Daily filter — 22 July 2026
12 exam-worthy stories from the day's PIB releases · interactive view
⚖️ Law & Judiciary · LAW track
New Criminal Laws Operational: Implementation and Training Details
The **Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023** and related laws came into force on **July 1, 2024**, with states undertaking implementation.
- The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS), BNSS, and BSA became effective countrywide from 1 July 2024.
- States and UTs are implementing by issuing notifications, adopting digital applications, and capacity building.
- The Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D) trained 83,740 officers since 2024.
- There are 76 e-learning courses on new criminal laws on the iGOT Karmayogi platform.
- Digital systems include e-FIRs, e-Summons, and ICJS 2.0 for electronic data exchange.
💡 Remember, the 'Bharatiya' laws commenced July 1, 2024, with BPR&D leading training efforts and digital system integration for the new criminal justice framework.
Source: Ministry of Home Affairs · PIB PRID 2287679
📻 Polity & Governance · LAW track
Draft Rules Simplify TV, Radio Broadcasting Regulations
The government released draft rules to streamline regulatory compliance and enhance ease of doing business for broadcasters.
- The draft Telecommunications (Television, Radio and Associated Services) Rules, 2026 were released on 22 JUL 2026.
- They consolidate various guidelines under the Telecommunications Act, 2023.
- Existing licensees can opt for voluntary migration or continue under current licenses.
- The rules aim to improve availability of services, including community radio, in areas like Chhindwara district, Madhya Pradesh.
💡 The Telecommunications (Television, Radio and Associated Services) Rules, 2026 unify regulations for TV and Radio under the 2023 Act, offering voluntary migration for ease of business.
Source: Ministry of Information & Broadcasting · PIB PRID 2287670
🚫 Law & Judiciary · LAW track
50 OTT Platforms Disabled Over Obscene Content & Law Violations
The Government has disabled 50 OTT platforms in the last two years for violating IT Act and other laws by displaying obscene content.
- Government disabled 50 OTT platforms for public access in last two years.
- Violations included Section 67 and 67A of the IT Act.
- Also violated Section 294 of BNS and Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986.
- IT Rules, 2021, notified on 25.02.2021, regulate OTT platforms.
- Section 79(3)(b) of IT Act, 2000 allows disabling access to unlawful content.
💡 Remember: 50 OTTs disabled in 2 years under IT Act, 2000 & 2021 rules for obscene content, including Section 67/67A.
Source: Ministry of Information & Broadcasting · PIB PRID 2287639
⚖️ Law & Judiciary · UPSC track
FCRA: Governing Foreign Contributions to Indian Entities
The **Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA)** is India's law regulating how Indian entities receive and use foreign funds.
- The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) administers the FCRA.
- The original FCRA was enacted in 1976, replaced by FCRA, 2010.
- Amendments in 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022, and proposed 2026 strengthened the framework.
- It specifies who can accept foreign contributions, and how they must be accounted for and reported.
- Activities affecting India's sovereignty, security, or public order are restricted.
💡 For the exam: Remember FCRA is MHA's law, first enacted 1976, replaced 2010, aiming for transparency and sovereignty in foreign funding.
Source: PIB Backgrounder · PIB PRID 2287897
⚖️ Law & Judiciary · UPSC track
FCRA Amendment Bill 2026: Key Changes and Objectives
The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) regulates foreign contributions to India, administered by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
- The FCRA was first enacted in 1976 and replaced by a new law in 2010.
- Recent amendments occurred in 2016, 2018, 2020, and 2026.
- The 2026 Bill proposes provisional vesting of assets and revised FCRA Rules were notified on 22 June 2026.
- In 2024-25, approximately 16,200 associations received Rs 22,963 crore in foreign contributions.
- The 2020 amendment reduced the administrative expense ceiling from 50% to 20%.
💡 For the exam: Remember FCRA's administration by MHA, its 1976 origin, 2010 replacement, and the 2026 amendments focusing on governance.
Source: PIB Backgrounder · PIB PRID 2287845
📶 Science & Tech · UPSC track
Bharat 6G Alliance Expands, Releases Spectrum Roadmap
The Bharat 6G Alliance (B6GA) has expanded its membership and released a spectrum roadmap for 6G services in India.
- The Bharat 6G Alliance (B6GA) now has 90 members as of July 15, 2026.
- B6GA has constituted seven working groups for key 6G domains.
- The Department of Telecommunications released the Spectrum Roadmap for 6G services.
- A three-year project for a 6G Terahertz testbed is approved for SAMEER, Kolkata.
💡 Remember B6GA and its 90 members, the Spectrum Roadmap, and the SAMEER Kolkata testbed for India's 6G efforts.
Source: Ministry of Communications · PIB PRID 2287851
🚢 Defence & Security · UPSC track
INS Malvan: Second Mahe-Class ASW Shallow Water Craft Commissioned
The **Indian Navy** commissioned **INS Malvan**, the second indigenously built **Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC)**, at **Karwar**.
