Official releases, distilled into exam-ready intelligence.

The Prime Minister will interact with participants of the Viksit Vibrant Village Programme 2026 on 26 July 2026 at 4:30 PM via video‑conferencing. The programme, implemented through MY Bharat, was conducted in two phases from 4 June to 30 June 2026, covering 74 villages in Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Over 400 youth representing every State and Union Territory were selected through a nationwide online quiz that attracted more than three lakh participants. Activities included Swachh drives, awareness campaigns on government schemes, cultural exchanges, tree‑plantation, Mini Model Panchayat simulations, interactions with artisans and visits to strategic institutions, aiming to foster community participation, national integration and understanding of the strategic importance of border villages.

The Union Government has postponed the Karnataka Government’s request to place the Karnataka Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Reservation of Seats in Educational Institutions and of Appointments or Posts in the Services under the State) Act, 2022 in the Constitution’s Ninth Schedule. The Act, passed by the Karnataka Legislature, earmarks 56 % reservation for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes. Since the Act is currently under challenge before the Karnataka High Court and is sub‑judice, the Ministry of Law and Justice, through Union Minister Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal’s written reply to the Lok Sabha, deemed inclusion in the Ninth Schedule inappropriate at present.

The eCourts Mission Mode Project Phase‑III, overseen by the e‑Committee of the Supreme Court and implemented by High Courts, is being regularly monitored through review meetings and progress reports. All district courts in Punjab have adopted e‑Filing 3.0, and the Ministry of Law and Justice has supplied extensive digital infrastructure—including VC cameras, multi‑function printers, document visualisers, UPS units, scanners, display boards, computers, laptops, servers, external HDDs and virtual‑court equipment—to each district court as detailed in Annexure‑I. The distribution of these items varies by district, with larger allocations in districts such as Ludhiana and Patiala. The information was provided by Union Minister of Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal in response to a Lok Sabha question.

The Centre’s Fast Track Special Courts (FTSC) scheme, launched in October 2019 to expedite trials under the POCSO Act and rape cases, has been extended to September 2026. As of 30 April 2026, 775 FTSCs—including 398 exclusive e‑POCSO courts—are functional across 29 States/UTs. Over the last three years, cases registered rose from 81,471 in 2023 to 1,43,936 in 2025, while disposals peaked at 85,595 in 2024; pending cases remain above 2 lakh. The scheme has released ₹1,259.51 crore to States/UTs since inception, with central share disbursements of ₹200 crore each in FY 2023‑24, 2024‑25 and 2025‑26. Regular video‑conference reviews and inclusion in Inter‑State Zonal Council agendas aim to strengthen implementation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that Sarnath in Uttar Pradesh has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, calling it a proud moment for every Indian. He highlighted Sarnath’s close association with Lord Buddha and said the recognition celebrates India’s civilisational and spiritual heritage and will inspire more visitors worldwide to connect with Buddha’s ideals.

On 25 July 2026, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri inaugurated the spudding of the first appraisal well, MN‑DWN18‑1‑HD, in the Mahanadi Offshore Basin. The well is the first of four planned deep‑water wells aimed at evaluating one of India’s most prospective offshore basins using world‑class drilling technology. The minister linked the activity to a decade of reforms – the Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy (HELP), the Open Acreage Licensing Programme (OALP), a transparent revenue‑sharing framework and the opening of nearly 99 % of former offshore “No‑Go” areas – which have led to 172 blocks (≈3.8 lakh km²) being awarded with over USD 4.3 billion in committed investments. In FY 2025‑26, about 674 wells were drilled, five new discoveries made and seven discoveries monetised, underscoring the drive toward energy self‑reliance.

On July 25 2026, President Droupadi Murmu concluded her state visit to Romania by addressing the Indian community and ‘Friends of India’ at a reception in Bucharest. She highlighted the diaspora’s cultural and economic contributions, noting Indian IT engineers, scholars, researchers, healthcare professionals and students are establishing a presence in Romania. The President reiterated India’s ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’ vision and urged the community to remain active partners in India’s development. She also referred to the upcoming India‑European Union Free Trade Agreement and the potential for expanded cooperation in defence, renewable energy, digital technology, education, research, healthcare, and advanced manufacturing between India and Romania.

