Daily Bulletin

Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Minister for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, launched two publications, 'स्वावलंबन की ओर - 4' and 'Alumni Connect Volume - 1', at the first alumni meet of the National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD) in Noida. The event aimed to establish a collaborative platform for alumni to mentor aspiring entrepreneurs.

The Union Government has approved a rural development package of over ₹8,508 crore for West Bengal, which will be channelled through Panchayats under the new VB-G RAM G Act, 2025, to increase guaranteed employment to 125 days. The package includes interim approval for one lakh houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G) and a drive to expand coverage of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) and Kisan Credit Card schemes through village-level camps.

The Vice-President of India, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan, released the book “The Voice of Justice: Justice Gavai Speaks” at an event in New Delhi. The book is a compilation of speeches by former Chief Justice of India, Justice B.R. Gavai, and is edited by Prof. (Dr.) S. Sivakumar.

The Ministry of Panchayati Raj conducted virtual workshops to promote the 'Atmanirbhar Panchayat' program, which aims to enhance the Own Source Revenue (OSR) of Panchayats. Under the Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan, the program invites innovative project proposals from Gram Panchayats with a minimum OSR of Rs. 50 lakh and Block Panchayats with a minimum OSR of Rs. 1 crore.

The first convocation of ‘Tribhuvan’ Sahkari University, India's first national university for the cooperative sector, was held in Anand, Gujarat. The institution was established by upgrading the Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA) after it was accorded the status of an Institution of National Importance in 2025.

Union Labour Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya highlighted the simplification of labour laws, noting that four comprehensive Labour Codes have replaced 29 existing central labour statutes. The new codes introduce worker-centric provisions such as mandatory appointment letters, annual free health check-ups for workers over 40, and equal wages for men and women.

To enhance governance and transparency in the cooperative sector, the Union Government has established a Cooperative Election Authority to ensure independent and timely elections. Additionally, a Cooperative Ombudsman has been created for the effective and impartial redressal of members' grievances.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned the wife and two sons of Trinamool Congress MLA Madan Mitra for questioning in connection with the municipal recruitment scam in West Bengal. The summons were issued as part of the ongoing investigation into alleged irregularities in appointments across various municipalities in the state.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested businessman Vikas Garg as part of its ongoing money laundering investigation into the Mahadev betting application and Skyexchange cases. The agency's probe, which commenced in 2022, is predicated on multiple First Information Reports (FIRs) registered by state police in Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, and West Bengal.

The Crime Investigation Department (CID) of Odisha has arrested Manoj Padhi, the former Director of the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT). The arrest follows an investigation into significant errors found in newly published school textbooks for Classes I to VIII, with Mr. Padhi being taken into custody after prolonged questioning.

The Supreme Court of India has directed the Odisha state government to decide on the remission plea of Dara Singh, who is serving a life sentence for his role in the Staines murder case. The directive follows the court's earlier action in August 2024, when it first entertained Singh's petition for premature release and sought a response from the state.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has clarified that the primary purpose of a passport, under the provisions of the Passports Act, is to 'regulate the departure' of Indian citizens from the country. The ministry also noted a provision within the Act that empowers the Central Government to issue a passport to a non-citizen if deemed necessary.

Following a theft of donations at the Badrinath shrine, a panel of the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) has proposed new security measures. Key recommendations include requiring personnel involved in counting donations to wear pocketless clothes, implementing mandatory frisking, and enhancing surveillance with additional CCTV cameras.

The indefinite hunger strike by climate activist Shri Sonam Wangchuk, which began on June 28, 2026, has intensified with student activists launching a parallel protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. The central demands of the movement are the granting of statehood for Ladakh and its inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. The parallel protest signifies a broadening of the movement to draw national attention to Ladakh's political and environmental concerns.

The Calcutta High Court has directed the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to submit detailed information regarding the bank accounts of the Trinamool Congress party that the agency has frozen. To ensure judicial oversight, the court has appointed retired judge Shri Subrata Talukdar as a special officer to supervise the usage of these accounts until September 30, 2026. This interim order addresses the ongoing legal dispute over the ED's actions against the finances of a political party.

