Overview of PM Narendra Modi’s to visit AP and Karnataka on 1 August, 2026
Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi undertook a day-long visit to Andhra Pradesh (AP)and Karnataka on August 1 2026, where he inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for a series of infrastructure, connectivity, energy and technology projects aimed at boosting regional development and economic growth.
Highlights of the Visit:
Visit to AP:During his visit to AP, PM Modi inaugurated, dedicated and laid the foundation stone for various development projects worth over Rs 17,900 crore, covering sectors like: aviation, semiconductors, Renewable Energy (RE), power transmission, road infrastructure, and youth development.
- PM Modi inaugurated the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram in Vizianagaram district, AP, developed at a cost of over Rs 5,640 crore by GMR Visakhapatnam International Airport Limited (GVIAL).
- PM Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the Rs 2,500 crore ASIP (ASIP Technologies Pvt. Ltd.) Semiconductor Project at Tarluvada, Visakhapatnam; National Highway (NH) projects worth over Rs 1,880 crore including sections of NH-365BG, NH-67 and NH-565; and the Transmission System for Integration of Kurnool-IV Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) – Phase I (4.5 GW).
Visit to Karnataka: During his visit to Karnataka, he inaugurated the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Youth Centre or Viveka Smaraka in Mysuru, Karnataka, commemorating Swami Vivekananda’s historic visit to Mysuru in November 1892 during his journey across India.
Union Minister Giriraj Singh Launches ‘Kapas Darshan’ Bulletin, Four MoUs Signed at CCI’s 56th Foundation Day
Union Minister Giriraj Singh, Ministry of Textiles (MoT), presided over the 56th Foundation Day of the Cotton Corporation of India Limited (CCI) in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra, reaffirming the Government of India’s (GoI’s) commitment to strengthening the cotton ecosystem.
Highlights of the Event:
Launch: During the event, the Kapas Darshan Bulletin was launched, modern farm equipment was distributed, and the implementation roadmap of the Rs.5,659-crore Cotton Productivity Mission–Kapas Kanti were announced.
MoUs: Four Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) were also signed to enhance cotton quality, traceability, sustainability, market access, and climate-smart cultivation.
REC, PFC sign Rs 26,850 crore loan agreement for 2,400 MW Meja Thermal Power Project expansion
REC Limited and Power Finance Corporation (PFC) Limited, a “Maharatna” Central Public Sector Enterprises(CPSEs) under the Ministry of Power (MoP), signed Common Loan Agreement worth Rs 26,850 crore with Meja Urja Nigam Private Limited (MUNPL) to finance 2400 Mega-Watt (MW) thermal power expansion in Uttar Pradesh (UP).
SEBI Extends Digital Accessibility Audit Deadline to October 2026, Introduces GARUDA Framework for AIF Launches
In July 2026, the Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI) extended the deadline for Regulated Entities (RE) to complete the Accessibility Audit of digital platforms and remediation of audit findings under its Digital Accessibility framework to October 31, 2026.
- SEBI, also launched the GARUDA framework to simplify and speed up Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) schemes launched through a streamlined filing process.
SBI Research report: India’s economy is likely to grow around 7% in Q1 FY27
The Economic Research Department (ERD) of the State Bank of India (SBI Research) released the report titled “Prelude to Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) Meeting: August 3-5, 2026 Peace in a piecemeal manner”, projecting India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth at around 7% in the 1st quarter (Q1: April to June) of Financial Year 2026-27 (FY27),which is higher than the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)’s latest projection of 6.6%.
- The upward revision is mainly attributed to stronger economic indicators, enhanced industrial activity and a recovery in exports.
Gujarat’s Sacred ‘Pithora Painting’ Received GI Tag
The Geographical Indications Registry (GIR), under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoC&I), granted Geographical Indication (GI) tag to Gujarat’s centuries-old wall art tradition, Pithora Painting.
- Earlier in July 2026, two agricultural products of Gujarat i.e. Unjha Cumin and Fennel, both originating from the Unjha region in the north of the state, received the GI tag.
Government Extends IFSCA Chairman K. Rajaraman’s Tenure Till October 2028
In July 2026, the Government of India (GoI) extended K. Rajaraman‘s tenure as Chairperson of the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) by 27 months, until 24 October 2028 (age 65) or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
- He was reappointed under the provisions of the IFSCA Act, 2019, and the IFSCA (Salary, Allowances and Other Terms and Conditions of Service of Chairperson and Members) Rules, 2020.
Vice Admiral AN Pramod Assumes Charge as Deputy Chief of Naval Staff
Vice Admiral AN Pramod assumed charge as the Deputy Chief of Naval Staff (DCNS) of the Indian Navy (IN). He succeeds Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti, who superannuated on 31 July 2026 after over 38 years of service.
