Official releases, distilled into exam-ready intelligence.

The PIB release notes that, according to the Desertification and Land Degradation Atlas of India (2021) by ISRO, 6.38 lakh ha of land were classified as man‑made desertified or degraded in 2018‑19. State‑wise figures are provided, with Maharashtra showing 14.31 million ha affected. The government, through ICAR, has promoted soil‑restoration and water‑conservation technologies such as contour cultivation, intercropping, mulching, gypsum application, and integrated watershed structures. It is implementing the National Innovations in Climate‑Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) across 651 districts, preparing District Agriculture Contingency Plans and demonstrating climate‑resilient practices in 448 villages. Multiple schemes – Per Drop More Crop, Rainfed Area Development, Soil Health and Fertility, Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana, and Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana – aim to mitigate yield losses and enhance resilience, while food‑grain production rose from 252.03 Mt (2014‑15) to 357.73 Mt (2024‑25).

The Ministry of AYUSH outlines regulatory and quality‑assurance measures for AYUSH medicines, citing the Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940 and related rules that mandate licensing, GMP compliance (Schedule T, Schedule M‑I) and adherence to pharmacopoeial standards. Drug inspectors collect samples for testing in 34 state‑run and 118 private Drug Testing Laboratories, with non‑conforming products subject to legal action. The Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine & Homoeopathy (PCIM&H) sets standards and acts as an appellate testing lab, while the Ayush Quality Mark, Ayush Standard Mark and Ayush Premium Mark certify compliance with national and international standards. Export performance data (2020‑2026) show the USA, Germany, Italy and other countries as major markets, and the ministry has signed 27 country‑to‑country MoUs and 57 institute‑level MoUs to promote international cooperation.

India has dispatched the first of three beam‑catcher units to the FAIR (Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research) site in Germany. The beam catcher, designed by CSIR‑CMERI, Durgapur and manufactured in India, is a critical component of the super‑fragment separator that absorbs high‑energy heavy‑ion beams. India’s contribution to FAIR, funded equally by the Department of Science & Technology and the Department of Atomic Energy, also includes ultra‑high vacuum chambers, power converters, IT and diagnostic cables, and cryogenic components, all supplied by Indian firms. The project exemplifies the ‘Make in India’ initiative and builds capacity for future mega‑science facilities such as ITER, CERN and LIGO.

The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare has launched AgriStack, a farmer‑centric Digital Public Infrastructure comprising Farmer Registry, Geo‑Referenced Village Maps and Crop Sown Registry, all maintained by State Governments/UTs. By 3 August 2026, over 10.31 crore Farmer IDs were generated, linking farmer details with digitised land records. The Digital Crop Survey (Rabi 2025‑26) covered 648 districts and more than 31.3 crore plots. AgriStack complies with the Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023, related rules 2025, and MeitY/CERT‑In cybersecurity guidelines, ensuring encrypted, consent‑based data handling. Under the YES‑TECH initiative, AI/ML‑based yield estimation is being piloted for paddy, wheat and soybean, and the Digital General Crop Estimation System (DGCES) has been developed for accurate crop‑yield data.

The PIB release outlines the Government’s suite of maternal‑health initiatives under the National Health Mission. Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK) guarantees completely free delivery—including caesarean sections—along with free drugs, diagnostics, diet, transport and blood transfusion for pregnant women in public facilities. Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) provides a fixed‑day, specialist‑led antenatal check‑up each month, with an extended version for high‑risk pregnancies. Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) delivers cash benefits of ₹5,000 (₹6,000 after delivery) for the first child and ₹6,000 for a second‑child girl. Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 supplies supplementary nutrition to pregnant and lactating women per NFSA norms, while the SUMAN Roadmap 2030 adopts a life‑cycle approach to maternal care. Monitoring mechanisms such as the Output‑Outcome Monitoring Framework and Poshan Tracker are highlighted for transparent implementation.

The Government e‑Marketplace (GeM) will mark ten years of operation on 9 August 2026, having facilitated a cumulative Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) of over ₹20 lakh crore through 3.78 crore orders. Annual GMV rose from ₹422 crore in FY 2016‑17 to over ₹5 lakh crore in FY 2024‑25 and FY 2025‑26, with ₹1,47,888 crore recorded in the first four months of FY 2026‑27. MSEs contributed ₹9.07 lakh crore (45.6 % of GMV); women‑led MSEs fulfilled ₹99,147 crore of orders. An IIT‑Delhi study estimated net social savings of ₹1.76 lakh crore. Transaction charges were cut to 0.30 %, 97 % of orders now attract no fee, and AI/ML tools are deployed to detect cartelisation.

The Government has approved the National Mission on Edible Oils–Oil Palm (NMEO‑OP) as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with a total outlay of Rs 11,040 crore (GoI share Rs 8,844 crore) for 2021‑22 to 2025‑26, aiming to bring 6.5 lakh hectares under oil‑palm cultivation. The Mission is being implemented in 15 states and has so far brought 2.73 lakh hectares under cultivation, with Rs 1,447.21 crore released to states. For 2026‑27, Annual Action Plans worth Rs 1,143.9 crore have been approved. The scheme includes assistance for planting material, irrigation, machinery, seed‑nurseries, processing infrastructure and a price‑assurance Viability Gap Payment. A related mission on oilseeds (NMEO‑OS) was launched in October 2024 to boost domestic oilseed production.

