NATIONAL NEWS

Indian Railways Installs India’s First Removable Solar Panel System Between Railway Tracks in Varanasi

Indian Railways (IR) is moving towards its net-zero emission goal by rapidly adopting solar energy as part of its sustainable transport strategy.

Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh has become the first city in India to have portable solar panels installed between railway tracks.

Banaras Locomotive Works (BLW), Varanasi has commissioned India’s first 70-metre removable solar panel system (28 panels, 15 KWp capacity).

The pilot project was rolled out in Workshop Line Number 19 of BLW using an indigenously designed installation procedure that allows solar panels to be laid between rails without disrupting train traffic.

These solar panels are durable, efficient, and removable, making them suitable for maintenance and seasonal adaptation.

Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka To Visit India From August 24–26, 2025

Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka will undertake an official visit to India from August 24 to 26, 2025, as announced by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

On August 25, 2025, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka will hold formal discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi.

The meeting is expected to strengthen collaboration in the fields of health and human resource development, climate change and ocean governance, defence and security cooperation, and digital infrastructure and capacity building.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also host a lunch in honour of Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, underlining the importance of the partnership.

During his visit, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka will also call on the President of India Droupadi Murmu, reflecting the symbolic and strategic significance of the India–Fiji relationship.

As part of his programme, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka will deliver a lecture titled “Ocean of Peace” at the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA), New Delhi.

The lecture will cover Fiji’s role in regional stability in the Indo-Pacific region, maritime security and peaceful ocean governance, and the cultural and historical people-to-people ties between India and Pacific Island nations.

Ministry of Tourism Launches 40 Projects Under SASCI Scheme

The Ministry of Tourism launched projects under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment SASCI Scheme.

A central outlay of ₹3,295.76 crore has been approved for 40 tourism projects.

The scheme aims to promote lesser-known iconic tourist destinations with focus on sustainability and responsible tourism.

100% funding is done by the Central Government for approved projects, while State Governments will manage operation and maintenance.

Project Selection is done through a challenge-based method ensuring transparency, competitiveness, and high-impact projects.

Evaluation Parameters include connectivity, accessibility, tourism ecosystem, environmental impact, utilities, amenities, tourist footfall, job creation, and potential for private investment.

Approved Projects Categories cover heritage and cultural restoration, eco-tourism parks, pilgrimage infrastructure, adventure tourism, modern visitor amenities, parking and signage systems.

The scheme will generate employment, support artisans and service providers, ensure community participation, and attract private sector investment.

Memorandum of Understanding Signed Between Haryana and Rajasthan

Haryana and Rajasthan signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop the Yamuna Water Pipeline Project aimed at addressing water scarcity in arid districts of Rajasthan.

Both states will jointly prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR), and a Task Force will be set up for planning and implementation. Rajasthan has already appointed a consultant for the DPR.

Under Phase-1, the project will transfer 577 Million Cubic Meters (MCM) of Yamuna River water annually from Hathnikund Barrage (Haryana) to Rajasthan districts including Churu, Sikar, and Jhunjhunu during the monsoon months (July–October).

The water will be supplied through an underground pipeline network, reducing evaporation and seepage losses common in open canals.

Water transfer to Rajasthan will occur only after Haryana’s requirements are met, including the Western Yamuna Canal capacity of 24,000 cusecs and the Delhi share drawn at Hathnikund.

The project will help mitigate drought conditions, groundwater depletion, and drinking water scarcity in Rajasthan’s semi-arid and arid regions.

It also sets a model for inter-state water cooperation, balancing regional water rights and ensuring sustainable water use.

 

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

ISRO To Launch Multiple New Remote Sensing Satellites By 2027-28

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is planning to launch several new remote sensing satellites by 2027-28 to enhance data collection over India, including the Union Territory of Ladakh.

These upcoming satellites include Resourcesat-3 and 3A, Resourcesat-3S and 3SA, HRSAT, G20 Satellite, and TRISHNA Satellite.

Ladakh is already covered by data from several existing Indian remote sensing satellites, such as Cartosat-2 series, Cartosat-3, Resourcesat-2 & 2A, RISAT-1A, INSAT-3DR and 3DS, Oceansat-3, SARAL, and NISAR.

For communication, 12 operational Indian satellites cover Ladakh, providing capacity to service providers to enhance telecommunication and broadband connectivity.

The Disaster Management Support Programme (DMSP) provides satellite-based inputs for effective disaster management in the region, which is prone to natural hazards.

 

BANKING

Advisory Board For Banking and Financial Frauds Re-Formed With A Two-Year Mandate

The Advisory Board for Banking and Financial Frauds (ABBFF) has been reconstituted for a term of two years, effective from August 21, 2025.

