Official releases, distilled into exam-ready intelligence.

The Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology issued orders on 3 July 2026 to remove unauthorised battery‑management system (BMS) apps for e‑rickshaws from app stores after reports of remote‑control misuse. The government also highlighted its integrated cybersecurity framework, comprising the National Cyber Security Coordinator (NCSC) under the National Security Council Secretariat, CERT‑In as the national cyber‑incident response agency under IT Act 70B, the National Cyber Coordination Centre (NCCC) operated by CERT‑In, and the National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC) under IT Act 70A. Additionally, the Consumer Protection Act 2019 and the Information Security Education and Awareness (ISEA) project were cited as part of consumer and cyber‑hygiene initiatives.

The Ministry of Electronics & IT highlighted recent amendments to the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, tightening obligations for social media intermediaries to curb child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and harmful AI‑generated content. Platforms must remove unlawful content within three hours of a court order or government intimation and within two hours of a complaint involving nudity or morphed images. Failure to comply leads to loss of exemption under Section 79 of the IT Act and possible prosecution. The government also issued advisories (29 Dec 2025, 16 Mar 2026) and a Standard Operating Procedure (11 Nov 2025) to guide intermediaries on CSAM, non‑consensual intimate imagery, and synthetic media. These measures aim to ensure a safer, accountable internet for children and other users.

The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying is implementing the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) with an investment of Rs 20,050 crore across all states/UTs, alongside the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) of Rs 7,522.48 crore (effective FY 2018‑19). Under PMMSY, the Department has approved projects worth Rs 706 crore for Himalayan and hilly states, focusing on cold‑water fisheries. A Model Guidelines for the Development of Cold Water Fisheries was issued on 14 March 2026, detailing specifications for raceways, RAS, hatcheries, feed mills, disease control and market linkages. Four clusters have been notified in Anantnag (J&K), Pithoragarh (Uttarakhand), Kargil (Ladakh) and Kullu (Himachal Pradesh). The department promotes technologies such as RAS, Biofloc, IoT‑based water quality monitoring, GIS mapping and digital market platforms, with model RAS developed by ICAR‑CICFR, Bhimtal, and processing support by ICAR‑CIFT, Kochi.

The Department of Fisheries, under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), has approved fisheries development projects in Odisha worth ₹1,301.18 crore, including a central share of ₹484.64 crore. Key projects include the Integrated Aqua Park at Basantapur, Sambalpur (₹100 crore) with land procurement and basic infrastructure completed, and a State‑of‑the‑Art Wholesale Fish Market at Pandara, Bhubaneswar (₹59.13 crore) featuring renewable‑energy power and rain‑water harvesting. Since FY 2018‑19, the Kisan Credit Card scheme has been extended to fishers and fish farmers, with Odisha providing an additional 4 % interest subvention up to ₹1 lakh and 2 % for loans between ₹1 lakh‑₹3 lakh, effectively making small loans interest‑free.

Under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), the Department of Fisheries reports that 213 women‑led coastal cooperative societies have been created in Andhra Pradesh between 1 April 2021 and 15 June 2026, covering fisheries, seaweed cultivation and marine processing and benefiting 27,447 women across 12 districts. These cooperatives are encouraged to register on the National Fisheries Digital Platform and can receive performance grants of up to ₹2 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah‑Yojana (PMMKSSY). They also receive priority for Access Passes in the EEZ and a reduced fee for Letters of Authorization for High Seas fishing. The Department aims to form 12,000 cooperatives nationwide, including women‑led societies, with a sub‑scheme targeting 5,500 primary fisheries cooperatives for capacity building and financial support.

Vice‑President Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan inaugurated the GKNM College of Nursing in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, and urged a skilled, compassionate healthcare workforce as essential for achieving Viksit Bharat 2047. He praised the G. Kuppuswamy Naidu Charitable Trust’s growth from a 50‑bed hospital (1952) to a 750‑bed multi‑specialty centre and highlighted the role of nurses in patient care. The Vice‑President cited the Ayushman Bharat programme’s global recognition and noted that nearly 44 crore people have insurance under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana. He also referenced free senior‑citizen care under the Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana, preventive health priorities, and the need for greater organ and eye‑donation awareness.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) monitors rainfall daily, weekly and seasonally against the Long Period Average (LPA). For the 2026 Southwest Monsoon, rainfall was lower than normal in several parts of the country during the early weeks, and as of 14 July 2026 the nation recorded 21 % below‑normal rainfall, with some subdivisions showing deficits while others reported normal or excess amounts. The impact on agriculture, water resources, drinking water and groundwater is being assessed by the concerned ministries and state governments, and there is currently no indication of any nationwide effect on food‑grain production. Drought or flood declarations are the responsibility of state governments in coordination with the Ministries of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Home Affairs. The government is enhancing weather forecasting through the flagship Mission Mausam programme, which aims to improve observations, understanding of physical processes and advanced numerical modelling for more accurate forecasts.

