Official releases, distilled into exam-ready intelligence.

The Ministry of Earth Sciences, via the National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR), monitors micro‑, meso‑ and macro‑plastics and marine litter at selected coastal sites such as Thoothukudi and the Gulf of Mannar. Studies show synthetic filaments dominate microplastic composition, with riverine discharge and abandoned, lost or discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) as main sources. NCCR has created a Clean Coast Index (CCI) that rates both locations as ‘moderately clean’, with microplastic abundance ranging from 28 to 60 particles per 50 g of sediment and no major hotspots identified. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has banned certain single‑use plastics (effective 1 July 2022) and issued the Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2022, introducing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) targets; about 232 lakh tonnes of plastic packaging waste have been processed under this framework. A draft National Marine Litter Policy has been prepared for MoEFCC’s consideration.

The Ministry of Cooperation has approved a Centrally Sponsored Project to computerise functional Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) on a common ERP‑based National Software. The scheme, initially for 63,000 PACS, has been expanded to 79,630 PACs with a financial outlay of ₹2,925.39 crore and is being rolled out state‑wise (see Annexure‑‘A’ for onboarding figures). On 31 May 2023 the Government also approved the ‘World’s Largest Grain Storage Plan in Cooperative Sector’, identifying 1,015 PACS for godown construction; work is completed in 313 PACS, adding 1.80 LMT of capacity. The National Cooperative Export Ltd (NCEL) has exported 1,489,102 MT of agricultural produce worth ₹5,866.10 crore to 38 countries. The ERP system provides standardized accounting, audit and MIS modules to enhance transparency and efficiency of PACS operations.

The Ministry of Earth Sciences reports that the national ocean observation network has been significantly expanded. It now includes 19 subsurface moorings, 17 directional wave rider buoys, 20 ADCPs, 32 AWS, 2 water‑quality buoys, 50 tide gauges, 302 Argo profiling floats (2014‑2025), 12 deep‑sea gliders, 45 drifting buoys, 64 wave drifters and a tsunami early‑warning system of 17 seismic stations, 7 deep‑ocean buoys, 36 coastal tide gauges, 35 GNSS receivers and strong‑motion accelerometers. Recent additions comprise 14 tide gauges, 15 GNSS receivers and a wave rider buoy off Mauritius. Real‑time data from these platforms are assimilated at INCOIS into global ocean data assimilation systems, improving monsoon and cyclone forecast accuracy (up to ~43 % for wave forecasts) and enabling tsunami advisories within 10 minutes.

Union Environment Minister Shri Bhupender Yadav, speaking at the Global Tiger Day 2026 event in New Delhi, said that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership the number of tigers in India has risen to 3,682 and tiger reserves have increased to 58. He also noted growth in elephant reserves, national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, protected areas, community reserves and wetlands over the past 12 years. The minister launched the NTCA Eco‑tourism webpage, highlighted the role of the International Big Cat Alliance, and announced NTCA Awards for exemplary tiger‑conservation work. Five publications, including a security audit of 24 tiger reserves, were released to underscore science‑based conservation and public awareness.

The Department of Space (DoS) reports that the Government of India is employing satellite and geospatial technologies for disaster management in Ladakh. A glacier inventory covering >2,000 glaciers (2020‑23 data) and change mapping for >1,000 glaciers over two decades has been created. An inventory of 3,219 glacial lakes (>0.25 ha) and GLOF risk modelling for high‑risk lakes such as Katkar and Suru have been completed. Daily snow‑cover maps have been generated from 2019 to September 2025. Wetlands (4,912) and waterbodies (≈41 >5 ha) are monitored via the Bhuvan Waterbody Information System. ISRO projects include the Cryosphere Science and Applications Programme, LAMA, SILAAS (since 2023), the National Hydrology Project (2017‑2025), and the Geo‑Ladakh geo‑portal. Advanced R&D aims to strengthen early‑warning systems for GLOF, extreme weather, and landslides, and space‑based information is provided during disaster response. Capacity‑building trainings have also been conducted for Ladakh participants.

The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) outlines its National Nuclear Medicine Expansion Programme, detailing contributions from BARC, VECC, and Tata Memorial Centre (TMC). BARC operates clinical services at Mumbai and Kolkata, while VECC’s 30 MeV cyclotron produces radioisotopes for cancer diagnostics. TMC provides gamma camera imaging, PET‑CT, and a six‑bed high‑dose radionuclide therapy ward, using isotopes such as I‑131, Lu‑177 and Ga‑68 compounds. A dedicated Isotope Production Reactor is under construction at BARC, Visakhapatnam, to boost domestic isotope supply. DAE also runs specialised training programmes (MD, M.Sc., Diploma) to build skilled manpower for nuclear medicine and cancer care.

