The Karnataka government is collaborating with ElevenLabs to explore pilot projects using voice AI across various sectors including skilling, investment promotion, healthcare, culture, and citizen services. This initiative aims to leverage advanced AI to enhance accessibility and efficiency of government services, with a strong focus on responsible AI use and safeguards against misinformation.
The Centre has announced the awarding of 1057 Gallantry and Service Medals to personnel from Police, Fire Service, Home Guard & Civil Defence, and Correctional Services on Independence Day, recognising their exceptional bravery and distinguished service.
South Korea's national football association has issued a deep apology following a media report alleging it provided 'sexual services' to foreign referees during international matches over a decade ago, specifically in 2011 and 2012.
India's services sector experienced its weakest growth in four-and-a-half years in July, as new business orders, both domestic and export, eased due to intense competition and declining demand. Despite a modest rebound in job creation and improved profit margins, overall business confidence slipped, reflecting a broader slowdown in the economy.
The Maharashtra government has abolished the mandatory one-year service bond for MBBS students, citing an "inverse ratio" of available positions to graduating candidates. This decision benefits graduates from various medical colleges, exempting most from the bond, though those who have already joined their postings must complete it. The move aims to ease postgraduate admission difficulties and address issues of competency and motivation in bond service, a decision welcomed by the Maharashtra Association for Resident Doctors (MARD).
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu congratulated the State Cooperative Bank on successfully migrating its core banking system to the 'Finacle 10.2.25' platform. This upgrade aims to provide faster, more transparent, and secure financial services, enhancing customer experience and operational efficiency across its 262 branches.
The Delhi government has approved a new bill, the Delhi (Right of Citizen to Time Bound and Ease of Delivery of Services) Bill, 2026, which aims to make time-bound delivery of government services a legal right for citizens. This reform seeks to enhance transparency, accountability, and efficiency through a technology-driven framework, including digital service delivery, automatic escalation for delays, and a grievance redressal mechanism.
Bandhan Bank has launched a new digital Provident Fund (PF) payment service, integrated with EPFO, allowing business customers to make statutory PF payments via the bank's internet banking platform. This service aims to streamline payments, optimise cash flows, and ensure timely compliance for businesses.
Hexaware Technologies has announced Vivek Jetley as its CEO-Designate, succeeding Srikrishna Ramakarthikeyan. Jetley will take over on October 28, 2026, with a mandate to accelerate growth and scale the company's AI-led services globally, leveraging his extensive experience in AI and enterprise transformation.
Roles that mention AI in software development have grown 138 per cent between Q2 2024 and Q2 2026.
Heavy rainfall of 600 mm in 24 hours triggered multiple landslides in the Karjat-Lonavala Ghat section on the Mumbai-Pune line, severely disrupting rail traffic and leading to cancellations, diversions, and short-terminations of numerous trains.
The Supreme Court will consider the Centre's plea for clarification on the applicability of its March 11 judgement regarding OBC creamy-layer criteria for the Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2025. The government highlights practical difficulties and potential unequal treatment of candidates if the ruling is applied retrospectively, as the CSE 2025 selection process concluded before the verdict. The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) seeks to proceed with service allocation based on the pre-March 11 criteria to avoid disruption to training schedules and ensure fairness for candidates.
Divya Mittal, a 2013-batch IAS officer and former Deoria district magistrate, has resigned from the Indian Administrative Service after 13 years. An alumna of IIT Delhi and IIM Bangalore, Mittal cited no specific reason but reflected on her journey from working in London to serving India, highlighting her impactful tenures in Mirzapur and Deoria.
Fintech giant PhonePe has launched 'PhonePe UPI 123Pay', a new service enabling UPI transactions for feature phone users without requiring an internet connection. This initiative aims to bring digital payment capabilities to over 200 million feature phone users, promoting financial inclusion across India.
Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) has officially commenced its international flight operations with an Air India Express service to Abu Dhabi, marking a significant boost in connectivity for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region and establishing a new global gateway.
Infosys has confirmed that Lax Gopisetty, chief of its subsidiary Infosys Public Services, is unreachable following devastating floods in Nepal. Gopisetty was visiting the region personally, and Infosys is working with agencies and his family to ensure his safety. The Ministry of External Affairs also reported hundreds of Indians missing or stranded due to the floods, with India offering assistance to Nepal.
India's Engineering Research and Development (ER&D) sector is projected to exceed USD 100 billion in revenue by 2030, driven significantly by the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into engineering workflows. This growth, highlighted by Nasscom, positions India as a critical global engineering hub, necessitating focus on talent development and strategic partnerships.
India's gross Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections saw a significant 14.8 per cent year-on-year increase in August, reaching approximately Rs 2 lakh crore, with import revenue contributing substantially to this growth.
With the death toll crossing 900 and nearly 4,000 people still missing, the trauma of loss, displacement and uncertainty is settling in among thousands of survivors, prompting the government to step up its mental health response.
Suburban train services on Mumbai's Harbour line were briefly disrupted at Kharghar station after a bird got stuck in a train's pantograph, causing overhead equipment to trip. The incident led to minor delays and panic among commuters before services resumed quickly.
JioHotstar has officially launched its streaming services in the UK, Canada, and Singapore, offering over 160,000 hours of Indian entertainment in more than 12 languages, targeting both the South Asian diaspora and a wider global audience.