The Ministry of Electronics & IT reports that the government has strengthened safeguards against digital addiction through legal and awareness measures. The IT Act 2000 and the IT Rules 2021, recently amended, obligate intermediaries to remove unlawful content within three hours of a court or government order. The Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023 mandates parental consent for processing children’s data and bans tracking or targeted ads to minors. The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act 2025 addresses digital addiction and financial harm among youth. In the last two years, 50 OTT platforms were disabled for obscene content, and 6,650 cyber‑awareness workshops have reached over 11.37 lakh participants across schools, colleges, law‑enforcement and the public.

The Union Budget 2026‑27 announced an integrated development programme for 500 reservoirs and Amrit Sarovars to boost fisheries and aquaculture. Investment will be based on Detailed Project Reports submitted by States and Union Territories, with selection considering perennial water availability and fisheries potential. The programme seeks to enhance fisher‑folk incomes by promoting new and existing Fish Farmer Producer Organisations (FFPOs), women‑led self‑help groups and fisheries cooperatives. Annexure‑I lists 351 identified reservoirs across 27 states, while Annexure‑II lists 100 Amrit Sarovars across 21 states and UTs.

As part of India’s BRICS Presidency 2026, the Ministry of Education convened the International Governing Board (IGB) meeting of the BRICS Network University (BRICS NU) on 21 July 2026, following the BRICS NU Conference on Traditional and Indigenous Knowledge Systems on 20 July 2026. The two‑day virtual event brought together representatives, university leaders and experts from the eight BRICS member countries. The IGB adopted a declaration, reviewed the 2025‑2028 Action Plan, and considered a proposal to create a new International Thematic Group on Traditional and Indigenous Knowledge Systems, which received broad support. The meeting also discussed a new website, institutional cooperation, academic mobility and collaborative research, reaffirming commitment to strengthen BRICS higher‑education cooperation.

Union Education Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan chaired a two‑day Conclave of State and UT Education Ministers at the ICAR National Agricultural Science Complex, New Delhi, to review Centrally Sponsored Schemes of the Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL). He stressed that the Centre and States are equal partners in strengthening school education, aligning implementation with the National Education Policy 2020 and the upcoming PRAGATI review chaired by the Prime Minister. The Minister highlighted progress under schemes such as Samagra Shiksha, PM SHRI, NIPUN Bharat, PM POSHAN and ULLAS, and urged states to promote mother‑tongue instruction, multilingualism, foundational literacy, teacher empowerment, and the use of technology and AI for a future‑ready, inclusive system envisioned for Viksit Bharat 2047.

Shri Ramchandra Kisan Jayabhaye, an Indian Postal Service officer of the 2000 batch, assumed charge as Chief Postmaster General, Maharashtra Circle effective 9 July 2026. He brings more than 25 years of experience in postal administration, banking, operations and institutional management. Jayabhaye has overseen Project Arrow for modernising post offices in Aurangabad and Nagpur, expanded the postal network in Left‑Wing‑Extremism‑affected areas of Chhattisgarh by opening 391 branch post offices, and led the development of the core Insurance Management System software for Postal Life Insurance. His appointment is expected to further strengthen postal and citizen‑centric services in the Maharashtra Circle.

The Ministry of Railways reports that mission‑mode recruitment has added 5.53 lakh personnel between 2014‑15 and 2025‑26, bringing total recruitments since 2014 to 5.56 lakh. Recruitment against 1,61,889 non‑gazetted vacancies for 2024‑26 is underway under the Annual Calendar. In 2024, ten Centralised Employment Notifications (CENs) for 92,116 posts were issued and first‑stage CBTs for these posts attracted 3.58 crore candidates. Subsequent stages and skill tests have also been completed, with over 5.5 lakh candidates appearing in second‑stage CBTs and related tests. The Ministry highlights that the process was transparent with no paper‑leakage incidents.

