Updates on 26 August 2026
All of August 2026 →Kerala Officially Renamed as Keralam through The Kerala (Alteration of Name) Act, 2026
In August 2026, the Indian state of Kerala was officially renamed "Keralam" following the enactment of The Kerala (Alteration of Name) Act, 2026. This change was effected under Article 3 of the Indian Constitution, which empowers Parliament to alter state names after consulting the concerned state legislature. The process included a resolution by the Kerala Legislative Assembly in 2024, Union Cabinet approval in February 2026, Parliamentary passage in August 2026, and presidential assent by Droupadi Murmu. The new name aligns with the native Malayalam pronunciation and reflects cultural identity, achieved without requiring a constitutional amendment under Article 368.
Indian Navy to Commission Second Indigenous Diving Support Vessel 'Nipun' on August 31, 2026
The Indian Navy is set to commission 'Nipun', the second Diving Support Vessel (DSV) of the Nistar-class, on August 31, 2026, at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai. Built indigenously by Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) at Visakhapatnam and delivered on July 30, 2026, the vessel enhances the Navy’s deep-sea diving and underwater rescue capabilities. 'Nipun' will serve as the primary mother ship for the Indian Navy’s Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV), supporting complex submarine rescue and underwater operations. It carries state-of-the-art diving systems, remotely operated vehicles, and medical facilities, with nearly 75% indigenous content, reflecting India’s pursuit of self-reliance in defense technology.