Daily filter — 1 August 2026
10 exam-worthy stories from the day's PIB releases · interactive view
💰 Economy · UPSC track
Union Government Releases Advance Tax Devolution to States
An additional instalment of ₹1,09,019 crore was released to accelerate state capital and developmental expenditure.
- Union Government released ₹1,09,019 crore on 1st August 2026.
- This is an advance instalment of tax devolution to states.
- It is additional to the normal monthly devolution on 10th August 2026.
- Uttar Pradesh received the highest share: ₹19,208 crore.
💡 Advance tax devolution to states on Aug 1, 2026, for capital/developmental expenditure.
Source: Ministry of Finance · PIB PRID 2292912
🚢 Economy · UPSC track
Samudra Manthan Scheme: Boosting Offshore Oil & Gas Exploration
The Union Cabinet approved "Samudra Manthan," a Central Sector Scheme, to accelerate India's offshore hydrocarbon exploration and production.
- The scheme has an approved outlay of ₹84,084 crore for implementation through FY 2030–31.
- It aims to increase domestic oil and gas production from 62 MMTOE to 80 MMTOE annually.
- Government support will cover up to 50% of deepwater exploration well drilling costs.
- The scheme also includes ₹10,000 crore for common offshore infrastructure hubs.
- Nearly 99% of earlier 'No-Go' offshore areas are now open for exploration.
💡 For the exam: Samudra Manthan is a Central Sector Scheme with ₹84,084 crore outlay for offshore hydrocarbon exploration by 2030–31 to boost domestic production.
Source: Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas · PIB PRID 2292841
🛡️ Defence & Security · UPSC track
India declared effectively free from Left-Wing Extremism
India achieved the historic milestone of becoming effectively free from **Left Wing Extremism (LWE)** on 31 March 2026.
- No district in the country remains LWE-affected as of August 2026.
- The National Policy and Action Plan (2015) replaced ad hoc approaches.
- Violence peaked in 2010 with 1,936 incidents and 720 civilian deaths.
- Over the last twelve years, 408 new CAPF security camps were established.
- 663 fortified police stations were constructed, compared to 66 before 2014.
💡 For the exam: Remember 31 March 2026 as the date India became Naxal-free, achieved through the 2015 National Policy and Action Plan.
Source: PIB Backgrounder · PIB PRID 2292864
💼 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
PM-VBRY: Formalising Workforce, Boosting Employment & Social Security
The Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rojgar Yojana (PM-VBRY) completed one year, promoting formal employment and social security via an EPFO-linked framework.
- Launched in August 2025, PM-VBRY runs from 1 August 2025 to 31 July 2027 with an outlay of ₹99,446 crore.
- Aims to generate employment for over 3.5 crore people, including 1.92 crore first-time employees.
- First-time employees earning up to ₹1,00,000 per month receive a one-time incentive up to ₹15,000.
- Employers get up to ₹3,000 per month for two years per eligible additional employee.
- In its first year, 72 lakh first-time employees joined, with nearly 30% being women beneficiaries.
💡 Remember PM-VBRY's launch, duration, outlay (₹99,446 cr), target (3.5 cr jobs), and incentives for both employees and employers.
Source: PIB Backgrounder · PIB PRID 2292862
🚭 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
PM to launch 'Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan'
Prime Minister Modi will launch a 100-week nationwide campaign against substance abuse starting August 2, 2026.
- PM Modi will launch the 'Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan' on August 2, 2026.
- It begins a 100-week nationwide Jan Bhagidari campaign against substance abuse.
- Weekly activities will be organised every Sunday to promote awareness.
- Over 10,000 locations and 125 partner spiritual organisations will participate.
💡 The 'Nasha Mukt Yuva' Abhiyan is a 100-week national Jan Bhagidari campaign launched on August 2, 2026.
Source: Prime Minister's Office · PIB PRID 2292984
👮 Defence & Security · LAW track
DRI seizes 9.5 kg gold, drugs, e-cigarettes in pan-India operations
The **Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI)** conducted operations seizing various contraband and arresting 20 persons, including 5 foreign nationals.
