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Ms. T.C.A. Kalyani, a 1991-batch officer of the Indian Civil Accounts Service (ICAS), has been appointed as the 29th Controller General of Accounts (CGA) of India on September 1, 2025. With over 34 years of experience in public finance, governance, and digital transformation, she has contributed significantly to initiatives such as Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) for fertilizers, digital reforms in MTNL, and financial restructuring of key PSUs. She has also held critical roles across ministries including Defence, Finance, and Home Affairs. As CGA, Ms. Kalyani will oversee central government accounts, financial reporting, and reforms, while advancing transparency and efficiency. Her appointment also marks a step forward for women’s representation in top financial leadership roles within the Indian government.

Pratyay Amrit, a 1989-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, has been appointed as the next Chief Secretary of Bihar. He will take over the role from the outgoing Chief Secretary, Amrit Lal Meena. Prior to assuming this new position, Pratyay Amrit has been serving as the Development Commissioner of Bihar and will act as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the Chief Secretary’s office until the transition is complete. His appointment was officially announced by the General Administration Department of Bihar. This change marks a significant administrative development in the state’s bureaucratic leadership.

ICICI Bank, India’s second-largest private sector lender, has announced a significant hike in its Minimum Average Balance (MAB) requirements for metro, urban, semi-urban, and rural branches, effective August 2025. This revision marks the first such steep increase among private banks, with metro and urban branches seeing the MAB raised from ₹10,000 to ₹50,000, semi-urban from ₹5,000 to ₹25,000, and rural from ₹2,500 to ₹10,000. The policy also introduces stricter penalties for non-maintenance and revised cash transaction limits. This move has sparked discussions on the rising banking cost burden, especially when many public sector banks are reducing or waiving similar charges.

The Constitution (One Hundred and Thirtieth Amendment) Bill, 2025, introduced by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, specifies that the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers, and other ministers will be automatically removed from office if they are detained for 30 consecutive days on charges that carry a minimum sentence of five years. This clause strengthens accountability and ensures that individuals holding the highest executive positions cannot continue in office while under prolonged detention. By fixing the threshold at 30 days, the law balances due process with public trust in governance, preventing misuse of power and safeguarding democratic integrity.

Assam Rifles entered into a collaboration with IIIT Manipur to promote drone technology specifically for defence and security applications. This partnership involved the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding at Mantripukhri and the launch of an Advanced Drone Training and Refresher Course. The program was designed to equip Assam Rifles personnel with skills in drone flight operations, proper maintenance, and DGCA-certified training. Such collaborations highlight the growing importance of academic–defence partnerships in advancing indigenous technological capabilities, enhancing operational efficiency, and ensuring that security forces remain well-trained in modern surveillance and defence tools.

The 14th edition of Exercise MAITREE between the Indian Army and the Royal Thai Army began on September 1, 2025, at the Joint Training Node (JTN) in Umroi, Meghalaya. This exercise, first initiated in 2006, is aimed at improving interoperability, trust, and joint operational capabilities in counter-terrorism and semi-urban warfare. India is represented by the Madras Regiment, while Thailand has deployed personnel from the 1st Infantry Battalion, 14th Infantry Brigade. With training modules covering tactical drills, arms handling, and UN Charter-based operations, the exercise highlights the deepening defence cooperation between India and Thailand in the Indo-Pacific region.

In July 2025, India’s unemployment rate fell to 5.2% for individuals aged 15 years and above, reflecting an improvement compared to 5.6% in June 2025. This decline indicated a positive trend in employment generation across the country. The data also revealed gender-specific figures, with the unemployment rate for females at 5.1% and males at 5.3%. Regionally, rural areas recorded a lower rate of 4.8%, significantly better than the urban unemployment rate of 6.8%. Such statistics provide insights into labor market dynamics and help policymakers design targeted interventions to sustain job growth and reduce regional disparities.

The rare dragonfly species Crocothemis erythraea has been reconfirmed in the Western Ghats, specifically in the high-altitude Shola forests and montane grasslands of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. This rediscovery is significant because the species, usually found in Europe, Central Asia, and the Himalayas, was earlier misidentified due to its resemblance to the more common Crocothemis servilia. Scientists believe it may have reached South India during the Ice Age and survived in cooler highland habitats. The finding emphasises the Western Ghats’ status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world’s top biodiversity hotspots, highlighting urgent conservation needs.

The Suru Summer Festival 2025 was held in Suru Valley, Ladakh, and became historic due to an unprecedented August snowfall. This rare climatic event transformed the festival into a snow festival, attracting global attention and highlighting Ladakh’s unpredictable yet fascinating environment. The inauguration was graced by Union Minister Kiren Rijiju as the Chief Guest and Lieutenant Governor Kavender Gupta as the Guest of Honour. The snowfall not only enhanced the natural beauty of Ladakh but also underlined the region’s distinct cultural and environmental identity, making the festival a remarkable and unforgettable celebration.

Women’s Equality Day is observed annually in the United States on August 26, commemorating the certification of the 19th Amendment in 1920, which granted American women the constitutional right to vote. This day not only celebrates the historical victory of women securing suffrage after decades of activism, including the efforts initiated at the Seneca Falls Convention of 1848, but also serves as a reminder of ongoing struggles. Issues such as wage inequality, underrepresentation of women in leadership, and barriers in healthcare and education highlight the importance of continued advocacy. August 26 remains a powerful symbol of progress and unfinished work toward gender equality.

