President Murmu Gives Assent To Bill Criminalising Insult To Vande Mataram
President of India Droupadi Murmu gave assent to a Bill that criminalises intentional disruption or prevention of the singing of the national song ‘Vande Mataram’, granting the National Song the same legal protection as the national anthem.
Key Amendments
Act amended: The Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026 amends Section 3 of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971.
IBM, MIT-Bengaluru and Christ University Partner to Establish AI Centres in India
International Business Machines (IBM Corporation) forged collaboration with Manipal Institute of Technology (MIT) Bengaluru, a constituent unit of Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) and CHRIST (Deemed to be University) to set up Artificial Intelligence (AI)-focused centres in India.
- The strategic partnership aims to expand access to advanced computing, enterprise AI technologies, research and skilling.
PMS Bazaar, NDML Accreditation Agency Partner to Expand Access to SEBI Accredited Investor Certification
PMS Bazaar, leading alternative investments platform in India, announced that it has entered into a strategic partnership with NSDL Database Management Limited (NDML Accreditation Agency), one of India’s leading technology-driven companies, at the PMS Bazaar Bazaar Bengaluru Conclave in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
- The collaboration aims to facilitate the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) Accredited Investor certification process for eligible investors and entities.
SBI Research Report: Projects India’s GDP growth at 8% for Q1FY27
Economic Research Department (ERD) of the State Bank of India (SBI Research) released its latest Ecowrap report. The report projected that India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth is expected to rebound to around 8% in the 1st quarter (Q1: April to June) of Financial Year 2026-27 (FY27), which is 1 percentage points higher that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)’s projection of 7%.
2026 Hurun India Most Valuable Family Businesses: Ambani Tops; Adani Leads Among 1st-generation Families
Hurun India in partnership with Barclays Private Bank India, released the 3rd edition of “2026 Barclays Private Clients Hurun India Most Valuable Family Businesses List”. As per the list, Ambani family led by Mukesh Ambani, Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), has again emerged as India’s richest business family for the 3rd consecutive year with net worth of Rs 25.8 lakh crore, despite witnessing an 8.5% decline in its fortune.
Hungary Elects Former Supreme Court Chief András Baka as President
Hungarian Parliament elected Andras Baka, former head of the Supreme Court of Hungary, as the country’s new President. He was elected by Parliament with 140 votes in favour and 6 against, with support from members of the governing Tisza Party.
IN Launched Next-Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel ‘Shruti’ at GRSE Kolkata
Indian Navy (IN) launched Shruti (Yard 3037), the second of four Next-Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels (NGOPVs) Project built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) Limited, Kolkata, West Bengal.
Skyroot Aerospace Signs Multi-Launch Agreement with HEX20 for Vikram Missions
Skyroot Aerospace Private Limited, an Indian private space startup, signed a Multi-Launch Agreement (MLA) with HEX20, an Indian space technology startup, for three dedicated Vikram-series missions to support Earth observation and payload demonstration missions.
Hall of Fame Coach and Five-Time NBA Champion Don Nelson Passed Away
Donald Arvid Nelson(Don Nelson), a legendary American basketball coach and former player, passed away at the age of 86 in Frisco, Texas, the United States of America(USA).
- He was born on May 15, 1940 in Muskegon, Michigan, USA.
Renowned Nuclear Scientist and Marxist Theorist M.P. Parameswaran Passed away at 91
M.P. Parameswaran, renowned Indian nuclear scientist, science communicator, writer and Marxist theorist, passed away at the age of 91 in Thrissur, Kerala.
- He was born on 18 January, 1935, in Kiralur Village, Thrissur, Kerala and widely associated with the Kerala Sastra Sahitya Parishad (KSSP) and played an important role in India’s people’s science and literacy movements.
PM Narendra Modi Releases “Triumph of the Indian Republic”, Autobiography of Ram Nath Kovind
Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi released the autobiography of former President Ram Nath Kovind, titled “Triumph of the Indian Republic: My Life, My Struggles,” at Vigyan Bhavan, in New Delhi, Delhi.
- The book highlights his life experiences and encourages youth to avoid the shortcut culture influenced by social media.
International Youth Day 2026 – August 12
The United Nations (UN’s) International Youth Day (IYD) is observed annually across the globe on 12 August to recognise the contributions of young people, raise awareness of youth-related issues, and promote their active and equal participation in all areas of society.
- 2026 Theme: “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations”
World Elephant Day 2026 – August 12
World Elephant Day is observed annually across the world on 12 August to raise awareness about the conservation and protection of elephants, often known as the ‘Gentle Giants’ of the world.