Daily Bulletin

Union Minister for Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, inaugurated the Rashtriya Gramin Vikas Sammelan in New Delhi, a two-day conference to align rural development with the 'Viksit Bharat' vision. At the event, the Ministry launched a new integrated framework, the Viksit Bharat - Guarantee for Rozgar & Aajeevika Mission (Gramin) or VB - GRAM - G. This framework aims to create a holistic ecosystem for rural development by integrating key schemes such as PMAY-G, PMGSY, and NRLM.

At the Rashtriya Gramin Vikas Sammelan, Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced key enhancements to rural welfare schemes. The number of guaranteed work days under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) has been increased from 100 to 125. Additionally, the government has set a target to create 6 crore 'Lakhpati Didis' under the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) by training women from Self-Help Groups to become modern entrepreneurs.

The Ministry of Rural Development launched the AI-enabled 'Rural Internal Audit Portal' at the Rashtriya Gramin Vikas Sammelan. Developed by the Ministry and the National Informatics Centre (NIC), the unified digital platform manages the entire internal audit lifecycle. The Office of the Controller General of Accounts (CGA) has approved its implementation across all Civil Ministries, establishing a national benchmark for digital public financial management.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has proposed amendments to the Medical Devices Rules, 2017, to expedite the licensing process. The draft notification suggests reducing the timeline for granting manufacturing licences for Class B medical devices from 140 to 115 days, and for higher-risk Class C and D devices from 105 to 90 days.

The DIKSHA (Digital Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing) platform, a key component of the PM e-Vidya initiative, has recorded over 575 crore learning sessions from its 2.25 crore registered users. Launched by NCERT in 2017, the platform provides curriculum-linked digital content in 135 languages, featuring over 3.67 lakh electronic resources and 7,687 QR-coded Energised Textbooks.

The Central Sanskrit University in Delhi is launching a B.Tech program in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science to integrate traditional knowledge with modern technology. The initiative aims to develop new AI tools for Indian languages and accelerate the digitization of ancient texts. Concurrently, Nalanda University has revived the ancient tradition of 'Shaastraarth' (intellectual discourse) to promote disciplined dialogue among students.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched the 'PM Family Care Tracker' pilot project and a 'Health Passport' initiative in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. This integrated digital platform aims to create a comprehensive database to monitor the delivery of welfare schemes and healthcare services to families, with the pilot phase testing its efficacy in ensuring last-mile delivery.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is reportedly formulating a strategy to strengthen its organisational base in southern India, with a particular focus on Telangana and Karnataka ahead of the 2028 Assembly elections. This initiative aims to expand the party's political footprint in the region, building on its recent electoral performance in several northern states.

The Jathedar of the Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of Sikhism, has summoned all Sikh Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) and ministers in Punjab to address matters concerning the state's anti-sacrilege law. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann confirmed that all summoned legislators, regardless of party affiliation, will appear before the religious authority on June 29.

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk has commenced an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi to demand constitutional safeguards for Ladakh. The protest has gained attention following allegations from the civil rights group Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) that Delhi Police obstructed the demonstration by cutting off water and sanitation facilities.

Following a Special Investigation Team's (SIT) preliminary findings of systemic lapses in the management of donation funds for the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, two senior officials of the temple trust have resigned. The trust confirmed on June 28, 2026, that General Secretary Champat Rai and member Anil Mishra had tendered their resignations amid the ongoing probe which cited weak financial supervision and inadequate CCTV monitoring.

Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal, led a high-level business delegation to Athens, Greece, to expand bilateral trade and investment. The visit included interactions at The Athens Startup Business Incubator (THEA) and roundtable discussions on sectors such as infrastructure, digitalisation, and food processing. This engagement follows recent talks in the United Kingdom, where stakeholders reaffirmed support for an India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement.

India extended an Umbrella Line of Credit Agreement of ₹1250 crore to Seychelles through the Export-Import Bank of India to support projects under the Special Economic Package. Concurrently, Seychelles announced its decision to join the India-led Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI). India also provided humanitarian assistance, handing over 500 MT of rice and 8500 MT of cement.

Government data as of June 2026 shows continued public uptake of its flagship social security schemes. The Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) has over 58 crore enrollees, with claims worth over ₹3,700 crore disbursed. The Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) has over 27 crore subscribers, with claims totalling approximately ₹22,000 crore paid to beneficiary families.

Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) withdrew a substantial ₹53,022 crore from Indian equity markets during the month of June 2026. The significant outflow reflects a cautious stance by foreign investors amidst prevailing global and domestic economic factors, marking a notable reversal of investment trends observed in previous months.

India's foreign exchange reserves increased by 963 million US dollars during the week ending June 26, 2026, reaching a total of over 672 billion US dollars. The consistent accretion to the forex reserves is seen as a positive indicator for macroeconomic stability, strengthening the country's external sector against global economic uncertainties.

