Daily filter — 23 July 2026
12 exam-worthy stories from the day's PIB releases · interactive view
⚖️ Law & Judiciary · LAW track
Fast-Track Courts for Paper Leak Cases Established
The government has decided to establish fast-track courts to ensure swift and stringent punishment for those involved in paper leaks.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced fast-track courts.
- These courts will ensure swift and stringent punishment for paper leak cases.
- The decision aims to safeguard the future of the youth.
- The announcement was made on July 23, 2026.
💡 Fast-track courts address paper leaks for swift justice, prioritizing youth welfare.
Source: Prime Minister's Office · PIB PRID 2288134
⚖️ Law & Judiciary · LAW track
Fast Track Special Courts Scheme Extended, 775 Courts Functional
The Centrally Sponsored Scheme for Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) has been extended until September 30, 2026, to expedite trials for rape and POCSO cases.
- The FTSC Scheme, launched in October 2019, aims for expeditious trial of rape and POCSO Act, 2012 offences.
- The scheme has been temporarily extended up to 30th September, 2026.
- As of 30.04.2026, 775 FTSCs, including 398 exclusive e-POCSO Courts, were functional in 29 States/UTs.
- A total of ₹1259.51 crore has been released to States/UTs since the scheme's inception.
- In 2025, 1,43,936 cases were registered, and 66,500 cases disposed of by FTSCs.
💡 Remember: FTSCs deal with rape and POCSO cases, extended to Sept 2026, 775 functional courts as of April 2026.
Source: Ministry of Law and Justice · PIB PRID 2288472
⚖️ Law & Judiciary · LAW track
DISHA 2.0 Scheme Extended for Legal Aid Access
The **DISHA Scheme** has been extended as **DISHA 2.0** for five years (2026-31) to provide accessible legal services nationwide.
- DISHA 2.0 is for pan-India implementation, including Jammu & Kashmir, from 2026-31.
- Components include Tele-Law, Nyaya Bandhu, Legal Literacy and Legal Awareness, and VIDHI-Sanjeevani.
- As of June 30, 2026, 7,63,148 pre-litigation legal advice were provided in J&K via Tele-Law.
- VIDHI-Sanjeevani aims for 50 lakh beneficiaries by 2031 via an integrated dashboard and AI Chatbot.
💡 For the exam: Remember DISHA 2.0 (2026-31) for pan-India legal aid via Tele-Law, Nyaya Bandhu, Legal Literacy, and VIDHI-Sanjeevani.
Source: Ministry of Law and Justice · PIB PRID 2288469
🌍 International Relations · UPSC track
India Completes Eighth WTO Trade Policy Review
India's Eighth Trade Policy Review concluded at the WTO in Geneva, showing global interest in India's economic transformation.
- The Eighth Trade Policy Review concluded on July 23, 2026, at the WTO in Geneva.
- 68 WTO Members participated, reflecting global interest in India's economy.
- India received 1,094 written questions from 44 WTO Members.
- Commerce Secretary Shri Rajesh Agarwal led India's delegation.
- India reaffirmed commitment to an open, transparent, and WTO-consistent trade regime.
💡 For the exam: Remember India's Eighth WTO TPR on July 23, 2026, showcased global interest and India's commitment to transparent trade.
Source: Ministry of Commerce & Industry · PIB PRID 2288607
🤝 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
PM SVANidhi Scheme expands, boosts credit and digital payments
The **PM SVANidhi Scheme** has been restructured and expanded, significantly impacting street vendors' financial inclusion and business growth.
- Coverage expanded beyond statutory urban areas to include census towns, peri-urban areas.
- Studies in 2023 and 2025 by ISB, Hyderabad assessed the scheme's impact.
- Average annualized business income of borrowers grew by 20 percent between 2023 and 2025.
- The scheme helped 95% of beneficiaries get their first bank loan.
- Digital payment adoption among vendors rose significantly between 2023 and 2025.
- UPI-linked RuPay Credit Card launched on January 23, 2026, for second tranche repayers.
💡 For the exam: Remember PM SVANidhi's expansion to non-urban areas, its role in formal credit/digital payments, and business income growth between 2023 and 2025.
Source: Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs · PIB PRID 2288503
⚖️ Law & Judiciary · LAW track
Odisha Courts Digitisation Under E-Courts Mission Project Phase III
Odisha's judicial system is extensively digitising under the **e-Courts Mission Mode Project** to enhance ICT usage.
- 817 out of 845 courts in Odisha are equipped with ICT hardware.
- 42.96 lakh legacy case records digitised by 30.06.2026.
- 18 High Court and 343 district courts are paperless.
- 1.31 lakh cases e-filed using e-Filing 3.0 till 30.06.2026.
