Daily filter — 21 August 2026
10 exam-worthy stories from the day's PIB releases · interactive view
⚖️ Law & Judiciary · LAW track
New Criminal Laws: Technology, Transparency, and Timely Justice
Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah inaugurated an exhibition on the three new criminal laws in Siliguri, West Bengal, emphasizing their benefits.
- New laws will ensure speedy, transparent justice using technology like e-FIR and Zero FIR.
- Mandatory FSL investigations and electronic evidence will modernize the justice system.
- Forensic visits and reports are mandatory for cases with punishment exceeding 7 years.
- The goal is justice in any FIR up to Supreme Court within three years of full implementation.
💡 For the exam: Remember '3 T's' – Technology, Transparency, Timeline – are key features of the new 'Naveen Nyaya Sanhitas'.
Source: Ministry of Home Affairs · PIB PRID 2302104
⚖️ Law & Judiciary · LAW track
CCI sanctions agro input groups for cartelisation
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has imposed sanctions on two agro input associations and individuals for anti-competitive conduct.
- CCI sanctioned Agro Input Dealers Association (AIDA) and Agro Input Welfare Association (AIWA).
- Sanctions were for cartelisation, contravening Section 3(3)(b) read with Section 3(1) of Competition Act, 2002.
- Monetary penalties imposed on AIDA (Rs. 81,889), AIWA (Rs. 3,92,269), and individuals.
- Non-monetary sanctions include a cease and desist order and competition compliance training.
- The order was passed on 21.08.2026 under Section 27 of the Competition Act, 2002.
💡 Remember: CCI sanctioned AIDA & AIWA for cartelisation via monetary & non-monetary penalties under the Competition Act, 2002.
Source: Competition Commission of India · PIB PRID 2302081
⚖️ Law & Judiciary · LAW track
CCI penalizes firms for bid rigging in Himachal Pradesh tender
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has imposed penalties on two agencies for anti-competitive conduct in a 2013 tyre procurement tender.
- CCI imposed INR 1,29,901/- penalty on Rekha Agencies and INR 2,13,274/- on SS Marketing.
- The firms engaged in bid rigging for Himachal Pradesh Tender 2013 for tyres.
- The conduct violated Sections 3(3)(d) read with Section 3(1) of the Competition Act, 2002.
- An official of Rekha Agencies was also penalized under Section 48 of the Act.
- The order was issued on August 21, 2026, for Reference Case No. 01 of 2019.
💡 CCI penalized Rekha Agencies and SS Marketing for 2013 Himachal Pradesh bid rigging, violating Competition Act Sections 3 and 48.
Source: Competition Commission of India · PIB PRID 2302079
📱 Economy · UPSC track
New ₹62,500 Cr Mobile Phone Manufacturing Scheme Notified
India's government launches the Mobile Phone Manufacturing Scheme (MPMS) with a ₹62,500 crore outlay to boost domestic production and global competitiveness.
- The Mobile Phone Manufacturing Scheme (MPMS) has a budgetary outlay of ₹62,500 crore.
- It aims to increase Domestic Value Addition (DVA) and strengthen manufacturing capabilities.
- The scheme has a tenure of 5 years, from FY 2026-27 to FY 2030-31.
- Expected to generate 60,000 direct jobs and ₹39 lakh crore cumulative production.
- Provides incentives ranging from 2.25% to 5% for mobile phone manufacturing.
- Offers 5% incentive for Indian Brands, plus 3% for Indian design and R&D.
- An additional incentive of up to 1.5% is for domestic sourcing of components.
💡 The MPMS (₹62,500 Cr, 5 years) offers differentiated incentives (2.25-5%) for manufacturers and Indian brands (5%+3% R&D, 1.5% sourcing) aiming for ₹39 lakh Cr production and 60,000 jobs by 2030-31.
Source: Ministry of Electronics & IT · PIB PRID 2302098
💧 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
Ken-Betwa Link Project: Bundelkhand's Water Security Initiative
The **Ken-Betwa Link Project** (KBLP) aims to alleviate water scarcity and boost development in the **Bundelkhand** region of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
- KBLP is the first priority project under the National Perspective Plan for Interlinking of Rivers.
- The project includes the Daudhan Dam on the Ken River and a 216.465 km-long Ken–Betwa Link Canal.
