Impatiens Nimspurjai: Himalayan Plant Named After Nirmal Purja

There has been a recently discovered plant from the Himalayas which has been given the name Impatiens nimspurjai to pay homage to famous Nepalese mountaineer, Nirmal “Nimsdai” Purja who was among the most renowned climbers of his era. This discovery was made in Nepal’s Myagdi district at an altitude of 2,800-2,900 meters in the Impatiens genus of plants which have a common name of tiuri in Nepal. Researchers Bhakta Bahadur Raskoti and Rita Ale discovered the plant and this honor came just after the death of Purja in the Broad Peak avalanche in Pakistan.

What Is Impatiens Nimspurjai?

Impatiens nimspurjai is a new Himalayan plant species named after Nirmal Purja.
This species of plant belongs to the Impatiens genus of flowering plants that exist across many parts of Asia. The Impatiens plants in Nepal are known by the name tiuri.
This discovery makes the area important botanically since it is already famous for its majestic Himalayan landscape and its biodiversity.

Where Was the Plant Discovered?

The plant was discovered in the Myagdi district of Nepal at an altitude of 2,800-2,900 meters.
Myagdi is located in the province of Gandaki, Nepal and is home to the areas of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountain range. This place is known for trekking paths, waterfalls, villages, rivers, and natural hot springs.

How Did Impatiens Nimspurjai Get Discovered?

It has been discovered by two researchers named Bhakta Bahadur Raskoti and Rita Ale.
The naming of a newly discovered plant species after Purja makes the relation of Himalayan diversity and the mountaineer whose career was very much related to high mountains of the world everlasting.

Why Did They Give That Name to the New Plant Species?

In 2019, Purja became world-famous as he made a speed record for scaling 14 peaks higher than 8,000 meters in six months and six days.
Purja was also a member of the historical all-Nepali team that did the first winter ascent of K2 in 2021.
But his relation with the mountains is not just limited to climbing because through Nimsdai Foundation he also supported environmental activities like big mountain cleanup, which involves cleaning up abandoned expeditions’ wastes from high altitude places.

Final Expedition of Nirmal Purja

Purja died at the age of 43 when an avalanche hit an expedition on Broad Peak in Pakistan on July 30, 2026.

It was reported by his expedition company, Elite Exped. Ten people belonging to the expedition from different countries died in this accident.

India-USN EOD Exercise 2026 Concludes in Kochi

The 8th edition of the India-USN EOD Exercise 2026 was concluded at the Southern Naval Command in Kochi, India, on August 14, 2026. This was a joint naval exercise, which brought Indian and US naval personnel to exchange knowledge and conduct specialized training in explosive ordnance disposal and related maritime operations. The joint exercise included the discussion of emerging issues such as IEDs, mine neutralization and render-safe operations, in addition to diving and underwater operations.

India-USN EOD Exercise 2026 Concludes at Kochi

This exercise was conducted at the Southern Naval Command in Kochi, India, and lasted until August 14, 2026.

The main objective of this bilateral exercise was the exchange of professionals from the Indian and US Navies for the conduct of intensive discussions and demonstrations of their specialized skills and knowledge.

Areas Highlighted during the Exercise

Several vital aspects concerning EOD activities were highlighted in the SMEEs.

These areas includes,

Live threats from Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs)
Render-safe actions
Mine neutralization
Utilization of unmanned underwater systems
Specialized diving equipment
Wreck location and salvage
Slithering operations

Through the discussions and the practical sessions, personnel from the two navies gained specialized information regarding different approaches to EOD operations.

Why Is the IN-USN EOD Exercise Significant?

The exercise improved the professional competency and skills of the participating diving teams while fostering understanding between the two navies.

Bilateral exercises of such kind regularly ensure that military officials get to know each other’s techniques, equipments and methods. This helps ensure inter-operability, which is important when the forces have to cooperate effectively for conducting specialized maritime missions.

The exercise also shows the ongoing maritime defence cooperation between India and the United States.

National Sports Awards 2025 Announced: Key Winners List

The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports declared the National Sports Awards 2025 on August 18, 2026, for the distinguished performances by individuals in different sporting events. A total of 17 sportspersons are being honoured by the ministry with the prestigious Arjuna Awards that include chess World Cup winner Divya Deshmukh, badminton player Gayatri Gopichand, Grandmaster Vidit Gujurathi and athelete Tejaswin Shankar. The Glasgow Commonwealth Games silver medallist boxer Narender and deaf rifle shooter Dhanush Srikanth are also in the list of awardees

Who Has Been Selected for Arjuna Awards?

