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CURRENT AFFAIRS : BANKING, FINANCE & BUSINESS

Securities and Exchange Board of India Introduces IT Resilience Index to Strengthen Critical Systems of Market Infrastructure Institutions

• The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) introduced the Information Technology Resilience Index (ITRI) framework to assess and strengthen the resilience of critical IT systems used by Market Infrastructure Institutions (MIIs).
• The framework covers MIIs such as stock exchanges, depositories and clearing corporations, which are critical to the functioning of India’s securities market.
• The ITRI will assess MIIs using a uniform set of nine parameters, ensuring comparability in the resilience of their IT systems.

Key Highlights :

• The nine parameters include availability, security, integrity, governance, reliability and monitoring, business continuity, modularity and flexibility, scalability, and incident handling/other relevant aspects.
• Availability and security carry the highest weightage of 20% each in the ITRI framework.
• Integrity, governance, reliability and monitoring, business continuity, and modularity and flexibility carry a weightage of 10%
• Scalability and the remaining parameter, including incident handling, carry 5%
• The framework aims to ensure that critical IT systems remain available, reliable, secure and cyber-resilient, thereby reducing the risk of disruptions in securities-market operations.
• MIIs are required to calculate the ITRI twice a year, within 60 days of the end of each half-year.
• MIIs must submit a comparative analysis of two consecutive half-years on a rolling basis, along with details of corrective measures taken or proposed, to their Standing Committee on Technology (SCOT) and Governing Board.
• SEBI has mandated an Early Warning System (EWS) to identify deterioration in ITRI parameters at an early stage and detect issues such as system slowness, performance degradation and potential disruptions.
• The EWS will enable MIIs to take timely remedial measures before IT issues develop into major operational disruptions.
• MIIs had already introduced beta versions of the ITRI framework before the full rollout.
• SEBI has set 28 February 2027 as the deadline for the full rollout, including the Early Warning System (EWS) and real-time monitoring of service delivery.
• The ITRI framework follows a self-operating model, under which MIIs periodically calculate the index and provide their governing boards with an assessment of the overall health of IT systems and areas requiring improvement.
• Separately, SEBI has aligned its Incident Reporting Portal with the Financial Stability Board (FSB) Format for Incident Reporting Exchange (FIRE)
• The FIRE framework aims to standardise cyber-incident reporting and enable regulated entities to report incidents throughout their entire life cycle.

Recent News :

• In Aug 2026, The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) proposed introducing a mandatory colour-coded Credit Risk-o-Meter for debt securities to help investors assess and compare credit risk more easily before investing.

About SEBI :

• Established : 12 April 1988 as an executive body and was given statutory powers on 30 January 1992 through the SEBI Act, 1992
• Headquarters : Mumbai, Maharashtra
• Chairman : Tuhin Kanta Pandey
• SEBI is the regulatory body for securities and commodity markets in India under the ownership of the Ministry of Finance (MoF), GoI.

Tata Capital Partners with Japan’s Resona Bank to Explore Business-Matching Opportunities in India

• Tata Capital Limited. signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Japan’s Resona Bank to explore business-matching opportunities and facilitate business introductions through Tata Capital’s extensive network in India.
• The non-exclusive partnership aims to combine Tata Capital’s knowledge of the Indian financial market with Resona Bank’s relationships with Japanese businesses.
• Under the collaboration, Resona Bank will leverage Tata Capital’s presence and financial-services expertise in India to support its Japanese customers exploring business opportunities or operating in the Indian market.
• The partnership is expected to facilitate business introductions, market access and financial support for Japanese companies seeking opportunities in India.
• The MoU follows Resona Bank’s USD 20 million commitment as a Limited Partner (LP) in Tata Capital Growth Fund III LP.
• Tata Capital Growth Fund III is a SEBI-registered Category II Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) managed by Tata Capital.
• Tata Capital is a diversified Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC).
• Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Tata Capital : Rajiv Sabharwal.

Citigroup and Axis Bank Join Hands to Leverage India’s Rising Dollar Deposits

• Citigroup partnered with Axis Bank to provide financing to Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) who invest in foreign-currency deposits with Axis Bank.
• Under the arrangement, Axis Bank will issue Standby Letters of Credit (SBLCs) to support financing provided by Citigroup through its offshore operations, allowing NRIs to leverage their deposits.
• The partnership is linked to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)’s concessional swap facility, introduced in June 2026 to attract foreign-currency deposits and strengthen India’s foreign-exchange reserves.
• The RBI facility allows Indian banks to issue SBLCs against eligible foreign-currency deposits, enabling overseas banks to provide financing against such deposits.
• The arrangement could potentially multiply foreign-exchange inflows from the Indian diaspora while helping the RBI strengthen forex reserves and reduce pressure on the Indian Rupee.
• Foreign-currency deposits mobilised under the RBI facility reached approximately USD 52.3 billion as of August 13, 2026, following strong inflows.
• Due to strong inflows, the RBI shortened the concessional swap window to the end of August 2026 from the earlier deadline of September 30, 2026.
• Axis Bank offers interest rates of up to 40% on Foreign Currency Non-Resident (FCNR) deposits, according to the information provided.
• Citigroup exited India’s retail banking business in 2022 by selling its consumer banking business to Axis Bank; the latest partnership does not represent Citigroup’s return to retail banking.
• The latest arrangement keeps Citigroup focused on institutional clients, with financing being provided through its offshore operations.

VinFast India Partners with Federal Bank to Enhance Dealer Financing Support

• VinFast India, the Indian subsidiary of Vietnamese electric vehicle manufacturer Vingroup JSC, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Federal Bank Limited to provide customised inventory financing solutions for VinFast’s Authorised Dealer (AD)
• The MoU was signed by Tapan Ghosh, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of VinFast Asia, and Kumkum Jain, Additional Senior Vice President (SVP) of Federal Bank Limited.
• Under the partnership, Federal Bank will provide customised inventory financing to help VinFast dealers optimise their working capital.
• The financing solutions will enable VinFast dealers to maintain adequate vehicle inventory and respond more efficiently to customer demand.
• The collaboration combines Federal Bank’s financial strength and nationwide reach with VinFast’s expanding dealer network in India.
• The partnership aims to build a stronger and more resilient retail and dealership ecosystem to support VinFast’s long-term growth in India’s electric vehicle (EV) market.
• The agreement reflects the growing importance of dealer financing and working-capital support in the rapidly expanding Indian EV industry.
• VinFast India is the Indian subsidiary of Vietnamese electric vehicle manufacturer Vingroup JSC.

About Federal Bank Limited :

• Founded : 1931 and provides retail and corporate banking services.
• Headquarters : Aluva, Kerala.

