• Tarang Shakti is India’s first multinational air exercise, involving 30 nations in its maiden show. The first phase between Aug 6 and 14 witnessed the participation of German, French, British, and Spanish air forces. The second phase will kick off at Jodhpur on August 29 in the presence of the US Air Force and Australian Air Force, among others.It is now made biennial
• India successfully conducts maiden flight test of 1,000 kg class glide bomb “Gaurav” – made by DRDO – from Su-30 MK-I fighter jet, hitting target with pinpoint accuracy off Odisha coast, marking a major milestone in indigenous defence technology development.
• Governor of Karnataka Thaawarchand Gehlot bestowed the honorary doctorate awarded by Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU), Belagavi, and the University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad,on ISRO Chairman S. Somnath.
• The Union Minister of Commerce & Industry introduced the Diamond Imprest Licence at the 40th India International Jewellery Show 2024, allowing eligible exporters to import up to 5% of their average turnover in cut and polished diamonds, with a 10% value addition requirement. This licence, revived from the 2002 and 2009 foreign trade policies, mandates that imported diamonds be used by the importer and not transferred post-export. It aims to level the playing field for Indian MSME diamond exporters, prevent investment flight, and create more employment opportunities.
• SK Kanta awarded D Devraj Urs award. The award, instituted by the State government, carries a cash prize of Rs one lakh and citation recognition of excellence in their respective fields
• The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved the appointment of Culture Ministry Secretary Govind Mohan as the next Union Home Secretary.
• Antibiotics, especially the broad-spectrum ones, can wipe out a large portion of the gut bacteria, a disruption known as dysbiosis
• The Union Minister for Jal Shakti launched Version 2.0 of the ‘FloodWatch India’ mobile application, developed by the Central Water Commission (CWC), which provides real-time information on flood situations and forecasts for up to 7 days, utilizing advanced technologies like satellite data analysis, mathematical modeling, and real-time monitoring, with features including: Readable and audio broadcasts in English and Hindi + Real-time flood monitoring and state-wise/basin-wise flood forecasts + Flood advisories for up to 7 days and forecasts at the nearest location + User-friendly interface with dropdown menus for selecting specific stations, states, or basins
• Former IAS officer Rakesh Singh to Karnataka head dam safety panel
• Dr. Ram Narain Agarwal, 84, an eminent aerospace scientist known as the ‘Father of Agni Missiles,’ passed away in Hyderabad due to age-related issues. Born in Jaipur, he was instrumental in developing India’s Agni long-range missiles and served as the first program director of the Agni missile program. A prominent DRDO scientist, he was honored with the Padma Shri in 1990 and the Padma Bhushan in 2000 for his contributions to missile technology.
• BBMP plans to introduce touchscreen menu boards with face recognition software in Indira Canteens to ensure transparency and prevent order inflation. The system, tested successfully in six canteens, will be expanded to 170 canteens across eight zones in Bengaluru. It will also provide data on daily business, helping the civic body plug leakages and streamline the ordering process.
• The Government of India has issued operational guidelines for the “Model Solar Village” scheme, a component of the PM-Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, aiming to promote solar energy adoption and enable village communities to become self-reliant in meeting their energy needs, with a total financial outlay of ₹800 crore and eligibility criteria including revenue villages with a population size above 5,000.
• The Union government launched the Jiyo Parsi Scheme portal, under the Ministry of Minority Affairs, to address the declining Parsi population in India by providing medical assistance, financial support for child care, and advocacy programs. This unique Central Sector Scheme, introduced in 2013-14, focuses on structured interventions to stabilize the Parsi community’s population through scientific protocols and awareness initiatives.
• India has added three new wetlands—Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary, Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary – Both in Tamilnadu , and Tawa Reservoir in MP —to its list of Ramsar sites, bringing the total to 85. Tamil Nadu now has 18 Ramsar sites, while Uttar Pradesh has 10. The Ramsar sites in India cover 13,58,068 hectares, accounting for 10% of the country’s total wetland area. Ramsar site designation, under the convention signed in 1971 and joined by India in 1982, ensures conservation, protection from encroachment, and boosts tourism and international visibility.
• Experts attribute the Wayanad landslide to a “dam burst effect” triggered by over 570 mm of rainfall in three days, leading to a devastating landslide on July 30. The disaster resulted in 231 bodies and 221 body parts being recovered, with 118 people still missing. Climate change is blamed for altered rainfall patterns. An expert committee has assessed the affected areas, warning against habitation in danger zones, while geological surveys are underway to study the damming effect and soil stability. Madhav Gadgil recommends adopting Goa’s homestay tourism model for rehabilitation in Wayanad.
• The Union government launched the National Pest Surveillance System (NPSS) powered by AI, allowing farmers to photograph infested crops or insects and receive expert advice on pest control, reducing dependence on pesticide retailers and promoting scientific pest management. NPSS aims to curb excessive pesticide use, ensure accurate diagnosis, and build farmer confidence, benefiting 14 crore farmers by connecting them with scientists. The technology will be expanded through outreach programs following successful pilot projects.
• The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed Sweden’s first case of mpox, a viral zoonotic disease caused by the monkeypox virus, marking the first spread outside Africa. Mpox, with two known types (Clade I in Central Africa and Clade II in West Africa), was first recorded in humans in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Symptoms include skin rash, fever, headache, and swollen lymph nodes, with transmission occurring through contact with infected body fluids or lesions. Early supportive care is essential for symptom management and complication prevention.
• Indian astronomers have discovered a new correlation using 100 years of data from the Kodaikanal Solar Observatory, enabling predictions of the upcoming solar cycle’s amplitude. This new precursor method, based on the width of supergranular cells during the solar cycle minimum, offers a simple yet effective approach to space weather forecasting. Accurate predictions are essential for protecting communication systems, power transmission, spacecraft electronics, and astronaut safety from the impacts of space weather.
• India’s second indigenously built nuclear-powered submarine, INS Arighat, is ready for commissioning, featuring a pressurized water reactor, seven-blade propeller, and a maximum submerged speed of 24 knots. Armed with nuclear-capable K-4 and K-15 SLBMs, it is a critical component of India’s nuclear triad, enhancing strategic capabilities and national security. Constructed at the Indian Navy’s Ship Building Centre in Visakhapatnam, it also includes safety measures like standby auxiliary engines and a retractable thruster.
• St Martin’s Island, Bangladesh’s only coral island in the Bay of Bengal, is 7.3 km long and 3.6 meters above sea level. It features reefs, a sea turtle breeding ground, and has a history of settlement by Arab merchants and later British annexation. It was originally part of the Teknaf peninsula, submerged, and resurfaced 450 years ago. The island is geographically significant near the Bangladesh-Myanmar border.