The three-member search committee appointed by the board of the Shree Ramjanmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Nyas has shortlisted three candidates for the post of the Trust’s first full-time Chief Executive Officer (CEO), sources said.

The recommendations are expected to be discussed at the Trust’s crucial meeting on September 2, when members will deliberate on the candidates and decide the next course of action.

Retired bureaucrats are among the frontrunners, though the identities of the shortlisted candidates have not been disclosed. The search committee submitted its final report on Tuesday after completing an extensive selection process to identify a candidate to oversee the temple affairs.

AIR VICE-MARSHAL Shakti Sharma has made history as the first woman officer (non-medical) in the Indian defence forces to achieve the rank of Air Vice Marshal (or its equivalent).

She is the first woman officer in the Indian Armed Forces to break this glass ceiling and reach such a milestone. In the Army and Navy, women officers so far have reached the rank of Colonel and equivalent.

On Tuesday, AVM Sharma assumed charge as Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Education) at Air Headquarters, the Ministry of Defence said in a statement, adding that this landmark achievemenț marks a new chapter in the journey of women officers in the defence forces.

Commissioned into the Education Branch of the IAF on June 18, 1994, the senior officer has served across various training establishments, field stations, command headquarters and Air Headquarters in her over three decades of distinguished service.

India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) has marked its 9th Foundation Day by launching a series of new digital platforms aimed at expanding access to payments, insurance and investment services.

As part of the celebrations, IPPB launched the DakPay Sound Box for Merchants, designed to simplify and strengthen digital payment acceptance for merchants.

The bank also announced the launch of a Digital Insurance Technology Platform, which will provide customers access to insurance solutions across life, health and general insurance.

A Digital Mutual Fund Platform has also been introduced to offer customers a simple and accessible digital investment experience.

The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports on Wednesday announced the Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Awards (TNNAA) 2024, recognising four individuals for their outstanding achievements in adventure activities.

The awards cover four categories – Land Adventure, Water Adventure, Air Adventure and Lifetime Achievement. The 2024 awards will be presented by the President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan along with the National Sports Awards 2025. The date of the ceremony will be announced separately.

The awardees selected for the TNNAA 2024 are Baljeet Kaur and Skalzang Rigzin in the Land Adventure category, Rimo Saha for Water Adventure and Shiv Prasad Chamoli for Lifetime Achievement.

Each awardee will receive a statuette, certificate and a cash prize of Rs 15 lakh.

In Uttar Pradesh, Former Commander of Western Air Command, Retired Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra is appointed as first CEO of Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Kshetra Trust in Ayodhya today. The appointment was announced after the meeting of trust held at Maniram Das Chhawani in Ayodhya under the chairmanship of trust president Mahant Nritya Gopal Das. The CEO will be responsible for overseeing the administrative functioning of the Trust and handling key operational responsibilities related to the Shri Ram Temple complex.

Trust’s interim general secretary Krishna Mohan informed about the appointment of three new members, which include Madan Mohan Pandey, a senior advocate from Ayodhya; Mahesh Bhagchandka of Delhi; and retired principal Dr Nirmala Yadav from Shikohabad.

New CEO of trust, Former Commander of Western Air Command has also played a key role in Operation Sindoor. He retired on April 30, 2026. He is also a recipient of Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal.

ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan has said that the EOS-05 Earth observation satellite will be launched tomorrow. The satellite is scheduled to lift off at 2:55 AM aboard the GSLV-F17 rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota.

Mr Narayanan said EOS-05 is a state-of-the-art Earth observation spacecraft and India’s first imaging satellite to be placed in a geosynchronous orbit. He said the mission will further strengthen India’s Earth observation capabilities and improve the delivery of Earth observation services.

The ISRO Chairman was speaking to the media after offering prayers at the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Tirumala yesterday.

Before offering prayers, Mr Narayanan placed models of the GSLV-F17 rocket at the feet of Lord Venkateswara. He said all arrangements for the launch have been completed at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.

Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) has upgraded India’s Long-Term Foreign Currency and Local Currency Issuer Ratings by one notch from ‘BBB+’ to ‘A-’, while maintaining the Stable Outlook. JCR has also raised India’s country ceiling by one notch to ‘A’.

The Finance Ministry said that the upgrade reflects India’s solid economic growth, the effectiveness of economic policies in strengthening the foundations for growth, and the improved soundness of the financial system.

The Ministry said that the upgrade comes against the backdrop of a challenging global environment and underscores the continued strengthening of India’s economic fundamentals, supported by sustained growth, effective economic policies, improved fiscal quality and a stronger financial system.

In a statement, JCR noted that the Indian economy has maintained a high growth rate, supported by robust private consumption and public investment.

The Archaeological Survey of India has notified Gollala Gudi Temple at Palampet in the Mulugu district of Telangana as a monument of national importance. The Ministry of culture said that the temple is situated near the UNESCO listed Ramappa Temple and is renowned for its exquisite carvings and architectural heritage.The temple is a Trikutalaya and consists of a mandapa facing East and surrounded by three garbhagriha.

A monument of national importance in the country is protected under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958. The Archaeological Survey of India takes charge of such sites for conservation, maintenance, and regulated public access

The Delhi government on Tuesday approved a revised Delhi Solar Energy Policy, under which residential households consuming up to 400 units of electricity a month will be able to install rooftop solar systems of up to 3 kilowatt without paying any upfront cost, with the government bearing the remaining installation expense after accounting for central and state subsidies.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the government aims to install rooftop solar systems in 2.3 lakh households by March 2027, adding 500 MW of rooftop solar capacity during the period.

"Our target is not only to reduce people's electricity bills but also to support the installation cost of solar panels. The government will provide free rooftop solar panels to all households with monthly electricity consumption of 400 units or above. The facility will benefit people who could not install rooftop solar panels earlier due to high upfront cost," the chief minister said at the press conference.

The initiative is aimed at addressing key hurdles that had slowed the uptake of the Centre’s PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, particularly the high initial cost of installation.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has appointed Shri Suman Ray as Executive Director (ED) with effect from September 01, 2026. Prior to being promoted as ED, Shri Suman Ray was serving as regional director for Maharashtra.

As a career central banker, Shri Ray has experience of over three decades in the Reserve Bank, having worked in several areas, including Currency Management, Financial Inclusion, Payment and Settlement System, Consumer Education and Protection, and Human Resources.

Shri Ray has also served as Secretary to the Western Area Local Board. As executive director, Shri Suman Ray will look after the Deposit Insurance & Credit Guarantee Corporation and the Premises Department.