UPI Stays Free, E-Samudra Goes Live, India-US Navy Exercise & 78 Gallantry Awards Headline the Week

The second week of August 2026 brought major developments in digital governance, banking, BRICS cooperation, defence, science, Parliament and conservation. India launched E-Samudra, reaffirmed that everyday UPI payments will remain free for citizens, began a CBDC-based DBT pilot under PMGKAY, conducted an India-US Navy EOD exercise, advanced major legislation including the proposed renaming of Kerala to Keralam, and announced 78 gallantry awards ahead of Independence Day. Master Weekly Highlights 🇮🇳 National Affairs E-Samudra was launched on 8 August 2026 as a comprehensive single-window digital platform integrating services for seafarers, shipping companies, ports and other maritime stakeholders. The initiative also includes 24×7 grievance-redressal support for seafarers. More than 6,000 agriculture students received scholarships and fellowships worth ₹21.35 crore through Direct Benefit Transfer using the National Scholarship Portal on 10 August. Government e-Marketplace, or GeM, marked its 10th Foundation Day. A nationwide helpdesk short code, 14550, was introduced, while GeM’s next phase will focus on areas including AI, integration, credit and last-mile access. 🌍 International Affairs The 11th BRICS Culture Ministers’ Meeting was held in Bhopal on 8 August, concluding with the adoption of the Bhopal Declaration. Representatives from 14 countries participated — 10 BRICS members and four partner countries. The meeting of Heads of BRICS Competition Authorities was held in Udaipur on 8 August under India’s 2026 BRICS Chairship. Participants adopted a joint statement on strengthening fair competition, including in renewable-energy markets. Three Indian Sanchar Mitras — Ankit Kumar Pal, Manish Kumar Mandal and Susmita Sain — were selected as ITU Generation Connect Youth Envoys for 2026–2030. 💰 Economy & Banking The government reaffirmed that UPI will remain free for citizens, including everyday person-to-person payments. In July 2026, UPI processed 2,366 crore transactions worth about ₹29.9 lakh crore. India’s Wholesale Price Index inflation stood at 9.78% in July 2026, compared with 9.87% in June. The current WPI series uses 2022–23 as the base year. India launched a CBDC-based Direct Benefit Transfer mechanism under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana in Chandigarh and Dadra & Nagar Haveli on 14 August. APEDA facilitated the first commercial sea shipment of GI-tagged Mithila Makhana from Bihar to Australia. The shipment weighed 18 metric tonnes, with participating farmers receiving nearly 18% higher returns than prevailing market prices. 🛡️ Defense & Security The Indian Navy-US Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal Exercise 2026 was conducted at Southern Naval Command, Kochi, from 10–14 August. It was the eighth edition of this specialised bilateral exercise. Shruti, a Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel being built by GRSE for the Indian Navy, was launched on 11 August in Kolkata. It is the second NGOPV being built by GRSE under its four-ship contribution to the Navy’s 11-vessel programme. 🚀 Science & Technology CSIR-NBRI inaugurated Prakriti Gyan Dham, described as a first-of-its-kind Eco-Educational Hub, at the Maharishi Parashar Bioresource Centre in Banthra, Lucknow. Its Bamboosteum contains 43 indigenous and exotic bamboo species. Under Space Vision 2047, India is developing indigenous technologies including Direct-to-Device satellite connectivity, Non-Terrestrial Networks using 5G/6G, satellite-based NB-IoT, optical/laser communications and quantum-key-distribution systems. Indian scientists developed a new three-dimensional computer simulation model to improve understanding and forecasting of Coronal Mass Ejections, or CMEs, and their possible effects on Earth. 🏆 Awards & Honours President Droupadi Murmu approved 78 gallantry awards, including 13 posthumous, for Armed Forces and Central Armed Police Forces personnel on the eve of the 80th Independence Day. Another 89 Mention-in-Despatches were approved. The 78 gallantry awards included 9 Kirti Chakras, 1 Bar to Shaurya Chakra, 19 Shaurya Chakras, 5 Bars to Sena Medal, 36 Sena Medals, 3 Nao Sena Medals and 5 Vayu Sena Medals. Separately, 1,057 personnel from Police, Fire Services, Home Guard & Civil Defence and Correctional Services were selected for gallantry and service medals; 301 were Medals for Gallantry. 🥇 Sports The FIBA Under-18 Asia Cup 2026 began in Ahmedabad on 13 August, marking the tournament’s return to India after 22 years. It features 16 teams divided into four groups. India was placed in Group D with Japan, Korea and Kazakhstan, and opened its campaign against Japan on 14 August. 📅 Important Days & Themes 9 August 2026 marked the 84th anniversary of the Quit India Movement, launched under Mahatma Gandhi’s leadership on 9 August 1942 with the historic call “Do or Die.” International Youth Day was observed on 12 August with the 2026 theme “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations.” Partition Horrors Remembrance Day was observed on 14 August to remember the suffering, displacement and loss associated with the Partition of India. ⚖️ Polity & Governance The Bankers’ Books Evidence Bill, 2026 passed Rajya Sabha on 10 August after passing Lok Sabha on 5 August. It replaces the Bankers’ Books Evidence Act, 1891 and expressly recognises qualifying electronic and digital bank records as admissible evidence. The Tribunals Reforms Bill, 2026 passed Lok Sabha on 10 August and Rajya Sabha on 11 August. It establishes a National Tribunals Commission for functions including selection processes, tribunal performance review and maintenance of a National Tribunals Data Grid. The Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026 passed Lok Sabha on 11 August and Rajya Sabha on 12 August. It seeks to change the state’s name from Kerala to “Keralam” in the First Schedule of the Constitution. The Monsoon Session ended on 13 August after 19 sittings over 25 days; the government reported that 12 Bills were passed by both Houses during the session. 🌿 Environment & Ecology World Elephant Day was observed on 12 August. India is home to more than 60% of the world’s wild Asian elephants and has 33 Elephant Reserves