Official releases, distilled into exam-ready intelligence.

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.

The Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs, Shri Durgadas Uikey, stated that 728 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs) have been approved nationwide, of which 508 are functional. In Bihar, 3 EMRSs are approved and 2 are functional. During 2025‑26, 43 new EMRSs were inaugurated to expand the network. To address staffing gaps, 9,111 teaching and non‑teaching staff have been recruited and examinations have been held for another 7,267 candidates. The Ministry highlighted infrastructure upgrades, modern classrooms, labs, and skill‑development programmes to improve education quality for Scheduled Tribe students.

The National Academy of Direct Taxes – Regional Campus (NADT‑RC), Mumbai has operationalised its Ministerial Staff Training Unit (MSTU) in Thane by launching the inaugural "Special Course on Grievance Redressal". The programme, inaugurated by Chief Commissioner of Income Tax, Thane, Dr. Sarita Mishra Kolhe, aims to enhance the capacity of Income Tax officials in handling taxpayer grievances. Senior officials, including Principal Commissioners of Income Tax‑1 and the Verification Unit‑1, attended the event. The MSTU will enable officials posted in Thane and nearby stations to receive regular, locally‑based training, thereby strengthening the department’s training ecosystem in the Pune region.

The Centre for Development of Telematics (C‑DOT), the Department of Telecommunications’ premier R&D centre, signed a tripartite agreement with the Foundation for Science Innovation and Development (FSID) and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, to set up a C‑DOT Centre of Excellence (CoE) at IISc. The CoE will focus on high‑impact research in wireless communications, quantum technologies, cybersecurity and AI‑driven communication systems, including emerging 5G Advanced/6G, massive MIMO, integrated sensing‑communication, AI‑native networks and post‑quantum communications. It aims to accelerate indigenous innovation, generate IP, support deep‑tech start‑ups and foster academia‑industry collaboration. This is C‑DOT’s fifth CoE, following similar partnerships with IITs Hyderabad, Kanpur, Gandhinagar and Roorkee.

The Ministry of Earth Sciences, via the India Meteorological Department (IMD), stated that El Nino events are classified as weak, moderate, strong or very strong based on sea‑surface‑temperature anomalies. For the 2026 southwest monsoon, IMD predicted El Nino development: conditions were weak in June 2026, rose to moderate in July 2026, and are expected to strengthen further in the October–December 2026 period, potentially reaching a very strong category. IMD continuously monitors ocean‑atmosphere conditions and issues seasonal, monthly, extended‑range forecasts and daily Impact‑Based Forecasts (IBFs) and risk‑based warnings for the next seven days to central and state governments and disaster‑management authorities. This information was provided by Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Earth Sciences Dr Jitendra Singh in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.

The Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs, Shri Durgadas Uikey, told the Lok Sabha that the Ministry of Tribal Affairs has not conducted any study on how climate change, shrinking grazing pastures, altered snowfall patterns and declining livestock productivity affect the Changpa tribal community’s nomadic livelihood in Ladakh. The Changpa, a Scheduled Tribe, have been beneficiaries of several schemes in the past five years, including PM‑JANMAN, DAJGUA, EMRS, scholarships for ST students, and PMJVM. Under DAJGUA, interventions such as mobile medical units, network delivery, hostel facilities and pucca housing (PM‑AWAS) have been provided. TRIFED has released ₹15 lakhs for a VDVK in Durbuk under PMJVM and procured Pashmina products worth ₹18,847,291, indirectly supporting Changpa pastoralists. An empanelment camp is planned for August 2026 to link Changpa artisans directly with marketing programmes, and documentation of their culture is underway.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, met Members of Parliament from Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland to discuss the flood situation in the two states. He affirmed that the Central Government will continue to work with the respective state governments to address challenges arising from the floods and offered prayers for the wellbeing and safety of the affected people. The meeting and the Prime Minister’s statement were posted on X (formerly Twitter).

The Ministry of Earth Sciences, through the India Meteorological Department (IMD), reported that no suitable site could be identified in Lahaul and Spiti Valley for an X‑Band Doppler Weather Radar (DWR) because of severe beam blockage, leading to the relocation of the planned radar to another part of the country. The state currently operates three X‑Band DWRs at Kufri, Jot and Murari Devi. IMD has also established a network in Himachal Pradesh comprising 24 Automatic Weather Stations (AWS), 4 Agro‑AWS and 66 Automatic Rain Gauge Stations (ARG). In Lahaul & Spiti and Kinnaur districts, ten AWS/ARG stations are operational, with specific locations listed in the release. The government has further adopted high‑performance computing, high‑resolution numerical weather prediction models and AI‑enabled forecasting tools to enhance weather monitoring and extreme‑event prediction, especially in remote and hilly regions.

