights:
•   The ban covers gutkha and pan masala containing tobacco and nicotine.
•   The notification will remain in force for one year from the date of issuance.
•   Manufacture, storage, transportation, distribution and sale are prohibited.
•   The Department of Food Safety and Drugs Administration will enforce the ban.
•   The objective is to protect public health and promote an addiction-free state.

Additional Information:
•   Food Safety and Standards Act was enacted in 2006.
•   The Act established the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India.
•   FSSAI comes under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
•   Karnataka was renamed from Mysore State in 1973.
•   Capital of Karnataka is Bengaluru.

Tamil Nadu signs Rs 67,000 crore investment MoUs at Vettri Conclave.

Dated: 16 August 2026

Tamil Nadu government signed 97 Memoranda of Understanding worth Rs 67,000 crore during the inaugural Vettri Tamil Nadu Investors Conclave 2026 on 13 August 2026. The proposed investments are expected to create 1.20 lakh jobs in the state.

Key Highlights:
•   A total of 97 MoUs worth Rs 67,000 crore were signed at the conclave.
•   The investments are projected to create 1.20 lakh jobs.
•   Key sectors include automotive, renewables, electronics, life sciences, R&D and data centres.
•   Since the new government formed in May 2026, 104 MoUs have been signed.
•   The cumulative investment commitment since May 2026 has reached Rs 1 lakh crore.
•   Tamil Nadu aims to become a USD 1.5 trillion economy.

Additional Information:
•   Tamil Nadu capital is Chennai.
•   Tamil Nadu is known for automobile, electronics, textile and manufacturing industries.
•   The state is a major hub for renewable energy and automobile manufacturing in India.

BHASHINI and NITI Aayog partner for multilingual AI governance.

Dated: 16 August 2026

Digital India BHASHINI Division and NITI Aayog signed a Statement of Intent on 12 August 2026 to advance multilingual and voice-first artificial intelligence solutions for inclusive governance. The collaboration is titled BHASHINI for Seva/Sanchalan.

Key Highlights:
•   The partnership is titled BHASHINI for Seva/Sanchalan.
•   It will integrate AI-powered language technologies across NITI Aayog digital platforms.
•   BHASHINI Sahayogi will use Bhasha Daan for collection and curation of text, audio and video language data.
•   BHASHINI Pravakta will expand awareness and adoption of AI tools across districts.
•   NITI TARA has empowered over 4,000 officials for data-driven decision-making.
•   BHASHINI ecosystem supports 36 Indian text languages, 23 Indian voice languages and 35 international languages.

Additional Information:
•   Digital India BHASHINI Division functions under Digital India Corporation.
•   It works under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
•   BHASHINI powers more than 800 government websites.
•   It processes around 24 million AI inferences daily.

Archana Varma appointed Secretary of Department of Water Resources.

Dated: 16 August 2026

Smt. Archana Varma assumed charge as Secretary of the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation under the Ministry of Jal Shakti. She is a 1995-batch IAS officer of the Assam cadre.

Key Highlights:
•   Archana Varma is a 1995-batch IAS officer of the Assam cadre.
•   She assumed charge as Secretary of Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation.
•   The department functions under the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
•   She served as Mission Director of the National Water Mission since September 2022.
•   She also served as Additional Secretary in the Central Vigilance Commission.
•   She handled vigilance issues concerning Government of NCT of Delhi.

Additional Information:
•   Ministry of Jal Shakti was formed in May 2019.
•   It was formed by merging Ministry of Water Resources and Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation.
•   The ministry is responsible for Jal Jeevan Mission and Namami Gange Programme.

National Scholarship Portal DBT launched for agriculture students.

Dated: 16 August 2026

Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare launched the National Scholarship Portal-Direct Benefit Transfer system to streamline financial assistance for agriculture students. Scholarships and fellowships worth more than Rs 21.55 crore were released to over 6,000 students.

Key Highlights:
•   Scholarships and fellowships worth more than Rs 21.55 crore were released.
•   More than 6,000 agriculture students received financial assistance.
•   Scholarship amounts are transferred directly through DBT on a monthly cycle.
•   Eligible students must complete One-Time Registration through the NSP OTR App.
•   The portal for 2026-27 opened on 1 June 2026.
•   Post-Matric and Higher Education application deadline is 31 October 2026.

Additional Information:
•   The launch was held at ICAR-IARI campus in Pusa, New Delhi.
•   IARI is commonly known as Pusa Institute.
•   IARI was established in 1905.
•   IARI functions under Indian Council of Agricultural Research.

8th BRICS Oceanic and Polar Science Meeting begins in Goa.

Dated: 16 August 2026

The 8th meeting of the BRICS Working Group on Oceanic and Polar Science and Technology commenced in Goa on 12 August 2026 under India's BRICS Presidency. The meeting was organised by the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research in South Goa.

