Official releases, distilled into exam-ready intelligence.

The Ministry of Heavy Industries reported that 88,209 electric vehicles (EVs) were subsidised in Madhya Pradesh during FY 2025‑26 under the PM E‑DRIVE scheme, comprising 81,840 e‑2‑wheelers and 6,369 e‑3‑wheelers. A total of 94,277 EVs were deployed in the state in the same period, but no electric buses were allocated. The release also outlines related central schemes – FAME‑II (₹11,500 cr), PLI‑Auto (₹25,938 cr), PLI‑ACC (₹18,100 cr), PM E‑DRIVE (₹10,900 cr) and PM e‑Bus Sewa (₹3,435.33 cr) – and measures such as a 5 % GST on EVs, green licence plates, and state‑level road‑tax waivers aimed at promoting clean‑energy transport.

The Ministry of Earth Sciences, through the Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology (CMLRE) in Kochi, runs a programme to assess and monitor Marine Living Resources (MLR) in India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Between 2023 and 2026, CMLRE conducted about 19 surveys covering fishery resources and marine biodiversity. Data generated are used for sustainable MLR management, marine conservation and evidence‑based policy, including eight‑year fishery yield estimates, identification of Ecologically & Biologically Significant Areas, biodiversity inventories, genomic reference libraries, and fish spawning grounds. The programme also supports national and international commitments such as the Convention on Biological Diversity and SDG‑14. Initiatives include long‑term ecosystem monitoring, the Bhavasagara National Repository for deep‑sea specimens, advanced scientific technologies, capacity building and collaborations with national and international institutions. The information was provided by Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Earth Sciences Dr. Jitendra Singh in a Lok Sabha written reply.

The Ministry of Earth Sciences, responding to a Parliament question, detailed enhancements to India’s early warning infrastructure. Under Mission Mausam, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) added 50 Doppler weather radars, 1,008 automatic weather stations and 6,885 rain‑gauge stations, improving severe‑weather forecast accuracy by 40‑50 %. Flood monitoring is supported by 25 Flood Meteorological Offices issuing 7‑day precipitation forecasts for 220 sub‑basins and integrated warning systems in Chennai and Mumbai. INCOIS serves as the tsunami service provider for 28 Indian‑Ocean‑Rim nations and has enabled 26 Odisha coastal villages to achieve UNESCO‑IOC Tsunami Ready status. The Multi‑Hazard Early Warning‑Decision Support System (MHEW‑DSS) was launched as a digital platform for real‑time weather monitoring. The National Seismological Network was expanded to 174 observatories, lowering the earthquake detection threshold to magnitude 3.0 nationwide (2.5 in Delhi‑NCR and the North‑East).

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued district‑level rainfall forecasts and colour‑coded impact warnings for all districts of Upper Assam before and during heavy to very heavy rains from 18‑20 July 2026, with a 7‑day lead time. The forecasts followed standard IMD rainfall classifications and were supported by daily weather bulletins archived at the Regional Meteorological Centre, Guwahati. IMD’s performance metrics for extreme rainfall forecasts in Assam’s sub‑regions (West, South, Central, Northeast) show percentages of correct forecasts ranging from ~51 % to ~85 % and varying probabilities of detection, false‑alarm ratios and critical success indices across Day 1‑Day 5 lead times. Seasonal outlooks consider ENSO and IOD, while flood‑risk assessment integrates IMD forecasts with Central Water Commission hydrological models. High‑resolution BharatFS (6 km) and the Multi‑Hazard Early Warning‑Decision Support System under Mission Mausam have been operationalised to improve sub‑district forecasting in Northeast India.

The Ministry of Heavy Industries, under the Scheme for Enhancement of Competitiveness in the Indian Capital Goods Sector, has trained about 33,000 persons through its SAMARTH centres and over 8,500 persons at the Common Engineering Facility Centre (CEFC) at BHEL, Trichy in the last three years. The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship’s Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) 4.0 has trained 2,731,699 candidates in the same period, with 16,946 training centres accredited. Additionally, 1,253,158 enrolments were recorded in ITIs under the Craftsmen Training Scheme for the capital goods and manufacturing sector.

The Ministry of Cooperation, using the National Cooperative Database (NCD), launched a Ranking Framework on 24 January 2025 to rank primary cooperative societies sector‑wise and by State/UT/district/block. The framework allows State/UT Registrars of Cooperative Societies to generate rankings for 12 sectors based on five parameters – audit compliance, operational activities, financial performance, infrastructure and basic identity information – with a total weightage of 100 marks. It is intended to improve transparency, efficiency, effectiveness, credibility and competitive capability of cooperatives and to disseminate best practices of top‑performing societies. The information was provided by Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.