The Arjuna Awards are being given to distinguished sportspersons for their extraordinary performance in sports and games.

Among the most distinguished awardees are,

Divya Deshmukh – Chess
Gayatri Gopichand – Badminton
Treesa Jolly – Badminton
Vidit Gujurathi – Chess
Tejaswin Shankar – Athletics
Narender – Boxing
Dhanush Srikanth – Shooting

The recognition of Divya Deshmukh follows her stellar performance in international chess competition and Gayatri Gopichand & Treesa Jolly have been recognized for their women’s doubles performance in badminton.

No Khel Ratna Award Announced

One of the significant features of the National Sports Awards 2025 announcement is that the Ministry of Sports did not declare any awardee for the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award.

The Khel Ratna award is considered the highest sporting honour in India.

It recognizes the exceptional achievements of sports persons in the international competitions.

Arjuna Awards for Lifetime Achievement

Mr. I Arumainayagam, a former football player who was part of the gold-winning team of India at the 1962 Asian Games, has been chosen for the Arjuna Award in Lifetime Achievement category.

He has been recognized due to his contribution to Indian football and his achievements in Indian teams’ successful campaign at the Asian Games.

Winners of Dronacharya Awards

There are several awards given by the government to recognize the efforts put forth by coaches for nurturing talent in sports.

The Dronacharya Award for best coaches of Sports and Games has been awarded to,

Parveer Singh – Athletics
Chhote Lal Yadav – Boxing
Neha Nandkumar Chavan – Shooting

It recognizes those coaches who have played an important role in generating and nurturing the talents of their wards.

Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar 2025

Pune based Army Paralympic Node has won the Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar 2025.

This is given to corporate entities, organizations, whether public or private and NGOs for their contribution towards promotion and development of sports.

How Were the National Sports Awards Chosen?

As per the statement from the Sports Ministry, the decision was made based on the recommendation of the Selection Committee headed by Justice (Retired) Arun Kumar Mishra who is a retired justice of the Supreme Court of India.

The committee evaluated the contributions made by athletes and other entities.

Category Wise Winners Full List

1. Arjuna Awards for Outstanding Performance in Sports and Games 2025

Sr. No	Name of Sportsperon	Discipline
1	Tejaswin Shankar	Athletics
2	Muhammed Ajmal V	Athletics
3	Priyanka Goswami	Athletics
4	Treesa Jolly	Badminton
5	Pullela Gayatri Gopichand	Badminton
6	Narender	Boxing
7	Vidit Santosh Gujarathi	Chess
8	Divya Jitendra Deshmukh	Chess
9	Dhanush Srikanth	Deaf Shooting
10	Lalremsiami	Hockey
11	Rajkumar Pal	Hockey
12	Surjeet	Kabaddi
13	Pooja	Kabaddi
14	Rudransh Khandelwal	Para-Shooting
15	Ekta Bhyan	Para-Athletics
16	Arvind Singh	Rowing
17	Akhil Sheoran	Shooting

2. Arjuna Award (Lifetime) 2025

Sr. No	Name of Sportsperon	Discipline
1	I. Arumainayagam	Football

Total: 1 sportsperson

3. Dronacharya Award – Regular Category 2025

Sr. No	Name of Sportsperon	Discipline
1	Parveer Singh	Athletics
2	Chhote Lal Yadav	Boxing
3	Neha Nandkumar Chavan	Shooting

Total: 3 coaches

4. Dronacharya Award – Lifetime Category 2025

Sr. No	Name of Sportsperon	Discipline
1	Dharmendra Singh Yadav	Boxing
2	Virender Kumar	Wrestling

Total: 2 coaches

5. Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar 2025

Sr. No	Name of Entity	Place
1	Army Paralympic Nod	Pune

Total: 1 entity

6. Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award 2025

No sportsperson selected

Semiconductor Plants in India 2026: Complete List, Locations and Manufacturing Details

India is rapidly emerging as a major semiconductor manufacturing and packaging hub. Under the Semicon India Programme, the Government of India has approved 12 semiconductor manufacturing projects with cumulative investments of more than ₹1.64 lakh crore as of 2026. These projects cover silicon fabrication, compound semiconductors, ATMP/OSAT packaging, testing and advanced semiconductor technologies.

The semiconductor ecosystem is spread across Gujarat, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Punjab and Andhra Pradesh, with Gujarat emerging as the biggest semiconductor cluster.

