Official releases, distilled into exam-ready intelligence.

The Ministry of Cooperation reports that Rajasthan has 8,525 Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) approved under the Computerisation Project, of which 6,933 have been onboarded onto an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system. Financial assistance released for the project amounts to a total of ₹92.83 crore, broken down as ₹23.78 crore (FY 2022‑23), ₹43.30 crore (FY 2023‑24), ₹11.00 crore (FY 2024‑25), ₹6.76 crore (FY 2025‑26) and ₹8.00 crore (FY 2026‑27). A further 1,592 PACS remain to be ERP‑onboarded, with the computerisation target slated for 31 March 2027. The figures were provided by Union Minister for Home and Cooperation Shri Amit Shah in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for AYUSH, Shri Prataprao Jadhav, wrote to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh proposing the establishment of AYUSH outpatient departments and treatment services in all Military and Field Hospitals. The Minister highlighted that while the Armed Forces have modern medical infrastructure, integrating traditional AYUSH systems can enhance preventive, promotive and holistic healthcare for defence personnel, especially in preventive care, lifestyle management, rehabilitation and overall well‑being. He offered technical support, professional guidance and a Memorandum of Understanding to facilitate the expansion, noting that AYUSH facilities are currently limited to a few defence institutions.

The Ministry of Cooperation, citing information from Odisha’s Directorate of Handicrafts, reports that 756 Handicraft Cooperative Societies (HCSs) are registered in Puri district. The National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) provides financial assistance for infrastructure, marketing, capacity‑building and digital‑literacy programmes to artisan cooperatives nationwide, including those in Puri. As of 30 June 2026, NCDC has disbursed ₹3,352.03 crore for cooperative development in Odisha and ₹3.78 crore in Puri district, supporting 17 functional HCSs. An integrated RCS digital portal has been launched in Odisha to facilitate digital onboarding and e‑commerce integration for artisans.

The Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology issued orders on 3 July 2026 to remove unauthorised battery‑management system (BMS) apps for e‑rickshaws from app stores after reports of remote‑control misuse. The government also highlighted its integrated cybersecurity framework, comprising the National Cyber Security Coordinator (NCSC) under the National Security Council Secretariat, CERT‑In as the national cyber‑incident response agency under IT Act 70B, the National Cyber Coordination Centre (NCCC) operated by CERT‑In, and the National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC) under IT Act 70A. Additionally, the Consumer Protection Act 2019 and the Information Security Education and Awareness (ISEA) project were cited as part of consumer and cyber‑hygiene initiatives.

The Ministry of Electronics & IT highlighted recent amendments to the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, tightening obligations for social media intermediaries to curb child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and harmful AI‑generated content. Platforms must remove unlawful content within three hours of a court order or government intimation and within two hours of a complaint involving nudity or morphed images. Failure to comply leads to loss of exemption under Section 79 of the IT Act and possible prosecution. The government also issued advisories (29 Dec 2025, 16 Mar 2026) and a Standard Operating Procedure (11 Nov 2025) to guide intermediaries on CSAM, non‑consensual intimate imagery, and synthetic media. These measures aim to ensure a safer, accountable internet for children and other users.

The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying is implementing the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) with an investment of Rs 20,050 crore across all states/UTs, alongside the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) of Rs 7,522.48 crore (effective FY 2018‑19). Under PMMSY, the Department has approved projects worth Rs 706 crore for Himalayan and hilly states, focusing on cold‑water fisheries. A Model Guidelines for the Development of Cold Water Fisheries was issued on 14 March 2026, detailing specifications for raceways, RAS, hatcheries, feed mills, disease control and market linkages. Four clusters have been notified in Anantnag (J&K), Pithoragarh (Uttarakhand), Kargil (Ladakh) and Kullu (Himachal Pradesh). The department promotes technologies such as RAS, Biofloc, IoT‑based water quality monitoring, GIS mapping and digital market platforms, with model RAS developed by ICAR‑CICFR, Bhimtal, and processing support by ICAR‑CIFT, Kochi.

The Department of Fisheries, under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), has approved fisheries development projects in Odisha worth ₹1,301.18 crore, including a central share of ₹484.64 crore. Key projects include the Integrated Aqua Park at Basantapur, Sambalpur (₹100 crore) with land procurement and basic infrastructure completed, and a State‑of‑the‑Art Wholesale Fish Market at Pandara, Bhubaneswar (₹59.13 crore) featuring renewable‑energy power and rain‑water harvesting. Since FY 2018‑19, the Kisan Credit Card scheme has been extended to fishers and fish farmers, with Odisha providing an additional 4 % interest subvention up to ₹1 lakh and 2 % for loans between ₹1 lakh‑₹3 lakh, effectively making small loans interest‑free.

