Official releases, distilled into exam-ready intelligence.

The Ministry of Culture’s Gyan Bharatam portal lists 83,045 paper manuscripts, 5,772 palm‑leaf manuscripts, 3 birch‑bark manuscripts and no parchment manuscripts. Each manuscript pertains to a distinct historical period, and determining its exact age requires ongoing research and de‑codification. The figures were disclosed by Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a written reply to the Lok Sabha on 20 July 2026.

Union Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Dr. Jitendra Singh, at the 2nd National Workshop on Pension Litigation, urged a comprehensive review of pension rules to align them with evolving social realities and reduce litigation. He launched a Compendium of Case Laws, a Pension Litigation flyer, and the Special Campaign 3.0 of the Department of Pension & Pensioners' Welfare. The Minister highlighted recent reforms extending pension benefits to separated daughters and revisiting family‑pension provisions to curb legal disputes. He emphasized the need for proactive, research‑driven policy revisions, improved grievance redressal, and a balanced digital‑human approach, noting a 20 % decline in litigation cases and the generation of 1.92 crore Digital Life Certificates.

On 20 July 2026, President Droupadi Murmu addressed the India‑Moldova Business Forum in Chișinău, highlighting the warm bilateral relations since 1992 and the shared commitment to democratic values, peace and development. She noted India’s status as a fast‑growing major economy and Moldova’s strategic location and integration with European markets, underscoring opportunities for collaboration in digital technologies, AI, cyber‑security, fintech, digital public infrastructure, infrastructure development, renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, logistics, agriculture, food processing, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and healthcare. The President invited Moldovan firms to explore trade and investment in India and encouraged Indian businesses to pursue projects in Moldova, especially in renewable energy such as solar, battery storage, smart grids and green hydrogen.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi opened the Monsoon Session 2026 by linking the onset of the monsoon with a productive parliamentary session, emphasizing national well‑being. He highlighted recent milestones: an Indian citizen’s visit to the International Space Station, the private start‑up Skyroot’s launch of a space vehicle with an average team age of 28, the dedication of a major oil refinery in Rajasthan, the inauguration of India’s third semiconductor plant, and the launch of a green‑hydrogen‑powered train described as the longest and most powerful of its kind. He noted that despite the West Asian war‑induced energy disruptions, India grew at 7.7 % and became the fastest‑growing major economy, urging MPs to engage constructively in the session.

The PIB release states that water and sanitation are State subjects and that urban flood management—including cleaning and desilting of drains—is the responsibility of State Governments and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs). The Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA) supplements State efforts through advisory guidelines and financial/technical support, listing five specific documents such as the URDPFI Guidelines (2014) and the SOP for Urban Flooding. It also outlines the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) and AMRUT 2.0, providing figures for storm‑water drainage, green‑space, water‑body rejuvenation, and sewerage projects, together with their monetary outlays. The Minister of State, Shri Tokhan Sahu, gave a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.

The Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation (MoSPI) monitors all ongoing Central Sector infrastructure projects costing Rs 150 crore and above through the online portal PAIMANA (Project Assessment Infrastructure Monitoring and Analytics for Nation‑Building). Line ministries, departments and implementing agencies update project data on PAIMANA via APIs or manual entry. Project‑wise details are published in a Flash Report on the portal (https://paimana-proj.mospi.gov.in/ReportPage). The portal offers rich data analytics, customizable dashboards and output‑oriented reports for apex‑level monitoring. Reported causes of delays include land‑acquisition issues, forest/wildlife/environmental clearances, law‑and‑order problems, utility shifting and civil‑work delays. Monthly review meetings and shared login credentials enable regular stakeholder coordination and evidence‑based interventions.

The Ministry of Coal is executing 139 FMC projects with a total capacity of 1,319 MTPA to be completed by FY 2029‑30; 72 projects (≈589 MTPA) are already commissioned while 67 are in various stages of implementation. Rail infrastructure expansion includes 5 of 8 railway projects commissioned, with the remaining three slated for FY 2028, and 33 critical projects identified for future coal evacuation. An Integrated Coal Logistics Plan, coordinated with the Ministries of Railways, Power and Road & Transport & Ports, seeks to raise rail‑share of coal transport to 75 % by FY 2030, promote coastal shipping and inland waterways, and cut logistics costs. The plan also addresses bottlenecks such as inadequate rail capacity, clearance delays, operational constraints, road congestion, and limited alternate‑mode infrastructure, while mechanised handling has reduced loading times and improved wagon utilisation.