The board will be chaired by former Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC), Suresh N. Patel.

Its mandate is to examine the role of officials and whole-time directors of public sector banks, insurance companies, and financial institutions in fraud cases involving ₹3 crore and above.

The board's members include Ravikant, Rajni Kant Mishra, Alok Kumar Choudhary, and Sarada Kumar Hota.

The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) or the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) can also refer cases to the board for its advice.

The chairman and members are eligible for re-appointment, but their total tenure cannot exceed 4 years or 70 years of age.

The ABBFF is required to provide quarterly reports on its activities to the CVC and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

Banks Disbursed More Than ₹62,000 Crore Through The Stand-Up India Scheme Since 2016

The Stand-Up India Scheme was launched on April 5, 2016, to promote entrepreneurship among women, Scheduled Castes (SC), and Scheduled Tribes (ST).

As of now, banks have sanctioned ₹62,791 crore to 2,75,291 loan accounts under the scheme.

The scheme provides loans between ₹10 lakh and ₹1 crore from Scheduled Commercial Banks (SCBs).

A key mandate of the program is that each bank branch must lend to at least one SC/ST borrower and one woman borrower.

The loans are specifically for greenfield enterprises, which are the first-time ventures of the beneficiaries, in sectors including manufacturing, services, trading, and allied agriculture activities.

The interest rate is capped at the lowest applicable rate of the bank for that category, which should not exceed Base Rate/MCLR + 3% + tenor premium.

The repayment period is up to 7 years, with a maximum moratorium period of 18 months.

RBI Permits Federal Bank To Collect Maharashtra Government Payments

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has authorized the Federal Bank to collect government receipts for the state of Maharashtra.

This will be done through the Government Receipt Accounting System (GRAS)

The GRAS portal, implemented by the state's finance department in 2010, functions as a virtual treasury for the electronic payment of taxes and non-tax revenues.

With this authorization, Federal Bank joins a group of banks that facilitate digital and over-the-counter payments for citizens, businesses, and institutions in Maharashtra.

Life Insurance Corporation Of India Rolls Out Nationwide Drive To Reinstate Lapsed Insurance Policies

Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) has launched a nationwide campaign to help policyholders revive their lapsed individual insurance policies.

The campaign is in effect from August 18 to October 17, 2025.

It offers a special concession on late fees of up to 30%, with a maximum limit of ₹5,000, for non-linked insurance plans.

The campaign is for policies that have lapsed due to non-payment of premiums but are still within the revival period of five years from the date of the first unpaid premium.

The initiative aims to assist policyholders who were unable to pay their premiums on time due to challenging circumstances and to encourage them to restore their insurance coverage.

 

ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS

CCI Approves Dalmia Bharat’s Acquisition Of 100% Stake In Jaiprakash Associates

The Competition Commission of India (CCI), which is the country's primary antitrust regulator, has given its approval for Dalmia Bharat's proposal to acquire a 100% stake in Jaiprakash Associates (JAL).

The acquisition is being conducted as part of the Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP) for JAL under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), 2016.

This approval allows Dalmia Bharat, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Dalmia Cement Bharat, to proceed with its expansion plans.

The acquisition is significant for Dalmia Bharat, as it is the country's fourth-largest cement producer.

Jaiprakash Associates (JAL) is a diversified company with business interests in real estate, cement, hospitality, and engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC), and it is currently undergoing a CIRP.

 

SPORTS

Ahmedabad to Host Major International Sports Events in 2025

Ahmedabad will host three major international sports events in 2025, strengthening its role as a global sports hub.

Commonwealth Weightlifting Championship: Scheduled from 24–30 August 2025 at Naranpura Sports Complex, Ahmedabad, with participation from over 350 athletes from 29 countries.

Asian Aquatics Championship: To be held in September–October 2025, featuring swimming, diving, water polo, and synchronized swimming with athletes from China, Japan, Korea, and other Asian nations.

Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Under-17 Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers: Scheduled from 22–30 November 2025 at The Arena by TransStadia, Ahmedabad. Group D teams include India, Iran, Chinese Taipei, and Lebanon. India is among the seven countries chosen to host the qualifiers.

Gujarat is also set to host future events: Asian Weightlifting Championship (2026), Archery Asia Para Cup (2026), World Police and Fire Games (2029 in Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, and Ekta Nagar), and the Commonwealth Games 2030 in Ahmedabad.

Gujarat’s growth in sports is backed by state-of-the-art infrastructure such as Naranpura Sports Complex and TransStadia Arena, along with the Sports Policy 2022–2027.

The state is investing in high-performance centers, athlete development, and sports tourism, aiming to establish itself as a leading international sports destination.