Daily Bulletin

Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV), a Central University under the Ministry of Railways, held its fourth convocation, graduating 121 students from B.Tech. and MBA programmes. During the ceremony, the university conferred its first honorary Ph.D. on Shri E. Sreedharan, the 'Metro Man of India'. Established by an Act of Parliament in 2022, GSV serves as the central nodal agency for capacity building under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, having already trained over 2.4 lakh officers.

Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah inaugurated the first phase of the 'Museum of Word' in Kolkata, West Bengal, on July 19, 2026. The museum is designed to preserve India's multilingual heritage and knowledge traditions through immersive experiences. It chronicles the evolution of language from ancient origins, such as 'Omkar' and Panini's grammar, to modern-day Artificial Intelligence, aligning with the government's cultural initiatives.

Following a law and order review meeting in Kolkata, Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah issued several directives for West Bengal. These include the formation of an Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF), an Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS), and a Special Investigation Agency (SIA). Additionally, the state was directed to remove illegal encroachments in border areas, implement a 'Women Outreach Programme' for rural safety, and phase out civic volunteers in favour of regular constable recruitment.

The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has initiated suo motu action against 41 restaurants nationwide for the unfair trade practice of levying service charges by default. This action follows consumer complaints on the National Consumer Helpline (NCH) and is supported by a Delhi High Court judgment upholding the CCPA's 2022 guidelines that make service charges voluntary. The CCPA has already imposed a penalty of ₹50,000 on Chaayos for this violation.

The Union Government convened an all-party meeting, chaired by Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh, ahead of the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament. The session is scheduled to commence on July 20, 2026, and conclude on August 13, 2026. According to the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, the session will consist of 19 sittings over a period of 25 days.

The Delhi Police has imposed prohibitory orders in parts of New Delhi ahead of a 'Sansad Chalo' march scheduled for July 20, 2026, which coincides with the start of the Monsoon Session. The march, led by activist Shri Sonam Wangchuk, has not been granted permission and aims to press for constitutional safeguards for Ladakh.

Trinamool Congress MP Shri Derek O'Brien has written to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, urging him to convene an all-party meeting to discuss proposed bills on delimitation and the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA). In the letter dated July 19, 2026, he stressed the need for consensus-building on these legislative matters ahead of the Monsoon session.

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing an alleged donation theft at the Badrinath Dham has directed the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) to provide donation records for the last three years. The investigation follows the arrest of a retired BKTC temple officer accused of stealing cash from the counting room prior to his retirement on June 30, 2026.

Delhi Chief Minister Shri Arvind Kejriwal has criticised the National Testing Agency (NTA) for its handling of the NEET controversy, specifically condemning its warning of potential legal action against students. He urged the agency to address student grievances rather than issuing threats.

The Delhi High Court has sought a status report from the government on the condition of activist Sonam Wangchuk, while declining an immediate request to shift him from a government hospital. The plea, filed by his wife, alleges that Mr. Wangchuk is under 'illegal detention' with restricted movement and a heavy police presence at the hospital.

The Madhya Pradesh state cabinet has approved a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) bill that introduces new regulations for marriage, inheritance, and live-in relationships. The bill proposes a penalty of up to five years imprisonment for married individuals in a live-in relationship, while exempting the state's Scheduled Tribes from its purview.

The Calcutta High Court, in a special hearing, has ordered a status quo on the demolition of a building housing the constituency office of Trinamool Congress MP Shri Abhishek Banerjee. The court directed demolition activities to cease after a company associated with his family filed a writ petition, arguing the district administration's actions were illegal and carried out without prior notice.

The Supreme Court of India has ruled that while certain expletives may be considered offensive or vulgar, they do not automatically fall under the legal definition of 'obscene'. The judgment clarifies that only speech legally defined as obscene is punishable, setting a clearer judicial standard for cases involving abusive language.

Opposition parties staged a symbolic walkout from the government-convened all-party meeting to protest the invitation extended to a rebel faction of the Trinamool Congress (TMC). The protest followed the Lok Sabha Speaker's decision to grant separate seating to 20 breakaway TMC MPs, a move the Opposition deemed an attempt to undermine party structures.

The Lok Sabha Speaker has approved the merger of six rebel Members of Parliament from the Shiv Sena (UBT) with the faction led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, formalising the split within the party's parliamentary group. The Shiv Sena (UBT) has described the ruling as illegal and announced its intention to challenge the decision in court, raising potential questions regarding the anti-defection law.

