Official releases, distilled into exam-ready intelligence.

On 7 August 2026, President Droupadi Murmu presided over the 12th National Handloom Day at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre, conferring 3 Sant Kabir Handloom Awards and 19 National Handloom Awards for 2025. She highlighted handloom’s role in employment, women’s empowerment and cultural diversity, and stressed that appropriate use of new technologies and digital market solutions are essential for the sector’s sustainable development. Four commemorative postage stamps on Indian handloom weaves were released, and a publication on ‘Earth. Root. Thread – Aal Dyed Handloom Textiles of Central India’ was launched. The event underscored government commitment to policy support, skill development and market promotion for handloom artisans.

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has expanded the "Source from India" service on the Trade Connect ePlatform to include DPIIT‑recognised start‑ups. Effective 6 August 2026, eligible start‑ups can create dedicated digital microsites marked with a unique "Start‑up Badge" for visibility to overseas buyers. A special onboarding provision allows start‑ups with a valid Import Export Code (IEC) not listed in the Denied Entity List to join even if they do not meet the usual export performance criteria, subject to DGFT IEC database verification. The move aims to boost innovation‑led exports, diversify India’s export basket and position the country as a global hub for entrepreneurship.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare reports that the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has expanded food safety enforcement through a network of 259 NABL‑accredited laboratories, 24 referral labs and 305 mobile testing units. Under the SoFTeL scheme, 47 State Food Testing Laboratories have been upgraded with advanced analytical equipment. FSSAI also conducts regular reviews of Food Safety Officers’ performance and vacancies via Central Advisory Committee and Inter‑State Zonal Council meetings. Consumer‑awareness initiatives such as the “#NoToAdulteration” and “#HarLabelKuchKahtaHai” campaigns, the DART book and the Food Safety Magic Box aim to educate the public on detecting adulteration.

The Rajya Sabha’s Department‑related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice presented its 165th report on 7 August 2026, focusing on creating and developing institutional mechanisms for the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) ecosystem. The report reviews the performance of the India International Arbitration Centre (IIAC) and Delhi International Arbitration Centre (DIAC), recommends expanding arbitrator panels, improving infrastructure, enhancing outreach, and instituting regular performance reviews. It highlights the Mediation Act, 2023, urging mandatory pre‑institution mediation, faster establishment of the Mediation Council of India, and stronger monitoring. The Committee also suggests reforms for Lok Adalats and strengthening NALSA to improve access to justice.

The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) has signed MoUs/operational frameworks with Dredging Corporation of India Limited (DCI) to maintain navigable depths on National Waterways 1 (Ganga‑Bhagirathi‑Hooghly), 2 (Brahmaputra) and 16 (Barak). On NW‑1, 17 contract dredgers and 7 departmental dredgers are deployed; on NW‑2 and NW‑16, 5 and 2 dredgers respectively are engaged. Dredging on NW‑1 is phased from Tribeni to Varanasi, with a Least Available Depth of 3.0 m (Tribeni‑Barh) and 2.5 m (Barh‑Varanasi). Over 42.68 lakh m³ of sediment has been removed under quantity‑based contracts, of which 22.81 lakh m³ pertains to Bihar. The strategy relies on hydrographic surveys, performance‑based contracts and river‑conservancy measures, and contracts are for three years with a possible two‑year extension.

On August 8 2026, President Droupadi Murmu presided over the 12th National Handloom Day at Rashtrapati Bhavan, presented the Sant Kabir Handloom Awards and the National Handloom Awards 2025, and released four commemorative stamps. She highlighted handloom’s role in employment (over 35 lakh workers, including 25 lakh women), women’s empowerment, and cultural heritage, and linked the sector to the Swadeshi movement (observed as National Handloom Day since 2015). The President emphasized integrating modern technology, digital solutions and e‑commerce to boost market access and sustain growth, and noted government measures such as Design Resource Centres and Weavers’ Service Centres to support youth entrepreneurs, designers and startups.

