Updates on 8 August 2026
All of August 2026 →Maharashtra Launches Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Shetkari Karj-Mafi Yojana for Farm Loan Waiver
On 7 August 2026, Maharashtra initiated direct cash transfers under the Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Shetkari Karj-Mafi Yojana, providing loan waivers for over 6.2 lakh eligible farmers. The scheme focuses on waiver of short-term crop loans up to ₹2 lakh taken between 1 April 2019 and 31 March 2025. Regular borrowers who did not default are eligible for incentives up to ₹50,000. Around 18-19 lakh accounts were initially scrutinized, with about 12 lakh returned to banks for data verification due to discrepancies. Exclusions include 94,000 income tax payers and around 1.40 lakh farmers with administrative or technical issues. Government and local body employees, along with more than 2,000 public representatives, are also excluded.
Abelardo de la Espriella Inaugurated as 36th President of Colombia
Abelardo de la Espriella was sworn in on 7 August 2026 as the 36th President of Colombia after winning a closely contested runoff election on 21 June 2026 with 12,960,166 votes, or 49.66% of the total, narrowly defeating Iván Cepeda who garnered 48.70%. The inauguration took place at the USC Arena of Santiago de Cali University in Cali, marking a departure from the tradition of holding it in Bogotá. De la Espriella announced a hardline approach against drug trafficking, proposed a reduction of the state by up to 40%, and declared peace talks with armed groups exhausted. Post-inauguration, the United States pledged $1 billion in security assistance to Colombia. His election marked the end of Colombia's first left-wing national government and the beginning of a right-wing administration.
Bengaluru Police Launch Operation Mukta to Identify Illegal Immigrants
On 8 August 2026, Bengaluru City Police initiated Operation Mukta to identify and track illegal immigrants, especially suspected Bangladeshi nationals, residing unlawfully in key city areas such as Whitefield and Electronic City. Over 500 police personnel conducted early morning raids across more than 30 locations, focusing on migrant sheds and verifying identity documents such as Aadhaar and Voter ID cards. About 40 suspects were detained for document and background verification, with 4 confirmed as illegal Bangladeshi nationals. The operation was conducted under the direction of the Bengaluru Police Commissioner, with coordination planned with the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) to facilitate legal deportation orders under the Foreigners Act, 1946.
10th India International Footwear Fair 2026 Held in New Delhi
The 10th edition of the India International Footwear Fair (IIFF) was held from 6 to 8 August 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. Organized by the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in association with the Confederation of Indian Footwear Industries (CIFI), this three-day B2B exhibition showcased India's footwear manufacturing capabilities and global trade opportunities. India’s footwear sector employs about 4.5 million people and accounts for approximately 12–13% of global footwear production, with a modest share of about 2% in global footwear exports. The event highlighted the government's Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme which supports capacity building, investment, and export-oriented production in the footwear sector. A dedicated session titled “Bihar: The Next Frontier of Global Footwear Manufacturing” discussed investment proposals worth ₹6 crore expected to generate 1,800 jobs in Bihar's footwear and leather sector.
Odisha Secures ₹43,437 Crore Investment in Food Processing Sector in 2026
On 7 August 2026, Odisha held its inaugural sector-specific food processing investment roadshow, 'Odisha Food Pro-2026,' in New Delhi. The event attracted investment proposals totaling ₹43,437 crore, comprising 27 signed MoUs worth ₹41,748 crore and 12 Investment Intent Forms worth ₹1,689 crore. These proposals are estimated to generate approximately 43,316 direct and indirect jobs. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced a five-pillar strategic roadmap focusing on specialised food clusters, integrated cold-chain networks, food quality certification, MSME and women Self-Help Group integration, and workforce skill development. The initiative aims to transform Odisha's agricultural and marine resource base into a globally competitive food processing ecosystem.
Karnataka Digital Economy Mission & GoodWorks Group Partner to Boost GCC Investment in Karnataka
On 6 August 2026, the Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with GoodWorks Group to accelerate the growth of Global Capability Centres (GCCs) in Karnataka. The partnership targets over ₹5,000 crore in fresh investments and aims to establish 50 new GCCs in the state. This initiative is projected to generate more than 62,500 direct and indirect jobs and create ₹2,250 crore in annual salaries, significantly strengthening Karnataka's position as a preferred destination for multinational corporations' technology and operations hubs.
Ashish Yadav Wins Silver in Men's Javelin at 2026 World Athletics U20 Championships
Indian athlete Ashish Yadav won the silver medal in the men's javelin throw at the 2026 World Athletics U20 Championships held in Eugene, Oregon. His best throw was 74.09 metres, securing India's second-ever medal in this event at the U20 level.
Astrobase Unveils India's First Private 800 kN Full-Flow Staged Combustion Rocket Engine 'EVEREST'
On 7 August 2026, Bengaluru-based startup Astrobase Space Technologies unveiled EVEREST, India's first privately developed 80-tonne-class Full-Flow Staged Combustion (FFSC) rocket engine. Fueled by liquid oxygen (LOX) and liquid methane, EVEREST produces 800 kilonewtons of thrust and achieves a specific impulse of about 340 seconds. Designed for reusable medium-lift launch vehicles, the engine supports thrust throttling from 50% to 110%, crucial for controlled ascent and recovery phases. Supported by IN-SPACe’s Technology Adoption Fund, EVEREST places India among the few nations developing this advanced propulsion technology, signaling a significant boost to the indigenous private space launch ecosystem.
