National News
Indian Railways Launches CHIRAG Centre in Hyderabad to Modernise HR Governance with AI
- Indian Railways has launched the CHIRAG Centre (Centre for HR Information Systems, Research and Analytics in Governance) at Hyderabad to modernize workforce management across its vast network.
- Located at Moula-Ali, the centre aims to strengthen digital HR systems, AI-based analytics, and advanced workforce training.
- It focuses on upgrading HRMS platforms, improving policy research, and enabling predictive workforce planning such as retirement trends and skill gap analysis.
- Designed as a national hub for data-driven HR governance, CHIRAG reflects Indian Railways’ shift toward smarter, technology-enabled administration, with full operationalization expected by May 2028.
Mission Karmayogi 2.0 Explained: How India Plans to Transform Government Capacity Building
- Mission Karmayogi is preparing for its next phase with Mission Karmayogi 2.0, aimed at transforming India’s civil services through AI-driven governance, digital learning, and institutional capacity building under the National Programme for Civil Services Capacity Building (NPCSCB).
- The reform focuses on competency-based learning, role-specific training, data-driven administration, and citizen-centric governance, moving beyond traditional periodic training models for government employees.
- At the core of the initiative is the iGOT Karmayogi platform, which provides online learning access, standardised modules, scalable digital infrastructure, and role-based training for civil servants across India.
- Led by the Capacity Building Commission under the guidance of S. Radha Chauhan, Mission Karmayogi 2.0 also aims to strengthen institutional governance, frontline service delivery, AI readiness, and global digital capacity-building cooperation.
ICMR Transfers 41 Public Health Technologies to Industry at India’s Largest Biomedical Innovation Event
- Indian Council of Medical Research organized India’s largest biomedical innovation and technology transfer event, Medical Innovations Patent Mitra: Innovators-to-Industry (I2I) Connect, at the Manekshaw Centre.
- The event marked a major step in transforming indigenous medical research into market-ready healthcare solutions by transferring 41 public health technologies to industry partners.
- These included vaccines, diagnostic technologies, and medical devices, along with India’s first-ever transfer of biomaterials related to Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD) and Chandipura virus.
- The initiative aims to strengthen technology commercialization, boost healthcare innovation, reduce import dependence, and accelerate access to advanced medical solutions across India.
Government Launches PM-AJAY Portal for Real-Time Monitoring of SC Welfare Schemes
- India has launched the PM-AJAY Portal and AJAY Mobile App under the Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY) to improve transparency, accountability, and real-time monitoring of welfare schemes for Scheduled Castes (SCs).
- Introduced by Virendra Kumar, the digital platforms will track development in over 47,000 SC-majority villages and support more than 40 lakh beneficiaries. Key features include digital beneficiary management, geo-tagged monitoring, mobile surveys, village development planning, and real-time fund tracking.
- The initiative aims to modernize welfare governance, improve service delivery, and strengthen socio-economic development for marginalized communities across the country.
State News
Gujarat Intensifies Jal-Parab Campaign to Protect Wildlife in Little Rann of Kutch Amid Extreme Heat
- Gujarat has intensified the Jal-Parab wildlife support campaign in the Little Rann of Kutch to help animals survive extreme summer heat and water scarcity.
- With temperatures crossing 42–43°C, the Forest Department has installed artificial water troughs, deployed water tankers, arranged bird hydration containers, and strengthened rescue and monitoring systems.
- The initiative mainly supports species such as the Indian Wild Ass, nilgai, and migratory birds living in the fragile desert ecosystem.
- The campaign aims to prevent wildlife from leaving protected habitats in search of water, reducing risks from human conflict and habitat stress while strengthening seasonal conservation efforts.
Assam Introduces UCC Bill 2026 in Assembly, Proposing Major Personal Law Reforms
- Assam has introduced the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, 2026 in the state assembly to establish uniform laws on marriage, divorce, inheritance, live-in relationships, and child custody across communities, while exempting Scheduled Tribes (STs).
- Presented by Atul Bora on behalf of Himanta Biswa Sarma, the bill mandates registration of live-in relationships and marriages, sets the legal marriage age at 18 for women and 21 for men, and criminalizes polygamy, child marriage, and fraudulent marriages.
- The proposed law also grants custody priority of children below five years to mothers and aims to strengthen transparency, legal protection, and uniform civil governance in the state.
Oil India Finds New Gas-Bearing Zone in Rajasthan’s Dandewala Field
- Oil India Limited has discovered a new natural gas-bearing zone in the Dandewala field of Rajasthan, marking a significant boost to India’s domestic energy security.
- The discovery comes from the Sanu Formation within the hydrocarbon-rich Rajasthan basin and is seen as a major geological breakthrough that expands the region’s gas potential.
- Announced by Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, the find is expected to reduce India’s dependence on imported energy, as the country currently imports over 85% of crude oil and nearly 50% of natural gas.
- The development strengthens India’s push toward self-reliant energy production amid global supply and price uncertainties.
Kerala Gets First Private Medical Museum in Thiruvananthapuram
- Kerala inaugurated its first private medical museum, the Museum of Medical Archives in Ulloor, founded by A. Sivaraman.
- The museum showcases anatomical models, embryology displays, microbiology archives, medical paintings, and scientific teaching materials to simplify complex medical science for the public.
- Major attractions include 3D human anatomy models explaining fetal circulation, embryonic development, mitosis, tooth formation, heart structure, and reproductive anatomy through immersive visual learning.
- The initiative promotes science education, medical awareness, biology learning, and public understanding of healthcare, helping students and visitors connect academic medical knowledge with real-world human anatomy.
