IIHT SUTRA 2026 National Conclave on Handloom Innovation held in New Delhi
The first National Conclave of Indian Institutes of Handloom Technology, IIHT SUTRA 2026, convened at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi. The theme, 'IIHTs: Weaving the Future of the Indian Handloom Sector – Educate. Innovate. Transform.', focused on skill development, innovation, and technology adoption within the handloom sector. Delegates discussed curricula, design collaborations, and market access strategies to modernise the traditional textile industry. The conclave aimed to strengthen IIHTs' role in promoting sustainable livelihoods for weavers, expanding export-ready products, and integrating heritage crafts with modern manufacturing through coordinated policy and industry engagement.
IIHT SUTRA 2026 held in New Delhi
Theme: Educate. Innovate. Transform.
Focus on skill development and technology adoption
Discussions on curricula, design collaboration, market access
Aims to modernise India's handloom sector
Emphasis on industry-policy collaboration
Chandigarh and DNH to pilot CBDC-based food subsidy transfers
Digital rupee-based food subsidy transfers are to be piloted in Union Territories, with Chandigarh and Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu (DNH) among the first to adopt programmable e₹ tokens for subsidy delivery. The initiative links the Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) with the Public Distribution System (PDS) to improve transparency, reduce leakage, and speed up transfers to eligible beneficiaries. Programmable tokens are designed to allow subsidies to be used only for food purchases, with smart contract controls guiding redemption within defined parameters. Officials say the move is a step toward broader digital reforms in welfare schemes and could inform future rollouts across the country.
Chandigarh and DNH are among first UTs to test digital subsidy transfers.
CBDC-based PDS aims to improve transparency and efficiency.
Programmable tokens restrict subsidies to food purchases.
Part of broader digital welfare reform in India.
Digital Rupee-based food subsidies to be piloted in UTs via programmable tokens
Chandigarh and Dadra and Nagar Haveli are set to pilot programmable Digital Rupee (e₹) tokens for food subsidy transfers, marking the first Union Territory-level CBDC subsidy initiative. The plan links the central bank digital currency with the Public Distribution System to enhance transparency, traceability, and efficiency in welfare delivery. Programmable e₹ subsidies can be restricted to intended purposes, helping prevent leakage and misallocation. Beneficiaries would receive CBDC-backed subsidy credits redeemable at approved shops, subject to embedded conditions. The move forms part of broader digitalisation of welfare schemes and aims to strengthen financial inclusion while preserving subsidy integrity.
UT-level pilots for CBDC-based food subsidies announced
Programmable e₹ tokens linked to PDS to increase transparency
Subsidies restricted to intended purposes to reduce leakage
Credits redeemable at approved merchants under conditions
Part of broader welfare digitalisation effort
Aims to improve efficiency and accountability in subsidies
Aug 13, 2026
AP signs with CSIR-NGRI for critical minerals in Kadapa Basin
The Government of Andhra Pradesh signed an agreement with CSIR-National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI) to explore critical minerals such as lithium and gallium in the Kadapa Basin. The Department of Mines and Geology aims to map and assess mineral deposits to support clean energy technologies, electronics manufacturing and advanced industries. The collaboration will involve geophysical surveys, exploratory drilling, and data sharing to strengthen India’s critical mineral supply chain. Officials say the project aligns with national policies to secure strategic minerals, attract investment, and enhance regional development while promoting sustainable extraction practices and environmental safeguards. The initiative forms part of a broader push to diversify India's mineral sources and reduce import dependency.
AP signs agreement with CSIR-NGRI to explore critical minerals in Kadapa Basin.
Focus on lithium and gallium for clean energy and electronics.
Involves geophysical surveys, drilling and data sharing.
Aims to strengthen India’s critical mineral supply chain.
Part of broader policy to diversify minerals and reduce imports.
India expands e-visa entry points to 88 designated points
India expanded its designated entry network for foreign nationals holding e-visas by adding 11 new entry points in August 2026. The expanded network now totals 88 designated e-visa entries, comprising 37 airports, 38 seaports, and 13 land ports. The newly added points include Bhopal and Tirupati airports, along with nine land ports across multiple states. The expansion aims to improve travel convenience and enhance tourism connectivity across states. The update comes as part of ongoing efforts to liberalize visa processes and support inbound tourism, with officials citing smoother customs and faster entry for eligible foreign visitors.