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) conducted three intelligence‑driven operations along India’s North‑Eastern frontier, seizing 15 kg of methamphetamine tablets, about 11 metric tonnes of foreign‑origin poppy seeds and 10 metric tonnes of foreign‑origin areca nuts smuggled from Myanmar. The methamphetamine was intercepted in an ambulance near Aizawl, the poppy seeds were recovered from a godown in Badarpur, Assam, and the areca nuts were seized from a train at Rangia Railway Station. All contraband were confiscated under the NDPS Act, 1985 or the Customs Act, 1962, and three persons were arrested. The poppy seeds were valued at roughly Rs 1.67 crore and the areca nuts at Rs 1 crore, underscoring revenue loss and the challenge of illicit cross‑border trade.

The Scan and Register service, part of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, has crossed 25 crore OPD registrations since its launch in October 2022. It operates in 30,800 healthcare facilities across 36 states and Union Territories, covering 24,323 public and 6,481 private centres. On average, nearly 4 lakh patients use the QR‑code based service daily, cutting registration waiting times and enhancing operational efficiency. Bihar leads with over 7.30 crore transactions, while AIIMS New Delhi records the highest government‑facility registrations at 54.29 lakh. The milestone underscores expanding citizen trust and the growing adoption of ABHA‑enabled digital health solutions.

The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, invoking the Policy Guidelines for Community Radio Stations (CRS), has urged Chief Secretaries and Disaster Management Departments to promote new CRS in flood‑prone, coastal and other disaster‑vulnerable areas. The central‑sector scheme “Supporting Community Radio Movement in India”, continued for 2026‑27 to 2030‑31 with a ₹50 crore outlay, aims to strengthen CRS by funding equipment such as UPS, generators and solar systems. An Emergency Grant of ₹11.50 lakh is available to operational CRS affected by floods, earthquakes, lightning or similar natural disasters. The Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting communicated this in response to a Rajya Sabha question.

The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting notified the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media, Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 on 25 February 2021 under the IT Act, 2000. Part III of the Rules mandates a Code of Ethics for digital news publishers and OTT platforms, requiring classification of content on themes such as violence, nudity, sex, language, drug and substance abuse, horror and specifically liquor, smoking and tobacco, as detailed in Part II of the Schedule. Violations are addressed through a three‑tier grievance redressal mechanism, with complaints forwarded by the Ministry to the concerned OTT platform. An advisory dated 26 November 2024 reiterated compliance for content involving narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.

On 7 August 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted the nation on National Handloom Day, highlighting India’s rich handloom heritage and praising the skill, creativity and dedication of weavers and artisans. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting the handloom sector, describing it as an important pillar of rural empowerment, women‑led development and the vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat. The Prime Minister urged citizens to share their favourite handloom products and GRWM videos on social media using the #NationalHandloomDay hashtag.

Under the Central Sector Scheme for Formation and Promotion of 10,000 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), a total of 10,000 FPOs have been created. Of these, 1,175 FPOs have 100% women members and women constitute about 40% of total shareholders, with a mandatory minimum of one woman on each board. FPOs are engaged in input supply, aggregation, procurement, value addition and marketing. Financial support includes 9,865 FPOs taking management cost assistance, 8,357 receiving equity grants and 3,140 availing credit guarantee. The cumulative turnover of these FPOs is reported at ₹20,358 crore as of 31 July 2026. Professional hand‑holding support is provided for five years through designated implementing agencies.

The Ministry of Commerce & Industry received 87 proposals from State and UT governments under the Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojana (BHAVYA) Scheme in the first round of Phase‑I, which closed on 31 July 2026. The state‑wise distribution is listed in Annexure‑I, with Madhya Pradesh (11), Maharashtra (14) and Tamil Nadu (7) among the top contributors; West Bengal submitted none. Proposals will be evaluated on criteria such as connectivity, site suitability, core and value‑added infrastructure, industrial ecosystem and policy enablers, as per the Scheme guidelines available on www.dpiit.gov.in. The selection process for the first phase is slated to be completed within one year of the Scheme’s notification, as stated by MoS Shri Jitin Prasada in the Rajya Sabha.

