Updates on 11 August 2026
All of August 2026 →Technology Development Board Supports Commercialisation of GrivaVision AI-Powered Cervical Cancer Screening Device
On 10 August 2026, the Technology Development Board (TDB) of India's Department of Science & Technology signed an agreement with Visakhapatnam-based Griva Healthcare Pvt. Ltd. to commercialise GrivaVision, an indigenous, AI-powered portable digital colposcope. The device assists gynaecologists in detecting pre-cancerous cervical lesions early during routine screenings. GrivaVision is a Class B non-invasive medical device developed to ISO 13485 quality standards and holds a manufacturing licence from CDSCO. The project emphasizes indigenous development, with over 50% components sourced domestically, aiming to strengthen India's medtech ecosystem and reduce dependency on imports by shifting production to Kollam, Kerala.
PM Vishwakarma Scheme Artisans in Kodagu Trained in AI and E-commerce
On 10 August 2026, a one-day branding and marketing awareness programme was held in Kushalnagar, Kodagu district, targeting 150 tailors registered under the PM Vishwakarma scheme. The training focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, digital marketing, e-commerce onboarding, QR code generation, and registration on the Udyam Portal. Organised by the Branch MSME Development and Facilitation Office, Mangaluru, in collaboration with local tailor associations, the initiative aimed to empower traditional artisans with modern technology to enhance business reach and financial inclusion.
DHR and ICMR to Host Second Edition of S.H.I.N.E. School Outreach Programme in August 2026
The Department of Health Research (DHR) along with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is organizing the second edition of the S.H.I.N.E. (Science, Health and Innovation for NextGen Explorers) nationwide school outreach programme on 11 and 12 August 2026. Targeting students of classes 9 to 12, the programme will take place across 83 locations in India and aims to engage around 30,000 students from government, government-aided, and private schools. It offers guided lab tours, live demonstrations, exhibitions, and interactive sessions with scientists, providing students exposure to biomedical research and public health innovations. This initiative commemorates the legacy of Prof. V. Ramalingaswami and aligns with the national call for students to “spend one day as a scientist”.
National Scholarship Portal Launched for Agricultural Students by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan
On 10 August 2026, Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched a National Scholarship Portal specifically designed for agriculture students at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), Pusa, New Delhi. This portal facilitates a centralized digital platform for scholarship application, verification, and direct fund transfer via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). Over ₹21.35 crore in scholarships and fellowships were disbursed to more than 6,000 students nationwide on launch day, streamlining financial aid for agricultural education across India.
India Achieves 17 Medals at Under-23 Commonwealth Fencing Championship 2026
The Under-23 Commonwealth Fencing Championship 2026, held in Lagos, Nigeria from 9 to 14 August, featured strong performances by Indian fencers. On the opening day, India won 17 medals across all three fencing weapons: sabre, foil, and epee. The medal tally included 4 gold, 4 silver, and 9 bronze medals. This championship involves athletes under 23 years from Commonwealth nations and highlights emerging fencing talent.
Jammu and Kashmir Approves ₹10 Crore for Restoration of Rattan Garh Fort
On August 9, 2026, the Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory government sanctioned ₹10 crore for the repair, renovation, and conservation of the Rattan Garh Fort located in Bhaderwah, Doda district. Constructed in 1733 by Raja Sampat Pal, Rattan Garh Fort is the sole surviving bastion of the original seven forts in the Bhaderwah valley. This initiative aims to preserve the fort's architectural heritage and develop it as a key heritage tourism site within the Chenab Valley region, enhancing local tourism and cultural preservation.
Skyroot Aerospace and HEX20 ink Multi-Launch Agreement for Satellite Missions from 2027
Skyroot Aerospace, a Hyderabad-based private space company, has signed a Multi-Launch Agreement (MLA) with HEX20, a spacetech startup headquartered in Thiruvananthapuram, to launch Earth-observation satellites and payload demonstration missions. The contract includes three dedicated launches aboard Skyroot's Vikram series of orbital-class launch vehicles, planned to begin in the fourth quarter of 2027. This partnership reflects the growing collaboration between Indian private space startups and supports the expanding commercial space sector fostered by recent space policy reforms.
