Official releases, distilled into exam-ready intelligence.

The Ministry of Cooperation reports that National Cooperative Organics Limited (NCOL) is coordinating with State Cooperative Federations to advance organic farming and related value‑chain activities. Coordination mechanisms include Memoranda of Understanding with State Cooperative Departments or Nodal Agencies, and the inclusion of cooperative institutions such as Cooperative Societies, Primary Agricultural Credit Societies, and Farmer Producer Organizations as members or partners. These partnerships aim to facilitate aggregation, procurement, processing, packaging and marketing of organic produce under the "Bharat Organics" brand and to support the formation of NPOP‑certified Internal Control System groups. The information was provided by Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, in a written reply in Rajya Sabha.

On 12 August 2026, India and the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) signed a Terms of Reference (ToR) at Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi, to commence negotiations for a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA). The ToR outlines eight chapters covering trade in goods, market access, rules of origin, customs procedures, trade remedies, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, technical barriers, dispute settlement and legal provisions. Union Minister Piyush Goyal highlighted India’s potential role in supplying affordable medicines, IT talent and integrating SACU economies into global supply chains, while stressing the need for a balanced, development‑oriented outcome. The signing marks India’s first ToR with the African region and aims to deepen South‑South cooperation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi released former President Ram Nath Kovind’s autobiography titled *Triumph of the Indian Republic: My Life, My Struggles* on 12 August 2026. In his speech, Modi highlighted Kovind’s humble origins in a village in Kanpur, the loss of his mother in a fire, and the support he received from neighbours, portraying his rise to the presidency as a testament to perseverance and democratic values. The PM urged the audience, especially the youth, to read the book for lessons on personal struggle, public service, and the vision of a ‘One Nation, One Election’ that Kovind continues to advocate. Modi framed the autobiography as a heritage for Indian democracy and society.

The Ministry of Education clarified the conduct of CBSE sports competitions as per the CBSE Games Guidelines and annual circulars. Competitions are organised at Cluster, Zonal and National levels, with specific games allocated to each tier and age criteria based on the 31 December cut‑off. Schools register online (UID‑based) and, if selected, receive a fixed sports grant – Rs 2 lakhs for Cluster/Zonal events, Rs 3 lakhs for Nationals, and higher amounts for athletics and swimming – to cover referees, equipment, ground maintenance and related expenses. Organising schools must hire technically qualified officials, submit audited expenditure proformas, and adhere to a written protest mechanism that involves a Rs 1,000 fee and a Jury of Appeal whose decision is final.

National Cooperative Organics Limited (NCOL), under the Ministry of Cooperation, markets its certified organic produce under the “Bharat Organics” brand through e‑commerce platforms, modern retail chains, cooperative outlets such as Safal/Mother Dairy, NAFED, NCCF and its own Direct‑to‑Consumer portal. The benchmark for organic production in India is the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP), notified by APEDA; NCOL sources only from NPOP‑certified farmer groups, Internal Control Systems (ICS) or certified operators and subjects the produce to stringent quality testing, traceability and mandatory laboratory checks for pesticide residues. NCOL also promotes the creation of NPOP‑certified ICS groups via cooperatives and has signed MoUs with 28 states/UTs to expand the organic cooperative ecosystem.

The Ministry of Cooperation has launched Bharat Taxi, a cooperative‑led digital mobility app operated by Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited (STCL), in Delhi‑NCR, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Rajasthan. As of 04 Aug 2026 the platform records 8.48 lakh registered drivers (Sarathis) and 44.27 lakh customers. The model follows a zero‑commission, transparent‑fare structure, uses subscription‑based participation to stabilise driver earnings, and links drivers to social‑security benefits. Expansion to other cities will depend on operational readiness, driver availability, statutory clearances and coordination with state governments and cooperative bodies. Bharat Taxi is registered under the Multi‑State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002, and the Union Home Minister Amit Shah clarified that no government funds have been allocated for its expansion.

The Ministry of Heavy Industries, under the Scheme for Enhancement of Competitiveness in the Indian Capital Goods Sector, has trained about 33,000 persons through its SAMARTH centres and over 8,500 persons at the Common Engineering Facility Centre (CEFC) at BHEL, Trichy in the last three years. The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship’s Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) 4.0 has trained 2,731,699 candidates in the same period, with 16,946 training centres accredited. Additionally, 1,253,158 enrolments were recorded in ITIs under the Craftsmen Training Scheme for the capital goods and manufacturing sector.

