The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), launched by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on 28th August 2014, now marks 11 years of transformative impact in India's financial landscape. As the world’s largest financial inclusion initiative, PMJDY continues to redefine access to banking for millions of underserved citizens.
The Ministry of Finance remains committed to supporting marginalised and economically disadvantaged sections through robust financial inclusion strategies. PMJDY ensures that every unbanked adult has access to a basic bank account—with zero balance requirements and no maintenance charges.
The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the proposal of the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports for submission of bid for the Commonwealth Games (CWG) 2030.
It also gave its approval to sign the Host Collaboration Agreement (HCA) along with the required Guarantees from concerned Ministries, Departments and Authorities and sanction of required grant-in-aid to Gujarat Government, in case the bid gets accepted.
Athletes from 72 countries will participate in the Commonwealth Games.
It will also include participation of a large number of athletes, coaches, technical officials, tourists, media persons among others visiting India during the Games, benefiting local businesses and generating revenue.
Ahmedabad is an ideal host city offering world class stadiums, cutting-edge training facilities, and a passionate sporting culture.
Narendra Modi Stadium, the largest stadium in the world, has already demonstrated its capability by successfully hosting the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup Final.
Beyond sports, hosting the CWG in India would leave a lasting impact boosting tourism, creating jobs and inspiring millions of young athletes.
The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the “Restructuring and extension of the lending period beyond 31.12.2024 of Prime Minister Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) Scheme”. The lending period has now been extended until March 31, 2030. The total outlay for the scheme is Rs. 7,332 crore.
The restructured scheme aims to benefit 1.15 crore beneficiaries including 50 lakh new beneficiaries.
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the PM Narendra Modi approved Four projects of Ministry of Railways with totalcost of Rs. 12,328 Crore (approx.). These projects include: -
(1) Deshalpar – Hajipir – Luna and Vayor – Lakhpat New Line
(2) Secunderabad (Sanathnagar) – Wadi 3rd and 4th Line
(3) Bhagalpur – Jamalpur 3rd line
(4) Furkating – New Tinsukia Doubling
The above projects aim to ensure seamless and faster transportation of both passengers and goods. These initiatives will provide connectivity & improve travel convenience besides reducing logistic cost and decrease dependence on oil imports. Additionally, the projects will contribute to lower CO2 emissions, thereby supporting sustainable and efficient rail operations.
The projects will also generate direct employment for about 251 (Two Hundred and Fifty-one) lakhhuman-days during its construction.
The proposed new line will provide connectivity to far-fetched area of Kutch region. It will add 145 route km & 164 track km to the existing railway network in Gujarat with an estimated cost of 2526 crore rupees.
The Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare (DESW), Ministry of Defence, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Quality Council of India (QCI) on August 26 2025, New Delhi to strengthen delivery of pension, healthcare, resettlement, and welfare services for over 63 lakh veterans and their dependents.
Under the MoU, QCI will support DESW in digital evaluations, impact assessments, and evidence-based policy recommendations, while DESW will facilitate data access and stakeholder coordination with State Governments, Zila Sainik Boards, Armed Forces Headquarters, and empanelled hospitals.
The Competition Commission of India has approved the acquisition of Jaiprakash Associates Limited by Adani Group Entities.
The Proposed Combination relates to the acquisition of up to 100% shareholding of Jaiprakash Associates Limited (JAL) by Adani Enterprises Limited (AEL) and Adani Infrastructure and Developers Private Limited (AIDPL) or,
any other entity forming part of Adani Group. JAL is currently undergoing corporate insolvency resolution process under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 pursuant to the directions of the National Company Law Tribunal, Allahabad Bench.
Private sector lender South Indian Bank said it launched a new gold loan product, SIB Gold Xpress, designed to offer customers quick and convenient access to credit.
With this scheme, borrowers can unlock up to 90 per cent of their gold's value, availing loans ranging from Rs 25,000 to Rs 25 lakh with a flexible tenure of up to three years, the bank said.
Targeted at MSMEs, non-MSMEs, and small businesses, the product enables customers to fund business expansion, working capital needs, or personal ventures with ease, it said, adding that the loan comes with zero hidden costs, ensuring complete transparency for borrowers.
The government extended the exemption from import duty on cotton until December 31, 2025, to support the domestic textile sector.
“In order to support exporters further, the Central government has decided to extend the import duty exemption on cotton (HS 5201) from September 30, 2025 till December 31, 2025,” the Press Information Bureau said in a statement.
