1 130th Constitutional Amendment Bill introduced in Lok Sabha
The Constitution (One Hundred and Thirtieth Amendment) Bill, 2025 , the Government of Union Territories (Amendment) Bill, 2025 and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2025 were introduced in the Lok Sabha . Union Home Minister Amit Shah introduced these bills amid opposition protests over the special intensive amendment process in Bihar . The Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill, 2025 provides for the removal of Prime Ministers or Chief Ministers who are in custody for 30 days on charges of serious crimes (with imprisonment of 5 years or more) . It aims to ensure constitutional morality and good governance. The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2025 proposes amendment to Section 54 of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019. Under the new section (5A), a minister who is in custody for 30 days in serious crimes will be removed by the Lieutenant Governor on the advice of the Chief Minister by the 31st day. If the advice is not met, the minister will automatically be relieved of his office. The bill provides that if a chief minister is in custody for 30 days on charges of a serious crime, he must resign by the 31st day. If he does not do so, he will cease to hold office from the next day. Upon release from custody, the chief minister or minister can be reappointed by the Lieutenant Governor, opening the way for future appointments. The Government of Union Territories (Amendment) Bill, 2025 seeks to implement similar provisions in Union Territories as well, so that good governance and public confidence is maintained.
2 Lok Sabha passed the Online Gaming Bill: E-sports will be promoted, betting and gambling will be banned
The Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed the Online Gaming Promotion and Regulation Bill . The bill aims to promote e-sports and online social games , while imposing a complete ban on online money games, their related services, advertisements and financial transactions . Introducing the bill, Union Electronics and Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnav said that the government’s aim is to promote legal online gaming while protecting the society. The bill was passed by voice vote. Vaishnav divided online gaming into three parts. The first is e-sports, which involves strategic thinking, teamwork and cultural exchange. The second is online social games like solitaire, chess and sudoku, which were considered educational and entertaining. The third part is online money games, which are a matter of serious concern for the society. These games have led to addiction, economic loss, fraud, money laundering and even terrorism. However, the bill clarifies that no punishment will be given to people playing online money games. Action will be taken only on service providers, advertisers, promoters and financial associates. Under this law, offering or operating online money games is punishable with imprisonment of up to 3 years and/or a fine of up to Rs 1 crore. Violations related to advertising are punishable with imprisonment of up to 2 years and/or a fine of up to Rs 50 lakh. Repeat offenders are punishable with imprisonment of 3 to 5 years and a fine of up to Rs 2 crore. All major offences will be cognizable and non-bailable.
India has reached the third position in the world in terms of installed solar power capacity . With this, the country has become the fourth largest producer of wind energy in the world . This information was given by the government on Tuesday. The government quoted the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) as saying that the country is fourth in the world in terms of installed renewable energy , fourth in wind energy and third in solar energy . In the financial year 2024-25, India produced 1,08,494 gigawatt hours of solar energy, which is more than Japan’s 96,459 gigawatt hours . During this period, the country’s solar module manufacturing capacity has increased from 38 gigawatts to 74 gigawatts. The contribution of renewable energy in India’s total installed power capacity of 484.82 gigawatts has now reached 50.07 percent. This target is a commitment of COP26, which India has achieved five years ahead of schedule. India’s cumulative solar power capacity to be lit was 119.02 GW by 2025. This includes ground-mounted solar plant capacity of 90.99 GW, grid-connected rooftop systems capacity of 19.88 GW, hybrid projects capacity of 3.06 GW and off-grid solar installations capacity of 5.09 GW, reflecting the country’s diversified approach to expanding renewable energy. India is located in the tropical region, with the Tropic of Cancer passing through several states. This gives the country immense potential for solar power generation. The total solar power potential of the Indian subcontinent is 748 GW. States/UTs like Rajasthan, Jammu & Kashmir, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh have the highest solar power potential in the country, making them key drivers of India’s clean energy growth. Apart from this, the government said that the total renewable energy capacity of the country has increased to 227 GW by July 2025.
The Uttarakhand Assembly has approved the Uttarakhand Minority Education Bill giving recognition to minority educational institutions . The bill was passed today amid uproar by the opposition during the monsoon session of the Assembly held at Bhararisain in Chamoli district . Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that till now the process of granting recognition to minority institutions was limited to only one community . He said that under this bill, Uttarakhand Minority Education Authority will be constituted in the state. Now educational institutions of Muslim, Sikh, Jain, Christian, Buddhist and Parsi communities will have to seek approval from this authority to get recognition. MLA Trilok Singh Cheema had proposed in the House to remove Section 14 (th) from the Uttarakhand Minority Educational Institutions Bill . Accepting this proposal also, Section 14 (th) has been excluded from the bill. The status of minority educational institution in the state was available only for the Muslim community , but under this new bill, Sikh, Jain, Christian, Buddhist and Parsi communities will also get this facility. At the same time, from July 1, 2026, the Madrasa Board will be dissolved and Uttarakhand Minority Education Authority will be constituted in its place. All minority educational institutions, including 452 madrasas in the state, will now have to seek recognition from the new authority.
