Official releases, distilled into exam-ready intelligence.

Goa produced an estimated 17.87 thousand tonnes of cashew in 2025‑26, placing it among the key contributors in the Konkan region, which together produced 266.48 thousand tonnes (Maharashtra 182.79 kt, Karnataka 65.82 kt). The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, through the Directorate of Cashewnut and Cocoa Development (DCCD), is implementing Cashew Development Programmes under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) to boost productivity, cultivation, value‑addition and technology adoption. Financial assistance of 35 % of capital cost (up to Rs 12.25 lakh) is available for primary processing units, with additional support under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana and the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (3 % interest subvention and credit guarantee).

Bharat Taxi Service is a cooperative‑based ride‑hailing platform operated by Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited. It offers a driver‑owned mobility solution through a Sarathi (driver) app, a passenger app and a backend management system. The service is currently active in Delhi‑NCR and Gujarat, with 7.76 lakh drivers and 40.84 lakh customers registered. Expansion to other cities and states will be phased, contingent on operational readiness, driver availability, completion of statutory requirements and approvals from state transport departments, urban local bodies and the Department of Cooperation. The rollout includes driver onboarding and public‑awareness activities, and the platform’s presence is maintained on major social media. The information was provided by Union Minister for Home and Cooperation Shri Amit Shah in a Lok Sabha reply.

The PIB release states that as of 15 July 2026, Bhagalpur district in Bihar has 788 cooperative societies, of which 728 are functional. The Government’s Central Sector Project for Computerisation of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), launched in 2022, has been expanded to a financial outlay of ₹2,925.39 crore, covering 79,630 PACS nationwide and linking them to NABARD via State and District Cooperative Banks. Additionally, a plan approved by the Government aims to establish new multipurpose PACS/dairy/fisheries cooperatives across all panchayats and villages within five years, with 38,138 new societies registered and 21,292 dairy/fisheries societies strengthened as of 15 July 2026. The Ministry of Cooperation highlights ongoing digitalisation initiatives for cooperative institutions, including computerisation of registrar offices and agricultural development banks.

The Prime Minister Dhan‑Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (DDKY) will cover 100 districts selected on the basis of three publicly‑available indicators – low agricultural productivity, low cropping intensity and low agriculture credit disbursement. Allocation of districts per state is determined by net cropped area and the number of operational holdings, guaranteeing that each state has at least one district and promoting balanced regional development. The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare states that states may adopt the same framework for additional districts using existing administrative mechanisms and scheme resources. This methodology was disclosed by MoS Shri Ramnath Thakur in a written reply in Lok Sabha.

The 11th Agricultural Census (reference year 2021‑22) was launched in 2022 and, as of the release date, has completed field work and data collection for its three phases within the stipulated time. Phase‑I enumerates primary characteristics of all operational holdings; Phase‑II gathers data on cropping pattern, irrigation status, etc., from a random 20 % of villages in each tehsil; Phase‑III records input‑use patterns from a random 7 % of villages in each tehsil. The census provides a reliable socio‑economic database on the number, size, distribution, tenancy, consolidation, and gender‑based ownership of holdings, which the government uses for agricultural policy formulation, land‑use planning, subsidy and credit allocation, and as a reference for researchers and planners. The information was conveyed by Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shri Ramnath Thakur in a Lok Sabha written reply.

The Union Agriculture Minister, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, chaired a weekly review on 21 July 2026 to assess Kharif sowing progress, monsoon performance, El Niño impact, and fertilizer/seed availability. By 17 July, 658.19 lakh ha of Kharif area had been sown, with a decline overall but gains in paddy, pulses and other crops. The South‑West monsoon reached the entire country by 9 July, one day later than the usual 8 July, while average rainfall from 1 June to 15 July was 23 % below normal (227 mm vs 294.2 mm), with the highest deficits in East‑Northeast (36 %). The Ministry reported adequate fertilizer (especially urea) and seed stocks and directed continuous monitoring through states, KVKs and scientific advisories.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, shared an article by Union Minister Shri Chirag Paswan that underscores the Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme. According to the Prime Minister’s statement, the scheme is formalising micro‑food‑processing enterprises by providing affordable finance, technology, branding and market linkages. This is enabling local producers—especially women—to become job creators, thereby strengthening rural economies and contributing to an Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

On 14 July 2026, the Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises inaugurated a second PM Vishwakarma (PMV) stall at Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport, Chandigarh. The stall, set up with support from NABARD and a Self‑Help Group, provides three local artisans – a basket maker, a doll‑maker, and a potter – a platform to display and sell handcrafted products to domestic and international travellers. The initiative aims to enhance market visibility, enable direct customer interaction, and promote traditional crafts, aligning with the ‘Vocal for Local’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ objectives. The PM Vishwakarma Scheme, launched in 2023, supports artisans in 18 trades through skill training, modern tools, collateral‑free credit, digital incentives and market linkages.

