Amit Shah Calls for Stronger Internal Security and Anticipatory National Security Planning
Union Home Minister Amit Shah addressed the valedictory session of the Intelligence Bureau’s National Security Strategies Conference in New Delhi. He urged security agencies to anticipate emerging threats, implement the three new criminal laws fully within one year, strengthen border security, combat terrorism and narcotics, and use integrated data and artificial intelligence for actionable intelligence.
Key facts
The National Security Strategies Conference was organised by the Intelligence Bureau and attended by senior police officers, state DGPs and representatives of central security agencies.
The conference was held over two days in physical and virtual formats.
Amit Shah said the three new criminal laws would be implemented fully within the next one year.
The government aims to enable disposal of criminal cases up to the Supreme Court within three years and increase the conviction rate by 25%, according to the address.
The ‘Prahar’ document was proposed to be converted into a daily practice for eradicating terrorism and dismantling 360-degree terrorist networks.
States were urged to implement the Narcotics Control Vision Document 2026–2029 using the three Ds: Detect, Disrupt and Destroy.
An integrated data bank involving CCTNS, ICJS, NATGRID and NAFIS has been created for data integration, analysis and intelligence generation.
About 274 fugitives were brought from abroad during 2019–2026, according to the address.
A quadrangular border security approach document was shared with all land-border states after visits by the Ministry of Home Affairs over the previous eight months.
Amit Shah highlighted global instability, energy-resource insecurity, supply-chain disruptions, radicalisation and cyber-misinformation as factors relevant to security policy.
Exam relevance: Important for questions on internal security, police and central security agencies, criminal justice reforms, border management, counter-terrorism, narcotics control, artificial intelligence in policing, and fugitives.
UPSC CAPF (Assistant Commandants) Examination 2026: Candidates Qualify for PST/PET
The Union Public Service Commission announced that candidates qualifying in the written part of the Central Armed Police Forces (Assistant Commandants) Examination 2026 will proceed to the Physical Standards Test and Physical Efficiency Test. Their candidature remains provisional, and they must complete the mandatory online update and document-submission process within 15 days of the written-result declaration.
Key facts
The written examination was held on 19 July 2026.
Qualified candidates will appear for the Physical Standards Test and Physical Efficiency Test.
The candidature of the qualified candidates is provisional and subject to verification of eligibility.
Candidates must produce original certificates related to age, educational qualification, community, EWS status and other claims at the Personality Test.
Reservation and relaxation certificates must have been issued by the application closing date, 12 March 2026.
Qualified candidates must log in to the UPSC portal within the 15-day updation window and upload the required details and documents.
The Sashastra Seema Bal, nominated as the nodal authority by the Ministry of Home Affairs, will conduct and notify candidates about the PST/PET.
Candidates must carry the e-Admit Card, the hard copy of the finally submitted Detailed Application Form and a photo identity proof for the PST/PET.
Exam relevance: Useful for questions on UPSC examinations, Central Armed Police Forces recruitment, examination stages, document verification and the role of the Sashastra Seema Bal as the nodal authority for PST/PET.
Book on Kalidasa’s life and works launched at IGNCA
Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat launched and discussed the book “Kaho Kalidasa!”, authored by Yugul Joshi, at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts in New Delhi. The event highlighted Kalidasa’s literary portrayal of women, nature, love, separation and responsibility.
Key facts
The event was organised by the Kala Nidhi Division of IGNCA.
It was held at the Samvet Auditorium, IGNCA, New Delhi.
The book “Kaho Kalidasa!” was authored by Yugul Joshi and published by Manjul Publishing House.
Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said that women in Kalidasa’s works are portrayed as embodiments of consciousness, dignity and love, rather than merely as subjects of beauty.
The book examines Kalidasa’s life and works through themes including love, separation, responsibility, nature and female characters.
The minister noted that authentic biographical details about Kalidasa are limited.
Exam relevance: Useful for questions on Indian culture, classical Sanskrit literature, Kalidasa, IGNCA and cultural institutions.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the 53rd PRAGATI meeting at Seva Teerth and reviewed six infrastructure projects across the railway, road and power sectors. The meeting also examined AgriStack under the Digital Agriculture Mission and measures to prevent cyber fraud, including digital arrest cases.
Key facts
PRAGATI stands for Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation.
The 53rd PRAGATI meeting reviewed six infrastructure projects spanning nine States.
The projects covered the railway, road and power sectors and had a cumulative cost of more than ₹30,000 crore.
The Prime Minister emphasised timely implementation, inter-agency coordination, end-to-end project monitoring and quality assurance.
Ministries and States were advised to explore common utility corridors while planning major infrastructure projects, wherever technically and economically feasible.
During the review of AgriStack, the use of artificial intelligence and agricultural data across the value chain was emphasised.
For cyber fraud prevention, the meeting stressed sustained awareness campaigns, training and capacity-building, especially for senior citizens, youth and other vulnerable groups.
Exam relevance: Useful for questions on PRAGATI, infrastructure governance, Digital Agriculture Mission, AgriStack, artificial intelligence in agriculture and cyber fraud prevention.
National Traders’ Welfare Board Holds 100th Virtual Conference Meeting
The National Traders’ Welfare Board held its 100th Virtual Conference Interaction Meeting to strengthen regular engagement with traders across India. The platform enables dissemination of government schemes and policies, submission of grievances and suggestions, and communication of recurring issues to concerned ministries and departments.
Key facts
The National Traders’ Welfare Board conducted its 100th Virtual Conference Interaction Meeting on 25 August 2026.
The dedicated virtual platform for retail traders was proposed during the Board’s 2nd meeting on 7 February 2024.
The platform was formally launched during the Board’s 3rd meeting on 11 July 2024.
Virtual interaction meetings are conducted every Monday from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM.
The platform connects small, medium and large traders and facilitates the sharing of grievances, suggestions and information on government schemes and policies.
The meeting was chaired by NTWB Chairman Sunil J. Singhi.
Exam relevance: Useful for questions on government bodies, trader welfare, institutional mechanisms for grievance redressal, and government–stakeholder engagement.