The projects are expected to strengthen India’s domestic chip supply chain and support industries such as automobiles, smartphones, artificial intelligence, telecommunications, consumer electronics, defence and industrial equipment.

Why Are Semiconductor Plants Important for India?

Semiconductors are essential components in modern electronic products, including smartphones, computers, automobiles, medical equipment, telecom systems and AI-enabled devices.

India has traditionally depended heavily on imports for semiconductor components. The government’s semiconductor strategy aims to develop a complete domestic ecosystem covering chip design, fabrication, assembly, testing, packaging, materials and equipment.

The original Semicon India Programme was launched with an outlay of ₹76,000 crore. In July 2026, the Union Cabinet also approved Semicon 2.0 with a budget outlay of ₹1,27,500 crore to further strengthen India’s semiconductor design and manufacturing capabilities.

Semiconductor Plants in India 2026: Complete List

Company / Project	Location	Investment	Major Focus
Micron Technology	Sanand, Gujarat	₹22,516 crore	DRAM & NAND assembly and testing
Tata Electronics + PSMC	Dholera, Gujarat	₹91,526 crore	Silicon semiconductor fabrication
Tata Semiconductor Assembly & Test (TSAT)	Morigaon, Assam	₹27,120 crore	Advanced semiconductor packaging and testing
CG Power + Renesas + Stars	Sanand, Gujarat	₹7,584 crore	Automotive, consumer & industrial chips
Kaynes Semicon	Sanand, Gujarat	₹3,307 crore	Wire-bond and substrate-based packages
HCL-Foxconn JV	Jewar, Uttar Pradesh	₹3,706 crore	Display Driver ICs (DDIC)
SiCSem	Bhubaneswar, Odisha	₹2,066 crore	Silicon Carbide (SiC) semiconductors
3D Glass Solutions	Bhubaneswar, Odisha	₹1,943 crore	Advanced 3D packaging & glass substrates
CDIL	Mohali, Punjab	₹117 crore	Power semiconductor devices
ASIP Technologies	Andhra Pradesh	₹480 crore	Semiconductor packaging
Crystal Matrix	Dholera, Gujarat	Part of ₹3,936 crore for two projects	GaN compound semiconductor & Mini/Micro-LED
Suchi Semicon	Surat, Gujarat	Part of ₹3,936 crore for two projects	OSAT for discrete semiconductors

The first 10 projects were approved under the original India Semiconductor Mission framework. In May 2026, two additional projects—Crystal Matrix Limited and Suchi Semicon—were approved, taking the total number of approved manufacturing projects to 12.

1. Micron Technology Semiconductor Plant, Gujarat

Location: Sanand, Gujarat
Investment: ₹22,516 crore
Technology: ATMP
Products: DRAM and NAND memory products

Micron’s Sanand facility is one of India’s most significant semiconductor projects. The facility focuses on assembly and testing of DRAM and NAND products for domestic and international markets.

According to the government, the facility has a production capacity of approximately 14 million units per week. Micron’s facility began commercial production in 2026, marking an important milestone for India’s semiconductor manufacturing journey.

2. Tata Electronics Semiconductor Fab, Gujarat

Location: Dholera, Gujarat
Investment: ₹91,526 crore
Partner: Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation (PSMC), Taiwan
Capacity: 50,000 wafer starts per month

Tata Electronics is developing India’s major silicon semiconductor fabrication facility at Dholera in partnership with Taiwan’s PSMC.

The fab will manufacture semiconductor wafers for applications across automobiles, information technology, telecommunications and other electronics sectors.

The project represents the largest investment among the approved semiconductor projects and is expected to become a cornerstone of India’s domestic chip fabrication ecosystem.

3. Tata Semiconductor Assembly and Test Facility, Assam

Location: Morigaon, Assam
Investment: ₹27,120 crore
Capacity: 48 million units per day

Tata Semiconductor Assembly and Test Pvt Ltd is establishing a large semiconductor packaging and testing facility in Assam.

The facility will use indigenous semiconductor packaging technologies and is expected to have a production capacity of 48 million units per day.

The project is particularly significant because it is helping establish a high-technology manufacturing ecosystem in Northeast India.

4. CG Power-Renesas Semiconductor Facility, Gujarat

Location: Sanand, Gujarat
Investment: ₹7,584 crore
Partners: Renesas Electronics and Stars Microelectronics
Capacity: Around 15.07 million units per day

CG Power has partnered with Renesas and Stars Microelectronics to establish an advanced semiconductor manufacturing facility.