The exemption, first announced by the Finance Ministry for the period August 19 to September 30, 2025, was aimed at improving the availability of raw cotton and easing pressure on exporters.
The relief covers the 5 percent Basic Customs Duty (BCD), the 5 percent Agriculture Infrastructure and Development Cess (AIDC), as well as a 10 percent Social Welfare Surcharge on both.
Together, these levies had earlier resulted in a combined duty burden of around 11 per cent on cotton imports.
The extension is expected to benefit India’s readymade garment (RMG) sector, which is currently grappling with external headwinds. From August 27, 2025, the US imposed a 50 per cent tariff on RMG imports from India, significantly denting export prospects.
Despite the dissent by Supreme Court (SC) collegium member Justice B.V. Nagarathna, on the appointment of Patna High Court Chief Justice Vipul Pancholi as a judge of the apex Court, the President on Wednesday (August 27, 2025) announced his elevation to the SC.
The SC also appointed Alok Aradhe, Chief Justice, Bombay High Court, as SC judges.
With the two new appointments, the SC will now work in full strength with 34 judges.
Justice Pancholi, if appointed now, would be in line for the Chief Justiceship of India in 2031 for a tenure of well over a year.
Justice Nagarathna, the only woman judge in the SC, had pointed out that there were several other HC judges meritorious and senior to Justice Pancholi were bypassed for his appointment.
Employment in industries increased by 5.92 per cent to 19.5 million in 2023-24 from 18.4 million in 2022-23, according to the latest Annual Survey of Industries (ASI) released.
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has released the results of the Annual Survey of Industries (ASI) for the reference period -- April 2023 to March 2024 --
(i.e. financial year 2023-24) referred to as ASI 2023-24 in a press note.
The field work for this survey was carried out from October 2024 to June 2025 for ASI 2023-24.
The invested capital in the industries rose to Rs 68,01,329 crore in 2023-24 from Rs 61,39,212 crore in 2022-23, as per the report for 2023-24.
The data also showed that the Gross Value Added in the industries increased by 11.9 per cent to Rs 24,58,336 crore in the fiscal under review from Rs 21,97,056 crore in the preceding fiscal.
The GVA is defined as the additional value created by the process of production. This is calculated by deducting the value of total input from total output.
The Annual Survey of Industries is conducted with the primary objective to provide a meaningful insight into the dynamics of change in the composition, growth and structure of various manufacturing industries in terms of output, value added, employment, capital formation and a host of other parameters.
It stated that industries added more than half a crore (57 lakh) jobs during the last decade, 2014-15 to 2023-24.
The top 5 industries with respect to GVA are basic metals, motor vehicles, chemical and chemical products, food and pharmaceutical products.
Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka are the top five states in respect of employment.
The government has set up three high-level committees to mark the 150th birth anniversaries of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and tribal icon Birsa Munda, as well as the birth centenary of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair all three committees.
The Centre has announced the constitution of the panels in three separate gazette notifications.
Patel, born on October 31, 1875, was a freedom fighter and independent India's first home minister.
He is also known as the 'Iron Man of India,' and the Statue of Unity in Gujarat celebrates his legacy.
Munda, a tribal icon, is also celebrated as a freedom fighter.
To commemorate the 100th Birth Anniversary of Late Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the Competent Authority has approved the constitution of a High Level Committee.
Vajpayee served as Prime Minister for three terms — first, for 13 days (May 16–June 1, 1996); second, for just over a year (1998–99; and third,
for a full five-year term (1999–2004). Under his governance, India conducted its second nuclear tests in 1998.
The Lithuanian parliament approved the appointment of Social Democrat Inga Ruginiene as Lithuania’s new Prime Minister. After the Parliament’s approval, Ruginiene, the incumbent minister of social security and labour, now has up to 15 days to present a new cabinet list agreed with the President to the Parliament for a vote, reports said.
She will officially take office after the president signs a decree appointing her as the prime minister. Ruginiene was elected to parliament for the first time in 2024. Before her political career, she served as chair of the Lithuanian Trade Union Confederation.
Lakes are one of the most vital natural resources on our planet. They serve as a crucial source of fresh water, supporting drinking water supplies, agriculture, and industry.
On the first World Lake Day (27 August), let's be aware of the problems lakes face and protect them now.
Beyond their ecological significance, lakes contribute to climate regulation by keeping the planet cool, absorbing the floodwater and storing carbon.
Additionally, they provide recreational and economic opportunities, attracting tourism, fishing, and other activities that support local communities.