MakeMyTrip and Axis Bank Partner to Offer Exclusive Travel Discounts Through March 2027

• MakeMyTrip and Axis Bank partnered to provide exclusive travel discounts to Axis Bank credit card holders during selected long weekends and peak holiday periods from October 2026 to March 2027.
• Under the partnership, Axis Bank credit card holders booking through MakeMyTrip will receive a 10% instant discount on domestic flights, capped at ₹1,800.
• Customers can avail up to 15% discount on domestic hotel bookings, capped at ₹5,000.
• Holiday packages will receive an additional 5% instant discount, capped at ₹20,000, over and above existing MakeMyTrip offers.
• Similar benefits will be available on international flights and hotels, buses, cabs, tours and attractions.
• The programme covers eight long-weekend periods, beginning with Gandhi Jayanti (2–4 October 2026) and extending up to Good Friday (26–28 March 2027).
• Other major holiday periods covered include Dussehra, Diwali, Christmas, New Year, Republic Day and Holi.
• MakeMyTrip Limited is an Indian online travel company, headquartered in Gurgaon.

About Axis Bank :

• Headquarters : Mumbai, Maharashtra
• Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) : Amitabh Chaudhry

IDFC FIRST Bank and IIM Calcutta Innovation Park Launch IGNITE Programme to Support Sustainable Startups

• IDFC FIRST Bank partnered with IIM Calcutta Innovation Park (IIMCIP) to launch the pan-India IGNITE Programme to support startups developing sustainable business solutions.
• The IGNITE Programme will provide total financial and operational support of ₹2 crore, including a ₹1.36 crore direct startup grant corpus.
• A total of 16 early-stage startups from across India will be selected through a competitive evaluation process.
• The programme will focus on green manufacturing, waste recycling and upcycling, cleantech, renewable energy, water management, environmental technologies, and sustainable use of indigenous resources.
• Selected startups will undergo a structured incubation programme covering business diagnostics, expert mentoring, intensive bootcamps, networking opportunities, and industry ecosystem access.
• The top-performing startups will receive performance-linked grant support to scale up their operations and commercialise sustainable solutions.
• The initiative aims to promote circular-economy practices, divert landfill waste, improve operational capabilities, increase revenue growth, and create local employment opportunities.

About IDFC FIRST Bank :

• It is a private-sector bank headquartered in Mumbai
• Managing Director & CEO : Vaidyanathan.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : INTERNATIONAL NEWS

World Health Organization Confirms Closure of Poliovirus Type 2 Outbreaks in Five African Countries

• The World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Africa confirmed the closure of poliovirus type 2 outbreaks in Burundi, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Republic of the Congo and Uganda.
• The outbreak closures were confirmed following Independent Outbreak Response Assessments (OBRA) conducted between January and June 2026.
• The development marks progress towards polio eradication in Africa through stronger immunisation, disease surveillance, laboratory systems and community interventions.
• The Independent Outbreak Response Assessment (OBRA) reviewed surveillance systems, laboratory evidence, epidemiological data, population immunity and vaccination campaign performance.
• The affected countries strengthened routine immunisation, rapid detection, community participation and targeted vaccination campaigns to interrupt poliovirus transmission.
• Burundi strengthened its response following the March 2023 poliovirus outbreak.
• The Republic of the Congo recorded its last detection in December 2023, supporting the subsequent closure assessment.
• Uganda enhanced its outbreak response after poliovirus was detected in May 2024.
• Ghana strengthened its laboratory capacity as part of its efforts to improve outbreak detection and response.
• Guinea-Bissau reported no poliovirus detection since July 2021, representing a significant milestone in interrupting transmission.

 CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL AND STATE NEWS

Sports Authority of India Approves National Coach Accreditation Board to Strengthen India’s Coaching Ecosystem

• The Sports Authority of India (SAI) Governing Body approved the establishment of the National Coach Accreditation Board (NCAB) during its 63rd Governing Body meeting.
• The meeting was chaired by Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya.

Key Highlights

• NCAB has been established based on the recommendations of a Task Force led by badminton coach Pullela Gopichand.
• NCAB will be a key component of the revamped Khelo India Scheme and will provide a structured framework for coach accreditation, development and governance.
• The proposed NCAB will function as the apex authority for coaching standards, including:
• Setting coaching standards.
• Approving coaching pathways.
• Accrediting coaching institutions.
• Ensuring the long-term sustainability of India’s coaching ecosystem.
• The Gopichand-led Task Force highlighted that India’s existing coaching ecosystem is fragmented and inconsistent, with excessive dependence on individual efforts rather than institutional systems.
• The proposed NCAB is expected to include representatives such as the Indian Olympic Association President, Sports Secretary, a person of national eminence and an eminent academician with expertise in pedagogy and educational systems.
• Currently, coaching training in Olympic sports is primarily provided through diploma courses at the Netaji Subhash National Institute of Sports (NSNIS), Patiala.
• Talent Identification for the 2036 Olympics: Mansukh Mandaviya stressed the need to accelerate talent identification among children in the 5–15 years age group, keeping India’s ambition of hosting the 2036 Olympic Games in view.
• The talent identification process will have two stages:
• Identifying athletes performing well at district and State levels.
• Assessing their fitness, passion, dedication and potential to progress to higher levels.
• SAI plans to create a comprehensive talent repository that can feed athletes into sports schools and higher-level training systems.
• Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Model: Mandaviya called for greater use of the Public-Private Partnership model to expand India's sports training ecosystem.
• Under the proposed system, athletes identified through district and State-level talent hunts could be placed in suitable private or specialised academies for advanced training.
• The corporate sector has also been encouraged to contribute more actively to sports development through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.

About Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports:

• Cabinet Minister: Mansukh Mandaviya
• Constituency: Gujarat
• Ministers of State (MoS): Raksha Nikhil Khadse

Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan Inaugurates ‘MALHAR 2026’ to Promote Indian Classical Music Among Youth

• Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan inaugurated ‘MALHAR 2026’, a youth-centric, monsoon-themed celebration of Indian classical music, organised by Antar Hriday Connect in New Delhi.
• The initiative aims to provide young people opportunities to experience and engage with India’s rich classical music heritage, particularly through free classical music concerts.

Key Highlights

• Malhar is a family of Indian classical ragas traditionally associated with the monsoon season and is considered a symbol of renewal and rejuvenation.
• The Vice President highlighted that every region of India has its own musical traditions, sounds and styles, while music continues to serve as a strong cultural link connecting the country.
• He described India’s cultural diversity through the message: “Many musical traditions, one shared spirit; many voices, one Bharat.”
• He emphasised that Indian classical music is a living tradition because it has continuously evolved while retaining its civilisational roots.
• The Vice President urged the youth to become custodians and ambassadors of India’s civilisational heritage and promote Indian classical music and cultural traditions across the world.
• Music as Soft Power: He highlighted music as one of India’s important forms of soft power, capable of transcending language and geographical boundaries and promoting friendship, understanding and goodwill.
• The Vice President expressed hope that MALHAR would become a recurring annual musical celebration, returning every monsoon with wider participation and greater appreciation for Indian classical music.