5 India successfully test-fired ‘Agni-5’ ballistic missile, with a range of over 5,000 km
India on Wednesday successfully test-fired its most advanced medium-range ballistic missile ‘Agni-5’ . The test was conducted under the supervision of the Strategic Forces Command from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur in Odisha . The biggest feature of ‘Agni-5’ is its range of more than 5,000 kilometers , that is, this missile can easily reach almost all the countries of the Asian continent and some parts of Europe . It is equipped with modern navigation, guidance and re-entry systems . Also, it is capable of carrying both nuclear and conventional warheads . This missile developed by DRDO is completely based on indigenous technology and can also be fired from road-mobile launchers. During the test, ships, radars and telemetry stations deployed at sea continuously monitored the flight of the missile and all technical data was thoroughly analyzed. The Agni series is the mainstay of India’s nuclear-capable missiles. The first Agni-1 had a range of 700 km. Subsequently, Agni-2 (2,000 km), Agni-3 (3,500 km) and Agni-4 (4,000 km) were developed. Now Agni-5 has emerged as the most advanced missile in this series.
India and the Eurasian Economic Union signed the Terms of Reference to launch negotiations on a free trade agreement . The five-nation group Eurasian Economic Union comprises Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Armenia . The Terms of Reference were signed in Moscow by Ajay Bhadoo, Additional Secretary, Department of Commerce, and Mikhail Cherekayev, Deputy Director, Department of Trade Policy, Eurasian Economic Commission . The proposed free trade agreement will boost exports, support micro, small and medium enterprises and provide access to various markets, the Commerce and Industry Ministry said in a statement. During the signing, both sides noted that trade between India and the Eurasian Economic Union will be $69 billion in 2024. This represents a seven percent increase compared to the year 2023.
7 Nomura retains India’s growth forecast for FY26 at 6.2 per cent
Leading Japanese brokerage firm Nomura has maintained its economic growth forecast for India at 6.2 percent and retail inflation forecast at 2.7 percent for FY26 . The outlook has been released by Nomura at a time when the Government of India has announced major reforms in the Goods and Services Tax (GST), which can increase consumption in the economy on a large scale. Currently, there are four slabs of GST (5 percent, 12 percent, 18 percent and 28 percent). According to reports, the central government proposes to reduce their number to two and keep only the slabs of 5 percent and 18 percent. Also, a tax of 40 percent should be imposed on luxury and sin goods like tobacco and cigarettes.
8 Digital B2B Marketplace, World Audio-Visual & Entertainment Summit Bazaar-Waves launched in Melbourne, Australia
Digital B2B marketplace , World Audiovisual and Entertainment Summit Bazaar-Waves was launched in Melbourne, Australia . The Indian Consulate General in Melbourne said on social media that the initiative will bring together more than 50 Indian and Australian filmmakers. During this, more than 465 meetings will be held. This will pave the way for co-productions, investment opportunities, global distribution alliances and exchange of important knowledge. It said that the launch of Waves Bazaar in Melbourne will strengthen creative relationships across borders. During the event, a letter of intent was signed between the National Film Development Corporation of India and the National Film and Sound Archives of Australia for cooperation in film presentation and archival exchange.
9 First Khelo India Water Sports Festival begins at Dal Lake in Jammu and Kashmir
The three-day Khelo India Water Sports Festival is being held in Jammu and Kashmir from August 21 to August 23 at Dal Lake . The event is being seen as a celebration of the culture and ecology of Jammu and Kashmir. The mascot of the festival is inspired by the Himalayan Kingfisher, signifying courage, energy and deep connection with nature. More than 500 athletes from 36 states and union territories will participate in sports events like sailing, canoeing and kayaking. The festival also includes demonstration events like water skiing, dragon boat and Shikara race. Jointly organized by the Sports Authority of India and the Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council, the games are being held under the government’s ‘Khelo India’ policy. More than four hundred players from 36 states and union territories will compete for 24 gold medals in sailing, kayaking and canoeing in the three-day national competition . All the 24 medal events in this national championship are part of the Olympic Games program .
India is going to host the World Para Athletics Championship 2025 for the first time . It will be the largest para-sports event ever held in the country, with more than 2,500 para-athletes and support staff from 104 countries participating. The championship will be held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi from 27 September to 5 October 2025. During this, a total of 186 medal matches will be held in men’s, women’s and mixed categories. According to the organizing committee, this tournament will not only bring together the best para-athletes but will also set a unique example of courage and inclusiveness. Chief Patron of the Para Olympic Committee Vanathi Srinivasan met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and invited him to attend the opening ceremony of the championship.