Key Highlights:
•   The 8th BRICS Oceanic and Polar Science Meeting was held in Goa.
•   It was organised by the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research.
•   The meeting was led by Ministry of Earth Sciences under the BRICS Science, Technology and Innovation framework.
•   Delegations from eight BRICS member countries participated.
•   Participating countries included India, Brazil, Russia, China, South Africa, Egypt, Indonesia and UAE.
•   The BRICS OPST Working Group was established in 2018.

Additional Information:
•   India previously hosted the 3rd BRICS OPST meeting in 2020.
•   This is the second time India hosted this specific working group.
•   NCPOR is India's premier R&D institution for Polar and Southern Ocean research.
•   NCPOR is located at Vasco da Gama, Goa.

CSIR-IICT transfers diabetic foot ulcer treatment technology to Viridis Biopharma.

Dated: 16 August 2026

CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad, signed a technology transfer agreement with Viridis Biopharma for an IND-ready phytopharmaceutical to treat diabetic foot ulcers. The treatment is developed from the botanical source Gymnema sylvestre.

Key Highlights:
•   The technology is an IND-ready phytopharmaceutical for diabetic foot ulcers.
•   The treatment has been developed from Gymnema sylvestre.
•   It is intended for diabetic foot ulcers, chronic wounds and inflammatory skin disorders.
•   The project was developed by Department of Applied Biology at CSIR-IICT.
•   It was developed under CSIR Phytopharmaceutical Mission Phase-III.
•   The treatment has completed pre-clinical development, botanical standardisation and GLP-compliant safety studies.
•   It will move towards clinical trials and commercial development.

Additional Information:
•   CSIR-IICT is located in Hyderabad, Telangana.
•   CSIR-IICT was established in 1944 as Central Laboratories for Scientific and Industrial Research.
•   CSIR was established on 26 September 1942.
•   Prime Minister of India is the ex-officio President of CSIR.

Ram Nath Kovind autobiography Triumph of the Indian Republic released.

Dated: 16 August 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi released the autobiography of former President Ram Nath Kovind titled Triumph of the Indian Republic: My Life, My Struggles on 12 August 2026. The book documents his life journey, personal struggles and contribution to democratic values in India.

Key Highlights:
•   The autobiography is titled Triumph of the Indian Republic: My Life, My Struggles.
•   The book has been written by former President Ram Nath Kovind.
•   The book was released by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
•   It records the life journey and personal struggles of Ram Nath Kovind.
•   It highlights his contribution to the nation and democratic values of India.
•   The book presents the story of the Indian democratic system through his experiences.

Additional Information:
•   Ram Nath Kovind was the 14th President of India.
•   He served as President from 2017 to 2022.
•   He was Governor of Bihar from 2015 to 2017.
•   He was India's second Dalit President after K.R. Narayanan.

World Organ Donation Day observed on 13 August.

Dated: 16 August 2026

World Organ Donation Day was observed globally on 13 August 2026 to raise awareness about organ and tissue transplantation and encourage people to pledge organ donation. The observance aims to address misconceptions and help families make informed decisions that can save lives.

Key Highlights:
•   World Organ Donation Day is observed on 13 August.
•   The day promotes awareness about organ and tissue transplantation.
•   It encourages people to pledge organ donation.
•   The observance addresses misconceptions surrounding organ donation.
•   NOTTO is the apex body for organ donation activities in India.
•   NOTTO maintains the National Donor Pledge Registry and coordinates the transplantation network.

Additional Information:
•   NOTTO functions under Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
•   NOTTO is headquartered in New Delhi.
•   NOTTO was established to implement Transplantation of Human Organs Amendment Act, 2011.
•   The primary legislation governing organ donation in India is Transplantation of Human Organs Act, 1994.

IIHT SUTRA 2026 inaugurated in New Delhi.

Dated: 16 August 2026

Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh inaugurated IIHT SUTRA 2026, the first national conclave of Indian Institutes of Handloom Technology, on 14 August 2026 at Dr Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi. The conclave focused on strengthening technical education, research and innovation in the handloom sector.

Key Highlights:
•   IIHT SUTRA 2026 was the first national conclave of Indian Institutes of Handloom Technology.
•   It was inaugurated by Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh.
•   The conclave was held at Dr Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi.
•   The theme was IIHTs: Weaving the Future of the Indian Handloom Sector - Educate. Innovate. Transform.
•   The event aimed to reposition IIHTs as centres of excellence for education, research and technological innovation.
•   MoUs were signed with Grasim Industries, Northern India Textile Research Association and IIM Sambalpur.

