Official releases, distilled into exam-ready intelligence.

On 6 August 2026, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi shared a Sanskrit Subhashitam on the social media platform X, stating that the Earth is the nurturing mother of all life and must be respected as the moral order that sustains it. The verse quoted is: "विश्वस्वं मातरमोषधीनां ध्रुवां भूमिं पृथिवीं धर्मणा धृताम्। शिवां स्योनामनु चरेम विश्वहा॥" The Prime Minister’s message underscores living in harmony with the planet.

The Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks (CGPDTM) has issued a tentative schedule for the Patent Agent Examination (PAE) 2027 on 10 January 2027 and the Trade Marks Agent Examination (TAE) 2027 on 9 January 2027. Both exams will be conducted at 15 centres across India, including Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Delhi, Mumbai and others. Each examination comprises three stages – Paper I (objective, 100 marks), Paper II (descriptive, 100 marks) and a Viva Voce (50 marks). Candidates must secure at least 50 marks in each paper and an overall 60 % to pass and be eligible for registration as Patent or Trade Marks agents, as per the Patents Rules 110 and Trade Marks Rules 144.

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs implements the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission (PMJVM) and Pradhan Mantri Janjati Maha Nyaya Abhiyan (PM‑JANMAN) through the Tribal Co‑operative Marketing Development Federation (TRIFED) to promote livelihood and entrepreneurship among tribal communities via Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs). In Telangana, the Telangana State Girijan Co‑operative Corporation Ltd is the designated state implementing agency for establishing VDVKs, as notified by the Tribal Welfare Department, Government of Telangana. Additionally, the Ministry has extended equity support to the Tribal Cooperative Finance Corporation (TRICOR) under the scheme ‘Equity support to National/State Scheduled Tribe Finance and Development Corporation’ to enable concessional loans for tribal entrepreneurs.

The Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Amravati Campus, will conduct a Spot (Walk‑in) Admission on 13 August 2026 for vacant seats in its Post‑Graduate Diploma programmes in English and Marathi Journalism for the 2026‑27 academic session. Admissions are on merit, subject to seat availability and reservation policy. Candidates with CUET (PG) 2026 scores in Mass Communication and Journalism (COQP17) will be considered based on merit ranking. Candidates without CUET scores but with at least 50 % in any bachelor’s degree may appear for a written test on the same day; admissions will be granted on merit and reservation norms. The upper age limit is 25 years (Unreserved), 28 years (OBC) and 30 years (SC/ST/PwD). Applicants must report at 10:00 AM with original certificates, self‑attested copies, photographs and other required documents.

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.

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.

The Prime Minister marked the seventh anniversary of the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35(A) on 5 August 2019, describing it as a defining milestone for inclusive development in Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. He asserted that in the intervening seven years the region has seen extensive infrastructure growth and expanded opportunities in education, healthcare, entrepreneurship and sports, with women and marginalized communities now empowered through the full application of the Constitution. The commemoration was linked to the 125th birth anniversary of Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee, whose vision the government says was fulfilled by the 2019 decision.

The Press Information Bureau note states that low‑Earth‑orbit (LEO) satellites face heightened collision risk because of a dense population of space objects. In 2025 ISRO carried out 20 collision‑avoidance manoeuvres (CAMs) and has executed 9 CAMs so far in 2026. A policy framework on the State’s liability for third‑party damages caused by Indian space objects, prepared by IN‑SPACe, is under consideration. India participates in several international forums on space‑debris mitigation, including IADC, UN‑LTS, and IAA STM Working Group, and has contributed to revised IADC guidelines. The upcoming optical telescope at Hanle (NETRA project) will enhance tracking of objects ≥30 cm at GEO altitude, complementing the existing multi‑object tracking radar at Sriharikota.

The Department of Space detailed progress on the Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme. All propulsion stages and structures for the Human Rated Launch Vehicle (HLVM3) have been developed and ground‑tested. Key subsystems – Orbital Module propulsion, Environmental Control & Life Support System, deceleration, crew‑module up‑righting, thermal protection, avionics and the Crew Escape System – have been realised, qualified and tested. Infrastructure such as the Orbital Module Preparation Facility, Gaganyaan Control Centre and crew‑training centre are in place, and the first test vehicle mission (TV‑D1) and air‑drop tests have been successfully completed, with TV‑D2 underway. The first crewed flight is targeted for 2027, and the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) is planned for launch of its first module by 2035, with critical technologies like flight suit and docking system under indigenous development.

