Updates on 10 August 2026
All of August 2026 →CCI Hosts 2026 BRICS Competition Authorities Meeting in Udaipur
On 8 August 2026, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) hosted the Meeting of Heads of BRICS Competition Authorities in Udaipur, Rajasthan, under India's 2026 BRICS Chairship. The meeting gathered heads and senior representatives of competition regulators from BRICS countries. A Joint Statement titled "Strengthening Cooperation to Promote Fair Competition, including in Renewable Energy Markets" was adopted, emphasizing collaboration to foster fair, innovative, resilient, and sustainable renewable energy markets. The CCI also led a collaborative study on the emerging competition landscape in renewable energy across BRICS member nations. Discussions covered enforcement initiatives, institutional developments, challenges in digital markets, and preparations for the 10th BRICS International Competition Conference to be hosted by Brazil in 2027.
Exercise Talisman Sabre 2027: India to Participate in Largest Indo-Pacific Military Exercise
Exercise Talisman Sabre 2027, scheduled for August 9-22, 2027, will be the largest and most ambitious edition of the biennial military exercise led by Australia and the United States. Marking a significant development, India is confirmed to take part, reflecting its enhanced defense cooperation with Australia and involvement in Indo-Pacific security. The exercise will expand beyond traditional bilateral participation to include 24 additional partner nations, emphasizing multinational interoperability and joint operations in a contested regional security environment.
Puducherry Police Receives Prestigious President’s Colour Award in 2026
On August 9, 2026, Puducherry Police was honoured with the President’s Colour, also known as Nishaan, the highest ceremonial recognition awarded to police forces in India. Union Home Minister Amit Shah presented the award at a ceremony held at the Puducherry Armed Police Ground in Gorimedu. This award was approved by President Droupadi Murmu on May 8, 2026, recognizing Puducherry Police's exceptional service, discipline, and distinguished achievements. Puducherry became the 18th State or Union Territory police force to receive this honour.
India's Asiatic Lion Population Surges to 891 in 2025
The Asiatic lion population in India has grown significantly, reaching 891 individuals in 2025 compared to 523 in 2015, according to the 16th Asiatic Lion Population Estimation conducted in Gujarat. This marks a 70.36% increase over a decade. The lions primarily inhabit Gujarat's Gir and Greater Gir landscapes, with their geographical range expanding from 30,000 sq km in 2020 to nearly 35,000 sq km in 2025. Project Lion, launched on 15 August 2020, has played a key role in this successful conservation effort through habitat improvement, disease surveillance, and medical support. The Asiatic lion, Panthera leo persica, is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is found only in India’s Saurashtra region, primarily Gujarat.
Tribunals Reforms Bill 2026 passed by Lok Sabha establishing National Tribunals Commission
On 10 August 2026, the Lok Sabha passed the Tribunals Reforms Bill, 2026, which replaces the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2021 following a Supreme Court judgment. The Bill establishes a five-member National Tribunals Commission (NTC) headquartered in New Delhi responsible for the selection, performance oversight, complaints handling, and administration of about 16 tribunals including notable ones such as the National Green Tribunal and the Armed Forces Tribunal. The Chairperson must be a former Supreme Court judge or a retired Chief Justice of a High Court. The Bill aims to enhance independence and transparency of tribunals with an estimated financial outlay of around Rs 27.14 crore annually.
Bodhana Sivanandan and Shreyas Royal Make History at 2026 British Chess Championships
At the 2026 British Chess Championships held from August 1-9 at the University of Warwick in Coventry, England, Indian-origin prodigies Bodhana Sivanandan and Shreyas Royal set new records. Eleven-year-old Sivanandan became Britain’s youngest-ever Women’s Chess Champion after defeating the 14-year-old Irish Woman Grandmaster Trisha Kanyamarala in a rapid playoff. Seventeen-year-old Shreyas Royal won his first overall British Chess Championship title, finishing ahead of experienced grandmasters including Luke McShane and nine-time champion Michael Adams. These victories mark a generational shift in British chess and highlight the rise of young, diverse talent.
Discovery of Russula griseopurpurata: A New Mushroom Species in Meghalaya, India
Russula griseopurpurata is a newly identified mushroom species belonging to the genus Russula, described by researchers from Gauhati University and published in the scientific journal Phytotaxa on 5 August 2026. The species was discovered in Jirang, Ri Bhoi district of Meghalaya, India, beneath a sal tree (Shorea robusta) at 320 meters elevation. Identification relied on morphological characters along with molecular data from ITS DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. While some Russula species are edible, the edibility of Russula griseopurpurata remains unconfirmed.