Official releases, distilled into exam-ready intelligence.

Scientists at SASTRA Deemed University, supported by the Department of Science and Technology, have created a nanofluid electrolyte by dispersing silica and zinc‑oxide nanoparticles into a standard electrolyte. The electrolyte remains stable for three months, suppresses hydrogen evolution and zinc corrosion while enhancing oxygen‑reaction kinetics at the cathode of electrically rechargeable zinc‑air batteries. The team also identified α‑MnO₂ (copper‑doped) as a high‑performing bifunctional catalyst and up‑cycled waste carbon from household water filters and surgical masks into electrocatalysts. Both the nanofluid electrolyte and the waste‑derived carbon process are protected by Indian patents and are positioned for grid‑scale storage and electric‑mobility applications in India.

The National Medical Commission (NMC) reports that MBBS seats will rise from 1,09,115 in AY 2023‑24 to 1,28,976 in AY 2025‑26, while postgraduate (PG) seats will increase from 31,185 to 86,360 over the same period. According to the Indian Medical Register (IMR), there are 15,35,155 allopathic and 7,51,768 AYUSH registered practitioners. Assuming 80 % availability of these practitioners, the doctor‑population ratio is estimated at 1:778. Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda, conveyed these figures in a written reply to the Lok Sabha on 24 July 2026.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered a case on 22 July 2026 and arrested a senior executive of the IRCTC West Zone Office, Mumbai, and the director of M/s Araha Hospitality Pvt. Ltd., Kolkata, for alleged bribery. The public servant is accused of receiving cash payments of Rs 1,98,500 (21 April 2026) and Rs 2,00,000 (8 June 2026) in his Punjab National Bank account in exchange for facilitating the settlement of pending bills of the private company. During the investigation, the director was found with a bag containing Rs 4,49,500 and Rs 13,200, and incriminating WhatsApp chats were seized from their mobiles. Both were produced before a Special Court, which granted police custody until 27 July 2026.

The Government has notified the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 under the Information Technology Act, 2000. Part III of these Rules obliges OTT platforms not to transmit any content that is prohibited by law. Part II imposes specific due‑diligence duties on intermediaries, including social‑media platforms, requiring them to make reasonable efforts to prevent the display, upload, hosting, storage, transmission or publication of unlawful information. This information was supplied by Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Dr L. Murugan in a written reply to an unstarred Rajya Sabha question raised by Shri Rajeev Kumar.

The Chairman of the Rajya Sabha noted that on 26 July 2026 the nation will observe Kargil Vijay Diwas to commemorate India’s victory in the 1999 Kargil War. The reference pays homage to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives and expresses gratitude to the armed forces for their courage, determination and dedication in defending the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Members were asked to observe a moment of silence in respect of the fallen soldiers.

The Ministry of Textiles, through the DC (Handicrafts) and DC (Handlooms), implements the National Handicrafts Development Programme and National Handloom Development Programme, jointly providing financial assistance for setting up Urban Haats that enable artisans and weavers to market their products directly. As of 24 July 2026, 28 Urban Haats are operational across India, including three in Rajasthan. This information was disclosed by Minister of State for Textiles Shri Pabitra Margherita in a written reply to a Rajya Sabha question.

The Ministry of Railways announced that Indian Railways is piloting AI‑based stain‑detection cameras in its laundry units at Pune (Central Railway) and Jaipur & Jodhpur (North Western Railway) divisions to verify the quality of washed linen. All mechanised laundries now use Whito‑Meters to assess cleaning effectiveness and have CCTV cameras for continuous monitoring. As part of the pilot, blanket‑cover sheets are being supplied to all AC‑class passengers on North Western Railway trains and the Vande Bharat Sleeper service (Kamakhya‑Howrah). The codal service life of linen items—e.g., 12 months for handloom bed sheets, 24 months for poly‑vastra bed sheets, 9 months for pillow covers and face towels, and 24 months for pillows and woollen blankets—is stipulated by railway rules. The information was conveyed by Union Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw in a Rajya Sabha reply.

The Rajya Sabha Secretariat is conducting a two‑day interactive Orientation Programme for newly elected and nominated members on 25‑26 July 2026. The programme will be inaugurated by Hon’ble Chairman, Rajya Sabha, Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan, with a welcome address by Hon’ble Deputy Chairman, Shri Harivansh. Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan will deliver a keynote on members’ vision and responsibilities, while the Deputy Chairman will discuss the functions of key parliamentary committees. Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw (Railways, I&B, E‑IT) will lead an IT workshop on AI, blockchain and data‑privacy laws. Senior MPs and officers, including Secretary‑General P.C. Mody and Secretary K.S. Somashekhar, will conduct additional sessions and conclude with a vote of thanks.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, via a video message, announced that stricter actions against paper leaks will be introduced in the Cabinet meeting scheduled for the following day. The announcement was shared on the social media platform X.

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, on 24 July 2026, extended his best wishes to the Indian contingent as the Commonwealth Games Glasgow 2026 commenced. In a statement and a post on the social media platform X, he expressed confidence that the athletes would compete with passion, determination and a spirit of excellence, noting that their skills and dedication inspire countless Indians.