- INS Malvan was commissioned on 22 Jul 2026 by Air Chief Marshal AP Singh.
- It is the second of eight ASW-SWCs being built by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), Kochi.
- The vessel boasts over 80 percent indigenous content, supporting Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
- It is equipped for Underwater Surveillance, ASW operations, and Mine Warfare.
💡 Remember: Malvan is Mahe-class ASW-SWC, 2nd of 8 by CSL, over 80% indigenous for Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
Source: Ministry of Defence · PIB PRID 2287788
🛡️ Law & Judiciary · LAW track
New IT Rules: Stricter Online Safety for Children, AI Content
The government has strengthened online safety measures for internet users, especially children, by amending the IT Rules, 2021, and reducing content removal timelines.
- IT Rules, 2021 mandate intermediaries remove certain content within two hours of a complaint.
- Recent IT Rules amendments reduce unlawful content removal to three hours from court orders.
- IT Rules, 2021 now require clear labelling and traceable metadata for permissible AI-generated content.
- Timelines for grievance redressal reduced to 36 hours (general) and two hours (sensitive matters).
- Advisories issued on 29.12.2025 and 16.03.2026 to intermediaries regarding due diligence.
- An SoP to curtail Non-Consensual Intimate Imagery (NCII) content released on 11.11.2025.
💡 For the exam: Remember the IT Act and Rules are continuously updated to tackle evolving online threats like CSAM and AI-generated content, with reduced compliance timelines.
Source: Ministry of Electronics & IT · PIB PRID 2287646
🚓 Defence & Security · LAW track
DRI Busts Mephedrone Manufacturing Unit in Gujarat, Seizes Cash
The DRI dismantled a clandestine Mephedrone facility in Ankleshwar, Gujarat, arresting three and seizing drugs and money.
- DRI busted a Mephedrone manufacturing facility in Ankleshwar, Gujarat.
- Three persons were arrested in connection with the illicit operation.
- Recovery included 1.349 kg Mephedrone, precursor chemicals, and ₹21 lakh cash.
- Mephedrone is a psychotropic substance under the NDPS Act, 1985.
- The seizure occurred on 22 JUL 2026.
💡 Remember: DRI busted a Mephedrone facility in Gujarat on July 22, 2026, under NDPS Act.
Source: Ministry of Finance · PIB PRID 2287660
🍎 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
New Policy to Promote Healthier Diets for Children
**ICMR-NIN**-led **'Let's Fix Our Food'** Consortium released policy recommendations for healthier diets among children and adolescents.
- The policy, 'Priority Policy Actions to Promote Healthier Diets and Food Environments for Children and Adolescents in India,' was launched on 22 JUL 2026.
- It provides evidence-based recommendations to improve dietary behaviours and food environments.
- Launched by Dr. M. Srinivas, Member (Health), NITI Aayog, in New Delhi.
- Recommendations cover school food, nutrition literacy, front-of-pack labelling, and taxing unhealthy foods.
- The LFOF Consortium is a multi-institutional platform led by ICMR-NIN.
💡 Remember ICMR-NIN + LFOF Consortium + NITI Aayog for child diet policy on 22 JUL 2026.
Source: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare · PIB PRID 2287856
🍎 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
New Policy to Promote Healthier Diets for Children and Adolescents
The **ICMR-NIN**-led **'Let's Fix Our Food' (LFOF) Consortium** released a policy to improve dietary behaviours and food environments for young people.
- The policy, titled 'Priority Policy Actions to Promote Healthier Diets and Food Environments for Children and Adolescents in India,' was released on 22 JUL 2026.
- It outlines evidence-based recommendations, developed over nearly three years of research and consultations.
- Recommendations cover healthy school food environments, front-of-pack nutrition labelling, and regulating unhealthy food marketing to children.
- It also suggests taxation of foods high in fat, salt, and sugar (HFSS) and fiscal measures to promote healthier diets.
- The policy was launched by Dr. M. Srinivas, Member (Health), NITI Aayog, in New Delhi.
💡 Remember LFOF is ICMR-NIN and NITI Aayog's 2026 initiative for healthier child diets, focusing on school environments, labelling, marketing, and HFSS taxation.
Source: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare · PIB PRID 2287825
🆘 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
National Disaster Management Plan and India Disaster Resource Network
The **National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP)**, first issued in 2016, outlines multi-stakeholder roles in disaster risk reduction.
- The NDMP was first framed in 2016 and revised in 2019.
- It aligns with the Disaster Management Act, 2005, and the National Policy on Disaster Management (NPDM) 2009.
- The NDMP conforms to global goals like the Sendai Framework and SDGs.
- The India Disaster Resource Network (IDRN) is a web-based inventory of emergency resources.
💡 Remember NDMP 2016 (revised 2019) aligns with Sendai Framework, while IDRN is a resource inventory.
Source: Ministry of Home Affairs · PIB PRID 2287677