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The Behdeinkhlam Festival is celebrated in Jowai, located in the West Jaintia Hills of Meghalaya. This sacred festival belongs to the Pnār community and translates to “driving away the plague.” It holds deep spiritual meaning, symbolising the community’s efforts toward spiritual cleansing, resilience, and unity. The celebrations are marked by colourful processions, rhythmic drumbeats, and the parading of large, decorated wooden structures called Rots. The festival blends ancient tradition with modern themes, reflecting both the heritage and evolving identity of the region. It remains a vital expression of Meghalaya’s cultural richness and community spirit.

Sahil Kini, a fintech expert and co-founder of Setu, has been appointed as the new CEO of the Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH) in Bengaluru, succeeding Rajesh Bansal. Kini brings significant experience from his work at Setu, iSPIRIT Foundation, and firms like McKinsey and Aspada. He has contributed to key digital infrastructure projects such as Aadhaar and UPI. His leadership marks a new phase for RBIH, focusing on expanding innovation in digital finance, improving financial inclusion, and building partnerships. His appointment follows a competitive selection process, with over 400 applicants considered for the role, underlining the importance of this strategic position.

Rajiv Anand has been appointed as the new MD & CEO of IndusInd Bank, beginning his three-year tenure that will run until August 2028. His assumption of leadership marks a significant transition for the bank, as it has also led to the dissolution of the previously established 'Committee of Executives' and the 'Oversight Committee of the Board.' With Anand at the helm, the bank is expected to focus on stability, growth, and strategic reforms, signaling a fresh chapter in its leadership and governance framework aimed at strengthening operational efficiency and long-term performance.

On 26 August 2025, the Indian Navy will achieve a historic first by commissioning two advanced stealth frigates, INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri, on the same day at Visakhapatnam. Both ships are part of Project 17A, featuring stealth-optimised hulls, advanced propulsion systems, and formidable multi-role weaponry. INS Udaygiri was built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited, while INS Himgiri was constructed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers. This event not only marks a milestone in India’s naval modernisation and indigenous shipbuilding but also showcases the country’s industrial strength, involving over 200 MSMEs and generating thousands of direct and indirect jobs.

India has approved the purchase of 97 Tejas Mark 1A fighter jets under a ₹62,000 crore deal, marking a major step towards strengthening the Indian Air Force (IAF) and promoting self-reliance in defence manufacturing. This order comes in addition to an earlier purchase of 83 jets, bringing the total number of Tejas Mark 1A aircraft ordered to 180. The new fleet will replace the ageing MiG-21s, enhancing the IAF’s operational capabilities with modern avionics, advanced radar, and electronic warfare systems. With 65% indigenous content, the deal boosts the Make in India mission, supports HAL, creates jobs, and strengthens India’s defence exports potential.

India will be sending over 700 troops to Egypt for ‘Exercise Bright Star 2025,’ one of the largest multilateral military exercises in the Middle East and North Africa. Initially launched in 1980 as a bilateral drill between Egypt and the United States, Bright Star has since grown into a major tri-service exercise involving multiple nations. India’s participation, with personnel from the Army, Navy, and Air Force, will focus on integrated drills, live firing, cyber warfare modules, and command post exercises. This deployment enhances India’s defence diplomacy, boosts interoperability with global partners, and underscores its commitment to regional peace and stability.

The first major Atlantic hurricane of 2025 was named Erin. It reached peak intensity as a Category-5 storm with maximum sustained winds of 240 km/h before being downgraded to Category-4 by the US National Hurricane Center. Positioned just north of the Caribbean Islands, Erin posed significant threats of heavy rainfall and severe weather across the northern Leeward Islands, Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. As the initial major storm of the hurricane season, Erin underscores the critical importance of preparedness, monitoring, and early warnings in minimizing risks to human life and infrastructure in vulnerable coastal regions.

National Sports Day in India is celebrated every year on August 29 to honour the birth anniversary of Major Dhyan Chand, the legendary hockey player widely known as the “Hockey Wizard.” In 2025, the day carries the theme “Sport to Promote Peaceful and Inclusive Societies,” highlighting the unifying power of sports. The celebration emphasises physical fitness, teamwork, and inclusivity while aligning with global Olympic values like friendship, respect, and equality. As part of the observance, the Fit India Mission organises nationwide events, fitness drives, and community programs to encourage citizens to actively participate in sports and adopt healthier lifestyles.

India has secured the second position globally in fish production, as announced by Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh. This achievement is the result of a significant 103% increase in fish output between 2013–14 and 2024–25. The growth is largely driven by government initiatives such as the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) and support schemes like the Kisan Credit Card (KCC), which have empowered rural communities to actively participate in aquaculture. The collaborative efforts of states like West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh have also played a key role in enhancing productivity and ensuring India’s strong global standing in the fisheries sector.