The global investment bank Goldman Sachs has revised its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth forecast for India upwards to 6.8 percent for the year 2026. The optimistic projection, announced on June 26, is attributed to strong domestic demand and robust economic activity, suggesting confidence in the Indian economy's resilience.

Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced key details of the proposed Delhi-Varanasi high-speed rail corridor, stating that the bullet train will reduce travel time between Jewar and Lucknow to 100 minutes. The project is a major component of the government's strategy to modernise railway infrastructure and enhance economic connectivity.

Indian Railways has successfully conducted trials of the country's first green hydrogen-powered train on the Jind-Sonipat railway line. The train operates on a hydrogen fuel cell system that generates electricity for propulsion, with its only emission being water vapour, marking a significant step in adopting clean energy for public transport.

The Union Government is set to launch Aarogya Setu 2.0 on June 29, 2026, to expand digital access to healthcare services. The updated application will function as a Personal Health Record (PHR) platform, allowing citizens to securely store and manage their health data, building on the reach of the original app.

In his 'Mann Ki Baat' address, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi praised a women-led initiative in Biora, Madhya Pradesh, for creating 'Eco-bricks' from plastic waste. Through public participation, women collected plastic waste and converted it into bricks that are now being used for the city's beautification, providing an exemplary model of converting waste into a valuable community resource.

A National Workshop on Tiger Re-introduction was held in Alwar, Rajasthan, to mark 18 years of the successful reintroduction programme in Sariska Tiger Reserve. The Sariska initiative, the world's first of its kind, has seen the population recover from zero in 2005 to 56 tigers today. During the event, three publications were released: 'Road Map on Active Management of Tigers in India', 'Booklet on Reintroduction and Recovery of Tigers in India', and the 'Annual Report of Project Cheetah'.

India has formally applied to include Meghalaya’s unique living root bridges in the UNESCO World Heritage Site Network. These natural bridges, formed by training the roots of rubber trees over decades, are a testament to the harmonious relationship between local communities and nature. A community-led effort is underway to preserve over 120 such bridges.

A community-led conservation movement in Assam, known as the 'Hargila Army', has been successful in protecting the rare Hargila bird (Greater Adjutant Stork). Led by biologist Purnima Devi Barman, thousands of rural women challenged a long-standing superstition that considered the bird inauspicious, transforming it into a symbol of village identity and conservation.

Amid a delay in the Southwest Monsoon, Delhi recorded its warmest morning in two years on June 28, 2026. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has since stated that conditions are favourable for the monsoon to advance across the remaining parts of northern India within the next five to six days, which is expected to bring relief from the prevailing heatwave conditions.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has intensified search operations in Arunachal Pradesh after a severe flash flood left five people missing. Authorities have confirmed that two bodies have been recovered, while efforts are ongoing to locate the remaining three individuals.

During a state visit to Seychelles, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi held official talks with President H.E. Dr. Patrick Herminie in Victoria, Mahe, to strengthen bilateral cooperation. The leaders agreed to enhance partnerships in health, digital transformation, maritime security, and renewable energy. To mark 50 years of diplomatic relations, they released a joint commemorative logo and witnessed the exchange of several key bilateral agreements.

India and Seychelles signed several key agreements, including an Extradition Treaty to combat transnational crime and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the deployment of India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI). Further MoUs were exchanged to facilitate access to affordable medicines under the Jan Aushadhi scheme and to deepen cooperation in the peaceful exploration of outer space. India also offered to share its Digital Public Infrastructure expertise to aid Seychelles' digital transformation.

On the sidelines of Seychelles’ Golden Jubilee National Day celebrations in Victoria, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi met with the Prime Minister of Mauritius, H.E. Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam. The leaders reviewed the progress of the Special Economic Package extended by India and reaffirmed their commitment to the India-Mauritius Enhanced Strategic Partnership under India’s Vision MAHASAGAR and Neighbourhood First policy.

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi became the first Indian Prime Minister to address an Extraordinary Sitting of the National Assembly of Seychelles. In his address, he articulated India's vision of MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) for the Indian Ocean and highlighted the shared democratic values that form the foundation of the bilateral partnership.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has categorically rejected Pakistan's allegations of Indian involvement in a recent terrorist attack in Karachi, terming the claims "baseless." The MEA urged Pakistan to take credible action against its internal terror infrastructure. The attack on the headquarters of the paramilitary Pakistan Rangers, which killed three security personnel, was claimed by Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, a breakaway faction of the Pakistani Taliban.

A helicopter belonging to Saudi Arabia's state-owned oil company, Saudi Aramco, crashed on June 28, 2026, in Ras Tanura on the country's eastern coast, resulting in the death of 14 people. Ras Tanura is a major oil port and refinery complex, making the incident significant for the region's energy industry.

