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.

In a significant administrative action following widespread examination irregularities, the government has terminated the services of 47 officials from the National Testing Agency (NTA). This measure is part of a broader initiative for comprehensive examination reforms, and official sources indicate that further legal and criminal proceedings are planned against the dismissed officials.

External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar affirmed India's commitment to creating a modern, transparent, and internationally compatible legal environment. Speaking at an inaugural session on July 24, 2026, he emphasised the government's focus on legal reforms to align with global best practices, thereby enhancing the ease of doing business and strengthening international legal cooperation.

The Press Information Bureau's (PIB) Fact Check unit has debunked a digitally altered video clip, clarifying that it was manipulated using artificial intelligence. The government's fact-checking arm stated that the misleading video was being circulated by propaganda accounts based in Pakistan, highlighting the official mechanism to counter sophisticated digital disinformation.

Union Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman's recent comments on examination paper leaks have generated political controversy. Her suggestion that the extended time before re-examinations allows some candidates to improve their preparation has drawn criticism from opposition parties and civil society groups.

Amid the controversy surrounding the NEET-UG examination, the Union Government has removed Shri Vineet Joshi from the post of Secretary, Department of Higher Education. This administrative action is part of the government's response to allegations of mismanagement in national competitive examinations.

Shri Ravneet Singh Bittu has resigned from his position as the Union Minister of State for Railways and Food Processing. The President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, accepted his resignation with immediate effect upon the advice of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.

The Chief Justice of India, Shri Surya Kant, has affirmed the judiciary's commitment to justice amidst ongoing student protests, stating that the "doors of the Supreme Court are open 24 hours a day for every citizen." He further assured that the court would not allow injustice to prevail.

Six police personnel were injured in a clash with villagers in the Surajpur district of Chhattisgarh during a police operation. According to the Additional Superintendent of Police, a large contingent had been deployed in anticipation of resistance from the local populace.

The Madras High Court has directed the Tamil Nadu government to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the death of a pregnant woman. The court also ordered the formation of a “Neutral Medical Board” within 24 hours, explicitly barring doctors who performed the initial autopsy from being members to ensure impartiality.

The government has extended the suspension of mobile internet services in the Jantar Mantar area for the sixth consecutive time. Concurrently, the Delhi High Court has agreed to conduct an urgent hearing on a petition challenging the legality of the internet shutdown, which will examine the balance between public order and fundamental rights.

The Supreme Court has scheduled a hearing for July 29, 2026, to address a plea concerning the Bhojshala complex in Dhar, Madhya Pradesh. The plea, filed by the Muslim side, contests the location of an alternative site provided by the state government for offering Friday prayers, arguing it is too distant.

The Supreme Court has listed for hearing several petitions concerning alleged police excesses during student protests on July 20. The decision follows remarks from the Chief Justice of India, who had criticised media reports suggesting the court had initially refused to entertain the pleas.

The Union Government has tabled a bill in Parliament to amend the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971. The proposed amendment seeks to penalise individuals who intentionally disrupt the rendition of the national song, 'Vande Mataram', granting it similar legal protection as the National Anthem and the National Flag.

The Supreme Court has sought the central government's response on conducting the NEET-UG examination in a computer-based format and implementing robust data security reforms. The bench observed that extraordinary logistical measures, such as using the Indian Air Force to transport question papers, are not sustainable long-term solutions.

A Delhi court has acquitted Amit Kumar in a 2011 murder case, citing the prosecution's inability to prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt. The court observed that key witnesses had turned hostile and the ballistic report failed to connect the recovered weapon to the crime. However, Mr. Kumar was convicted under Section 174A of the Indian Penal Code for absconding, a charge to which he pleaded guilty.

Senior AIADMK leader R. B. Udayakumar has accused the Tamil Nadu government of orchestrating an "undeclared government holiday" on July 23 for the release of 'Jana Nayagan', a film starring Chief Minister Vijay. The former minister alleged that the Chief Minister and other cabinet members neglected their official duties to attend the movie's premiere, contrasting this with pressing state issues such as the Cauvery water dispute.

The Supreme Court of India has prohibited the unauthorised clipping and monetisation of its proceedings on social media platforms to prevent misrepresentation through out-of-context video clips. The directive is aimed at preserving the integrity of the judicial process. The Court clarified that the embargo does not extend to legitimate news reporting or the use of footage for educational and academic purposes.

The Lok Sabha was adjourned amidst persistent protests by Opposition parties regarding recent examination paper leaks. Led by the Congress party, the Opposition demanded the resignation of Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. They also called for action against those responsible for violence against student protesters and sought a formal apology from the Prime Minister.

The National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) Ltd. reported a 12% year-on-year increase in its standalone Profit After Tax (PAT) to ₹5,342 crore for the first quarter of FY27. On a consolidated basis, the NTPC Group's PAT grew by 13% to ₹6,896 crore, significantly bolstered by a 62% rise in profits from its subsidiary and joint venture companies. The company's operational efficiency was highlighted by its coal power stations achieving a Plant Load Factor of 76.71%, well above the national average of 70.32%.

The Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) announced a 138% surge in its Profit After Tax (PAT) to ₹1,636 crore for the first quarter of FY27, with revenue from operations at ₹26,246 crore. The company reported a robust Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation, and Amortization (EBITDA) of ₹4,356 crore. During the quarter, SAIL produced 4.76 million tonnes of crude steel and recorded a sales volume of 4.16 million tonnes, having strategically moderated volumes by advancing scheduled maintenance in response to geopolitical volatility.

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways highlighted the economic and environmental advantages of Inland Water Transport (IWT), noting its freight cost of ₹1.06 per Ton-Kilometer is significantly lower than Railways (₹1.36) and Roadways (₹2.50). Environmentally, IWT's air pollution cost is ₹0.03 per Ton-Kilometer, positioning it as a more sustainable logistics alternative.

The government has introduced key policy reforms to promote the inland waterways sector, including the Jalvahak Scheme, which offers a 35% financial incentive for cargo movement on key national waterways. Additionally, the Tonnage Tax system, which bases tax on vessel size rather than profit, was extended to inland vessels in the Union Budget 2025 to provide a predictable and lower tax regime.

The Jal Marg Vikas Project on National Waterway-1 (Ganga) has achieved 81.97% completion as of June 30, 2026, against a sanctioned cost of ₹5061.15 Crore. Key completed infrastructure includes Multi-Modal Terminals at Varanasi, Sahibganj, and Haldia, and 66 community jetties across four states, according to a written reply in the Lok Sabha by the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.

The Income Tax Department marked its 167th anniversary on July 24, 2026, with officials highlighting a shift towards a trust-based, taxpayer-centric system. Total tax collections exceeded ₹23 lakh crore in the last fiscal year, with the Pune Region alone contributing ₹1.33 lakh crore. Underscoring the move away from intrusive scrutiny, it was noted that only 1.65 lakh out of nearly 9 crore tax returns filed were selected for review.

Speaking at an Income Tax Day event, economist and former Rajya Sabha member Dr. Narendra Jadhav commented on the global trend of de-dollarisation, noting the US dollar's share in global reserves has fallen from nearly 90% in the 1960s to below 60% today. He suggested India could leverage this shift by promoting rupee-denominated trade and developing a digital rupee, while dismissing a common BRICS currency as impractical.

The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has launched VISHWAS, 2026, a one-time dispute resolution scheme to settle long-pending issues related to damages and penalties under the EPF Act, 1952. Effective for six months from June 29, 2026, the scheme allows employers to resolve defaults that occurred prior to June 14, 2024, at reduced rates through a fully online process.

India Post recorded its highest-ever first-quarter revenue of ₹4,009 crore in Q1 of FY 2026–27, marking a 22% year-on-year growth. During this period, the Andhra Pradesh Postal Circle was recognised as the best-performing circle in the country, achieving 102% of its business target with revenues of ₹233.7 crore.

The Government of India, in consultation with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), conducted an underwriting auction for Government Securities on July 24, 2026. The auction was for a total notified amount of ₹28,000 crore as part of the government's ongoing market borrowing programme.

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is set to implement a revised toll collection formula that is expected to reduce user fees on national highways. The new methodology will apply to highway stretches featuring independent structures such as bridges, tunnels, and flyovers, aiming to rationalize charges to more accurately reflect the infrastructure used by commuters.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved a railway line expansion project in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh to enhance network capacity and regional connectivity. The infrastructure upgrade is also expected to boost tourism by improving access to destinations like the Ballari Fort and the Sri Kumara Swamy Temple.

The Coca-Cola company has increased the price of Diet Coke in India by more than 10%, attributing the hike to global supply chain disruptions. The company stated that the ongoing conflict in West Asia has affected maritime shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, impacting the supply of aluminium cans used for the product.

At the 167th Income Tax Day, Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) Chairman Ravi Agrawal outlined a technology-driven approach to enhance taxpayer services, highlighting initiatives like PAN 2.0, ITBA 2.0, and the SAKSHAM NUDGE framework. In a related development, the Finance Minister released six flagship publications, including 'Avlokan', the inaugural annual report of the Foreign Tax & Tax Research Division, and India's first comprehensive Guidance Note on Crypto Asset Reporting Obligations.

The BRICS Science Academies Forum Meeting 2026 concluded at IIT Hyderabad with a focus on leveraging Artificial Intelligence for sustainable development across five priority areas: advanced materials, healthcare, climate change, agriculture, and disaster management. During the forum, Dr. Ashish Lele, Director of CSIR-NCL, highlighted AI's critical role in advancing India's National Green Hydrogen Mission by enhancing efficiency and decarbonising logistics.

The Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, reviewed Haryana's action plan to curb air pollution in the Delhi-NCR region, emphasising a 'Whole of Government' approach. Key directives issued to the state government include accelerating the end-to-end paving of roads, geo-tagging all Mechanical Road Sweeping Machines by September 2026, and enforcing the "No PUCC, No Fuel" initiative. The Minister also called for bridging gaps in the procurement of Crop Residue Management machinery and expediting the liquidation of legacy waste to prevent open burning ahead of the winter season.