The National Mission on Edible Oils‑Oilseeds (NMEO‑OS), approved on 3 Oct 2024, seeks to raise primary oilseed output from 39 Mt (2022‑23) to 69.7 Mt by 2030‑31. It operates through >600 value‑chain clusters managed by FPOs and cooperatives, providing free high‑quality seeds, training, and post‑harvest infrastructure such as oil mills. In 2025‑26, 13.52 lakh ha received free seeds and production rose to 430.59 lakh t. The Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses, launched on 11 Oct 2025, aims to increase pulse output from 242 lakh t to 350 lakh t by 2030‑31, with interventions including seed distribution, technology demonstrations, and assured procurement under PM‑AASHA. Pulse production grew to 274.09 lakh t in 2025‑26, while imports fell from 72.56 lakh t (2024‑25) to 59.64 lakh t (2025‑26).

The 12th Session of the India‑Russia Working Group on Modernisation & Industrial Cooperation was held on 7 August 2026 at Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi. Co‑chaired by Shri Amardeep Singh Bhatia (Secretary, DPIIT) and H.E. Mr Alexey Gruzdev (Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade, Russia), the meeting reviewed progress since the 11th session and examined cooperation across sub‑groups covering modern industrialisation, science & technology, aerospace, railway infrastructure, mineral fertilizers, rare‑earth and critical minerals, power engineering, aluminium, and mining equipment. New areas such as Vande Bharat train project, UAVs, 3‑D printing, Russian SJ‑100 aircraft, carbon‑fibre technologies, lithium mining and titanium were discussed. The co‑chairs signed the session protocol, reaffirming the strategic India‑Russia partnership, with about 60 delegates attending.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare reports that the Government is pursuing multiple measures to curb Out‑of‑Pocket Expenditure (OOPE) on healthcare. Central schemes such as the National Health Mission (NHM), Ayushman Bharat‑Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM‑JAY), Pradhan Mantri‑Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM‑ABHIM) and Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) are being implemented. Under NHM, 1.87 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs have been operationalised to provide comprehensive primary care. The National Free Drugs and Free Diagnostics Service Initiatives supply essential medicines and diagnostics across health‑facility tiers. AB PM‑JAY offers ₹5 lakh annual cover to over 12 crore vulnerable families and, via the Vay Vandana Card, extends coverage to 6 crore senior citizens (70 years+) belonging to 4.5 crore families.

India chaired the 16th BRICS Trade Ministers’ Meeting in Jaipur, issuing a Chair’s Statement and Outcome Document with four annexes. The meeting highlighted India’s push to safeguard farmers, secure food and livelihood security, and preserve Special and Differential Treatment for developing countries within the WTO framework. Delegates adopted the Jaipur Consensus and Guiding Principles for MSME credit assessment to address a US$2.5 trillion trade‑finance gap, and approved work‑plans on Global Value Chains and digitally delivered services. The meeting also advanced the finalisation of the Strategy for BRICS Economic Partnership 2030, covering trade, services, digital economy, and sustainable development.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare reports that the number of medical colleges has risen by 118.6%, from 387 before 2014 to 846 now, while MBBS seats have grown 172.4% (51,348 to 1,39,864) and PG seats 176.9% (31,185 to 86,360). To augment infrastructure, the Government approved a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) for 157 new colleges, and CSS upgrades for existing colleges adding 4,977 MBBS seats (cost Rs 5,972.20 Cr) and 8,058 PG seats in two phases (cost Rs 1,498.43 Cr + Rs 4,478.25 Cr). Phase‑III CSS aims to add 5,000 PG and 5,023 MBBS seats by 2028‑29. Under PMSSY, 75 super‑specialty block projects were sanctioned, 71 completed. Additionally, 22 new AIIMS were approved, with undergraduate courses started in 19.

On August 8 2026, President Droupadi Murmu presided over the 12th National Handloom Day at Rashtrapati Bhavan, presented the Sant Kabir Handloom Awards and the National Handloom Awards 2025, and released four commemorative stamps. She highlighted handloom’s role in employment (over 35 lakh workers, including 25 lakh women), women’s empowerment, and cultural heritage, and linked the sector to the Swadeshi movement (observed as National Handloom Day since 2015). The President emphasized integrating modern technology, digital solutions and e‑commerce to boost market access and sustain growth, and noted government measures such as Design Resource Centres and Weavers’ Service Centres to support youth entrepreneurs, designers and startups.