Under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), the Department of Fisheries reports that 213 women‑led coastal cooperative societies have been created in Andhra Pradesh between 1 April 2021 and 15 June 2026, covering fisheries, seaweed cultivation and marine processing and benefiting 27,447 women across 12 districts. These cooperatives are encouraged to register on the National Fisheries Digital Platform and can receive performance grants of up to ₹2 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah‑Yojana (PMMKSSY). They also receive priority for Access Passes in the EEZ and a reduced fee for Letters of Authorization for High Seas fishing. The Department aims to form 12,000 cooperatives nationwide, including women‑led societies, with a sub‑scheme targeting 5,500 primary fisheries cooperatives for capacity building and financial support.

Vice‑President Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan inaugurated the GKNM College of Nursing in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, and urged a skilled, compassionate healthcare workforce as essential for achieving Viksit Bharat 2047. He praised the G. Kuppuswamy Naidu Charitable Trust’s growth from a 50‑bed hospital (1952) to a 750‑bed multi‑specialty centre and highlighted the role of nurses in patient care. The Vice‑President cited the Ayushman Bharat programme’s global recognition and noted that nearly 44 crore people have insurance under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana. He also referenced free senior‑citizen care under the Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana, preventive health priorities, and the need for greater organ and eye‑donation awareness.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) monitors rainfall daily, weekly and seasonally against the Long Period Average (LPA). For the 2026 Southwest Monsoon, rainfall was lower than normal in several parts of the country during the early weeks, and as of 14 July 2026 the nation recorded 21 % below‑normal rainfall, with some subdivisions showing deficits while others reported normal or excess amounts. The impact on agriculture, water resources, drinking water and groundwater is being assessed by the concerned ministries and state governments, and there is currently no indication of any nationwide effect on food‑grain production. Drought or flood declarations are the responsibility of state governments in coordination with the Ministries of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Home Affairs. The government is enhancing weather forecasting through the flagship Mission Mausam programme, which aims to improve observations, understanding of physical processes and advanced numerical modelling for more accurate forecasts.

The Ministry of Electronics & IT reports that the government has strengthened safeguards against digital addiction through legal and awareness measures. The IT Act 2000 and the IT Rules 2021, recently amended, obligate intermediaries to remove unlawful content within three hours of a court or government order. The Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023 mandates parental consent for processing children’s data and bans tracking or targeted ads to minors. The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act 2025 addresses digital addiction and financial harm among youth. In the last two years, 50 OTT platforms were disabled for obscene content, and 6,650 cyber‑awareness workshops have reached over 11.37 lakh participants across schools, colleges, law‑enforcement and the public.

The Union Budget 2026‑27 announced an integrated development programme for 500 reservoirs and Amrit Sarovars to boost fisheries and aquaculture. Investment will be based on Detailed Project Reports submitted by States and Union Territories, with selection considering perennial water availability and fisheries potential. The programme seeks to enhance fisher‑folk incomes by promoting new and existing Fish Farmer Producer Organisations (FFPOs), women‑led self‑help groups and fisheries cooperatives. Annexure‑I lists 351 identified reservoirs across 27 states, while Annexure‑II lists 100 Amrit Sarovars across 21 states and UTs.

The Department of Fisheries, Government of India, reviews implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) across states, including Maharashtra, via meetings, field visits and a digital platform. For the period 2020‑21 to 2026‑27, the DoF approved Maharashtra proposals worth Rs 1,601.44 crore, with a central share of Rs 593.33 crore; of this, Rs 419.02 crore has been released and the state has utilized Rs 408.77 crore. Maharashtra reports 3,714 beneficiary projects, of which 2,856 are fully completed, generating direct employment for 15,763 persons and indirect employment for 19,528 persons. The projects cover fish landing centres, markets, artificial reefs and reservoir development.

The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying is advancing seafood export capacity under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), approving projects worth ₹21,394.88 crore (central share ₹9,510.89 crore) for export infrastructure. Through the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF), 18 projects costing ₹345.89 crore have been supported for fish‑processing plant expansion and modernization. The MPEDA’s Technology Development for Specific Value‑Added Marine Products (TDSVMP) Scheme has provided ₹118.10 crore to 89 units (2021‑22 to 2025‑26). The Export Inspection Council (EIC) conducts FSMS training and mandatory antibiotic testing, while the National Framework on Traceability (2025) proposes a digital, phased system overseen by a National Level Governance Committee. Annexures detail state‑wise export volumes (e.g., Gujarat ≈ 312 kt in 2025‑26) and fund allocations.

