Official releases, distilled into exam-ready intelligence.

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 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 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 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 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 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 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 Ministry of Electronics & IT reports that electronics production rose from about ₹1.9 lakh crore in 2014‑15 to roughly ₹13.11 lakh crore in 2025‑26 – a seven‑fold increase – while exports grew eleven‑fold to about ₹4.24 lakh crore. Mobile‑phone production jumped 33 times and exports 165 times in the same period. The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Large‑Scale Electronics Manufacturing (launched 2020) attracted cumulative investment of ₹20,587 crore (294 % of target), generated production of ₹11,61,581 crore (142 % of target) and exports of ₹6,43,323 crore (132 % of target). PLI‑LSEM spurred ~₹96,000 crore of mobile‑manufacturing investment, raised domestic value addition to 23 % in FY 2023‑24, and helped India become the world’s second‑largest mobile producer, with 99.2 % of phones used domestically made locally. The sector now supports ~25 lakh jobs, including ~12 lakh in mobile manufacturing, with women comprising nearly 70 % of the workforce in high‑precision segments.

Union Minister Shri Piyush Goyal, delivering the 22nd J.R.D. Tata Memorial Lecture, said India’s future growth hinges on innovation, deep‑tech startups, MSMEs and quality manufacturing. He announced a ₹1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation Fund for long‑term, low‑cost risk capital, highlighted the India‑AI Mission’s deployment of about 38,000 GPUs, and noted the launch of a second Semiconductor Mission with an allocation of roughly US$12‑13 billion. The Minister cited India’s 7.7‑7.8 % economic growth, 15 % rise in merchandise exports, and the country’s nine FTAs covering economies worth about US$60 trillion, stressing the need for industry‑led skill development and global market expansion.

Machilipatnam (BY 529), the seventh of eight MAHE‑class Anti‑Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft built by Cochin Shipyard Limited for the Indian Navy, was launched on 29 July 2026 by Mrs Goolrukh Anand in the presence of Vice Admiral Atul Anand, Additional Secretary, Department of Military Affairs. The vessel is equipped for underwater surveillance, anti‑submarine warfare, low‑intensity maritime operations and mine‑warfare, and is intended to bolster coastal defence and maritime domain awareness. The project cites indigenous content exceeding 80 percent, underscoring domestic shipbuilding capability and the Aatmanirbhar Bharat defence initiative.

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.

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy announced that under PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSG: MBY) higher central financial assistance is provided for the first two kWp of rooftop solar (RTS) capacity, and collateral‑free loans are available from nationalised banks at a concessional rate of repo‑rate + 50 bps (5.75% per annum) for a ten‑year tenure. Budget allocations for the scheme are Rs 6,250 crore (2024‑25), Rs 20,000 crore (2025‑26) and Rs 22,000 crore (2026‑27), with expenditures of Rs 7,822.92 crore, Rs 16,166.23 crore and Rs 10,392.48 crore respectively (as on 22 July 2026). By that date, 3,972,447 RTS systems covering 4,802,717 households had been installed, leading to reduced electricity bills and 18.93 households reporting zero bills for some months.

India has emerged as a global leader in tiger conservation, now hosting nearly 70% of the world’s wild tigers. The 2022 All India Tiger Estimation recorded 3,682 tigers across 20 states, based on a survey of over 6.41 lakh km on foot. Project Tiger, a centrally‑sponsored scheme implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, has established 58 tiger reserves covering about 84,500 sq km (2.56% of India’s area). The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) oversees scientific monitoring using technologies such as M‑STrIPES, camera‑trap AI tools and Management Effectiveness Evaluation, while India engages in international partnerships like the International Big Cat Alliance and Global Tiger Forum.

The Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has revamped Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana‑Urban (PMAY‑U) as PMAY‑U 2.0, effective 01 Sept 2024, to support an additional 1 crore eligible beneficiaries. The scheme operates through four verticals – Beneficiary‑Led Construction, Affordable Housing in Partnership, Affordable Rental Housing and Interest Subsidy Scheme – and follows a demand‑driven approach without a fixed national target. As of 13 July 2026, 127.68 lakh houses (including 16.20 lakh under PMAY‑U 2.0) have been sanctioned, with 121.03 lakh grounded and 99.07 lakh completed. The Affordable Rental Housing vertical includes two models for converting vacant government houses or constructing new rental units, and an Expression of Interest has been issued for new ARH projects. The Interest Subsidy Scheme extends subsidies to EWS, LIG and MIG households with incomes up to ₹3 lakh, ₹6 lakh and ₹9 lakh respectively.

