Official releases, distilled into exam-ready intelligence.

The Ministry of Home Affairs notes that the Central Government regularly reviews disaster preparedness in flood‑prone states such as Bihar and issues advisories for preventive measures. Bilateral mechanisms with Nepal—including the Joint Team on Flood Forecasting and Joint Committees on Kosi, Gandak, and inundation—address flood and river management. In the Ganga basin, the India Meteorological Department and Central Water Commission use AI‑ML models to forecast rainfall and floods, issuing alerts via State Emergency Operation Centres, the Sachet app, SMS‑based CAP, and Cell Broadcast. Multi‑stakeholder mock exercises are conducted by the NDRF and NDMA, and Bihar’s integrated approach combines structural measures (embankments, anti‑erosion works) with non‑structural measures (forecasting, GIS monitoring, digital reporting, and inter‑departmental coordination).

The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has launched two digital platforms – WAVES Bazaar and WaveX – to bolster the Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics and Extended Reality (AVGC‑XR) ecosystem. WAVES Bazaar operates as a year‑round global marketplace enabling business discovery, B2B meetings, market access, investment facilitation and international collaboration across films, animation, VFX, gaming, XR, immersive media, music and digital content. WaveX is a dedicated startup platform that promotes innovation by linking startups with investors, incubators and partners, though it does not provide direct funding. The government has also set up the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT) as the National Centre of Excellence for AVGC‑XR, collaborating with Maharashtra and industry bodies, and has forged international partnerships for curriculum co‑development, skill programmes, technology access, R&D, internships, incubation, scholarships and mentorship.

The Ministry of Electronics & IT reports that under the Software Technology Park (STP) Scheme, the Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) has set up 73 centres nationwide, including a 6,600 sq ft centre in Kolhapur with 62 plug‑and‑play incubation seats, conference facilities, a Network Operations Centre and related infrastructure. In FY 2025‑26, seven STPI‑registered units at the Kolhapur centre exported IT services worth ₹241.49 crore. The Maharashtra government supports the ecosystem through tax rebates, electricity tariff concessions and an IT Park developed by MIDC, which hosts three operational plots. Kolhapur now has 372 IT/ITES units employing about 9,000 people, as stated by Minister of State Shri Jitin Prasada in a Lok Sabha reply.

The Ministry of Home Affairs administers the Swatantrata Sainik Samman Yojana (SSSY), a Central Sector Scheme that provides a Central Samman Pension to recognised Freedom Fighters and their eligible dependents. As of the date of the release, the scheme covers 12,898 beneficiaries – 1,553 Freedom Fighters and 11,345 dependents – across states and Union Territories (Annexure‑I). Pension rates were last revised effective 15 Aug 2016, with Dearness Relief (DR) updated w.e.f. 1 July 2025 (Annexure‑II). The scheme also offers railway passes, free medical facilities, and transit stay at State Bhawan (Annexure‑III). The most recent third‑party evaluation was conducted by the Indian Institute of Public Administration for the 15th Finance Commission Cycle in Dec 2020, with the next evaluation assigned to the Quality Council of India.

The Ministry of Cooperation studied ways to improve efficiency in sugar cooperatives, including the Shero cooperative sugar mill in Tarn Taran. The National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC), under the Ministry, offers financial assistance for revival and modernisation of cooperative sugar mills. A grant‑in‑aid scheme of Rs 1000 crore was approved for NCDC in two instalments (FY 2022‑23 and FY 2024‑25) to enable it to raise market funds and lend Rs 10,000 crore for ethanol/cogeneration plants and working capital. By 31 Mar 2025, NCDC had disbursed Rs 10,005 crore to 56 cooperative sugar mills. This information was provided by Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.