Lebanon Abolishes Death Penalty, First in the Middle East
On 11 August 2026, Lebanon's Parliament formally abolished the death penalty, replacing it with life imprisonment with aggravated hard labour for future crimes. The legislation also retroactively commutes the death sentences of approximately 84 to 85 prisoners on death row. Lebanon had observed a de facto moratorium on executions since 17 January 2004. This move makes Lebanon the first country in the Middle East and second in the Arab League (after Djibouti) to legally abolish capital punishment. The law was passed despite opposition from the Hezbollah parliamentary caucus and received international recognition, including a statement of support from the European Union.
India Wins One Gold, Three Bronze Medals and One Honourable Mention at the 23rd International Linguistics Olympiad 2026
India secured one gold medal, three bronze medals, and one Honourable Mention at the 23rd International Linguistics Olympiad (IOL) held in Bucharest, Romania, in 2026. The Indian team, comprising eight members, competed individually against 255 participants from over 40 countries, engaging in language-analysis problems involving logic, grammar, and pattern recognition. This achievement adds to India's cumulative tally of 37 individual medals at the IOL since 2009. The Indian contingent was chosen through the Panini Linguistics Olympiad (PLO) national qualifying contest and mentored by IIIT Hyderabad's Language Technologies Research Centre (LTRC).
NABARD Announces Winners of National Climate Stack Innovation Challenge 2026
On August 10, 2026, NABARD, in collaboration with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Dalberg Advisors, announced the winners of the National Climate Stack Innovation Challenge, designed to foster innovative digital tools for climate risk assessment in Indian agriculture. The challenge utilized NABARD's Data in Climate Resilient Agriculture (DiCRA) framework and awarded cash prizes of ₹15 lakh, ₹10 lakh, and ₹5 lakh to the top three teams. The winning solutions focused on integrating satellite data, AI, and climate modelling for village-level climate vulnerability, drought monitoring, and hazard scoring to aid rural decision-making, credit risk assessment, and irrigation planning.
MSME Ministry and DPIIT Sign MoU to Boost Market Access for India's Geographical Indication Products
On August 5, 2026, the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) and the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi, aimed at enhancing commercialization, quality standards, and expanding market access of India's Geographical Indication (GI) products. The MoU integrates MSME enterprise support mechanisms with DPIIT’s legal framework under the Geographical Indications of Goods Act, 1999. It further promotes onboarding GI collectives and authorized users onto digital commerce platforms like the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) and Government e-Marketplace (GeM) under the “Bharat GI” banner. Additionally, it includes integration with the One District One Product (ODOP) scheme and co-sponsorship of GI pavilions at trade expos and exhibitions nationally and internationally.
Vietnam's National Space Center and Satellite Manufacturing Roadmap
Vietnam's space capabilities have been progressively developed by the Vietnam Space Center (VNSC) under the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology. VNSC successfully manufactured and launched several small satellites — PicoDragon in 2013, MicroDragon in 2019, and fully domestically designed NanoDragon in 2021 — supporting earth observation, remote sensing, and maritime monitoring. Vietnam inaugurated a space science and technology center in Hanoi in 2026 as part of its strategic infrastructure. The national space strategy targets mastery of small satellite technology and related applications by 2030.
Vietnam's VinSpace signs SpaceX contract to launch first satellites in 2027
Vietnamese aerospace company VinSpace, a subsidiary of the conglomerate Vingroup, signed a contract on 11 August 2026 with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to launch its first satellites into orbit by 2027 through a SpaceX Transporter rideshare mission. Established in November 2025 with a capital of 300 billion VND (approx. $11.4 million), VinSpace plans to research, develop, and operate its own satellites, supporting telecommunications and remote sensing applications. This initiative aligns with Vietnam’s national space strategy to become a mid-level space power by 2030 and complements the recent inauguration of a space science and technology center in Hanoi’s Hoa Lac High-Tech Park.
Discovery of New Lizard Species Acanthosaura syrax in Thailand
In August 2026, researchers described a new lizard species named Acanthosaura syrax, commonly called the Syrax mountain horned dragon, discovered in Mae Wong National Park, Thailand. This species is the 23rd recognized member of the genus Acanthosaura under the family Agamidae, consisting of mountain horned dragons found in South and Southeast Asia. Identified through DNA analysis using ND2 and COI mitochondrial genes, A. syrax differs genetically by 14–28% from its closest relatives. Morphologically, it features a yellowish-green body, the smallest neck and back crest scales in its genus, absence of a black eye patch, and relatively large egg clutches. It inhabits restricted high-altitude forests above 1300 meters in northern Thailand. The species name “syrax” is inspired by a yellow dragon character from the TV series “House of the Dragon,” reflecting its coloration and reproductive traits.