The PIB Backgrounder "Saving Soil, Securing Farms" (24 July 2026) highlights soil as a strategic national resource underpinning agricultural productivity, food security and rural livelihoods. It reports that the Soil Health Card Scheme has issued 25.89 crore cards, the National Mission on Natural Farming has expanded to 18,786 clusters covering 8.80 lakh ha, and the Khet Bachao Abhiyan has engaged over 1.07 crore farmers. The document details diverse Indian soil types, the role of soil in carbon sequestration, and links to climate‑resilient missions such as NMSA, GIM and the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme. It also outlines digital initiatives—geospatial mapping, AI‑driven advisory platforms and the Digital Agriculture Mission—aimed at precision soil management and improved nutrient efficiency.

The Department of Health Research (DHR) budget has risen more than five‑fold, from ₹932 crore in 2014‑15 (RE) to ₹4,821.21 crore in 2026‑27 (BE), representing 0.012 % of GDP. The 2026‑27 allocation is about 24 % higher than the revised estimate for 2025‑26 (₹3,900.69 crore). The Union Government has broadened the health‑research funding ecosystem: ICMR has restructured its intramural and extramural grants into Small/ANVESHAN (up to ₹2 crore), Intermediate/NISCHAYAK ANVESHAN (₹2‑₹8 crore), First‑in‑the‑World Challenge (up to ₹8 crore) and Centres for Advanced Research (up to ₹15 crore). These instruments aim to support investigator‑initiated, proof‑of‑concept, high‑risk, multidisciplinary and advanced research programmes.

Between July 2023 and June 2026, India launched 12 launch‑vehicle missions, deploying 11 national satellites and 9 satellites for international customers. Key achievements include Chandrayaan‑3’s soft‑landing near the Moon’s south pole, the first solar‑observatory mission Aditya‑L1 on PSLV, the 100th launch from Sriharikota, and SPADEX’s docking/undocking demonstration, making India the fourth country to do so. The first joint NASA‑ISRO NISAR mission was launched on GSLV, and the heaviest GTO satellite (CMS‑03) and the heaviest US customer satellite were placed using LVM3. Four launch vehicles (PSLV, GSLV, GSLV Mk III, SSLV) are operational, with a third launch pad and a new SSLV launch complex under development. Policy measures to enable NGEs, financial incentives via IN‑SPACe, and a roadmap targeting a USD 44 billion space economy by 2033 are also outlined.

On 26 June 2026, IGCAR demonstrated the world’s first production of clean hydrogen using nuclear heat at the Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR). The Copper‑Chlorine thermochemical cycle, developed by BARC, was coupled with the FBTR’s secondary sodium heating loop to generate carbon‑free hydrogen. The Ministry of Atomic Energy highlighted that this nuclear‑assisted hydrogen process can provide a stable baseload alternative to renewable‑powered electrolysis, supporting co‑generation of electricity and hydrogen, and aligning with India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission and Net‑Zero targets. The achievement also reinforces indigenous clean‑energy capabilities and the broader three‑stage nuclear programme aimed at long‑term energy security.

The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) highlighted that Indian students secured a total of 12 gold and 7 silver medals across the International Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics Olympiads 2026. Notably, India achieved historic ‘golden sweeps’ with all five medals in the International Physics Olympiad and all four medals in the International Chemistry Olympiad. The Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), under DAE, conducted multi‑stage talent identification, training and mentoring for pre‑university students, contributing to these results. DAE’s sustained institutional support, together with partnerships from the Departments of Science and Technology, Space and Education, underpins the national Olympiad ecosystem and reflects India’s growing scientific stature.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation’s Centre for Air‑Borne Systems (CABS) signed two contracts on 22 July 2026. One with AI Engineering Services Limited (AIESL) for converting six Airbus A321 commercial aircraft to a green configuration for the AEW&C Mk‑II programme. The other with Adani Defence Systems and Technologies (ADSTL) as Development‑cum‑Production Partner for mission‑system integration on the AEW&C Mk‑II platform supplied by Airbus Defence & Space. CABS, ADSTL and the Indian Air Force will conduct flight‑testing and seek certification from the Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification and the Directorate General of Aeronautical Quality Assurance. The system promises enhanced endurance, surveillance, secure communications and command‑and‑control capabilities, bolstering India’s air‑defence posture.