Daily filter — 20 July 2026
12 exam-worthy stories from the day's PIB releases · interactive view
🎣 International Relations · UPSC track
India Joins WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, Upholding Sustainability
India became a party to the **WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies (AFS)** by depositing its Instrument of Acceptance on **July 20, 2026**.
- India is the 123rd Member to accept the Agreement, adopted in June 2022.
- The AFS prohibits subsidies for illegal fishing and overexploitation of marine stocks.
- It specifically excludes aquaculture and inland fisheries from its scope.
- The Agreement entered into force on September 15, 2025.
💡 Remember: India accepted WTO's AFS on 20th July 2026, becoming the 123rd member to ban unsustainable fishing subsidies, *excluding* aquaculture and inland fisheries.
Source: Ministry of Commerce & Industry · PIB PRID 2286763
⚖️ Law & Judiciary · LAW track
Draft Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2026 Released for Consultation
The **Ministry of Law and Justice** has released the Draft Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2026 for stakeholder and public consultation.
- The Draft Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2026 was prepared with Bar Council of India (BCI).
- BCI hosted the draft on its website on 18th July, 2026 for comments.
- Comments and suggestions are due to BCI by 31st July, 2026 (03:00 PM).
💡 Remember: The Draft Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2026 is released by Ministry of Law and Justice with BCI, for consultation until 31st July, 2026.
Source: Ministry of Law and Justice · PIB PRID 2286679
⚖️ Law & Judiciary · LAW track
NHRC Acts on Rajasthan School Student Rights Violations
NHRC took suo motu cognizance of girl students being frisked, beaten, and undressed by teachers in a Rajasthan government school.
- NHRC, India took suo motu cognizance of an incident in Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan.
- Girl students from classes IX and XI were targeted after Rs. 1,000 was lost.
- Teachers reportedly frisked, beat, and forced students to remove clothes.
- NHRC issued notice to the Rajasthan Chief Secretary for a report within two weeks.
💡 Remember NHRC's suo motu power protects vulnerable groups like school students from human rights violations.
Source: National Human Rights Commission · PIB PRID 2286657
📊 Economy · UPSC track
New Index of Core Industries Base Year 2022-23 Released
The **DPIIT** has released a revised Index of Core Industries (**ICI**) with a new base year, 2022-23, replacing the 2011-12 series.
- The ICI now includes Iron Ore as a new item, increasing the core industries from eight to nine.
- Gross production data is now used for the Steel index, aligning with the Index of Industrial Production (IIP).
- Only Raw Coal is retained, excluding Coal Middling and Washed Coal to prevent double counting.
- The Overall Index of Core Industries for June 2026 (Provisional) grew by 5.0 per cent year-on-year.
💡 For the exam: Remember the new base year for ICI is 2022-23, Iron Ore is added, and Steel uses gross production data.
Source: Ministry of Commerce & Industry · PIB PRID 2286615
💳 Economy · UPSC track
Government and RBI Strengthen Fintech Ecosystem & Consumer Protection
The government and RBI have implemented new regulatory frameworks and consumer protection measures for the fintech ecosystem.
- RBI issued “Framework for Self-Regulatory Organisation(s) in the FinTech Sector” (SRO-FT) on 30.05.2024.
- MeitY notified the DPDP Act, 2023 and DPDP Rules 2025 for personal data protection.
- MHA launched the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal and helpline “1930”.
- NPCI provides an AI/ML based fraud monitoring solution for UPI transactions.
💡 Remember RBI's SRO-FT, DPDP Act for data, MHA's Cybercrime Portal, and NPCI's AI for fintech regulation and consumer safety.
Source: Ministry of Finance · PIB PRID 2286607
🤝 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
SMILE Scheme: Rehabilitating Persons Engaged in Begging
The **SMILE Beggary Scheme** by the **Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment** aims for comprehensive rehabilitation of vulnerable individuals.
- The SMILE Beggary Scheme is operational in 216 cities currently.
- It targets to cover 295 cities by financial year 2030-31.
- Over 10,200 persons have been rehabilitated under the scheme till date.
- The scheme aims to rehabilitate 35,000 persons by financial year 2030-31.
- It utilizes the SMILE-Beggary National Portal for digital monitoring.
💡 For the exam: SMILE Beggary Scheme aims to rehabilitate 35,000 persons by 2030-31 across 295 cities using its National Portal.
Source: Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment · PIB PRID 2286744
💰 Economy · UPSC track
₹37,500 Crore Coal Gasification Scheme Attracts Industry Interest
A pre-application conference for a **₹37,500 Crore** scheme promoting surface coal/lignite gasification saw strong industry participation.
