Daily filter — 28 July 2026
12 exam-worthy stories from the day's PIB releases · interactive view
⚖️ Law & Judiciary · LAW track
Public Examinations Amendment Bill 2026 strengthens anti-malpractice laws
The **Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026** aims to enhance the legal framework against exam malpractices.
- The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 was the country's first comprehensive legislation.
- Punishment for individuals resorting to unfair means is enhanced to five to ten years imprisonment and up to ₹50 lakh fine.
- Service providers face increased fines up to ₹5 crore and eight years debarment.
- Punishment for organised crime increased to seven to ten years imprisonment and up to ₹10 crore fine.
- The Bill provides for Special Fast Track Courts with investigation within two months and trial within three months.
💡 Remember 2026 Bill for enhanced penalties, debarment, and Fast Track Courts for exam malpractice.
Source: Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions · PIB PRID 2290606
🏢 Economy · LAW track
CCI approves Go Digit amalgamation, streamlining insurance entity
The **Competition Commission of India (CCI)** has approved the amalgamation of **Go Digit Infoworks Services** with **Go Digit General Insurance Ltd**.
- Go Digit General Insurance Ltd will be the surviving entity post-amalgamation.
- Infoworks (holding company) is not engaged in market-facing business activities.
- Digit General provides general and health insurance products in India.
- FAL (part of Fairfax group) is a Mauritius-incorporated investment holding company.
💡 Remember: CCI approval for Go Digit amalgamation makes Digit General the surviving insurance entity.
Source: Competition Commission of India · PIB PRID 2290715
🤝 Economy · LAW track
CCI Approves Brookfield Acquisition of Oaktree Capital Units
The **Competition Commission of India (CCI)** approved **Brookfield Asset Management Ltd.'s (BAM)** indirect acquisition of **Oaktree Capital Group Holdings, L.P. (OCGH)** and **Oaktree Equity Plan, L.P. (OEP)** units.
- The CCI approved the acquisition on 28 JUL 2026.
- BAM is a global alternative asset manager.
- OCGH and OEP are part of the Oaktree group.
- The Oaktree group provides alternative investment management services.
💡 Remember: CCI greenlit Brookfield to acquire Oaktree units, impacting alternative asset management.
Source: Competition Commission of India · PIB PRID 2290714
⚖️ Law & Judiciary · UPSC track
New Pesticides Management Bill 2026 drafted
The **Pesticides Management Bill, 2026** has been drafted by the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.
- The Bill aligns with current requirements and the Jan Vishwas Act.
- It was circulated to Ministries/Departments and State/UT Governments on 30.12.2025.
- The draft was placed in the public domain on 07.01.2026 for comments.
- Minister Shri Ramnath Thakur provided this information in Lok Sabha.
💡 The Pesticides Management Bill, 2026 by the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare aligns with the Jan Vishwas Act.
Source: Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare · PIB PRID 2290634
⚖️ Law & Judiciary · LAW track
New Sanhitas: Justice-Centric Reforms for Citizen Empowerment
The **Ministry of Home Affairs** details new provisions in the **Sanhitas** aiming for a more accessible and efficient justice system.
- Victims can report incidents electronically and file Zero FIRs at any police station.
- Victims are entitled to free FIR copies and case progress updates within 90 days.
- New laws mandate state governments to implement Witness Protection Scheme.
- Timelines for investigation stages like preliminary enquiry (14 days) are now stipulated.
- Trial in absentia is introduced for proclaimed offenders to prevent justice delays.
- Community service is introduced for minor offences, and summary trial ambit expanded.
💡 For the exam: Remember the new Sanhitas focus on victim-centricity, timelines, and reform for a justice-centric system.
Source: Ministry of Home Affairs · PIB PRID 2290363
☀️ Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana boosts rooftop solar
The **PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana** offers subsidies and low-interest loans to promote rooftop solar adoption.
- Collateral-free loans are available at 5.75% per annum from nationalized banks.
- Loan tenure is 10 years for beneficiaries of the scheme.
- As of 22.7.2026, 39,72,447 rooftop solar systems were installed.
- These systems covered 48,02,717 households under the scheme.
💡 Remember: 5.75% collateral-free loans for 10 years helped install 39 lakh+ RTS systems by 2026.
Source: Ministry of New and Renewable Energy · PIB PRID 2290407
👨🌾 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
**Viksit Bharat - Gramin** Act, 2025 comes into force
A new act preserving rural employment guarantee has become effective nationwide from July 1, 2026.
- The VB-G RAM G Act, 2025 came into force on July 1, 2026.
- It guarantees 125 days of wage employment per rural household annually.
- The Act maintains the demand-driven nature of rural employment.
- As of July 22, 2026, 5.20 Crore persondays were generated.