- The total cost of the project is ₹44,605 crore, with completion scheduled for 2030.
- It will irrigate 10.62 lakh ha, provide drinking water to 62 lakh people, and generate 103 MW hydropower and 27 MW solar power.
💡 Remember KBLP is a first-priority river-linking project, targeting Bundelkhand's water woes with Daudhan Dam and a canal.
Source: PIB Backgrounder · PIB PRID 2301975
🌱 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
PM-AASHA: Strengthening Farmer Income and Price Support
PM-AASHA is the government's flagship framework launched in September 2018 to ensure remunerative prices for farmers and reduce distress sales.
- PM-AASHA had a budget allocation of ₹7,200 crore for 2026–27.
- It integrates schemes like Price Support Scheme (PSS), Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS), and Market Intervention Scheme (MIS).
- PSS covers procurement of pulses, oilseeds, and copra through agencies like NAFED and NCCF.
- From 2024–25, procurement of Tur, Urad, and Masur is permitted up to 100% of State production.
- Digital reforms like Aadhaar-enabled authentication and e-NAM enhance transparency and efficiency.
💡 For the exam: Remember PM-AASHA (2018, ₹7200 Cr for 2026-27) unifies PSS, PDPS, MIS for farmer income, using digital tools and NAFED/NCCF for key crop procurement.
Source: PIB Backgrounder · PIB PRID 2301814
📊 Economy · LAW track
NFRA Conducts Sixth Outreach for Small, Medium Auditors
The National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA) held its sixth outreach to enhance financial reporting, focusing on small and medium auditors.
- NFRA completed its sixth outreach programme in Ahmedabad.
- The program focused on small and medium auditors and improving audit quality.
- It was the second outreach with the ICAI, the first was in Pune.
- Over 450 small and medium firms participated since the 2025 launch.
- The theme was “Creating a Better Financial Reporting Ecosystem”.
💡 Remember: NFRA's 6th outreach with ICAI in Ahmedabad supports small/medium auditors; over 450 firms participated.
Source: National Financial Reporting Authority · PIB PRID 2302084
🤝 International Relations · UPSC track
India and Brazil Ink Telecom, ICT Cooperation MoU
India and Brazil signed an MoU to enhance bilateral cooperation in telecommunications and ICTs, including strategic and emerging technologies.
- The MoU was signed on 21 AUG 2026 during the BRICS ICT Track Meeting in Pune.
- Signed by Union Minister Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia and H.E. Mr. Frederico de Siqueira Filho of Brazil.
- Cooperation covers AI, 5G and 6G, Open RAN, IoT, LEO satellites, and cybersecurity.
💡 Remember: India-Brazil MoU at BRICS ICT Track Meeting (Pune, 21 AUG 2026) for wide-ranging telecom and ICT cooperation.
Source: Ministry of Communications · PIB PRID 2302006
💸 Economy · LAW track
DGGI unearths pan masala tax evasion, seizes machines
The **DGGI** has detected a large-scale tax evasion in **Uttar Pradesh** involving pan masala and tobacco products.
- DGGI Lucknow busted a clandestine manufacturing network across six premises.
- Approximately ₹185 crore evasion of GST, HSNS Cess, and Central Excise duty detected.
- 27 undeclared pouch-packing machines were seized in Chitrakoot and Banda.
- The proprietor was arrested on 19.08.2026 under relevant Acts.
- A capacity-based cess regime came into effect on 1st February 2026.
💡 For the exam: Remember DGGI Lucknow, ₹185 crore evasion, and 27 machines seized in UP for pan masala/tobacco.
Source: Ministry of Finance · PIB PRID 2301875
📚 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
DBT Bolsters SC/OBC Scholarship Delivery in East Godavari
The government is strengthening scholarship delivery for SC and OBC students through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) for transparency and efficiency.
- ₹30.81 crore was released for SC and OBC students in East Godavari during 2025–26.
- 44,746 SC students received Post-Matric and 32,813 SC students Pre-Matric assistance.
- 13,658 OBC students received Post-Matric and 1,997 OBC students Pre-Matric assistance.
- DBT ensures direct transfer to Aadhaar-seeded bank accounts of eligible beneficiaries.
💡 Remember: ₹30.81 Cr disbursed via DBT to SC/OBC students in East Godavari for scholarships in 2025–26.
Source: Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment · PIB PRID 2302030