The Supreme Court of India has dismissed a plea alleging environmental violations in the renovation of a private residence in Mumbai's Bandra area. A bench headed by Justice Surya Kant upheld a September 2025 order from the National Green Tribunal (NGT), which had affirmed the January 2025 Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) clearance for the construction. The court, while rejecting the appeal, raised "serious doubts" about the petitioner's bona fides.

The Supreme Court has issued an interim order declining to restore the offering of namaz within the contentious Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Mosque complex in Dhar, Madhya Pradesh. The Court has instead directed local authorities to provide a nearby alternative space for Muslims to conduct their Friday prayers. This arrangement will remain in effect pending a final adjudication of the ownership and usage rights of the protected monument.

A Delhi court has convicted former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) councillor Tahir Hussain and four others for the murder of Intelligence Bureau (IB) official Ankit Sharma. The verdict, delivered by the Karkardooma Court, pertains to the killing that occurred during the communal riots in North-East Delhi in February 2020. The conviction marks a significant legal milestone in the cases stemming from the 2020 riots.

The Government of India has launched the Index of Services Production (ISP), a new high-frequency indicator to measure the formal services sector's output, with a base year of 2024-25. The index, which addresses a significant data gap in national accounts, showed strong initial performance, with the accommodation and food services sub-sector recording the highest growth of 37.2% in the trial index for April 2026. The ISP will be released monthly, utilising GST and other administrative data to improve economic monitoring.

Union Minister of Textiles, Shri Giriraj Singh, inaugurated Bharat Tex 2026, India's largest global textile event, in New Delhi, attracting over 6,000 international buyers from 130 countries. A key outcome was the exchange of a Letter of Intent between the Bharat Tex Trade Federation and Première Vision Paris to enhance India-Europe collaboration in the textile and fashion sectors.

Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced an infrastructure push for West Bengal valued at over ₹82,000 crore following a high-level meeting with state officials in Kolkata. The meeting focused on removing bottlenecks for 19 stalled projects in sectors like railways and roads, with a recommendation to establish a State-level Project Monitoring Group to expedite implementation.

India Post recorded its highest-ever first-quarter revenue, crossing ₹4,009 crore in Q1 of FY 2026–27, a 22% year-on-year growth. This financial performance was accompanied by significant operational improvements, including a 92% reduction in Branch Post Offices reporting nil business for savings bank services. The department's Expenditure Coverage Ratio, a measure of financial sustainability, also improved from 28% to 32% over the same period last year.

The Union Government announced new agricultural initiatives for West Bengal, designating the state as the Seed Hub of Eastern India and integrating Malda into the National Clean Plant Network for disease-free mango and litchi planting material. Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan also approved special projects to strengthen rice and maize value chains and promote orchid cultivation to boost farm incomes.

The Ministry of Mines is set to launch the eighth tranche of auctions for 20 critical and strategic mineral blocks on July 15, 2026. The blocks, spread across nine states, offer minerals such as Lithium, Rare Earth Elements (REE), and Molybdenum, with the auction comprising 13 newly identified and 7 re-offered blocks.

Indian Railways has announced eight new structural reforms under its 'Reform Express' initiative to improve ease of doing business and modernise operations. Key reforms include a unified Pan-India licence for container train operators, a new policy to encourage private participation in wagon design, and a simplified per-tonne-per-kilometre freight tariff for key commodities. Other measures aim to improve project execution, promote pollution-free transport of fly ash, and establish a skilling framework for artisans in safety-sensitive roles.

The Government of India aims to increase the country's contribution to the global 'Orange Economy' from 3% to 12-15% over the next decade, a goal being pursued by the Indian Institute of Creative Technology (IICT). To build a skilled workforce, the IICT will introduce a 'Kaushal Bodh' curriculum with NCERT and has proposed establishing AVGC (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics) Content Creator Labs in 500 colleges and 15,000 schools nationwide.

The National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) has significantly increased its financial assistance to the cooperative sector, disbursing nearly Rs 4.5 lakh crore between 2014 and 2025. This marks a substantial rise from the approximately Rs 55,000 crore provided by the NCDC in the 51 years prior to 2014.