The Ministry of Law and Justice reports that under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) for District and Subordinate Court infrastructure (running since 1993‑94), Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh have the following available facilities as of 31‑May‑2026: Karnataka – 1,278 court halls and 1,199 residential units for judges (against a sanctioned strength of 1,398 judges); Himachal Pradesh – 180 court halls and 161 residential units (against 192 judges). In the last five years, Karnataka completed 586 court halls and 129 residential units, with 218 halls and 46 units under construction; Himachal Pradesh completed 4 halls, 0 units, with 36 halls and 5 units under construction. Central funds released (in crore rupees) from FY 2021‑22 to FY 2025‑26 totalled ₹ 315.18 cr for Karnataka and ₹ 31.87 cr for Himachal Pradesh. Mother sanctions for FY 2026‑27 are ₹ 5.33 cr (Karnataka) and ₹ 5.195 cr (Himachal Pradesh). Additionally, e‑Courts Phase III funding of ₹ 151.73 cr (Karnataka) and ₹ 20.66 cr (Himachal Pradesh) has been released for digital infrastructure.

The Ministry of Law and Justice has launched the Designing Innovative Solutions for Holistic Access to Justice (DISHA) 2.0, a Central Sector Scheme with a financial outlay of ₹255 crore for 2026‑31. The scheme aims to expand technology‑driven legal services across India through four components: (i) Tele‑Law, which offers free pre‑litigation advice via a mobile app, toll‑free number 14454, and video‑conferencing at Common Service Centres (CSCs) and Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs); (ii) Nyaya Bandhu, a pro‑bono programme with panels in 23 High Courts and clubs in law colleges; (iii) Legal Literacy and Legal Awareness Programme to build capacity of grassroots workers; and (iv) VIDHI‑Sanjeevani, a centralized integrated dashboard that monitors implementation and incorporates the Nyaya Setu AI chatbot supporting 22 Indian languages. The scheme targets 50 lakh beneficiaries over five years and includes specific data on CSCs and pro‑bono advocates in Andhra Pradesh.

On 25 July 2026, Rajasthan Chief Minister Shri Bhajanlal Sharma launched the ‘Bharat Taxi’ service in Jaipur under the cooperative model promoted by the Ministry of Cooperation. The scheme positions Sarathis as owners‑shareholders, with about 8 lakh Sarathis and 41 lakh customers already registered nationwide, daily completing roughly 11,000 trips and depositing around Rs 77 crore directly into drivers’ accounts. Rajasthan, home to about 42,000 cooperative societies and 1.35 crore members, flagged off an initial fleet of 60 cabs, 20 bikes and 20 autos, with plans to extend the model to roughly 500 cities across India, linking it to tourism, public transport and local employment generation.

On the eve of the 27th Kargil Vijay Diwas (25 July 2026), Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the Indian Defence Forces are fully prepared to face any challenge, citing the enemy’s continued use of proxy wars and infiltration. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to soldier welfare and highlighted ongoing defence modernisation and self‑reliance, noting the forces’ adoption of latest technologies such as drones and robotic mules. The commemorative events in Dras included tributes to Kargil war heroes, cultural programmes, and displays of cutting‑edge equipment, underscoring the link between past valour and future capability.

The Ministry of Law and Justice reports that the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (all enacted in 2023) came into force nationwide on 1 July 2024. State and Union Territory governments have issued notifications, adopted digital applications and undertaken capacity‑building measures. The Bureau of Police Research & Development (BPR&D) has trained 83,740 officers and stakeholders across the five pillars of the criminal‑justice system since 2024, with detailed state‑wise training data provided in Annexure‑I and Annexure‑II. The High Court of Madhya Pradesh notes judicial orientation, amendments to the Case Information System and e‑Courts software, and ongoing monitoring to ensure smooth transition. The 2024 ‘Crime in India’ report lists organised‑crime and terrorism cases by state/UT (Annexure‑III).

Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla paid floral tributes to former Speaker Shri Somnath Chatterjee on 25 July 2026, marking Chatterjee’s birth anniversary. The ceremony was attended by MPs, former MPs and dignitaries, with Lok Sabha Secretary‑General Shri Utpal Kumar Singh also offering tributes. Chatterjee (born 25 July 1929, Tezpur, Assam) entered politics in 1968, was first elected to Lok Sabha in 1971, served ten consecutive terms, and was Speaker of the 14th Lok Sabha from 4 June 2004 to 31 May 2009. He received the Outstanding Parliamentarian Award in 1996, launched Lok Sabha Television in July 2006, and inaugurated the Parliamentary Museum in August 2006. A portrait of him, painted by Shri Manish Kumar Rao, was unveiled on 10 Feb 2014 by President Pranab Mukherjee.