The facility is designed to manufacture chips for automotive, consumer and industrial applications.

CG Semi’s OSAT facility at Sanand began commercial production in July 2026, making it one of the first facilities in India’s new semiconductor ecosystem to reach commercial production.

5. Kaynes Semicon Facility, Gujarat

Location: Sanand, Gujarat
Investment: ₹3,307 crore
Capacity: More than 6.33 million chips per day

Kaynes Semicon is developing an OSAT facility focused on wire-bond interconnect and substrate-based semiconductor packages.

The facility was inaugurated in March 2026, with commercial production marking another major step in India’s semiconductor manufacturing push.

6. HCL-Foxconn Semiconductor Facility, Uttar Pradesh

Location: Jewar, Uttar Pradesh
Investment: ₹3,706 crore
Technology: Display Driver ICs (DDIC)
Capacity: Around 20,000 wafers per month / 36 million chips per month

The HCL-Foxconn joint venture is developing a semiconductor facility in the Jewar region of Uttar Pradesh.

The facility will manufacture Display Driver Integrated Circuits (DDIC) using advanced gold-bump technology. These chips are used in products such as smartphones, televisions, laptops and other display-based electronics.

7. SiCSem Semiconductor Facility, Odisha

Location: Bhubaneswar, Odisha
Investment: ₹2,066 crore
Technology: Silicon Carbide (SiC)

SiCSem is establishing a compound semiconductor facility in Odisha focusing on Silicon Carbide semiconductor wafers and packaging.

The project has a proposed wafer production capacity of 5,000 wafers per month, along with packaging capacity of approximately 8 million units per month.

SiC technology is particularly important for applications involving electric vehicles, power electronics, energy systems and industrial equipment.

8. 3D Glass Solutions Facility, Odisha

Location: Bhubaneswar, Odisha
Investment: ₹1,943 crore
Technology: 3D Heterogeneous Integration (3DHI)

3D Glass Solutions is developing an advanced semiconductor packaging facility focused on glass substrate technology and 3D heterogeneous integration.

The technology has applications in areas including AI, aerospace, photonics and advanced computing.

The proposed facility will also work on technologies such as glass interposers, FCBGA assembly and advanced system-in-package solutions.

9. CDIL Semiconductor Facility, Punjab

Location: Mohali, Punjab
Investment: ₹117 crore
Capacity: Around 158.38 million units per year

Continental Device India Limited (CDIL) is expanding its semiconductor manufacturing capabilities in Punjab.

The facility will manufacture high-power discrete semiconductor devices, including MOSFETs, IGBTs, Schottky bypass diodes and transistors, using both silicon and silicon-carbide technologies.

10. ASIP Technologies Semiconductor Facility, Andhra Pradesh

Location: Andhra Pradesh
Investment: ₹480 crore
Capacity: Around 96 million units per year

Advanced System in Package Technologies (ASIP) is establishing a semiconductor packaging facility in Andhra Pradesh in partnership with APACT of South Korea.

The facility will focus on advanced packaging and is expected to produce approximately 96 million units annually.

11. Crystal Matrix Semiconductor Facility, Gujarat

Location: Dholera, Gujarat
Focus: GaN compound semiconductor and Mini/Micro-LED technology

In May 2026, the Union Cabinet approved Crystal Matrix Limited’s integrated compound semiconductor fabrication and ATMP facility at Dholera.

The project will manufacture Mini/Micro-LED display modules and provide GaN foundry services, including epitaxy on 6-inch wafers.

The proposed annual capacity includes 72,000 square metres of Mini/Micro-LED display panels and 24,000 sets of RGB GaN epitaxy wafers.

12. Suchi Semicon OSAT Facility, Gujarat

Location: Surat, Gujarat
Focus: Discrete semiconductor packaging
Capacity: 1,033.20 million chips per year

Suchi Semicon Private Limited is establishing an OSAT facility in Surat, Gujarat for manufacturing discrete semiconductors.

The facility is designed to produce approximately 1.033 billion chips annually, targeting applications in power electronics, analogue ICs, automotive systems, industrial automation and consumer electronics.

Which State Has the Most Semiconductor Projects in India?

Gujarat has emerged as India’s largest semiconductor manufacturing cluster.

Major projects are located in Sanand, Dholera and Surat, covering silicon fabrication, memory assembly, OSAT, compound semiconductors and advanced display technologies.

