Daily filter — 27 July 2026
12 exam-worthy stories from the day's PIB releases · interactive view
⚖️ Law & Judiciary · LAW track
Public Examinations Amendment Bill 2026 Boosts Anti-Malpractice Laws
The **Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026** strengthens existing laws against examination malpractices with stricter penalties.
- The Bill was introduced by Dr. Jitendra Singh in Lok Sabha on July 27, 2026.
- It amends the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, effective since June 21, 2024.
- Penalties for unfair means increase to 5-10 years imprisonment and a ₹50 lakh maximum fine.
- Service providers face fines up to ₹5 crore and 8-year debarment for involvement.
- Organised crimes now carry 7-10 years imprisonment and up to ₹10 crore fine.
- Investigations must complete within two months, and trials within three months by Special Fast Track Courts.
💡 The 2026 Amendment Bill tightens the 2024 Act with harsher penalties and faster justice to curb examination fraud.
Source: Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions · PIB PRID 2290080
⚖️ Law & Judiciary · LAW track
SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act: Implementation and Support
Government strengthens the implementation of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, providing financial aid to states.
- Over 1.18 Lakh victims received relief during 2022-23 to 2024-25 under a Centrally Sponsored Scheme.
- In 2024, 55,685 SC cases and 9,961 ST cases were reported under the Act.
- All India conviction rate for SC cases was 33.9 per cent and for ST cases 33.2 per cent in 2024.
- Financial assistance of ₹392.71 crore was released in 2022-23 to states/UTs.
- The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) compiles data on crimes registered under the Act.
💡 Remember: The SC/ST (PoA) Act is bolstered by a Centrally Sponsored Scheme; NCRB collects data, and 'Police/Public Order' are State subjects.
Source: Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment · PIB PRID 2290065
🏛️ Law & Judiciary · UPSC track
New Atmanirbhar Panchayat Program, SAMARTH Portal Launched
Union Minister Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh launched three initiatives to empower Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) financially and technologically.
- The Atmanirbhar Panchayat Program aims to convert local assets into revenue-generating projects.
- SAMARTH Panchayat Portal is a digital platform for managing Own Source of Revenue (OSR) for Gram Panchayats.
- Model OSR Rules provide a framework for States to strengthen Panchayat revenues.
- The Ministry of Panchayati Raj received a Gold Award for the Panchayat Advancement Index at the NAeG 2026.
💡 For the exam: Remember 'Atmanirbhar, SAMARTH, OSR' as the three pillars for strengthening Panchayats unveiled on July 27, 2026.
Source: Ministry of Panchayati Raj · PIB PRID 2290029
⚖️ Law & Judiciary · LAW track
NHAI Wins Major Arbitration, Saves Public Funds
NHAI successfully defended an arbitration case related to the Bareilly Highways Project, significantly reducing the payout to the concessionaire.
- The Arbitral Tribunal awarded only Rs. 46 crores against claims of Rs. 3,177 crores.
- The case pertained to the Bareilly – Sitapur BOT (Toll) project in Uttar Pradesh.
- NHAI terminated the project in May 2019 due to delays.
- NHAI had other wins in June 2026, April 2026, and May 2026.
💡 NHAI arbitration wins in 2026 protected public funds in Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat and Panipat–Jalandhar projects.
Source: Ministry of Road Transport & Highways · PIB PRID 2289902
🍎 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
PM POSHAN: Nutritional Standards and Scheme Guidelines
The **PM POSHAN Scheme** provides hot, nutritious meals to school children, with specific nutritional and food norms.
- The PM POSHAN Scheme provides one hot cooked meal on all school working days.
- Meals are for children in Bal Vatika to classes I to VIII in government schools.
- Primary classes require 450 calories and 12 gms protein per day.
- Upper primary classes require 700 calories and 20 gms protein per day.
- States/UTs use a 5% flexi component for School Nutrition Gardens (SNGs).
- A NITI AAYOG evaluation in 2025-26 found positive impacts on nutrition and learning.
💡 PM POSHAN covers Bal Vatika-Class 8, has specific calorie/protein norms (450/12 for primary, 700/20 for upper), a 5% flexi component, and was positively evaluated by NITI AAYOG in 2025-26.
Source: Ministry of Education · PIB PRID 2290055
🏫 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
PM SHRI Scheme: Schools Selected and Language Teachers Appointed
The Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) scheme aims to strengthen over 14,500 schools.
- As of July 27, 2026, 13,092 schools have been selected as PM SHRI schools.
- The scheme is a centrally sponsored scheme.
- Uttar Pradesh has the highest number of selected schools with 1888.
- A total of 6102 Sanskrit, 1994 Urdu, and 9152 Regional Language teachers have been appointed.
💡 Remember PM SHRI is a centrally sponsored scheme that has selected 13,092 schools as of July 27, 2026.
