Top News Today (15 August): India, World, Economy & Odisha

India

1. India Celebrates 80th Independence Day in 2026
India will celebrate its 80th Independence Day in 2026, marking eight decades since freedom in 1947. The national celebration at Red Fort will feature the Prime Minister’s address, flag hoisting and renewed emphasis on Viksit Bharat and nation-building across India.

2. Caste Enumeration Included in Census 2027
Census 2027 will include a dedicated caste question for all respondents, expanding enumeration beyond Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. The exercise will record caste details as declared by citizens through a digital application, making caste data collection nationally comprehensive for policymaking.

3. Supreme Court Backs Students’ Right to Peaceful Protest
The Supreme Court has backed students’ right to peaceful protest after the NALSAR controversy involving the Chief Justice’s convocation. It stayed punitive action against students and faculty, while seeking a response from the Bar Council of India on advocate enrollment and related measures.

World

4. Pakistan Warns India Against Any Move on Indus Waters
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has warned India against unilateral action affecting Indus river waters. Amid heightened bilateral tensions, Islamabad called water a red line and warned that any attempt to restrict supplies could trigger serious diplomatic and security consequences between both countries.

5. Iranian President to Visit India for BRICS Summit
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is expected to visit India for the 18th BRICS Summit. The visit assumes significance amid West Asian tensions and offers opportunities to strengthen India-Iran cooperation in trade, connectivity, energy, diplomacy and multilateral platforms across emerging global challenges.

Also Read: Why India Slipped to 6th-Largest Economy?

Economy 

6. Trump Announces 100% Tariff on Foreign Drones
US President Donald Trump has announced tariffs of up to 100% on imported drones and related components. The policy seeks to reduce dependence on Chinese supply chains, encourage domestic manufacturing and strengthen America’s strategic control over critical unmanned technology and defence systems.

7. Reliance and Rolls-Royce Join Hands on Fighter Jet Engine
Reliance Industries and Rolls-Royce plan to collaborate on developing and manufacturing combat aircraft engines in India. The partnership could support the AMCA programme, strengthen aerospace capabilities, promote advanced technology transfer and advance India’s long-term goal of defence self-reliance and indigenous manufacturing.

Odisha

8. Naveen Patnaik Opposes Mines Amendment Bill, Seeks State Rights
BJD chief Naveen Patnaik has opposed the Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill, arguing that restrictions on state taxation of mineral-bearing lands could weaken Odisha’s fiscal autonomy. He urged Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to convene an all-party meeting and Assembly session on the issue.