Paradip Port Authority Inaugurates 7 Infrastructure Projects Worth ₹427.80 Crore and Signs ₹1,580.36 Crore Mechanisation Agreements

• Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated 7 major infrastructure projects worth ₹427.80 crore at Paradip Port Authority (PPA), Paradip, Odisha.
• The projects cover navigation, connectivity, safety, sustainability, residential infrastructure and community development, strengthening Paradip Port as a major maritime gateway of eastern India.
• 18.5-metre Deep-Draft Capability – ₹352 crore: Capital dredging will enable Paradip Port to handle fully laden Capesize vessels in its inner harbour, helping reduce vessel turnaround time and logistics costs.

Key Highlights

• Atharbanki Second New Bridge – ₹24.89 crore: The 500-metre, three-lane bridge across Atharbanki Creek includes footpaths and a dedicated pipeline corridor. It is expected to ease congestion on a route used by nearly 3,000 trucks daily.
• Sports Hostel – ₹2.10 crore: The facility will provide accommodation and other amenities for aspiring athletes, supporting youth development.
• Administrative Office Building Façade Upgrade – ₹12.18 crore: The redevelopment of the 1980s-era administrative building and surrounding area includes improved parking and circulation facilities. The work is being executed by NBCC (India) Limited.
• Piped Natural Gas (PNG) Supply – ₹20 crore: Developed in partnership with Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), the first phase will provide PNG connectivity to 546 residential quarters in Madhuban. It is expected to reduce household gas expenses by up to 40%.
• Advanced Vessel Traffic Management and Information System (VTMIS) – ₹15.50 crore: Developed with the National Technology Centre for Ports, Waterways and Coasts (NTCPWC) at Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras), the system uses Artificial Intelligence (AI), solid-state radar, Automatic Identification System (AIS), Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV), oil-spill monitoring and 3D visualisation.
• The VTMIS will monitor vessel movement up to 20 nautical miles from a modern Air Traffic Control (ATC)-style signal station.
• Sonowal planted the one-millionth tree at Paradip Port, marking a major milestone in its green-cover and plantation initiatives. The plantation drive was strengthened following the 1999 Super Cyclone, with nearly 1 lakh trees planted annually in recent years.
• Three Mechanisation Projects Worth ₹1,580.36 Crore: PPA signed concession agreements to achieve 100% berth mechanisation by 2030, compared with the current 80%.
• The three mechanisation projects are:
• 5 Million Tonnes Per Annum (MTPA) South Quay Mechanisation Project – ₹498.69 crore, awarded to Yogayatan Paradip SQB Terminal Private Limited on a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) basis.
• 8 MTPA Multipurpose Berth Mechanisation Project – ₹630.67 crore, awarded to Kalinga Bulk Terminal Paradip Private Limited on a BOT basis.
• 10 MTPA Captive CQ-III Mechanisation Project – ₹451 crore, awarded to AMNS Paradip Logistics Private Limited.
• The mechanisation projects are expected to ensure faster, safer and cleaner cargo handling, while reducing vessel turnaround time and logistics costs.
• Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Initiatives: During 2025–26, PPA supported skill-development programmes for 168 unemployed youth from Odisha through the Centre of Excellence in Maritime and Shipbuilding (CEMS), Visakhapatnam.
• PPA also supported the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) in skill-development programmes for fishing communities around Paradip Fishing Harbour, focusing on fish hygiene, responsible fishing, sustainable fisheries and alternative livelihoods.

About Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways:

• Cabinet Minister: Sarbananda Sonowal
• Constituency: Dibrugarh, Assam
• Ministers of State (MoS): Shantanu Thakur

About Odisha:

• Chief Minister: Mohan Charan Majhi
• Governor: Hari Babu Kambhampati
• Capital: Bhubaneswar
• National Parks: Simlipal National Park, Bhitarkanika National Park, Nandankanan National Park
• Wildlife Sanctuaries: Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary, Chilika Wildlife Sanctuary, Balukhand-Konark Wildlife Sanctuary, Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary, Gahirmatha Marine Wildlife Sanctuary, Satkosia Gorge Wildlife Sanctuary, Chandaka-Dampara Wildlife Sanctuary, Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary, Baisipalli Wildlife Sanctuary, Sunabeda Wildlife Sanctuary

RECENT NEWS

• The state of Odisha, HCL Technologies (HCLTech) unveiled its intention to set up an AI-optimised data centre and a global technology centre in Bhubaneswar. The project was developed in collaboration with Sarvam AI and the Odisha Government and is estimated to cost ₹15,000 crore

India Launches First Indigenous Non-GMO High-Expansion Popcorn Maize Hybrid Seed

• Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan launched India’s first indigenous non-Genetically Modified Organism (non-GMO) high-expansion popcorn maize hybrid seed at the Gourmet Popcornica facility in Musunuru, Eluru district, Andhra Pradesh.
• The new hybrid seed is expected to reduce India’s dependence on imported hybrid seed technology for high-quality popcorn maize and promote self-reliance in agriculture.

Key Highlights

• The indigenous seed can also support India’s potential to export popcorn products to global markets.
• The initiative was associated with Gourmet Popcornica, led by Pattabhi Rao, which has developed a major popcorn maize processing enterprise.
• More than 17,500 farmers across 8 states, cultivating nearly 40,000 acres, are currently part of the popcorn maize value chain.
• The Vice President highlighted the importance of making Indian agriculture technology-driven, innovative and profitable.
• He stressed that India, with a population of over 140 crore, should reduce dependence on imports for food security.
• Major Central Government initiatives highlighted for farmers included:
• Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN)
• Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)
• Kisan Credit Card (KCC)
• Namo Drone Didi
• Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu was appreciated for initiatives related to agriculture and rural development.
• The Vice President also supported efforts to improve irrigation facilities and the proposed linking of South Indian rivers.

About Andhra Pradesh:

• Chief Minister: Chandrababu Naidu
• Governor: S. Abdul Nazeer
• Capital: Amaravati
• National Parks: Papikonda National Park, Sri Venkateswara National Park, Rajiv Gandhi (Rameswaram) National Park
• Wildlife Sanctuaries: Coringa, Kolleru, Krishna, Kambalakonda, Rollapadu Wildlife Sanctuaries

 RECENT NEWS

• Andhra Pradesh State government gives its approval for establishing green artificial intelligence data centre in Visakhapatnam, where AM AI Factory Pvt Ltd will set up a 512 MW integrated AI data centre facility. 