- 7.61 lakh virtual hearings conducted by 30.06.2026.
- 184 eSewa Kendras established for citizen access.
- Tripartite agreement signed by Odisha High Court, State and Central Government.
💡 Remember Odisha's extensive court digitisation efforts under e-Courts Project Phase III, including paperless courts, e-filing, virtual hearings, and eSewa Kendras.
Source: Ministry of Law and Justice · PIB PRID 2288474
⚖️ Law & Judiciary · LAW track
2584 e-Sewa Kendras Operational Across 25 High Courts
As of June 30, 2026, 2584 e-Sewa Kendras are functional nationwide, enhancing access to digital judicial services under the **eCourts Mission Mode Project**.
- A total of 2584 e-Sewa Kendras are functional across 25 High Courts as on 30.06.2026.
- Funds amounting to Rs.300.22 crore have been released for these centers.
- These centers aim to bridge the digital divide and offer guided assistance for digital judicial services.
- Phase-III upgrades e-Sewa Kendras to advanced citizen service centers, including disabled-friendly facilities.
💡 Remember: 2584 e-Sewa Kendras operational by 30.06.2026 under the eCourts Mission Mode Project to enhance digital access.
Source: Ministry of Law and Justice · PIB PRID 2288470
🇮🇳 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
Mission Karmayogi Integrates with Employee Performance Reviews
Mission Karmayogi aims to build civil service capacity by transitioning to a 'role-based' HR system.
- Approved in September 2020, it's the National Programme for Civil Services Capacity Building.
- Over 1.69 crore users are onboarded, with 14.08 crore course completions.
- Courses are available in 23 languages, including Hindi and other Indian languages.
- Mandatory course completion integrates into APARs from 2025-26 onwards.
💡 Mission Karmayogi (NPCSCB) courses are mandatory and impact APARs from 2025-26, enhancing civil servant capacity.
Source: Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions · PIB PRID 2288342
🚀 Science & Tech · UPSC track
India's Private Space Sector: Investment Crosses USD 618 Million
India's private space sector has seen rapid expansion and investment, with robust regulatory frameworks being strengthened.
- Private investment in India's space sector has crossed USD 618.5 million.
- 105 authorisations have been issued to private entities as of July 14, 2026.
- IN-SPACe is developing dedicated Safety & Security Guidelines.
- Over 400 active space startups are present, up from one in 2014.
- Private companies have placed over 30 satellites into orbit.
💡 For the exam: Remember private space investment is over $618M with 105 authorizations, led by IN-SPACe.
Source: Department of Space · PIB PRID 2288336
✈️ Defence & Security · UPSC track
India develops first indigenous Expendable Turbo Jet Engine
India achieved a significant defence milestone with the development and delivery of its first indigenous Expendable Turbo Jet Engine.
- The engine, designed by DRDO’s GTRE, is of 350 kg thrust class.
- Azad Engineering, Hyderabad, manufactured and assembled the engine.
- The engine was delivered to GTRE on July 22, 2026.
💡 Remember: DRDO’s GTRE + Azad Engineering = India's first 350 kg indigenous jet engine.
Source: Ministry of Defence · PIB PRID 2288576
🚀 Defence & Security · UPSC track
DRDO successfully test-fires 'Kusha' Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile
DRDO conducted the maiden flight-test of its new long-range missile system off the coast of Odisha, intercepting an electronic target.
- DRDO successfully conducted the maiden flight-test of ‘Kusha’.
- The test was from APJ Abdul Kalam Island off Odisha on July 23, 2026.
- ‘Kusha’ intercepted an electronic target simulating a high-speed threat.
- It can neutralise fighter jets, missiles, UAVs, and large enemy aircraft.
- All weapon system elements were developed by DRDO and industry.
💡 Remember Kusha as DRDO's new Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile tested off Odisha on July 23, 2026.
Source: Ministry of Defence · PIB PRID 2288526
💨 Environment · UPSC track
National Clean Air Programme Reduces PM10 and PM2.5 in Cities
The **National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)**, launched in 2019, has shown positive results in reducing air pollution across 130 cities.
- NCAP was launched in 2019 in 130 cities to address urban air pollution.
- ₹ 16423.56 crore released as incentive grants from FY 2019-20 till 2025-26.
- 108 cities reduced PM10 levels in 2025-26 compared to 2017-18.
- 65 cities met NAAQS for PM2.5 levels in 2025-26.
- CAQM established in 2021 to coordinate air quality in Delhi-NCR.
💡 Remember: NCAP started in 2019 in 130 cities to reduce PM10 and PM2.5, with significant funding and CAQM for Delhi-NCR.
Source: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change · PIB PRID 2288316