Gollalagudi Temple in Telangana Declared Monument of National Importance
The Gollalagudi Temple, also known as Gollala Gudi, situated in Palampet village, Mulugu district, Telangana, was declared a Monument of National Importance by the Union Ministry of Culture and Tourism. The Gazette notification dated 1 September 2026 formalized the designation, increasing the number of ASI-protected monuments in Telangana to ten. The temple exemplifies late-Kakatiya architecture and reflects the region’s historical craftsmanship. Protection will help conserve sculptures, inscriptions and the temple complex for research and public access. Telangana’s growing list of protected monuments reinforces the national heritage framework and highlights preservation across the Deccan plateau.
Gazette notification dated 1 September 2026
Monument of National Importance designation
Location: Palampet, Mulugu district, Telangana
Architectural significance: late-Kakatiya era
Telangana now has ten ASI-protected monuments
Protection supports conservation and public access
Jeetendra Mishra Appointed CEO of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust
Retired Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra was appointed the first Chief Executive Officer of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust in September 2026. The trust oversees administration and operations of the Ram Temple site in Ayodhya. Mishra, a veteran IAF officer with extensive leadership experience, will lead governance, fundraising and institutional development. The appointment marks a shift from volunteer leadership to structured management for the trust. Officials say the CEO will guide site development, visitor facilities and socio-economic outreach while preserving the temple’s religious significance and ensuring transparent governance.
Mishra appointed CEO in September 2026
First CEO of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust
Former IAF officer with leadership experience
Role: governance, fundraising, development
Focus on site development and outreach
Emphasis on professional management
India Ranks 106th in 2026 V-Dem Electoral Democracy Index
India ranked 106th out of 179 countries in the 2026 V-Dem Electoral Democracy Index, with a score of 0.38 for 2025. The index, produced by the V-Dem Institute at the University of Gothenburg, assesses democracy using elections, freedom of expression, media independence and civil society participation. Analysts note the ranking shows mixed progress across indicators and may inform policy discussions on political participation and accountability. The report is widely used by policymakers and researchers to compare democracy performance with peer nations and to guide reforms aimed at strengthening democratic processes.
Rank 106/179; score 0.38 (2025 data)
Source: V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg
Measures elections, freedom of expression, media independence
Civil society participation as a key indicator
Useful for policy and comparative analysis
Encourages ongoing democratic reforms
Sep 02, 2026
Suman Ray Appointed RBI Executive Director
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) appointed Suman Ray as its Executive Director, effective 1 September 2026. Previously the RBI’s Regional Director for Maharashtra, Ray will oversee key functions including the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC) and the Premises Department. The appointment expands RBI’s senior leadership and supports ongoing reforms in risk management, financial stability, and policy implementation. Analysts view the move as strengthening governance and operational capabilities during a period of rapid digital transformation in India’s financial sector. The central bank confirmed the appointment in its communications earlier this week.
Previous position: RBI Regional Director for Maharashtra.
Key responsibilities: DICGC and Premises Department.
Significance: enhances RBI leadership during digital transition.
Sep 01, 2026
HT Morning Brief highlights PM Modi's Uzbekistan visit and unity in diversity themes
HT Morning Brief on August 30, 2026 highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Uzbekistan and messages emphasizing unity in diversity. The briefing summarized key engagements, potential bilateral agreements, and regional security considerations. The report noted implications for internal politics, economic collaboration, and technology cooperation discussed by officials during the trip. Analysts view the visit as part of India’s broader foreign policy strategy to strengthen ties with Central Asia while balancing other regional partnerships. Domestic commentators also discussed economic signals and policy implications for India's evolving regional role.
Source: HT Morning Brief (30 August 2026).
Focus: PM Modi’s visit to Uzbekistan and unity in diversity theme.
Discussed potential bilateral agreements and regional security.
Notes implications for domestic economy and tech collaboration.
Viewed as part of India’s broader Central Asian outreach.
Analysts consider policy and economic signals from the visit.
Aug 29, 2026
Tamil Nadu Notifies Three New Elephant Corridors in Cauvery North Sanctuary
In August 2026, the Tamil Nadu government notified three new elephant corridors within the Cauvery North Wildlife Sanctuary of the Hosur Forest Division. The corridors are Jawalagiri–Ulibanda–Thaggatti, Jawalagiri–Panai–Anchetty, and Billikkal–Jawalagiri. They form part of the trans‑Cauvery movement route used by Asian elephants and other large mammals traveling between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The notification aims to protect traditional migration routes, particularly during the seasonal monsoon movements when elephants traverse landscapes in search of forage and water. Officials say the corridors will reinforce landscape‑level connectivity, reduce human–elephant conflict, and support biodiversity along the Cauvery river basin. The move marks a significant conservation milestone for Tamil Nadu.
Three new elephant corridors named Jawalagiri–Ulibanda–Thaggatti, Jawalagiri–Panai–Anchetty, and Billikkal–Jawalagiri identified.
Located within Cauvery North Wildlife Sanctuary, Hosur Forest Division, Tamil Nadu.
Form part of the trans‑Cauvery elephant movement between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
Aims to protect migratory routes during the monsoon and other seasonal movements.
Seeks to strengthen landscape connectivity and reduce human–elephant conflict.
Aug 26, 2026
PM Modi reviews cyber fraud cases during PRAGATI meeting
Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a PRAGATI meeting to review cyber fraud cases and strengthen prevention. He emphasized regular capacity-building for personnel and asked ministries and states to use modern technologies and improve quality assurance. The PM said public awareness campaigns should target seniors, youth, and other vulnerable groups. The meeting also reviewed six infrastructure projects across rail, road and power sectors with a total investment of over 30,000 crore rupees and discussed the AgriStack project within the Digital Agriculture Mission. Modi urged faster, higher-quality execution across agencies and stressed continuing monitoring and accountability.
PRAGATI meeting reviewed cyber fraud cases and capacity-building needs
Emphasis on public awareness and modern technology use
Six infrastructure projects reviewed; investment exceeds 30,000 crore
AgriStack discussed within Digital Agriculture Mission
Call for faster, high-quality execution and accountability
9th National Security Strategies Conference begins in Delhi
New Delhi hosted the 9th National Security Strategies Conference-2026, a two-day event gathering senior security officials and experts. Organized by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the conference focused on illegal migration, cybercrime, and proxy warfare. Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the event and directed the use of AI-based analysis of information from MAC platforms to prepare standard operating procedures. Participants discussed counter-terrorism, narcotics control, and integrated intelligence approaches. The conference drew more than 850 participants in person or online, showing wide interest in national security planning and interagency coordination.
9th National Security Strategies Conference-2026 opened in Delhi
Focus on illegal migration, cybercrime, and proxy warfare
Amit Shah inaugurated the event; AI-based MAC analysis instructed
Discussions cover counter-terrorism and narcotics control