Official releases, distilled into exam-ready intelligence.

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will attend the 57th Convocation Ceremony of the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi on 8 August 2026 as Chief Guest. He will address more than 3,000 graduating students, including 587 Ph.D. scholars, and will present the Institute’s top honours – President’s Gold Medal, Director’s Gold Medal, Shankar Dayal Sharma Gold Medal and Perfect Ten Gold Medals – to meritorious students. In the same event, the Prime Minister will inaugurate ‘Param Pragya’, an AI‑powered high‑performance supercomputing facility at IIT Delhi’s Sonipat Campus, aimed at strengthening AI, data‑science and interdisciplinary research capabilities.

Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, speaking at the 3rd India International FinTech Festival, said India has moved beyond the Jan Dhan Yojana‑driven financial inclusion era and must now pursue financial empowerment and digital prosperity. He urged the creation of an intelligent, secure and trusted fintech ecosystem powered by AI, quantum technologies, cybersecurity, blockchain and other frontier tech. The Minister highlighted that the National Quantum Mission has already delivered over 1,000 km of secure quantum communication in three years, surpassing its ten‑year target. He also noted the start‑up ecosystem’s growth from about 350 firms to nearly 2.4 lakh in a decade and projected the space economy to rise from USD 9 billion to USD 45 billion by 2030.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report that schoolchildren in Kakraua village, Vidisha district, Madhya Pradesh, are crossing the Betwa River by hopping on check‑dam pillars. The children choose this risky 1.5 km route instead of a 13 km road journey because it shortens travel time. NHRC notes that the lack of a safe transport option violates the fundamental right to education with dignity under Article 21A and the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, and cites the Supreme Court’s Avinash Mehrotra judgment linking education to safe infrastructure. A notice has been issued to the Madhya Pradesh Chief Secretary for a detailed report within two weeks.

The PIB release outlines the Government’s suite of maternal‑health initiatives under the National Health Mission. Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK) guarantees completely free delivery—including caesarean sections—along with free drugs, diagnostics, diet, transport and blood transfusion for pregnant women in public facilities. Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) provides a fixed‑day, specialist‑led antenatal check‑up each month, with an extended version for high‑risk pregnancies. Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) delivers cash benefits of ₹5,000 (₹6,000 after delivery) for the first child and ₹6,000 for a second‑child girl. Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 supplies supplementary nutrition to pregnant and lactating women per NFSA norms, while the SUMAN Roadmap 2030 adopts a life‑cycle approach to maternal care. Monitoring mechanisms such as the Output‑Outcome Monitoring Framework and Poshan Tracker are highlighted for transparent implementation.

The 166th report of the Department‑related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice, presented on 7 August 2026, reviews the functioning of various tribunals – Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Railway Claims Tribunal, Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal, National Green Tribunal and National Company Law Tribunal. It highlights staffing shortages, pendency spikes, digital infrastructure gaps, and the need for capacity‑building, better monitoring, and financial autonomy. The Committee recommends timely filling of vacancies, periodic manpower assessments, enhanced digital and physical infrastructure, specialised training, and mechanisms for faster case disposal and public awareness across the tribunals.

The 272‑km Udhampur‑Srinagar‑Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) has been commissioned, providing all‑weather rail connectivity to the Kashmir valley. The project includes the world’s highest railway bridge (Chenab Bridge, 359 m above the river) and a 473‑m cable‑stayed bridge, along with 215 km of roads, electrified tracks, and new stations under the Amrit Bharat Scheme. Travel time between Katra and Srinagar is now about three hours, facilitating tourism and enabling farmers and SMEs to ship apples, dry fruits, pashmina shawls and handicrafts to national markets. In‑principle approvals for Gati Shakti Multi‑Modal Cargo Terminals in Kathua, Anantnag and Jammu, and further rail line surveys, aim to expand logistics and economic opportunities in the region.

The PIB release notes that, according to the Desertification and Land Degradation Atlas of India (2021) by ISRO, 6.38 lakh ha of land were classified as man‑made desertified or degraded in 2018‑19. State‑wise figures are provided, with Maharashtra showing 14.31 million ha affected. The government, through ICAR, has promoted soil‑restoration and water‑conservation technologies such as contour cultivation, intercropping, mulching, gypsum application, and integrated watershed structures. It is implementing the National Innovations in Climate‑Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) across 651 districts, preparing District Agriculture Contingency Plans and demonstrating climate‑resilient practices in 448 villages. Multiple schemes – Per Drop More Crop, Rainfed Area Development, Soil Health and Fertility, Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana, and Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana – aim to mitigate yield losses and enhance resilience, while food‑grain production rose from 252.03 Mt (2014‑15) to 357.73 Mt (2024‑25).