The Ministry of Home Affairs reports that Drug Law Enforcement Agencies (DLEAs) under the NDPS Act have intensified enforcement, recording drug seizures of 13.89 lakh kg (2023), 13.30 lakh kg (2024) and 12.40 lakh kg (2025); arrests of 1.33 lakh, 1.22 lakh and 1.84 lakh respectively; and disposal of 7.62 lakh kg, 4.51 lakh kg and 10.08 lakh kg of drugs over the same years. The 4‑tier Narco‑Coordination (NCORD) mechanism has conducted 10 Apex, 7 Executive, 272 State and 16,187 District meetings. NCB has expanded Zonal Offices from 13 to 30 and approved six more. A centralized database, NIDAAN, now holds about 9.5 lakh records of NDPS offenders to aid investigations and bail decisions.

The Ministry of Personnel’s Mission Karmayogi aims to make civil servants future‑ready by prioritising AI and digital skills. The iGOT Karmayogi platform, with over 1.70 crore government employees from central, state and UT bodies, hosts 218 courses on Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies. Learners have recorded more than 3.3 crore completions of these AI‑related courses. The Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023 and Rules 2025, notified on 13 Nov 2025, mandate lawful processing of personal data with explicit consent. No AI trial has been conducted in the Sidhi Lok Sabha constituency, and all AI courses on iGOT are available to employees there.

The Ministry of Women and Child Development reiterated that the Government of India gives top priority to child safety. It highlighted the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 and its 2020 Rules, which provide a gender‑neutral legal framework, graded punishments (including death penalty for certain aggravated offences), mandatory reporting, child‑friendly procedures, and special courts. The release noted the establishment of Fast‑Track Special Courts (including 20 exclusive e‑POCSO courts in Tamil Nadu) under the Nirbhaya Fund, and the extension of the scheme to 30 Sept 2026. It also cited enhancements in forensic infrastructure (new CFSLs, DNA and cyber labs) and victim‑compensation mechanisms such as the Central Victim Compensation Fund and statutory medical support under the BNSS, 2023.

The Ministry of Home Affairs reports that, as of March/April 2026, no district is classified as Left‑Wing Extremism (LWE) affected; the number of Naxal‑affected districts fell from 126 in 2018 to zero in 2026. The Government’s 2015 National Policy and Action Plan, together with State cooperation, has driven this outcome through security measures (CAPF deployment, fortified police stations, helicopter support, and Rs 3,805.04 crore under the Security Related Expenditure scheme) and development initiatives (road construction, telecom towers, schools, skill centres, and financial inclusion). Rehabilitation packages for surrendered cadres, special central assistance (Rs 4,289.20 crore since 2017), and community‑rights programmes (over 2.1 million title deeds) are also highlighted.

The Ministry of Education, in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, reiterated the constitutional mandate under Article 350A and Section 29(2)(f) of the Right to Education Act for mother‑tongue instruction at the primary level. Building on NEP 2020, NCERT has prepared the National Curriculum Framework (NCF‑SE 2023) and released new textbooks for Grades 1‑9, translating them into all 22 scheduled languages – 460 textbooks in total, with 368 already digitised. Digital initiatives such as DIKSHA (supporting 135 languages) and AI‑enabled translation of modules, along with programmes like NISHTHA, Bhasha Sangam, and Bharatiya Bhasha Utsav, aim to broaden multilingual education across states and union territories.

The Department of Space reported that in 2026 private sector investment in space reached $187 million and IN‑SPACe granted 108 authorisations to non‑government entities for activities such as satellite operation and launch services. The Indian Space Policy 2023, a liberalised FDI regime, a ₹1,000 cr Venture Capital Fund, a ₹500 cr Technology Adoption Fund, and the IN‑SPACe Seed Fund Scheme are among the measures to boost space startups. Over 400 private firms now operate, cumulative private funding rose to $618.5 million by March 2026, and notable milestones include two sub‑orbital launches, more than 30 satellites placed by NGEs, and the POEM platform for low‑cost in‑orbit validation.

The Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has revised the base year of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) from 2012=100 to 2024=100, releasing the new series on 12 February 2026. Under the revised series, price collection now covers 1,465 rural and 1,395 urban markets across 434 towns, with an additional 12 online markets in towns of over 2.5 million population. The CPI basket has been expanded from 299 to 358 items (goods 259→308, services 40→50) based on the 2023‑24 Household Consumption Expenditure Survey. Inflation data for the new series is available from January 2026, and linking factors plus back‑series data (2013‑2024) are provided on the e‑Sankhyiki portal.

The Department of Atomic Energy reported that in the fiscal year 2023‑24 ten nuclear reactors were under construction or commissioning, with a total planned capacity of 8,000 MW. Three reactors (2 × 700 MW at Kakrapar, Gujarat and 1 × 700 MW at Rawatbhata, Rajasthan) have begun commercial operation, adding 2,100 MW. New construction includes units at Rawatbhata (RAPP‑8, 1 × 700 MW), Kudankulam (KKNPP‑3&4 and KKNPP‑5&6, each 2 × 1,000 MW), Kalpakkam (FBR‑1, 1 × 500 MW), Kaiga (KAIGA‑5&6, 2 × 700 MW) and Gorakhpur (GHAVP‑1&2, 2 × 700 MW). The 2025 SHANTI Act is slated to broaden participation of private firms and research institutes in the nuclear sector.