The Government has announced a Nuclear Energy Mission aiming for 100 GW of nuclear capacity by 2047. Existing projects under construction include RAPP‑8 (Rawatbhata, 700 MW, commissioning in 2026) and KKNPP‑3&4 (Kudankulam, 2 × 1000 MW, expected by June 2027/June 2028). New projects are at various stages: pre‑project activities (e.g., GHAVP‑3&4 in Haryana) and planned sites such as RAPP‑9&10, KAPP‑5&6, and JNPP‑1‑6. Safety concerns raised by local communities have been addressed through public‑awareness programmes, with safety emphasized across siting, design, construction, commissioning and operation. The information was provided by Union Minister of State Dr Jitendra Singh in a Lok Sabha written reply.

The Ministry of Education, citing the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, is prioritising health education, hygiene and environmental consciousness in schools. It highlights schemes such as Samagra Shiksha, Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN), School Health and Wellness Programme (SHWP), Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) and Eco Clubs for Mission LiFE. Under PM POSHAN, about 10.23 crore students in 10.33 lakh government/ aided schools receive nutritious meals and hygiene education. Samagra Shiksha supports Eco Clubs that conduct plantation, cleanliness drives and other eco‑activities. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare jointly runs SHWP, training two teachers per school as Health and Wellness Ambassadors to cover 11 health‑related themes. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change implements the Environment Education Programme (EEP) to sensise children on sustainable lifestyles through workshops, waste‑management projects and nature‑based activities.

Under the Nuclear Energy Mission announced in the Union Budget 2025–26, Rs 20,000 crore has been earmarked for the design, development and deployment of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) with a target to operationalise at least five indigenous SMRs by 2033. BARC is developing three demonstration units – the 220 MWe BSMR‑200, the 55 MWe SMR‑55 and a 5 MWth High‑Temperature Gas‑Cooled Reactor (HTGCR) for hydrogen production – each having received in‑principle engineering and construction approvals and site clearances (Tarapur for BSMR‑200 and SMR‑55; BARC Vizag for HTGCR). The recently enacted SHANTI 2025 Act aims to broaden participation of public and private entities to achieve a 100 GW nuclear power capacity by 2047. Indigenous technology, including advanced reactor vessel alloys and critical components, is being developed with Indian industry support.

The Nuclear Energy Mission (NEM), announced in the Union Budget 2025‑26, targets the design, development and operation of at least five indigenous small modular reactors (SMRs) to help achieve a 100 GWe nuclear capacity by 2047. Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) is developing the 220 MWe BSMR‑200, the 55 MWe SMR‑55 and a high‑temperature gas‑cooled reactor (HTGCR) of up to 5 MWth for hydrogen production, all as demonstration units. Indigenous technologies such as the Advanced Purified Reactor Vessel Alloy (ApuRVA) and control‑rod drive mechanisms have been created with Indian industry. The Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Act, 2025, enacted by the Ministry of Law and Justice, opens the nuclear sector to private participation, grants statutory status to the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), and reforms the liability regime. Under NEM, Rs 20,000 crore has been earmarked for SMR research and deployment, with in‑principle approvals and site clearances obtained for BSMR‑200 (Tarapur), SMR‑55 (Tarapur) and HTGCR (BARC, Vizag), and an estimated construction period of 60‑72 months.

The Ministry of Home Affairs outlined steps to curb narcotics smuggling, beginning with the Vision Document on Narcotics Control (2026‑2029) released on 26 June 2026, which sets a three‑year roadmap with ‘Whole‑of‑Government’ and ‘Whole‑of‑Society’ approaches. A four‑tier Narco‑Coordination Centre (NCORD) and an NCORD portal have been instituted to improve coordination among the Narcotics Control Bureau, Drug Law Enforcement Agencies, State Police and other stakeholders. A Joint Coordination Committee chaired by the DG‑NCB monitors major drug cases, having held 11 central and 75 state‑level meetings. International cooperation has been enhanced through bilateral agreements with 27 countries and MoUs with 19 countries, and regular DG‑level talks are held with neighbours and the USA. Seizure data from NCRB (2020‑2024) and NCB (2021‑2025) are provided in annexures, showing trends in opium, cannabis, cocaine, ATS, and other substances.