On 12 August 2026, India and the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) signed a Terms of Reference (ToR) at Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi, to commence negotiations for a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA). The ToR outlines eight chapters covering trade in goods, market access, rules of origin, customs procedures, trade remedies, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, technical barriers, dispute settlement and legal provisions. Union Minister Piyush Goyal highlighted India’s potential role in supplying affordable medicines, IT talent and integrating SACU economies into global supply chains, while stressing the need for a balanced, development‑oriented outcome. The signing marks India’s first ToR with the African region and aims to deepen South‑South cooperation.

The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying reports that under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) a total outlay of Rs 20,750 crore is being spent from 2020‑21 to 2026‑27 for fisheries and aquaculture across India, including Chhattisgarh. In Chhattisgarh, projects approved worth Rs 956.86 crore (central share Rs 321.01 crore) have been sanctioned, of which Rs 274.16 crore has been released. Implemented interventions comprise 28 fish‑seed hatcheries, 3,200 ha of new fish ponds, 287 recirculatory aquaculture systems, 820 bio‑floc units, 14 feed mills, 511 transport vehicles, 8,500 reservoir cages and an integrated aqua park, along with social security measures such as accidental insurance for 5.52 lakh fishers annually and credit support to 4,189 fishers via KCC. These actions have raised fish production from 3.14 lakh mt in 2014‑15 to 8.73 lakh mt in 2024‑25, enhancing incomes and rural employment in the state.

The Ministry of Education clarified the conduct of CBSE sports competitions as per the CBSE Games Guidelines and annual circulars. Competitions are organised at Cluster, Zonal and National levels, with specific games allocated to each tier and age criteria based on the 31 December cut‑off. Schools register online (UID‑based) and, if selected, receive a fixed sports grant – Rs 2 lakhs for Cluster/Zonal events, Rs 3 lakhs for Nationals, and higher amounts for athletics and swimming – to cover referees, equipment, ground maintenance and related expenses. Organising schools must hire technically qualified officials, submit audited expenditure proformas, and adhere to a written protest mechanism that involves a Rs 1,000 fee and a Jury of Appeal whose decision is final.

National Cooperative Organics Limited (NCOL), under the Ministry of Cooperation, markets its certified organic produce under the “Bharat Organics” brand through e‑commerce platforms, modern retail chains, cooperative outlets such as Safal/Mother Dairy, NAFED, NCCF and its own Direct‑to‑Consumer portal. The benchmark for organic production in India is the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP), notified by APEDA; NCOL sources only from NPOP‑certified farmer groups, Internal Control Systems (ICS) or certified operators and subjects the produce to stringent quality testing, traceability and mandatory laboratory checks for pesticide residues. NCOL also promotes the creation of NPOP‑certified ICS groups via cooperatives and has signed MoUs with 28 states/UTs to expand the organic cooperative ecosystem.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi released former President Ram Nath Kovind’s autobiography titled *Triumph of the Indian Republic: My Life, My Struggles* on 12 August 2026. In his speech, Modi highlighted Kovind’s humble origins in a village in Kanpur, the loss of his mother in a fire, and the support he received from neighbours, portraying his rise to the presidency as a testament to perseverance and democratic values. The PM urged the audience, especially the youth, to read the book for lessons on personal struggle, public service, and the vision of a ‘One Nation, One Election’ that Kovind continues to advocate. Modi framed the autobiography as a heritage for Indian democracy and society.

The Ministry of Cooperation has launched Bharat Taxi, a cooperative‑led digital mobility app operated by Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited (STCL), in Delhi‑NCR, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Rajasthan. As of 04 Aug 2026 the platform records 8.48 lakh registered drivers (Sarathis) and 44.27 lakh customers. The model follows a zero‑commission, transparent‑fare structure, uses subscription‑based participation to stabilise driver earnings, and links drivers to social‑security benefits. Expansion to other cities will depend on operational readiness, driver availability, statutory clearances and coordination with state governments and cooperative bodies. Bharat Taxi is registered under the Multi‑State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002, and the Union Home Minister Amit Shah clarified that no government funds have been allocated for its expansion.

The Ministry of Education released Rs 13,839.43 crore to the UGC in 2021‑22, increasing to Rs 20,527.43 crore in 2025‑26, with expenditures closely matching releases each year. Of the total released, Rs 73,148.65 crore went to Central Universities and Rs 2,743.04 crore to Institutions Deemed to be Universities. Under the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM‑USHA/RUSA), the central share released to States/UTs rose from Rs 249.13 crore in 2021‑22 to Rs 864.25 crore in 2025‑26, with Rs 507.00 crore released in 2026‑27 (as of 06‑08‑2026). The UGC also disbursed Rs 931.44 crore for reimbursement‑based grants and Rs 1,818.46 crore as a fixed salary grant to Punjab University during 2021‑26. The Ministry also introduced the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhisthan Bill, 2025, referred to a Joint Committee.

