Daily filter — 4 August 2026
12 exam-worthy stories from the day's PIB releases · interactive view
⚖️ Law & Judiciary · LAW track
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Enhances Protection for Women, Children
The **Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023** introduces significant provisions to prevent and counter crimes against women and children.
- Offences against women and children are prioritized in the new Chapter-V of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
- Punishment for gang rape of a woman below 18 years is now life imprisonment or death.
- A new offense for sexual intercourse on false promises (marriage, employment) has been incorporated.
- Statement of rape victims will be recorded through audio-video means by police.
- Medical practitioners must send rape victim medical reports to the investigating officer within 7 days.
- Free first-aid/medical treatment is mandated for victims of crimes against women and children at all hospitals.
- Engaging a child to commit an offense is punishable with 7 to 10 years imprisonment under section 95.
💡 For the exam: Remember Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 includes a dedicated chapter for women/children, stricter gang rape penalties (life/death for <18), new false promise offense, AV recording for victims, 7-day medical reports, and free medical aid.
Source: Ministry of Home Affairs · PIB PRID 2294238
⚖️ Law & Judiciary · LAW track
India's Enhanced Fugitive Retrieval & Legal Framework
India significantly strengthened its legal and operational framework to bring back 274 fugitive criminals from 36 countries between 2019 and 2026.
- India repatriated 274 fugitive criminals from 36 countries between 2019 and 2026.
- The Fugitive Economic Offenders Act was enacted in 2018.
- New criminal laws in 2024 allow trials in absentia via Sections 355 and 356 of BNSS.
- BHARATPOL launched in January 2025 connects 1,400+ agencies with INTERPOL.
- ₹17,874 crore in assets were attached under PMLA from 2019 to 2026.
- Operation Trishul uses satellite and digital footprints to geo-locate fugitives.
💡 Remember the numbers: 274 fugitives, 36 countries, ₹17,874 crore attached; plus BHARATPOL, BNSS 'trials in absentia', and Operation Trishul.
Source: Ministry of Home Affairs · PIB PRID 2294184
⚖️ Law & Judiciary · LAW track
CAT achieves 93% case disposal rate with digital reforms
The **Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT)** reported significant progress in case disposal and digital transformation, enhancing administrative justice.
- CAT maintained an overall disposal rate of more than 93 per cent.
- Over 9.32 lakh cases have been disposed of since CAT's inception.
- New Benches at Jammu and Srinagar expanded access.
- Circuit Sittings commenced at Puducherry, Leh, Kargil, and Vijayawada.
- The Advanced Case Information System (ACIS) enables e-filing and virtual hearings.
💡 Remember CAT's high disposal rate (93%) and technology integration via ACIS and new benches for administrative justice.
Source: Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions · PIB PRID 2294230
🌾 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
MSP, PM-AASHA, and MIS: Government Support for Farmers
The government fixes Minimum Support Prices (MSPs) for 22 crops and implements schemes like PM-AASHA and MIS to support farmers' income.
- Government fixes MSPs for 22 mandated agricultural crops annually, based on CACP recommendations.
- Since 2018-19, MSPs are kept at 1.5 times the cost of production.
- PM-AASHA facilitates procurement of pulses, oilseeds, and copra by NAFED and NCCF.
- Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) procures perishable agricultural/horticultural commodities not covered by PSS.
- New MIS components from 2024-25 include Price Differential Payment (PDP) and Storage/Transportation cost reimbursement for TOP crops.
💡 Remember: MSPs for 22 crops, PM-AASHA for non-cereals, and MIS with PDP and TOP support perishable goods.
Source: Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare · PIB PRID 2294446
🌾 Economy · UPSC track
World's Largest Grain Storage Plan Progresses
The **Ministry of Cooperation** provides an update on the decentralized grain storage plan, including constructed godowns and financial support.
- A total of 168 projects were approved, with 119 godowns constructed across four states.
- Andhra Pradesh has constructed 117 godowns and Bihar has 2659 operational godowns.
- Madhya Pradesh has surplus capacity, not participating fully, but built 1 godown in Balaghat.
- Bihar received the highest advance subsidy of ₹5.06 crore under AMI scheme.
- Constructed godowns are registered under WDRA for e-NWR system benefits.
💡 Remember: The World's Largest Grain Storage Plan involves WDRA registration and significant construction in AP and Bihar, despite MP's surplus.
Source: Ministry of Cooperation · PIB PRID 2294359
🌬️ Environment · UPSC track
CAQM expands dust mitigation enforcement for C&D sites in NCR
The **CAQM** has amended its direction to strengthen enforcement against dust mitigation violations at **Construction and Demolition (C&D) sites** across the **NCR**.
- Amendment to Statutory Direction No. 86 issued on 03.08.2026.
- Empowers more ULBs to prosecute gross violators at C&D sites.
- Includes sites with plot areas less than 500 sqm.
- Covers Manesar, Karnal, Panipat, Rohtak, Meerut, Alwar, Bharatpur, Bhiwadi, Neemrana.
- Agencies must submit monthly status reports on complaints and prosecutions.
💡 For the exam: CAQM's Direction No. 86 amendment expands prosecution powers to more ULBs across NCR for dust violations at C&D sites under 500 sqm.