The Ministry of Cooperation has created Bhartiya Beej Sahakari Samiti Limited (BBSSL) under the Multi‑State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002 to serve as an apex body for the production, processing, branding, packaging, storage, marketing and R&D of quality seeds. BBSSL has launched seeds of 18 crops and 124 varieties under the ‘Bharat Beej’ brand and, in FY 2025‑26, produced 75,535 metric tonnes of seeds through its associated farmers. It is also undertaking quality‑testing standards for vegetable seeds and a conservation programme in Uttarakhand to identify, multiply and document traditional indigenous varieties, aiming to cut import dependence and boost farmer self‑reliance.

An international team led by Indian astronomers, headed by Dr. Rahul Sharma and Prof. Chandreyee Maitra of IUCAA, Pune, has identified a binary white‑dwarf system designated eRASSU J0608 (eRASSU J060839.5–704014). The two dead stars orbit each other every six minutes and their orbit is shrinking faster than any similar known system, indicating strong gravitational‑wave emission. Using data from the Chinese‑led Einstein Probe, NASA’s NICER, and earlier XMM‑Newton observations over 3.5 years, the team measured an orbital‑decay rate exceeding that of HM Cnc and V407 Vul and estimated a chirp mass of ~0.43 M☉. The system’s predictable gravitational‑wave signal makes it a promising target for ESA’s upcoming LISA mission.

The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying clarified that coastal states govern fisheries up to 12 nautical miles under their Marine Fishing Regulation Acts, reserving near‑shore waters (5‑10 km) for artisanal and non‑mechanized vessels to protect traditional livelihoods. Under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), satellite‑based transponders are fitted on mechanised vessels for real‑time tracking, geofencing and alerts to prevent incursions. A uniform 61‑day annual fishing ban is imposed in the Exclusive Economic Zone, with parallel bans by coastal states, and PMMSY provides livelihood and insurance support during the ban. The scheme also funds sea‑ranching, artificial reefs, mariculture and the development of 100 climate‑resilient coastal fishermen villages.

The Ministry of Education released Rs 13,839.43 crore to the UGC in 2021‑22, increasing to Rs 20,527.43 crore in 2025‑26, with expenditures closely matching releases each year. Of the total released, Rs 73,148.65 crore went to Central Universities and Rs 2,743.04 crore to Institutions Deemed to be Universities. Under the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM‑USHA/RUSA), the central share released to States/UTs rose from Rs 249.13 crore in 2021‑22 to Rs 864.25 crore in 2025‑26, with Rs 507.00 crore released in 2026‑27 (as of 06‑08‑2026). The UGC also disbursed Rs 931.44 crore for reimbursement‑based grants and Rs 1,818.46 crore as a fixed salary grant to Punjab University during 2021‑26. The Ministry also introduced the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhisthan Bill, 2025, referred to a Joint Committee.

The Ministry of Education, in response to the rise of unregulated private coaching centres and associated issues such as high fees, safety hazards, and mental‑well‑being concerns, issued Guidelines for Regulation of Coaching Centres to States/UTs on 16 January 2024. The guidelines prescribe registration requirements, fee structures, infrastructure standards, a code of conduct, record‑keeping, grievance redressal, and mandatory disclosure of tutor qualifications, course details, fees, exit and refund policies, and placement outcomes. Following the central guidelines, several states and union territories have enacted their own regulations between 2024‑2026. Additionally, the Central Consumer Protection Authority issued guidelines on 13 November 2024 under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, to curb misleading advertisements and unfair practices in the coaching sector.

The Ministry of Education, under the National Education Policy 2020, has launched the Prime Minister Research Chair (PMRC) Scheme to engage Indian‑origin researchers with international experience. The scheme offers three fellowship categories – Research Chair, Senior Fellow and Young Research Fellow – and has identified seven lead institutions. To date, more than 3,600 fellowship applications and over 400 host‑institution applications have been received. The government has allocated Rs 200 crore for the scheme for FY 2026‑27. The details were provided by Minister of State for Education Dr Sukanta Majumdar in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.

