National News

Inauguration of 52 Development Projects in Varanasi

• On August 2, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for a total of 52 development projects worth approximately ₹2,200 crore in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
• Out of these 52 projects, 14 projects were inaugurated with an estimated cost of around ₹566.35 crore, while the foundation stone was laid for 38 projects costing approximately ₹1,618.10 crore.

Launch of "Matru Van" Initiative

• The "Matru Van" initiative has been launched with the objective of developing an urban forest over 750 acres in the Aravalli Hills.
• The programme was chaired by Bhupender Yadav, Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and Manohar Lal, Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs.

Forest Status Report 2023 :

Inauguration of 29 National Highway Projects

• Union Minister Nitin Gadkari inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for 29 National Highway projects covering 272 kilometers, with an investment of over ₹5,233 crore, in Mangalagiri, Andhra Pradesh.

Andhra Pradesh:

MoU between BSNL and NRL

• Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to introduce 5G technology in India’s refinery sector.
• This agreement was signed during the 'Industry 4.0 Workshop' organized for Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) in Guwahati.

Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) :

International News

National Independence Day

• According to prominent Baloch human rights activist Mir Yaar Baloch, National Independence Day will be observed in Balochistan on August 11.
• This day is considered a symbol of the Baloch people's struggle for freedom, identity, and rights.

Balochistan:

Economy and Banking

India's GDP Growth Forecast for FY26: Fitch Ratings

• Fitch Ratings has revised India's GDP growth forecast for the financial year 2025-26 (FY26) from 6.4% to 6.3%.
• For the financial year 2026-27 (FY27), Fitch has maintained the growth estimate at 6.3%.
• This revision takes into account global economic uncertainties, particularly U.S. tariffs and rising trade tensions.

India's GDP growth forecast:

Defense News

16th and Final C-295 Military Transport Aircraft

• The Indian Air Force has received its 16th and final C-295 military transport aircraft from Spain.
• India had signed a contract in September 2021 with Spain’s Airbus Defence & Space to procure 56 C-295MW aircraft. Out of these, 16 aircraft have been directly delivered from Spain, while the remaining 40 will be manufactured in India at the Tata Advanced Systems Limited facility in Vadodara.
• This manufacturing plant was inaugurated in October 2024 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.

Indian Air Force:

Sports News

Asia Rugby Under-20 (Sevens) Championship

• Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar unveiled the mascot for the Asia Rugby Under-20 (Sevens) Championship, which will be held in Rajgir on August 9 and 10.
• The mascot of the Asia Rugby Championship is named Ashok, a rabbit symbolizing agility — a key attribute essential to the sport.

Rugby:

Person In News

Rinku Singh

• Cricketer Rinku Singh has been removed from the state icon of the State Voter Awareness Campaign (SVEEP) by the Uttar Pradesh Election Commission.

Major Appointments

Sonali Mishra

• IPS Sonali Mishra took charge as the first woman Director General of RPF.
• Sonali Mishra is a senior officer of 1993 batch of Madhya Pradesh cadre.

Sonali Mishra:

Anil Kumar Singh

• Anil Kumar Singh, GM of Hindustan Copper Limited, was selected for the post of Director (Commercial) of National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO) in the meeting of the Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) held on 2 August, 2025.

National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO):

Raj Kumar Arora

• Raj Kumar Arora assumed charge as Controller General of Defence Accounts.
• He is a 1990 batch Indian Defence Accounts Service Officer. He has vast experience in the areas of financial policy, accounting, audit, budget, procurement and personnel matters.

Controller General of Defence Accounts :

Dr Mayank Sharma

• Dr Mayank Sharma, a 1989 batch officer of the Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS), officially assumed charge as Financial Adviser (Defence Services).

Related Facts:

Important Days

National Organ Donation Day

• National Organ Donation Day is celebrated in India every year on 3 August to raise awareness among the public about the importance of organ donation and to honour the generosity of donors and their families.

National Organ Donation Day: