Official releases, distilled into exam-ready intelligence.

The Ministry of Power has outlined a comprehensive framework under the Electricity Act, 2003 to balance financial sustainability of the electricity sector with consumer affordability. The framework includes the National Electricity Policy, Tariff Policy, and related legislation, and mandates that State Electricity Regulatory Commissions set retail tariffs based on procurement, transmission, and supply costs, with subsidies allowed for specific consumer classes. The Draft National Electricity Policy, 2026 proposes Resource Adequacy Plans, progressive cost‑recovery through demand/fixed charges, automatic Fuel and Power Purchase Cost Adjustment (FPPCA) mechanisms, and a stabilisation fund to cushion cost fluctuations. It also emphasizes consumer protection via the Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules, 2020, and promotes renewable integration, smart metering, loss reduction, and energy storage through schemes such as the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) and various capacity‑addition programmes for thermal, hydro, nuclear, and renewable generation.

The Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), in collaboration with State/UT governments, assessed the Dynamic Ground Water Resources for 2025, estimating an annual recharge of 449 billion cubic metres (BCM), extractable resource of 408 BCM and total extraction of 247 BCM. Of the extraction, 215 BCM (87 %) is for irrigation, 28 BCM (11 %) for domestic use and 4 BCM (2 %) for industry. The Stage of Ground Water Extraction stands at 60.63 %, exceeding the national average in nine States/UTs and in 281 districts. The 2025 Ground Water Quality Report indicates that 99 % of monitoring stations have water suitable for irrigation, while Bihar shows localized salinity, fluoride and nitrate issues. Initiatives such as NAQUIM 1.0/2.0, Jal Jeevan Mission, Jal Shakti Abhiyan, and PMKSY aim to improve groundwater quality, recharge, and sustainable use.

India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy reports that as of 31 July 2026 the country’s installed non‑fossil fuel power capacity reached 300.50 GW, surpassing the 300 GW milestone and accounting for over 54 % of the total generation capacity of about 552 GW. The capacity mix comprises 164.59 GW solar, 58.14 GW wind, 57.24 GW hydro, 11.75 GW bio‑power and 8.78 GW nuclear. In FY 2025‑26 a record 55.29 GW of non‑fossil capacity was added, driven mainly by 44.6 GW solar and 6 GW wind. Domestic manufacturing under the Production Linked Incentive scheme has pushed approved solar PV module capacity to 200 GW, up from 2.3 GW in 2014.

The e‑Courts Mission Mode Project, launched in 2007, is digitising India’s judiciary. Since 2014, case filings and disposals have nearly tripled and over 753 crore pages of court records have been digitised. Phase I (2011‑2015) computerised 14,000 courts; Phase II (2015‑2023) introduced the National Judicial Data Grid, e‑Filing and e‑Sewa Kendras and expanded video‑conferencing five‑fold. Phase III (2023‑2027) aims for paper‑less courts, virtual hearings and AI‑driven tools, with achievements such as 1,806 e‑Sewa Kendras, 4,519 courts with e‑filing, 7,553 establishments equipped with video‑conferencing, and 4.18 crore remote hearings conducted. The e‑Filing platform has processed 1.25 crore cases and Rs 1,404 crore in fees by June 2026.

The 412th report of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Technology, Environment, Forests and Climate Change, chaired by Dr. Medha Vishram Kulkarni, highlighted critical gaps in Himalayan forest‑fire management. It noted the absence of dedicated research linking climate change to fire frequency, the reliance on foreign satellites and a diurnal monitoring gap, and the lack of a centralised database on fire‑related human casualties. The Committee recommended commissioning region‑specific climate‑fire studies, launching a geostationary fire‑monitoring satellite, establishing a national fire‑casualty register, and integrating fire alerts with the Cell Broadcast system. It also urged a coordinated pine‑needle (pirul) collection and utilisation programme to reduce fuel loads and generate livelihood benefits.

The Department‑related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs presented three reports on 7 August 2026. The 259th report reviews implementation of the 254th Committee on Cyber Crime recommendations, urging a uniform grievance‑redressal system for intermediaries, an independent post‑release review panel for OTT content, stricter verification for online ads, operationalisation of the Central Payment Fraud Information Registry, and enhanced CBI powers for cyber‑crime investigations. The 260th report assesses governance, socio‑economic development and internal security in Jammu & Kashmir and border security in Ladakh, highlighting disaster‑management upgrades at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine, infrastructure projects in rail, road, aviation, renewable energy, water, health, education and agriculture, and recommending continued investment, monitoring and feasibility studies. The 261st report focuses on disaster management, though specific recommendations are not detailed in the excerpt. All reports are available on the Rajya Sabha website.

The Department‑Related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Commerce (headed by Ms. Dola Sen, Rajya Sabha) presented its 200th report titled “Evaluation of India‑US Trade Relations” on 6 August 2026. The report evaluates bilateral trade, highlights challenges from recent US tariff measures across sectors such as marine products, leather, automotive, textiles, gems‑jewellery, chemicals, steel and agriculture, and makes a series of recommendations. Key proposals include concluding the proposed India‑US Bilateral Trade Agreement promptly, using Production‑Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes to boost export competitiveness, fast‑tracking Mutual Recognition Agreements, establishing institutional mechanisms to monitor currency and logistics risks, and creating sector‑specific support schemes for MSMEs, export credit, technology up‑gradation and market diversification. The report also urges the Department of Commerce to leverage the growing services trade (US $51.20 billion exports, US $47.32 billion imports) and to promote high‑value knowledge exports, friend‑shoring, and strategic cooperation in semiconductors, clean energy and critical minerals.

The Department of Space outlined progress on the Gaganyaan human‑spaceflight programme, noting completion of development and ground testing of the Human Rated Launch Vehicle (HLVM3) and key orbital module systems, including propulsion, ECLSS, thermal protection and avionics. Crew Escape System motors have been static‑tested and related structures qualified. Infrastructure such as the Gaganyaan Control Centre and crew training facilities have been established, and the first Test Vehicle mission (TV‑D1) and Integrated Air‑Drop Tests (IADT‑01, IADT‑02) have been successfully completed, with TV‑D2 in progress. An uncrewed experimental mission with the Vyommitra half‑humanoid is slated for Q4 2026, followed by two uncrewed missions and the first crewed flight by 2027. The Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) is planned for operationalisation by 2035, with the first module approved and under development. A budget of ₹20,193 crore for eight missions was approved in September 2024, and ISRO is collaborating with ESA, ASA, CNES and Roscosmos on various technical and recovery aspects.

India’s electric‑vehicle (EV) ecosystem is expanding rapidly. EV sales have risen ~46‑fold since 2016, reaching 2.3 million units in 2025, while exports grew from USD 1.2 million in 2020 to USD 84 million in 2024. Government schemes such as the National Mission on Manufacturing, the PLI‑Auto scheme, and the PM E‑DRIVE scheme (₹10,900 cr) are driving domestic manufacturing, charging‑infrastructure rollout (16,561 fast chargers out of 52,718 stations as of July 2026), and subsidies (15‑25 % capital subsidies, 5 % GST). The India Electric Mobility Index (launched 2025) tracks state‑wise progress, with Delhi, Maharashtra and Chandigarh classified as “Frontrunners”. Investment in the sector reached USD 1.4 billion in FY 2025, and the market is projected to grow to USD 191 billion by 2034 (CAGR ≈ 55 %).

The Government of India has set up three Centres of Excellence (CoEs) in Artificial Intelligence (AI) focusing on Agriculture, Sustainable Cities and Healthcare, led respectively by IIT Ropar, IIT Kanpur and IISc Bangalore, with a combined budget outlay of ₹990 crore. In the Union Budget 2025‑26, a fourth AI‑CoE for Education was announced with a ₹500 crore allocation, established at IIT Madras. Financial releases include ₹27 crore (FY 2023‑24 & 2024‑25) to consortiums and, in FY 2025‑26 & 2026‑27, ₹74.39 crore to IIT Kanpur, ₹62.64 crore to IIT Ropar, ₹69.07 crore to IISc Bengaluru and ₹43 crore to IIT Madras. The CoEs have developed AI models for language technologies, crop‑pest‑disease detection, air‑pollution attribution and urban‑flood prediction, operating under layered governance involving an Apex Committee, a Project Monitoring and Review Committee and a Central Project Management Unit.