The Ministry of Education’s Central Higher Education Institutions (CHEIs)—including Central Universities, IITs and NITs—are autonomous bodies that conduct their own faculty recruitment. Vacancies arise from retirements, promotions, deaths, new institutions and increased student numbers. The Ministry has repeatedly directed CHEIs to clear backlog vacancies in Mission Mode (August 2021, September 2022, October 2025). By 23 May 2026, 32,114 posts (including 18,757 faculty positions) were filled, with reserved category allocations (3,851 SC, 1,643 ST, 6,785 OBC, 1,191 EWS). PhD enrolments rose from 1,17,301 (AISHE 2014‑15) to 3,43,559 (AISHE 2023‑24), a 192.89 % increase. The data were provided by MoE Minister of State Dr Sukanta Majumdar in a Rajya Sabha reply.

The Ministry of Women and Child Development has created an integrated unified Mission Vatsalya Portal, developed in consultation with States and Union Territories, to enable service delivery and real‑time monitoring of child‑care programmes. The portal incorporates the TrackChild portal for missing/found children and the Khoya‑Paya application for missing/sighted children, and is linked with the Crime and Criminal Tracking & Network System (CCTNS) of the Ministry of Home Affairs for FIR matching. It also connects with the toll‑free Child Helpline (1098) and the Emergency Response Support System‑112 (ERSS‑112). The portal supports the centrally sponsored Mission Vatsalya scheme, which provides institutional and non‑institutional care, including a monthly allowance of Rs 4,000 for eligible children.

The Ministry of Education, citing NEP 2020’s Para 4.24, is implementing the PM SHRI scheme to embed Artificial Intelligence (AI) in school education. Under the centrally‑sponsored Samagra Shiksha programme, teacher‑education institutions, SCERTs and DIETs are being upgraded, and continuous professional development is being delivered through Block and Cluster Resource Centres. The flagship NISHTHA programme and the DIKSHA learning‑management system now host AI‑focused modules, with DIKSHA offering more than 350 live courses, including about 59 on AI and digital learning. Over 96,000 teachers have been trained through AI‑related programmes organised by NCERT, CBSE, KVS and NVS, while the National Mission for Mentoring has earmarked AI as a sub‑domain for digital literacy.

The Ministry of Education’s press release outlines steps taken under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 to align higher‑education curricula with industry needs. It cites the UGC and AICTE guidelines for Apprenticeship‑Embedded Degree Programmes (AEDP), the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS) that has engaged about 17.22 lakh apprentices and released Rs 2892.75 crore in stipend support, and the launch of the NATS 2.0 portal for digital apprenticeship management. AICTE’s curriculum evaluation and the Project PRACTICE initiative aim to embed internships, experiential learning and AI‑relevant skills. The SWAYAM Plus portal offers over 500 industry‑curated courses across 17 sectors.

The Ministry of Cooperation has launched Bharat Taxi, a cooperative‑led digital mobility platform operated by Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited (STCL). As of 19 July 2026, 7.97 lakh driver‑partners (Sarathis) have been onboarded nationwide, with 2.55 lakh in Delhi‑NCR, 1.01 lakh in Gujarat and 71,095 in Maharashtra. The service runs on a zero‑commission model; a nominal subscription fee is charged to cover technology and platform costs, leaving the fare earned by Sarathis unchanged. Sarathis, as members of STCL, receive cooperative benefits under the Multi‑State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002, including health and personal accident insurance at concessional rates, access to institutional credit such as SBI Mudra loans, vehicle financing, and periodic training on platform usage and safety. Expansion to other cities will depend on operational readiness and statutory approvals.