The Technology Development Board (TDB) of the Department of Science & Technology has approved financial assistance to M/s Sonic Biochem Extractions Pvt. Ltd., Indore for the project “Development & Commercialisation of Functional and Textured Soya Protein Concentrate(s).” The support will enable the company to set up a commercial‑scale plant to produce Functional Soya Protein Concentrate (FSPC) and Textured Soya Protein Concentrate (TSPC) using its indigenous, non‑GMO soy‑based technology, thereby reducing reliance on imported soy protein isolate. The initiative aims to create a domestic value chain, lower production costs, generate export opportunities and contribute to foreign‑exchange savings, aligning with the Government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision.

The Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs, Shri Durgadas Uikey, informed Parliament that the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) is coordinating with line ministries, state tribal welfare departments and other agencies to implement PM JANMAN, DA JGUA and related tribal development schemes in Bihar. Review meetings are held at least quarterly; in FY 2026‑27 they occurred on 06‑05‑2026 and 10‑07‑2026. Financial data for PM JANMAN show an approved fund of ₹4.2 crore for Bihar, with a state‑surrendered amount of ₹2.1 crore in 2025‑26. Under DA JGUA, 108 houses have been completed under PMAY‑G, one tribal skilling centre was set up in West Champaran, and the Department of Fisheries approved projects worth ₹138.25 lakh for 50 members. MoTA has sanctioned three Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) in Bihar, two of which are functional with enrolments of 129 and 157 students. Nineteen tribal hostels have been sanctioned under the Samagra Shiksha scheme with a cost of ₹6,042 lakh (central share ₹906.30 lakh released). Pre‑matric and post‑matric scholarship beneficiaries for FY 2025‑26 are estimated at 16,820 and 3,771 students respectively.

Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Shri Durgadas Uikey, responding to a Lok Sabha query, said that the number of tribal beneficiaries eligible for benefits under the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA) is listed in Annexure I. The Ministry conducts regular inter‑ministerial and coordination meetings with line ministries, as well as review meetings with state and district authorities, and has set up a Project Management Unit (PMU) for monitoring. Through the Adi KarmaYogi Abhiyan, community engagement is encouraged, and a technology‑enabled monitoring system via the PM GatiShakti Portal tracks progress in real time. Annexure I enumerates 30 states and Union Territories, detailing total districts, blocks, villages and ST households, amounting to 10,854,218 tribal households across the country.

SAIL’s Q1 FY27 profit surged year‑on‑year, which the Chairman attributes to disciplined financial management and proactive operational measures. The company reduced borrowings, improved debt‑to‑equity and net‑debt‑EBITDA ratios, and tightened working‑capital practices. Finished‑steel share of saleable steel rose to 89% from 86% CPLY, and value‑added steel dispatches grew 7.5% CPLY. Capital expenditure exceeded the target, reaching ₹2,575 crore versus the planned ₹2,306 crore. Iron‑ore sales jumped 269% YoY, reflecting full utilisation of captive mines and surplus marketing.

The Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs, Shri Durgadas Uikey, informed Parliament that the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM‑JANMAN) was launched on 15 Nov 2023 to improve socio‑economic conditions of the 75 PVTG communities across 18 states and one UT. In Odisha, 73,092 PVTG households (312,654 persons) have been identified via a habitation‑level data collection using the PM Gati Shakti mobile app. Financial progress for Odisha shows Rs 44.4 cr approved for Multi‑Purpose Centres, with Rs 12.68 cr released in 2023‑24 and Rs 23.92 cr in 2024‑25; Van Dhan Vikas Kendras received Rs 178.4 lac sanctioned in 2023‑24, with Rs 84.55 lac sanctioned and Rs 42.27 lac released in 2025‑26. District‑wise tables detail infrastructure interventions such as houses, roads, habitations, MPCs and VDVKs, indicating varying levels of sanction and completion across 14 districts.

The Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs, Shri Durgadas Uikey, tabled the 2011 Census‑based Scheduled Tribe (ST) population for each Union Territory (UT): Jammu & Kashmir 12,75,106; Ladakh 2,18,193; Andaman & Nicobar Islands 28,530; Dadra & Nagar Haveli & Daman Diu 1,93,927; Lakshadweep 61,120. Chandigarh, Puducherry and Delhi have ‘NST’ (no notified STs). The Ministry highlighted ongoing schemes such as DAJGUA, PM JANMAN, EMRS, various scholarships, grants under Article 275(1), PMJVM, NSTFDC, VCF‑ST and TRI‑ECE, alongside convergence‑based infrastructure interventions. It clarified that no proposal exists to grant ST status to any community in Delhi, and explained the constitutional and procedural framework for ST status, including reservation provisions in political bodies and administrative services across UTs.

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs reported that it is monitoring the implementation of Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyaan (PM‑JANMAN) in Kerala through periodic reviews, field‑level monitoring and reports from the state government and implementing agencies. As of 30 June 2026, the annexure lists specific interventions such as houses sanctioned/completed under PMAY‑G, road kilometres under PMGSY, villages covered under various schemes, and electrification of households under MoP‑RDSS and MNRE. No specific representation or challenge to the scheme’s implementation in Kerala has been recorded. The Ministry has set up a national Project Monitoring Unit to coordinate with line ministries and state departments to ensure targets are met.

The Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs stated that, according to the 2011 Census, Kerala’s Scheduled Tribe (ST) population is 4,84,839, representing 1.45 % of the state’s total population, with the highest numbers in Wayanad, Idukki, Palakkad, Kasaragod and Kannur. The Ministry of Tribal Affairs, monitoring the Forest Rights Act (2006) through monthly progress reports, has issued 2,923 Individual Forest Rights titles and 110 Community Forest Rights titles (total 3,033). Funds released to Kerala under the Tribal Sub‑Plan and related schemes from FY 2021‑22 to 2025‑26 amount to several hundred crore rupees, covering scholarships, research institute support, and the PM JANMAN scheme. The government also highlights the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (launched 2 Oct 2024) with a budget of ₹79,156 cr to address infrastructure and livelihood gaps for tribals.

The Ministry of Textiles will inaugurate the Centre of Excellence for Handloom Technology (CoE-HT) at IIT Delhi on 3 August 2026, with Union Minister Shri Giriraj Singh presiding. Funded with a Government of India investment of ₹11.99 crore, the centre aims to integrate handloom heritage with research, innovation and digital technologies. Over five years it will create a national digital repository, develop AI‑enabled tools, modernise looms, facilitate patents, incubate startups and train weavers and faculty. The launch will also unveil five flagship initiatives—Handloom 4.0, Handloom e‑Vidya, HandloomX, Kalagriha Handloom Studio, and Threads of Valour—targeting productivity, sustainability, entrepreneurship and circularity.

The Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance, launched India’s first sovereign‑backed Protection & Indemnity (P&I) insurance product under the Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool (BMIP) on 12 May 2026. Designed by New India Assurance, the product offers indemnity limits up to USD 1.5 billion and covers third‑party liabilities such as crew, cargo, pollution and wreck removal. Since operationalisation, war‑risk premium rates have fallen by about 35‑40% compared with peak levels during the West Asia conflict, and 1,608 cargo and hull war‑risk policies had been issued by 29 July 2026. The initiative aims to build domestic underwriting capacity, reduce reliance on foreign insurers and strengthen India’s maritime risk‑management framework.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the 4th special Cabinet Committee on Security meeting to review the West Asia conflict. The Cabinet Secretary briefed on ensuring adequate petroleum product supplies, noting diversified LPG sources, high refinery utilisation, and expansion of PNG, LNG import, and city gas networks. The meeting assessed fertilizer requirements for the upcoming Rabi season and discussed alternate sources. The Prime Minister directed the creation of a mechanism to provide timely information, emergency assistance and counselling to seafarers and their families. He emphasized renewable energy, especially solar, and called for a whole‑of‑government coordinated monitoring mechanism to safeguard citizens and the Indian diaspora.

The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) flagged off the first sea shipment of 7 metric tonnes of value‑added flavoured Makhana from Darbhanga, Bihar, to Canada on 29 July 2026 via Mundra Port. The product was processed and packaged by Nutrivin Agro Private Limited meeting international quality and food‑safety standards. APEDA Chairman Shri Abhishek Dev highlighted the collaborative effort of exporters, processors, farmers and officials. The export is reported to have given Bihar’s Makhana farmers more than a 50 % increase in returns, illustrating the impact of processing, branding and export‑oriented value addition on agricultural competitiveness and farmer incomes.