The Merchant Shipping Act, 2025 came into force on 15 March 2026, updating India’s maritime legal framework to align with contemporary international standards. The Act enhances statutory safeguards for abandoned seafarers, tightens regulation of recruitment and placement services, and provides a robust legal basis for implementing evolving international maritime labour norms. In response to heightened security risks in conflict‑sensitive maritime zones, the Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA) issued a series of advisories and circulars (e.g., DGS Advisory 14.01.2026, Circulars 09‑31 of 2026) directing Indian seafarers and shipping stakeholders to avoid deployments to Iran, maintain vigilance in the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz, register with Indian missions, and use a newly established 24 × 7 helpline for emergency assistance. These measures were communicated by Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.

The Indian team of six contestants secured 2 Gold and 4 Silver medals at the 67th International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) 2026 in Shanghai, achieving an unofficial country rank of 7th among 117 nations. This marks the fourth occasion India has finished 7th, matching its performances in 1998, 2001 and 2025, and the fourth consecutive year India is in the top‑10. Since its debut in 1989, India has accumulated 25 Gold, 80 Silver and 80 Bronze medals, plus 29 Honourable Mentions. The medalists were Aarav Gupta and Abel George Mathew (Gold) and Bairav Murugan, Kanav Talwar, Sanjana Philo Chacko and Shreya Shantanu Mundhada (Silver). HBCSE congratulated the team, noting support from the Chennai Mathematical Institute, NBHM (DAE) and the Ministry of Education.

On 21 July 2026, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi expressed anguish over the collapse of an under‑construction tunnel in Namchi, Sikkim, conveying condolences to the bereaved families and wishing speedy recovery for the injured. He announced an ex‑gratia of Rs 2 lakh per deceased family member from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) and a compensation of Rs 50,000 for each injured person. The announcement was made through a press release and reiterated in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the provisional list of candidates who qualified for the Interview/Personality Test of the Combined Geo‑Scientist (Main) Examination 2026, held on 20‑21 June 2026. Candidates must produce original certificates for age, education, caste, EWS, disability, etc., at the time of the interview. An online window on https://upsconline.nic.in will allow qualified candidates to update their educational qualifications, correspondence address, higher qualifications, achievements, employment details, service allocation and preferences. The interview schedule will be posted on the UPSC website, and mark‑sheets will be uploaded within 15 days of the final result, remaining available for 30 days. Queries can be addressed at the UPSC Facilitation Counter (10 AM‑5 PM) or via the listed telephone numbers.

The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has launched the pilot phase of the ‘Gems of India’ Challenge to identify and promote grassroots digital creators. The challenge, built on the MyWAVES platform of WAVES OTT, invites creators to submit 1‑3 minute videos showcasing the culture, heritage, tourism and history of their districts. The pilot runs from 1 August to 31 August 2026 in six regions – Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Arunachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu, Goa and Ladakh – with participation of Prasar Bharati, My Bharat and state/district administrations. YouTube and Meta are partnered to mobilise creator communities. Awards of up to ₹5 lakh are planned at district, state and national levels, and a nationwide rollout is envisaged after the pilot.

The Skill India Mission (SIM) of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) delivers skill, re‑skill and up‑skill training through schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS), National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) and Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS). 56.89 lakh candidates have been certified under short‑term training, with a 42.8 % placement rate (24.3 lakh placed). Impact evaluations by the Arun Jaitley National Institute of Financial Management (AJNIFM) show employment share rising from 26.6 % to 45.4 % and income gains for 41.4 % of STT and 48.9 % of RPL candidates. Women constitute 82 % of JSS participants, and 90 % of alumni have generated income within six months. New‑age job‑roles in AI, robotics, drones and IoT have been added, supported by MoUs with global tech firms and the Skill India Digital Hub.

