Official releases, distilled into exam-ready intelligence.

On 30 July 2026, Defence Minister Shri Sanjay Seth chaired the joint IAF‑SIDM seminar ‘SANKALP’ in New Delhi. SANKALP, an acronym for self‑reliance, Atmanirbhar Bharat, native development and knowledge‑linked partnership, focused on defence indigenisation. In his keynote, the minister highlighted the goal of building a stronger defence ecosystem through innovation, Indigenous Maintenance‑Repair‑Overhaul (MRO), component manufacturing, certification, technology absorption and future aerospace requirements. A book titled ‘SANKALP 2026: Problem statements of Indian Air Force’ was launched. Participants included the Ministry of Defence, Defence Forces, CEMILAC, DGAQA, SIDM, industry and academia, and the event concluded with B2B interactions among IAF, industry, CEMILAC and DGAQA.

The Ministry of Power’s assessment details the expansion of India’s transmission network to meet a projected peak demand of 388 GW by 2032, increasing line length from 5.09 lakh ckm (June 2026) to 6.48 lakh ckm and transformation capacity from 1,478 GVA to 2,345 GVA. Over FY 2023‑24 to FY 2025‑26, 35,172 circuit km of 220 kV+ lines and 270,174 MVA of transformation capacity were added. Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) capacity exceeding 1 MWh reached 2,927.85 MW/8,660.20 MWh as of 30 June 2026, with state‑wise projects listed. Cyber‑security measures include the establishment of CSIRT‑Power, funding for Security and Network Operations Centres, and ongoing training with IITs and other agencies.

On 30 July 2026, Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh felicitated nine women officers from the Army, Navy and Air Force who completed the first‑ever all‑women tri‑service circumnavigation sailing expedition ‘Samudra Pradakshina’ aboard the Indian Army Sailing Vessel (IASV) Triveni. The 314‑day voyage covered about 25,500 nautical miles, crossed all meridians, the Equator twice, the International Date Line and the three great capes, earning the crew membership of the Cape Horners fraternity. The Minister highlighted the mission as a testament to Nari Shakti, tri‑service jointness, India’s indigenous engineering capability and a tool of military diplomacy during global port calls.

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs is implementing the Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS) scheme to deliver quality education to tribal students in their native environment while preserving local art and culture. EMRSs are set up in blocks with >50% ST population and at least 20,000 tribal persons (Census 2011). To date, 728 EMRSs have been approved, of which 508 are functional. Institutional reforms include the creation of the autonomous National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS), State EMRS Societies, District EMRS Committees, comprehensive operational guidelines, and a centralized staff recruitment mechanism (ESSE). Digital learning is being strengthened with 284 smart classrooms, digital boards, internet‑enabled labs and the Eklavya TV channel. Recurring grants are released directly to schools, and 9,111 teaching and non‑teaching staff have been recruited, with examinations underway for another 7,267 positions.

Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Shri Durgadas Uikey informed the Lok Sabha that representations from Van Gujjar communities of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh concerning rights under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 (FRA) have been examined and forwarded to the respective State Governments and District Administrations. The Ministry reiterated that FRA implementation rests with states/UTs, has been urging them to comply, conducts regular review meetings, forwards grievances, and advises periodic training of Sub‑Divisional Level Committee and District Level Committee members, sharing training modules and pamphlets for capacity building.

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs, through the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission (PMJVM) and its implementing agency TRIFED, procures and markets Minor Forest Produce (MFP) to generate tribal livelihoods. Procurement values fell from ₹2,900.33 lakh in 2021‑22 to ₹1,693.70 lakh in 2025‑26, while sales ranged between ₹3,386.92 lakh and ₹4,342.32 lakh over the same period. As of 2 July 2026, TRIFED holds unsold inventory worth ₹5,944.57 lakh, with 50.03 % older than three years. TRIFED’s interventions include value‑addition, packaging, branding and marketing support via 115 Tribes India outlets, exhibitions and e‑commerce platforms.

The Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs, Shri Durgadas Uikey, told the Lok Sabha that Bundwan block in Purulia district, West Bengal, is the only block that meets the prescribed criteria for setting up an Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS). The State Government has identified land for the school. The EMRS in Kalimpong is currently operating in an alternate building, with construction of a permanent structure underway. A total of Rs 20.91 crore has been approved for the Kalimpong EMRS, of which Rs 9.96 crore has already been released.

