1 Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan dedicated India’s first indigenous African Swine Fever vaccine to the nation.
Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan dedicated India ‘s first indigenous MA-104 cell line-based live attenuated African swine fever vaccine for pigs . Scientists at the ICAR-National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (ICAR-NIHSAD), Bhopal, have developed India’s first indigenous MA-104 cell line-based live attenuated African swine fever (ASF) vaccine for pigs. Developed using a new attenuated ASFV genotype II virus with a unique gene deletion in the MA-104 cell line, the vaccine is a major breakthrough in veterinary research and suitable for mass production. It is one of the most devastating animal diseases affecting domestic and wild pigs worldwide. The Ministry stated that the vaccine is a major breakthrough in veterinary research and suitable for mass production. The vaccine is recommended for healthy pigs over 8 weeks of age and is administered as a 1 ml intramuscular injection. A booster dose is then administered 14 days after the primary vaccination. African swine fever (ASF), caused by the African swine fever virus (ASFV), is one of the most devastating transboundary animal diseases affecting domestic and wild pigs worldwide. Characterized by high fever, hemorrhage, and mortality rates of up to 100 percent, the disease has caused severe socioeconomic damage to the global pig farming sector.
On August 3, Vishwesh Negi was appointed India’s next Ambassador to Iran . Vishwesh is a 2002 batch Indian Foreign Officer and will replace the current Ambassador, Dr. Mohammad Fatah Ali. Currently, Vishwesh serves as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs. Vishwesh held bilateral diplomatic responsibilities in the Ministry of External Affairs from 2002-2022 and has held several important positions in India’s foreign missions. In September 2022, Vishwesh was appointed Officer on Special Duty (OSD) Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Defence, Government of India. India-Iran relations are significant due to energy security, Chabahar port, regional connectivity, trade, and its strategic location in West Asia.
On August 4 , Indian astrophysicist Dr. Annapurni Subramanian was awarded the COSPAR Vikram Sarabhai Medal 2026. Dr. Annapurni is the first Indian woman scientist to receive this medal. A total of four Indians have received this medal so far . Dr. Annapurni was awarded the medal during the 46th COSPAR Scientific Assembly held in Florence , Italy , for her contributions to space research . Dr. Annapurni Subramanian is currently the Director of the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Bengaluru . She is also the Additional Director of the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS). Dr. Annapurni is known for her research on stars, star clusters, and nearby galaxies. Dr. Annapurni played a key role as the calibration scientist for the Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (UVIT) on board India’s first space-based observatory mission, AstroSat. The COSPAR Vikram Sarabhai Medal is awarded to scientists from developing countries for their outstanding contributions to space research. The award is jointly presented by the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) and the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). The medal was established in 1990 to honor Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, the father of India’s space program.
On August 5th , Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh, concluded a three-day official visit to Vietnam . The visit aims to further strengthen defense ties and enhance military cooperation between the two countries. Chief of the Air Staff Singh arrived in Hanoi and met with Indian Ambassador Tshering W. Sherpa . During the visit, Singh held bilateral talks with Lieutenant General Vu Hong Son, Commander of the Air Defense-Air Force Service. This visit reflects India and Vietnam’s shared commitment to deepen their comprehensive strategic partnership. According to Defense Secretary Rajesh Kumar, India has also signed a deal with Vietnam for the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile.
The Pacific island nation of Nauru has officially changed its name to the Republic of Nauro. President David Adeang announced that the new name reflects the traditional spelling and pronunciation of the country’s national language. The country’s international code will be changed from NRU to NRO in conjunction with the name change. Its citizens will now be known as Dei-Nauro instead of Nauruans . The new name, commonly pronounced Nau-roo abroad, is pronounced Nau-ero. With a population of approximately 12,000, the Republic of Nauro is the world’s third-smallest country by population, after Tuvalu and Vatican City. This tiny coral limestone island was formerly a German colony, later administered by Australia, and gained independence as a republic in 1968.
The Lok Sabha has passed the Appropriation Bill, 2026. This bill was introduced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman . It authorizes the appropriation of funds from the Consolidated Fund of India to cover expenditures exceeding the approved amount on certain services during the financial year ending March 31, 2023. The government has requested over ₹54,000 crore to cover certain additional expenditures . This amount will be spent on debt repayment. The proposed bill simplifies necessary mechanisms and procedures to attract international capital to India. This bill will also promote AI data-related investments in India. The reports of the Public Accounts Committee and the Committee on Government Assurances will also be tabled in the House.