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who is reportedly under 'illegal detention' at Safdarjung hospital and refusing medical treatment, has termed his protest 'India's second freedom movement'. Meanwhile, the Climate Justice Party (CJP) has disputed police claims that a planned march on July 20 lacked a permit, with a spokesperson stating that authorities had been informed about the event in advance.

Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah laid the foundation stone for the world's largest curd manufacturing plant under the Amul Bengal Dairy Project in Kolkata. The plant, established at Howrah Food Park with an investment of ₹700 crore, will process 10 lakh litres of milk daily and is expected to benefit 1.20 lakh milk producers. Concurrently, the Union Government announced plans to establish a major animal breed improvement centre in West Bengal, including a Sex-Sorted Semen facility, to enhance the state's dairy sector.

The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways has announced the construction of the new 160.18 km Rameshwar–Paradeep Coastal Highway in Odisha at a cost of ₹8,300.79 crore. The project, aligned with the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan, aims to boost spiritual and coastal tourism by improving connectivity to the Jagannath and Konark Sun temples. The corridor is expected to reduce travel time between Rameshwar and Paradeep by approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved the four-laning of the Khagaria–Purnea section of NH-31 and NH-231 in Bihar at a cost of ₹3936.05 crore. The project is expected to enhance the agricultural supply chain for perishable goods like bananas and makhana by reducing travel time between the two towns from four hours to under two. It will also improve regional connectivity in the Seemanchal region and integrate 5 PM Gati Shakti Economic Nodes.

Air India Express has announced a major fleet expansion, with plans to induct between 50 and 60 new aircraft over the next 12 to 18 months. This move is a key part of the airline's integration and modernisation strategy following its acquisition by the Tata Group.

India's private space sector achieved a significant milestone with the successful inaugural launch of the Vikram-1 rocket. The mission underscores the nation's growing indigenous capabilities in launch vehicle technology and strengthens its position in the global commercial satellite market.

India launched its first hydrogen-powered train, a major advancement in its pursuit of sustainable mass transportation. This development is a critical component of the national strategy to adopt green energy solutions and reduce the carbon footprint of the country's extensive railway network.

In Jammu and Kashmir, at least eleven people have been killed and several others are reported missing following landslides triggered by heavy rainfall in the Rajouri district. The natural disaster has caused significant disruption and loss of life, prompting large-scale rescue and relief operations to locate the missing and assist affected communities.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast an intensification of monsoon activity, issuing a 'Red Warning' for several northern states. The alert for July 20, 2026, predicts very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall over Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Uttarakhand, prompting district administrations to heighten disaster preparedness and implement movement restrictions in vulnerable areas.

Severe landslides triggered by heavy monsoon rains in Nagaland's Mon district have resulted in at least five fatalities, with four other individuals reported missing. The disaster, which occurred on July 19, 2026, also led to the complete destruction of at least 45 houses across multiple locations.

Police in Madhya Pradesh have cleared a protest site against the Ken-Betwa Link Project on the 17th day of the demonstration, shifting a fasting activist to a hospital. The administration maintains that the project, the first under the National Perspective Plan for river interlinking, is of national importance for irrigation and drinking water supply in the Bundelkhand region.

At least 10 people have died following flash floods triggered by heavy rainfall in Jammu and Kashmir, with Surankote tehsil in Poonch district being the most severely affected. Authorities have deployed rescue teams and intensified relief operations to assist stranded residents. The annual Amarnath Yatra has also been temporarily suspended as a precautionary measure.

Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal, concluded a five-day visit to Spain, Belgium, Finland, and Estonia to strengthen economic ties. Key outcomes included advancing India-EU Free Trade Agreement discussions at the 3rd India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC) meeting in Brussels, proposing a "10×10×10" vision to increase trade with Spain tenfold in a decade, and expanding technology cooperation in AI, 6G, and cybersecurity with Finland and Estonia. The visit also secured the listing of 21 additional Indian fishery establishments for export to the EU.

A 5.5 magnitude earthquake struck the Andes region of Peru, resulting in at least five fatalities and injuring more than 20 individuals. Local authorities report that the seismic event has also displaced approximately 300 people, with rescue and relief operations underway in the affected mountainous areas.

United States President Donald Trump has publicly urged Republican lawmakers to include Iran in a proposed sanctions bill initially focused on Russia. In a social media post, Mr. Trump's call signals a potential expansion of the legislation's scope to address U.S. foreign policy concerns regarding both nations.