India Reaffirms Commitment to Land Restoration and Bonn Challenge Targets at United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification 17th Conference of the Parties

• Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav stated that land restoration is a national priority for India, supporting sustainable land management, biodiversity conservation, climate action and rural development.
• He made the remarks at a side event organised by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) during the 17th Conference of the Parties (CoP17) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

Key Highlights

• India is among the major global pledgers to the Bonn Challenge, a global effort to restore degraded and deforested landscapes.
• India initially committed in 2015 to restore degraded and deforested land and subsequently enhanced its target to restore 26 million hectares by 2030.
• India has released its Second Progress Report on the Bonn Challenge, covering the period 2011–2020.
• During 2011–2020, India brought 21.76 million hectares under restoration.
• Restoration activities during this period generated approximately 1.22 billion person-days of employment, demonstrating the link between environmental restoration and rural livelihoods.
• The restoration assessment covers multiple land-use systems, including forests, agriculture, soil and water conservation, rather than focusing only on the total area restored.
• India is undertaking the next Bonn Challenge reporting cycle for 2021–2025 in collaboration with the ICFRE Centre of Excellence on Sustainable Land Management and IUCN.
• The 2021–2025 reporting cycle will focus on three major indicators:
• Area restored
• Financial flows
• Employment generated
• India is adopting a multi-sectoral and landscape-based approach to achieve its restoration targets.
• The Green India Mission is contributing to forest and tree cover enhancement, ecosystem services and climate resilience.
• The Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) is directing resources towards compensatory afforestation and allied restoration activities.
• The Nagar Van Yojana promotes urban forestry, urban greening and green spaces in urban and peri-urban areas.
• Restoration efforts are also supported through watershed development, agroforestry, soil and water conservation and community-based restoration.
• Beyond 2030, India aims to restore more land, improve the quality of restoration, strengthen financing and ensure measurable and lasting outcomes.

About Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change:

• Cabinet Minister: Bhupender Yadav
• Constituency: Rajasthan
• Ministers of State (MoS): Kirti Vardhan Singh

Tamil Nadu Announces Annapoorani Super Six Scheme for Domestic LPG Cylinder Reimbursement

• The Tamil Nadu Government announced the Annapoorani Super Six Scheme in the State Assembly on 24 August 2026 to provide reimbursement for domestic Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders to eligible families.
• The scheme is scheduled to be launched on Pongal Day in January 2027.

Key Highlights

• Under the scheme, beneficiaries will first purchase domestic LPG cylinders, after which the eligible amount will be reimbursed directly into their bank accounts through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanism.
• Eligibility: Families with an annual income below ₹2.5 lakh, middle farmers, marginal farmers and families of persons with disabilities.
• The estimated annual financial outlay for the scheme is ₹4,000 crore.
• The scheme is linked to Tamil Nadu’s broader public distribution and welfare framework and aims to reduce the household expenditure burden on cooking fuel.
• Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) is a commonly used domestic cooking fuel consisting mainly of propane and butane.
• The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), launched by the Central Government in 2016, is a major national scheme aimed at providing LPG connections to women from economically disadvantaged households.
• Tamil Nadu has also announced an expansion of the Vettri Payana Thittam, under which free bus travel for women and transgender persons will be extended to deluxe, express and mofussil buses from 2 October 2026.
• Mofussil buses are buses operating on long-distance routes between towns and districts.

About Tamil Nadu:

• Chief Minister: Joseph Vijay
• Governor: Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar (Additional Charge)
• Capital: Chennai
• National Parks: Guindy National Park, Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park, Indira Gandhi (Anamalai) National Park, Mudumalai National Park, Mukurthi National Park, Palani Hills National Park
• Wildlife Sanctuaries: Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary, Kalakad Wildlife Sanctuary, Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary, Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary, Sathyamangalam Wildlife Sanctuary, Srivilliputhur Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary, Pulicat Lake Wildlife Sanctuary, Megamalai Wildlife Sanctuary

RECENT NEWS

• The government of Tamil Nadu has made a major policy shift with respect to maternity leave, offering women government employees who have had their third baby leave for 365 days as compared to the earlier period of 12 weeks.

NITI Aayog Report: 8.7 Crore Indian Youth Aged 15–29 Are Not in Education, Employment or Training

• According to the NITI Aayog report titled “Reimagining Skilling for Viksit Bharat@2047”, an estimated 8.7 crore Indians aged 15–29 years are Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET).
• The estimate is based on data from the 78th Round of the National Sample Survey (NSS) conducted in 2021.

Key Highlights

• NEET youth refer to people aged 15–29 years who are not engaged in education, employment or training, including unemployed persons.
• NITI Aayog has divided India’s workforce and learners into five segments to identify segment-specific skilling requirements:
• School education
• Tertiary education
• Formal and informal employment
• Youth Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET)
• Women
• The report recommends affordable or subsidised skill training for NEET youth and women, along with targeted financial support wherever required.
• For workers and NEET youth, the focus should be on mid-career reskilling, self-employment opportunities, local-demand-based training and emerging sectors.
• The large NEET population highlights the gap between India’s young workforce and available education, employment and training opportunities.
• Only 8.25% of graduates are employed in jobs aligned with their educational qualifications, highlighting the mismatch between education and employment.
• Limited access to practical learning and industry-aligned training continues to affect the employability of formally educated youth.
• Students from low-income households may find additional paid skilling programmes difficult because of college expenses and private tuition costs.
• The report emphasises continuous learning, earning and career advancement as essential for achieving the Viksit Bharat@2047 vision.

National Conclave on Tribal Languages and Museums 2026 to be Held in Mysuru

• The Ministry of Tribal Affairs is organising a three-day National Conclave on Tribal Languages and Museums in Mysuru, Karnataka, from 25 to 27 August 2026.
• The conclave aims to promote the documentation, preservation and revitalisation of tribal languages and strengthen the network of tribal museums and tribal freedom fighter museums across India.
• The event will provide a platform for a national dialogue on tribal languages, traditional knowledge systems and cultural heritage.

Key Highlights

• The conclave will be inaugurated by Durgadas Uikey, Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs.
• The event supports the Viksit Bharat @2047 vision, particularly the objectives of preserving traditional knowledge systems and ensuring inclusive development without leaving any community behind.
• Karnataka Primers in tribal languages will be released during the inaugural session to support early education and language preservation among tribal communities.
• The Ministry of Tribal Affairs and the Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL) will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation in the preservation and promotion of tribal languages.
• A new chatbot will be launched to support access to information and resources related to tribal languages.
• The Adi Vaani platform will receive a major technological and content upgrade, including:
• Launch of a new iOS application.
• Addition of five new languages.
• Introduction of multiple new features.