The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare has launched AgriStack, a farmer‑centric Digital Public Infrastructure comprising Farmer Registry, Geo‑Referenced Village Maps and Crop Sown Registry, all maintained by State Governments/UTs. By 3 August 2026, over 10.31 crore Farmer IDs were generated, linking farmer details with digitised land records. The Digital Crop Survey (Rabi 2025‑26) covered 648 districts and more than 31.3 crore plots. AgriStack complies with the Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023, related rules 2025, and MeitY/CERT‑In cybersecurity guidelines, ensuring encrypted, consent‑based data handling. Under the YES‑TECH initiative, AI/ML‑based yield estimation is being piloted for paddy, wheat and soybean, and the Digital General Crop Estimation System (DGCES) has been developed for accurate crop‑yield data.

The Government e‑Marketplace (GeM) will mark ten years of operation on 9 August 2026, having facilitated a cumulative Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) of over ₹20 lakh crore through 3.78 crore orders. Annual GMV rose from ₹422 crore in FY 2016‑17 to over ₹5 lakh crore in FY 2024‑25 and FY 2025‑26, with ₹1,47,888 crore recorded in the first four months of FY 2026‑27. MSEs contributed ₹9.07 lakh crore (45.6 % of GMV); women‑led MSEs fulfilled ₹99,147 crore of orders. An IIT‑Delhi study estimated net social savings of ₹1.76 lakh crore. Transaction charges were cut to 0.30 %, 97 % of orders now attract no fee, and AI/ML tools are deployed to detect cartelisation.

The Government has approved the National Mission on Edible Oils–Oil Palm (NMEO‑OP) as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with a total outlay of Rs 11,040 crore (GoI share Rs 8,844 crore) for 2021‑22 to 2025‑26, aiming to bring 6.5 lakh hectares under oil‑palm cultivation. The Mission is being implemented in 15 states and has so far brought 2.73 lakh hectares under cultivation, with Rs 1,447.21 crore released to states. For 2026‑27, Annual Action Plans worth Rs 1,143.9 crore have been approved. The scheme includes assistance for planting material, irrigation, machinery, seed‑nurseries, processing infrastructure and a price‑assurance Viability Gap Payment. A related mission on oilseeds (NMEO‑OS) was launched in October 2024 to boost domestic oilseed production.

The National Mission on Edible Oils‑Oilseeds (NMEO‑OS), approved on 3 Oct 2024, seeks to raise primary oilseed output from 39 Mt (2022‑23) to 69.7 Mt by 2030‑31. It operates through >600 value‑chain clusters managed by FPOs and cooperatives, providing free high‑quality seeds, training, and post‑harvest infrastructure such as oil mills. In 2025‑26, 13.52 lakh ha received free seeds and production rose to 430.59 lakh t. The Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses, launched on 11 Oct 2025, aims to increase pulse output from 242 lakh t to 350 lakh t by 2030‑31, with interventions including seed distribution, technology demonstrations, and assured procurement under PM‑AASHA. Pulse production grew to 274.09 lakh t in 2025‑26, while imports fell from 72.56 lakh t (2024‑25) to 59.64 lakh t (2025‑26).

The 12th Session of the India‑Russia Working Group on Modernisation & Industrial Cooperation was held on 7 August 2026 at Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi. Co‑chaired by Shri Amardeep Singh Bhatia (Secretary, DPIIT) and H.E. Mr Alexey Gruzdev (Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade, Russia), the meeting reviewed progress since the 11th session and examined cooperation across sub‑groups covering modern industrialisation, science & technology, aerospace, railway infrastructure, mineral fertilizers, rare‑earth and critical minerals, power engineering, aluminium, and mining equipment. New areas such as Vande Bharat train project, UAVs, 3‑D printing, Russian SJ‑100 aircraft, carbon‑fibre technologies, lithium mining and titanium were discussed. The co‑chairs signed the session protocol, reaffirming the strategic India‑Russia partnership, with about 60 delegates attending.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare reports that the Government is pursuing multiple measures to curb Out‑of‑Pocket Expenditure (OOPE) on healthcare. Central schemes such as the National Health Mission (NHM), Ayushman Bharat‑Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM‑JAY), Pradhan Mantri‑Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM‑ABHIM) and Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) are being implemented. Under NHM, 1.87 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs have been operationalised to provide comprehensive primary care. The National Free Drugs and Free Diagnostics Service Initiatives supply essential medicines and diagnostics across health‑facility tiers. AB PM‑JAY offers ₹5 lakh annual cover to over 12 crore vulnerable families and, via the Vay Vandana Card, extends coverage to 6 crore senior citizens (70 years+) belonging to 4.5 crore families.

