Daily filter — 30 July 2026
12 exam-worthy stories from the day's PIB releases · interactive view
⚖️ Law & Judiciary · LAW track
Public Examinations Amendment Bill 2026 strengthens anti-cheating law
The **Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026** aims to make existing law more stringent against examination malpractices.
- The Amendment Bill, 2026 was tabled in the Rajya Sabha on July 30, 2026.
- It is an extension of the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024.
- Punishment for unfair means is proposed to increase from three to five years to five to ten years imprisonment.
- Maximum fine for unfair means is proposed to increase from ₹10 lakh to ₹50 lakh.
- Organised crime punishment increases from five to ten years to seven to ten years imprisonment, with a ₹10 crore maximum fine.
- It proposes Special Fast Track Courts to complete investigation within two months and trial within three months.
💡 Remember enhanced penalties and expedited justice for exam malpractices via the 2026 Amendment Bill.
Source: Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions · PIB PRID 2291811
⚖️ Law & Judiciary · LAW track
SC/ST Atrocities Act Cases Rise, Convictions More Than Double by 2024
Data from **NCRB** shows a significant increase in cases registered under the **SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act**, with convictions rising.
- Cases registered under SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 reached 53,372 in 2023.
- Total persons convicted under the Act rose to 10,839 in 2024, more than double the 2020 figure.
- Convictions under the Act reached a five-year high of 5,192 in 2024.
- The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) compiles and publishes this data in 'Crime in India'.
💡 Remember: SC/ST Act cases peaked at 53,372 (2023), and convictions doubled by 2024.
Source: Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment · PIB PRID 2291974
🇮🇳 Law & Judiciary · LAW track
National Song Vande Mataram Gets Equal Legal Protection
The Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, extends legal protection to **Vande Mataram** similar to **Jana Gana Mana**.
- The 2026 Bill amends Section 3 of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971.
- It is now an offense to intentionally prevent or disturb the singing of the National Song.
- The Constituent Assembly on 24th January 1950 stated Vande Mataram should have equal status.
- Repeat offenders face a minimum one-year imprisonment as per Section 3A (added in 2003).
💡 For the exam: The 2026 amendment to the 1971 Act makes disrupting Vande Mataram a punishable offense, aligning its protection with Jana Gana Mana.
Source: PIB Backgrounder · PIB PRID 2291781
⚖️ Law & Judiciary · LAW track
India Strengthens Laws Against AI Deepfakes and Misinformation
The Government of India has fortified its legal and regulatory framework to combat AI-generated deepfakes and ensure a safe online environment.
- IT Act, 2000 addresses identity theft, impersonation, privacy violations (Sections 66C, 66D, 66E), and enables content blocking (Section 69A).
- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 penalizes false statements (Section 353) and organised cybercrimes involving deepfakes (Section 111).
- IT Rules, 2021 mandate intermediaries to prevent harmful content, including deepfakes, and inform users of consequences.
- SSMIs (50 lakh+ users) have additional obligations like tracing originators and using automated detection tools.
- Amendments on February 10, 2026, require labelling/traceable metadata for AI content and reduced removal timelines.
- Removal timeline for unlawful information upon court order reduced from 36 hours to 3 hours.
- Grievance redressal for sensitive matters like nudity/impersonation reduced from 24 hours to 2 hours.
💡 Remember: Deepfakes are tackled by IT Act, BNS, and strengthened IT Rules 2021 (amended Feb 2026) with faster content removal and SSMI duties.
Source: Ministry of Electronics & IT · PIB PRID 2291671
🛡️ Defence & Security · LAW track
Government Boosts Cyber Resilience Against AI-Enabled Threats
The government is enhancing cybersecurity measures to combat growing AI-enabled cyber threats, ensuring a safe digital environment.
- CERT-In deployed AI-driven systems to detect malicious domains and phishing.
- CERT-In conducted 10 cyber security exercises in June–July 2026 with 1,470 participants.
- The CSPAI program was launched by CERT-In and SISA in September 2024 to upskill professionals.
- CERT-In issued guidelines in June 2026 for OEMs on AI-accelerated vulnerability protection.
💡 Remember CERT-In for AI-driven cyber defense, conducting exercises, launching CSPAI, and issuing guidelines.
Source: Ministry of Electronics & IT · PIB PRID 2291652
⚖️ Law & Judiciary · LAW track
RERA Act: Ensuring Transparency and Accountability in Real Estate
The Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 aims to protect homebuyers' interests through transparency and accountability.
- RERA Act, 2016 enacted by Parliament derives powers from Entries 6, 7 & 46 of List-III (Concurrent List).
- Promoters must register projects with Regulatory Authority before sale, or face up to 10% penalty.
- 70% of funds from homebuyers must be deposited in a separate bank account.
- Dispute resolution is fast-tracked, with matters disposed of within 60 days.
- Central Advisory Council (CAC), chaired by Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs, advises on implementation.
💡 For the exam: Remember RERA (2016) mandates project registration, 70% escrow, 60-day dispute resolution, and CAC for oversight.
Source: Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs · PIB PRID 2291961
🌍 International Relations · UPSC track
PM Chairs CCS Meeting on West Asia Conflict
Prime Minister Modi chaired the 4th special CCS meeting on the West Asia conflict to review measures and safeguard citizens' interests.
- PM emphasized safeguarding citizens and Indian Diaspora from conflict impact.
- A mechanism for seafarers' information, assistance, and counselling will be established.
- Rabi season fertilizer supply and petroleum products availability were reviewed.
- PM stressed a 'whole of government approach' and monitoring mechanism for developments.
💡 The 4th CCS meeting on the West Asia conflict focused on protecting citizens, diaspora, seafarers, and ensuring fertilizer and fuel supply.
Source: Prime Minister's Office · PIB PRID 2291992
🐅 Environment · LAW track
Environmental Clearances for Infrastructure Projects in Protected Areas
Infrastructure projects within or near protected areas require stringent multi-tier environmental and wildlife clearances.
- The EIA Notification, 2006 mandates environmental clearance for physical infrastructure projects.
- Projects in Tiger Reserves or Protected Areas need both Environmental Clearance (EC) and Wildlife Clearance.
- Wildlife Clearance involves scrutiny by State Chief Wild Life Warden and SCNBWL.
- A total of 20 infrastructure projects received EC in FY 2024–25 and 2025–26 in sensitive areas.
- The PARIVESH portal features a Decision Support System (DSS) for spatial analysis.
💡 Remember: EIA 2006, Wildlife Act 1972, PARIVESH DSS, and 20 projects in FY 2024-26.
Source: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change · PIB PRID 2291889
🍎 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
PLISFPI & PMFME Schemes Boost Food Processing Sector
The Ministry of Food Processing Industries implements **PLISFPI** and **PMFME** to enhance domestic processing, exports, and employment.
- PLISFPI has an outlay of ₹10,900 crore for FY 2021-22 to FY 2026-27.
- PLISFPI disbursed ₹3,271.44 crore in incentives up to June 2026.
- Under PLISFPI, 163 applications from 127 companies are covered, including 69 MSMEs.
- PLISFPI investments generated 3.35 lakh direct/indirect employment opportunities.
- PMFME provides 35% credit-linked capital subsidy (max ₹10 lakh) per unit.
💡 For the exam: PLISFPI (₹10,900 Cr outlay, ₹3,271.44 Cr disbursed by June 2026) & PMFME (35% subsidy) are key schemes for food processing growth and employment.
Source: Ministry of Food Processing Industries · PIB PRID 2291793
⚖️ Law & Judiciary · UPSC track
Mahanadi Water Dispute: States Pursue Amicable Settlement
A meeting chaired by the Union Minister of Jal Shakti aimed to facilitate an amicable settlement of the **Mahanadi Water Dispute** between **Chhattisgarh** and **Odisha**.
- The Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal (MWDT) was constituted on 12 March 2018.
- The tribunal was formed under the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956.
- An expanded Technical Committee held its first meeting on 29 July 2026.
- This meeting aims to resolve the dispute between Chhattisgarh and Odisha.
💡 Remember: Mahanadi Water Dispute involves Chhattisgarh & Odisha, settled under Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956.
Source: Ministry of Jal Shakti · PIB PRID 2291997
🛠️ Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
MSME Schemes Boost Rural Industries, Promote Local Products
The Ministry of MSME is expanding schemes like PMEGP and PM Vishwakarma to revive rural industries and promote local products.
- Around 80% of PMEGP units over the last five years were in rural areas.
- Maximum project cost under PMEGP increased to ₹50 lakh for manufacturing, ₹20 lakh for services.
- PM Vishwakarma scheme provides credit, skilling, and toolkit support for 18 traditional trades.
- The PMFME Scheme promotes One District One Product (ODOP) for micro food processing enterprises.
- Procurement and Marketing Support (PMS) Scheme aids MSEs in market access and e-commerce onboarding.
- No collateral security is insisted by banks for loans up to ₹20 lakh as per RBI Master Directions.
- KVIC develops e-commerce portal (ekhadiindia.com) for Khadi and Village Industries products.
- MSME TEAM initiative registers micro and small enterprises onto ONDC to expand market reach.
- KVIC imparts skill development training in various disciplines to unemployed youth.
💡 PMEGP (increased limits, rural focus), PM Vishwakarma (18 trades), and ODOP (PMFME) are key MSME schemes for rural industry and local product promotion.
Source: Ministry of Micro,Small & Medium Enterprises · PIB PRID 2291936
🛠️ Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
PM Vishwakarma Scheme: Empowering Artisans and Traditional Trades
The **PM Vishwakarma scheme** supports **18 traditional trades** by providing skill upgrades, credit, and market access.
- Launched on 17.09.2023, supporting 18 traditional trades and craftspeople.
- As on date, 24.29 lakh beneficiaries have received basic skill training.
- An IIM Mumbai evaluation found 93% reported increased income post-training.
- Beneficiaries receive skill upgradation, credit, modern toolkits, and market support.
- They are onboarded on the Udyam Assist Platform for formal economy benefits.
💡 For the exam: Remember PM Vishwakarma, 18 trades, launched 2023, for traditional artisan support and income boost.
Source: Ministry of Micro,Small & Medium Enterprises · PIB PRID 2291931