Source: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change · PIB PRID 2294520
💰 Economy · UPSC track
Government Boosts MSME Financing Through SIDBI and ECLGS
The government is enhancing credit flow to MSMEs through initiatives by **SIDBI** and the **ECLGS 5.0** scheme.
- SIDBI opened 71 new branches from 01.04.2024 to 29.07.2026 to expand reach.
- SIDBI's direct credit portfolio grew 36.8% Y-o-Y to ₹ 51,687 crores by March 31, 2026.
- ECLGS 5.0, launched in May 2026, envisages ₹ 2,55,000 crore additional credit.
- ECLGS 5.0 offers up to 100% guarantee coverage for eligible MSMEs.
💡 Remember SIDBI's 71 new branches and 36.8% direct credit growth, alongside ECLGS 5.0's ₹2.55 Lakh Crore additional credit and 100% guarantee.
Source: Ministry of Finance · PIB PRID 2294261
🏥 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
AB-PMJAY achieves 12.69 Crore Cashless Hospital Admissions
The **Ayushman Bharat - Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY)** continues to expand coverage and reduce out-of-pocket health expenditure.
- As of June 30, 2026, 12.69 crore cashless hospital admissions were authorized.
- These admissions amount to ₹1.92 lakh crore through 37,413 hospitals.
- In March 2024, 37 lakh families of ASHA, Anganwadi Workers/Helpers were added.
- In October 2024, 6 crore senior citizens (70+ years) were included.
- Coverage is ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care.
- Out-of-pocket expenditure declined from 62.6% (2014-15) to 43.4% (2022-23).
💡 Remember AB-PMJAY for its 12.69 crore admissions, ₹1.92 lakh crore value, and expansion to senior citizens (70+) and frontline health workers.
Source: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare · PIB PRID 2294278
📊 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
NFHS-6 Fact Sheets Released, Anaemia Data Harmonized
The **NFHS-6** (2023-24) fact sheets were released, with indicators finalized for data harmonization.
- The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare conducts the National Family Health Survey (NFHS).
- The NFHS-6 (2023-24) National and State/UT Fact Sheets were released on 29.05.2026.
- Indicators were finalized by the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) for data harmonization.
- Anaemia estimates will come from an ICMR 'gold standard' independent survey.
💡 Remember: NFHS-6 fact sheets out, TAC harmonized indicators, ICMR for anaemia figures.
Source: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare · PIB PRID 2294277
⚖️ Law & Judiciary · UPSC track
Zero Tolerance Policy to Combat Drug Trafficking Strengthened
India has adopted a 'Zero Tolerance' policy against drug traffickers, implementing various measures to protect youth from drug abuse.
- Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) released the Vision Document on Narcotics Control (2026-2029) on 26.06.2026.
- A 4-tier Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD) mechanism coordinates central and state agencies.
- An NCORD portal and the MANAS National Narcotics Helpline (1933) aid drug law enforcement.
- India has bilateral agreements with 27 countries and MoUs with 19 countries on drug control.
- The Vision Document proposes consent-based screening tests for students in centrally funded higher educational institutions.
💡 The Vision Document (2026-2029) released on June 26, 2026, under NCB, outlines a 3-year roadmap against drugs, including NCORD and student screening.
Source: Ministry of Home Affairs · PIB PRID 2294237
☀️ Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
PM Surya Ghar Yojana Crosses 50 Lakh Rooftop Solar Installations
The **PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana** has achieved over 50.06 lakh rooftop solar installations across India in just over two years.
- Over 50.06 lakh households now benefit from rooftop solar under the scheme.
- This milestone was achieved in just over two years since the scheme's launch.
- The scheme has an outlay of ₹75,021 crore and is the world's largest rooftop solar program.
- July 2026 recorded the highest-ever monthly installations at 5.06 lakh households.
- Nearly 19 lakh households now receive zero electricity bills.
- About 14.8 GW of rooftop solar capacity has been commissioned.
- Concessional loans at 5.75 percent have been sanctioned for 21.87 lakh applicants.
- Over 1.06 lakh Government buildings have been solarized so far.
💡 For the exam: Remember the PM Surya Ghar scheme's milestone of 50 lakh+ rooftop solar installations and its ₹75,021 crore outlay, achieved in just two years, benefiting households and government buildings.
Source: Ministry of New and Renewable Energy · PIB PRID 2294208
🏡 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
**SVAMITVA Scheme** Progress: Property Cards and Loan Disbursal
The **SVAMITVA Scheme** has completed drone surveys in **3.30 lakh villages**, with **3.24 crore property cards** prepared.
- Drone survey completed in 3.30 lakh villages under SVAMITVA Scheme.
- 3.24 crore Property Cards prepared for 1.97 lakh villages.
- 2.72 crore Property Cards distributed to rural property owners.
- 11,147 loans worth Rs 1,713 Crore disbursed based on SVAMITVA property cards.
- Gujarat, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh accounted for 2282 loans worth Rs 185 Crore.
💡 SVAMITVA means survey completed, many cards issued, and loans availed in crores.
Source: Ministry of Panchayati Raj · PIB PRID 2294294