About Karnataka:

• Chief Minister: K. Shivakumar
• Governor: Thawarchand Gehlot
• Capital: Bengaluru
• National Parks: Bandipur National Park, Bannerghatta National Park, Nagarhole (Rajiv Gandhi) National Park, Kudremukh National Park, Anshi (Kali) National Park
• Wildlife Sanctuaries: Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary, Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary, Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary, Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary, Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary, Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary, Sharavathi Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary, Talakaveri Wildlife Sanctuary, Ranebennur Blackbuck Wildlife Sanctuary

About Ministry of Tribal Affairs:

• Cabinet Minister: Jual Oram
• Constituency: Sundargarh, Odisha
• Ministers of State (MoS): Durgadas Uikey

RECENT NEWS

• The Karnataka Krushi Aranya Protsaha Yojane is a government initiative from Karnataka that aims to promote the practice of agroforestry among farmers whereby farmers cultivate seedlings and grow trees. The scheme has been initiated by the Karnataka Forest Department and it provides incentives to farmers for maintaining healthy forests for up to three years.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: AWARDS AND HONOURS

Kaziah Liz Mejo Crowned Miss Universe India 2026

• Kaziah Liz Mejo, a 19-year-old law student and model from Mavelikkara, Kerala, was crowned Miss Universe India 2026 at the grand finale held at Zee Studios, Jaipur, Rajasthan.
• She became the first woman from Kerala to win the Miss Universe India national title.
• Kaziah emerged victorious among 53 contestants and will represent India at the 75th Miss Universe pageant, scheduled to be held in Puerto Rico in November 2026.

Key Highlights

• Tamil Nadu’s Vaishnavi Gannesh was named First Runner-up and also won the Miss International India 2026 title.
• Gujarat’s Anushri Satavlekar secured the Second Runner-up position.
• Tejaswini Shrivastava and Anubha Vashist Chaudhary finished as the Third and Fourth Runner-up, respectively.
• Kaziah was crowned by Miss Universe India 2025 Manika Vishwakarma.
• The Miss Universe India 2026 jury was led by Sushmita Sen, India’s first Miss Universe winner, who won the international title in 1994.
• Other jury members included Celina Jaitly, Urvashi Rautela, Rhea Singha, film producer Pragya Kapoor, entrepreneur Visha Ladhia, Miss Charm 2025 Anna Blanco and dermatologist Dr Stuti Khare Shukla.
• Kaziah grew up in Abu Dhabi and studied at Emirates National School, St Joseph's School and Abu Dhabi Indian School.
• She has 12 years of training in classical dance and is also skilled in singing, drums and violin. She has acted in the Malayalam film Shylock.
• Before winning the national title, Kaziah represented India at Miss Teen International 2025, where she finished as the First Runner-up.
• Her interest in pageantry was inspired by Harnaaz Sandhu’s Miss Universe victory in 2021.
• India’s Miss Universe winners:
• Sushmita Sen – 1994
• Lara Dutta – 2000
• Harnaaz Sandhu – 2021

CURRENT AFFAIRS: MOUS AND AGREEMENT

Chhattisgarh Signs Memorandums of Understanding to Strengthen PM GatiShakti-Based Infrastructure Planning

• Chhattisgarh Government signed two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with the Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geo-informatics (BISAG-N) and National Logistics Data Services Limited (NLDSL) in Raipur.
• The MoUs aim to strengthen geospatial technology, logistics data integration and technology-driven infrastructure planning under the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan.

Key Highlights

• PM GatiShakti National Master Plan was launched by the Government of India in 2021 to promote integrated and coordinated multimodal infrastructure planning.
• The platform uses Geographic Information System (GIS)-based data layers for coordinated planning across sectors such as roads, railways, ports, airports and utilities.
• Chhattisgarh has integrated more than 35 state departments into the PM GatiShakti platform and mapped 41 mandatory data layers along with 600+ additional data layers.
• The state has developed 45 practical use cases and 30 analytical tools under the platform for data-driven administrative planning and infrastructure coordination.
• GIS-based applications in Chhattisgarh include identifying road accident black spots, villages without banking services and bus routes under the Mukhyamantri Gramin Parivahan Yojana.
• The new digital infrastructure will also support the development of logistics and cargo aggregation hubs in the Raipur–Bhilai–Durg industrial belt.
• The MoUs were signed during the PM GatiShakti and Logistics Ease Across Different States (LEADS) 2025 Dissemination Workshop held in Raipur.
• BISAG-N: Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geo-informatics — works in geospatial technology, remote sensing and digital mapping.
• NLDSL: National Logistics Data Services Limited — focuses on logistics data integration and digital analytics for supply-chain planning.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: RANKING AND ORDERS

India’s Sugar and Sugarcane Production: Top Producing States – 2026

• India is the world’s second-largest sugar producer, after Brazil, with sugar production of around 30.6 million tonnes as cited in the provided data.
• Maharashtra is identified as the largest sugar-producing state in 2026, with around 9.92 million tonnes (99.20 Lakh Metric Tonnes) of sugar.
• Uttar Pradesh ranks second in sugar production, with around 8.92 million tonnes.

Key Highlights

• Maharashtra’s high sugar production is supported by its large number of sugar mills, favourable climatic conditions and high sugar recovery rates.
• The major sugar-producing states in 2026 are:
• 1st – Maharashtra
• 2nd – Uttar Pradesh
• 3rd – Karnataka
• 4th – Tamil Nadu
• 5th – Gujarat
• Major sugarcane-growing regions include Western Maharashtra and Marathwada, Ganga-Yamuna Doab and Terai, Belagavi, Bagalkot and Mandya, Cauvery Delta, Coimbatore and Salem, and Surat, Navsari and Saurashtra, respectively.
• Sugar production refers to the refined sugar obtained from sugarcane through extraction and processing. Production depends on factors such as sugarcane yield and mill recovery rate.
• Sugarcane is a major cash crop in India and is used to produce sugar, jaggery, molasses and ethanol.
• Sugarcane grows well in tropical and subtropical climatic conditions, with adequate sunlight, water and suitable fertile soil.
• Important distinction for exams: Sugarcane production and sugar production are different indicators. The state leading in sugarcane production need not be the state leading in sugar production.
• According to the 2024–25 sugarcane production data provided, India produced 454,610.98 thousand tonnes of sugarcane.

• Other major sugarcane-producing states are Bihar, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana.
• Uttar Pradesh: Major sugarcane-growing areas include the Ganga-Yamuna plains and Terai region.
• Maharashtra: Major producing areas include Western Maharashtra and the Deccan region; districts such as Satara, Pune and Ahmednagar are important.
• Karnataka: Important sugarcane-growing areas include Belagavi, Bagalkot and Mandya.
• Gujarat: Major areas include Surat, Navsari, Bharuch and Vadodara.
• Tamil Nadu: Important sugarcane-growing regions include Erode, Coimbatore, Thanjavur and the Cauvery region.
• Bihar: Major sugarcane-producing areas include East Champaran, West Champaran and Saran.
• Uttarakhand: Haridwar is an important sugarcane-producing district.
• Punjab: Jalandhar and Ludhiana are important sugarcane-growing areas.
• Madhya Pradesh: Narsinghpur is a major sugarcane-producing district and is popularly known as the “Sugar Bowl of Madhya Pradesh.”
• Haryana: Important sugarcane-producing areas include Karnal, Sonipat and Rohtak.