Source: Ministry of Education · PIB PRID 2290004
🌍 Environment · UPSC track
India's NDC Targets: Progress and Enhanced Goals
India has made significant progress on its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) targets, achieving some ahead of schedule, and has further enhanced its goals for 2035.
- India reduced emissions intensity of GDP by 37.38% in 2022 from 2005 levels.
- Non-fossil fuel sources reached 54.18% of installed electric power capacity by June 30, 2026.
- An additional carbon sink of 2.44 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalent was created from 2005 to 2022.
- NDC targets for 2035 include 47% reduction in emissions intensity and 60% non-fossil electricity capacity.
💡 Remember 2035 targets are enhanced, and non-fossil fuel capacity goal was met 5 years early!
Source: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change · PIB PRID 2289995
🤝 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
PM SVANidhi: Enabling Financial Inclusion for Street Vendors
Launched in June 2020, PM SVANidhi provides working capital loans to street vendors, with significant impact on their financial well-being.
- Over 76.95 lakh street vendors availed 1.15 crore loans totaling ₹18475.06 Crore by July 12, 2026.
- Loans are provided in three tranches: ₹15,000, ₹25,000, and ₹50,000.
- 'SVANidhi se Samriddhi' component links beneficiaries to 8 Central Government welfare schemes.
- Studies in 2023 and 2025 by ISB, Hyderabad, show 20% average business income growth.
- 95% of beneficiaries received their first bank loan through PM SVANidhi in 2023 study.
💡 Remember PM SVANidhi provides 3-tranche loans for street vendors, fostering financial inclusion and business growth.
Source: Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs · PIB PRID 2289997
🏘️ Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
PMAY-U 2.0: Enhancing Urban Housing for 1 Crore Beneficiaries
**Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana - Urban (PMAY-U) 2.0** launched to provide all-weather pucca houses and rental housing solutions.
- PMAY-U 2.0 launched on 01.09.2024 to support 1 crore additional eligible beneficiaries.
- It operates through four verticals: BLC, AHP, ARH, and ISS.
- As of 13.07.2026, 127.68 lakh houses sanctioned, with 99.07 lakh completed.
- Affordable Rental Housing (ARH) addresses needs of migrants, workers, and students.
- Interest Subsidy Scheme (ISS) provides subsidy to EWS, LIG, and MIG categories.
💡 PMAY-U 2.0, launched Sept 2024, targets 1 crore beneficiaries via BLC, AHP, ARH, and ISS.
Source: Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs · PIB PRID 2289996
💧 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
Jal Jeevan Mission Extends, Outlay Enhanced to ₹ 8.69 Lakh Crore
The **Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM)** has been extended until December 2028 with a significantly increased financial outlay.
- The JJM has been extended up to December 2028.
- Total financial outlay is now ₹ 8.69 lakh crore, an increase from ₹ 3.60 lakh crore.
- Central share increased from ₹ 2.08 lakh crore to ₹ 3.59 lakh crore.
- As on 18.07.2026, 15.89 Crore rural households have tap water connections.
- Coverage rose from 16.71% in August 2019 to 82.09% as on 18.07.2026.
- A 'Handbook on Community-Managed Piped Water Systems' was launched under 'Jal Arpan'.
- States/UTs advised to prepare Comprehensive Implementation and Reform Plan (CIRP) for JJM 2.0.
💡 Remember JJM extension (till 2028), increased outlay (₹8.69 lakh cr), and current coverage (82.09%) for rural households.
Source: Ministry of Jal Shakti · PIB PRID 2290048
⚖️ Law & Judiciary · LAW track
Special Drive for Expeditious Disposal of Labour Cases
The Chief Labour Commissioner (Central) has launched a three-month drive to clear pending industrial dispute and claims cases.
- A Special Drive was launched from June 1, 2026 to August 31, 2026.
- It targets industrial dispute and claim cases like wages, gratuity, and maternity benefits.
- As of June 1, 2026, 16,033 cases were pending.
- During the first month, 2,769 cases have been disposed of.
💡 Remember: The Chief Labour Commissioner launched a 3-month drive from June 1, 2026, for 16,033 pending labour cases.
Source: Ministry of Labour & Employment · PIB PRID 2289942
👷 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
**Atal Beemit Vyakti Kalyan Yojana** Extended Until Mid-2027
The **ESIC** has extended the **Atal Beemit Vyakti Kalyan Yojana** (ABVKY), providing relief to unemployed insured persons.
- The ABVKY has been extended from 01.07.2026 to 30.06.2027.
- Beneficiaries must have 12 months insurable employment before unemployment.
- They need contributions for not less than 78 days in one contribution period.
- Unemployment due to misconduct, lock out, or conviction disqualifies claims.
💡 Remember: ABVKY extended till 30.06.2027, requiring 12 months employment and 78 days contributions.
Source: Ministry of Labour & Employment · PIB PRID 2289944