Other important semiconductor locations include:

Assam: Morigaon
Uttar Pradesh: Jewar
Odisha: Bhubaneswar
Punjab: Mohali
Andhra Pradesh: semiconductor packaging facility

The concentration of multiple projects in Gujarat gives the state a particularly important role in India’s emerging semiconductor ecosystem.

What Is Semicon India Programme?

The Semicon India Programme was launched with a total financial outlay of ₹76,000 crore to develop India’s semiconductor and display manufacturing ecosystem.

Its objective is to build capabilities across the semiconductor value chain, including:

Semiconductor fabrication
ATMP and OSAT
Compound semiconductor manufacturing
Semiconductor packaging
Chip design
Research and development
Semiconductor materials and equipment

By 2026, the government had approved 12 manufacturing projects with cumulative investments of more than ₹1.64 lakh crore.

What Is Semicon 2.0?

In July 2026, the Union Cabinet approved Semicon 2.0 with an outlay of ₹1,27,500 crore.

The programme is designed to build on the progress made under Semicon 1.0 and strengthen India’s semiconductor ecosystem through six major pillars:

Chip and semiconductor design
Machines and semiconductor materials
More semiconductor fabrication plants
Advanced ATMP/OSAT capabilities
Research and development
Talent and skill development

The government has stated that India’s first major silicon fab is scheduled for commissioning in 2028.

Key Takeaways for Competitive Exams

Semicon India Programme Outlay: ₹76,000 crore
Semicon 2.0 Outlay: ₹1,27,500 crore
Total approved manufacturing projects: 12
Cumulative investment: More than ₹1.64 lakh crore
Major silicon fab: Tata Electronics, Dholera, Gujarat
Major memory ATMP: Micron, Sanand, Gujarat
Major Tata packaging facility: Morigaon, Assam
SiC semiconductor project: SiCSem, Bhubaneswar, Odisha
DDIC project: HCL-Foxconn, Jewar, Uttar Pradesh
3D glass packaging: 3D Glass Solutions, Bhubaneswar, Odisha
Mini/Micro-LED GaN facility: Crystal Matrix, Dholera, Gujarat
Large-scale OSAT for discrete semiconductors: Suchi Semicon, Surat, Gujarat
First commercial production milestones in 2026: Micron, Kaynes and CG Semi have started commercial production.

Who is Rohan Naidu? Indian-Origin Scientist Behind Black Hole Star Discovery

Indian-origin astronomer, Dr. Rohan Naidu, discovered a unique cosmic object that is known as “Black Hole Star.” This finding, which appeared in the journal Nature in the month of August 2026, may provide the vital information into how some of the earliest supermassive black holes formed and it grew rapidly in the universe.

This finding is also drawing light on how the unique career path of Naidu evolved. Unlike most Indian students, who go for a conventional engineering education, Naidu went with his heart by pursuing astronomy in various universities, such as Harvard and MIT, eventually becoming an Assistant Professor at the University of Hawaii.

Who Is Rohan Naidu?

Dr. Rohan Naidu is an Indian-origin astronomer who works on researching galaxies and the universe. His unique career path started with a unique decision in the year he was 18 years old.

When he was studying in an engineering college in Hyderabad, he decided to quit the course and follow his interests in physics and astronomy. In this pursuit, he moved to Singapore and joined the very first batch of Yale-NUS College.

Later, he pursued his academic path through Harvard University from where he obtained his PhD in astronomy. His studies involved looking at ancient galaxies that lie hidden in the Milky Way.

He was awarded NASA Hubble Fellowship and the Pappalardo Fellowship at MIT among other fellowships. He is an Assistant Professor at the University of Hawaii now.

What Is the Black Hole Star Discovery?

By using observations from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), Naidu and his research team examined an unusual object in the early universe. This object is called MoM-BH-1.

At first sight, scientists were sure that this was a giant red star. However, further studies show that this object cannot be described as a normal star.

Unlike usual stars like our Sun which produce energy because of nuclear fusion reactions, the energy production in MoM-BH-1 is supposed to happen due to a huge black hole located at the core of the object.

Scientists suggest that the mass of the black hole could be 100 thousand times bigger than the mass of our Sun. In addition, the object is surrounded by the dense hydrogen cloud, making it look like a huge star.

A Black Hole Hidden Inside a Star-Like Structure

The most amazing feature of the discovery is the incredible size of the object. In particular, the outer hydrogen layer of the object can be as wide as the Solar system.