Mumbai Ranks 50th in International Workplace Group’s 2026 Work from Anywhere Index

• Mumbai became the only Indian city included in the fourth annual International Workplace Group (IWG) Work from Anywhere Index 2026.
• Mumbai secured 50th position globally with a score of 77 points, ranking ahead of London and Miami.
• The Work from Anywhere Index evaluates cities on climate, broadband speed, accommodation, transport, food, culture and flexible workspace availability.

Key Highlights

• Mumbai performed strongly in transport affordability, flexible/co-working workspace availability, climate and accommodation.
• Mumbai recorded relatively lower scores in broadband speed and quality, availability of local events and happiness index.
• Bangkok, Thailand topped the 2026 index with 106.5 points.
• Tokyo, Japan ranked 2nd with 96.5 points, while Barcelona, Spain ranked 3rd with 95.5 points.
• The remaining cities in the Top 10 were Porto, Vancouver, Budapest, Naples, Medellin, Lisbon and Seoul.
• According to Cushman & Wakefield’s Global Trends in Flexible Office 2025 report, India scored 100 on the Flexible Workspace Maturity Index, ahead of the United Kingdom (98), France (97) and United States (81).
• India was the largest flexible office market in the Asia-Pacific region, with 79.7 million square feet of flexible workspace stock across its top eight cities as of Q2 2025.
• India’s flexible office stock is expected to cross 100 million square feet in 2026.
• The growing popularity of Work From Anywhere (WFA) policies is increasingly combining remote working and travel, leading to the rise of “workcations”.
• An IWG survey found that 51% of workers surveyed said their employers already offered a Work From Anywhere policy.
• 90% of respondents said WFA had improved their work-life balance, while 80% said it had improved their productivity.
• 62% of respondents said they would consider changing jobs for a better Work From Anywhere policy.
• 48% of respondents planned to extend a holiday or mini-break by working remotely during 2026.
• 46% said they were more likely to combine work and holidays in 2026 than in the previous year.
• 43% said they had already worked remotely from a holiday destination without taking annual leave.
• The survey covered 2,000 hybrid office workers in the United Kingdom and the United States, conducted between 6 and 9 July 2026; therefore, the findings do not specifically represent Indian workers.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Government Names Three Part-Time Non-Official Directors to Reserve Bank of India Central Board

• The Government of India (GoI) appointed Annie George Mathew, Janmejaya Kumar Sinha, and Syed Akbaruddin as part-time, non-official Directors on the Central Board of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for a four-year term.
• The appointments were approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) on 22 August 2026, based on a proposal from the Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance (MoF).
• The appointments were made under Section 8(1)(c) of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934.
• The three appointments are effective from 24 August 2026 and will be for a four-year term.
• With these appointments, the strength of the RBI Central Board increased from 11 to 14 members.
• The appointments bring expertise in public finance, economics, financial-sector reforms, corporate strategy, international diplomacy and foreign affairs to the RBI Central Board.
• Annie George Mathew is an officer of the Indian Audit and Accounts Service (IA&AS) and is currently a full-time member of the Sixteenth Finance Commission (16th FC).
• Annie George Mathew is a former Special Secretary (Expenditure), Ministry of Finance, with more than 34 years of experience in public finance, government audit and accounts, procurement and financial management.
• Janmejaya Kumar Sinha is the Chairman for India of Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and is also a member of the Henderson Institute Innovation Sounding Board.
• Janmejaya Kumar Sinha has expertise in economics, financial-sector reforms and economic transformation.
• Syed Akbaruddin is a former Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations (UN) and former spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
• Syed Akbaruddin, aged 66, has expertise in international diplomacy and foreign affairs and is associated with the Kautilya School of Public Policy in Hyderabad.
• The appointments follow the recent appointment of former ISRO Chairman Somanath and the reappointment of Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra as part-time, non-official Directors on the RBI Central Board.

About RBI :

• Established: 1 April 1935 under the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934, and serves as India’s central bank.
• Nationalised: 1 January 1949
• Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra
• Governor: Sanjay Malhotra (26th Governor)
• Deputy Governors: Rohit Jain, Shirish Chandra Murmu, Swaminathan Janakiraman, Poonam Gupta
• Wholly Owned by RBI:
• BRBNMPL – Bharatiya Reserve Bank Note Mudran Private Limited
• DICGC – Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation
• ReBIT – Reserve Bank Information Technology Private Limited
• RBIH – Reserve Bank Innovation Hub
• Promoted by RBI (Now Government-owned):
• NABARD – National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development
• NHB – National Housing Bank

Fino Payments Bank Extends Ketan Merchant’s Tenure as Interim Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer by Three Months

• Fino Payments Bank (FPB) Board of Directors approved a three-month extension of Ketan Merchant’s tenure as Interim Managing Director (MD) & Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective from August 27, 2026.
• The extension was approved on August 24, 2026, based on the recommendation of the bank’s Nomination & Remuneration Committee (NRC) and is subject to approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
• During the extended tenure, Ketan Merchant will continue as Key Managerial Personnel (KMP) and Senior Managerial Personnel (SMP) of Fino Payments Bank.
• Ketan Merchant has been serving as the Interim CEO of Fino Payments Bank since February 27, 2026, after the departure of former MD & CEO Rishi Gupta.
• Ketan Merchant joined Fino Payments Bank in 2018 and has more than 27 years of banking experience, particularly in finance and balance-sheet management.
• Before joining Fino Payments Bank, Merchant worked with HSBC, Standard Chartered, and Barclays Group in areas including retail banking and balance-sheet management.
• Merchant played a key role in Fino Payments Bank’s listing in 2021 and has been involved in developing the bank’s business model since its formative years.
• Under Merchant’s leadership, Fino Payments Bank adopted the three-pronged DDD strategy — Data, Distribution and Digital — under its Fino 2.0 vision.
• Fino Payments Bank Limited is headquartered in Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, and is a technology-driven scheduled commercial bank.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : DEFENCE NEWS

Defence Research and Development Organisation’s Naval Science & Technological Laboratory Signs Two Technology Transfer Agreements to Strengthen Indigenous Defence Production

• The Naval Science & Technological Laboratory (NSTL), a laboratory of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) located in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, signed two Licensing Agreements for Transfer of Technology (LAToT) to strengthen indigenous defence manufacturing.
• The first LAToT covers the transfer of Submarine Fired Decoy (SFD) ‘Mohini’ technology to Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL).
• The second agreement covers the technology for fabrication, installation and commissioning of the LM2500 Gas Turbine, which has been transferred to Vertex Engineering Systems Private Limited, Hyderabad, Telangana.
• Licensing Agreements for Transfer of Technology (LAToT) are formal agreements through which DRDO transfers its developed technologies to Indian industries for manufacturing, fabrication, installation and commissioning.
• The transfer of SFD ‘Mohini’ technology to BDL will support the indigenous production of defence systems for submarine applications.
• The transfer of LM2500 Gas Turbine technology will strengthen domestic capabilities in the fabrication, installation and commissioning of gas-turbine systems.
• The agreements aim to bridge the gap between DRDO laboratory-level technology development and industrial-scale production.
• The initiative promotes greater participation of Indian industries and the private sector in defence manufacturing and supports the Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision.
• The agreements were signed in the presence of Vice Admiral Sanjay Bhalla, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief (FOC-in-C), Eastern Naval Command (ENC).
• R. Balamuralikrishnan, Director General (Naval & Strategic Systems), DRDO, and Dr. Abraham Varughese, Director, NSTL, were also present.