The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, through the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), concluded the BRICS WAVES Bazaar 2026 in Mumbai. Over 900 delegates from 20 BRICS and partner countries participated, facilitating more than 275 B2B meetings among producers, studios, broadcasters, film commissions, AVGC, government representatives, investors and technology firms. The event resulted in several Letters of Intent, MoUs and co‑production announcements, notably NFDC’s LoI with Brazil’s RioFilme, archival cooperation with Russia’s Gosfilmofond, and multiple bilateral film projects involving India, Brazil, Portugal, Russia, Czech Republic, South Korea and the UAE. These outcomes aim to strengthen creative‑economy ties, cultural exchange and long‑term collaboration across the BRICS ecosystem.

India and Sri Lanka met in New Delhi on 7 August 2026, led by Union Power Minister Shri Manohar Lal and Sri Lankan Energy Minister Shri Anura Karunathilake. The ministers reviewed ongoing bilateral initiatives such as the proposed India‑Sri Lanka HVDC interconnection and the Sampur Solar Power Project, and discussed expanding cross‑border electricity trade, renewable‑energy deployment, transmission infrastructure and capacity‑building. India shared its experience in transmission system development through the Tariff‑Based Competitive Bidding (TBCB) public‑private partnership model. Both sides reaffirmed commitment to deepen power‑sector cooperation for sustainable development and regional energy security.

The Ministry of Rural Development reports that under Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana‑Gramin (PMAY‑G), 32.47 lakh houses were sanctioned and 26.57 lakh houses completed in FY 2025‑26, bringing total sanctioned houses to 3.91 crore and completed houses to 3.12 crore against a national target of 4.18 crore. About 79 lakh sanctioned houses remain under construction. The scheme emphasizes beneficiary‑led construction, climate‑responsive designs, and provision of basic amenities such as piped water, electricity and LPG. Up to 5 % of targets are reserved for disaster‑affected families, and at least 60 % of national targets are earmarked for SC/ST households.

The Ministry of Women and Child Development has highlighted Mission Shakti, a centrally‑sponsored scheme with two verticals – ‘Sambal’ for women’s safety and security and ‘Samarthya’ for empowerment. Under Sambal, One Stop Centres (OSCs) provide medical, legal, shelter and counselling services; 991 OSCs were operational nationwide up to 30 June 2026, assisting over 15.20 lakh women, with 63 OSCs in Madhya Pradesh serving 1.65 lakh women. The Women Helpline (181) has aided more than 1.04 crore women nationally, including 3.83 lakh from Madhya Pradesh. Integration of OSCs with the helpline and other emergency services (ERSS‑112, Child Helpline 1098) aims to ensure coordinated, timely support. The scheme’s implementation is monitored by the Programme Approval Board and a real‑time Mission Shakti Dashboard.

The Ministry of AYUSH monitors the implementation of the National AYUSH Mission (NAM) in Tamil Nadu through activity‑wise physical/financial reporting, field visits, regional review meetings and one‑to‑one state reviews, complemented by a mid‑term evaluation by NITI Aayog. Tamil Nadu reports 94 co‑located AYUSH units in rural districts, 40 in rural coastal districts and 16 in urban coastal districts. In the last year, 1,11,02,499 beneficiaries accessed AYUSH services, of which 3,47,112 women received maternal‑child health, anaemia, adolescent, menopause and wellness services under the Magaperu Sanjeevi Scheme. Additionally, 1,31,160 women benefited from antenatal/post‑natal yoga and naturopathy programmes. A total of 650 AYUSH Health & Wellness Centres (now Ayushman Arogya Mandir) are operationalised under NAM.

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways reports that the average turnaround time of major Indian ports fell from 52.87 hours in 2021‑22 to 48.84 hours in 2025‑26. Annexure I provides port‑wise figures for the last five years, showing, for example, Jawaharlal Nehru Port’s turnaround time ranging between 26 and 27.43 hours. The World Bank’s Container Port Performance Index (CPPI) 2025 ranks Jawaharlal Nehru Port 22nd, close to Singapore (21st) and Shanghai (23rd) and ahead of Rotterdam (333rd). To further improve efficiency, the government has undertaken construction of new berths, mechanisation, modernisation, optimisation of existing infrastructure and introduced the One Nation One Port (ONOP) process. These details were given by Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal in a written reply to the Lok Sabha.

The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) has signed MoUs/operational frameworks with Dredging Corporation of India Limited (DCI) to maintain navigable depths on National Waterways 1 (Ganga‑Bhagirathi‑Hooghly), 2 (Brahmaputra) and 16 (Barak). On NW‑1, 17 contract dredgers and 7 departmental dredgers are deployed; on NW‑2 and NW‑16, 5 and 2 dredgers respectively are engaged. Dredging on NW‑1 is phased from Tribeni to Varanasi, with a Least Available Depth of 3.0 m (Tribeni‑Barh) and 2.5 m (Barh‑Varanasi). Over 42.68 lakh m³ of sediment has been removed under quantity‑based contracts, of which 22.81 lakh m³ pertains to Bihar. The strategy relies on hydrographic surveys, performance‑based contracts and river‑conservancy measures, and contracts are for three years with a possible two‑year extension.