The PIB backgrounder ‘White Gold: India’s Cotton Story’ (20 July 2026) details India’s dominant position in the global cotton market – first in cultivated area (114.84 lakh ha, ~38 % of world area) and second in production (290.91 lakh bales, provisional, 2025‑26) and consumption (328 lakh bales). The sector supports ~6 million farmers and 40‑50 million workers, contributes ~19 % of global fibre output, and earned US$ 11.49 billion in export value (FY 25). Key policy measures include MSP operations via the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) – MSP set at Rs 7,710/8,110 ₹/quintal (2025‑26) and increased to Rs 8,267/8,667 ₹/quintal (2026‑27) – and the Mission for Cotton Productivity (Rs 5,659.22 crore) aiming to raise output to 498 lakh bales by 2031. Technological interventions such as the High‑Density Planting System, Closer Spacing System, and the Kapas Kisan app are improving yields (30‑40 % gains) and procurement transparency. The Kasturi Cotton Bharat branding programme (Rs 30 crore) provides QR‑based certification and blockchain traceability for long‑staple cotton.

The Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs highlights multiple initiatives to mitigate the urban heat island (UHI) effect in Indian cities. The National Disaster Management Authority’s 2019 guidelines require vulnerable assessments and inclusion of mitigation measures in Heat Action Plans, which have been prepared by 23 states, 195 districts and 64 cities. Delhi’s revised State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC 2.0) identifies rising heat waves as a major vulnerability and proposes cool roofs, cooling corridors, expanded green infrastructure, wetland restoration and flood‑resilient infrastructure. The India Cooling Action Plan (ICAP) seeks to reduce cooling demand and improve energy efficiency. Under AMRUT/AMRUT 2.0, thousands of parks, water‑body projects, green‑mobility tracks and LED streetlights have been implemented, delivering energy savings and CO₂ reductions. The Scheme for Special Assistance to States (SSASCI) 2022‑2025 incentivises climate‑sustainable urban planning measures such as sponge‑city concepts and green‑blue infrastructure.

The Ministry of Finance reported that as of June 2026, 55.49 crore users were onboarded on the Unified Payments Interface (UPI). UPI transaction volume rose to 24,161.69 crore in FY 2025‑26, with a value of 314.23 lakh crore, up from 4,595.61 crore volume and 84.16 lakh crore value in FY 2021‑22. The government, RBI and NPCI have introduced risk‑based transaction limits, safeguards against unauthorized mobile number changes, and enhanced security frameworks (CUISF 2025 and Mobile Application Security Framework). NPCI International Payments Ltd. has expanded UPI to 12 foreign jurisdictions, including Bhutan, Singapore, UAE, France, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Qatar, Greece, and Cambodia, facilitating P2P and P2M cross‑border payments.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the media before the Monsoon Session 2026, linked proactive monsoon with a productive parliamentary session. He highlighted recent national achievements: a private space startup (Skyroot) with an average‑age‑28 team sending an Indian citizen to the International Space Station, the inauguration of a major oil refinery in Rajasthan, the commissioning of India’s third semiconductor plant, and the launch of the world’s longest and most powerful green‑hydrogen train. He noted that despite disruptions caused by the war in West Asia, India posted a 7.7 % growth rate and remained the fastest‑growing major economy, attributing these outcomes to rapid policy reforms that empower youth innovators.

Under India’s 2026 BRICS chairmanship, the Department of Legal Affairs organised the virtual 8th BRICS Heads of Prosecution Services Meeting (20‑21 July 2026), presided over by Attorney General Shri R. Venkataramani. The two‑day dialogue focused on “Exchanging Experiences and Best Practices in Criminal Adjudication from the Prosecution’s Perspective”, covering digitisation of criminal procedures, management of electronic evidence, AI‑enabled adjudication and time‑bound trials. Participants discussed making the criminal justice system more transparent, victim‑centric and capable of tackling transnational financial crimes, cyber threats and environmental violations, while enhancing mutual legal assistance and capacity‑building among BRICS nations.

The Ministry of Power reports that 11 pumped‑storage projects (PSPs) with a combined capacity of 15,870 MW are under construction, while six additional PSPs (8,140 MW) have been concurred/appraised by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) but not yet started. Recent measures include MoEF&CC’s 2023‑2025 notifications facilitating faster environmental clearances, CEA’s reduction of DPR concurrence time from 90 to 50 days, and a 2025 Gazette revision raising the capital‑expenditure limit to ₹3,000 crore and exempting off‑stream closed‑loop schemes from CEA concurrence. The CERC has waived inter‑state transmission charges for 25 years for projects awarded before 30 June 2028. These steps aim to enhance private participation and support renewable‑energy integration through long‑duration storage.