The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) facilitated the first export of 24 metric tonnes of frozen French fries from Kashipur, Uttarakhand, to Iraq, shipped by Virun Global Trade Pvt. Ltd. The export underscores India's growing processed vegetable sector, which in 2025‑26 recorded exports of USD 932.25 million (7,26,874.70 MT) and value‑added potato products of 277,108.51 MT worth USD 289.40 million. APEDA supported the exporter through participation in major trade fairs (SIAL, Gulfood, IndusFood, World Food India) and is collaborating with the Uttarakhand government on a State Agri Export Policy to address logistics costs and boost competitiveness.

TRAI released results of an Independent Drive Test (IDT) conducted in June 2026 across Bhopal city, the Indore‑Neemuch highway and the Bilaspur‑Ambikapur highway in Madhya Pradesh LSA. The drive test measured coverage gaps, dropped calls, call‑silence instances and data download/upload throughput for Airtel, BSNL, RJIL and VIL. Coverage gaps ranged from 0.5 % (Airtel in Bhopal) to 36 % (BSNL on the Bilaspur‑Ambikapur highway). Dropped‑call rates were highest for BSNL (up to 14 % on the Bilaspur‑Ambikapur route). Average download speeds varied from 10.68 Mbps (BSNL) to 291.53 Mbps (RJIL) and upload speeds from 4.99 Mbps (BSNL) to 34.92 Mbps (RJIL). The findings are published to inform consumers and prompt service‑provider improvements.

The National Statistical Office (NSO) under MoSPI has introduced digital tools to modernise India’s official statistical system. Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI) using handheld devices with validation checks, real‑time dashboards, GPS tagging and secure electronic transmission are now employed, automating sample selection, field monitoring and data processing. Administrative databases such as GSTN, Census 2011 village directory, and MCA are integrated into survey frames, enhancing sampling accuracy and timeliness. MoSPI has launched the Statistical Quality Assessment Framework (SQAF) and the National Metadata Structure (NMDS 2.0) to standardise quality and metadata. Public access is expanded via the Advance Release Calendar, eSankhyiki portal, revamped Microdata portal, AI‑enabled website and the GoIStat mobile app.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) released results of an Independent Drive Test (IDT) carried out from 16‑18 June 2026 on a 273.1 km city route and four hotspot locations in Virudhunagar and Tenkasi districts, Tamil Nadu. Using SIMs of all telecom service providers (TSPs) on 2G‑5G networks, TRAI measured key QoS parameters – coverage gap, call drop rate, call‑silence instances, and data download/upload throughput. Airtel recorded the lowest coverage gaps (456/41110 samples) and zero dropped calls, while BSNL showed the highest coverage gaps (3466/40362) and five dropped calls. RJIL achieved the highest average download speed (275.96 Mbps) and upload speed (19.06 Mbps). The detailed findings have been shared with the TSPs and are available on the TRAI website.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) released results of an Independent Drive Test (IDT) conducted in May 2026 across Hamirpur, Bilaspur and associated routes in Himachal Pradesh. Using SIMs from all major Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) – Airtel, BSNL, RJIL and VIL – the test measured key Quality of Service (QoS) parameters: coverage gap, call drop rate (CDR), call‑setup success rate (CSSR), call‑silence instances, and data download/upload throughput. For example, Airtel recorded a coverage gap of 479/16 503 samples and zero dropped calls, while BSNL showed higher gaps (e.g., 2 232/16 232 in Hamirpur) and multiple dropped calls. Average download speeds ranged from 11.29 Mbps (BSNL, 4G) to 243.12 Mbps (RJIL, 5G). The findings are published to inform consumers and prompt TSPs to improve services.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) released results of an Independent Drive Test (IDT) carried out across the Mumbai LSA during 10‑12 June 2026. The test measured key Quality of Service parameters – coverage gap, call drop rate, call‑silence instances, and data download/upload throughput – for Airtel, MTNL, RJIL and VIL using 2G‑5G networks. Coverage gaps were 102/54857 samples for Airtel, 17877/23461 for MTNL, 144/54576 for RJIL and 5/54511 for VIL. Dropped‑call ratios were 1/490 (Airtel), 28/203 (MTNL), 0/489 (RJIL) and 1/491 (VIL). Average download speeds recorded were 93.76 Mbps (Airtel), 237.81 Mbps (RJIL) and 70.69 Mbps (VIL); average upload speeds were 25.92 Mbps (Airtel), 40.92 Mbps (RJIL) and 25.57 Mbps (VIL). The findings have been shared with the service providers and are available on the TRAI website.