The Ministry of Coal reports that over the past five years the Government has undertaken structural and procedural reforms to make coal allocation and mining more transparent, efficient and scientific. Key measures include shifting to open competitive auctions with a revenue‑share model and the National Coal Index, opening commercial coal mining without eligibility constraints and allowing 100 % FDI, and simplifying coal linkage allocation through the SHAKTI and CoalSETU windows. Efficiency‑enhancing steps comprise the Single Window Clearance System (PARIVESH 2.0), accreditation of 44 private prospecting agencies, and the Mine Developer‑Operator mode. Technological upgrades feature the Koyla Shakti Dashboard, AI‑driven command centres, and initiatives for coal washing, gasification, renewable energy integration and an Integrated Coal Logistics Plan.

The Deep Ocean Mission (DOM), launched by the Government of India in 2021, operates across six verticals covering deep‑sea mining technology, ocean climate advisory services, biodiversity exploration, deep‑ocean surveys, ocean‑based energy and freshwater, and an advanced marine station. Notable achievements include the completed design of the human submersible MATSYA‑6000 and successful trials, collection of over 100 kg of cobalt‑rich nodules from 1,173 m depth, development of ocean models for sea‑level and cyclone forecasts, deployment of 60 wave drifters and 92 Argo floats, isolation of 2,038 deep‑sea microbes, discovery of four hydrothermal vent fields, and procurement of land for an advanced marine station in Chennai. The mission supports India's Blue Economy and aligns with International Seabed Authority safeguards.

The Ministry of Earth Sciences, through the India Meteorological Department (IMD), has upgraded weather forecasting using high‑performance computing, AI‑enabled tools and a dense observation network (manual stations, AWS, ARG, Agro‑AWS, DWR, satellites). Under Mission Mausam, the Bharat Forecasting System (6 km resolution) provides Panchayat‑level forecasts, accessible via e‑Gramswaraj, Meri Panchayat, e‑Manchitra and Mausamgram. IMD’s Gramin Krishi Mausam Sewa (GKMS), in partnership with 55 host institutes, operates 130 Agrometeorological Field Units across 127 agro‑climatic zones, issuing district‑specific agro‑meteorological advisories twice weekly and impact‑based forecasts up to seven days. Dissemination is through apps (MAUSAM, MEGHDOOT, DAMINI, UMANG), SMS, TV, radio and social media, with periodic surveys guiding service improvements.

The Parliamentary Consultative Committee of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change met in New Delhi on 5 August 2026, chaired by Union Environment Minister Shri Bhupender Yadav. The meeting focused on human‑wildlife conflict (HWC) mitigation, reviewing actions taken since the previous meeting (18 Dec 2025) and examining state‑wise strategies from Assam, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh. Key institutional developments highlighted were the Centre of Excellence on Human‑Wildlife Conflict (CoE‑HWC) at SACON, Coimbatore, and the launch of the National HWC Portal on 10 July 2026. The Committee discussed the use of GIS, AI, drones, radio telemetry and predictive analytics, alongside community‑based measures, compensation mechanisms and habitat restoration, urging coordinated national and state‑level action.

The Ministry of Home Affairs reports that the National Policy and Action Plan (2015) has led to the eradication of Left‑Wing Extremism (LWE) across India. No district in Chhattisgarh or any other state is currently LWE‑affected; 38 districts are now classified as ‘Legacy & Thrust’ districts requiring continued security and development support. The government has undertaken extensive development initiatives in former LWE areas, including 4,314 km of roads, 1,511 telecom towers, 9 ITIs, 14 skill centres, 45 Eklavya Model Residential Schools, 1,508 post offices, 413 bank branches, 269 ATMs, and a 240‑bed super‑specialty hospital in Bastar. Security infrastructure has been strengthened with 663 fortified police stations (135 in Chhattisgarh) and substantial financial assistance under schemes such as SRE (₹3,805.04 cr), SIS (₹1,761 cr), and ACALWEMS (₹1,303.68 cr). Additional measures include title‑deed distribution (5,34,068 deeds), Tribal Youth Exchange Programme (37,655 participants), and conversion of security camps into Jan Suvidha Kendras for livelihood and service delivery.