International News
India Leads the World in Biodiversity Compliance, Issues 60% of Global Genetic Resource Certificates
- India emerged as the global leader in issuing Internationally Recognised Certificates of Compliance (IRCCs) under the Nagoya Protocol, issuing 3,556 certificates, nearly 60% of worldwide IRCCs, according to a report released by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on the International Day for Biological Diversity.
- The certificates ensure fair access and benefit-sharing (ABS) for genetic resources and traditional knowledge under India’s Biological Diversity Act, 2002, protecting the rights of local communities, farmers, and indigenous knowledge holders.
- The report highlighted that India generated around ₹263 crore through ABS approvals, with ₹145 crore distributed to Biodiversity Management Committees, local communities, and farmers for conservation and livelihood support.
India Chairs First BRICS Tourism Working Group Meeting 2026, Sets New Cooperation Agenda
- India has officially launched the BRICS Tourism Cooperation Agenda during the first virtual meeting of the BRICS Tourism Working Group (TWG) 2026 under its chairship.
- The initiative focuses on resilience, innovation, sustainability, and people-to-people connectivity among BRICS nations.
- India outlined key priorities including the use of Artificial Intelligence in tourism, sustainable tourism practices, and tourism skilling and capacity building to strengthen employment and eco-friendly development.
- The next major meetings, including the 2nd BRICS Tourism Working Group Meeting and the BRICS Tourism Ministers Meeting, will be hosted in Jaipur in August 2026 to advance tourism collaboration among BRICS member countries.
India Overtakes UK to Become Sri Lanka’s Second-Largest Export Destination in 2026
- India has become the second-largest export destination for Sri Lanka during the January–April 2026 period, overtaking the United Kingdom.
- According to Sri Lanka’s Export Development Board, exports to India reached USD 364.15 million, registering an 8.9% growth compared to the previous year.
- The development highlights strengthening India–Sri Lanka economic ties and growing regional trade cooperation in South Asia.
- Sri Lanka also recorded overall export growth driven by sectors such as coconut-based products, activated carbon, and ICT services, although traditional sectors like apparel and tea exports faced declines in key global markets.
Quad Unveils 5 Major Indo-Pacific Initiatives at Delhi Meet: What It Means
- The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue or Quad announced major initiatives at its foreign ministers meeting in New Delhi, signaling a shift from strategic dialogue to concrete action in the Indo-Pacific.
- The four nations unveiled five key initiatives focused on maritime surveillance, energy security, port infrastructure, and critical minerals cooperation.
- A major highlight was the expansion of the Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA) framework to improve real-time vessel tracking and maritime security.
- The Quad also launched the Ports of the Future partnership, with Fiji hosting the pilot project. Discussions further emphasized supply chain resilience, freedom of navigation, undersea cable security, and maintaining a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific region.
Banking News
RBI Tightens Urban Co-operative Bank Governance with New Director Tenure Limits
- Reserve Bank of India has introduced stricter governance norms for Urban Co-operative Banks through the RBI Urban Co-operative Banks Governance Amendment Directions, 2026.
- Under the new rules, directors can serve a maximum of 10 consecutive years, after which a mandatory 3-year cooling-off period is required before rejoining the same bank’s board.
- The reform aims to strengthen corporate governance, transparency, and leadership rotation by preventing directors from exploiting loopholes through temporary resignations and reappointments.
- The amendment, effective immediately, aligns with the Banking Laws (Amendment) Act, 2025 and signals broader governance reforms across India’s co-operative banking sector.
Economy News
IIP Reform Explained: New Base Year, Chain-Linked Methodology, and What It Means for India
- Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation has proposed a major overhaul of the Index of Industrial Production (IIP), India’s key industrial growth indicator.
- The reforms include changing the base year from 2011-12 to 2022-23, introducing a chain-linked methodology, and expanding the industrial basket from 407 to 463 item groups.
- New sectors such as gas supply, water supply, waste management, and renewable energy will be included.
- The proposal aims to improve accuracy, reflect India’s changing industrial structure, and provide more realistic measurement of economic growth and industrial activity.
Awards News
Padma Awards 2026: President Murmu Honours 66 Distinguished Personalities at Rashtrapati Bhavan
- Droupadi Murmu conferred the Padma Awards 2026 to 66 distinguished personalities during the first Civil Investiture Ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan in the presence of Narendra Modi and Amit Shah.
- The ceremony honored awardees across art, sports, medicine, public affairs, and industry, including 2 Padma Vibhushan, 6 Padma Bhushan, and 58 Padma Shri recipients.
- Legendary actor Dharmendra received the Padma Vibhushan posthumously, while renowned violinist N. Rajam was also honored for her contribution to Indian classical music.
- Other major awardees included Harmanpreet Kaur, Uday Kotak, and Bhagat Singh Koshyari, reflecting India’s recognition of excellence across diverse fields.
Sports News
Sports Ministry Notifies Rules for National Sports Board and Tribunal Under Governance Reform Act
- India’s Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has notified operational rules for the National Sports Board (NSB) and National Sports Tribunal (NST) under the National Sports Governance Act to improve sports governance, transparency, and dispute resolution.
- The National Sports Board will oversee governance compliance, financial monitoring, recognition of sports bodies, and ethical standards, bringing stronger accountability to Indian sports federations.
- The National Sports Tribunal will introduce a fully digital dispute resolution system with online filing, virtual hearings, digital notices, and online publication of orders to speed up sports-related legal matters.
- The reforms aim to modernize India’s sports administration through independent oversight, digital governance, faster dispute resolution, and transparent appointment mechanisms supervised by a Search-cum-Selection Committee.
