Sarnath Becomes India’s 45th UNESCO World Heritage Site

On July 26, 2026, Sarnath became India’s 45th UNESCO World Heritage Site during the 48th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Busan, South Korea. The site, where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon, was on the tentative list since 1998 and is now part of Uttar Pradesh's Buddhist Circuit. Meanwhile, APAAR IDs, unique identifiers for students under India’s National Education Policy 2020, faced scrutiny over data privacy, with the Supreme Court directing authorities to ensure meaningful consent from parents. Additionally, Vizhinjam Port in Kerala was notified as a customs port, allowing export and import operations, set to begin on August 18, enhancing maritime trade and logistics.