Wednesday, 19 August 2026 | Chennai
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News Desk
The Mandate newsroom desk for reported news, updates and public-interest coverage.
The Karnataka district successfully implements the Miyawaki method, showcasing a rapid and impactful environmental initiative to combat degradation and boost local biodiversity.
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Weather forecast indicates isolated instances of heavy to very heavy precipitation for eastern and central Indian states next week, raising concerns for flood-prone regions.
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A weather depression centered over Jharkhand and Gangetic West Bengal is forecast to bring isolated extremely heavy rainfall to parts of Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh over the next two days.
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A developing depression over the Bay of Bengal is forecast to bring heavy to very heavy rainfall, including isolated extreme downpours, to several eastern Indian states over the next two days, impacting West Bengal, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand.
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The Reserve Bank of India has announced two Variable Rate Reverse Repo (VRRR) auctions for August 17 and 18, 2026, to manage prevailing liquidity within the banking system.
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RBI/2026-27/232 FIDD.CO.PSD.BC.No.08/04.09.001/2026-27 August 07, 2026 Reserve Bank of India (Priority Sector Lending - Targets and Classification) Second Amendment Directions, 2026 Please refer to th
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Tenor 7-day Notified Amount (in ₹ crore) 2,00,000 Total amount of offers received (in ₹ crore) 98,945 Amount accepted (in ₹ crore) 98,945 Cut off Rate (%) 5.24 Weighted Average Rate
The Mandate News Desk · Latest Update
Tenor 1-day Notified Amount (in ₹ crore) 1,00,000 Total amount of offers received (in ₹ crore) 96,914 Amount accepted (in ₹ crore) 96,914 Cut off Rate (%) 5.24 Weighted Average Rate
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RBI/2026-27/233 FIDD.CO.LBS.BC.No.09/02.08.001/2026-27 August 10, 2026 The Chairman / Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer Lead Banks Concerned Madam/ Dear Sir, Formation of new districts in th
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A. Source Security 8.26% GS 2027 7.17% GS 2028 7.06% GS 2028 7.37% GS 2028 7.26% GS 2029 B. Notified Amount (in ₹ crore) 2,000 3,000 4,000 3,000 3,000 Destination Security 7.19% GS 2060 6.64% GS
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Government of India (GoI) has announced the sale (re-issue) of two dated securities for a notified amount of ₹28,000 crore as per the following details: Sr No Security Date of Repayment Notified
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PoliticsThe Tamil Nadu Assembly has unanimously reaffirmed that Tamil Thai Vaazhthu must be rendered first at government functions, educational institutions, universities, public-sector bodies and other public institutions. The decision places language, cultural identity and State rights at the centre of a wider federal conversation.
The Mandate News Desk · Analysis · 5 min read
GovernanceTamil Nadu has sanctioned about Rs 264.14 crore to create 65 Anti-Narcotics Task Force police stations with a dedicated headquarters and a new ADGP-led command. The design suggests permanent institutional capacity rather than a seasonal enforcement drive.
The Mandate News Desk · News · 5 min read
EconomyRussia accounted for roughly 48% of India's crude oil imports by volume in June 2026, with about 8.7 million metric tonnes arriving during the month. Proposed United States legislation would expose large buyers of Russian energy to tariff risk if it is enacted.
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IndiaStudents and job aspirants marched towards the Jharkhand Assembly over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations, and police action left several people injured. The former chairman of the State public service commission has been arrested in connection with the investigation.
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The Centre has offered a full discussion on the student protests and the police action, with the Home Minister expected to reply. Disruptions have continued as the Opposition presses for accountability and raises the Ayodhya donation issue.
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Tamil Nadu has raised its State incentives on paddy and sugarcane ahead of a procurement season that begins on September 1. Fine paddy now fetches Rs 2,750 a quintal and sugarcane Rs 4,000 a tonne, with the State component doing much of the lifting.
The Mandate News Desk · News · 4 min read
Tamil Nadu has released its medical admission rank list against 72,633 applications for 9,999 MBBS seats, with counselling starting on August 13. With 728 candidates above 600 marks, experts cited in today's source material expect government college cut-offs to rise significantly.
The Mandate News Desk · Analysis · 5 min read
BusinessAn additional fee reported for covered large employers — $4,000 on H-1B and $4,500 on L-1 — takes effect on September 9 within specified United States employer criteria. For firms with thousands of professionals onshore, the cumulative arithmetic is the problem.
The Mandate News Desk · Analysis · 4 min read
EconomyThe Greater Chennai Corporation is examining municipal bonds, commercial loans, multilateral finance and public-private structures to fund its next round of infrastructure. With an AA+ rating reported and a Rs 1 lakh crore national Urban Challenge Fund in play, the question is bankability.
The Mandate News Desk · Analysis · 5 min read
WorldAccording to the reported figures available in today's source material, a magnitude 7.4 earthquake in Colombia has killed at least 111 people and injured 87, with the epicentre near San Jose Del Palmar. Tremors were felt well beyond the affected area.
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The horizontal quota for government-school students currently accounts for 537 MBBS and 104 BDS seats. The government has indicated that a committee will study its continuation and possible expansion — a study, not a decision.
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Senior AIADMK leader C. Ve. Shanmugam has questioned who bears responsibility for the party's losses, citing defeats in 35 of 37 constituencies in Chennai and neighbouring districts. The dispute turns on whether accountability rests with the leadership or with district-level functionaries.
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A proposal before the Supreme Court would create exclusive trial courts for cases arising from the 2023 Manipur violence — one for CBI cases and another for NIA cases. The stated aim is uninterrupted investigation and faster trial administration.
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