Updates on 18 August 2026
All of August 2026 →PM CARES Fund Balance Rises to ₹8,452 Crore by FY 2024–25
The PM CARES Fund, established in March 2020 as a public charitable trust for emergency relief during COVID-19, reported a closing balance of ₹8,452.07 crore as of 31 March 2025. Despite a decline in voluntary donations, the fund's major income was interest earned from fixed deposits, with limited expenditure directed chiefly to the PM CARES for Children scheme.
India to Host SEMICON India 2026 at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi
India will host the fifth edition of SEMICON India from September 17-19, 2026, at Yashobhoomi in New Delhi. The event, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will focus on India's semiconductor ecosystem development under the theme 'Silicon to Systems: Building the Ecosystem.' It will feature over 500 exhibitors, 290+ overseas companies, and delegations from 40+ countries, with six country-specific pavilions. The India Semiconductor Mission plays a central role in supporting semiconductor manufacturing, design, packaging, and supply chain development, pivotal for India's technological advancement and important for competitive exams.
Over 200 Indian Peacekeepers Receive UN Medal in South Sudan
On 17 August 2026, 210 Indian peacekeepers, including six women and seven staff officers serving with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), were awarded the United Nations Medal in Juba, South Sudan. India remains the second-largest contributor of uniformed personnel to UN peacekeeping operations worldwide, with over 4,200 personnel deployed globally in 2026. UNMISS was established after South Sudan’s independence in 2011 and focuses on civilian protection, humanitarian assistance, and aiding the peace process. India’s consistent contributions to 49 UN missions underscore its key role in global peacekeeping efforts.
New Himalayan Flower Named After Nirmal Purja
Impatiens nimspurjai is a newly identified Himalayan flowering plant species discovered in western Myagdi district, Nepal in 2011. It was formally described in a 57-page peer-reviewed study published in PLOS ONE. Named in honor of Nepali mountaineer Nirmal “Nimsdai” Purja, the plant belongs to genus Impatiens in the family Balsaminaceae and grows at elevations of about 2800-2900 meters, typically on humid slopes and forest margins.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Flags Off NCC All India Girls High Altitude Long Trek 'Aparajita – Parang La 2026'
On 18 August 2026, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the NCC All India Girls High Altitude Long Trek named Aparajita – Parang La 2026. Comprising 28 girl cadets aged 16 to 19, this 30-day trek spans 250 km across the Himalayas, crossing the 5,578-metre Parang La Pass linking Himachal Pradesh's Spiti Valley with Ladakh's Changthang region. Led by female officers from the Army, Navy, and Air Force, the expedition builds endurance, navigation, and leadership skills under NCC's youth training program supervised by the Ministry of Defence.
India-Armenia Defence Cooperation MoU Signed in Yerevan on 17 August 2026
On 17 August 2026, India and Armenia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Yerevan to enhance cooperation in defence research, development, innovation, and joint production. This agreement marks a significant milestone in bilateral defence relations, with a cumulative value of defence contracts reaching nearly US$2 billion since 2020. Armenia has procured Indian defence systems like the Akash missile system, Pinaka rocket launcher, Swathi radar, and the ATAGS artillery gun, indicating deepening strategic ties. The MoU was signed by India’s Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh during his official visit to Armenia.
Vignesh Vermula and Saranya Devi clinch Asian Junior Blitz Chess titles in Mumbai
Indian chess players Vignesh Vermula and Saranya Devi won gold medals in the Open and Girls’ sections, respectively, at the Asian Junior Blitz Chess Championship held on 17 August 2026 at ITC Maratha Sheraton, Mumbai. The event was organised by the Maharashtra Chess Association and featured blitz format games. Vignesh won the Open title on tie-breaks after tying on points with other players, while Saranya, seeded ninth, secured the Girls’ title through tactical play. Indian players dominated the Open section, occupying the top five positions. The top seed in the Girls’ section, Lala Shohradova of Turkmenistan, finished fourth and missed the podium.
India Hosts 7th BRICS ICT Working Group Meeting in Pune
From August 17-21, 2026, India hosted the 7th BRICS ICT Working Group meeting in Pune under the 2026 Chairship theme focusing on resilience, innovation, cooperation, and sustainability. The five-day event brought together 11 BRICS nations to discuss digital policies, emerging technologies, inclusive digital environments, ICT start-ups, digital skills, and trusted Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI). Key topics included AI, Industry 4.0, future networks, and telecommunications standards, reinforcing BRICS cooperation in ICT for sustainable growth and connectivity.