Daily filter — 29 July 2026
12 exam-worthy stories from the day's PIB releases · interactive view
⚖️ Law & Judiciary · LAW track
Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 passed
The **Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026** has been passed in Lok Sabha.
- The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 passed in Lok Sabha.
- It lays down 'iron-clad provisions' with 'harshest punishment' for breaches.
- The Ministry of Home Affairs congratulated students on July 29, 2026.
- The bill aims to protect the future of students in public examinations.
💡 The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, passed by Lok Sabha, strengthens penalties against unfair means in public exams.
Source: Ministry of Home Affairs · PIB PRID 2291253
⚖️ Law & Judiciary · LAW track
Lok Sabha Passes Public Examinations Amendment Bill, 2026
The Lok Sabha passed amendments to strengthen the legal framework against unfair means in public examinations.
- Punishment for individuals resorting to unfair means is now five to ten years imprisonment.
- Maximum fine for individuals increased from ₹10 lakh to ₹50 lakh.
- Service provider fines increased to ₹5 crore, debarment to eight years.
- Special Fast Track Courts to complete investigation in two months, trial in three months.
- Punishment for organized crime is now seven to ten years imprisonment with a ₹10 crore fine.
💡 For the exam: The 2026 Bill enhances penalties and fast-tracks justice for unfair means in public examinations.
Source: Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions · PIB PRID 2291258
⚖️ Law & Judiciary · LAW track
NHRC takes suo motu cognizance of child torture
The **NHRC** took suo motu cognizance of the reported torture of a 5-year-old in **Varanasi**, Uttar Pradesh.
- NHRC, India acted on reports of torture by a teacher.
- A 5-year-old boy was reportedly branded with a hot knife.
- Notices were issued to UP Chief Secretary, Varanasi Police Commissioner.
- A detailed report is sought within two weeks from them.
💡 The NHRC takes suo motu cognizance for human rights violations.
Source: National Human Rights Commission · PIB PRID 2291099
⚖️ Law & Judiciary · LAW track
NHRC takes cognizance of factory explosion deaths in Cachar
The NHRC has taken suo motu cognizance of a factory explosion in Cachar, Assam, resulting in four deaths.
- NHRC, India took suo motu cognizance on 29th July 2026.
- Four workers died, two were injured in a metal factory explosion on 26th July 2026.
- Notices issued to Assam Chief Secretary and Cachar SP for a report in two weeks.
- Report should cover health status and compensation disbursement.
💡 NHRC acts suo motu on factory accidents, demanding reports on worker safety and compensation.
Source: National Human Rights Commission · PIB PRID 2290910
🤖 Science & Tech · UPSC track
IndiaAI Mission: Advancing AI in Governance and Public Services
The **IndiaAI Mission** is democratizing technology, fostering economic opportunities, and addressing AI risks through collaborative roadmaps and capacity building.
- IndiaAI Mission has identified 762 AI use cases across 62 ministries.
- It has approved 58 AI Centres of Excellence and 543 Data & AI Labs.
- The mission has launched 11 national-level hackathons and innovation challenges.
- 686 fellowships have been awarded nationally across 178 institutions.
💡 Remember 7-6-2 (use cases), 5-8 (CoEs), 5-4-3 (Labs) for the IndiaAI Mission's reach.
Source: Ministry of Electronics & IT · PIB PRID 2291062
🌐 International Relations · UPSC track
India Deepens Global Digital Public Infrastructure Cooperation
India has expanded its global digital cooperation by signing MoUs with 24 countries to share its successful digital public infrastructure solutions.
- India has signed MoUs with 24 countries for cooperation in sharing population-scale digital solutions.
- An Implementation Framework Agreement (IFA) and NDA have been signed with Kenya for DigiLocker.
- Development of DigiLocker solution has commenced in Cuba.
- UPI is linked with payment systems in 9 countries for P2M transactions, and 3 countries for P2P.
💡 For the exam: Remember 24 MoUs for DPI, DigiLocker for Kenya & Cuba, and UPI in 9+ countries.
Source: Ministry of Electronics & IT · PIB PRID 2291054
🤝 Schemes & Welfare · LAW track
SC/ST Atrocities Act Implementation Strengthened by Central Assistance
The government is enhancing the implementation of SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 through a Centrally Sponsored Scheme.
- A Central-level Committee reviews the Scheme's implementation, holding 29 meetings since March 29, 2006.
- Telangana received ₹30.52 crores for 2026-27, including incentives for inter-caste married couples.
- ₹128.4327 crores were released in April 2026 as a token amount via SNA-SPARSH platform.