India chaired the 16th BRICS Trade Ministers’ Meeting in Jaipur, issuing a Chair’s Statement and Outcome Document with four annexes. The meeting highlighted India’s push to safeguard farmers, secure food and livelihood security, and preserve Special and Differential Treatment for developing countries within the WTO framework. Delegates adopted the Jaipur Consensus and Guiding Principles for MSME credit assessment to address a US$2.5 trillion trade‑finance gap, and approved work‑plans on Global Value Chains and digitally delivered services. The meeting also advanced the finalisation of the Strategy for BRICS Economic Partnership 2030, covering trade, services, digital economy, and sustainable development.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare reports that the number of medical colleges has risen by 118.6%, from 387 before 2014 to 846 now, while MBBS seats have grown 172.4% (51,348 to 1,39,864) and PG seats 176.9% (31,185 to 86,360). To augment infrastructure, the Government approved a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) for 157 new colleges, and CSS upgrades for existing colleges adding 4,977 MBBS seats (cost Rs 5,972.20 Cr) and 8,058 PG seats in two phases (cost Rs 1,498.43 Cr + Rs 4,478.25 Cr). Phase‑III CSS aims to add 5,000 PG and 5,023 MBBS seats by 2028‑29. Under PMSSY, 75 super‑specialty block projects were sanctioned, 71 completed. Additionally, 22 new AIIMS were approved, with undergraduate courses started in 19.

The Ministry of Railways reported that Indian Railways, which serves about 58 crore meals annually, received only 0.0008 % food‑quality complaints on average. In response to complaints over the past three years, IRCTC imposed fines totalling ₹5.13 crore, issued 54 show‑cause notices, terminated six contracts and debarred several licensees for food‑quality and hygiene violations. To strengthen food safety, the Railways have commissioned modern base kitchens, installed CCTV cameras, introduced QR codes on meal packets, deployed food‑safety supervisors, ensured mandatory FSSAI certification, and conduct regular surprise inspections and third‑party audits. The list of debarred licensees is available on the IRCTC website.

The Ministry of Railways reports that freight loading rose from 1,098 MT in 2014‑15 to 1,670 MT in 2025‑26, making Indian Railways the world’s second‑largest freight carrier. Key drivers include the Gati Shakti Multi‑Modal Cargo Terminal (GCT) policy – 142 GCTs commissioned with a handling capacity of 224 MTPA and private investment of about ₹10,000 crore – and the operation of two Dedicated Freight Corridors (EDFC and WDFC), which together handle about 443 trains daily. Additional measures comprise wagon investment schemes (≈275 special‑purpose and 397 general‑purpose rakes) and the Joint Parcel Product‑Rapid Cargo Service scheme. Infrastructure expansion over the last 12 years added 36,429 km of new track (8.32 km/day) and sanctioned 514 projects covering 40,000 km at an estimated cost of ₹8.31 lakh crore.

Union Environment Minister Shri Bhupender Yadav attended Haryana’s 77th Van Mahotsav in Manesar, where he praised the state’s efforts to make Gurugram a green city and highlighted implementation of Centre‑recommended measures such as solid‑waste rules for housing societies, installation of Online Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems (OCEMS) and Air Pollution Control Devices (APCDs), smart traffic management and greening activities. He noted a recent review of Haryana’s air‑quality situation and commended the state’s progress. Chief Minister Shri Nayab Singh Saini reiterated the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ initiative, setting a target of 1.4 crore trees for the year, and reported district‑level Van Mahotsav programmes across all districts, along with the launch of two publications and awards for environmental competitions.

The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) of the Ministry of Home Affairs reports a sharp rise in WhatsApp‑account takeover scams targeting chartered accountants, company directors, CFOs and finance teams. Fraudsters circulate zip files named “Statement of Account.zip”, “RBI.zip” or “MCA.zip” via WhatsApp, SMS or e‑mail; the archives contain a malicious Windows executable and DLL that install a Trojan, hijack the victim’s WhatsApp Web session and propagate the file to contacts. The compromised senior‑executive accounts are then used to instruct finance staff to transfer funds to mule accounts – a scheme dubbed the “Boss Scam”. I4C has intimated over 58,000 potential victims, protected more than 10,000 Indians through geo‑blocking, and shared threat indicators with CERT‑In, Microsoft and Indian anti‑virus firms. It advises organisations to verify urgent fund‑transfer requests and to enforce strict software‑restriction policies.

The Ministry of AYUSH has launched multiple schemes to boost the production, quality, research, marketing and global acceptance of AYUSH medicines. Key initiatives include the Ayush Oushadhi Gunvatta Evam Uttpadan Samvardhan Yojana (AOGUSY) for quality assurance, GMP compliance and capacity building; the AYURGYAN Scheme for evidence‑based research and higher education; the Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine & Homoeopathy (PCIM&H) for pharmacopoeial standards; the International Cooperation Scheme for export promotion and academic chairs abroad; and the Ayush Export Promotion Council (Ayushexcil) for facilitating exports through exhibitions and digital platforms. A three‑tier Pharmacovigilance network and an online portal “Ayush Suraksha” have been set up to monitor adverse drug reactions and misleading advertisements.