Between 2019 and 2026, India, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, repatriated 274 fugitive criminals from 36 countries. The government introduced the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act (2018) and amended the NIA and UAPA Acts (2019) to strengthen the extradition framework. A technology‑driven model, including the BHARATPOL portal (launched Jan 2025) and a Special Global Operations Centre, linked over 1,400 agencies and reduced information‑sharing time to 3‑10 days. Interpol Red Corner Notices rose from 40 in 2022 to 182 in 2026, and assets worth ₹17,874 crore were attached under the PMLA. The effort reflects a ‘whole‑of‑government’ approach involving IB, CBI, RAW, NIA, ED, MEA, NCB and state police.

The Government approved the Pradhan Mantri Surya Sarovar Yojana (PM‑SSY) on 31 July 2026, allocating ₹5,070 crore to develop 5,000 MW of floating solar photovoltaic (FSPV) projects with co‑located energy storage (minimum 10,000 MWh). The scheme, based on a National Institute of Solar Energy assessment, targets a floating solar potential of 102.18 GWp, aims to cut CO₂ emissions by about 10 million tonnes annually and generate 16,000–17,000 jobs, while promoting domestic manufacturing of floatation systems, PV modules and storage. It will raise India’s floating solar capacity from roughly 700 MW to 5,700 MW and help states manage peak demand, reducing pressure on land resources. The initiative aligns with India’s broader solar expansion, which saw installed capacity rise from ~3 GW in 2014 to 162.15 GW by June 2026 and added 44.61 GW of solar in FY 2025‑26.

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) conducted multiple intelligence‑led operations across India in the week ending 31 July 2026. It seized about 9.5 kg of foreign‑origin gold (≈ Rs 14 crore), 14 tonnes of Pakistan‑origin Guggul resin, 4.8 tonnes of red‑sanders logs (≈ Rs 2.5 crore), 2.7 kg heroin, 2 kg of MDMA/amphetamine, 25 kg of hydroponic weed, 9,230 prohibited e‑cigarettes (≈ Rs 3.7 crore), and 14.5 MT poppy seeds plus 14 MT areca nuts (≈ Rs 3.6 crore). Twenty persons were arrested, including five foreign nationals, for smuggling and trafficking offences.

The PIB backgrounder reports that on 31 March 2026 India became effectively free from Left‑Wing Extremism (LWE), with no district remaining LWE‑affected. The achievement resulted from an integrated strategy that combined intensified security operations, expanded physical and digital infrastructure, rehabilitation incentives for surrendered cadres, tribal‑welfare programmes and improved governance. Violence indicators fell sharply – LWE incidents dropped from 870 in 2014 to 33 in 2026 and fatalities from 310 to 11. Major infrastructure investments included 15,189 km of roads, 9,497 telecom towers, 1,804 new bank branches and 663 fortified police stations. Rehabilitation schemes granted up to ₹5 lakh and monthly stipends, leading to 3,927 cadre surrenders between 2024 and March 2026.

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the Pradhan Mantri Surya Sarovar Yojana (PM‑SSY) with a total outlay of Rs 5,070 crore to develop 5,000 MW of floating solar photovoltaic (FSPV) projects equipped with energy storage systems (ESS) of at least two‑hour capacity (10,000 MWh). The scheme will be sanctioned from FY 2026‑27 to FY 2030‑31, with financial support disbursed up to FY 2032‑33. Central Financial Assistance of Rs 1 crore per MW and up to Rs 50 lakh per project for feasibility studies will be provided. The initiative aims to boost renewable capacity, reduce CO₂ emissions by about 10 million tonnes annually, create 16,000‑17,000 jobs, and promote domestic manufacturing while optimising water‑body utilisation.

The Ayush Quality Mark, launched on 19 December 2025 at the 2nd WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine, provides a unified quality‑assurance framework for AYUSH products and services. Implementation is entrusted to AYUSHEXCIL, an export promotion council notified by the DGFT and supported by the Ministry of AYUSH. The mark covers AYUSH products, hospitals, clinics, wellness centres, MVTFs and testing laboratories and aligns with internationally accepted standards through accredited certification. It is complemented by the Ayush Oushadhi Gunvatta Evam Uttpadan Samvardhan Yojana (AOGUSY), a central sector scheme approved by the Standing Finance Committee with a five‑year allocation of Rs 122 crore, which funds upgrades of drug‑testing labs (Rs 17.50 crore released in FY 2025‑26). The scheme also supports WHO CoPP issuance and the AYURGYAN ABIHR research component, with 11 projects sanctioned.

