Daily Bulletin

Union Minister of State for Panchayati Raj, Prof. S. P. Singh Baghel, released a compendium in New Delhi titled “51 Stories of Panchayats Bringing Change for Good Governance”. This collection presents 51 case studies of successful public grievance redressal at the grassroots level through the Centralised Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS). According to Shri Vivek Bharadwaj, Secretary of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, the initiative aims to showcase how effective grievance resolution strengthens citizen-centric governance and public trust in local institutions.

The Union Cabinet has approved a revised policy for awarding waterfront and associated land to Port Dependent Industries in Major Ports, updating the Captive Policy of 2016. The new framework, announced by Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal, allows for the renewal of concession agreements for up to 30 years without a fresh tender. It also introduces a Right of First Refusal (RoFR) for existing concessionaires during capacity expansion bids, aiming to enhance investor confidence and streamline infrastructure development.

The Government e Marketplace (GeM), the national online portal for public procurement, has commenced its 10th Foundation Day celebrations on July 31, 2026. The launch event, addressed by GeM CEO Mihir Kumar, featured the unveiling of a commemorative logo. The 10-day celebrations will include stakeholder engagement initiatives such as a Buyer Meet and a Seller Roundtable, highlighting a decade of promoting transparency and efficiency in government procurement.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has amended its audit framework for the Digital Addressable Systems (DAS) ecosystem, effective from April 1, 2026. Key changes include shifting the audit period from a calendar to a financial year basis, with a new deadline of September 30th for distributors to submit reports. To enhance transparency, broadcasters can now depute representatives during audits and, if unsatisfied with the report, can conduct their own audit with TRAI's approval.

The Government is strengthening tourism infrastructure through several flagship schemes to create integrated destination ecosystems. Under the Swadesh Darshan scheme, 76 projects worth over ₹5,295.24 crore have been sanctioned, while its successor, Swadesh Darshan 2.0, has sanctioned 53 projects worth ₹2,207.08 crore. Additionally, the PRASHAD scheme has sanctioned 54 projects with an outlay of over ₹1,726.24 crore to develop pilgrimage and heritage sites.

The Press Information Bureau (PIB), Mumbai, organised an Inter-Media Publicity and Coordination Committee (IMPCC) workshop on 'Fact Checking: Countering Misinformation and Strengthening Government Communication'. Chaired by Ms. Smita Vats Sharma, Director General, West Zone, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, the workshop was attended by representatives from 25 Central Government organisations. The event focused on enhancing the capacity of government communication professionals to identify and debunk false information using various tools and techniques, including the PIB Fact Check unit.

To promote ease of doing business in the broadcasting sector, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has made the annual audit optional for Distribution Platform Operators (DPOs) with fewer than 30,000 subscribers. This change is part of the amended Interconnection Regulations effective from April 1, 2026. However, broadcasters retain the right to get such smaller DPOs audited at their own expense to ensure compliance and transparency.

The Ministry of Rural Development has implemented the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Act, 2025, with effect from July 1, 2026. As stated by Minister of State for Rural Development Shri Kamlesh Paswan, the scheme provides a statutory guarantee of 125 days of wage employment to every rural household whose adult members volunteer for unskilled manual work. A budget of ₹95,692.31 crore has been allocated for the scheme for the period from July 2026 to March 2027, with an initial instalment of ₹25,844.97 crore already sanctioned to States and Union Territories.

The Reserve Bank of India has issued the 'Reserve Bank of India (Consolidated Supervisory Directions), 2026' to streamline and unify regulatory instructions for commercial banks. The primary objective is to consolidate various existing circulars and guidelines into a single, comprehensive document. This initiative aims to enhance regulatory clarity and reduce the compliance burden for regulated entities.

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) on July 31, 2026, announced an extension of the compliance timelines for its Digital Accessibility Circulars. This regulatory measure provides market infrastructure institutions, listed companies, and other entities more time to make their digital platforms accessible to persons with disabilities. The extension aims to ensure a smoother implementation of inclusivity standards in the Indian securities market.

