MoRD Launches Mission Samriddh Gaon to Develop Poverty-Free, Employment-Rich Villages
Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), launched Mission Samriddh Gaon at Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi, Delhi, to develop a comprehensive model for rural transformation by creating poverty-free, employment-rich villages with assured access to basic amenities.
- The mission aims to eliminate poverty, ensure livelihood opportunities for every family, reduce distress migration and promote self-reliant rural communities aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat.
PPPAC Grants In-Principle Approval to Private Operation of 11 Airports Across Five Bundles
Public Private Partnership Appraisal Committee (PPPAC), chaired by Anuradha Thakur, Secretary of Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) under the Ministry of Finance (MoF), granted its in-principle approval for the 3rd round of privatisation of 11 airports across 5 airport bundles, during its August 2026 meeting.
Concession Period: As per the proposal, these airports will be leased out under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model for a concession period of 50 years.
- In addition, the concessionaire would be required to retain 60% of Airport Authority of India (AAI) employees for a maximum period of 3 years.
MoD Approves Transfer of DRDO Missile Technologies to Indian Defence Industry
Union Minister, Rajnath Singh, Ministry of Defence (MoD), approved the transfer of technology (ToT) of all conventional missile systems developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to Indian defence manufacturers in New Delhi, Delhi to promote indigenous production and Aatmanirbharta (Self-reliance) in defence.
Union Minister Chirag Paswan Inaugurates PMFME Bazaar Showcasing India’s Micro Food Enterprises
vUnion Minister Chirag Paswan, Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) inaugurated the Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Conclave 2026 on 24–25 August 2026 at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, Delhi.
He also launched the PMFME Bazaar featuring micro food enterprises from 25 States and Union Territories (UTs), showcasing a diverse range of unique, ethnic, and traditional food products that reflect India’s rich culinary and cultural heritage.
UNDP and HUL Partner to Strengthen Plastic Circular Economy Across 50 Indian Cities
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) India and Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) announced the next phase of their 7-year partnership to strengthen an inclusive circular economy for plastics in India.
- The initiative aims to support 50,000 Safai Mitras (waste workers) and enhance waste management systems across 50 cities and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) by 2028.
VP C. P. Radhakrishnan Launches India’s First Indigenous Non-GMO Popcorn Maize Hybrid in AP
Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan launched India’s first indigenous non-Genetically Modified Organism (non-GMO) high-expansion Popcorn Maize (Zea mays) hybrid seed at the Gourmet Popcornica facility in Musunuru, Eluru district, Andhra Pradesh (AP).
- The event was attended by S. Abdul Nazeer, Governor of AP and N. Chandrababu Naidu, Chief Minister (CM) of AP.
ICG Hosts 2nd India-Vietnam Joint Exercise Sahyog HOP TAC in Chennai, TN
Indian Coast Guard (ICG) in collaboration with the Vietnam Coast Guard (VCG), hosted the 2nd edition of India-Vietnam Joint Exercise ‘Sahyog HOP TAC’, in Chennai, Tamil Nadu (TN), to strengthen maritime cooperation between the two nations.
WAE Partners with UN GCNI Advancing Technology-Led Water Sustainability
WAE Limited, an Indian sustainability-led water technology and engineering company, entered into a strategic partnership with the United Nations Global Compact Network India (UN GCNI), the Indian local network of the UN Global Compact (UNGC), to promote technology-driven water sustainability solutions across India.
SEBI Introduces IT Resilience Index Framework for Market Infrastructure Institutions
Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) introduced an IT Resilience Index (ITRI) Framework for Market Infrastructure Institutions (MII) to evaluate the robustness and operational resilience of their critical Information Technology (IT) systems, covering entities such as stock exchanges, depositories, and clearing corporations.
EWS and Real Time Monitoring of Service Delivery, must be operationalized by February 28, 2027, with the first ITRI computation covering the half-year ending March 31, 2027.
TCL Signs MoU with Japan’s Resona Bank to Help Japanese Companies to Explore Business Opportunities in India
Tata Capital Limited (TCL), a major Indian Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) and subsidiary of Tata Sons Private Limited, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Japan’s Resona Bank, core banking subsidiary of Resona Holdings, to help Japanese companies to explore and access financial solutions and business opportunities in India.
GSL Hands Over Fast Patrol Vessel ICGS Ajit to Indian Coast Guard
Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) handed over Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Ajit (Yard 1277), the 7th vessel in a series of 8th state-of-the-art Fast Patrol Vessels (FPVs), to the Indian Coast Guard (ICG).
CSIR-NAL Unveils Three Indigenous Micro & Small Gas Turbine Engines for Defence UAVs
Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Aerospace Laboratories (CSIR-NAL) unveiled three indigenous micro and small gas turbine engines: NJ-05, NJ-50 and NJ-100, at CSIR Headquarters, New Delhi, Delhi, developed for defence Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAVs) and missile systems, with thrust capacities of 5 kilogram (kg), 50 kg and 100 kg.
Country Music Legend Dolly Rebecca Parton Passed Away at 80
Legendary American singer, songwriter, actress and philanthropist Dolly Rebecca Parton passed away at the age of 80 in Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America (USA).
- Popularly known as the “Queen of Country Music,” she had a career spanning around seven decades and became one of the most influential figures in country music.
World Water Week 2026 – August 23–27
World Water Week (WWW), the leading global conference on the water crisis, is observed annually during the last week of August and addresses global water challenges while promoting sustainable, equitable, and climate-resilient water management that includes vulnerable communities.
- 2026 Theme: “Water for People and Progress”
Puducherry’s CM Rangasamy Presented Rs 14,300 Crore Tax-Free Budget for FY27
Natesan (N.) Rangasamy, Chief Minister (CM) of Union Territory (UT) Puducherry, who also holds the finance portfolio, presented a Rs 14,300 crore tax-free budget for the Financial Year 2026-27 (FY27) in the legislative assembly of Union Territory (UT) Puducherry.
- This year’s budget allocation marks a 5.1% increase compared to Rs 13,600 crore budget of FY26.
TN CM Vijay Announced 3 free LPG cylinders, expands free bus travel for women and transgenders
C. Joseph Vijay, Chief Minister (CM) of Tamil Nadu (TN) made a series of welfare announcements, including 3 free Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders, expansion of free bus travel for women and transgenders, among others, in the state assembly in Chennai (TN) on the completion of 100 days of state government under his leadership.
- These announcements were made under Rule 110 of the TN Legislative Assembly, which empowers the CM to present key policies and schemes of public importance.