The Delhi government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with EkStep Foundation to transform its administrative data into an AI-ready format. This initiative aims to improve governance, enhance public service delivery, and enable proactive, evidence-based decision-making by leveraging artificial intelligence.
Two government school teachers in Yadgir, Karnataka, have been suspended pending inquiry for participating in an RSS Patha Sanchalana. The Education Department cited violations of the Karnataka Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 2021, which prohibit government employees from associating with political organisations or participating in agitations. The teachers argued their participation was outside working hours and cultural, but their explanations were rejected.
Bank credit to industry in India surged by 20 per cent year-on-year in July, significantly accelerating from the previous year, driven by strong expansion in sectors like engineering, gems and jewellery, and petroleum-related industries, according to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). However, growth in gold loans, while still expanding, saw a sharp moderation.
Train services in the Gaya-Patna section of Bihar were disrupted for nearly three hours after thieves allegedly cut and stole an overhead electrical wire between Tehta and Jehanabad railway stations. The Railway Protection Force has since recovered the stolen material, and an investigation is underway to apprehend the culprits responsible for the 25,000-volt OHE wire theft.
Tata Elxsi has partnered with Sarla Aviation to develop the Shunya air taxi platform. Tata Elxsi will provide engineering support for avionics, software integration, and certification, while Sarla Aviation will lead the design and type certification of the electric vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft.
Do not share OTPs, PINs, authentication codes, card numbers, card verification values (CVVs), KYC details, security answers, Internet-banking passwords or Aadhaar-based authentication credentials through SMS, e-mail or phone calls.
The Centre has appointed two directors and a joint director to the National Testing Agency (NTA) amidst ongoing reforms and scrutiny over issues like the NEET paper leak. These appointments are part of a broader overhaul of the NTA's examination system.
Air Vice Marshal Shakti Sharma has achieved a historic milestone, becoming the first woman officer (non-medical) in the Indian Defence Forces to attain the rank of Air Vice Marshal. She has been appointed Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Education) at Air Headquarters, bringing over three decades of diverse experience, including establishing IAF Chairs of Excellence and commanding a Sainik School.
The technology services sector in India will continue to remain relevant to global enterprises transformation in the artificial intelligence (AI) era, the Nasscom US CEO Forum said, even though there will be changes in how services are delivered and scaled up. Chief executive officers of Indian technology companies, who attended the discussion, also said AI will expand the addressable market opportunity across enterprise modernisation, data, AI governance and intelligent operations.
Five assault rifles, seven pistols, 21 magazines, ammunition, and a night vision binocular have been stolen from an Army facility in Secunderabad, prompting a detailed internal inquiry by Army authorities and a police investigation.
The Supreme Court has agreed to constitute a special bench to address the Centre's plea regarding the applicability of its March 11 judgment on OBC creamy-layer criteria to candidates of the Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2025. The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) seeks to proceed with service allocation for 958 recommended candidates based on the creamy-layer determination applied before the verdict, citing potential unequal treatment and disruption to training schedules.
AIMIM national spokesperson Syed Asim Waqar has joined the Congress party, criticising his former party for allegedly fighting opposition parties instead of the BJP. Waqar stated that the AIMIM's actions on the ground contradict its stated goal of removing the BJP, suggesting it inadvertently aids the ruling party.
ESPN is launching "RedZone at the U.S. Open," a new streaming service designed to offer tennis fans simultaneous coverage of 16 courts, mirroring the successful NFL RedZone model. A dedicated broadcast team will curate the most important moments from August 30 to September 4, ensuring viewers catch all critical action.
The ICPC Internship Programme 2026, offered by the Policy, Politics and Governance Foundation, provides final-year and penultimate-year undergraduate students with hands-on exposure to politics, policymaking and governance. The programme combines online and offline learning with real-world experience, expert mentorship, and networking opportunities.
India's services sector growth experienced a significant slowdown in June, reaching a 17-month low due to challenging market conditions and reduced domestic client interest, as indicated by the HSBC India Services PMI Business Activity Index.
An 11-member Indian team, including medical personnel and tunnel rescue experts, has arrived in Nepal to assist with rescue operations following devastating flash floods that killed over 500 people and left nearly 2,000 missing. Nepal has requested international aid for specialised tasks and Bailey bridges to restore transport services in the affected areas.
'There is mis-alignment in strategic thinking of the board and management.' 'As the business environment and customer behaviour evolve rapidly, boards are increasingly looking for leaders who can bring new ideas and challenge legacy approaches.'
Torrential rains have caused widespread devastation across several Indian states, leading to at least 11 deaths in Assam and Uttarakhand, pushing rivers above danger levels, and disrupting daily life with landslides, floods, and school closures. States like Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, West Bengal, and Jammu & Kashmir are also grappling with the monsoon fury, while Meghalaya faces an unusual rainfall deficit.
L&T Technology Services (LTTS) has announced a strategic partnership with Anthropic to integrate its Claude AI models into LTTS' engineering processes and AI platforms. This collaboration aims to redefine engineering work by enabling faster decision-making, streamlining workflows, and accelerating innovation for global clients, coinciding with Anthropic's new rupee-denominated pricing for Indian customers.