The Government e-Marketplace (GeM), India's national public procurement portal, has successfully completed ten years of operation as of July 31, 2026. Launched to bring transparency and efficiency to the government's procurement processes, GeM has evolved into a comprehensive digital platform for goods and services. This milestone underscores the success of the 'Digital India' initiative in transforming public administration.

The Department of Commerce organised a workshop in New Delhi on “Trade and Sustainable Development (TSD): Evolving Policy Landscape” to formulate India's strategy for ongoing Free Trade Agreement negotiations. Commerce Secretary Shri Rajesh Agrawal emphasized an integrated approach to trade and sustainability to boost global competitiveness. The discussions covered the implications of global carbon regulations, such as carbon markets and border adjustment measures, on India's trade. The workshop also reviewed domestic frameworks like the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS) to enhance India's preparedness.

The revised policy for Major Ports introduces a provision for the direct award of waterfront and associated land to eligible government organisations without competitive bidding. This includes Central and State Government departments, PSUs, and government-controlled joint ventures in strategic sectors like fertilizers, petroleum, and steel. The policy also incorporates clauses for 'Change in Law' and 'Unforeseen Events', allowing for revisions to business plans and cargo profiles to adapt to a dynamic global trade environment.

India's tourism sector made a significant economic contribution in FY 2023-24, adding ₹15.73 lakh crore to the nation's GDP, which accounts for 5.22% of the economy. The sector also supported 84.6 million jobs during the same period. The country recorded 2.9 billion domestic tourist visits in 2024 and is projected to receive approximately 2.02 crore international tourist arrivals and USD 31.7 billion in international tourism receipts in 2025.

According to data released by the Reserve Bank of India, non-food bank credit registered a year-on-year growth of 16.3% in June 2026, an acceleration from the 15.0% growth recorded in June 2025. This data, compiled from 40 select scheduled commercial banks, indicates a sustained momentum in credit offtake across the economy. These banks account for approximately 90% of the total non-food credit extended by the banking system.

Credit growth to the industrial sector accelerated to 7.5% year-on-year in June 2026, up from 6.4% in the corresponding month of the previous year. Within this, credit to large industries grew by 7.0%, while lending to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) recorded a robust growth of 13.2%. This highlights continued credit flow to key industrial segments.

The services sector remained a primary driver of bank credit, expanding by 21.5% year-on-year in June 2026, compared to 19.8% a year earlier. Significant growth was observed in credit to 'Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs)' and 'Trade', reflecting heightened activity in these sub-sectors.

Personal loans maintained a strong growth trajectory, increasing by 18.4% year-on-year in June 2026, driven by strong consumer demand. Housing loans, a major component of this segment, grew by 15.1%, underscoring the continued demand in the real estate sector.

The Reserve Bank of India on July 31, 2026, released its annual flagship publication, the 'Handbook of Statistics on the Indian Economy 2025-26'. This comprehensive document serves as an authoritative and single-point source of statistical information on a wide range of economic and financial indicators. The handbook is available for public access on the central bank's website.

The 2025-26 edition of the Handbook of Statistics provides granular, time-series data across diverse sectors including National Income, Public Finance, Prices, and Financial Markets. It contains 242 statistical tables, offering long-term data that is invaluable for researchers, analysts, and policymakers for understanding the Indian economy's evolution.

The newly issued Consolidated Supervisory Directions are applicable to all Commercial Banks, excluding Regional Rural Banks, and will come into immediate effect. This measure is part of the RBI's ongoing efforts to create a more efficient regulatory framework by moving towards issuing Master Directions, ensuring all supervisory instructions on a specific subject are available in one place.

The Reserve Bank of India announced the results of the Government Securities auction conducted on July 31, 2026. For the 7.18% Government Stock 2033, the cut-off yield was set at 7.2501%, with the government accepting bids for the full notified amount of ₹14,000 crore. These auctions are critical for managing the government's borrowing programme.