Additional Information:
•   IIHTs offer Diploma and Degree courses in Handloom and Textile Technology.
•   The conclave was organised by Office of Development Commissioner for Handlooms.
•   Office of Development Commissioner for Handlooms functions under Ministry of Textiles.
•   Ministry of Textiles is headquartered in New Delhi.

IBM and CHRIST University launch AI Innovation Center.

Dated: 16 August 2026

IBM and CHRIST (Deemed to be University) announced the establishment of IBM Innovation Center for Artificial Intelligence to promote AI-driven education, research and innovation. The centre will give students, faculty, researchers and PhD scholars access to enterprise technologies and real-world AI use cases.

Key Highlights:
•   IBM Innovation Center for Artificial Intelligence has been established with CHRIST University.
•   The centre will promote AI-driven education, research and innovation.
•   Students, faculty, researchers and PhD scholars will benefit from the initiative.
•   Research areas include Generative AI, Agentic AI, Large Language Models and Retrieval-Augmented Generation.
•   The centre will also focus on Intelligent Automation and Responsible AI.
•   Students will get access to IBM technologies such as watsonx.ai and watsonx Orchestrate.

Additional Information:
•   IBM was founded in 1911 as Computing-Tabulating-Recording Company.
•   IBM headquarters is located in Armonk, New York, USA.
•   IBM Chairman and CEO is Arvind Krishna.
•   CHRIST University is headquartered in Bengaluru, Karnataka.

PMS Bazaar partners with NDML for SEBI Accredited Investor certification.

Dated: 16 August 2026

PMS Bazaar partnered with NSDL Database Management Limited to streamline and expand access to SEBI Accredited Investor certification process in India. The partnership provides end-to-end assistance to eligible investors for obtaining Accredited Investor status.

Key Highlights:
•   PMS Bazaar partnered with NSDL Database Management Limited.
•   The partnership supports eligible investors in obtaining SEBI Accredited Investor status.
•   Applications are processed immediately after document submission.
•   Certificates are generally issued by NDML Accreditation Agency on a T+1 basis.
•   Accredited Investors receive lower minimum investment thresholds for PMS and AIFs.
•   PMS Bazaar provides research for over 500 PMS investment approaches.
•   The platform covers over 200 AIFs and 60 GIFT City Funds.

Additional Information:
•   SEBI became a statutory body on 12 April 1992 under SEBI Act, 1992.
•   SEBI is headquartered in Mumbai.
•   NDML is a technology-driven subsidiary of NSDL.
•   NDML is recognised by SEBI as an Accreditation Agency.

SBI Research projects 8 percent GDP growth for Q1 FY27.

Dated: 16 August 2026

SBI Research projected India's real GDP growth at 8 percent for April-June quarter of FY27 in its report released on 11 August 2026. The forecast is higher than Reserve Bank of India projection of 7 percent for the quarter.

Key Highlights:
•   SBI Research projected real GDP growth at 8 percent for Q1 FY27.
•   RBI had projected 7 percent GDP growth for the same quarter.
•   The nowcasting model used 54 high-frequency indicators across agriculture, industry and services.
•   86 percent of 50 leading indicators showed growth compared with 69 percent in the previous year.
•   IIP growth accelerated to 7.3 percent in June.
•   Services exports grew by 13.3 percent and airport cargo traffic rose by 22.3 percent.
•   Central Government capex growth was recorded at 23.7 percent.

Additional Information:
•   State Bank of India was established on 1 July 1955.
•   SBI succeeded the Imperial Bank of India.
•   SBI headquarters is in Mumbai.
•   SBI was formed based on Gorewala Committee recommendations.

Gujarat approves four Natural Farming Centres of Excellence.

Dated: 16 August 2026

Gujarat government approved the establishment of four Centres of Excellence to promote natural farming across the state. The centres will be set up in Navsari, Morbi, Bhavnagar and Chhota Udepur districts.

Key Highlights:
•   Four Natural Farming Centres of Excellence will be established in Gujarat.
•   The centres will be located in Navsari, Morbi, Bhavnagar and Chhota Udepur.
•   Gujarat government allocated Rs 20 crore for the project in FY 2026-27.
•   Gujarat Prakrutik Krishi Vikas Board is the nodal agency for implementation.
•   Each centre can train 100 farmers at a time in natural farming techniques.
•   The centres will produce and distribute Jeevamrut, Ghan Jeevamrut, Beejamrut and Neemastra.
•   Facilities will also provide soil testing, quality testing and post-harvest processing services.

Additional Information:
•   Gujarat capital is Gandhinagar.
•   Gujarat was formed on 1 May 1960.
•   Natural farming promotes reduced use of synthetic fertilisers and pesticides.
•   Jeevamrut and Beejamrut are commonly used bio-inputs in natural farming.