India has launched 'Operation Amistad' to provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to Venezuela following a devastating earthquake. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar announced that the relief package includes a Field Hospital Unit, essential medicines, and medical equipment to support the South American nation's response efforts.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has issued an advisory for pilgrims undertaking the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra through private tour operators, urging them to verify credentials and permit arrangements. The warning follows numerous incidents of Indian citizens being stranded in Nepal after failing to secure the necessary travel permits from Chinese authorities.

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, in his 'Mann Ki Baat' address, commended the Pethkar family of Nanded, Maharashtra, for a unique social initiative during a wedding. The family provided accident insurance for the entire village under the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana, setting a new precedent in community welfare and promoting social security schemes.

The Union Health Ministry is set to launch the Samagra Shishu Bal Swasthya Karyakram (SSBSK), a unified national programme providing a continuum of care from birth to 36 months. The programme integrates the Home-Based Newborn Care and Home-Based Care for Young Child initiatives, featuring a risk-stratified approach with extended home visits for 'at-risk' children and digital tracking through portals like U-WIN.

The Vice-President of India, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan, addressed the Nasha Mukt Bharat Conclave in Bengaluru, calling for a 'whole-of-society' approach to build a drug-free India. Organised by Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS), the event saw the Vice-President urge students and future healthcare professionals to become ambassadors of awareness in prevention and treatment efforts.

The Union Health Ministry announced revised operational guidelines for the Anemia Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, expanding the strategy from a 6x6x6 to a 7x7x7 model. The new framework adds Low Birth Weight babies as a beneficiary group and 'Eating Right' as a key intervention. The programme will also transition from a T3 (Test, Treat, Talk) to a T4 (Test, Treat, Talk and Track) approach, enhancing monitoring through a unified digital portal.

Nagaland is promoting sports at the grassroots level through the ‘Nagaland Baby League’ for children aged 5 to 12 and the ‘Nagaland Women Futsal League’. The Baby League aims to nurture football talent from a young age, while the Women's Futsal League provides a dedicated platform for female athletes, fostering greater sports participation among girls and women in the state.

The state of Maharashtra is conducting a comprehensive Pulse Polio immunization drive, administering oral polio drops to children under the age of five. The public health initiative is part of the nationwide campaign to maintain India's polio-free status through high vaccination coverage.

Ride-hailing service Rapido has introduced a new safety feature allowing female passengers to select bike-taxi captains who have been positively rated by previous women riders. The 'bike rated by women' option is aimed at enhancing commuter security and confidence for women using the platform.

Reinforcing their robust defence partnership, India gifted one Fast Patrol Vessel, 10 utility vehicles, and 5 sets of Laser Radial class boats to the Seychelles Defence Force. The security of the two nations was described as inseparable, with the presence of Indian Naval Ships INS Tarkash and INS Ikshak in Port Victoria for Seychelles' 50th independence anniversary underscoring decades of close maritime cooperation.

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi highlighted significant advancements in India's defence self-reliance, noting the recent induction of three indigenous ships—INS Dunagiri, INS Sanshodhak, and INS Agray—into the Indian Navy. Additionally, the first 'Made in India' C-295 transport aircraft completed its maiden flight, with 40 such aircraft set to be manufactured domestically, boosting the aerospace and MSME sectors.

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized Chinese-origin firecrackers valued at approximately ₹35 crore in operations across Chennai and Mumbai, leading to 12 arrests. The contraband was discovered in containers mis-declared as other goods, revealing a smuggling syndicate that exploited Container Freight Stations. The import of firecrackers is 'Restricted' and requires valid licences.

Police in Tripura have detained eight Bangladeshi nationals found residing in the state without valid legal documents. The action is part of ongoing efforts by state authorities to address illegal immigration and highlights the persistent challenges of cross-border infiltration in the northeastern region.

Mumbai Police have arrested a man for allegedly distributing capsules laced with rat poison during a Muharram procession, in what is being investigated as an attempt to cause mass harm. Authorities are treating the incident as a significant internal security threat and are investigating potential wider links to the plot.

The Ministry of Defence has dismissed as incorrect recent reports suggesting a delay in honouring soldiers who fell during 'Operation Sindoor'. A government clarification stated that the nation had paid tribute to the fallen soldiers at a war memorial in 2025, affirming that homage was paid at the earliest opportunity.

The President of Seychelles, H.E. Dr. Patrick Herminie, conferred the inaugural Presidential Distinction, ‘Guardian of the Blue Horizon’, upon Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. The honour was bestowed in recognition of the Prime Minister's green leadership, commitment to the Blue Economy, and advancement of the developmental aspirations of Small Island Developing States.

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi congratulated Indian athletes for securing the top position at the World Yogasana Championship held in Ahmedabad. The Indian contingent delivered an exceptional performance, winning a total of 114 medals, including 102 gold medals, showcasing the nation's proficiency in the sport.

Argentinian footballer Lionel Messi set a new record at the FIFA World Cup 2026, becoming the first player in the tournament's history to score in seven consecutive games. The achievement, recorded on June 28, 2026, also extended his all-time goal-scoring record in the World Cup.