China's Long March 7A Rocket Explosion During ChinaSat-4B Launch in 2026
On August 10, 2026, China's Long March 7A rocket carrying the ChinaSat-4B communications satellite exploded approximately 85 seconds after liftoff from the Wenchang Space Launch Site on Hainan Island. The incident resulted in the loss of the satellite and rocket, marking the second failure in 18 missions of the Long March 7A, the previous being its maiden flight failure in March 2020. The rocket, part of China's Long March family and propelled by YF-100 liquid engines, was intended to place ChinaSat-4B in geostationary orbit to provide global telecommunications services. The cause of the failure is under investigation by Chinese authorities.
New Fern Species Pteris madhusoodananii Discovered Endemic to Tamil Nadu's Kolli Hills
On 30 July 2026, botanists from Indian colleges announced the discovery of a new critically endangered fern species, Pteris madhusoodananii, endemic to the Kolli Hills in the Eastern Ghats of Tamil Nadu. Characterized by stiff, leathery, deep-green leaves and distinctive pinna-pinnule structures, it differs from related species in the genus Pteris. Its population is restricted to approximately 8 square kilometers in unprotected habitats. The discovery highlights the critical conservation status as per IUCN guidelines and emphasizes the unique biodiversity of the Eastern Ghats region.
NASA Invites ISRO to Join Moon Base Programme under Artemis Accords
NASA has formally invited the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to participate in its Moon Base programme, which aligns with the principles of the Artemis Accords. India became a signatory to the Artemis Accords on 21 June 2023, demonstrating commitment to international cooperation in civil space exploration. The invitation and deepening of bilateral cooperation were highlighted at the 9th India-US Civil Space Joint Working Group (CSJWG) meeting held at ISRO headquarters in Bengaluru on 5–6 August 2026. Additionally, NASA and ISRO collaborate on the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission, launched in July 2025, focusing on Earth observation.
Basant Kumar Meghwal Wins Historic Silver in Men's High Jump at 2026 World Athletics U20 Championships
Basant Kumar Meghwal, a 19-year-old from Anupgarh, Rajasthan, clinched the silver medal in the men's high jump at the 2026 World Athletics U20 Championships held in Eugene, Oregon, USA, on August 8, 2026. Meghwal became the first Indian to win a medal in the high jump event at this prestigious global junior competition, clearing a personal-best height of 2.21 meters. His performance contributed to India's strong showing at the championships and marked a significant milestone in Indian athletics.
National Biodiversity Authority Disburses ₹3.79 Crore Under Access and Benefit Sharing Mechanism
On 9 August 2026, the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) disbursed approximately ₹3.79 crore to 33 State Biodiversity Boards, Union Territory Biodiversity Councils, the ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, and the Hisar Bovine Sperm Station and Research Centre under the Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) mechanism. The funds were mainly collected from corporations such as Bayer Science and Innovation Pvt Ltd, HM Clause India Pvt Ltd, and Advanta Enterprises Limited for access to vegetable and oilseed genetic resources, as well as from foreign entities like Sri Lanka’s Department of Animal Production and Health for accessing Sahiwal cattle semen. Significant allocations included ₹86.56 lakh from tomato genetic resources and ₹83.76 lakh from chilli genetic resources spread over multiple states, with Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, and Odisha among the top beneficiaries. Cumulative ABS disbursements by the NBA have now crossed ₹166 crore.
Indian Navy–US Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal Exercise 2026 Begins in Kochi
The Indian Navy and US Navy launched the 8th edition of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Exercise 2026 on 10 August 2026 at the Southern Naval Command in Kochi, Kerala. This five-day bilateral exercise (10-14 August) focuses on enhancing interoperability and professional cooperation between the specialist diving and EOD teams of both navies. Activities include expert exchanges, cross-training, equipment demonstrations, and scenario-based practical exercises with an emphasis on contemporary EOD techniques, emerging technologies, and operational concepts. The India-US joint EOD exercises have been ongoing since 2005 and form a key pillar of maritime cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.