On 9 August 2026, the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha marked the 84th anniversary of the Quit India Movement, which was launched on 9 August 1942 under Mahatma Gandhi’s leadership. The reference highlighted the movement’s “Do or Die” call, the severe repression faced by participants, and their role in accelerating India’s independence achieved in 1947. The Chairman urged members to observe a moment of silence in tribute to the martyrs, emphasizing the enduring values of patriotism, unity, sacrifice and dedication to nation‑building.

On 7 August 2026, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi shared a Sanskrit Subhashitam that extols the virtue of self‑less service and the ideal of working for others’ welfare without expectation of return. The verse, quoted in Devanagari script, was posted on the Prime Minister’s X account, accompanied by the same text and a link to the tweet. The release notes that the Subhashitam underscores the moral habit of altruism as a way of life, reflecting the Prime Minister’s emphasis on service‑oriented values.

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, through the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), has built a Roll‑on‑Roll‑off (Ro‑Ro) terminal at Muktyala on National Waterway‑4 (Krishna River) and handed over four floating jetties to the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) in 2024. Contracts have been awarded for a Ro‑Ro terminal at Harishchandrapuram (Andhra Pradesh) and for three floating steel pontoons in the Telangana stretch of NW‑4. IWAI is updating the Detailed Project Report for NW‑4, which will also cover the Godavari River region near Dharmapuri, with completion slated for March 2027. The information was provided by Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal in a Lok Sabha written reply.

The Ministry of Railways reports that Gond ia Railway Station currently handles 166 train services, including 28 that link Gond ia with Mumbai. The station provides direct connectivity to major cities such as Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Pune, Bengaluru, Secunderabad, Ahmedabad, Bhubaneswar, Raipur and Puri. A detailed list of all 166 services—ranging from Vande Bharat Expresses to passenger MEMUs—is provided. The Union Minister of Railways, Shri Ashwini Vaishvaw, stated that the introduction of new services (Superfast, Express, Vande Bharat) is ongoing and depends on capacity, train‑path availability, rolling‑stock, infrastructure suitability and maintenance requirements.

The Ministry of Home Affairs, in consultation with the Government of Arunachal Pradesh, has formally identified twenty‑seven places or features in Arunachal Pradesh on the official Survey of India maps. The list includes land‑area names such as Longju, Maja and Shivaji Nagar, passes like Dzo La and Riza La, a lake (Sambho Sarovar), and a monument (Sher‑e‑Thapa Memorial). The purpose stated is to facilitate accurate recognition of these locations and to raise public awareness. The updated map with these additions is available on the Survey of India website.

On National Handloom Day, Union Minister Smt. Annpurna Devi of the Ministry of Women and Child Development urged citizens to adopt Indian handloom products, highlighting that handloom is the foundation of India’s culture, traditions and the livelihood of lakhs of weaver families. She appealed to the public to share videos of their favourite handloom items on the social platform ‘X’, echoing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call, and to reinforce the ‘Vocal for Local’ resolve, thereby promoting the artisans and weavers.

The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, through its Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, has invited nominations for the National Gopal Ratna Award (NGRA) 2026. Under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission (launched Dec 2014), the award recognises dairy farmers, dairy cooperatives/MPCs/FPOs and Artificial Insemination Technicians (AITs) for work with indigenous cattle/buffalo breeds. Awards will be given in three ranks (₹5 lakh, ₹3 lakh, ₹2 lakh) and a special award for the North‑Eastern Region/Himalayan States for the first two categories; the AIT category receives only a certificate and memento. Nominations are to be submitted online via https://awards.gov.in from 10 Aug 2026 to 10 Sep 2026, with the ceremony slated for National Milk Day (26 Nov 2026).