GoI Approves Incentive Scheme for Promotion of Domestic PNG Connections
Government of India (GoI) approved the approved the Incentive Scheme for Promotion of Domestic Piped Natural Gas (PNG) Connections, effective from 1 September 2026, to accelerate the expansion of household PNG connections and promote access to clean, safe, and affordable cooking fuel across the country.
- It aims to encourage City Gas Distribution (CGD) companies to convert unbilled PNG connections into active connections and expand PNG networks to new areas.
- Currently, India has 1.74 crore domestic PNG connections.
MeitY Approves 31 More Projects worth Rs 7,877 Crore under ECMS
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) approved 31 more proposals worth Rs 7,877 crore under the Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS). With this, the total number of sanctioned projects under ECMS has reached 106, covering 30 products across 15 states.
MoCI Data: India’s Total Exports Increased 13.31% to USD 80.14 Bn in July 2026
Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) released the official data related to India’s trade for the month of July 2026 and for April-July 2026-27. As per the data, India’s overall exports (including both merchandise and services) have increased from USD 70.72 billion (in July 2025) to USD 80.14 billion in July 2026, marking a 13.31% Year-on-Year (Y-o-Y) increase.
NSO Releases PLFS Monthly Bulletin July 2026: Unemployment Rate Drops to 5.1%
National Statistics Office (NSO) under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released the Monthly Bulletin of the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) for July 2026, reporting that India’s unemployment rate (UR) declined to 5.1% from 5.5% in June 2026, marking the 16th bulletin in the series (April 2025–July 2026).
MoD Notifies 6th Positive Indigenisation List Featuring 405 Strategic Items
Ministry of Defence (MoD) through the Department of Defence Production (DDP) notified the 6th Positive Indigenisation List(PIL) comprising 405 defence items, including 389 items of Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) and 16 items of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), covering critical components, spares, and raw materials.
- The initiative carries an estimated business potential of Rs 3,070 crore and is aimed at boosting domestic manufacturing while reducing imports.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Flags Off All India Girls High Altitude Long Trek ‘Aparajita – Parang La 2026’
Union Minister, Rajnath Singh, Ministry of Defence (MoD) flagged off the All India Girls High Altitude Long Trek ‘Aparajita – Parang La 2026’, a flagship adventure activity of the National Cadet Corps (NCC), in New Delhi, Delhi.
- The flag-off ceremony was attended by Lieutenant General Virendra Vats, Director General, NCC, along with senior officials from the NCC and MoD.
DBN Partners with Chhattisgarh Government to Digitise GPs & Villages
Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communication, signed an agreement with Chhattisgarh State BharatNet Infrastructure Limited (CSBIL), Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and Chhattisgarh Infotech Promotion Society (CHiPS) for the implementation of the Amended BharatNet Program (ABP) under the State-led model.
India-Thailand Joint Military Exercise MAITREE-XV Begins to Strengthen Defence Cooperation
Indian Army (IA) contingent departed for Thailand to participate in the 15th edition of the India-Thailand Joint Annual Military Exercise MAITREE-XV at Vibhavadi Rangsit Camp, Surat Thani, Thailand.
- The exercise is being conducted from 18 August to 31 August 2026. The aim is to enhance military cooperation, interoperability and joint operational capabilities between the two countries.
J&K Bank Teams Up with HDFC Life to Expand Customers’ Insurance Choices
Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) Bank Limited signed a Corporate Agency Agreement (CAA) with HDFC Life (HDFC Life Insurance Company Limited), a leading life insurer in India, to offer a wide range of customer-centric insurance offerings.
Razorpay Launched Vulcan, India’s first AI payments foundation model
Razorpay, a leading fintech firm in India, launched “Razorpay Vulcan”, India’s 1st Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered payments foundation model designed to make digital transactions more reliable, secure and predictable.
- The new AI-supported payment model holds great significance as India’s digital electronic (e)-commerce market is leading towards a projected USD 350 billion by 2030.
ICRA Projects India’s GDP Growth at 7% in April–June Quarter of FY27
ICRA Limited, credit rating agency in India, estimated India’s real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth at 7% for the April–June quarter of FY27 (Q1 FY27), marking a four-quarter low compared with 7.8% growth in Q4 FY26, due to slower expansion in the services sector.
MYAS Announces National Sports Awards 2025; 17 Named for Arjuna Award
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) announced the National Sports Awards 2025, naming 17 Arjuna awardees along with 1 Arjuna (Lifetime), 3 Dronacharya (Regular), 2 Dronacharya (Lifetime), and 1 Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar recipient.
- No athlete was selected for the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, marking a rare instance (previously in 2008 and 2014) since its institution in 1991.
Parichha Weir in Jhansi Recognised as World Heritage Irrigation Structure by ICID
International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID) designated the 140-year-old Parichha Weir in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh (UP) as a World Heritage Irrigation Structure (WHIS), recognising its historic significance as the headworks of the Betwa Canal System across the Betwa River and its continued role in supporting irrigation in UP and Madhya Pradesh (MP).
ESPN Founder William F. Rasmussen Passed Away at 93
William F. Rasmussen, the co-founder of ESPN (Entertainment and Sports Programming Network), passed away at the age of 93 in Seattle, Washington, the United States of America (USA). He was born on October 15, 1932, in Chicago, USA.
World Photography Day 2026 – August 19
World Photography Day (WPD), also known as World Photo Day, is observed globally on 19 August every year to celebrate the art, craft, science and history of photography and recognise its role in capturing memories, cultures and events.
- The day commemorates the invention of the daguerreotype process, the first practical photographic process developed by Louis Daguerre in 1837.
Sadbhavana Divas 2026 – August 20
Sadbhavana Diwas or Harmony Day is observed on August 20 every year in India with the intention of promoting peace, unity, and harmony among various religions and communities.
- The day also marks the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister (PM) Rajiv Gandhi and this year marks the 82nd birth anniversary of Rajiv Gandhi.