1.      The Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) digital payments index (DPI) increased from 304.46 for September 2021 to 349.30 for March 2022. This data clearly shows an increase in digital payments, driven in part by unified payments interface (UPI). The index was 270.59 at the end of March 2021. Starting in March 2021, the Reserve Bank of India provides RBI-DPI on a half-yearly basis with a 4month lag.

2.      The Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) on signed an MoU with the Bangladesh Roads and Highways department in Dhaka for the emergency supply of petroleum goods via Bangladesh territory to India (in the regions of Assam, Tripura and Meghalaya). This is an interim set up to facilitate urgent supply of petroleum products due to damage caused by the flood in Assam this year.

3.      The Army Design Bureau on behalf of the Indian Army has signed a MoU with the Drone Federation of India to collaboratively work towards promoting research, development, testing and manufacturing of drones, counter-drone and associated technologies that can assist the Indian Army in its operations.

4.      Concerned over the rampant use of environmentally hazardous ‘non-woven’ plastic carry bags across the State, the Himachal Pradesh government has decided to impose a complete ban on its use from January 1, 2023.

5.      India won 14 more medals including four gold, three silver and seven bronze on day 9 of the Commonwealth Games 2022. India’s medal tally reaches 40 with 13 gold, 11 silver and 16 bronze medals.

6.      The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has, for the first time in its 80-year history, appointed a woman Director-General. N. Kalaiselvi, currently Director of the CSIR-Central Electro Chemical Research Institute (CSIR-CECRI), Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu and has been appointed for two years.

7.      The 13th Edition of the Indo-US Joint Special Forces exercise “Ex Vajra Prahar 2022” commenced at the Special Forces Training School (SFTS), Bakloh (Himachal Pradesh) 8th August 2022. The US contingent is represented by personnel from the 1st Special Forces Group (SFG) and Special Tactics Squadron (STS) of US Special Forces and the Indian Army contingent is formed by drawing Special Forces personnel under the aegis of SFTS.

8.      The National Commission for Women has joined hands with the Centre of Excellence for Social Innovation (CESI) of the Indian Institute of Management, Kozhikode to offer professional training to women entrepreneurs who wish to launch their entrepreneurial careers as well as a mentoring program for existing women entrepreneurs looking to scale up their businesses.

9.      The 12th edition of DefExpo - India’s flagship exhibition on Land, Naval and Homeland Security systems - will be held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat between October 18-22, 2022. The five-day event will witness three business days followed by two public days. Live demonstrations showcasing the equipment and skill set of the Armed Forces, DPSUs and Industry will be held on all five days at Sabarmati River Front through active participation and synchronized efforts at all levels.

10.   The Indian Army in collaboration with the Drone Federation of India has launched the ‘Him Drone-a-thon’ programme on 08 August 2022. This initiative in line with Atmanirbharta in defence manufacturing is aimed to catalyse and provide focused opportunities to the Indian drone ecosystem to develop path-breaking drone capabilities for meeting requirements of frontline troops.