The family of a woman from Hyderabad has appealed to the Indian government for her repatriation from Oman, where she is allegedly being held in exploitative labour conditions. She was reportedly forced to work 15-hour days without salary for four months and denied adequate food, highlighting the vulnerabilities of some Indian migrant workers.

Shri Andy Burnham is set to become the new Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, succeeding Shri Keir Starmer after being elected unopposed as the leader of the ruling party. The transition in leadership is not expected to alter the current trajectory of India-UK relations, with bilateral ties anticipated to continue on their established course.

The Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment released updated data for the National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) scheme, which aims to eliminate hazardous manual scavenging. According to the figures, 89,915 sewer and septic tank workers and 2,81,117 waste pickers have been validated under the scheme. To ensure their safety, 87,037 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits have been distributed to sewer workers and 1,84,118 kits to waste pickers, alongside the issuance of over 1.81 lakh health cards.

As part of new cooperative initiatives in West Bengal, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed to connect the state's taxis with the "Bharat Taxi" platform under the "Sarathi" concept. This Central Government initiative aims to transition vehicle operators from drivers to owners and shareholders of both the vehicle and the company, providing them with enhanced economic security and a share of company profits.

The fourth and final Regional Chintan Shivir of the Department of Youth Affairs concluded in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, under the theme "Viksit Yuva for Viksit Bharat." During the event, Uttar Pradesh was recognised as the best-performing state for achieving the highest number of registrations on the MY Bharat platform. The Union Territory of Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu was also awarded for the highest registration percentage relative to its youth population.

Beneficiary data for Punjab's 'Mukh Mantri Maawan Dhian Satkar Yojana' reveals that women in the 36-59 age group constitute over 50% of the recipients. The scheme, which provides ₹1,000 in monthly financial assistance, had disbursed funds to over 33 lakh eligible women as of June 25, 2026.

Data from Punjab's State Health Agency indicates that young adults are the largest beneficiaries of cashless cardiac procedures under the 'Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna'. The scheme has facilitated treatments worth ₹2.71 crore for a total of 135 patients requiring cardiac interventions.

Seven tribal children from Rajasthan, who were being transported to Tamil Nadu, have been brought back to their home state by officials. A Bharatiya Janata Party Member of Parliament has called for an investigation into the incident, alleging a possible motive of religious conversion.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) will participate in Exercise Pitch Black 2026, a biennial multinational air combat exercise hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). The exercise, scheduled from July 20 to August 07, 2026, will be held at RAAF Base Darwin. The IAF contingent will operate Rafale fighter aircraft, supported by C-17 and IL-78 aircraft, to enhance interoperability with partner nations in the Indo-Pacific.

Union Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh is scheduled to attend the Kargil Vijay Diwas celebrations in Dras to commemorate India's victory in the 1999 conflict. He will be accompanied by senior military leadership, including the Chief of the Army Staff, General Dhiraj Seth, to mark the anniversary of 'Operation Vijay'.

In a major anti-narcotics operation in Manipur's Imphal West district, security forces seized 6.2 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine valued at an estimated ₹85 crore. A suspected drug peddler was also arrested during the joint operation.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah reviewed security arrangements along the India-Bangladesh border during a visit to West Bengal. He inaugurated three new projects for the Border Security Force (BSF) aimed at enhancing infrastructure and operational capabilities. The review focused on strengthening border management and curbing illegal cross-border activities.

Ace Indian shuttler PV Sindhu became the first Indian to win the Japan Open 2026 title, a landmark achievement in her career. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi congratulated her on the historic victory, commending her determination and exceptional skills displayed throughout the tournament.

The Indian team delivered a strong performance at the 37th International Biology Olympiad in Vilnius, Lithuania, securing one gold and three silver medals. Bhavyaa Gunwal from Haryana won the gold medal, while Soumil Maity (West Bengal), Nishit Kalani (Rajasthan), and Anmol Kumar (Punjab) won silver medals. The competition saw participation from 307 students representing 78 countries.

India achieved its best-ever performance at the 58th International Chemistry Olympiad in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, with all four student representatives winning gold medals. The team, comprising Debadatta Priyadarshi, Harshit Singla, Kabeer Chillar, and Sandeep Kuchi, secured a historic all-gold result. This achievement placed India at the first position in the country-wise medals tally, jointly with China and Vietnam.