Hong Kong will implement the Stablecoins Ordinance starting August 1, 2025, in an effort to regulate the use and issuance of stablecoins within its jurisdiction. Stablecoins are a category of cryptocurrencies designed to maintain a stable value by being pegged to stable assets, such as foreign currencies. Unlike Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs), which are issued and controlled by governments, stablecoins can be privately issued. With this ordinance, Hong Kong seeks to establish a legal framework to oversee the operations of stablecoins, ensuring financial stability, investor protection, and alignment with international standards in the evolving digital asset space.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) will begin enforcing a sugar-based excise tax on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) from January 2026. This policy introduces a variable tax rate calculated per litre, depending on the sugar content per 100ml of the drink. The more sugar a beverage contains, the higher the tax levied on it. The primary goal of this move is to reduce excessive sugar consumption and encourage manufacturers to reformulate their products with lower sugar levels. By targeting sugar intake through taxation, the UAE is taking a preventive approach to combat rising health issues such as obesity and diabetes.

Foxconn, Apple’s largest manufacturing partner, launched a new facility in Devanahalli, Bengaluru, Karnataka, dedicated to producing the iPhone 17. This unit is Foxconn’s second-largest plant globally outside of China, emphasizing Bengaluru’s growing importance as a global technology and manufacturing hub. The new facility strengthens India’s role in Apple’s international supply chain, signaling a strategic shift in diversifying production beyond China. With Bengaluru already known as India’s “Silicon Valley,” this development reinforces the city’s status as a critical center for advanced electronics manufacturing and innovation, while also boosting India’s presence in the global smartphone industry.

The ‘Veer Parivar Sahayata Yojana’ launched by the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) is specifically designed to provide comprehensive legal aid to defence personnel and their families. This initiative recognises the unique challenges faced by soldiers and ex-servicemen, including legal issues like land disputes and service entitlements, which are difficult to address due to their remote postings. By integrating Sainik Boards as legal aid centres and involving defence families as paralegal volunteers, the scheme offers accessible, community-driven support. It aims to ensure that those protecting the nation’s borders receive equal protection and justice at home, reinforcing a system of respect and care.

DGCA granted safety clearance to Air India SATS Airport Services Pvt Ltd, making India only the second country in the Asia Pacific region after Malaysia to adopt this robust ICAO-aligned safety framework. This clearance highlights the country’s commitment to enhancing aviation safety standards by strengthening safety management systems (SMS) and ensuring stricter regulatory oversight in ground handling operations. Such a move ensures operational efficiency, passenger safety, and compliance with global standards, reinforcing Air India SATS’ reputation as a reliable ground-handling service provider in India’s rapidly growing aviation sector.

Arthunkal Police Station, located in the Alappuzha district of Kerala, made history by becoming India’s first police station to earn the IS/ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System certification from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). The certification, awarded on July 10, 2025, acknowledges the station's excellence in crime prevention, investigation, public grievance redressal, and community policing. The recognition aligns with Kerala Police’s broader initiative to modernise policing under the Modernised Cherthala Police Programme. This achievement sets a national benchmark, highlighting how structured reforms and adherence to global quality standards can elevate public trust and operational efficiency in law enforcement.

Namrata Batra created history at the 2025 World Games in Chengdu, China, by winning a silver medal in the women’s 52 kg wushu event. Although she lost the final 2-0 to local competitor Mengyue Chen, her achievement marked India’s first-ever medal in wushu at the World Games. At just 24 years old, Namrata has already established herself as a prominent athlete, being a four-time national champion and the previous year’s silver medalist at the Asian Championships. Her consistent performances on international platforms highlight her talent and determination, making her a significant figure in Indian martial arts.

Kapil Bainsla from Palwal, Haryana secured India’s first gold medal at the 16th Asian Shooting Championship held in Shymkent, Kazakhstan. He triumphed in the 10m air pistol men junior final with a total score of 243.0, narrowly defeating Uzbekistan’s Ilkhombek Obidjonov by 0.6 points. His victory was significant as it set the momentum for India on the opening day of the tournament, where the country bagged one gold, two silvers, and one bronze overall. Kapil’s achievement highlights the rising talent in India’s shooting sport, showcasing determination and precision on the international stage.

England won the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 on July 27, 2025, in Basel, Switzerland, by defeating Spain in a dramatic penalty shoot-out. Despite a rough start—losing their opening match to France—England bounced back with remarkable resilience. Their journey through the knockout stages was intense, with every win coming through extra time. Coach Sarina Wiegman’s tactical brilliance and key performances from players like Chloe Kelly and Alessia Russo played pivotal roles. This victory made England the first team to win the Euros after an opening game loss and marked the first major senior team trophy for the nation on foreign soil.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved the Airports Authority of India’s proposal to develop a Greenfield Airport at Kota-Bundi in Rajasthan with an investment of ₹1,507 crore. Kota, widely recognised as the industrial capital of Rajasthan and a global hub for educational coaching, has seen rising demand for better transport infrastructure. The new airport will feature a modern terminal, a longer runway capable of handling larger aircraft like the A-321, and facilities to serve up to 2 million passengers annually. This project will strengthen connectivity, boost industrial and educational growth, generate employment, and accelerate regional economic development.

Bihar has introduced a significant policy reserving 35% of state government jobs exclusively for women who are domiciled in Bihar. This marks a shift from the earlier system that allowed women from any state to benefit from the reservation. The policy aims to enhance women's participation in governance and prioritise local candidates in public employment. Alongside this, the Bihar cabinet has also approved the establishment of the Bihar Youth Commission to support skill development, employment, and educational opportunities for the state's youth. These decisions are viewed as critical steps toward inclusive development and empowerment within Bihar.