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change reports that under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), City Specific Clean Air Action Plans have been prepared for 130 cities targeting sources such as dust, vehicular emissions, waste burning and construction activities. State Action Plans address industrial pollution by promoting approved and cleaner fuels (CNG/PNG/CBG) and clean technologies. According to Urban Local Bodies, 11,108 industries in NCAP cities have shifted to cleaner fuels like natural gas, LPG and biogas. A grant of ₹16,423.55 crore was allocated to these cities (FY 2019‑20 to 2025‑26), with 70.5 % (₹11,575.54 crore) reported as utilized. Monitoring is done by CPCB, SPCBs and district‑level committees. In FY 2025‑26, 108 cities reduced PM10 levels (72 > 20 % reduction, 26 > 40 %); 14 cities met national standards. In calendar year 2025, 73 cities reduced PM2.5 (17 > 20 % reduction).

The Ministry of Power’s PIB release details the Government’s assessment of transmission and distribution (T&D) infrastructure to accommodate added generation capacity. The National Electricity Plan (Transmission) 2024 projects the transmission network to grow from 5.09 lakh ckm (June 2026) to 6.48 lakh ckm by 2032, with transformation capacity rising from 1,478 GVA to 2,345 GVA and inter‑regional capacity from 120 GW to 168 GW. The Central Electricity Authority’s perspective plan foresees sub‑station capacity at 66/33/22 kV increasing from 605 GVA (Mar 2026) to 711 GVA by 2030 and 872 GVA by 2035, along with upgrades to transformer capacity and feeder lengths. Under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme, Rs 1.53 lakh crore for loss‑reduction and Rs 1.31 lakh crore for smart‑metering projects have been sanctioned. Monitoring mechanisms—including CTUIL, CEA, the Project Monitoring Group, PRAGATI portal, Jal Vidyut Amrit, and PROPMT portal—are cited to ensure timely completion of transmission, hydro, and thermal projects. The release also notes improvements in supply hours, AT&C loss reduction, and renewable‑energy share, reflecting progress in electricity access and energy security.

The Union Cabinet approved the Central Sector Scheme ‘Mission Mausam’ in 2024 to make India a “Weather‑ready and Climate‑smart” nation, covering Assam. The mission seeks to improve weather and climate prediction accuracy by upgrading observation networks, high‑resolution numerical models, high‑performance computing and last‑mile dissemination of early warnings. Under this framework, the Central Water Commission (CWC) of the Ministry of Jal Shakti is tasked to issue short‑range flood forecasts (up to 24 hours) for Assam, operating 32 flood‑forecast stations on the Brahmaputra and Barak basins. CWC has developed AI/ML‑based models for 12 Level‑Forecast stations, eight of which lie in the Brahmaputra basin. Weather services in Assam are delivered through 8 Regional Meteorological Centres and 25 Meteorological Centres, notably the RMC Guwahati and MC Gangtok, supported by an extensive observatory network. The information was provided by Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Earth Sciences, Dr. Jitendra Singh, in a Rajya Sabha written reply.

The Government has announced a Nuclear Energy Mission aiming for 100 GW nuclear capacity by 2047, backed by the SHANTI Act to broaden public‑private participation. The plan emphasizes indigenous PHWR technology, R&D in SMRs and advanced reactors, and approves pre‑project work for two 500 MW Fast Breeder Reactors at Kalpakkam. Recent achievements include 2 100 MW added capacity (KAPP‑3&4 and RAPP‑7), foundation stone laying for Mahi Banswara units‑1‑4, refurbishment‑driven restart of TAPS‑1 & 2, first concrete pour for Kaiga Units‑5&6, and PFBR attaining criticality on 6 April 2026. The information was provided by Union Minister of State Dr Jitendra Singh in a Lok Sabha reply.