Official releases, distilled into exam-ready intelligence.

The National Cooperation Policy (NCP) 2025, launched on 24 July 2025 by the Home & Cooperation Minister, outlines a 10‑year roadmap for the cooperative sector with six strategic pillars, 16 objectives and 83 recommendations. It seeks to bring 50 crore people under cooperatives and triple the sector’s contribution to the Indian economy. The policy emphasises inclusion of Dalits, Adivasis and women, notably through a ‘White Revolution 2.0’ targeting a 50 % rise in milk procurement (from 660 LKgPD in 2023‑24 to 1,007 LKgPD by 2028‑29) and the establishment of new primary agriculture credit societies, dairy and fishery cooperatives. As of 15 June 2026, 38,138 new PACS, dairy and fishery societies have been registered, including 25,282 dairy cooperatives across 31 states/UTs.

On 21 July 2026, President Droupadi Murmu delivered the inaugural address at the India‑North Macedonia Business Forum in Skopje, marking the first visit by an Indian President to North Macedonia. She highlighted that bilateral trade, though growing, is only a fraction of its potential and urged a shift from trade to a genuine economic partnership. The President identified priority sectors for investment – digital innovation and AI, pharmaceuticals, agro‑processing, and green‑energy – and invited North Macedonia to join initiatives such as the International Solar Alliance, the Coalition for Disaster‑Resilient Infrastructure and the World Audio‑Visual and Entertainment Summit. She called for chambers, investment agencies and businesses to forge linkages, promote technology transfer, joint ventures and long‑term value creation.

India’s 8th WTO Trade Policy Review (TPR) was held in Geneva on 21‑23 July 2026, led by Commerce Secretary Shri Rajesh Agarwal. The Secretary highlighted an average annual growth of nearly 8 percent and record exports of USD 863.1 billion in 2025‑26, reaffirming India’s commitment to a transparent, rules‑based, inclusive multilateral trading system. The review underscored reforms such as GST, digital customs, logistics modernisation, Digital Public Infrastructure, AI‑driven initiatives, and the Aatmanirbhar Bharat programme, as well as India’s acceptance of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. Sixty‑five WTO members participated, noting India’s trade‑facilitation achievements and seeking clarifications on various policy measures.

The Ministry of Home Affairs outlined recent measures to curb illicit narcotics trafficking. Key actions include active enforcement by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Drug Law Enforcement Agencies and State Police under the NDPS Act, 1985, and the release of a 2026‑2029 Vision Document on Narcotics Control. A four‑tier Narco‑Coordination Centre (NCORD) and a Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) chaired by the DG‑NCB have been instituted for better coordination and monitoring of major drug cases. Capacity‑building efforts involve workshops, training with the US‑DEA, and expansion of NCB’s regional, zonal and field offices, increasing posts by 568 and establishing a dedicated Directorate of Prosecution.

The Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) is an umbrella scheme comprising three components: the Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP) and Har Khet Ko Pani (HKKP) implemented by the Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti, and the Watershed Development Component (WDC) implemented by the Department of Land Resources, Ministry of Rural Development. Central assistance is provided to states for creating irrigation potential, command‑area development and on‑farm activities. Projects are executed by state governments through competitive tendering, allowing private contractors as per state procurement rules, but the scheme contains no specific provision for private‑sector investment. Capacity‑building and training on efficient water management are undertaken by states/UTs, yet consolidated data on farmers and field‑level workers trained is not maintained centrally. The information was provided by Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Ramnath Thakur, in a Lok Sabha written reply.

The Ministry of Textiles is implementing the "Grant for Research and Entrepreneurship across Aspiring Innovators in Technical Textiles (GREAT)" scheme under the National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM) since 2023. To date, 31 start‑ups have been approved with a total outlay of Rs 15.40 crore, of which Rs 13.65 crore is funded by the Government of India. Each start‑up can receive up to Rs 50 lakh. The approved projects span advanced functional textiles, smart graphene‑based fabrics, energy‑harvesting and shape‑memory wearables, high‑performance composites for automotive, construction and defence, as well as sustainable bio‑based and medical textile innovations. State‑wise, the highest number of start‑ups are in Maharashtra (7) and Delhi (5).

The National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB), Ministry of AYUSH, is implementing a Central Sector Scheme for the conservation, development and sustainable management of medicinal plants across India. Under the scheme, activities such as IEC programmes, forward‑and‑backward supply‑chain linkages, in‑situ and ex‑situ conservation, livelihood linkages with forest‑related committees, research & development, and promotion/marketing of medicinal plants are being supported. NMPB’s Regional‑cum‑Facilitation Centres provide quality planting material and conduct GAP/GFCP training. From FY 2021‑22 to 2025‑26, 152 IEC projects received Rs 1,186.91 lakh (Rs 948.54 lakh released). Additionally, 15 forest‑area projects received Rs 3,363.24 lakh, 57 R&D projects were funded, and 12 integrated‑component supply‑chain projects were sanctioned during FY 2023‑24 to 2025‑26.