World Mosquito Day is observed annually on August 20 to highlight the dangers of mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue, chikungunya, Japanese Encephalitis, and Zika virus. The day commemorates the groundbreaking discovery by Sir Ronald Ross in 1897 that malaria is transmitted through the bite of a female Anopheles mosquito. This finding transformed the global approach to disease prevention and control. Despite advancements, mosquito-borne illnesses still cause widespread health issues, especially during monsoon seasons in regions like India. The observance emphasises prevention, awareness, community participation, and global cooperation to reduce the burden of these diseases.

The much-anticipated summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump was held at the Elmendorf-Richardson military base in Anchorage, Alaska. While the meeting lasted three hours, it ended without a peace deal on the Ukraine conflict. Both leaders, however, described the dialogue as constructive and expressed optimism for continued engagement. The choice of Alaska carried symbolic significance, being geographically positioned between the U.S. and Russia, underscoring its role as a neutral yet strategic venue. Although no concrete agreement emerged, the summit marked an important diplomatic interaction with potential implications for future negotiations.

South Africa launched the innovative Rhisotope Project through the University of the Witwatersrand to tackle the persistent issue of rhino poaching. The initiative involves injecting small amounts of radioactive isotopes into rhino horns, making them traceable and less attractive to poachers and smugglers. The project is supported by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and was piloted on five rhinos at the Waterberg Biosphere Reserve. The use of radioisotopes not only allows for easier tracking of illicit wildlife trade but also introduces health and legal risks for traffickers, thereby creating a powerful deterrent against poaching.

The National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) has launched a new Medical Application Portal specifically designed for laboratories applying under ISO 15189:2022. This standard is globally recognised for defining quality and competence requirements in medical laboratories, ensuring accuracy, reliability, and safety in diagnostic testing. The digital portal simplifies application processes, offers real-time status tracking, and introduces multi-user access for better accountability. By streamlining accreditation procedures, it aims to enhance India’s healthcare infrastructure, reduce human errors, and speed up approvals. Accreditation under ISO 15189:2022 strengthens trust in diagnostic services, making it critical for patient safety and effective healthcare delivery.

Kohima, the capital of Nagaland, was ranked as the safest city for women in India in the NARI 2025 report released by the National Commission for Women (NCW). The rankings were based on feedback from 12,770 women across 31 major cities and considered parameters like workplace safety, trust in authorities, harassment reporting, and night-time mobility. Kohima’s first-place ranking highlights the strong safety culture, community vigilance, and gender inclusivity present in Nagaland. Along with Aizawl and Gangtok, the Northeast region showcased a dominant presence in the top five, reflecting its positive approach toward women’s security and urban well-being.

India’s first-ever mobile tempered glass factory was inaugurated in Noida on August 30, 2025, by Union Minister of Electronics and IT Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw. The facility, established by Optiemus Electronics in collaboration with Corning Incorporated, USA, will manufacture tempered glass under the premium “Engineered by Corning” brand. This milestone strengthens the Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives by reducing import dependence and creating jobs. With an initial investment of ₹70 crore, the plant begins with a 25-million-unit annual capacity and 600 jobs, while a planned ₹800 crore Phase 2 expansion is expected to significantly boost production and employment.

India’s first indigenous 1MW green hydrogen plant was commissioned at Kandla in Gujarat by the Deendayal Port Authority. This pioneering facility is not only a milestone in India’s clean energy and maritime decarbonization efforts but also a showcase of the Make in India initiative, with the electrolyser being domestically manufactured. Initially used to power buses and street lighting within the port, the plant is set to expand to 10MW capacity and will eventually fuel port operations, including vehicles and vessels. The project, supported by the government and inaugurated by the Union Shipping Minister, is a benchmark for sustainable port development in India.

U Myint Swe, who was serving as the acting President of Myanmar since February 2021, passed away at the age of 74 in Nay Pyi Taw, the country’s capital. He had previously been sworn in as Vice President in March 2016 and assumed the acting presidency after the detention of President U Win Myint. Suffering from Parkinson’s Disease and other neurological conditions, he had been on medical leave since July 2024. His death marks a significant moment in Myanmar’s recent political history, as he held the nation’s top leadership role during a turbulent period.

India is set to make history by sending its first official pickleball team to the World Cup in Florida, scheduled from October 27 to November 2. The Indian Pickleball Association (IPA) organised two-day national selection trials in Ahmedabad, with more than 140 players competing across Open, U-16, and 50+ categories. Following the trials, the selected players will undergo specialised high-performance training to prepare for the international challenge. The tournament is sanctioned by the Global Pickleball Federation, marking a significant step in India’s growing engagement with this fast-emerging sport.

The X-37B, officially known as the Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV), is a highly secretive U.S. spaceplane developed initially by NASA and later managed by Boeing for the Department of Defense. Operated today by the U.S. Space Force, the X-37B has carried out multiple classified missions since its first launch in 2010. Measuring around 9 meters in length with a 4.5-meter wingspan, it resembles a mini space shuttle and features a payload bay comparable to a small pickup truck bed. Its standout capability is reusability and endurance, with the ability to remain in orbit for over 900 days. The program is widely believed to test advanced space technologies, materials, and sensors, potentially serving as a platform for future space dominance in an era of growing strategic competition.