Under the government's 'Sahakar Se Samriddhi' vision, a target has been set to establish two lakh multipurpose Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) nationwide in the next five years. According to the Ministry of Cooperation, more than 35,000 of these societies have already been formed and have commenced operations.

To create an integrated 'seed to market' ecosystem for farmers, three new national-level multi-state cooperative societies have been established. These are the National Cooperative Exports Limited (NCEL) for exports, the National Cooperative Organics Limited (NCOL) for organic products, and the Bharatiya Beej Sahakari Samiti Limited (BBSSL) for quality seed production.

The government has initiated 'White Revolution 2.0', a strategic initiative aiming to increase national milk procurement by 50% over the next five years. This is the first major national push in the dairy sector since the 1970s and builds on the success of cooperatives like Amul, which reported a turnover of Rs 1 lakh crore in FY 2025-26.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has invited public comments on a draft legislative proposal, the Reserve Bank of India (Acquisition and Holding of Shares or Voting Rights) Amendment Directions, 2026. This initiative signals a forthcoming review of the regulatory framework governing the acquisition of shares and voting rights in banking companies.

According to data released by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Indian corporations raised USD 3.5 billion through External Commercial Borrowings (ECB) in May 2026. The majority of these funds, amounting to USD 2.8 billion, were raised via the automatic route, with the remaining USD 0.7 billion secured under the approval route, indicating robust corporate capital expenditure plans.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has fixed the redemption price for the premature withdrawal of Sovereign Gold Bond (SGB) 2020-21 Series-IV at ₹7,550 per gram of gold, due on July 14, 2026. The price is based on the simple average of the closing price for 999 purity gold over the last three business days, as published by the India Bullion and Jewellers Association Ltd (IBJA).

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has issued a comprehensive Master Circular for Merchant Bankers, consolidating all previous guidelines and directions into a single reference document. This initiative, announced on July 14, 2026, aims to enhance regulatory clarity, reduce the compliance burden, and provide stakeholders with easier access to the applicable legal framework.

The Union Commerce Secretary has stated that the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between India and the United Kingdom marks the beginning of a new phase in bilateral relations. The statement highlights the government's view that the trade pact will provide a significant impetus to economic ties, investment flows, and strategic cooperation between the two nations.

The Union Civil Aviation Minister announced that the Dholera International Airport in Gujarat is scheduled to become operational within the next three months. This new greenfield airport, a critical infrastructure project within the Dholera Special Investment Region (SIR), is expected to significantly enhance regional air connectivity and foster economic development.

Wholesale price-based inflation, measured by the Wholesale Price Index (WPI), rose to 9.87% in June 2026, primarily driven by rising costs of food articles and fuel. The data, released on July 14, 2026, indicates mounting price pressures at the producer level, which could potentially impact retail inflation in the coming months.

The Government of India has released the first-ever sub-sectoral Trial Index of Services Production (TISP), a new high-frequency indicator developed to track the performance of the services sector more effectively. The index is expected to fill a significant data gap and provide policymakers with timely, granular insights into the health of various service industries.

The sowing of Kharif crops has been adversely affected this year due to a delayed and uneven distribution of monsoon rainfall, resulting in a lower total area under cultivation compared to the previous year. This situation highlights the critical dependence of Indian agriculture on the monsoon's timing and spatial spread, which is often more decisive for crop output than the season's total rainfall.

Gross direct tax collections for the current fiscal year have registered a growth of 16%, reaching ₹7.74 lakh crore as of July 13. Net non-corporate tax revenue for the same period also increased by 11.66% to ₹3,84,521.23 crore, compared to ₹3,44,373.91 crore collected during the corresponding period last year.

Data from a Right to Information (RTI) query reveals that Indian Railways incurred a loss of ₹104 crore due to the theft of 1.27 crore bedroll items by passengers between January 2022 and May 2026. This represents a 56% increase in such thefts since the full resumption of linen services post the COVID-19 pandemic.