- It emphasizes sustainable livelihoods and climate resilience.
💡 Remember VB-G RAM G Act, 2025 ensures 125 days of rural employment, replacing MGNREGA, effective July 1, 2026.
Source: Ministry of Rural Development · PIB PRID 2290638
👴 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
Atal Vayo Abhyudaya Yojana (AVYAY) strengthens senior citizen welfare
The government is implementing various welfare programs under **AVYAY** to promote healthy, dignified, and active aging for senior citizens.
- AVYAY covers initiatives like Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSrC) and Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY).
- Since FY 2021-22, RVY has benefited 7,68,749 senior citizens with free physical aids.
- The Elderline (14567) has served 8,41,734 senior citizens since 1 October 2021.
- PM-SPECIAL has trained 38,893 geriatric caregivers since FY 2023-24.
- The SAGE initiative provides up to ₹1 crore equity support to start-ups in elderly care.
💡 Remember AVYAY's key components: IPSrC, RVY (aids), Elderline, PM-SPECIAL (caregivers), and SAGE (start-ups) for senior citizens.
Source: Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment · PIB PRID 2290718
🤝 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
PM-AJAY Scheme Proposed for Continuation with Enhanced Outlay
The government proposes continuing PM-AJAY until 2030-31 with increased funding, following a positive NITI Aayog evaluation.
- PM-AJAY aims for socio-economic empowerment of Scheduled Caste communities.
- It was launched in 2021-22 and has three components: Adarsh Gram, Grants-in-Aid, Hostels.
- Since 2021-22, ₹4,276.62 crores have been released across 30 states and UTs.
- An independent DMEO, NITI Aayog evaluation found positive impact on infrastructure and education.
- Under Adarsh Gram, 3,112 villages identified since 2018-19.
- Proposed continuation from 2026-27 to 2030-31 with enhanced financial outlay.
💡 For the exam: PM-AJAY (SC communities), launched 2021-22, NITI Aayog positive, proposed continuation 2026-31.
Source: Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment · PIB PRID 2290717
🏭 Economy · UPSC track
Textile PLI Scheme Revised to Boost Investment, MSME Participation
The PLI Scheme for Textiles was modified in October 2025 to make it more attractive for investors, especially MSMEs.
- The PLI Scheme for Textiles promotes MMF Apparel, MMF Fabrics, and Technical Textiles.
- Scheme was modified in October 2025 to expand eligible products by adding 17 new HSN codes.
- Key revisions included 50% reduction in minimum investment threshold and 10% incremental turnover criteria.
- Revisions led to MSME participation rising to 65 of 96 applications in Round 3 (approx. 68%).
- As of March 31, 2026, 170 companies approved, with ₹167.51 crores invested in Maharashtra.
💡 For the exam: Remember the PLI Textile Scheme revisions in Oct 2025 aimed to lower entry barriers and boost MSME involvement in MMF and Technical Textiles.
Source: Ministry of Textiles · PIB PRID 2290316
🐅 Environment · UPSC track
India's Leadership in Global Tiger Conservation Efforts
India is a global leader in tiger conservation, hosting nearly 70% of the world's wild tigers through science-based policies and strong institutional support.
- India is home to nearly 70% of the world's wild tigers.
- The All India Tiger Estimation (2022) estimated India's tiger population at 3,682.
- Project Tiger, a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, has established 58 tiger reserves.
- International Tiger Day is observed annually on 29 July.
- The Royal Bengal Tiger was declared India's National Animal in 1972.
- The Saint Petersburg Tiger Summit (2010) adopted the Tx2 goal to double wild tiger population by 2022.
💡 For the exam: Remember India's 70% tiger population share, 3,682 (2022) count, Project Tiger's 58 reserves, and the origin of International Tiger Day in the 2010 St. Petersburg Summit.
Source: PIB Backgrounder · PIB PRID 2290233
🏛️ Polity & Governance · UPSC track
PM Chairs High-Level Meeting with Secretaries on Viksit Bharat
The PM chaired the second high-level meeting with Secretaries to review future action agendas and accelerate progress towards **Viksit Bharat** goals.
- PM emphasized breaking horizontal and vertical silos within government.
- Meeting focused on Finance and Economy, Commerce and Industry, and Technology sectors.
- PM stressed technological self-reliance and domestic capabilities in critical sectors.
- PM encouraged young innovators in the cybersecurity ecosystem.
- Meeting held on 28 JUL 2026 at PM’s residence.
💡 Remember: PM's 2nd Secretaries' meeting on 28 JUL 2026 focused on breaking silos, technological self-reliance, and cybersecurity for Viksit Bharat.
Source: Prime Minister's Office · PIB PRID 2290772