The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying is implementing the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) with a total outlay of Rs 20,750 crore (FY 2020‑21 to date) for fisheries development across India, including Odisha. In Odisha, projects worth Rs 1,086.51 crore (central share Rs 416.84 crore) have been approved, and the Paradip Fishing Harbour is being modernised at a cost of Rs 108.91 crore. Under the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF), 13 projects in the state have been approved with a total cost of Rs 784.32 crore, of which Rs 286.39 crore is eligible for up to 3 % interest subvention. The state’s Mukhyamantri Maschyajibi Kalyan Yojana provides a livelihood assistance of Rs 15,000 per marine fisher family during the annual turtle‑conservation ban. Additionally, Odisha has undertaken deep‑sea fishing promotion, cold‑chain infrastructure (1,178 units including ice plants, fish kiosks and refrigerated vehicles), and a shrimp export cell offering up to 30‑35 % subsidy for processing units.

The Ministry of Culture, through the National Mission on Libraries (NML) Scheme’s ‘Setting up of NML Model Libraries’ component, has sanctioned financial assistance to one State Central Library and one District Library in each State/UT, plus six libraries identified by the Ministry (Annexure‑A). The release provides year‑wise budget allocations, funds released and actual expenditures from FY 2016‑17 to FY 2025‑26, showing variations in allocations and spending. The Ministry notes that libraries are a state subject under the Seventh Schedule and function under the administrative control of respective State/UT authorities. This information was supplied by Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.

The Ministry of Culture reports that the Underwater Archaeology Wing of the Archaeological Survey of India is conducting research at Dwarka and Bet Dwarka (Gujarat), Mahabalipuram (Tamil Nadu) and Karaikal (Puducherry). Licences for underwater excavation have been granted to the Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology (Poompuhar) and to the Marine Archaeology Centre, National Institute of Oceanography (Bet Dwarka, Chhari and Gangata Bet, Gujarat). Budget allocations show Rs 75.40 million (2025‑26) and Rs 66.50 million (2026‑27) for the Wing, with expenditures of Rs 74.91 million and Rs 25.64 million respectively; Tamil Nadu earmarks Rs 7 crore and NIO Rs 20 lakh. A focused training programme has been launched and sites slated for exploration up to 2030 include Dwarka, Bet Dwarka, Vijay Durg, Janjira, Karaikal and Mahabalipuram, as disclosed by Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in the Rajya Sabha.

The Department of Fisheries, under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), has approved twelve Integrated Aquaparks at a total cost of ₹713.80 crore. The Andhra Pradesh proposal for one such park was approved for ₹88.08 crore, covering components such as Seafood Processing, Shrimp, Marine Finfish, Crab, Seaweed and Ornamental Fish. For non‑beneficiary‑oriented activities, cost‑sharing is 90:10 (Centre:State) for North‑Eastern and Himalayan states, 60:40 for other states, and 100 % Centre funded for Union Territories. Additional measures include approval of 34 production clusters, 11 new and 11 upgraded fishing harbours, 23 modern fish landing centres, 284 deep‑sea vessels, 121 value‑added enterprises, and 18 private‑sector projects under the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund. The NFDB has conducted 4,041 training programmes benefitting 1,75261 fishers nationwide.

The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying is implementing the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) with a ₹20,750 crore outlay to develop fishing harbours and fish landing centres (FLCs) on a 60:40 centre‑state cost‑sharing basis. Under PMMSY, the National Roll‑out Plan for the Vessel Communication and Support System (VCSS) has been approved at a cost of ₹364 crore, aiming to install transponders in 1 lakh marine fishing vessels and launch the ‘Nabhmitra’ app, developed by ISRO, free for eligible fishermen. Of the 1,547 notified marine FLCs, 423 have been included in infrastructure development projects, selected based on vessel numbers, fisher dependence, landing volume and other techno‑financial criteria. Security personnel and arrangements at FLCs are coordinated by state/UT administrations with law‑enforcement agencies.

The Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas stated that the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) programme’s rollout of the E20 blend was carried out after scientific validation and extensive stakeholder consultation involving NITI Aayog, automobile manufacturers, OMCs, ARAI, SIAM, IIP and other technical bodies. Laboratory studies and field trials by these agencies examined engine durability, drivability, startability, corrosion resistance, material compatibility, emissions and fuel efficiency, concluding that E20 is safe for legacy vehicles. The government cited large‑scale experience – about 8 crore vehicles daily, with over 20 crore two‑wheelers and 3 crore cars operating on E15‑E20 blends for more than two years – without evidence of widespread engine failure or abnormal wear. Manufacturers continue to honour warranties for vehicles using E20, reinforcing confidence in its safety and reliability.

