Official releases, distilled into exam-ready intelligence.

The National Cooperative Database (NCD) reports that as of 15 July 2026, Jharkhand has 12,207 cooperative societies (8,141 functional) and Gujarat has 88,119 (79,817 functional). The Central Sector Project for Computerisation of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), launched in 2022, was expanded from 63,000 to 79,630 PACS with a revised outlay of ₹2,925.39 crore. Annexure‑2 details state‑wise central funding for the PACS project, while Annexure‑3 shows NCDC’s disburments to states over the last five years, including ₹0.60 crore to Jharkhand and ₹165.60 crore to Gujarat in 2026‑27. The Ministry of Cooperation also notes the Multi‑State Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Act, 2023, reserving seats for women and SC/ST members.

The Ministry of Cooperation studied ways to improve efficiency in sugar cooperatives, including the Shero cooperative sugar mill in Tarn Taran. The National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC), under the Ministry, offers financial assistance for revival and modernisation of cooperative sugar mills. A grant‑in‑aid scheme of Rs 1000 crore was approved for NCDC in two instalments (FY 2022‑23 and FY 2024‑25) to enable it to raise market funds and lend Rs 10,000 crore for ethanol/cogeneration plants and working capital. By 31 Mar 2025, NCDC had disbursed Rs 10,005 crore to 56 cooperative sugar mills. This information was provided by Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.

The Ministry of Cooperation is implementing White Revolution 2.0, aiming to establish 75,000 new Dairy Cooperative Societies (DCSs) in uncovered panchayats/villages and strengthen 46,422 existing DCSs. To date, 24,097 new DCSs have been formed and 31,394 existing societies have been strengthened. Progress is monitored through monthly state‑level reviews, quarterly national review conferences, and annual regional workshops coordinated with the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) and the National Dairy Development Board. Financial assistance under the revised National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD) has been released to states, covering items such as bulk milk coolers, automatic collection units, testing equipment, processing infrastructure, working capital and technical support. Annexures provide state‑wise data on DCS formation, strengthening, and funds released.

The Ministry of Education highlighted a special Central Advisory Board of Education (CABE) session held on 21 September 2019 to discuss the Draft National Education Policy (NEP). The NEP 2020 stresses that its implementation needs long‑term vision, expertise and coordinated action at national, state, institutional and individual levels, and recommends strengthening CABE as a consultative platform. To aid NEP implementation, the Ministry created the Education Advisory Council (EdAC) of experts to advise on policy, develop a roadmap, review interventions and suggest measures for CABE. The government emphasizes cooperative federalism, citing multiple recent engagements with states and UTs—including conferences, NITI Aayog meetings, workshops and a two‑day conclave (22‑23 July 2026)—to review centrally‑sponsored education schemes and enhance centre‑state collaboration.

The Ministry of Cooperation has launched Bharat Taxi, a cooperative‑led digital mobility platform operated by Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited (STCL). As of 19 July 2026, 7.97 lakh driver‑partners (Sarathis) have been onboarded nationwide, with 2.55 lakh in Delhi‑NCR, 1.01 lakh in Gujarat and 71,095 in Maharashtra. The service runs on a zero‑commission model; a nominal subscription fee is charged to cover technology and platform costs, leaving the fare earned by Sarathis unchanged. Sarathis, as members of STCL, receive cooperative benefits under the Multi‑State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002, including health and personal accident insurance at concessional rates, access to institutional credit such as SBI Mudra loans, vehicle financing, and periodic training on platform usage and safety. Expansion to other cities will depend on operational readiness and statutory approvals.

The Ministry of Women and Child Development has created an integrated unified Mission Vatsalya Portal, developed in consultation with States and Union Territories, to enable service delivery and real‑time monitoring of child‑care programmes. The portal incorporates the TrackChild portal for missing/found children and the Khoya‑Paya application for missing/sighted children, and is linked with the Crime and Criminal Tracking & Network System (CCTNS) of the Ministry of Home Affairs for FIR matching. It also connects with the toll‑free Child Helpline (1098) and the Emergency Response Support System‑112 (ERSS‑112). The portal supports the centrally sponsored Mission Vatsalya scheme, which provides institutional and non‑institutional care, including a monthly allowance of Rs 4,000 for eligible children.

The Ministry of Education, citing NEP 2020’s Para 4.24, is implementing the PM SHRI scheme to embed Artificial Intelligence (AI) in school education. Under the centrally‑sponsored Samagra Shiksha programme, teacher‑education institutions, SCERTs and DIETs are being upgraded, and continuous professional development is being delivered through Block and Cluster Resource Centres. The flagship NISHTHA programme and the DIKSHA learning‑management system now host AI‑focused modules, with DIKSHA offering more than 350 live courses, including about 59 on AI and digital learning. Over 96,000 teachers have been trained through AI‑related programmes organised by NCERT, CBSE, KVS and NVS, while the National Mission for Mentoring has earmarked AI as a sub‑domain for digital literacy.

