1 Space Force launches X-37B OTV-8 mission
The US Army has launched its secret ‘ space drone ‘ on a rocket of Elon Musk ‘s space agency SpaceX . SpaceX’s most powerful rocket – Falcon 9 , flew into space on Thursday night, August 21, carrying this secret X-37B drone of the US Army . The X-37B, officially called the Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV) , is one of the most mysterious projects of the US Air Force and Space Force . It is often called the ” mini space shuttle “. It is known for its long stay in space, repeated use and secret experiments. It is an important part of America’s space dominance strategy amid the growing space programs of rivals like China and Russia.
2 India partners with World Food Programme to tackle global hunger
The Government of India and the World Food Programme (WFP) announced a significant milestone in their collaboration aimed at tackling the global hunger crisis by signing a Letter of Intent (LoI) . The Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD), Government of India, offers WFP the opportunity to supply fortified rice from India under this initiative . This initiative will help meet the food and nutrition needs of the most vulnerable populations in crisis-hit regions globally. This collaboration demonstrates the strength of global partnerships. By sourcing rice from India, WFP will use the resources of a country with agricultural surpluses to provide life-saving assistance and make concrete progress towards tackling hunger. This initiative marks the culmination of discussions that took place at an Executive Board event in February 2025 in Rome , where representatives from the Government of India and WFP deliberated on modalities of cooperation. This LoI lays the groundwork for ensuring a reliable supply of food for humanitarian distribution.
3 The Central Government constituted three high-level committees to celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Patel and Birsa Munda and the birth centenary of Atal Bihari Vajpayee
The government has constituted three high-level committees to celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and tribal leader Birsa Munda and the birth centenary of Atal Bihari Vajpayee . According to the Union Culture Ministry, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be the chairman of all three committees. The committees have been entrusted with the task of approving schemes, programmes, monitoring and guiding commemoration functions across the country. Vallabhbhai Patel was born on 31 October 1875 in Nadiad, Gujarat . Mr. Patel played an important role in the country’s freedom struggle. He successfully merged 565 princely states into the Indian Union in a very short time, which is an unprecedented achievement. Vallabhbhai Patel is also known as the Iron Man of India. Birsa Munda was a famous tribal leader and freedom fighter . Tribal movements like Ulgulan i.e. revolution against British rule under the leadership of Birsa Munda were not only important in challenging British oppression but also inspired national awakening. Birsa Munda, worshiped as a god by tribal communities, led a fierce resistance against the exploitative colonial system, making his birth anniversary on November 15 an apt occasion to honour tribal heroes . Atal Bihari Vajpayee was a poet, writer and statesman who served as the country’s prime minister thrice. Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s birth anniversary is celebrated as Good Governance Day on December 25. During his tenure as prime minister, India conducted the Pokhran-II nuclear tests in 1998 .
4 India and Fiji exchange 7 MoUs on health, standardisation, capacity building and several mega projects
India and Fiji signed seven agreements in New Delhi on health, standardization, capacity building and large-scale impact projects . In a press conference after delegation-level talks with Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka, Prime Minister Modi said that a 100-bed super-speciality hospital will be built in Suva, the capital of Fiji, with Indian assistance. Mr Modi said that Jan Aushadhi Kendras will also be opened in Fiji which will provide affordable and high quality medicines to the people.
5 Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla sworn in as 22nd Governor of Nagaland
Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla took oath as the 22nd Governor of Nagaland . He was administered the oath by Chief Justice of Guwahati High Court, Justice Ashutosh Kumar at Raj Bhavan in Kohima. Mr Bhalla has been given additional charge of Nagaland after the demise of Governor Lakshmi Ganesan on August 15.
