Daily Bulletin

At the 167th Income Tax Day celebrations, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman introduced the '5Rs of Responsive Tax Governance'—Recognise, Respond, Redress, Reflect, and Reform—to guide the department towards a taxpayer-centric administration. She stressed that the new Income-tax Act, 2025, is a landmark reform aimed at simplifying tax laws and improving the ease of doing business. The Minister also called for continuous investment in the department's human capital, advocating for specialised training in areas like artificial intelligence, data analytics, and international taxation.

The Department of Telecommunications has activated Intra-Circle Roaming (ICR) in disaster-affected regions to maintain mobile connectivity. The facility, enabled until July 27, 2026, is operational in Longleng district of Nagaland, Valsad district of Gujarat, and the Union Territory of Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu following severe weather conditions. This measure allows subscribers to connect to any available network if their primary service provider is unavailable.

The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) has launched several digital platforms, including the PANI, Jalyan, Navic, and CAR-D portals, to enhance the ease of doing business in the sector. These initiatives provide centralised services for navigation information, vessel registration, and real-time cargo data, aligning with the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 to create a technology-driven IWT ecosystem.

The Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation conducted the ninth 'Sujal Gram Samvad', a virtual dialogue focused on community-led water governance under Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0. The dialogue emphasised the effective devolution of Funds, Functions, and Functionaries (3Fs) to Gram Panchayats and showcased successful local models, such as a community-led user charge mechanism in a tribal panchayat in Jharkhand.

The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has introduced AMNESTY, 2026, a six-month scheme for the retrospective regularisation of legacy Provident Fund Trusts operating without formal exemption under the EPF Act. The scheme, effective from June 29, 2026, offers relief from certain compliance requirements and mandates the withdrawal of pending proceedings for eligible trusts.

The Department of Posts is undergoing a major digital transformation with a ₹5,785-crore investment under the IT 2.0 and Advanced Postal Technology 2.0 initiatives. The programme will integrate Artificial Intelligence and cloud platforms across India's 1.65 lakh post offices, aiming to convert them into next-generation citizen service centres as part of the 'Jan Seva Connect' initiative.

The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister, has approved a draft bill aimed at curbing examination malpractices by introducing stricter punishments for paper leaks. A key provision of the proposed legislation is the establishment of fast-track courts to ensure the swift adjudication of such offences and restore integrity in the public examination system.

An All India Radio broadcast on July 24, 2026, highlighted the role of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in strengthening Indian democracy. The SIR is a critical exercise conducted by the Election Commission of India to ensure the accuracy, currency, and inclusivity of the nation's electoral rolls.