- The Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955 is also strengthened through this scheme.
💡 For the exam: Remember the two Acts (SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities, Protection of Civil Rights), Telangana as a beneficiary, and the Centrally Sponsored Scheme mechanism.
Source: Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment · PIB PRID 2291284
⚖️ Law & Judiciary · LAW track
NHRC takes suo motu cognizance of toxic gas deaths
The **NHRC, India** acted on a media report regarding two deaths in a **NOIDA** sewage plant on **26th July 2026**.
- The NHRC took suo motu cognizance of the incident.
- A sanitation worker and a security guard died after inhaling toxic gases.
- Notices were issued to the DM and Police Commissioner, Gautam Budh Nagar.
- A detailed report, including compensation status, is due within two weeks.
💡 NHRC uses 'suo motu' power for human rights violations in incidents like sewage plant deaths.
Source: National Human Rights Commission · PIB PRID 2290909
💰 Economy · LAW track
Coal Exchange Rules, 2026: Enhancing Transparent Coal Trading
The Ministry of Coal notified new rules to establish a regulatory framework for transparent and efficient trading of coal and lignite.
- The Coal Exchange Rules, 2026 were notified on 04.06.2026 under Section 18B of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957.
- The Coal Controller Organisation (CCO) is the authority to register and regulate Coal Exchange(s).
- Coal Exchanges are online platforms for buyers and sellers of coal to transact and trade.
- They will operate a Settlement Guarantee Fund (SGF), with at least 50% invested in safe instruments.
- Operationalisation is estimated within 12 months from application receipt, with the platform opening on 15.07.2026.
💡 For the exam: Remember the Coal Controller Organisation (CCO) regulates Coal Exchanges under the 2026 Rules.
Source: Ministry of Coal · PIB PRID 2291193
📚 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
NEP 2020: Enhancing Skill-based and Digital Learning
The Ministry of Education promotes skill-based and digital learning nationwide under **NEP 2020** recommendations, using various schemes and initiatives.
- Samagra Shiksha integrates skill education for Classes VI to XII, with pre-vocational education for Classes VI to VIII.
- Skill courses aligned with National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF) offered for Classes IX to XII.
- PM eVidya launched 17th May, 2020, provides multi-mode digital education with 200 DTH TV channels and 400 Radio channels.
- DIKSHA is the 'One Nation, One Digital platform' for school e-content, with 579.41 crore learning sessions completed.
- Budget 2025 announced broadband connectivity to all rural Government Secondary schools via BharatNet project.
💡 For the exam: Remember NEP 2020 drives skill education through Samagra Shiksha and digital learning via PM eVidya and DIKSHA, supported by BharatNet.
Source: Ministry of Education · PIB PRID 2291276
📱 Economy · UPSC track
Electronics Manufacturing Surges, Becomes Top Exported Commodity
Government initiatives have significantly boosted India's electronics manufacturing, with production growing seven-fold and exports eleven-fold in the last 12 years.
- India's electronics production increased to ₹13.11 Lakh Cr in FY 2025-26 from ₹1.9 Lakh Cr in 2014-15.
- Electronics exports rose to ₹4.24 Lakh Cr in FY 2025-26 from ₹38 thousand Cr in 2014-15.
- Smartphones became India’s top exported individual commodity in FY 2025-26.
- The PLI Scheme for Large Scale Electronics Manufacturing (LSEM) launched in 2020 spurred production worth ₹11,61,581 Cr by March 2026.
- The electronics manufacturing sector supports approximately 25 lakh jobs, with 70% of the workforce in high-precision segments being women.
💡 Remember the 7x production and 11x export growth in electronics, with smartphones now being a top export, driven by PLI-LSEM.
Source: Ministry of Electronics & IT · PIB PRID 2291171
📱 Polity & Governance · UPSC track
India's Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) Reaches New Milestones
India's DPI initiatives, including **Aadhaar**, **UPI**, and **DigiLocker**, have significantly expanded access to digital services and financial inclusion.
- Over 144 crore Aadhaar IDs have been generated, providing unique digital identity.
- UPI serves more than 55.49 crore individuals, connecting 731 banks.
- DigiLocker has over 71.66 crore registered users, issuing 936.03 crore documents.
- 5.01 lakh Common Service Centres (CSCs) are functional, delivering over 800 services.
- BHASHINI promotes linguistic inclusion in digital services for India's diverse population.
💡 For the exam: Remember the key DPIs (Aadhaar, UPI, DigiLocker) and their user numbers/reach, plus the role of CSCs and BHASHINI.
Source: Ministry of Electronics & IT · PIB PRID 2291148