The Department of Atomic Energy provided details on the operational performance of NPCIL nuclear power plants, including electricity generation and plant load factor (PLF) for the past five years (Annexure). Ongoing projects listed are RAPP‑7&8 (Rawatbhata, 2 × 700 MW, commercial operation from 15‑Apr‑2026, cost ₹22,924 cr), GHAVP‑1&2 (Gorakhpur, 2 × 700 MW, commissioning expected ~6 years after first concrete), KAIGA‑5&6 (Kaiga, 2 × 700 MW, June‑2031/June‑2032, cost ₹21,000 cr), KKNPP‑3&4 (Kudankulam, 2 × 1000 MW, June‑2027/June‑2028, cost ₹68,893 cr) and KKNPP‑5&6 (2 × 1000 MW, June‑2029/March‑2030, cost ₹69,437 cr). BHAVINI is commissioning a 500 MW Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor at Kalpakkam, expected fully operational by Mar‑2027 at a cost of ₹8,181 cr. Security measures include periodic audits, mock drills, and regulatory‑approved emergency response plans at all sites, including Tarapur. The information was supplied by Union Minister of State Dr. Jitendra Singh in a Lok Sabha reply.

The Department of Space reported that after the 10‑year mission life of IRNSS‑1F, the NavIC constellation presently comprises three satellites – IRNSS‑1B, IRNSS‑1I and NVS‑01. Since a minimum of four operational satellites are required for basic positioning, NavIC cannot currently offer standalone positioning service, though its timing service remains functional. The Armed Forces are using NavIC alongside other GNSS constellations, and the ministry states there is no user vulnerability. The next NavIC satellite, NVS‑03, is ready for launch, while NVS‑04 and NVS‑05 are in advanced stages of realization.

The Ministry of Education notes that vacancies in Central Higher Educational Institutions (CHEIs) arise from promotion, retirement, resignation, death, new institutions, schemes, projects and increased student strength. Special ‘Mission Mode’ recruitment drives were launched in August 2021, September 2022 and October 2025 to clear backlog vacancies, including seats for SC, ST and OBC candidates. Up to 23 May 2026, 32,114 posts – of which 18,757 were faculty positions – were filled under this scheme. The release also provides financial data for the Samagra Shiksha scheme, showing central allocations of ₹2.19 crore lakh and total expenditures of ₹2.67 crore lakh for FY 2021‑26. It highlights ongoing NEP‑2020 implementation through digital platforms (DIKSHA, PM eVIDYA, etc.) and infrastructure upgrades in Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas.

The Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) is a centrally‑sponsored scheme under the Ministry of Education aimed at strengthening more than 14,500 schools. To date, 13,092 schools across States/UTs, KVS, NVS and NCERT have been selected as PM SHRI schools, showcasing the initiatives of the National Education Policy 2020. The scheme runs from 2022‑23 to 2026‑27, with fund allocation beginning in FY 2023‑24 and yearly releases detailed in an annexure. States/UTs sign MoUs with the Centre and schools are chosen through a Challenge Mode. The curriculum follows the 5+3+3+4 structure under NCF/SCF, with flexibility for state‑specific contextualisation. Kerala signed its MoU on 23 Oct 2025.

The YUVIKA 2026 programme was conducted from 11‑22 May 2026 at nine ISRO centres – VSSC, SDSC‑SHAR, NRSC, URSC, SAC, IIRS, NESAC, IPRC and RRSC‑West. A total of 456 meritorious students from 28 states and 8 union territories participated, an increase from 350 students at seven centres in the previous edition. Activities included interaction with senior scientists, lectures on ISRO achievements, live RH200 rocket launch, interaction with the Bharati Station team in Antarctica, water‑rocket demonstration, and hands‑on projects such as programmable robotics, Chandrayaan‑3 DIY kit, model‑rocket assembly and telescope sky‑gazing. Selection is merit‑based with a 15 % weightage for students from rural and remote areas. The information was provided by Union Minister of State Dr. Jitendra Singh in a Lok Sabha reply.

The Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation released the trial Index of Services Production (ISP) for May 2026 (base year 2024‑25) covering 19 sub‑sectors. Eight sub‑sectors posted double‑digit growth and 16 recorded positive growth year‑on‑year. The highest growth rates were in Accommodation & Food (27.4 %), Real Estate (17.7 %), Retail Trade (13.3 %), Banking (12.1 %) and Telecommunications (11.8 %). Detailed ISP values and growth percentages are provided for each sub‑sector, and monthly indices from May 2025 to May 2026 are listed in an annexure. The release notes that the trial series is experimental, aimed at testing data quality and gathering stakeholder feedback, and that indices for Railways, Banking and Insurance are provisional and will be revised annually.