On 24 July 2026, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi posted a Sanskrit Subhashitam on X, stating that continuous practice of thoughts, words and actions shapes a person's character and direction. The verse quoted emphasizes that what one habitually engages in through deeds, mind and speech determines one's destiny, urging people to focus on beneficial subjects in their thoughts and conversations.

The President of India, acting on the advice of the Prime Minister, has accepted the resignation of Shri Ravneet Singh from the Union Council of Ministers with immediate effect, invoking clause (2) of Article 75 of the Constitution.

On 24 July 2026, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi posted on X urging Sonam Ji to adhere to doctors' advice, maintain his daily routine and regain his previous weight, and expressed prayers for his good health.

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) organised a voluntary blood donation camp at Atal Akshay Urja Bhawan, New Delhi, on 24 July 2026. The event was inaugurated by the Secretary, Shri Santosh Kumar Sarangi, and saw participation of 109 ministry officers and staff who donated blood. Certificates of appreciation were presented to the donors, and the Ministry reiterated its commitment to promoting voluntary blood donation and community welfare.

Between July 2023 and June 2026, India launched 12 launch‑vehicle missions, deploying 11 national satellites and 9 satellites for international customers. Key achievements include Chandrayaan‑3’s soft‑landing near the Moon’s south pole, the first solar‑observatory mission Aditya‑L1 on PSLV, the 100th launch from Sriharikota, and SPADEX’s docking/undocking demonstration, making India the fourth country to do so. The first joint NASA‑ISRO NISAR mission was launched on GSLV, and the heaviest GTO satellite (CMS‑03) and the heaviest US customer satellite were placed using LVM3. Four launch vehicles (PSLV, GSLV, GSLV Mk III, SSLV) are operational, with a third launch pad and a new SSLV launch complex under development. Policy measures to enable NGEs, financial incentives via IN‑SPACe, and a roadmap targeting a USD 44 billion space economy by 2033 are also outlined.

On 26 June 2026, IGCAR demonstrated the world’s first production of clean hydrogen using nuclear heat at the Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR). The Copper‑Chlorine thermochemical cycle, developed by BARC, was coupled with the FBTR’s secondary sodium heating loop to generate carbon‑free hydrogen. The Ministry of Atomic Energy highlighted that this nuclear‑assisted hydrogen process can provide a stable baseload alternative to renewable‑powered electrolysis, supporting co‑generation of electricity and hydrogen, and aligning with India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission and Net‑Zero targets. The achievement also reinforces indigenous clean‑energy capabilities and the broader three‑stage nuclear programme aimed at long‑term energy security.

The Department of Atomic Energy reported that the Parliament enacted the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Act, 2025, targeting 100 GW of nuclear capacity by 2047. In the past decade, 13 reactors (10,600 MW) have been at various construction stages, with four reactors (3,100 MW) now commercially operating at Kudankulam, Kakrapar and Rawatbhata. Nine reactors (7,500 MW) remain under construction across Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Haryana. The government has approved ten indigenous PHWRs and two Russian‑co‑operated units (KKNPP‑5&6). BARC is developing SMRs (BSMR‑200, SMR‑55, HTGCR) and the 500 MW PFBR at Kalpakkam, with plans for two additional 500 MW fast breeder reactors.

The Nuclear Energy Mission (NEM), announced in the Union Budget 2025‑26, targets 100 GWe nuclear capacity by 2047 and the development of at least five indigenous Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) by 2033. BARC is designing three SMRs – the 220 MWe BSMR‑200 (PWR), the 55 MWe SMR‑55 (PWR), and a 5 MWth High‑Temperature Gas‑Cooled Reactor (HTGCR) for hydrogen production. In‑principle approvals for engineering and construction have been received for all three, with Tarapur, Maharashtra approved as the site for BSMR‑200 and SMR‑55, and BARC Vizag for HTGCR. The SHANTI Act‑2025 opens the nuclear sector to private participation, establishes the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board as a statutory body, and aims to enhance safety, regulatory oversight, and indigenous technology development.

The Defence Ministry announced that DRDO’s Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) has successfully developed India’s first indigenous expendable turbo‑jet engine in the 350 kg thrust class. GTRE selected Azad Engineering, Hyderabad as the industry partner for manufacturing and assembly. On 22 July 2026 the engine was delivered to GTRE, and handed over by Azad Engineering’s CEO to Distinguished Scientist Dr K Rajalakshmi Menon and Director Dr S V Ramanamurty. The Defence Secretary praised the GTRE‑industry collaboration as a historic milestone for the Indian aerospace and defence ecosystem.

India’s Eighth Trade Policy Review (TPR) concluded at the WTO in Geneva, with Commerce Secretary Shri Rajesh Agarwal leading the delegation. The review, a WTO transparency mechanism, saw 68 WTO members intervene and 1,094 written questions from 44 members, underscoring strong global interest. The Secretary highlighted India’s ongoing tariff reforms, customs simplification, and an ambitious FTA strategy, stressing an open, transparent, and WTO‑consistent trade regime. He also noted the agricultural tariff structure’s role in protecting small farmers and industrial tariffs supporting supply‑chain resilience, while reaffirming India’s commitment to sustainable development, women’s empowerment, and WTO reform.