NASA astronaut Anil Menon, a US Space Force colonel of Indian and Ukrainian heritage, has embarked on an eight-month mission to the International Space Station (ISS). Dr. Menon, an emergency medicine physician, is part of a new crew that will conduct scientific research and maintenance aboard the orbiting laboratory, and has notably carried drawings by Indian children with him to space.

The CapaCITIES programme, a decade-long India-Switzerland partnership on urban climate resilience, has successfully established permanent Net-Zero and Climate Action Cells in six of its eight project cities. The initiative, implemented by ICLEI South Asia, has deployed high-impact pilot projects like a floating solar plant in Coimbatore and identified a climate investment potential of ₹7142 billion. At a commemorative event, a Net-Zero Climate Resilient Cities Methodology Toolkit was launched to help scale up climate action across India.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning for very heavy rainfall across several districts of Odisha, expected on July 15th, 2026. As part of its monsoon monitoring and early warning system, the IMD has alerted state authorities to take precautionary measures to mitigate potential flooding and ensure public safety.

Delhi Chief Minister Shri Arvind Kejriwal has initiated a public campaign and formally written to the Prime Minister opposing the mandatory sale of E20 petrol. The campaign advocates for consumer choice at fuel stations, citing public feedback and technical concerns with the 20% ethanol-blended fuel. This move challenges the Centre's National Policy on Biofuels, which promotes E20 petrol to reduce crude oil import dependency.

In a significant ruling for environmental jurisprudence, a High Court has legally defined a tree as a “living being,” thereby according it a special legal status. The court's observation emphasised that solitary mature trees, in particular, merit the highest degree of protection from felling. This judicial interpretation strengthens the legal framework for urban forest conservation and increases the accountability of civic bodies for tree preservation.

India will host the 2026 BRICS Labour and Employment Ministers' Meeting (LEMM) in Hyderabad from July 15-16, under its BRICS chairship. Chaired by Union Minister Shri Mansukh Mandaviya, the meeting will focus on four priority areas, including social security for workers and women's participation in the workforce. The ministers will consider a draft declaration finalised during the preceding BRICS Employment Working Group meeting.

India strengthened its role in global food standard-setting at the 49th Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC49) in Geneva, with the adoption of seven India-led standards, including for Dried Coriander Seeds and Fresh Curry Leaves. The Commission also approved India's proposal to develop a new global standard for Cashew Kernels to facilitate fair trade. Additionally, India was elected Co-Chair of the Electronic Working Group on New Food Sources and Production Systems.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has stated that India is closely monitoring developments in West Asia, reiterating its call for safe and unimpeded navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. During a media briefing, MEA Spokesperson Shri Randhir Jaiswal emphasised that the free flow of commerce through the strategic waterway is critical for global economic security. The statement followed the ministry summoning the Deputy Chief of Mission of Iran, underscoring India's strategic interests in regional stability.

New Delhi has asserted that the ongoing protests in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) are a direct consequence of Pakistan's decades-long policies of systemic exploitation and denial of fundamental rights. India stated that the unrest stems from administrative oppression and the plunder of the region's resources, and that it expects the international community to hold Pakistan fully accountable for its actions.

India played a pivotal role at the 49th Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC49) in Geneva, Switzerland, reinforcing its leadership in the finalisation of several key international food safety standards. The session, held from July 6th to 10th, 2026, underscored India's growing influence in the international standard-setting body, which is a joint initiative of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

India's Ministry of External Affairs has formally reiterated its support for the 2016 Arbitral Tribunal award that invalidated China's expansive claims in the South China Sea. The ruling was delivered under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and India's stance aligns with a recent joint statement by 14 other countries, reinforcing adherence to international law.

The Ministry of External Affairs has stated that recent findings by Canadian police and a United States indictment concerning criminal gang networks align with India's long-held position on the threat they pose. MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal highlighted the "strong and effective" cooperation between India and the U.S. in combating terrorism and transnational organised crime.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is in communication with Vietnamese authorities regarding the investigation into a speedboat accident that killed 15 Indian tourists on July 11. The mortal remains have been repatriated, and one injured Indian is receiving treatment in Vietnam. The speedboat's captain has been detained by local authorities as part of the ongoing probe.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has called upon the international community to hold Pakistan accountable for severe human rights violations in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). Citing ongoing protests led by the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), the MEA stated that Pakistan's systemic exploitation has been met with police brutality and lethal force, resulting in over 20 fatalities. The statement highlighted measures such as internet blackouts used to suppress the civilian uprising.