About DRDO :

• Formed : 1 January 1958
• Headquarters : New Delhi, Delhi, India
• Chairman : Rajesh Kumar Singh
• Motto : "Strength's Origin is in Science"

CURRENT AFFAIRS : SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

French European Space Agency Astronaut Sophie Adenot Becomes First French Woman to Conduct Spacewalk

• Sophie Adenot, an astronaut of the European Space Agency (ESA) from France, became the first French woman to conduct a spacewalk.
• She carried out the spacewalk aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as part of a mission to repair a communications system.
• Sophie Adenot also became the second European woman to perform a spacewalk, after Italian astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti, who conducted a spacewalk in 2022.
• The spacewalk was conducted under the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Extravehicular Activity (EVA)
• The EVA lasted 6 hours and 23 minutes.
• During the mission, Sophie Adenot and American astronaut Anil Menon were tasked with replacing a Space-to-Ground Antenna (SGANT) on the ISS.
• The SGANT is used to connect the International Space Station with mission control in Houston, Texas, USA.
• The mission highlighted international cooperation involving astronauts and space agencies from Europe, France and the United States.
• In February 2026, Sophie Adenot became the second French woman to travel into space, following Claudie Haigneré.
• Claudie Haigneré travelled into space in 1996 and 2001, but she did not perform a spacewalk (EVA) during her missions.

National Skill Development Corporation and Cultus Education Launch Nationwide Cloud and Artificial Intelligence Skilling Initiative with Amazon Web Services

• The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and Cultus Education launched a nationwide Cloud and Artificial Intelligence (AI) Skilling Initiative in collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS).
• The initiative aims to provide foundational AI and cloud literacy to 5 lakh learners across India.
• The programme will provide job-ready cloud training to 10,000 participants through the AWS re/Start programme.
• The training framework includes instructor-led training, hands-on labs, real-world scenario-based learning and professional mentorship.
• The key training areas include cloud infrastructure, networking, cybersecurity, programming, relational databases and AI fundamentals.
• The programme will be delivered 100% online through Cultus Education, which is the NSDC-selected delivery partner.
• The initiative will enable learners from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities across all States and Union Territories (UTs) to access cloud and AI training.
• Underserved communities will receive priority under the skilling initiative to promote inclusive access to digital skills.
• Participants will receive AWS Certification, along with interview opportunities and industry connections to improve their employment prospects.
• The programme will conclude with a National Hackathon, providing participants an opportunity to demonstrate their cloud and AI skills.

About NSDC :

• Established : 31 July 2008 and is a Public-Private Partnership (PPP)
• Headquarters : New Delhi, Delhi.

Recent News :

• In Aug 2026, The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and AVPL International entered into a strategic collaboration to establish 350 Advanced Skill Centres (ASCs) for Drone Technology across India over the next three years.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : SUMMITS & CONFERENCES

Union Minister of State Anupriya Patel Addresses IIMA Healthcare Summit 2026 on Advancing AI in Healthcare

• Union Minister of State (MoS) Anupriya Patel, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) and Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers (MoCF), addressed the 3rd IIM Ahmedabad Healthcare Summit 2026 in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
• The theme of the 3rd IIM Ahmedabad Healthcare Summit 2026 was “Advancing AI in Healthcare”.
• The summit focused on transforming India from the “Pharmacy of the World” into the “Laboratory of the World” through research, innovation and Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven healthcare.
• AI in healthcare can support drug discovery, personalised treatment, disease surveillance and clinical decision-making through safe and human-centred adoption.
• Centres of Excellence (CoEs) for AI in healthcare have been established at AIIMS New Delhi, PGIMER Chandigarh and AIIMS Rishikesh.
• The summit launched India Pharma Archives, a digital initiative of the Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA) in collaboration with IIMA Archives.
• A book documenting India’s COVID-19 vaccine development journey was also released during the summit.
• The ₹5,000 crore Promotion of Research and Innovation in Pharma-MedTech Sector (PRIP) Scheme promotes research and innovation in the pharmaceutical and medical technology sectors.
• The ₹10,000 crore Biopharma SHAKTI Mission, along with the National Biopharma Mission and IndiaAI Mission, aims to strengthen biologics, biosimilars, clinical capabilities and AI-based innovation.
• The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) has developed a nationwide digital health ecosystem with more than 96 crore Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) IDs and 1,000 crore health records.
• AI-enabled Sanjeevani has benefited more than 20 crore patients, highlighting the growing role of AI and digital technologies in healthcare delivery.

About Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers :

• Cabinet Minister : Jagat Prakash Nadda
• Minister of State : Anupriya Patel

CURRENT AFFAIRS : APPS & PORTALS

e-Shram Portal Completes Five Years of Strengthening Social Security for Unorganised Workers

• The e-Shram Portal, launched by the Ministry of Labour and Employment on 26 August 2021, completed five years on 26 August 2026, marking a major milestone in strengthening social security for India’s unorganised workforce.
• The e-Shram Portal created India’s first Aadhaar-authenticated National Database of Unorganised Workers (NDUW).
• The portal was developed by the National Informatics Centre (NIC) and provides every registered worker with a unique 12-digit Universal Account Number (UAN).

Key Highlights :

