India’s economy has slipped from fourth to sixth place globally, with nominal GDP estimated at $3.92 trillion in FY2025-26, Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary told Parliament, citing the IMF’s April 2026 World Economic Outlook. The IMF ranking is based on nominal GDP measured at current US dollar exchange rates. Chaudhary said rankings can change due to exchange-rate movements, prices, economic growth, national-account revisions and shifts in other major economies. India had overtaken the UK in 2022 to become the fifth-largest economy and was later reported to have surpassed Japan. The government is focusing on manufacturing, agriculture, infrastructure and MSMEs, alongside PLI schemes, logistics reforms, public investment, FDI and tax reforms. (PC: iStock)

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has introduced new packaging requirements for pan masala, banning plastic, aluminium foil and metallised layers. The Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Amendment Regulations, 2026, were notified in the Gazette of India on August 10. Under the new rules, pan masala manufacturers can use only plastic-free paper, paperboard, cellulose or other naturally derived materials, along with tin or glass containers. The move specifically targets plastic used in pan masala packaging and removes several previously used materials from permitted options. The new requirements mark a regulatory shift towards plastic-free packaging for pan masala products, with manufacturers required to adopt the newly specified alternatives. (PC: Getty Images)

Candidates shortlisted for the CEO of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust were reportedly asked questions about religious practices, food habits, families and work experience. The 18 shortlisted candidates were selected from 5,200 applicants. A 34-point Google form reportedly asked whether candidates were staunch Hindus, wore a shikha or janeu, ate non-vegetarian food or consumed alcohol. Eight candidates faced interviews in Ayodhya on Tuesday, including four former IAS officers. The CEO will oversee administrative, financial and security matters at the Ram Temple, which attracts devotees. (PC: HT)

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has introduced new packaging rules for pan masala, banning plastic-based materials, aluminium foil and metallised layers. Under the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Amendment Regulations, 2026, manufacturers can use plastic-free paper, paperboard, cellulose and other naturally derived materials. Tin and glass containers are also permitted. The rules specifically prohibit polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, PVC and other synthetic polymers, copolymers and laminates in packaging. The amendment, notified in the Gazette of India on August 10, does not ban pan masala itself but regulates how the product can be packaged. (PC: India Today)

Prashant Kishor has promised to arrange jobs for at least 10,000 youths in Bihar’s Bankipur within 3 months. During his “gratitude tour”, the Jan Suraaj leader asked educated families to submit their children’s CVs to his office. Kishor said he had contacted people across the country to create employment opportunities for Bihar’s youth. He also promised major improvements in government schools within a year, saying Bankipur children would be supported with private-school fees if needed. Kishor further pledged action on ration cards, full 5 kg foodgrain entitlements and ₹1,100 pensions for eligible senior citizens within 3 months. (PC: NDTV)

A Zepto warehouse in Bengaluru’s Hoskote was sealed on Tuesday following a special inspection by Karnataka’s Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA). Officials said they found unhygienic food handling and storage conditions, non-compliant labelling, misbranding and other violations of food safety regulations. The department issued a notice to the warehouse and recommended legal proceedings before the adjudicating officer. Zepto said it fully cooperated with authorities and was taking steps to address the observations. The action is part of a wider food safety drive across Bengaluru targeting storage and distribution facilities. Officials have also seized expired or unfit food items during recent inspections. (PC: HT)

The pilot-in-command of Air India flight AI2379 has tested positive for marijuana in a second laboratory test, sources said. The test followed the August 4 Phuket-Delhi flight incident, when the aircraft suddenly lost around 300 feet during cruise. Both pilots were tested for psychoactive substances and have been removed from flying duties while the investigation continues. The Airbus A320 was carrying 137 passengers and eight crew members. Twenty passengers and four cabin crew were injured. Investigators are also examining reported technical problems, including autopilot and hydraulic failures. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau said it will study all technical, medical and operational evidence before reaching conclusions.

President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday gave assent to the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, making it law and criminalising intentional disruption or prevention of the singing of India’s national song, “Vande Mataram”. The amendment gives the national song legal protection similar to that already provided to the national anthem. Earlier, the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act prohibited intentionally preventing the singing of the national anthem or causing disturbance to an assembly engaged in singing it. The government said the new law extends comparable protection to “Vande Mataram”, adding a fresh criminal provision concerning deliberate interference with its singing. (PC: Rashtrapati Bhavan)

Madhya Pradesh is facing a growing human-wildlife conflict, with at least 50 people killed in wild animal attacks and more than 45 tigers dying in the first eight months of 2026. Tigers accounted for 22 human deaths, followed by wild boars with eight, elephants with seven and sloth bears with four. Thirty fatalities occurred between March and May, when villagers, particularly tribal communities, enter forests to collect tendu leaves and mahua flowers. The state’s tiger population is now estimated at around 1,000, while forests and wildlife corridors face increasing fragmentation from settlements and infrastructure. Officials say conflicts are intensifying along forest fringes, exposing both communities and wildlife to growing risks. (PC: NDTV)

Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke on Tuesday said he would not travel to Jharkhand to join students protesting alleged irregularities in state recruitment examinations, saying he did not want to “hijack” the movement. Dipke strongly condemned Monday’s police action against protesters, calling it a “brutal lathi-charge”. Thousands of students and job aspirants had marched towards the Jharkhand Assembly in Ranchi, demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe. Police used water cannons and tear gas after protesters breached multiple barricading layers. Protesters alleged that police also used lathis, injuring several people, including student leader Devendra Nath Mahato, who had been on a nine-day hunger strike.