- The scheme promotes surface coal/lignite gasification projects.
- Union Cabinet approved the ₹37,500 crore scheme on 13 May 2026.
- Aims to utilise 75 million tonnes of coal annually.
- Expected to create 50,000 employment opportunities.
- Application submission deadline is 7 September 2026.
💡 Remember: ₹37,500 Cr scheme approved May 2026 for coal gasification, targeting 75 MT coal use and 50,000 jobs by Sept 2026 application deadline.
Source: Ministry of Coal · PIB PRID 2286673
🌍 International Relations · UPSC track
India’s 8th WTO Trade Policy Review to be held
India's 8th Trade Policy Review (TPR) at the WTO is scheduled for July 21 and 23, 2026, showcasing economic resilience.
- India’s 8th TPR will be held on 21st and 23rd July 2026.
- Commerce Secretary, Shri Rajesh Agarwal, will lead India’s delegation.
- The review covers the period from 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2025.
- India’s TPRs are conducted once every five years.
- Total exports reached US$ 863.1 billion in 2025–26.
💡 Remember: India’s 8th WTO TPR in 2026 reviews 2021-2025, conducted every five years, led by the Commerce Secretary.
Source: Ministry of Commerce & Industry · PIB PRID 2286762
🏛️ Law & Judiciary · UPSC track
India Repatriates 615 Antiquities in Last Five Years
The Ministry of Culture outlined steps taken for theft prevention and the continuous process of antiquity repatriation.
- 615 antiquities were retrieved during the last five years (up to June 30, 2026).
- The USA repatriated the highest number, with 297 in 2024 alone.
- Repatriation involves the Ministry of External Affairs and Indian Embassies/Missions.
- Three stolen antiquities from 2021 were recovered within India.
💡 Remember: 615 antiquities repatriated, largest contribution from USA, and MEA assists.
Source: Ministry of Culture · PIB PRID 2286586
🛡️ Defence & Security · UPSC track
Operation Vajra Thwarts Massive Tramadol Trafficking to Conflict Zones
Indian agencies intercepted 12 crore Tramadol tablets intended for illicit diversion, preventing their supply to conflict zones.
- Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN) seized 12 crore (120 million) Tramadol Hydrochloride tablets, weighing 30 metric tons.
- The operation, codenamed “Operation Vajra”, was conducted between 10th and 20th July 2026.
- Consignment was seized in Delhi, and three suspects were arrested from Bengaluru and Kochi.
- The tablets, ostensibly for Guinea-Bissau, were intended for diversion to Libya.
- Operation involved coordination with DRI, International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), and Guinea-Bissau authorities.
💡 For the exam: Remember 'Vajra' (CBN's operation) prevented 12 crore Tramadol tablets from going from India (Delhi, Bengaluru, Kochi) to Libya via Guinea-Bissau.
Source: Ministry of Finance · PIB PRID 2286819
🏡 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
PMAY-U and PMAY-U 2.0 Progress: Sanctions and Completions
The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U) and its revamped version continue to provide housing across India.
- PMAY-U implementation began on 25.06.2015.
- Scheme period for PMAY-U extended up to 30.09.2026.
- PMAY-U 2.0 launched on 01.09.2024, targeting 1 crore additional beneficiaries.
- Total 127.68 lakh houses sanctioned, with 99.07 lakh completed by 13.07.2026.
- PMAY-U 2.0 sanctions total 16.20 lakh houses.
- Implemented through Beneficiary Led Construction, Affordable Housing in Partnership, Affordable Rental Housing, and Interest Subsidy Scheme.
- Houses must conform to prescribed technical and quality standards, including basic civic infrastructure.
💡 Remember PMAY-U (2015, extended to 2026) and PMAY-U 2.0 (2024, targeting 1 crore additional beneficiaries) as housing schemes with multi-vertical implementation.
Source: Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs · PIB PRID 2286773
🤝 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
e-Shram Portal: One-Stop Solution for Unorganised Workers' Social Security
The **e-Shram portal** provides a national database and integrated access to social security schemes for unorganised workers.
- Launched on 26th August 2021, e-Shram registers unorganised workers.
- As of 14th July 2026, over 31.78 crore workers are registered on e-Shram.
- The eShram–“One-Stop-Solution” launched on 21st October 2024 integrates social security schemes.
- Fifteen schemes, including PMSVANidhi, PMSBY, and PMJJBY, are integrated.
💡 For the exam: e-Shram (launched 2021) is the one-stop-solution (from 2024) portal with over 31.78 crore registrants for unorganised workers' social security.
Source: Ministry of Labour & Employment · PIB PRID 2286757