The Ministry of Education’s Central Higher Education Institutions (CHEIs)—including Central Universities, IITs and NITs—are autonomous bodies that conduct their own faculty recruitment. Vacancies arise from retirements, promotions, deaths, new institutions and increased student numbers. The Ministry has repeatedly directed CHEIs to clear backlog vacancies in Mission Mode (August 2021, September 2022, October 2025). By 23 May 2026, 32,114 posts (including 18,757 faculty positions) were filled, with reserved category allocations (3,851 SC, 1,643 ST, 6,785 OBC, 1,191 EWS). PhD enrolments rose from 1,17,301 (AISHE 2014‑15) to 3,43,559 (AISHE 2023‑24), a 192.89 % increase. The data were provided by MoE Minister of State Dr Sukanta Majumdar in a Rajya Sabha reply.

The National Cooperative Database (NCD) records 8,53,430 cooperative societies in India as of 15 July 2026. Of these, 6,62,811 are functional, 1,41,442 are non‑functional and 49,177 are under liquidation. Among functional societies, 3,55,680 are profit‑making, 2,50,442 are loss‑making and financial data are missing for 56,689 societies. Sector‑wise details list agriculture, dairy, credit, housing, etc., while state‑wise tables show distribution, functional status and profit/loss figures. The Ministry of Cooperation is converting primary agricultural credit, dairy and fisheries cooperatives into multipurpose societies and has created a Co‑operative Rehabilitation, Reconstruction and Development Fund under the MSCS (Amendment) Act, 2023 to revive sick multi‑state cooperatives.

The Ministry of Education clarified that teacher recruitment and vacancy filling are primarily the responsibility of State Governments and Union Territories, as education falls under the Concurrent List. Vacancies arise from retirement, resignation, new post creation, and changes in enrolment, especially in rural, tribal and aspirational districts. The Centre advises states to use transparent, merit‑based processes—often via autonomous recruitment boards—and provides financial assistance under the Samagra Shiksha scheme to maintain the prescribed Pupil‑Teacher Ratio (PTR). According to UDISE+ 2025‑26, the national PTR is 10 (Foundational), 12 (Preparatory), 17 (Middle) and 21 (Secondary), meeting NEP‑2020 targets, with Telangana and Andhra Pradesh also within norms. Data on teachers in‑position and total schools for 2023‑24 to 2025‑26 are presented in Annexures I and II.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report that on 26 July 2026 an explosion at a metal‑processing factory in Cachar district, Assam killed four workers and severely injured two others, with molten metal spilling over them. The NHRC issued notices to the Assam Chief Secretary and the Cachar Superintendent of Police, seeking a detailed report within two weeks on the injured workers’ health status and on compensation to the victims’ families. The media report noted that over 100 workers were present at the time of the blast.

The Directorate General of Taxpayer Services, Mumbai Zonal Unit, in partnership with ASSOCHAM U.P.-U.K., conducted a webinar on 28 July 2026 to explain the Goods and Services Tax Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT) appeal procedures and recent clarifications. The session highlighted the newly introduced token system, noting that the 60‑day filing period starts from token generation and that tokens must be generated by 31 July 2026. GSTAT officials described the Tribunal’s structure, jurisdiction, e‑filing process, pre‑deposit requirements and common filing errors. The webinar also featured expert presentations and a Q&A on portal issues. This was the 23rd taxpayer outreach programme organised by DGTS Mumbai since April 2026, aimed at enhancing taxpayer awareness and voluntary compliance.

The National Cooperative Database recorded 1,840 Multi‑State Cooperative Societies (MSCS) in India as of 15 July 2026, of which 73 are located in West Bengal. The Central Sector Project for Computerisation of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), launched in 2022, aims to bring functional PACS onto a common ERP‑based national software. The project’s coverage was expanded from 63,000 to 79,630 PACS, with the financial outlay raised from ₹2,516 crore to ₹2,925.39 crore. In West Bengal, 4,187 PACS have been sanctioned, receiving a total assistance of ₹50.79 crore (₹30.54 crore in FY 2022‑23, ₹15.25 crore in FY 2025‑26, and ₹5.00 crore in FY 2026‑27). The National Cooperation Policy 2025, unveiled on 24 July 2025 by the Home & Cooperation Minister, outlines six strategic pillars, 16 objectives and 83 recommendations, and is overseen by a National Steering Committee on Cooperation Policy chaired by the Minister of Cooperation and a Policy Implementation and Monitoring Committee chaired by the Secretary, Ministry of Cooperation. The information was provided by Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah in a Rajya Sabha written reply.