Moreover, the scientists suggest that the luminosity of the discovered object is extremely high. It emits energy that is nearly 100 billion times more than the Sun.

Such unusual combination of a huge black hole surrounded by a hydrogen envelope gives astronomers the opportunity to find the answer to the question how such enormous black holes could form in the earliest epochs of the Universe.

How Does It Explain the Universe’s Little Red Dots?

By the use of the James Webb Space Telescope, the scientists discovered many unusual objects called “little red dots”. They were really bright and compact, which puzzled the scientists and made them think about the origin of such objects.

The discovery of the Black Hole Star could give scientists the answer to this question. The astronomers suggest that MoM-BH-1 represents an early stage of evolution of a massive black hole.

In case the theory is supported by other researches, this could explain the way in which some supermassive black holes became so huge so fast after the Big Bang.

Career Journey of Naidu

The career of Naidu is unusual not only due to his success but also due to the unusual path that he took towards becoming an astrophysicist.

Leaving the engineering college at the age of 18 years and going abroad was a major step, especially considering that at that point, he had no conventional academic path in astronomy.

Later on, studying in Yale-NUS College and Harvard, doing research in NASA and MIT, and finally getting a professorship in Hawaii made him take an unusual path in life.

His career shows that passion for a subject may lead to unexpected paths.

Vignesh Vermula, Saranya Devi Win Asian Junior Blitz Gold

Indian chess players Vignesh Vermula and Saranya Devi have won gold medals in the Open and Girls’sections at the Asian Junior Blitz Chess Championship 2026 in the Mumbai. This tournament was took place on August 17th in the ITC Maratha Sheraton and was organized by the Maharashtra Chess Association. Vignesh Vermula, seeded 23rd in the Open section, became the winner on tie-break scores after having finished on an equal score.

Vignesh Vermula Claims Open Blitz Title

Vignesh Vermula claimed the Open blitz gold medal as he finished on an equal score with other top players and won on tie-break scores.

The 23rd seed of the Indian team won the Open section where Indian players dominated the leading positions.

The top five players of the Open blitz are,

1st: Vignesh Vermula
2nd: Sharnarthi Viresh
3rd: Nandish V S
4th: Akshay Borgaonkar
5th: Madhavendra Pratap Sharma

The result gave India the Open gold medal and several leading positions in the tournament.

Saranya Devi Secures Girls Gold Medal

At the Girls’ blitz, the gold medal was claimed by Saranya Devi.

The ninth-seeded Indian player played strongly tactically during the whole tournament and ended up in the first place.

The podium of the Girls’ section is as follows,

1st: Saranya Devi – Gold
2nd: Prishita Gupta – Silver
3rd: Shanmathi Sree – Bronze
4th: Lala Shohradova —

Lala Shohradova of Turkmenistan, the top seed in the Girls’ section, finished fourth and failed to win a medal.

Asian Junior Chess Championship 2026

The Asian Junior Chess Championship is an event that takes place among young chess players representing different nations within the continent of Asia.

The year 2026 saw the championship taking place in Mumbai, India, whereby there were open and girls’ blitz sections that were played during this event.

The championship took place at the ITC Maratha Sheraton under the auspices of the Maharashtra Chess Association.

The event gave young chess players a chance to play against tough opponents from all over the continent and gain experience in competitive blitz chess.

What Is Blitz Chess?

Blitz chess is a game of chess whereby players have to complete their matches within a set amount of time.

Since decisions have to be made within a limited amount of time, blitz chess gives a lot of attention to tactics, quick thinking and time management.

In case of a draw in points, tie-break points could be considered. The winner of the open section championship, Vermula, emerged victorious by having the same points as other participants.

Asian Junior Chess Championship Inauguration

The Asian Junior Chess Championship was inaugurated in Mumbai by Jayraj Pathak, former Commissioner of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation.

The championship had separate competitions for Open and Girls’ blitz categories, which involved participation from junior chess players across Asia.

The championship was organized in Mumbai by the Maharashtra Chess Association.

India Launches First Guide to Grasslands and Open Natural Ecosystems

India has launched its first-ever Guide to Grasslands and Other Open Natural Ecosystems (ONEs) at the 17th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP17) being held at Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia from August 17, 2026. The guide draws attention to the ecological, biological diversity and socio-economic significance of India’s grasslands, savannahs, deserts, scrublands and other open ecosystems. This effort seeks to enhance the conservation and restoration of these ecosystems through science-based land management as well as appreciating their critical significance in livelihoods, biodiversity and climate change adaptation.