The Ministry of Coal released the 'AAROH- Annual Report on Mine Closure', detailing the scientific closure and repurposing of 42 mines across India. The initiative aims to transform exhausted mines into centres for environmental restoration and sustainable livelihoods. An Implementation Agreement was also signed with Germany's GIZ for technical cooperation on managing closed coal mines.

A landslide in Himachal Pradesh's Lahaul-Spiti district claimed the lives of at least 13 people on July 24, 2026. According to police reports, the incident occurred when a rockfall struck a vehicle near Kahudu Nala, highlighting the region's vulnerability to geological disasters during the monsoon season.

President Smt. Droupadi Murmu held bilateral discussions with the Prime Minister of Romania, Mr. Ilie Bolojan, in Bucharest to review existing ties. The leaders engaged in discussions on advancing the India-Romania partnership across various sectors, underscoring a mutual commitment to strengthening diplomatic and economic cooperation.

The Government of India has strongly condemned an attack on the bulk carrier MV Omorfi in the Black Sea on July 18, which resulted in the death of one Indian seafarer. The vessel had a crew of 10, which included three Indian nationals.

An LPG tanker with 28 Indian nationals on board was attacked in Iranian waters on July 24, 2026. The Embassy of India in Tehran confirmed the incident and stated that all crew members are safe, highlighting persistent maritime security risks in the region.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has refuted Pakistan's allegations of India deliberately causing floods in the Chenab River, terming the claims "baseless". MEA Spokesperson Shri Randhir Jaiswal pointed to Pakistan's own flood advisories, which attributed the high water levels to heavy monsoon rainfall in the river's catchment areas.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has reiterated India's long-standing position that China has been in illegal occupation of Indian territories since 1963. During a press briefing, MEA Spokesperson Shri Randhir Jaiswal asserted that regarding sovereignty issues, it is India that is justified in raising them.

The Ministry of Textiles is hosting the 'Weaves of India' Festival in New Delhi from July 24 to August 7, 2026, as part of the 12th National Handloom Day celebrations. The event showcases 116 distinct heritage handloom traditions from across the country, aiming to promote India's rich textile heritage and provide a market platform for artisans.

Under the Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY), the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment virtually inaugurated five new Senior Citizen Homes in Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, and Jharkhand. The ministry also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Birla Open Minds Foundation to foster collaborative welfare initiatives for the elderly.

The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment provided scholarship benefits to over 13,550 Scheduled Caste students in Karnataka's Chikkaballapura district during the 2025–26 academic year. According to a written reply in the Lok Sabha, 8,460 students benefited under the Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme and 5,090 under the Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme, with Direct Benefit Transfer enhancing disbursement efficiency.

Student protests against alleged paper leaks in competitive examinations continue at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, with the protest group 'Cockroach Janta Party' (CJP) holding discussions with Union Ministers. In response to the ongoing demonstrations, prominent universities have issued advisories asking students to stay away from the stir.

In a written reply to the Lok Sabha, the government stated that India's medical education infrastructure has expanded significantly since 2014. The number of medical colleges has more than doubled from 387 to 844, while undergraduate MBBS seats increased from 51,348 to 1,39,489 and postgraduate seats grew from 31,185 to 86,360.

The Union Health Ministry has introduced new initiatives to integrate medical education with community healthcare. The National Medical Commission has incorporated a 'Family Adoption Programme' into the MBBS curriculum, mandating students to adopt families in designated villages for health monitoring. Furthermore, a compulsory three-month 'District Residency Programme' has been established for postgraduate medical students to serve in district hospitals, aiming to bolster rural healthcare infrastructure.

An evaluation of Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, commissioned by NITI Aayog, has revealed significant improvements in primary healthcare access, according to the Union Health Ministry. The study noted enhanced infrastructure, increased community footfall, and better availability of services for non-communicable diseases, medicines, and diagnostics. The ministry also highlighted the success of digital platforms like e-Sanjeevani in expanding specialist consultations.

India recorded 24.28 lakh cybersecurity incidents in 2025, according to official government data, marking a significant increase from 18.73 lakh incidents in 2024 and 11.46 lakh in 2023. The figures underscore the escalating challenge of securing the nation's cyberspace against malicious activities.

The Indian Army has deployed relief and rescue columns, including specialised engineer and medical teams, to assist with flood operations in several districts of Gujarat. The operations are currently active in the heavily affected areas of Valsad, Navsari, Silvassa, and Ahmedabad to provide support to the civil administration.

Indian chess grandmaster and five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand has taken charge as the interim President of the International Chess Federation (FIDE). His appointment places him at the helm of the global governing body for the sport.

The men's cricket teams of India and Pakistan have secured direct qualification for the quarter-finals of the Asian Games. This entry is based on their high international team rankings, which exempts them from the initial group stage of the tournament.