Parliament has passed the Births and Deaths Registration (Amendment) Bill, 2026 , with the Rajya Sabha ‘s approval. The Lok Sabha has already passed the bill. The bill was introduced by Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai . The bill aims to amend the Births and Deaths Registration Act, 1969. The new bill seeks to tighten the provisions for delayed registration and encourage timely reporting of births and deaths. The bill provides that if a birth or death is reported to the Registrar more than one year but within two years of its occurrence , it can be registered only after verification of the authenticity of the birth or death, with the approval of the District Magistrate, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, or Executive Magistrate authorized by the District Magistrate.
The Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) and the Geological Survey of India (GSI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration in geoscience, mineral exploration, and disaster management through next-generation advanced technologies . The MoU was signed today in New Delhi in the presence of S. Krishnan, Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. The collaboration aims to address complex subsurface exploration challenges through advanced digital technologies.
9 Meghalaya launched Mission Clouded Leopard to conserve its state animal
Meghalaya has launched Mission Clouded Leopard, a program dedicated to the conservation of its state animal . The mission includes habitat protection and restoration, scientific research and long-term monitoring, robust conservation measures, landscape outreach, capacity building of frontline staff, community participation, and public awareness . The mission will be guided by the Meghalaya Clouded Leopard Action Plan being prepared by the Forest and Environment Department . Ongoing scientific assessments have so far identified 21 clouded leopards in the Balpakram area. This assessment will be expanded to all major habitats in the state to estimate the state animal’s overall population. Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma made the announcement via a social media post on August 4 , International Clouded Leopard Day . The clouded leopard is listed as a threatened species on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List and is protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. In Meghalaya, the species is found in the forest areas of Nokrek, Balpakram, Baghmara, Narpuh and Nongkhlim and in the community managed forests of the state.
10 India supports Sri Lanka against dengue, provides 500 litres of technical Malathion
India has once again extended a helping hand to Sri Lanka in its efforts to control the spread of dengue . Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha handed over 500 liters of technical Malathion (a pesticide) to Sri Lankan Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa on Tuesday . India’s assistance comes at a time when dengue wards in many Sri Lankan hospitals are still overflowing with patients. Daily dengue cases in Sri Lanka have declined recently. According to official data, daily cases of infection, which once reached around 1,000, have now dropped to around 500. However, despite the decline in cases, hospitals remain under pressure. Earlier on July 14th , Santosh Jha and Sri Lanka’s Health Ministry Secretary Anil Jasinghe signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the supply of medical equipment to the Base Hospital in Deniyaya . Under this agreement, the Indian government will provide a grant of 600 million Sri Lankan rupees . The hospital is being relocated due to its location in the disaster-affected area. The project is targeted to be completed in three years.
11 Harshita becomes the first Indian woman to join the Tour de France Femmes
Young Indian cyclist Harshita Jakhar has made history by becoming the first Indian woman to participate in the prestigious Tour de France Femmes . The 19-year-old from Rajasthan led a team of eight talented cyclists at the formal launch of the second stage of the grueling multi-stage cycling race on Sunday. The team included athletes from Afghanistan, Algeria, Chile, Ethiopia (two cyclists), Namibia, and Uganda. The competition began in Lausanne on August 1st and will conclude in Nice on August 9th. This special team, selected by the International Cycling Union (UCI), rode the 4.5-kilometer-long neutralized section (non-competitive opening stage) of the race route, along with some cyclists from the UCI World Cycling Centre (WCC) Road Team. The Tour de France Femmes is a prestigious women’s multi-stage cycling race, considered equivalent to the men’s Tour de France. It is one of the major events on the UCI Women’s World Tour calendar.
12 India dominates Brazil Para Badminton International 2026: SAI NCoE athletes and Biri Takkar shine in Sao Paulo
The Indian para-badminton team performed brilliantly at the Brazil Para Badminton International 2026, part of the BWF Para World Circuit, held in São Paulo from July 27 to August 1, 2026. India won a total of 22 medals (9 gold, 6 silver, and 7 bronze) to finish first in the medal tally , ahead of host nation Brazil (8 gold) . Players from the SAI National Centre of Excellence (NCoE) won nine medals, with Biri Takkar from Arunachal Pradesh making two podium finishes. Takkar’s gold in men’s doubles and bronze in men’s singles were part of India’s impressive performance at the tournament, which saw the team win a total of 22 medals – nine gold, six silver, and seven bronze.