Guide Launched at UNCCD COP17

This guide was launched as part of the UNCCD COP17 Side Event organized with the guidance of Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC)

This publication and event was jointly organized by Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE) along with the,

International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
Centre of the Excellence on Sustainable Land Management (CoE-SLM)
Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE)
Space Applications Centre (SAC), ISRO

The event had a participation of government officials, scientists, researchers, international organizations and civil societies among others.

What is Included in the Guide?

The guide presents information on the diverse open natural ecosystems found in India, their geographical locations, ecological features, biodiversity, and the communities/tribes that live within them.

India’s ONEs includes,

Himalayan and Terai grasslands
Thar and Banni landscapes
Deccan savannas
Rocky plateaus
Ravines and scrublands
Coastal ecosystems
Desert landscapes

In addition, the document presents thematic chapters on pastoralism, fire ecology, and carbon sequestration.

Importance of Open Natural Ecosystems

Grasslands and other open natural ecosystems carry out various ecological and socio-economic roles. Some of these include provision of biodiversity, functioning in the soil and water cycles, and carbon storage in their soils.

Open natural ecosystems also provide livelihoods of pastoralists, livestock-based societies, and agriculture. Therefore, the conservation of these ecosystems is not only for wildlife but also people living in these ecosystems.

Discussions held at COP17 showed the importance of restoration of these ecosystems as part of India’s LDN agenda.

Importance of Science-based Conservation

One of the important messages of the event is that there needs to be conservation not just of forests, but also of open ecosystems.

It was emphasized that science-based understanding, land degradation assessments, and landscape planning are needed. The fireside chats talked about restoration of grasslands and drylands, community-based management of rangelands, climate resilience, and other sustainable management practices.

It thus goes beyond the conventional thinking of focusing only on forests in conservation efforts.

Gujarat to Get Asia’s First Desert Night Safari

Asia’s first ever desert night safari set to be built in the State of the Gujarat, it is approved by the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) on August 12, 2026, and this project will be implemented by the Gujarat Forest Department. Occupying approximately 103 hectares of land, the project combines a desert-themed zoological park and facilities of a night safari. Being estimated at ₹542.14 crore, the development will help in promoting wildlife awareness and eco-tourism, as well as displaying animals typical for arid and desert territories.

Where Will the Desert Night Safari Be Developed?

The new Desert Zoological Park and Night Safari is going to be developed in Juna Deesa, Banaskantha district, Gujarat.

Approximately 103 hectares of government-owned land will be used for the development of the project, based on the desert and arid ecosystems.

The project was approved by the Central Zoo Authority on August 12, 2026, thus opening the way to the development by the Gujarat Forest Department.

Why Is This Project Going To Be Special?

Drive-through night safari, allowing visitors to see animals at night, will become the main feature of the project.

It is planned that the project will include five night safari enclosures. In addition to that, day zoo will also be developed, offering visitors the chance to visit the wildlife park not only at night but also during the day.

The desert theme will provide an ecosystem-based setting for the proposed animal collection.

What Animals Will be Witnessed?

It is anticipated that there will be about 2,700 animals and birds belonging to about 83 different species.

Some of the species that will be included in the collection are as follows,

Chinkara
Blackbuck
Indian Wild Ass
Cheetah
Giraffe
Zebra
Kangaroo
Emu

The animal collection will include both animals native to the arid areas of India as well as some exotic animals.

How Much Money is Being Spent on the Project?

The total cost for this project is estimated to be about ₹542.14 crore.

This money will be spent in the construction of the zoological park and night safari enclosures.

Key Facts About Gujarat’s Desert Night Safari

Project: Desert Zoological Park and Night Safari
Location: Juna Deesa
District: Banaskantha
State: Gujarat
Area: About 103 hectares
Estimated Cost: ₹542.14 crore
Approval: Central Zoo Authority
Approval Date: August 12, 2026
Animal Collection: Around 2,700 animals and birds
Species Nearly: 83
Night Safari: Five dedicated enclosures
Theme: Desert and arid ecosystems

India Navy to Lease Two MQ-9B Sea Guardian Drones

The Ministry of Defence has signed a contract with a General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) for leasing the two MQ-9B Sea Guardian High-Altitude Long-Endurance (HALE) Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS). This contract was signed on August 17th, 2026, it’s value is estimated at around ₹1,943 crore and which includes the leasing of the Sea Guardians for a period of the 30 months. It features state-of-the-art sensors and payload systems, the Sea Guardian systems would play a significant role in enhancing India’s Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA).