The Ministry of Education’s Department of School Education & Literacy is implementing the Samagra Shiksha scheme, an integrated programme covering pre‑school to class XII and aligned with NEP 2020. Under this scheme, the central government has approved a share of Rs 722.93 crore for Punjab for 2026‑27, alongside Rs 140.10 crore for 356 PM SHRI schools in the state. The scheme provides financial assistance for new schools, infrastructure, hostels, uniforms, textbooks, transport, and inclusive measures for children with special needs, including assistive devices and barrier‑free facilities. PM eVidya delivers 200 DTH TV and 400 radio channels for digital education, while the Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram (ULLAS) targets adult literacy in rural and disadvantaged areas. All plans are vetted by the Project Approval Board in consultation with the respective State/UTs.

The Coal Exchange Rules, 2026 were notified under Section 18B of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 on 04 June 2026. The rules create a regulatory framework for an online Coal Exchange where buyers and sellers can trade coal and its processed forms. The Coal Controller Organisation (CCO) is designated as the authority to register, regulate and oversee exchanges, including approval of bidding, price‑discovery mechanisms, contract terms and market surveillance. A Settlement Guarantee Fund (SGF) managed by an independent committee will invest at least 50 % in safe/liquid instruments. The rules mandate a market‑surveillance committee, grievance redressal forum, and prescribe a 12‑month timeline for operationalisation after an online application opened on 15 July 2026. The information was provided by Union Minister of State for Coal and Mines Shri Satish Chandra Dubey in Lok Sabha.

The Department of Space detailed the development status of the Gaganyaan programme in response to a Parliament question. All propulsion stages and structures of the Human Rated Launch Vehicle (HLVM3) have been developed and ground‑tested. The Orbital Module’s propulsion, environmental control & life support system (ECLSS) engineering model, deceleration system, crew‑module up‑righting system, thermal protection system and avionics have been developed and tested. The Crew Escape System (CES) has five motor types that were statically tested and its structures qualified. Infrastructure such as the Orbital Module Preparation Facility, Gaganyaan Control Centre, crew‑training facility and modifications to the Second Launch Pad have been realised. Test missions TV‑D1, IADT‑01 and IADT‑02 were successfully completed, and TV‑D2 is in an advanced stage. Ground network configuration, IDRSS‑1 feeder stations, and MoUs with other space agencies have been established. Training of Gaganyatris has been undertaken in Russia and continues in Bengaluru. The first uncrewed mission (G1) is being prepared, with all HLVM3 stages and CES motors ready, and crew and service modules nearing assembly and integration. The information was provided by Union Minister of State Dr. Jitendra Singh in a Lok Sabha written reply.

The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying reports that under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) a total outlay of Rs 20,750 crore has been approved since FY 2020‑21. For Bihar, the central government has sanctioned Rs 579.72 crore (Rs 193.13 crore as central share) and the state has sanctioned Rs 107.30 crore, of which Rs 73.59 crore has been utilised across districts for projects such as Integrated Aqua‑parks, wholesale fish markets and fish broodbanks. The National Fisheries Development Board office was inaugurated in Patna on 15 June 2026. Under Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM), Rs 79.29 crore has been released to Bihar and fully utilised, supporting artificial insemination programmes (64.87 lakh AI services), semen stations, IVF labs, MAITRI technicians and heifer rearing centres. Additional dairy initiatives under NPDD and AHIDF have created 7 lakh L/day chilling capacity, 21 dairy labs, 13,590 village testing kits and 3,426 deep freezers, while 11,834 dairy cooperatives have been set up in the last two years.