The third meeting of the Hindi Advisory Committee of the Ministry of AYUSH was convened on 12 August 2026 at Kartavya Bhawan‑I, New Delhi, chaired by Minister of State (Independent Charge) Shri Prataprao Jadhav. Attended by MPs, senior officials and non‑official members, the committee emphasized using Hindi as a medium for governance, communication and public outreach in AYUSH. Minister Jadhav linked the initiative to the ‘Viksit Bharat @2047’ vision and Prime Minister’s emphasis on Indian languages, noting efforts to conduct official work in Hindi, promote Hindi in publications, websites, social media, and through training and incentive schemes. The Hindi house journal ‘Apratim Ayush’ was also launched.

The Ministry of Cooperation launched Bharat Taxi, a cooperative‑led digital mobility platform operated by Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited (STCL), in Delhi‑NCR, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Rajasthan. By 4 August 2026 the platform had registered 8.48 lakh drivers (Sarathis) and 44.27 lakh customers, facilitating 11,106 daily rides and generating cumulative earnings of ₹83.70 crore for drivers. Daily rides per city are listed (e.g., 5,574 in Delhi‑NCR). Expansion to other cities depends on operational readiness, statutory compliance and state coordination. On 19 July 2026, STCL signed an MoU with the West Bengal government to support the Yatri Sathi platform. The information was provided by Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah in a Rajya Sabha reply.

The Ministry of Cooperation reports that National Cooperative Organics Limited (NCOL) is coordinating with State Cooperative Federations to advance organic farming and related value‑chain activities. Coordination mechanisms include Memoranda of Understanding with State Cooperative Departments or Nodal Agencies, and the inclusion of cooperative institutions such as Cooperative Societies, Primary Agricultural Credit Societies, and Farmer Producer Organizations as members or partners. These partnerships aim to facilitate aggregation, procurement, processing, packaging and marketing of organic produce under the "Bharat Organics" brand and to support the formation of NPOP‑certified Internal Control System groups. The information was provided by Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, in a written reply in Rajya Sabha.

During India’s BRICS Chairship 2026, the Ministry of Education virtually convened a BRICS Network University (BRICS NU) conference on 20 July 2026, focusing on the need and challenges of preserving traditional and indigenous knowledge systems in the digital age. The meeting comprised three sessions on mapping and documentation, preservation and protection, and the role of digital technologies. India shared its “Guiding Principles on Strengthening Collaboration on Traditional and Indigenous Knowledge System” and later proposed a 12th International Thematic Group on this subject. The International Governing Board met on 21 July 2026, updating activities of 178 universities across 11 thematic groups, and the proposal was reflected in the declaration of the 13th BRICS Education Ministers Meeting (7 August 2026). The information was provided by Minister of State for Education Dr Sukanta Majumdar in a Rajya Sabha reply.

The Ministry of Cooperation has created Bhartiya Beej Sahakari Samiti Limited (BBSSL) under the Multi‑State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002 to serve as an apex body for the production, processing, branding, packaging, storage, marketing and R&D of quality seeds. BBSSL has launched seeds of 18 crops and 124 varieties under the ‘Bharat Beej’ brand and, in FY 2025‑26, produced 75,535 metric tonnes of seeds through its associated farmers. It is also undertaking quality‑testing standards for vegetable seeds and a conservation programme in Uttarakhand to identify, multiply and document traditional indigenous varieties, aiming to cut import dependence and boost farmer self‑reliance.

The Ministry of Electronics & IT has scaled up the CyberShakti programme, approved for two years from October 2024, to enhance cyber‑security awareness and skills among women government officials. Since its inception in 2024, 978 women officials—including police officers, cyber‑cell staff and officials handling cyber‑crime victims—have been trained through a 2‑week virtual instructor‑led and a 1‑week offline residential programme. State‑wise training covered 694 officials and Union Territory‑wise 284 officials. Additionally, 573 women participants attended webinars on cyber‑security sensitisation. The expansion follows the 2026 Standing Committee Report on Women’s empowerment and was presented by Union Minister of State Shri Jitin Prasada in the Rajya Sabha on 07‑08‑2026.

The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying clarified that coastal states govern fisheries up to 12 nautical miles under their Marine Fishing Regulation Acts, reserving near‑shore waters (5‑10 km) for artisanal and non‑mechanized vessels to protect traditional livelihoods. Under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), satellite‑based transponders are fitted on mechanised vessels for real‑time tracking, geofencing and alerts to prevent incursions. A uniform 61‑day annual fishing ban is imposed in the Exclusive Economic Zone, with parallel bans by coastal states, and PMMSY provides livelihood and insurance support during the ban. The scheme also funds sea‑ranching, artificial reefs, mariculture and the development of 100 climate‑resilient coastal fishermen villages.