The Reserve Bank of India, on behalf of the Government of India, conducted an underwriting auction for the sale of Government Securities amounting to ₹34,000 crore on July 31, 2026. This auction is a part of the central government's market borrowing programme aimed at financing its fiscal deficit. The results of the auction were also announced by the central bank on the same day.

The Favara-Unified Payments Interface (UPI) Cross-Border Payment Corridor between the Maldives and India has been officially launched and is now live. This financial linkage enables seamless, real-time, and cost-effective fund transfers and retail payments between the two nations. The corridor integrates India's UPI with the Maldives' instant payment system, Favara, significantly boosting digital economic cooperation.

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has issued a clarification on the regulatory framework governing the sale of shares of unlisted companies. This move is intended to provide greater clarity to investors and market participants, streamlining the process for such transactions. The clarification is expected to enhance transparency and investor protection in the private and pre-IPO market segments.

The central government has approved a sum of ₹239.45 crore for Himachal Pradesh under the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF). This allocation is designated for two key road upgrade projects within the state. The funding aims to enhance road connectivity, facilitate economic activities, and improve the overall transportation infrastructure in the Himalayan state.

Smt. Varsha Ashok Aglawe has assumed charge as the 54th Director General of the Geological Survey of India (GSI), becoming the first woman to head the premier geoscientific organisation in its 176-year history. She succeeds Shri Asit Saha, who served as Director General until July 31, 2026. An expert in palaeontology, Smt. Aglawe affirmed GSI's commitment to accelerating the exploration of critical, deep-seated, and offshore mineral deposits to enhance India's mineral security.

The Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), the R&D arm of the Department of Telecommunications, celebrated its intellectual property achievements at its Annual IP Awards Ceremony 2026. At its Delhi campus, 64 scientists were honoured for securing 47 patents, 3 copyrights, and publishing 8 research papers. C-DOT CEO, Dr. Rajkumar Upadhyay, highlighted that these innovations in areas like quantum communications and cybersecurity strengthen India's technological sovereignty under the 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' initiative.

Indian Railways has achieved a historic milestone by successfully transporting a live donor heart by train for the first time in India on July 31, 2026. The life-saving organ was transported aboard the Vande Bharat Express (Train No. 20901) from Surat to Ahmedabad for a transplant procedure at the U.N. Mehta Institute of Cardiology & Research Centre. A dedicated Green Corridor was created by the Railway Protection Force and Gujarat State Police to ensure the organ's timely transit from the railway station to the hospital. This mission highlights the expanding role of modern railway infrastructure in supporting critical and time-sensitive healthcare services.

The Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) has extended the deadline for industries in the region to implement revised Particulate Matter (PM) emission standards. The new date for compliance with the stringent PM emission norm of 50 mg/Nm³, originally set by Direction No. 98 on February 20, 2026, is now October 1, 2026. The extension was granted following recommendations from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) after industries cited practical challenges in procuring and installing Air Pollution Control Devices.

Under the 'Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari: Catch the Rain' campaign, Vizianagaram district in Andhra Pradesh has successfully executed 8,973 water conservation works. This initiative involved rejuvenating 6,424 Minor Irrigation tanks and 2,549 feeder channels, which generated 1.28 crore person-days of employment. These efforts are projected to create an additional water storage potential of 0.70 TMC and contribute nearly 0.60 TMC to groundwater recharge, significantly enhancing the region's water security.

The Union Cabinet has approved the Pradhan Mantri Surya Sarovar Yojana, a new scheme for the development of floating solar photovoltaic projects across the country. This initiative, announced on July 31, 2026, aims to utilize the surface of large reservoirs and other water bodies for renewable energy generation. The scheme is a significant step towards achieving India's renewable energy targets and promoting sustainable land use.

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi received a telephone call from the new Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, H.E. Andy Burnham, on July 31, 2026. Shri Modi congratulated his counterpart on assuming office and discussed strengthening the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the India-UK Vision 2035 and welcomed the recent entry into force of the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement to boost trade and investment.