- Around 9.5 kg gold, valued at approximately Rs. 14 crore, was seized and 9 persons arrested.
- Around 14 metric tonnes of Pakistan-origin Guggul resin, CITES Appendix II listed, was seized, 2 persons arrested.
- 142 red sanders logs (4.8 MT), CITES Appendix II listed, were seized near Chennai, 3 persons arrested.
- 2.7 kg heroin, 2 kg Amphetamine/MDMA, and 25 kg hydroponic weed were seized, with multiple arrests.
- 9,230 prohibited electronic cigarettes and 28.5 MT of poppy seeds/areca nuts were also seized.
- Seizures made under the NDPS Act, 1985, Customs Act, 1962, and Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act, 2019.
💡 DRI's multi-faceted ops in July 2026 targeted gold, drugs, endangered species (Guggul, Red Sanders), and banned items.
Source: Ministry of Finance · PIB PRID 2293013
⚕️ Law & Judiciary · UPSC track
NEET-PG 2026: Enhancing Security and Transparency for Aspirants
Union Health Minister reviewed NEET-PG 2026 preparedness, focusing on student-centric reforms and robust security for the exam.
- NEET-PG 2026 is scheduled for 30th August 2026 with 2,73,183 registered candidates.
- The exam will be held in 340 cities at over 1,300 centres.
- New reforms include Aadhaar-based authentication and iris-based biometric verification.
- The examination pattern is rationalised to 180 questions in 210 minutes.
- Over 60,000 functionaries will be deployed for smooth conduct.
💡 Remember NEET-PG 2026: 30th August, Aadhaar/iris authentication, 180 questions, 60k staff.
Source: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare · PIB PRID 2293072
🌧️ Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
₹2,117.85 Crore Advance SDRF Funds Released to Flood-Affected States
The Union Home Minister approved advance release of Central share from State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) for flood relief during the 2026 monsoon.
- A total of ₹2,117.85 crore was approved for flood-affected States.
- Funds were released as advance first or second instalment of SDRF.
- Himachal Pradesh and Odisha received a second instalment advance.
- Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Gujarat, Maharashtra received advance first instalment.
- IMCTs were deputed to Arunachal Pradesh and Assam; one for Nagaland.
💡 Remember total amount ₹2,117.85 crore, advance SDRF, and states like Himachal Pradesh and Odisha getting second instalment.
Source: Ministry of Home Affairs · PIB PRID 2293022
🤝 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
VCF-SC Empowers Scheduled Caste Entrepreneur in Electronics Manufacturing
The Venture Capital Fund for Scheduled Castes (VCF-SC) enabled an SC entrepreneur to establish a successful electronics manufacturing unit.
- Smart-Waves Technologies Private Limited received ₹4.98 crore from VCF-SC in 2018.
- The company, founded by Mr. Mallikharjuna Rao Yelisela, generated employment for 128 people.
- It achieved an annual revenue of ₹18.87 crore and a net worth of ₹22 crore.
- The enterprise has business linkages with HAL, BEL, and ISRO.
💡 For the exam: VCF-SC provides financial support to SC entrepreneurs (like Smart-Waves Technologies in 2018) to promote economic empowerment.
Source: Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment · PIB PRID 2293020
🐠 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
SC Venture Fund Fuels India's First Rainbow Trout RAS Facility
The Venture Capital Fund for Scheduled Castes (VCF-SC) supported a Scheduled Caste entrepreneur in establishing a pioneering aquaculture project.
- Smartgreen Aquaculture Private Limited in Telangana received ₹15 crore from VCF-SC in 2022.
- It established India's first advanced Recirculatory Aquaculture System (RAS) facility for Rainbow Trout.
- The facility has a 36 lakh litres water capacity and 360 tonnes annual fish production.
- The project generated employment for 25 people and created assets worth ₹40 crore.
💡 For the exam: VCF-SC supported Smartgreen Aquaculture (Telangana) in 2022 with ₹15 crore for India's first Rainbow Trout RAS facility.
Source: Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment · PIB PRID 2293018