The Press Information Bureau, Mumbai will hold a VARTALAP – Media Conference titled “From Regional Identity to Global Opportunity” on 21 July 2026 at The Pavilion Hotel, Kolhapur. The event, inaugurated by Dr Jasmin, CEO of Zilla Parishad, Kolhapur, targets journalists from the district and aims to build media capacity and promote accurate reporting. It will showcase export opportunities through sessions by the Gems and Jewellery Export Promotion Council, the Council of Leather Exports and the Sports Authority of India, focusing on Kolhapur’s jewellery, leather and sports sectors. Senior government officials and beneficiaries of Government of India schemes will interact with participants, facilitating networking and knowledge sharing.

On 20 July 2026, Rajya Sabha Chairman Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan administered the oath/affirmation in the Rajya Sabha Chamber to nine newly elected or re‑elected members. The members sworn in were Dr. Mukeshbhai J. Rathwa, Shri Pawan Khera, Shri Mahesh Kewat, Shri James Pangsang Kongkal Sangma, Shri Khiangte Laltluangkima, Dr. Satish Poonia, Shri Prakash Chik Baraik, Ms. Sushmita Dev and Shri Sukhendu Sekhar Ray. Five took the oath in Hindi, two in English and two in Bengali. The members represent West Bengal (three), and one each from Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Rajasthan.

In the opening of the 271st Session of the Rajya Sabha on 20 July 2026, Chairman Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan welcomed the new members and highlighted that the Session will have 19 sittings. He announced the introduction of live AI‑based simultaneous interpretation of the proceedings in nine languages via multi‑media devices at members’ seats, with a plan to extend the service to all twenty‑two scheduled languages. The Chairman urged members to maintain decorum, focus on timely disposal of business, and provide feedback on the new interpretation facility.

The Rajya Sabha Secretariat released the text of obituary references made by the Hon’ble Chairman on 20 July 2026. It records the deaths of four former Rajya Sabha members—Balbir K. Punj (journalist, former Chairman of the National Commission for Youth), Swapan Sadhan Bose (sports administrator, former President of Mohun Bagan and FIFA Club Task Force member), Rangasayee Ramakrishna (IAS officer, former Secretary‑General of the Association of Synthetic Fibre Industries, and consultant to GATT and UNCTAD), and H. Hanumanthappa (advocate, former Chairman of the Railway Service Commission and the National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes). It also notes the death of Qatar’s former Amir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al‑Thani, highlighting his role in India‑Qatar relations.

The National Mission on Cultural Mapping (NMCM) implements the ‘Mera Gaon Meri Dharohar’ (MGMD) initiative to document village‑level cultural heritage across India. It records information on artists, artisans and other cultural practitioners in village profiles, but does not maintain state‑wise or category‑wise registers, nor does it provide registration, financial assistance, insurance or social security to the documented practitioners. The mission’s database is not linked with tourism, education or skill‑development programmes, and separate cultural‑cluster data are not kept. Annexure‑I and Annexure‑II list illustrative artists, artisans and cultural institutions mapped under the programme. The information was supplied by Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a Lok Sabha reply.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah performed the Bhoomi Pujan for the Amul Bengal Dairy Project in Kolkata, marking the inauguration of the world’s largest curd manufacturing plant. The plant, built on 30 acres of land provided free by West Bengal Chief Minister Shri Suvendu Adhikari, will initially process 10 lakh litres of milk daily, benefiting about 1.20 lakh small milk producers and livestock rearers. The project, with an investment of roughly Rs 700 crore, aims to expand to a capacity of 30 lakh litres per day, create cooperative warehouses, and establish a sex‑sorted semen facility for breed improvement. The Ministry of Cooperation will channel over 70 farmer‑welfare schemes to West Bengal within six months, and a ‘Sarathi’ model will link local taxis with Bharat Taxi, giving drivers ownership stakes.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the Indian team comprising Debadatta Priyadarshi, Harshit Singhal, Kabeer Chhillar and Sandeep Kuchi for securing four Gold Medals at the 58th International Chemistry Olympiad. The Prime Minister highlighted that this achievement represents India’s best‑ever performance at the competition and praised the team’s brilliance, dedication and passion for science. He noted that such success will inspire countless young minds across the country to study and excel in chemistry, reinforcing India’s growing reputation in global scientific arenas.