6 Finance Ministry launches one-time switch facility from Integrated Pension Scheme to National Pension System for Central Government employees
The Finance Ministry has introduced the facility of one-time unilateral joining of the National Pension System through the newly launched Integrated Pension Scheme-UPS . According to an official notification, this facility will be available to UPS holders one year before their retirement or three months before voluntary retirement. Employees facing dismissal, expulsion or disciplinary action will not be eligible for this facility. Once the option of NPS is chosen, the employee will not be entitled to the benefits of UPS including assured payment. The government’s 4 percent differential contribution will be added to the employee’s NPS fund while exiting UPS. The move is aimed at streamlining pension benefits and providing flexibility. Apart from this, NPS is to be strengthened as a long-term retirement solution. The government has introduced UPS as an option under the National Pension System for Central Government employees from April 1, 2025.
7 Agreement between RRU and SSB Alwar for national security training
In a significant step towards strengthening India’s internal security framework , Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU) and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), Alwar have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The partnership aims to promote professional training, academic collaboration and research innovation in the field of national security, law enforcement and border management . The collaboration seeks to combine practical experience and academic depth between RRU—a premier institute of security and policing education—and SSB Alwar—an important centre for border security training. Over 900 trainees of SSB Alwar, including new recruits and officers undergoing promotion training, will now benefit from accredited academic inputs and modern teaching modules.
8 CBI arrests wanted kingpin of international cyber fraud gang under Operation Chakra
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested the wanted kingpin of an international cyber fraud gang under Operation Chakra . The Bureau, with the assistance of immigration officials, apprehended the accused at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi while he was boarding a flight to Kathmandu. In May this year, the CBI had registered an FIR in collaboration with the FBI, UK National Crime Agency and Microsoft Corporation. During this operation, a fraudulent call centre operating under the name First Idea in the Noida Special Economic Zone was busted. The call centre was involved in a scam that defrauded citizens of the UK, Australia and other EU countries. Operation Chakra is an initiative of the CBI launched to dismantle international cyber-enabled financial crime networks .
9 Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, Defence Nikhil Khadse inaugurated the Giving Wings to Dreams Conclave 2025 in New Delhi
Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, Defence Nikhil Khadse inaugurated the Giving Wings to Dreams Conclave 2025 in New Delhi . The conclave saw key stakeholders discuss the future of the Indian sports ecosystem , with a focus on investments, sports science, manufacturing and expanding sports startups. The conclave added a new chapter in fostering an ecosystem that prioritises transparent governance, investing in grassroots talent and leveraging public-private partnerships.
10 Fitch maintains rating at ‘BBB’ and outlook at stable
Fitch Ratings has retained India’s credit rating at ‘ BBB ‘ with Stable Outlook, backed by the country’s strong economic growth and external financial position . “Despite slowing momentum in the past two years, India’s economic outlook remains stronger than peers,” the rating agency said. “We forecast GDP growth to be 6.5 per cent in March 2026 (FY26), unchanged from FY25 and well above the ‘BBB’ median of 2.5 per cent,” Fitch Ratings said in a report on Monday. Fitch estimates that the direct impact of the US tariff hike on India’s GDP growth will be marginal as exports to the US account for only 2 per cent of GDP.
11 India won two gold medals on the first day of the 30th Commonwealth Weightlifting Championship
India won two gold medals on the first day of the 30th Commonwealth Weightlifting Championship in Ahmedabad, Gujarat . In the women’s 44-48 kg category, Preeti Smita Bhoi lifted 63 kg in snatch and 87 kg in clean and jerk . She finished with a total of 150 kg . In the men’s 56-60 kg category, Dharmjyoti Devgharia lifted 97 kg in snatch and 127 kg in clean and jerk to give India its second gold medal . He finished with a total of 224 kg .
12 Aishwarya Tomar won gold medal at Asian Shooting Championships 2025
Indian shooter Aishwarya Pratap Singh Tomar performed brilliantly by winning the gold medal in the men’s 50m rifle three-position event at the 16th Asian Shooting Championship 2025 held in Shymkent, Kazakhstan . This victory further reinforces India’s rising medal tally in shooting and its ever-stronger position on the global stage. India won the silver medal in the men’s 50m rifle three-position team event. The team included: Aishwarya Pratap Singh Tomar Chen Singh Akhil Sheron