The Union Budget 2026‑27 announced an integrated development programme for fisheries covering 500 reservoirs and Amrit Sarovars. The Department of Fisheries, after consulting states and UTs, has selected 351 reservoirs and 100 Amrit Sarovars based on perennial water availability and fisheries potential. The programme aims to tap untapped fisheries resources, improve livelihoods of reservoir fishermen and involve women SHGs, fisheries cooperatives and Fish Farmer Producer Organisations (FFPOs). Key components include hatchery set‑up, cage/pen culture, provision of boats and nets, composite fish culture, integrated fish farming, and infrastructure such as feed mills, cold storage, ice plants, fish kiosks, retail markets, transport vehicles and value‑added units. Investment will follow DPRs and be funded as per Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) guidelines, as stated by Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh in the Rajya Sabha.

Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan chaired a high‑level review of the Totapuri mango value chain after a committee visit to Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The expert committee, constituted under ICAR, identified low real‑pulp content in mango‑based drinks, inadequate processing capacity and old orchards as key reasons for falling farmer incomes. It recommended making 22‑25 % real mango pulp mandatory in beverages with GST incentives, creating a Central Coordination and Price Stabilisation Committee, rejuvenating orchards through top‑working, supplying fruit bags over 23,333 ha and promoting FPO‑based processing and mango‑butter products. An inter‑ministerial meeting involving FSSAI, GST Council, Finance, Food Processing, Agriculture and Health ministries was directed to finalise standards and tax structures, while APEDA will draft an export‑marketing strategy for Totapuri mangoes.

The Prime Minister chaired a high‑level meeting of secretaries at his residence to review progress in rural development, agriculture, social welfare and allied sectors under the Viksit Bharat agenda. He stressed that reforms must keep citizen welfare central, urged a whole‑of‑government approach, and called for breaking departmental silos. Key focus areas highlighted were combating drug abuse among youth, positioning India as a global sports hub through sports tourism and innovation, and scaling the PM‑KUSUM scheme for transformative agricultural impact. The Prime Minister also advocated a global skill‑mapping exercise to align India’s workforce with international opportunities. The meeting involved the Cabinet Secretary, ministry secretaries and senior PMO officials.

As part of India’s BRICS Presidency 2026, the Ministry of Education convened the International Governing Board (IGB) meeting of the BRICS Network University (BRICS NU) on 21 July 2026, following the BRICS NU Conference on Traditional and Indigenous Knowledge Systems on 20 July 2026. The two‑day virtual event brought together representatives, university leaders and experts from the eight BRICS member countries. The IGB adopted a declaration, reviewed the 2025‑2028 Action Plan, and considered a proposal to create a new International Thematic Group on Traditional and Indigenous Knowledge Systems, which received broad support. The meeting also discussed a new website, institutional cooperation, academic mobility and collaborative research, reaffirming commitment to strengthen BRICS higher‑education cooperation.

Union Education Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan chaired a two‑day Conclave of State and UT Education Ministers at the ICAR National Agricultural Science Complex, New Delhi, to review Centrally Sponsored Schemes of the Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL). He stressed that the Centre and States are equal partners in strengthening school education, aligning implementation with the National Education Policy 2020 and the upcoming PRAGATI review chaired by the Prime Minister. The Minister highlighted progress under schemes such as Samagra Shiksha, PM SHRI, NIPUN Bharat, PM POSHAN and ULLAS, and urged states to promote mother‑tongue instruction, multilingualism, foundational literacy, teacher empowerment, and the use of technology and AI for a future‑ready, inclusive system envisioned for Viksit Bharat 2047.

The National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), under the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, has opened applications for the WAVES Film Bazaar Screenwriters' Lab 2026 – an annual screenplay development programme for Indian screenwriters working on feature‑length fiction projects. The Lab, conducted in partnership with WAVES Film Bazaar, offers intensive mentoring by script experts, exposure to internationally recognised screenplay practices, and opportunities to pitch projects to producers and financiers in India and abroad. Applications are open only to Indian citizens residing in India, require registration of the screenplay with the Screenwriters Association, and involve a non‑refundable fee of ₹8,000 (early‑bird) or ₹9,000 (extended). The programme comprises three sessions (two in‑person and one online) culminating in participation at WAVES Film Bazaar (20‑24 Nov 2026).