An Indian seafarer was killed and six others were injured following a missile strike on two Emirati oil tankers, MT Al Bahiyah and MT Mombasa, in the Strait of Hormuz on July 14, 2026. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has strongly condemned the attack and lodged a formal protest with the Government of Iran, demanding a thorough investigation. The incident has heightened maritime security concerns in the region, where seven Indian vessels with 148 Indian crew members are currently operating.

India has formally reaffirmed its support for the Palestinian cause by committing to increase developmental assistance and backing Palestine's bid for full membership at the United Nations. This position aligns with India's long-standing foreign policy of advocating for a negotiated two-state solution. The policy envisions a sovereign, independent, and viable State of Palestine co-existing peacefully with Israel.

The 31st Divya Kala Mela, a national platform for Divyang artisans, was inaugurated in Kolkata by Union Minister Dr. Virendra Kumar. This is the first edition jointly organised by the Union and West Bengal governments, featuring around 40 artisans, primarily from the state, to promote their economic empowerment.

Under the NAMASTE (National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem) Scheme, the government has validated 89,915 sewer and septic tank workers and 2,81,117 waste pickers nationwide. To ensure their safety and dignity, 87,037 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits have been distributed to sewer workers, and 753 Emergency Response Sanitation Units have been equipped.

NTPC Limited, as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility, handed over 19 healthcare vehicles, including 8 Advanced Life Support ambulances, to the Government of Goa. The initiative is aimed at strengthening the state's emergency medical services.

Union Labour Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurated a new Out-Patient Department Block at the ESIC Hospital in Sanathnagar, Telangana, built at a cost of Rs. 211.13 crores. At the event, he stated that the number of Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) beneficiaries has doubled to over 15 crore in the last decade, and India's overall social security coverage has expanded from 19% in 2014 to over 64% today.

The Punjab government has reported the arrest of 73,000 alleged drug peddlers over a 500-day period as part of its ‘Yudh Nasheyan Viruddh’ (War Against Drugs) campaign. The statistic highlights the extensive and ongoing efforts by the state administration to dismantle narcotics trafficking networks and combat the drug menace.

Activist Sonam Wangchuk's indefinite hunger strike against alleged irregularities in the NEET examination has continued for 25 days at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi. The protest demands the resignation of the Union Education Minister and ₹1 crore compensation for the families of students who died by suicide. Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray has extended support and appealed to Mr. Wangchuk to end his fast.

The health of innovator and activist Sonam Wangchuk is reportedly worsening as his protest fast continues in Ladakh, with reports indicating significant muscle mass loss. Mr. Wangchuk is leading the Climate Justice Protest, which advocates for the inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution to safeguard its fragile environment and unique tribal culture.

At the 80th meeting of the Board of Control Canteen Services (BOCCS), Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Sanjay Seth announced measures to promote indigenous goods through the Canteen Services Department (CSD). Products from cooperative institutions like TRIFED and KVIC will be inducted into the CSD supply chain in a phased manner. The board also discussed the modernisation of CSD depots and subsidies on electric two-wheelers for defence personnel.

An American national, identified as Jordan Brown, has been arrested by security forces near the India-Nepal border. The recovery of a Chinese passport, religious books, and an Artificial Intelligence (AI) device from his possession has raised security concerns. Authorities are investigating his movements since he reportedly entered India by sea in November of the previous year.

A special court has issued an open-dated non-bailable warrant against Pakistan-based terrorist Hafiz Saeed in connection with the Pahalgam terror attack trial. The warrant was issued following a plea by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which argued that Saeed is deliberately evading legal proceedings from Pakistan. This judicial action formally enables Indian authorities to pursue diplomatic and international channels for his apprehension.