The Department of Atomic Energy provided details on the operational performance of NPCIL nuclear power plants, including electricity generation and plant load factor (PLF) for the past five years (Annexure). Ongoing projects listed are RAPP‑7&8 (Rawatbhata, 2 × 700 MW, commercial operation from 15‑Apr‑2026, cost ₹22,924 cr), GHAVP‑1&2 (Gorakhpur, 2 × 700 MW, commissioning expected ~6 years after first concrete), KAIGA‑5&6 (Kaiga, 2 × 700 MW, June‑2031/June‑2032, cost ₹21,000 cr), KKNPP‑3&4 (Kudankulam, 2 × 1000 MW, June‑2027/June‑2028, cost ₹68,893 cr) and KKNPP‑5&6 (2 × 1000 MW, June‑2029/March‑2030, cost ₹69,437 cr). BHAVINI is commissioning a 500 MW Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor at Kalpakkam, expected fully operational by Mar‑2027 at a cost of ₹8,181 cr. Security measures include periodic audits, mock drills, and regulatory‑approved emergency response plans at all sites, including Tarapur. The information was supplied by Union Minister of State Dr. Jitendra Singh in a Lok Sabha reply.

The Ministry of Education notes that vacancies in Central Higher Educational Institutions (CHEIs) arise from promotion, retirement, resignation, death, new institutions, schemes, projects and increased student strength. Special ‘Mission Mode’ recruitment drives were launched in August 2021, September 2022 and October 2025 to clear backlog vacancies, including seats for SC, ST and OBC candidates. Up to 23 May 2026, 32,114 posts – of which 18,757 were faculty positions – were filled under this scheme. The release also provides financial data for the Samagra Shiksha scheme, showing central allocations of ₹2.19 crore lakh and total expenditures of ₹2.67 crore lakh for FY 2021‑26. It highlights ongoing NEP‑2020 implementation through digital platforms (DIKSHA, PM eVIDYA, etc.) and infrastructure upgrades in Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas.

The YUVIKA 2026 programme was conducted from 11‑22 May 2026 at nine ISRO centres – VSSC, SDSC‑SHAR, NRSC, URSC, SAC, IIRS, NESAC, IPRC and RRSC‑West. A total of 456 meritorious students from 28 states and 8 union territories participated, an increase from 350 students at seven centres in the previous edition. Activities included interaction with senior scientists, lectures on ISRO achievements, live RH200 rocket launch, interaction with the Bharati Station team in Antarctica, water‑rocket demonstration, and hands‑on projects such as programmable robotics, Chandrayaan‑3 DIY kit, model‑rocket assembly and telescope sky‑gazing. Selection is merit‑based with a 15 % weightage for students from rural and remote areas. The information was provided by Union Minister of State Dr. Jitendra Singh in a Lok Sabha reply.

The Department of Space reported that after the 10‑year mission life of IRNSS‑1F, the NavIC constellation presently comprises three satellites – IRNSS‑1B, IRNSS‑1I and NVS‑01. Since a minimum of four operational satellites are required for basic positioning, NavIC cannot currently offer standalone positioning service, though its timing service remains functional. The Armed Forces are using NavIC alongside other GNSS constellations, and the ministry states there is no user vulnerability. The next NavIC satellite, NVS‑03, is ready for launch, while NVS‑04 and NVS‑05 are in advanced stages of realization.

The Coal Exchange Rules, 2026 were notified under Section 18B of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 on 04 June 2026. The rules create a regulatory framework for an online Coal Exchange where buyers and sellers can trade coal and its processed forms. The Coal Controller Organisation (CCO) is designated as the authority to register, regulate and oversee exchanges, including approval of bidding, price‑discovery mechanisms, contract terms and market surveillance. A Settlement Guarantee Fund (SGF) managed by an independent committee will invest at least 50 % in safe/liquid instruments. The rules mandate a market‑surveillance committee, grievance redressal forum, and prescribe a 12‑month timeline for operationalisation after an online application opened on 15 July 2026. The information was provided by Union Minister of State for Coal and Mines Shri Satish Chandra Dubey in Lok Sabha.

The Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) is a centrally‑sponsored scheme under the Ministry of Education aimed at strengthening more than 14,500 schools. To date, 13,092 schools across States/UTs, KVS, NVS and NCERT have been selected as PM SHRI schools, showcasing the initiatives of the National Education Policy 2020. The scheme runs from 2022‑23 to 2026‑27, with fund allocation beginning in FY 2023‑24 and yearly releases detailed in an annexure. States/UTs sign MoUs with the Centre and schools are chosen through a Challenge Mode. The curriculum follows the 5+3+3+4 structure under NCF/SCF, with flexibility for state‑specific contextualisation. Kerala signed its MoU on 23 Oct 2025.

The Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation released the trial Index of Services Production (ISP) for May 2026 (base year 2024‑25) covering 19 sub‑sectors. Eight sub‑sectors posted double‑digit growth and 16 recorded positive growth year‑on‑year. The highest growth rates were in Accommodation & Food (27.4 %), Real Estate (17.7 %), Retail Trade (13.3 %), Banking (12.1 %) and Telecommunications (11.8 %). Detailed ISP values and growth percentages are provided for each sub‑sector, and monthly indices from May 2025 to May 2026 are listed in an annexure. The release notes that the trial series is experimental, aimed at testing data quality and gathering stakeholder feedback, and that indices for Railways, Banking and Insurance are provisional and will be revised annually.

The Ministry of Electronics & IT reports that under the Software Technology Park (STP) Scheme, the Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) has set up 73 centres nationwide, including a 6,600 sq ft centre in Kolhapur with 62 plug‑and‑play incubation seats, conference facilities, a Network Operations Centre and related infrastructure. In FY 2025‑26, seven STPI‑registered units at the Kolhapur centre exported IT services worth ₹241.49 crore. The Maharashtra government supports the ecosystem through tax rebates, electricity tariff concessions and an IT Park developed by MIDC, which hosts three operational plots. Kolhapur now has 372 IT/ITES units employing about 9,000 people, as stated by Minister of State Shri Jitin Prasada in a Lok Sabha reply.

The Ministry of Home Affairs administers the Swatantrata Sainik Samman Yojana (SSSY), a Central Sector Scheme that provides a Central Samman Pension to recognised Freedom Fighters and their eligible dependents. As of the date of the release, the scheme covers 12,898 beneficiaries – 1,553 Freedom Fighters and 11,345 dependents – across states and Union Territories (Annexure‑I). Pension rates were last revised effective 15 Aug 2016, with Dearness Relief (DR) updated w.e.f. 1 July 2025 (Annexure‑II). The scheme also offers railway passes, free medical facilities, and transit stay at State Bhawan (Annexure‑III). The most recent third‑party evaluation was conducted by the Indian Institute of Public Administration for the 15th Finance Commission Cycle in Dec 2020, with the next evaluation assigned to the Quality Council of India.

The Department of Space detailed the development status of the Gaganyaan programme in response to a Parliament question. All propulsion stages and structures of the Human Rated Launch Vehicle (HLVM3) have been developed and ground‑tested. The Orbital Module’s propulsion, environmental control & life support system (ECLSS) engineering model, deceleration system, crew‑module up‑righting system, thermal protection system and avionics have been developed and tested. The Crew Escape System (CES) has five motor types that were statically tested and its structures qualified. Infrastructure such as the Orbital Module Preparation Facility, Gaganyaan Control Centre, crew‑training facility and modifications to the Second Launch Pad have been realised. Test missions TV‑D1, IADT‑01 and IADT‑02 were successfully completed, and TV‑D2 is in an advanced stage. Ground network configuration, IDRSS‑1 feeder stations, and MoUs with other space agencies have been established. Training of Gaganyatris has been undertaken in Russia and continues in Bengaluru. The first uncrewed mission (G1) is being prepared, with all HLVM3 stages and CES motors ready, and crew and service modules nearing assembly and integration. The information was provided by Union Minister of State Dr. Jitendra Singh in a Lok Sabha written reply.

The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports announced that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch the "Nasha Mukta Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyaan" on 2 August 2026. The 100‑week Jan Bhagidari movement aims to create a drug‑free India by mobilising more than one crore youth across nearly 10,000 locations to take a Nasha Mukti pledge. Activities each Sunday will include sports, walk‑athons, cultural programmes and awareness drives, with participation from MY Bharat volunteers, NSS volunteers, schools, NGOs, industrial bodies and over 125 spiritual organisations. Milestones at the 50th, 75th and 100th weeks will honour outstanding contributors.

The National Co‑operative Exports Limited (NCEL) is tasked with acting as the umbrella organisation for exporting goods and services, including organic products, produced by cooperative societies nationwide. NCEL has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with National Cooperative Organics Limited (NCOL) to export certified organic products under the “Bharat Organics” brand. This development was disclosed by Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, used his official X account to congratulate athlete Gulveer for winning the Silver medal in the Men’s 10,000m at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow, praising his commitment and dedication and wishing him success in future endeavours.