The Ministry of Textiles is implementing the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) under the Handloom Weavers’ Welfare component of the National Handloom Development Programme. These insurance schemes are offered on an annual basis (1 June–31 May) to eligible handloom weavers/workers across India, including Andhra Pradesh. Since 2021‑22 the schemes have been executed through State/UT governments, with targets set based on indicative eligible numbers and funds released accordingly. The release details show cumulative enrolments of 202 393 beneficiaries (2025‑26) and total funds of ₹ 335 crore released up to FY 2025‑26. Awareness is created via Weavers Service Centres, handloom helplines, and awareness camps, and an independent agency has evaluated the schemes’ impact.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launched a nationwide HPV vaccination programme on 28 February 2026 targeting about 1.2 crore girls aged 14 across all 36 States and Union Territories. By 15 July 2026, 5,210,302 girls had received the vaccine free of cost at government health facilities such as Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, PHCs, CHCs, SDHs/DHs and GMCs. Training of medical and paramedical staff was completed nationwide, and vaccination coverage is recorded on the U‑WIN digital portal. Awareness activities using IEC materials aim to overcome hesitancy, especially in rural, tribal and urban‑slum areas. The Union Government’s cervical‑cancer strategy also includes screening, early diagnosis at Ayushman Arogya Mandirs and treatment via Day Care Cancer Centres.

The Government has introduced a Digital market access and quality assurance framework for AYUSH products. An AYUSH vertical has been set up in the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) to enforce safety and quality, and CDSCO issues WHO Certificate of Pharmaceutical Product to compliant AYUSH drugs. The Quality Council of India runs a Quality Certifications Scheme granting Ayush Standard and Ayush Premium marks after third‑party evaluation. The Ministry of AYUSH implements the Ayush Oushadhi Gunavatta Evam Uttpadan Samvardhan Yojana (AOGUSY) to support manufacturers, upgrade pharmacies and testing labs, and operate a three‑tier pharmacovigilance network. The Ayush Quality Mark (AQM) is awarded through the Ayush Export Promotion Council after verification of GMP, WHO‑GMP and other certifications, aiming to boost global competitiveness. The Central Consumer Protection Authority has advised e‑commerce platforms to require a valid prescription for certain AYUSH drugs, and the Ayush Suraksha Portal enables real‑time reporting of misleading ads and adverse reactions.

The 135th meeting of the Enforcement Task Force (ETF) of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) for the NCR reviewed enforcement actions for the period 01‑07‑2026 to 13‑07‑2026. In 14 days, CAQM’s Flying Squads conducted 175 inspections covering 17 construction‑demolition sites, 90 industrial units and 68 diesel‑generator inspections. Based on violations, proposals were made for one project/industry closure, sealing of 19 DG sets, nine compliance orders and four Environmental Compensation impositions. The ETF noted 25 resumption orders issued after compliance verification (2 in Delhi, 11 in Haryana, 10 in Uttar Pradesh, 2 in Rajasthan). Cumulative inspections total 27,925 units with 1,803 closure directions and 1,446 resumption orders. The Ghaziabad road redevelopment was found fully compliant with CAQM’s Standard Framework, underscoring the emphasis on road‑dust mitigation.

The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying reports that under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), Integrated Modern Coastal Villages are being developed at a unit cost of ₹750 lakh to boost livelihoods through sustainable practices. A separate component creates Climate‑Resilient Coastal Fishermen Villages (CRCFV) at ₹200 lakh per village, fully funded by the Government of India. Andhra Pradesh has identified 15 villages, with a total project cost of ₹30 crore approved and ₹15 crore released so far. Interventions include jetty extensions, fish‑drying platforms, solar drying units, seaweed farms, GPS units, life‑saving equipment and other climate‑resilient assets. The PMMSY scheme is extended up to 30 September 2026.

India Post, Mumbai Region has begun a three‑week Aadhaar Mobile Update (MBU) Campaign in schools and educational institutions of Mumbai city and suburbs, starting on 20 July 2026. The campaign uses specially deployed Mobile Biometric Update units to provide Aadhaar enrolment, biometric updates, demographic corrections and mobile number updates on‑site for students and young citizens. Postmaster General Ms Kaiya Arora highlighted India Post’s role as a trusted service provider in the digital‑governance ecosystem, leveraging its network and last‑mile connectivity to bring identity services to the doorstep of citizens.