India added 11 new e-visa entry points in August 2026, reaching 88 total.
Total breakdown: 37 airports, 38 seaports, 13 land ports.
New entries include Bhopal and Tirupati airports; nine land ports added.
Aims to ease travel and strengthen tourism connectivity.
Part of visa liberalization and inbound tourism measures.
Karnataka launches Tathyakosh public data portal
Karnataka launched the public data portal Tathyakosh.in in Bengaluru in August 2026. Developed by the ACSEL Technology Forum in collaboration with the IIT Alumni Centre Bengaluru, the platform functions as an open-source digital public good. It provides access to more than 1.5 million datasets from hundreds of public repositories. The portal aims to improve data discovery and accessibility for citizens and institutions, enabling researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze trends and inform decisions. It also supports transparency and evidence-based governance by centralizing diverse data sources in a single interface. The launch is part of Karnataka's open data initiative to empower local governance. More datasets are planned in the coming months.
Tathyakosh.in launched in Bengaluru as an open-data portal.
Developed by ACSEL Technology Forum with IIT Alumni Centre Bengaluru.
Provides access to over 1.5 million datasets from many repositories.
Aims to enhance data discovery and governance transparency.
Part of Karnataka’s open data initiative; more datasets planned.
Aug 12, 2026
RCF Delivers 19 LHB Coaches to Bangladesh Railway
Rail Coach Factory (RCF), Kapurthala, prepared its first rake of 19 LHB broad-gauge passenger coaches for Bangladesh Railway in August 2026. The coaches form part of a larger contract to supply 200 broad-gauge passenger coaches to Bangladesh. Indian Railways PSU RITES Limited is overseeing the supply under the project. The initiative supports the modernization of Bangladesh's passenger railway services and strengthens India-Bangladesh railway cooperation. The contract highlights growing regional manufacturing linkages in South Asia and demonstrates India's capability to export rolling stock and related technology while building durable transport ties with neighbouring countries.
RCF delivered 19 LHB coaches for Bangladesh Railway.
Part of a 200-coach contract to Bangladesh.
RITES Limited oversees the project.
Aimed at modernizing Bangladesh rail services.
Strengthens India-Bangladesh railway cooperation.
Aug 11, 2026
Amit Shah launches Bank in a Box and SOC for Urban Co-operative Banks
Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah launched the Bank in a Box and Security Operations Centre initiatives for Urban Cooperative Banks in August 2026. Bank in a Box provides core banking, digital payments, cloud facilities and regulatory compliance support to smaller banks, aiming to modernise operations and broaden financial inclusion. The Security Operations Centre will strengthen cybersecurity and provide monitoring to safeguard banking networks. Officials emphasised that the package will upgrade digital infrastructure, simplify regulatory processes and improve customer services across urban cooperative banks. The schemes reflect a government push to enhance financial stability and resilience at the grassroots level while integrating new technology into public banking systems.
Bank in a Box offers core banking, digital payments and cloud facilities
Security Operations Centre enhances cybersecurity for cooperative banks
Initiatives launched by Union Home Minister Amit Shah
Aims to modernise smaller Urban Cooperative Banks
Focus on digital infrastructure and regulatory compliance
Aug 10, 2026
E-Samudra strengthens digital maritime governance
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has led the rollout of the e-Samudra digital platform to modernise India's maritime governance. Developed by the Directorate General of Shipping, the cloud-based system is designed to bring ship registration, regulatory approvals and stakeholder services onto a single digital interface. The modules aim to streamline licensing, vessel tracking, inspections and compliance, while reducing processing times and human error. Officials say e-Samudra will improve transparency, efficiency and data-sharing across ports and agencies, enabling better risk management, faster approvals and stronger maritime security. The platform aligns with the government's digital governance push for the blue economy.
Digital platform e-Samudra launched by DG Shipping
Cloud-based system for ship registration and approvals
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