The Rajya Sabha Chairman, Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan, inaugurated the two‑day Orientation Programme ‘Prarambh’ for the 67 newly elected or nominated members of the Rajya Sabha on 25 July 2026. The programme, attended by the Deputy Chairman, Secretary‑General and senior secretariat officers, emphasized the members’ role in ‘Amrit Kaal’ and the vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat @2047’. Key points highlighted were the importance of Question Hour, Zero Hour and the cautious use of Rule 267, the need for continuous learning of parliamentary procedures, and the adoption of AI‑driven tools such as Vani Setu for real‑time multilingual interpretation. The Chairman urged members to uphold constitutional values, ensure constructive debate, and contribute to policy‑making.

The United States Trade Representative announced on 23 July 2026 the final Section 301 measures on forced‑labour, imposing an additional 10 % ad valorem duty on imports from India – a reduction from the 12.5 % duty initially proposed on 2 June 2026. About 45 % of India’s exports to the United States, including generic pharmaceuticals, smartphones and products already covered by Section 232 (steel, aluminium, auto parts), remain exempt from the additional duty, while the remaining 55 % will attract the 10 % tariff, placing India in a lower tariff tier relative to most other economies. The measures are linked to ongoing negotiations for the India‑U.S. Bilateral Trade Agreement.

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) intensified its crackdown on organised gold‑smuggling syndicates in a series of intelligence‑driven operations across India in July 2026. Over 27 kg of foreign‑origin gold was seized and 12 persons arrested. The operations uncovered sophisticated concealment methods – gold bars hidden in aircraft lavatory ceiling panels (12 kg), in a waist‑belt and handbag (5 kg), gold dust in wax retrieved by cleaning staff (3.7 kg), in specially fabricated utensils (4.6 kg), inside a passenger’s body (≈2 kg) and in a car cavity (≈2 kg). The smuggling routes involved arrivals from Addis Ababa, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Dubai.

The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways has approved the 117.7‑km Kanpur–Kabrai (4/6 lane access‑controlled) Highway, a greenfield project costing ₹7,145 crore, to be built by NHAI under the Bhopal–Kankan Economic Corridor. The highway will link Bundelkhand’s mineral‑rich Kabrai belt with industrial hubs such as Kanpur and Bhopal, cutting travel time from about 3.5 hours to 1.5 hours. It is expected to lower logistics costs, reduce fuel consumption, decongest existing routes, and improve supply‑chain efficiency for minerals, manufactured goods and agricultural produce. Enhanced connectivity will also facilitate faster movement of seeds, fertilisers and farm machinery, helping farmers reduce post‑harvest losses, achieve better prices and boost rural incomes, thereby fostering inclusive regional development.

The President of India, acting on the Prime Minister’s advice, accepted the resignation of Shri Dharmendra Pradhan from the Union Council of Ministers with immediate effect under clause (2) of Article 75 of the Constitution. The President also directed that Shri Pralhad Joshi, a Cabinet Minister, be given the charge of the Ministry of Education in addition to his existing portfolio.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) is conducting a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in phases across the country to ensure accuracy and remove ineligible or duplicate entries. Phase I began in Bihar ahead of the 2025 state elections, involving house‑to‑house enumeration by Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and publication of draft rolls for claims. Phase II covered nine states and three Union territories from October 2025 to April 2026, following the same procedure. Phase III is underway or planned for the remaining states/UTs, including Delhi, with data on additions, deletions, and corrections being published by the ECI and state Chief Electoral Officers. Safeguards include multiple BLO visits before deletion, statutory claim periods, appeal mechanisms, and involvement of Booth Level Agents nominated by political parties. The Supreme Court upheld the SIR’s statutory basis under the Representation of the People Act, 1950, and its alignment with the Commission’s constitutional mandate under Article 324.

The Ministry of Law and Justice reports that legal aid under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 extends to persons with disabilities as defined in the 1955 Disabilities Act. The NALSA (Legal Services to Persons with Mental Illness and Persons with Intellectual Disabilities) Scheme, 2024 has set up ‘Manonyay’ Legal Services Units in all States/UTs except Lakshadweep, delivering services at mental health establishments, police stations, courts, transport hubs, prisons and through home visits. Legal aid beneficiaries recorded were 11,591 (2023‑24), 8,313 (2024‑25) and 15,280 (2025‑26). A centrally‑sponsored court‑infrastructure scheme mandates disabled‑friendly designs, while the e‑Courts Mission Mode Project Phase III allocates Rs 27.54 crore for accessible ICT facilities and Rs 6.35 crore for the S3WaaS platform to aid visually impaired users.