The Department of Atomic Energy disclosed that India currently operates 24 nuclear power reactors with a combined installed capacity of 8,780 MW. Data supplied in response to a Rajya Sabha question shows unit‑wise generation (in million units) for the fiscal years 2019‑20 to 2023‑24. Except for KAPS‑4, which entered commercial operation in March 2024, the average plant load factor (PLF) of nuclear stations (excluding major refurbishment periods) has been higher than the average all‑India thermal PLF (excluding gas‑based plants), as per a CEA report. The information was provided by Union Minister of State Dr Jitendra Singh in a written reply to the Parliament.

The Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs, Shri Durgadas Uikey, stated in Lok Sabha that the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM‑JANMAN) was launched on 15 November 2023 to improve socio‑economic conditions of the 75 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) communities across 18 states and one Union Territory. The mission targets basic amenities such as housing, drinking water, education, health, nutrition, road and telecom connectivity, electrification and livelihood opportunities through 11 interventions coordinated by nine line ministries. As of 30 June 2026, state‑wise data (Annexure I) show cumulative sanctions of 482,554 houses, 305,860 km of roads, 7,991.93 km of other works and 18,756 AWCs, among other metrics. A habitation‑level survey using the PM Gati Shakti mobile app has been undertaken to capture PVTG population and infrastructure gaps (Annexure II).

The Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs announced that 156 villages across 7 blocks in Chamba district, Himachal Pradesh have been identified for development under the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA). The district has two Integrated Tribal Development Projects (ITDPs) – ITDP Bharmour (30 villages) and ITDP Pangi (48 villages). Funds approved amount to ₹551.11 lakh for Bharmour and ₹851.00 lakh for Pangi. Specific interventions include construction of classrooms, hostels, toilet blocks, repairs, a Tribal Multi‑Purpose Marketing Centre, and FRA, with total approved funds of ₹1,090.32 lakh. Year‑wise releases show ₹708.44 lakh in 2025‑26 and ₹381.88 lakh in 2026‑27, with none in 2023‑24 and 2024‑25.

Rear Admiral Srinivas Maddula, VSM, took over as Commander of the Indian Navy’s Western Fleet on 27 July 2026, succeeding Vice Admiral Vivek Dahiya, NM. He was commissioned on 1 January 1994 and is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, the U.S. Marine Corps Command and Staff College, and the Naval War College, Goa. His sea‑and‑shore postings include command of INS T‑80, INS Nipat, INS Godavari, INS Ganga, INS Trikand and the depot ship INS Kadamba. Earlier, he served as Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Foreign Cooperation and Intelligence) and as Flag Officer Sea Training in the Southern Naval Command, Kochi.

On 28 July 2026, the Anti‑Evasion Wing of the Central GST Commissionerate, Kolhapur, conducted simultaneous search and inspection operations on seven prominent builders and developers in Kolhapur. The raids, prompted by data‑analytics‑driven risk assessments, uncovered widespread non‑compliance with GST provisions, including ineligible availing and non‑reversal of Input Tax Credit, violation of procurement norms (minimum 80% of inputs and 100% of cement from registered suppliers), short payment of tax on construction services, and wrongful use of ITC to settle outward tax liabilities. Financial records, purchase registers, sales ledgers and digital evidence were seized, and the total quantum of evaded tax is being quantified. The Commissionerate reiterated its commitment to strict anti‑evasion measures and a level playing field for compliant taxpayers.

The Central Bureau of Investigation, in coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs and Maharashtra Police, secured the deportation of Red‑Notice subject Rahul Shamrao Kalokhe from Fiji to India on 30 July 2026. The fugitive was wanted for a large‑scale investment fraud involving false promises of high returns and misappropriation of investors’ money. After a Red Notice was issued via INTERPOL, the subject was located, arrested by Fijian authorities and escorted back to India. The release notes that, through such coordinated INTERPOL‑mediated efforts, more than 170 wanted criminals have been extradited to India in recent years.

The Blue Economy Strategy for Women in Coastal Fisheries, under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), earmarks women as a priority beneficiary. Women receive up to 60% government financial assistance for fisheries and aquaculture activities, compared with 40% for the general category. In Andhra Pradesh, the Andhra Pradesh Fishermen Cooperative Federation (AFCOF) has converted 66 women fisher‑workers’ cooperatives into Fish Farmer Producer Organisations (FFPOs), releasing ₹69,11,452 for management costs and equity grants to 10 FFPOs, and sanctioning a one‑time ₹90,000 grant to an FFPO in Nellore. The scheme also supports diversified activities such as deep‑sea fishing, seaweed cultivation, cage culture, and fish processing, aiming to enhance livelihood resilience for coastal women.