Daily Bulletin

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) completed immediate remedial measures on the Mahalaxmi Bridge on the Mumbai–Ahmedabad National Highway (NH-48) on July 3, 2026. The NHAI clarified that the distress was localised to the wearing coat due to heavy rains and was not a structural failure.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) conducted a conference for over 260 Media and Communication Officers, where Chief Election Commissioner Shri Gyanesh Kumar emphasised the need for proactive media engagement to counter false narratives. Election Commissioner Dr. Vivek Joshi highlighted the emerging challenges of AI and deepfakes, urging officials to leverage Electoral Literacy Clubs (ELCs) to build trust and engage young voters in the electoral process.

Speaking at the 80th Foundation Day of Organiser Weekly, Vice-President of India Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan stated that press freedom is meaningful only when exercised with courage and responsibility. He cited the publication's opposition to censorship during the Emergency as a landmark event that reinforced media freedom. The Vice-President asserted that a courageous and responsible press is essential for a flourishing democracy.

The Ministry of Law and Justice will host a two-day 'Reforms Utsav & Chintan Shivir 2026' in Mount Abu, Rajasthan, to review legal reforms and formulate a future roadmap for a citizen-centric legal system. The event will feature brainstorming sessions on key areas such as Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) and the use of Artificial Intelligence in governance, culminating in a Vision Document with concrete action points.

The Union Government has directed Apple and Google to remove seven mobile applications designed to remotely stall e-rickshaws, citing public safety risks. The government has warned that non-compliance could be considered a legal violation, potentially leading to the withdrawal of the legal immunity these platforms enjoy as intermediaries under Indian law.

The Chhattisgarh High Court has ruled that no child can be forced to recite Hindu prayers in schools, addressing a controversy over a government directive. The judgment underscores the principles of religious freedom within educational institutions, and the court has permitted petitioners to file a new plea if any instance of forced recitation is observed in the future.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has directed Meta to submit a detailed explanation within three days regarding its proposed 'usernames' feature for WhatsApp. Citing privacy and safety concerns such as potential impersonation, the government has also instructed the company not to roll out the feature in India until consultations are completed.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has been directed to summon representatives from Meta following a BBC investigation that found paid advertisements on Instagram promoting child sexual abuse material (CSAM) in India. The government will seek a formal explanation from Meta regarding the issue and the remedial steps taken.