IAS

The Tiranga represents our national pride and deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. The National Flag must not be used as part of costume or uniform, or printed or embroidered on napkins, handkerchiefs, cushions or other dress material.

🇮🇳 A Flag That Carried the Spirit of Swadeshi! #DidYouKnow? Sister Nivedita is believed to have designed a flag bearing the words “Vande Mataram” during the Swadeshi Movement. A symbol of national pride, self-reliance and the spirit of freedom - long before the Tiranga became our national flag.

Rudrasagar Lake in Tripura. The magnificent Neermahal Palace beautifully blends Hindu and Muslim architectural styles. Once the royal summer retreat of the Manikya dynasty, it continues to host the annual Neermahal Festival, featuring swimming competitions, boat races and cultural celebrations during Vijaya Dashami.

The Hindu: 13/8/26 1) Retail inflation hits 19- month high : page 1 2) Troubling bill : page 6 3) Military transformation: page 6 4) Promise of gender equality: page 7 5) Supreme Court Clarifies scope: page 8 6) Amid tussle: page 10 7) India's first branded train: page 12 8) Govt. looking at MDR charge : page 13 The Indian Express: 13/8/26 1) WHO says Congo's Ebola outbreak: These world page 2) UPI's dramatic growth: Explained page 3) Total solar eclipse: Explained page 4) National cooperative development corporation bill : page 6 5) Sweeping aviation model: page 6 6) What was promised by NREGA's new version: page 10 7) On Mecca accord : page 12

Nation’s first, “Ladakh Black-Necked Crane Festival 2026”, celebrating the world’s only alpine crane and the revered State Bird of Ladakh. The festival is witnessing the participation of conservationists, researchers and experts from India and abroad, including those from the UN, and country like Bhutan, which has a sizable population of Black-necked Cranes.

The Hindu: 11/8/26 1) PMLA case : page 5 2) Case for consensus: page 6 3) Tracking nursing: page 6 4) UPI and the cost of policy: page 8 5) Tribunals reforms bill : page 11 6) Rajya Sabha clears two bills : page 11 The Indian Express: 11/8/26 1) House clears taxation bill : page 6 2) No suggestions accepted : page 6 3) Govt. 2012 rules : page 9 4) Seamless digital payments: page 10 5) A triangular hedge : page 10 6)The MSME opportunity: page 11 7) Mecca agreement: page 13 8) Govt. plans child labor survey: page 15

#WorldLionDay is celebrated to raise awareness for the need for consistent efforts and sustainable solutions for the conservation of Lions. We all must work together to fulfill our mission to protect the lions and ensuring a secured future with inclusive wildlife management. • Launched in 2013, World Lion Day is annually observed on August 10th. • World Lion Day is the brainchild of co-founders Dereck and Beverly Joubert. They began the initiative in 2013, bringing together both National Geographic and the Big Cat Initiative under a single banner to protect the remaining big cats living in the wild. Aim: The day aims to spread awareness of lions and the urgent need to strive towards their conservation. Significance - Lions are designated as a vulnerable species on the Red List of Threatened Species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). - The purpose of World Lion Day, is to increase public awareness of the significance of lion conservation. Population of Lion in India - In Gir Forest, which is home to the only wild population of lions outside of Africa, the population has continuously expanded in India. - The population of Asiatic lions has steadily increased in Gujarat’s Gir forest & the larger Saurashtra protected area after experiencing a long period of decline. Population of Lions in the world - With the exception of Africa, the number of wild lions has drastically decreased worldwide. - There are currently between 30,000 and 100,000 lions left in the world. 5 Facts About Lions: Lion cubs are born with spots on their coats, but these tend to fade away as they grow older. A lion’s mane will change colour, going from light to dark, as it grows older. Lion cubs are generally brought up together by all the females in a pride. Lionesses are better hunters than their male counterparts, and it is for this reason that they hunt 80% to 90% of the time. Lions will sleep for at least 20 hours a day. Let's #RoarForLions and ensure these majestic creatures thrive!