The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying reports that under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), projects worth Rs 544.86 crore were approved from FY 2021‑22 to FY 2025‑26 for the formation of 2,195 Fish Farmers Producer Organisations (FFPOs). This includes 195 new FFPOs and the conversion of 2,000 existing Primary Fisheries Cooperative Societies (PFCSs) into FFPOs. To date, 2,104 FFPOs have been formed nationwide, with 192 in Andhra Pradesh. In Andhra Pradesh, 10 new FFPOs received Rs 328.20 lakh in support, and 182 existing PFCSs were converted into FFPOs with an investment of Rs 963.73 lakh, covering management costs and equity grants. A total of 39,022 members are associated with these FFPOs in the state.

Researchers from the MACS Agharkar Research Institute, Pune, using combined morphological and multi‑locus DNA sequencing (mtSSU, nrLSU, RPB2), discovered and described five new lichen‑forming fungal species of the genus Allographa from the Western Ghats. The study, the first comprehensive molecular phylogenetic investigation of Allographa in this region, also generated new molecular data for several known species and highlighted that morphologically similar species may not be closely related. An updated checklist and molecular reference sequences were compiled, providing a baseline for biodiversity assessments, conservation planning, and future taxonomic work.

The Ministry of Cooperation, together with CSC e‑Governance Services India Limited, has integrated eligible Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) in Andhra Pradesh as Common Service Centres (CSCs). A total of 1,958 PACS have been onboarded, of which 1,869 are currently active, delivering digital services such as banking, insurance, Aadhaar‑linked services, utility bill payments, PAN card issuance, agricultural and allied services, and other G2C/B2C offerings. Performance is tracked through periodic review meetings and status reports from CSC SPV. The annexed district‑wise data shows active PACS ranging from 1 in some districts to 403 in Krishna district, with 89 PACS inactive overall. The information was provided by Union Minister for Home and Cooperation Shri Amit Shah in a Lok Sabha written reply.

The Ministry of Cooperation’s ‘Meri Samiti Mera Patal’ initiative, conceptualised and launched by the Regional Institute of Cooperative Management (RICM), Chandigarh under the National Council for Cooperative Training (NCCT), aims to empower Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) and Multi‑purpose Cooperative Societies (MPCS). It creates digital profiles for each society, establishing a centralized, transparent, real‑time data system to aid informed decision‑making. The programme covers Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Delhi, Chandigarh and Leh‑Ladakh. No proposal exists to expand the portal nationwide. Benefits highlighted include enhanced identity and transparency, greater public visibility, and real‑time data access. The information was provided by Union Minister for Home and Cooperation Shri Amit Shah in a Lok Sabha reply.

Under the National Ayush Mission (NAM), 12,500 Ayush Health & Wellness Centres (now called Ayushman Arogya Mandir) have been approved for operationalisation by upgrading 10,941 Ayush dispensaries and 1,559 Sub‑Health Centres, all reported functional. A total allocation of Rs 1872.71 crore has been released, of which Rs 1802.15 crore was utilised over the last two financial years. The Government’s co‑location strategy has placed Ayush facilities in 6,302 Primary Health Centres, 3,191 Community Health Centres and 475 District Hospitals as of 31‑Dec‑2025. Quality‑control measures include mandatory compliance with the Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940, GMP under Schedule T, and the operation of 118 private and 34 state drug‑testing labs. The Ministry of Ayush also runs schemes for medicinal‑plant conservation and the Ayush Quality Mark Programme launched on 19‑Dec‑2025.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has announced a new recruitment category for former Agniveers (Ex‑Agniveers) for the posts of Constable (General Duty) in Central Armed Police Forces and Rifleman in Assam Rifles. Fifty percent of the vacancies are reserved for Ex‑Agniveers, with a three‑year relaxation in the prescribed upper age limit and an additional five‑year relaxation for the first batch. Candidates in this category are exempted from the Physical Standards Test, Physical Efficiency Test and the written examination. A dedicated Ex‑Agniveer wing under the Ministry has been set up to coordinate their further progression, although the first batch has not yet completed its term of engagement.

The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare released data on the progress of area coverage under Kharif crops as on 17 July 2026. The table lists normal area (2020‑21 to 2024‑25) and the final area coverage for 2025, along with area sown in 2026 and 2025 and the change between the two years. Overall, total Kharif area increased from 658.19 lakh ha in 2025 to 700.47 lakh ha in 2026, a rise of 42.28 lakh ha. However, most individual crops such as rice, pulses, coarse cereals, oilseeds and cotton show a decline in area sown in 2026 compared with 2025, while sugarcane recorded a modest increase of 0.86 lakh ha.