The Government of India, in a statement from New Delhi, has strongly condemned the brutal crackdown by Pakistani authorities on peaceful protesters in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). India criticized Islamabad for using force to suppress the rights of the local population. The statement reiterates India's long-standing position on the human rights situation and the political status of the region.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognizance of the reported deaths of five persons due to malaria in Kanker district, Chhattisgarh, over a span of 13 days. Citing the incident as a serious issue of human rights violation, the NHRC has issued a notice to the Chhattisgarh Chief Secretary, calling for a detailed report within two weeks. The action follows a media report on July 31, 2026, about the death of an 11-year-old boy from the disease on July 28.

The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment reported significant progress under the National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) Scheme, launched in 2023. In a written reply, Minister of State Shri Ramdas Athawale stated that 2,71,155 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits have been distributed and 1,81,062 sanitation workers have been covered under health insurance. The scheme focuses on eliminating hazardous manual cleaning and ensuring the safety and dignity of sanitation workers.

According to data from the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis, 332 sanitation workers lost their lives during hazardous sewer and septic tank cleaning between January 1, 2021, and June 30, 2026. The government has paid full compensation in 268 of these cases and partial compensation in 18. Additionally, all 58,098 manual scavengers identified in national surveys in 2013 and 2018 have received one-time cash assistance for rehabilitation, with many also receiving skill development and self-employment support.

The Venture Capital Fund for Scheduled Castes (VCF-SC), under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, provided financial assistance of ₹12 crore to Khemanand Dudh and Krishi Producer Company Ltd. in 2023. This support enabled the Ahilyanagar-based enterprise to develop an integrated onion value chain, expanding its network to nearly 8,000 farmers. The project has resulted in an annual revenue of ₹25.51 crore and a net worth of ₹30 crore for the company, empowering farmers through better market access.

The Ministry of Rural Development is enhancing market access for women's Self Help Groups (SHGs) under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana–National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM). As stated by Minister of State for Rural Development Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, initiatives include organizing SARAS Melas, promoting products on the eSARAS digital platform, and providing training on branding and packaging. The National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj is conducting capacity-building programmes to strengthen SHGs' access to domestic and international markets.

The Union Cabinet has granted its approval for the continuation of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) Scheme for the next five years. This decision ensures the uninterrupted provision of financial support to millions of eligible land-holding farmer families. Under the PM-KISAN scheme, each eligible family receives an income support of ₹6,000 per annum in three equal four-monthly installments.

The government has appointed Air Marshal Sandeep Thareja as the next Director General Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS), with his term beginning on the afternoon of August 31, 2026. He will succeed Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin upon her retirement. Air Marshal Thareja, currently the Director General Medical Services (Air), is credited with strengthening medical preparedness for India's Gaganyaan Human Spaceflight Mission and operationalising the BHISHM Cube for rapid medical response.

A national seminar on “Military Explosives and Propellants: Safety and Compliance” was held in Pune, organised by the Controllerate of Quality Assurance (Military Explosives) under the Ministry of Defence. The seminar, attended by Defence Production Secretary Shri Sanjeev Kumar, aimed to strengthen safety mechanisms across the entire life cycle of military explosives. Deliberations focused on establishing a joint working group of government, industry, and academia to develop common safety protocols and enhance the availability of safe ammunition for the armed forces.

In a targeted attack in the Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir, terrorists killed one labourer and injured another on July 31, 2026. The incident highlights the ongoing security challenges posed by terrorism in the Union Territory. Security forces have since cordoned off the area and initiated a comprehensive search operation to track down the assailants.

Indian judoka Asmita Dey created history at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow by winning the country's first-ever gold medal in Judo. She achieved this feat by defeating Canada’s Heidi Quach in the women’s 48kg final on July 31, 2026. In another historic win, Harsh Singh also secured a gold medal in the men's 60kg event, marking a landmark day for Indian judo.