On 22 July 2026, President Droupadi Murmu, together with President Gordana Siljanovska‑Davkova of North Macedonia, unveiled a bust of Mahatma Gandhi at the Museum of the City of Skopje. In her remarks, the President emphasized that Gandhi’s message of truth, non‑violence and dialogue belongs to all humanity and is especially relevant amid global conflict and intolerance. She said the bust will serve as a lasting symbol of the friendship between India and North Macedonia and of their shared commitment to peace, tolerance and humanity. The event was attended by the Mayor of Skopje, a Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, and two Members of Parliament, and formed part of the President’s three‑nation visit that will conclude in Bucharest, Romania.

The Ministry of Railways reports that passenger‑amenity works worth Rs 46.68 crore have been executed or taken up at railway stations in Sindhudurg district from FY 2021‑22 to 30 June 2026. Major upgrades at Vaibhavwadi Road, Kankavali, Sindhudurg, Kudal and Sawantwadi Road stations include modular shelters, high‑level platforms, foot‑over‑bridges, lifts, escalators, Divyang‑friendly toilets, water and waiting facilities, and digital coach‑indication boards. New UTS‑cum‑PRS ticket‑booking facilities are operational at Sindhudurg (Oros) and Vaibhavwadi Road stations, with the RailOne app also available. Additional stoppages for several express trains have been introduced at Sindhudurg, Kankavali and Sawantwadi Road stations, enhancing district connectivity.

The National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), under the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, has opened applications for the WAVES Film Bazaar Screenwriters' Lab 2026 – an annual screenplay development programme for Indian screenwriters working on feature‑length fiction projects. The Lab, conducted in partnership with WAVES Film Bazaar, offers intensive mentoring by script experts, exposure to internationally recognised screenplay practices, and opportunities to pitch projects to producers and financiers in India and abroad. Applications are open only to Indian citizens residing in India, require registration of the screenplay with the Screenwriters Association, and involve a non‑refundable fee of ₹8,000 (early‑bird) or ₹9,000 (extended). The programme comprises three sessions (two in‑person and one online) culminating in participation at WAVES Film Bazaar (20‑24 Nov 2026).

On 22 July 2026, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for AYUSH, Shri Prataprao Jadhav inaugurated Prakriti Café at Ayush Bhawan. The café is described as a first‑of‑its‑kind workplace initiative of the Ministry of AYUSH aimed at promoting healthy dietary practices inspired by the AYUSH Ahaar programme. It offers a menu of nutritious items such as beetroot‑oats cutlet, millet dhokla, oats poha, makhana kheer, coconut water and herbal teas, priced affordably. Officials highlighted that the café seeks to counter the rise in junk‑food consumption and related lifestyle diseases, and to bring traditional Indian nutrition concepts into daily work‑life settings.

The National Film Development Corporation's WAVES Film Bazaar Screenwriters' Lab 2025 project ‘Yayavar – The Migrating Bird’ has signed a Letter of Intent with iRoller Media & Entertainment (India) and Norse Key Productions (Finland) to jointly develop, finance, produce and position the film for international audiences. iRoller will act as Lead Producer, handling financing and production, while Norse Key will manage post‑production in Finland and support international outreach. The collaboration underscores the Lab’s role in advancing Indian screenwriting talent to global platforms. The 20th edition of WAVES Film Bazaar is scheduled for 20–24 November 2026.

The Sports Authority of India (SAI), National Centre of Excellence (NCOE) in Mumbai, under the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, will hold Selection Trials for Women’s Wrestling on 30 July 2026 at the SAI Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee National Centre of Excellence, Kandivali (East), Mumbai. The trials open to women wrestlers who have placed up to 5th in National Championships or National Ranking Tournaments, or who are gold medalists of recognised State Championships in the past two years. Reporting begins at 8:00 AM, and athletes must bring relevant eligibility documents.

The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs is conducting a Special Campaign 3.0 at the Office of Additional Secretary, S‑61, Parliament House, New Delhi from 17 July to 18 August 2026. The campaign allows pensioners and family pensioners of the Ministry to submit pension‑related grievances either in‑person between 1000 hrs and 1700 hrs up to 31 July 2026, by speed‑post addressed to Dr. Satya Prakash, Additional Secretary, or via email (abhinav.99[at]gov[dot]in). Applicants must quote name, designation, PPO number, bank details, retirement date, address, telephone numbers and attach copies of PPO, corrigendum PPOs (if any) and the last two pages of the updated bank passbook. For queries, the contact number is 011‑23034743.