• The Prime Minister of India recently launched three PARAM Rudra supercomputers in Pune, Delhi, and Kolkata. The supercomputers, part of the National Supercomputing Mission (NSM), are to be used for research in fields such as astronomy, material science, atomic physics, cosmology, and earth sciences. NSM is a joint initiative by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), aiming to network advanced computing systems across India. The mission, launched in 2015, is anticipated to boost research capacities and support the government's 'Digital India' and 'Make in India' initiatives.



  • The Union Ministry of Education has chosen two Bihar educators, Sikendra Kumar Suman and Dr Meenakshi Kumari, for the National Teachers Award 2024. The award ceremony will be held on Teacher’s Day at Vigyan Bhawan in Delhi, where President Draupadi Murmu will felicitate the winners. The award recognises teachers for their exceptional contribution in the field of education, winners receive a ₹50,000 cash prize, a silver medal and a citation. A total of 50 teachers from across India have been chosen for this distinguished award.



  • Hockey India, in a move to boost sports infrastructure in Bihar, has announced that the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy 2024 will be held in Bihar's Rajgir from November 11 to 20. The tournament will occur at the newly constructed Rajgir Hockey Stadium. India will defend their title against teams from China, Malaysia, Japan, Thailand, and Korea.



  • To commemorate the 75th year of its establishment, the President unveiled the new flag and insignia of the Supreme Court, which was established on 26th January 1950. The flag incorporates the Ashoka Chakra, the Supreme Court building, and the book of the Constitution of India. Alongside this, a commemorative postage stamp marking 75 years of the Supreme Court of India was released by the Prime Minister.



  • Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) has become India's first company to go beyond ₹10 lakh crore in annual revenue. This milestone was announced by Chairman Mukesh Ambani at RIL's Annual General Meeting. For the financial year 2023-2024, the company achieved a record consolidated turnover of ₹10,00,122 crore (USD 119.9 billion), and a net profit of ₹79,020 crore (USD 9.5 billion).



  • Fintech startup, POP, established by ex-Flipkart employees, has launched India's first multi-brand co-branded credit card, in collaboration with RuPay and Yes Bank. The 'YEB BANK POP-CLUB RuPay' credit card unifies major brands like Zomato, Blinkit, Cult, Rapido, Cleartrip, and Pharmeasy, catering to significant daily spending areas, such as e-commerce, groceries, food and beverages, travel, and health and fitness.



  • The 3rd edition of the Asha Scholarship Program, initiated by SBI Foundation, aims to support 10,000 promising students from disadvantaged backgrounds nationwide in India. Ranging from ₹15,000 to ₹20,00,000 annually, the scholarship is available to students from class 6 to postgraduate level. Since its inception in 2022, it has already granted ₹3.91 crore to 3,198 scholars. The application period for the next round is August 16 to October 1, 2024, and it includes specialised categories for school, undergraduate, postgraduate, and students enrolled in IITs and IIMs.



  • The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting marked the birth anniversary of Hockey Legend Major Dhyan Chand by organising "Khel Utsav 2024". The event, also in line with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports’ National Sports Day 2024, ran from August 27 to August 30, 2024. It was hosted at both Major Dhyan Chand Stadium and Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi.



  • The Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) is compiled monthly by the Labour Bureau under the Ministry of Labour & Employment. This index, set out to determine dearness allowance among others, saw inflation moderating to 3.86% in May 2024 from 4.42% a year earlier. Other types of Consumer Price Index include those for Agricultural and Rural Labourers, and a combined Rural/Urban index compiled by the National Statistical Office. These metrics are integral to understanding inflation in retail prices, and for revising minimum wages.



  • Mexico, the 14th largest country globally, has become the first to approve the popular election of judges. Located in North America with its capital in Mexico City, it gained independence from Spain in 1821 and follows a Presidential form of government. A biodiverse nation, it hosts around 10% of the world's species across diverse landscapes from deserts and mountains to tropical rainforests. Its economy is largely dependent on the service sector, contributing approximately 60% to its GDP, with key industries in finance, tourism, retail, and telecommunications.



  • Typhoon Bebinca, the fiercest storm in 75 years to strike Shanghai, caused massive destruction and led to the displacement of over 414,000 residents, necessitating the deployment of thousands of emergency workers. With a maximum wind force reaching 151 km/h, Bebinca is considered the most potent typhoon since 1949 and the 13th to hit China this year. The typhoon, a type of tropical cyclone specific to the Northwest Pacific, led to the grounding of all flights at Shanghai's two main airports and suspension of ferry services and some trains. Typhoon-prone regions include the Philippines, China, Taiwan, Japan, and Vietnam.



  • HDFC Bank, an Indian private sector bank, plans to increase the income of 500,000 marginal farmers earning less than 60,000 annually by 2025 under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, Parivartan. One of India’s largest CSR programmes since its 2014 inception, Parivartan targets sustainable growth and upliftment of vulnerable communities. The programme is committed to skill development, financial literacy, healthcare, hygiene, education, and rural development. Recent contributions to CSR activities have seen HDFC invest ₹945.31 crore in FY24, introduce rural development programmes in Varanasi, support organic farming, and grant scholarships to underprivileged students.



  • The Sharjah Investment Forum (SIF) 2024 has recently concluded, attracting over 5,000 attendees including officials, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders globally. The event, held at Al Jawaher Reception and Convention Centre, served as a key platform for knowledge sharing, networking, and learning. The standout feature of SIF 2024 was the launch of the world's first AI-powered trade licence service, seen as a major advancement in business facilitation and government services.



  • The Telangana government intends to construct an AI City, aspiring to become an international hub for Artificial Intelligence (AI). The city will act as a centre for AI research and development, featuring an AI School aimed at fostering expertise and education in AI. Implementation of the AI framework will be overseen by the Telangana AI Mission with Nasscom, and private sector collaboration will set up Centres of Excellence to drive AI in crucial and emerging sectors. The project aims to cultivate talent among the youth, benefitting over 250,000 students and professionals, and a partnership with the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab will establish an AI Research Lab to improve governance services and processes.



  • The Union Cabinet recently approved the Biotechnology Research Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development (Bio-RIDE) scheme with the aim to promote research, innovation, and entrepreneurship in biotechnology. The scheme's ultimate goals are to transform India into a global leader in biotechnology and help the country become a USD 300 billion bioeconomy by 2030. The Bio-RIDE scheme will utilise a budget of ₹9,197 crore during the 15th Finance Commission period (2021-26) to support areas such as synthetic biology and biopharmaceuticals, foster startups, and promote sustainable bio manufacturing practices. Furthermore, it aligns with the Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE) initiative to develop eco-friendly solutions for climate change, healthcare, agriculture, and bio-based products.