• The main objectives of e-Shram include improving social security delivery, enabling welfare-scheme convergence, facilitating benefit portability, and supporting evidence-based policymaking.
• The portal supports workers such as agricultural labourers, construction workers, domestic workers, migrant workers, street vendors, gig workers and platform workers.
• An unorganised worker includes a home-based worker, self-employed worker or wage worker in the unorganised sector, as well as certain organised-sector workers who are not members of ESIC, EPFO or government employees.
• The e-Shram One-Stop Solution was launched on 21 October 2024, transforming the portal from a worker registry into a unified service delivery platform.
• The One-Stop Solution integrates welfare, employment, skilling and pension services on a single digital platform.
• The e-Shram One-Stop Solution brings together 15 Social Security and Welfare Schemes, including PM-SYM, PMSBY, PMJJBY, NSAP, ONORC and PMAY-G.
• Under Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY), eligible workers can receive ₹2 lakh for accidental death or permanent disability and ₹1 lakh for partial disability.
• Under Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY), eligible beneficiaries receive ₹2 lakh life insurance cover in case of death due to any cause.
• e-Shram connects workers with the National Career Service (NCS) for employment opportunities and the Skill India Digital Hub for skilling and apprenticeship opportunities.
• Workers can use myScheme through the platform to identify government schemes for which they may be eligible.
• Eligible workers can enrol in Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-Dhan (PM-SYM), which provides a minimum assured pension of ₹3,000 per month after attaining 60 years, subject to eligibility.
• The portal introduced multilingual functionality in 22 languages in 2025, powered by the Bhashini platform.
• e-Shram includes a facility to capture family details of migrant workers and share construction workers’ data with States and Union Territories for registration with Building and Other Construction Workers (BOCW) Boards.
• The portal also facilitates the identification and registration of gig and platform workers in the national database, with around 5 lakh platform workers registered.
• e-Shram registration is a simple, accessible and one-time process and is available to eligible workers free of cost.
• Workers aged 16 years and above engaged in the unorganised sector are eligible to register, provided they are not income-tax payers and are not members of EPFO or ESIC.
• Registration can be completed through the e-Shram Portal, the nearest Common Service Centre (CSC) or State Seva Kendra, with assistance also provided by State Government field officers.
• The main requirements for registration are an Aadhaar number for e-KYC and a mobile number, preferably linked with Aadhaar.
• As of 18 August 2026, the e-Shram Portal had recorded 89 crore registrations, demonstrating its extensive coverage of India’s unorganised workforce.
• Among registered workers, women account for 54.28%, while men account for 45.72%.
• In the age distribution, 21% of registered workers are aged 18–40 years, 24.18% are aged 40–50 years, 20.53% are above 50 years, and 0.08% are aged 16–18 years.
• The major occupational categories with high registrations include Agriculture, Domestic and Household Workers, Construction and Apparel.
• The States with the highest e-Shram registrations are Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.
• Common Service Centres (CSCs) account for the largest share of registrations, followed by self-registration.

 CURRENT AFFAIRS: IMPORTANT DAYS

International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief 2026 – 22 August

• The United Nations (UN) observes the International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief every year on 22 August.
• The day aims to condemn violence, terrorism and persecution targeting individuals because of their religion or belief and to honour the victims of such acts.
• United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted Resolution A/RES/73/296 on 28 May 2019, officially designating 22 August as the International Day.

Key Highlights

• The first observance of the International Day was held on 22 August 2019.
• The resolution calls for:
• Support and assistance to victims of religion- or belief-based violence.
• Promotion of interfaith and intercultural dialogue.
• Strengthening human rights education to combat intolerance and hate crimes.
• Protection of the rights of religious minorities.
• Recognition of the responsibility of States to protect individuals from violence and discrimination based on religion or belief.

Daily CA One- Liner: August 26

• The Sports Authority of India (SAI) Governing Body approved the establishment of the National Coach Accreditation Board (NCAB) during its 63rd Governing Body meeting
• Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan inaugurated ‘MALHAR 2026’, a youth-centric, monsoon-themed celebration of Indian classical music, organised by Antar Hriday Connect in New Delhi
• Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated 7 major infrastructure projects worth ₹427.80 crore at Paradip Port Authority (PPA), Paradip, Odisha
• Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan launched India’s first indigenous non-Genetically Modified Organism (non-GMO) high-expansion popcorn maize hybrid seed at the Gourmet Popcornica facility in Musunuru, Eluru district, Andhra Pradesh
• Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav stated that land restoration is a national priority for India, supporting sustainable land management, biodiversity conservation, climate action and rural development
• The Tamil Nadu Government announced the Annapoorani Super Six Scheme in the State Assembly on 24 August 2026 to provide reimbursement for domestic Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders to eligible families
• According to the NITI Aayog report titled “Reimagining Skilling for Viksit Bharat@2047”, an estimated 7 crore Indians aged 15–29 years are Not in Education, Employment or Training
• The Ministry of Tribal Affairs is organising a three-day National Conclave on Tribal Languages and Museums in Mysuru, Karnataka, from 25 to 27 August 2026
• Kaziah Liz Mejo, a 19-year-old law student and model from Mavelikkara, Kerala, was crowned Miss Universe India 2026 at the grand finale held at Zee Studios, Jaipur, Rajasthan
• Chhattisgarh Government signed two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with the Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geo-informatics (BISAG-N) and National Logistics Data Services Limited (NLDSL) in Raipur
• India is the world’s second-largest sugar producer, after Brazil, with sugar production of around 6 million tonnes as cited in the provided data
• Mumbai became the only Indian city included in the fourth annual International Workplace Group (IWG) Work from Anywhere Index 2026
• The United Nations (UN) observes the International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief every year on 22 August
• The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) introduced the Information Technology Resilience Index (ITRI) framework to assess and strengthen the resilience of critical IT systems used by Market Infrastructure Institutions (MIIs).
• Tata Capital Limited. signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Japan’s Resona Bank to explore business-matching opportunities and facilitate business introductions through Tata Capital’s extensive network in India.
• Citigroup partnered with Axis Bank to provide financing to Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) who invest in foreign-currency deposits with Axis Bank.
• VinFast India, the Indian subsidiary of Vietnamese electric vehicle manufacturer Vingroup JSC, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Federal Bank Limited to provide customised inventory financing solutions for VinFast’s Authorised Dealer (AD)
• MakeMyTrip and Axis Bank partnered to provide exclusive travel discounts to Axis Bank credit card holders during selected long weekends and peak holiday periods from October 2026 to March 2027.
• IDFC FIRST Bank partnered with IIM Calcutta Innovation Park (IIMCIP) to launch the pan-India IGNITE Programme to support startups developing sustainable business solutions.
• The World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Africa confirmed the closure of poliovirus type 2 outbreaks in Burundi, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Republic of the Congo and Uganda.
• The Government of India (GoI) appointed Annie George Mathew, Janmejaya Kumar Sinha, and Syed Akbaruddin as part-time, non-official Directors on the Central Board of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for a four-year term.
• Fino Payments Bank (FPB) Board of Directors approved a three-month extension of Ketan Merchant’s tenure as Interim Managing Director (MD) & Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective from August 27, 2026.
• The Naval Science & Technological Laboratory (NSTL), a laboratory of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) located in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, signed two Licensing Agreements for Transfer of Technology (LAToT) to strengthen indigenous defence manufacturing.
• Sophie Adenot, an astronaut of the European Space Agency (ESA) from France, became the first French woman to conduct a spacewalk.
• The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and Cultus Education launched a nationwide Cloud and Artificial Intelligence (AI) Skilling Initiative in collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS).
• Union Minister of State (MoS) Anupriya Patel, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) and Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers (MoCF), addressed the 3rd IIM Ahmedabad Healthcare Summit 2026 in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
• The e-Shram Portal, launched by the Ministry of Labour and Employment on 26 August 2021, completed five years on 26 August 2026, marking a major milestone in strengthening social security for India’s unorganised workforce.