Daily filter — 26 June 2026
9 exam-worthy stories from the day's PIB releases · interactive view
⚖️ Law & Judiciary · LAW track
Jan Vishwas Act reforms operationalised for health sector laws
The **Jan Vishwas Act, 2026**, reforms are operationalised for the **Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940** and **Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006**.
- Section 29 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 (penalty up to ₹1 lakh) is omitted.
- Minor cosmetic violations are now under administrative penalties, not criminal proceedings.
- Punishment for interfering with seized items is reduced from six months to three months.
- Obstructing a Food Safety Officer is omitted from Food Safety and Standards Act.
- False complaints against Food Safety Officers now incur administrative penalties.
- Provisions for Adjudicating Authorities and an Appeal Mechanism are introduced.
💡 The Jan Vishwas Act, 2026, decriminalises minor offences in Drugs and Cosmetics and Food Safety laws.
Source: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare · PIB PRID 2278118
💊 Law & Judiciary · LAW track
Simplified Drug Import for Testing under Drugs Rules, 1945
The **Ministry of Health and Family Welfare** has proposed changes to streamline drug import for examination, test, or analysis.
- Amendments to Drugs Rules, 1945 introduce an acknowledgement-based system.
- Applicants can import drugs for analytical/non-clinical testing based on acknowledgement.
- Certain drugs like sex hormones and narcotics still require prior licensing.
- This expands a similar domestic notification system introduced in January 2026.
💡 Remember: Acknowledgement-based import of drugs for testing is simplified, except for specific categories, under the Drugs Rules, 1945.
Source: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare · PIB PRID 2278200
📝 Schemes & Welfare · LAW track
FSSAI amends licensing rules for non-manufacturing food businesses
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare amended **FSSAI** regulations to ease compliance for non-manufacturing food businesses.
- The Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Amendment Regulations, 2026 were notified.
- Non-manufacturing food businesses are exempt from FIFO/FEFO stock rotation and record-keeping.
- These requirements now apply only to food manufacturing businesses.
- The amendment aims to reduce compliance burden and improve 'ease of doing business'.
💡 Remember: FSSAI 2026 amendments exempt non-manufacturing food businesses from FIFO/FEFO.
Source: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare · PIB PRID 2278119
🚫 Defence & Security · LAW track
Vision Document on Drug Control (2026-2029) Launched
The **Ministry of Home Affairs** unveiled a **Vision Document on Drug Control (2026-2029)** at the **10th Apex Level NCORD meeting**.
- Target to destroy ₹6,000 crore worth of narcotics weighing 2,09,500 kg.
- Roadmap focuses on Enforcement, Precursor Control, Demand Reduction, and Capacity Building.
- Emphasis on financial investigations and exclusive NDPS courts for speedy convictions.
- Launched the 'Online Drugs Disposal Fortnight Campaign' and 'NCB Annual Report – 2025'.
💡 For the exam: Remember the 4 pillars of the 2026-2029 Vision Document to combat drugs, along with the ₹6,000 crore destruction target.
Source: Ministry of Home Affairs · PIB PRID 2278233
⚛️ Science & Tech · UPSC track
India Unveils World's First Nuclear Hydrogen Production Facility
India's DAE inaugurated the world's first **Copper–Chlorine** thermochemical hydrogen production facility using nuclear heat from the **FBTR**.
- The facility utilizes nuclear heat from the Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR) at IGCAR, Kalpakkam.
- It employs the Copper–Chlorine (Cu–Cl) Thermochemical Cycle, developed by BARC.
- This expands nuclear energy's role beyond electricity to clean hydrogen production.
- The FBTR has been operating for more than four decades at IGCAR.
- The inauguration took place on 26 JUN 2026.
💡 Remember: FBTR at IGCAR uses Cu-Cl for BARC's world-first nuclear hydrogen on 26 JUN 2026.
Source: Department of Atomic Energy · PIB PRID 2278309
🌿 Environment · UPSC track
National Biodiversity Authority Releases Threatened Species SOP
The **National Biodiversity Authority (NBA)** released an **SOP** to standardize the identification and notification of threatened species.
- The NBA released a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) under Section 38 of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
- The SOP aims for a uniform, transparent, and scientific process for identifying threatened species by States and UTs.
- Section 38 empowers the Central Government to notify species on the verge of extinction.
- The Ministry has already notified 159 plant species and 173 animal species across 17 States and 3 UTs.
- The initiative aligns with the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan 2024–2030.
💡 For the exam: The NBA SOP operationalizes Section 38 of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, for standardized threatened species notification.
Source: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change · PIB PRID 2278271
🚫 Defence & Security · LAW track
DRI Seizes 2 Kg Cocaine in Surat, Multiple Arrests Made
The **Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI)** seized 2 kg cocaine in Surat and arrested one person, part of wider drug busts.
- DRI seized 2 kg cocaine in Surat on June 26, 2026.
- One person was arrested under NDPS Act, 1985.
- Since May 2026, DRI seized 26 kg cocaine and arrested 22 persons.
- This includes 14 foreign nationals.
- June 26 is International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
💡 The DRI seized 2 kg cocaine in Surat on June 26, 2026, arresting one person under NDPS Act, 1985, part of 26 kg seized and 22 arrests since May 2026, coinciding with International Day against Drug Abuse.
Source: Ministry of Finance · PIB PRID 2278227
💰 Defence & Security · LAW track
DRI Busts Major Gold Smuggling Syndicates, Seizes 15 Kg Gold
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) dismantled gold smuggling syndicates and seized significant contraband across multiple locations.
- DRI busted a gold melting facility in Mumbai Airport operation.
- Around 6 kg foreign-origin gold was seized from Mumbai melting facility.
- In Bengaluru, 1.8 kg gold paste was seized from an international passenger.
- 45 kg silver and currencies were seized from Bengaluru premises.
- Other operations seized 6 kg gold across various locations this week.
- Total 15 kg gold and 45 kg silver, worth Rs. 23 crore, seized.
- A total of 15 persons have been arrested in these operations.
💡 Remember: DRI seized 15 kg gold and arrested 15 people in multi-city anti-smuggling operations.
Source: Ministry of Finance · PIB PRID 2278205
💊 Law & Judiciary · LAW track
New Import Rules for Drugs: Shelf-Life Rationalized
The Ministry of Health has proposed amending **Drugs Rules, 1945** to rationalize shelf-life requirements for imported drugs.
- Draft amendment to Rule 31 of Drugs Rules, 1945 published on June 22, 2026.
- New proposal: 12 months minimum residual shelf life for imported drugs.
- Existing 60% shelf-life rule continues for biological products and radiopharmaceuticals.
- Aims to enhance Ease of Doing Business and ensure medicine availability.
💡 The Drugs Rules, 1945, Rule 31 amendment changes residual shelf life to 12 months for most imported drugs, except biologics/radiopharmaceuticals (still 60%).
Source: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare · PIB PRID 2278097