HAL Airport Bengaluru Becomes First in India to Operationalise RNP CAT H Satellite-Guided Helicopter Approach
On August 7, 2026, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Airport in Bengaluru became the first airport in India to operationalise the Required Navigation Performance – Category H (RNP CAT H) satellite-guided helicopter approach procedure. Developed by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and validated by HAL test pilots, this precision navigation system enables helicopters to follow optimised, highly accurate flight paths, significantly reducing approach time and enhancing safety and efficiency in rotorcraft operations.
PM Modi Inaugurates 'Param Pragya' AI-Powered Supercomputing Facility at IIT Delhi
On 8 August 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated 'Param Pragya', a high-performance AI-powered supercomputing facility at the Sonipat Campus of IIT Delhi. The facility aims to bolster research in artificial intelligence, data science, advanced computing, and interdisciplinary domains. The inauguration coincided with the 57th Convocation ceremony of IIT Delhi, where over 3,000 students graduated, including 587 doctoral scholars. The event also marked the conferral of prestigious academic awards such as the President’s Gold Medal and the Shankar Dayal Sharma Gold Medal.
India Bans New Renewable Energy Projects Near International Borders for Security Reasons
On August 8, 2026, India's Ministry of Home Affairs issued stringent national security guidelines banning new solar, wind, and hybrid renewable energy projects within 1 km of the International Border (IB), Line of Control (LoC), and Line of Actual Control (LAC). Projects up to 50 km from these borders require security clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), and those within 20 km also need a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Ministry of Defence. The rules also restrict employment of staff from Pakistan, China, and Bangladesh without prior government permission, prohibit land transfer to foreign companies without clearance, and mandate installation of anti-drone systems. Existing projects with prior clearance are exempted. This policy aims to balance India's renewable energy goals with national security imperatives in sensitive border areas spanning Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.
India Observes 12th National Handloom Day on 7 August 2026
India observed the 12th National Handloom Day on 7 August 2026, commemorating the Swadeshi Movement launched on the same date in 1905. The day honors the weaving community and celebrates the cultural and economic significance of the handloom sector, which employs over 35.22 lakh workers, with women comprising over 72% of them. The government conferred 22 awards to outstanding weavers, released commemorative stamps, and highlighted initiatives like the e-Pehchan portal, which provides digital identity cards to registered weavers, enhancing their recognition and access to benefits.
Coal India Enters Iron Ore Mining by Securing Odisha's Gadadharpur Iron Ore Block
On 6 August 2026, Coal India Limited (CIL), a Maharatna public sector enterprise under the Ministry of Coal, became the preferred bidder for the Gadadharpur Iron Ore Block located in Keonjhar district, Odisha. This marks CIL's first asset in iron ore mining, gained through a competitive auction conducted by the Government of Odisha with a bid premium of 114.05% over the value of minerals dispatched. The block spans 265.05 hectares and has estimated resources between 258 and 288 million tonnes of iron ore at the G3 exploration stage. CIL is required to complete statutory clearances within one year and execute the mining lease deed within three years. This move aligns with the government's aim to increase domestic iron ore production to support India's target of 300 million tonnes of steelmaking capacity by 2030 and represents a diversification strategy by Coal India beyond coal mining.
France Proposes 114 Rafale Fighter Jets to India in ₹3.25 Lakh Crore Deal
On 29 July 2026, France submitted a government-to-government proposal to India to supply 114 Rafale multirole fighter aircraft under the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft procurement plan. Valued at approximately ₹3.25 lakh crore (about $39 billion), the deal includes 20 fly-away jets from France and 94 to be manufactured in India under extensive technology transfer, involving airframes, engines, and avionics. Indian firms, notably Tata Advanced Systems Limited, are involved as global suppliers. The proposed acquisition aims to replenish and expand the Indian Air Force fleet, which currently operates about 30 active squadrons against an authorized strength of 42, integrating indigenous weapons such as the Astra missile and BrahMos-NG.
Union Cabinet Sanctions ₹8,970 Crore Four-Lane NH-15 Highway Project in Assam
On 6 August 2026, the Union Cabinet approved ₹8,970.20 crore for a 135.87 km, four-lane access-controlled highway on National Highway-15 (NH-15) in Assam, connecting Baihata Chariali near Guwahati with Tezpur. The project includes five bypasses, 15 major bridges, an elephant underpass, and a 4.9 km emergency landing facility near Tezpur developed in coordination with the Indian Air Force. This highway aims to improve regional connectivity, reduce travel time, and enhance economic and strategic integration in Northeast India.
Union Cabinet Approves ₹23,731 Crore GOBARdhan Scheme for National Circular Bioenergy
On 6 August 2026, the Union Cabinet approved the GOBARdhan scheme with an outlay of ₹23,731 crore for the period from FY 2026–27 to FY 2035–36. Managed by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, this scheme aims to promote the production of Compressed Biogas (CBG) from organic waste such as cattle dung and agricultural residue. It includes a fixed procurement price of ₹2,110 per MMBTU, capital assistance up to ₹2 crore per tonne-per-day capacity, and an 85% credit guarantee for MSME loans. The scheme is expected to increase domestic CBG production almost tenfold, generate over 1.5 lakh jobs, and save over ₹40,000 crore in foreign exchange by reducing imports of liquefied natural gas.
OpenAI to Launch Doughnut-Shaped AI Smart Speaker in 2027
OpenAI is set to release its first consumer hardware by 2027—a portable, screenless AI smart speaker shaped like a doughnut about the size of a hockey puck. Developed in collaboration with Jony Ive's design firm LoveFrom, this device emphasizes natural voice interaction using advanced AI models and features moving mechanical parts, cameras, microphones, and environmental sensors. Priced between $300 and $400, it aims to stand out from existing smart speakers by offering an AI-first computing experience that adapts and personalizes responses over time. The launch marks OpenAI's significant entry into consumer hardware amidst ongoing industry competition and legal challenges.