MoD Signs ₹1,943 Crore MQ-9B Contract

The contract was signed between the Ministry of Defence and GA-ASI on August 17, 2026, at New Delhi.

The contract is for leasing of two MQ-9B Sea Guardian HALE RPAS to the Indian Navy for a period of 30 months.

The contract is valued at around ₹1,943 crore.

The contract was signed at Kartavya Bhawan-2, New Delhi, in the presence of Additional Secretary and Director General (Acquisition), Department of Defence, A. Anbarasu.

What Is the MQ-9B Sea Guardian?

The MQ-9B Sea Guardian is a High-Altitude Long-Endurance remotely piloted aircraft system meant for long-term surveillance and intelligence missions.

The following are some of the systems that will be featured in the systems India has leased out,

Advanced systems
Latest sensor technology
Mission payloads
Extended surveillance capabilities

With such capabilities, the platform can be very effective in surveillance of maritime regions over an extended period.

How Would the Sea Guardians Assist the Indian Navy?

The first way would be through improvement of the Indian Navy’s Maritime Domain Awareness.

Through the two RPAS, the Navy will be able to get persistent Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) over extensive maritime areas.

This will help the Navy have a better awareness of activities and changes taking place in the Indian maritime surroundings.

Enhanced surveillance capabilities are especially important in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), where surveillance of extensive maritime areas needs a platform with endurance and wide area capability.

Importance of the Pact from Strategic Perspective

The deal helps in increasing the capability of the Indian Navy to carry out persistent ISR missions in the Indian Ocean region.

Unlike in purchasing the aircrafts directly, through the 30-months lease period, the Navy is going to be able to use the advanced HALE RPAS technology for a specified period. The advanced sensors and payload technology will help the Navy monitor any maritime activities.

This pact shows that the two countries continue to cooperate on defense matters through advanced aerospace and surveillance technology.

Shabnam Sinha to Succeed Sunil Mittal as Airtel Payments Bank Chair

Shabnam Sinha will replace Sunil Bharti Mittal as the chairperson of the Airtel Payments Bank, with this its a change of leadership for the Payments Bank. Mittal, who is the founder and chairperson of Bharti Enterprises, will retire from his position at Airtel Payments Bank from September 30, 2026. The new chairperson, Shabnam Sinha, will assume office from October 1, 2026 for three years, after she has been appointed by the company’s Board and approved by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

Shabnam Sinha New Airtel Payments Bank Chairperson

According to the press release issued by Airtel Payments Bank, Sinha will join the board as the new chairperson of the company for a period of three years starting October 1, 2026.

The news came to light after being approved by the company’s Board and the Reserve Bank of India.

Sinha currently sits as an independent director on the board and is the chairperson of the Special Committee of the Board for Monitoring Frauds.

Bharti Chairman to Resign

Sunil Bharti Mittal has been serving as the non-executive chairman of Airtel Payments Bank since April 2016.

He is expected to resign from the Board of the bank by September 30, thus ending his decade-old association with the leadership of the payments bank.

While looking back at his time with the company, Mittal said that he had enjoyed witnessing how the payments bank turned into an institution catering to millions of customers in urban and rural India from an accessibility project.

Who Is Shabnam Sinha?

Shabnam Sinha has close to four decades of experience in leadership and board positions in various fields including development finance, financial services, public policy and institutional transformation.

Her professional experience includes working with the World Bank, advising governments and institutions in Asia, Africa and Europe on governance, risk management and effectiveness.

She has also gained experience in financial inclusion, digital transformation and institution building.

All of which is expected to help Airtel Payments Bank further their financial inclusion initiatives.

Airtel Payments Bank’s Presence in India

As of now, Airtel Payments Bank,

Has more than 121 million monthly active users
Has nearly 30 million bank account holders
Has more than 500,000 banking points
Reaches into three-fourths of villages in India

The bank has set itself up as a major force in the domain of digital and mobile banking, as well as providing access to banking services in unserved areas.

Focus on Financial Inclusion

The bank has become the country’s second-largest mobile bank and UPI Autopay provider, as per the firm.

Women have also been a part of the rural banking network of the bank, as one in every five rural banking points is run by women banking correspondents.

Sinha has mentioned that integration of technology and banking will still be an important factor as India continues with inclusive growth through digital financial services.