About AN Pramod:
Background: Commissioned into the Indian Navy (IN) on 1 July 1990 after the 38th Integrated Cadet Course at the Naval Academy, Goa, he is a Communication and Electronic Warfare specialist.
IN Launches ‘DSC A24’ – 5th & Final Diving Support Craft at Titagarh, Kolkata
In July 2026, the Indian Navy (IN) launched ‘DSC A24’, the 5th and final ship of the Diving Support Craft (DSC) project built by M/s Titagarh Rail Systems Limited (TRSL), during a ceremony held at TRSL, Titagarh, Kolkata, West Bengal (WB).
- The vessel was launched by Kamal Singh in the presence of Vice Admiral Gurcharan Singh, Chief of Personnel, IN.
New Catfish Species ‘Pseudolaguvia khairii’ Discovered in Odisha
n July 2026, a new freshwater catfish species was discovered from Odisha’s Budhabalanga River in Mayurbhanj district was named ‘Pseudolaguvia khairii’ in honour of Khairi, the iconic Royal Bengal tigress of Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR), Odisha,
- The discovery has been published in the International taxonomic journal Zootaxa.
About Pseudolaguvia khairii:
Taxonomy: It belongs to the order Siluriformes, which comprises all species of catfish.
Habitat: Pseudolaguvia is a genus of small hillstream catfishes found in fast-flowing rivers across India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Myanmar.
Features: It is a small-sized catfish measuring only a few centimetres in length and is distinguished by a unique fleshy protuberance at the base of its dorsal fin.
Significance: The discovery highlights the rich and lesser-known biodiversity of India’s freshwater ecosystems and emphasises the importance of conserving species across all categories, from iconic wildlife to unique aquatic species.
About Khairi: It was an orphaned cub rescued from the forests of STR, in the 1970s and was raised by Saroj Raj Choudhury and his wife Nihar Nalini Swain.
2026 Commonwealth Games: Australia Tops Medal Table; India Finishes Fourth with 39 Medals, Including 13 Golds
The 2026 Commonwealth Games (CWG), officially known as the XXIII Commonwealth Games (23rd edition), is an international multi-sport event held from 23 July to 2 August 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland’s largest city, where India won 39 medals, including 13 gold, 17 silver, and 9 bronze, finishing fourth overall in the medal standings.
- Australia topped the medal table with 171 medals (70 gold, 45 silver, and 56 bronze), followed by England in second place with 110 medals (29 gold, 45 silver, and 36 bronze) and Canada finished third, securing 62 medals, including 19 gold, 20 silver, and 23 bronze.
Record-Breaking Mountaineer Nirmal Purja Passed Away
In July 2026, renowned Nepali-British mountaineer Nirmal Purja passed away in an avalanche on Broad Peak, Gilgit-Baltistan region, Pakistan. He was born on 25 July 1983 in Myagdi, Gandaki Province, Nepal.
About Nirmal Purja:
Early Career: He joined the Brigade of Gurkhas in 2003, became the first Gurkha inducted into the Royal Navy’s Special Boat Service (SBS) in 2009, served as a cold-weather warfare specialist, and resigned in 2018 to pursue high-altitude mountaineering full-time.
Achievement: In 2019, he completed Project Possible 14/7 by climbing all 14 eight-thousanders (peaks above 8,000 metres) in 6 months and 6 days using bottled oxygen, breaking the previous record by over seven years.
- He became the first person to climb Mount Everest, Lhotse and Makalu within 48 hours and achieved the first winter ascent of K2 (Karakoram Range) with Nepali climbers in 2021, reaching the summit without supplemental oxygen.
Recognition: He received the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) award in 2018, an honorary degree from Loughborough University, United Kingdom(UK) in 2023.
Indian Organ Donation Day 2026 – August 3
Indian Organ Donation Day (IODD) is observed annually across India on 3 August to spread awareness about organ and tissue donation and commemorate India’s first successful deceased donor organ transplant.
Background:
First Observance: The National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO), under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare(MoHFW), began observing IODD in 2010, and it was celebrated annually on 27 November until 2022.
World Breastfeeding Week 2026 – August 1-7
World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) is observed annually across the globe during the first week of August (1–7 August) to raise awareness and promote breastfeeding support.
- WBW is coordinated annually by the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA), in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
- 2026 Theme: “Breastfeeding for a sustainable start in life: strengthen what works”
AP and Australia Sign Four MoUs to Strengthen Cooperation in Key Sectors
In August 2026, the Government of Andhra Pradesh (AP) and Australia signed four Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) in Amaravati, AP to enhance cooperation in clean energy, advanced manufacturing, inclusive education, student mental health and skill development.
- The agreements were signed in the presence of Nara Lokesh, Minister for Education, Information Technology(IT) and Electronics, AP, and Julian Hill, Assistant Minister for International Education, Citizenship, Customs and Multicultural Affairs, Australia.