During India’s BRICS Chairship 2026, the Ministry of Education virtually convened a BRICS Network University (BRICS NU) conference on 20 July 2026, focusing on the need and challenges of preserving traditional and indigenous knowledge systems in the digital age. The meeting comprised three sessions on mapping and documentation, preservation and protection, and the role of digital technologies. India shared its “Guiding Principles on Strengthening Collaboration on Traditional and Indigenous Knowledge System” and later proposed a 12th International Thematic Group on this subject. The International Governing Board met on 21 July 2026, updating activities of 178 universities across 11 thematic groups, and the proposal was reflected in the declaration of the 13th BRICS Education Ministers Meeting (7 August 2026). The information was provided by Minister of State for Education Dr Sukanta Majumdar in a Rajya Sabha reply.

The Ministry of Cooperation, using the National Cooperative Database (NCD), launched a Ranking Framework on 24 January 2025 to rank primary cooperative societies sector‑wise and by State/UT/district/block. The framework allows State/UT Registrars of Cooperative Societies to generate rankings for 12 sectors based on five parameters – audit compliance, operational activities, financial performance, infrastructure and basic identity information – with a total weightage of 100 marks. It is intended to improve transparency, efficiency, effectiveness, credibility and competitive capability of cooperatives and to disseminate best practices of top‑performing societies. The information was provided by Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.

The Ministry of Education clarified that education falls under the Concurrent List, so schools not owned by the Centre are regulated by the respective State/UT governments. Consequently, fee‑related matters for private schools, including safeguards for students and action against violations, are under State/UT jurisdiction. The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009 mandates at least 25 % reservation for weaker sections in private unaided schools and expressly prohibits capitation fees. Institutions deemed universities must follow UGC (Institutions Deemed to be Universities) Regulations, 2023, which prescribe fee‑structure rules. The CBSE’s bye‑laws require school management committee approval for fee revisions and forbid mandatory purchases of books, uniforms or stationery from specific vendors. The response was provided by Minister of State for Education Shri Jayant Chaudhary in the Rajya Sabha.

The third meeting of the Hindi Advisory Committee of the Ministry of AYUSH was convened on 12 August 2026 at Kartavya Bhawan‑I, New Delhi, chaired by Minister of State (Independent Charge) Shri Prataprao Jadhav. Attended by MPs, senior officials and non‑official members, the committee emphasized using Hindi as a medium for governance, communication and public outreach in AYUSH. Minister Jadhav linked the initiative to the ‘Viksit Bharat @2047’ vision and Prime Minister’s emphasis on Indian languages, noting efforts to conduct official work in Hindi, promote Hindi in publications, websites, social media, and through training and incentive schemes. The Hindi house journal ‘Apratim Ayush’ was also launched.

The Vice‑President, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan, flagged off the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga Bike Rally 2026’ at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, as part of the Har Ghar Tiranga 2026 campaign dedicated to the national song Vande Mataram. The rally, attended by several Union Cabinet Ministers and over 350 CAPF bikers, underscores the government’s push for citizens to hoist the national flag at homes and workplaces between 9‑17 August, linking the celebration to the Prime Minister’s vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047. The Vice‑President highlighted the 150‑year legacy of Vande Mataram and urged continued patriotic spirit beyond the event.

The Ministry of Electronics & IT’s SAMRIDH (Startup Accelerator of MeitY for Product Innovation, Development, and Growth) programme, which aims to accelerate about 300 startups across sectors such as health‑tech, ed‑tech, agri‑tech, consumer‑tech, fin‑tech, SaaS and sustainability, concluded on 31 January 2026. In Andhra Pradesh, one accelerator – Kalpataru Centre of Excellence (CoE) by AIC STPINEXT Initiatives – was selected. Through this accelerator, five startups (Aerogravity, Cairovision, Epsum Labs, Scraptechies Solutions and Voptimaise Climate Tech Solutions) received financial support, with ₹2 lakh per startup to the accelerator and matching funding up to ₹40 lakh per startup. A total of ₹1.81 crore was allocated and disbursed to the Kalpataru CoE.

The Ministry of Cooperation announced that Tribhuvan Cooperative University (TSU) has launched three new MBA programmes for the academic year 2025‑26 – MBA in Cooperative Management, MBA in Cooperative Banking and Finance, and MBA in Agribusiness Management. In addition, TSU has designed five certificate courses aimed at the professional management of cooperative societies, covering business management and governance for PACS, fisheries and dairy cooperatives, leadership development for district credit cooperative bank boards, and cybersecurity for cooperative banks. The MBA programmes are already operational, while the certificate courses are slated for 2026‑27. The details were provided by Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.