Daily filter — 12 August 2026
12 exam-worthy stories from the day's PIB releases · interactive view
⚖️ Law & Judiciary · LAW track
NCLT Launches e-Inspection and e-Certified Copy Services
The **National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT)** has launched new digital services to improve access to judicial records and enhance efficiency.
- NCLT launched e-Inspection and e-Certified Copy Services on 12 AUG 2026.
- Justice Anupinder Singh Grewal, Hon’ble President of NCLT, inaugurated the services.
- These services are part of NCLT's broader digital transformation.
- NCLT approved 78 resolution plans during April–June 2026, worth ₹5,517.66 crore.
💡 Remember: NCLT's e-services launched on AUG 12, 2026, leading to 78 resolution plans worth ₹5,517.66 crore approved in Q1 2026.
Source: Ministry of Corporate Affairs · PIB PRID 2298542
⚖️ Law & Judiciary · UPSC track
Tribunals Reforms Bill, 2026: Independent Tribunal System Established
The **Tribunals Reforms Bill, 2026** passed in August 2026 aims to create an independent, transparent, and efficient tribunal system.
- The Bill repeals the Tribunal Reforms Act, 2021 and establishes a new structure.
- It creates a judiciary-led National Tribunals Commission (NTC) for selections and oversight.
- The NTC replaces the Central Government in key appointment and service condition roles.
- The NTC comprises a Chairperson and four members, including two Judicial and two Technical Members.
- The NTC conducts selections, reviews performance, oversees inquiries, and maintains the National Tribunals Data Grid.
- The Bill applies to 16 listed tribunals, including the National Green Tribunal and CAT.
- NTC Chairperson serves for five years or until 70 years; Tribunal members serve for five years or until 67 years.
💡 For the exam: Remember the Tribunals Reforms Bill, 2026 replaces the 2021 Act and establishes the judiciary-led National Tribunals Commission (NTC) for independent appointments and oversight across 16 tribunals.
Source: PIB Backgrounder · PIB PRID 2298157
💳 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
CBDC-based DBT for Food Subsidies Launches in UTs
India is launching Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC)-based Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) for food subsidies in two Union Territories.
- CBDC-based DBT launches on 14 August 2026 in Chandigarh and Dadra & Nagar Haveli.
- It will operationalize food subsidy transfers for PMGKAY beneficiaries via Digital Rupee tokens.
- Beneficiaries receive subsidies directly in CBDC wallets for purchases from empanelled merchants.
- This builds on earlier pilot implementations in Puducherry and Gujarat.
💡 Remember: CBDC DBT for PMGKAY launches in Chandigarh and Dadra & Nagar Haveli on 14 August 2026, following Puducherry and Gujarat pilots.
Source: Ministry of Company Affairs · PIB PRID 2298531
🗓️ Polity & Governance · UPSC track
Census 2027: Preparatory Activities and Digital Initiatives
The first phase of **Census 2027** is largely complete, with the second phase scheduled for select regions.
- The Houselisting and Housing Census (Phase 1) is complete in 31 States/UTs.
- Phase 2, Population Enumeration, for Ladakh, J&K, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand is from 1st September, 2026 to 30th September, 2026.
- A self-enumeration option is available from 17th August, 2026 to 31st August, 2026 for the first time.
- Mobile apps, CMMS Portal, and an online web portal for self-enumeration are deployed.
- An amount of ₹4102 crore has been released to States/UTs for preparatory activities.
💡 Census 2027 is a two-phase, digitally-driven exercise with first-time self-enumeration, backed by substantial funding.
Source: Ministry of Home Affairs · PIB PRID 2298340
💰 Economy · UPSC track
Sixteenth Finance Commission Recommends Grants for Rural Local Bodies
The Sixteenth Finance Commission (FC-16) has recommended significant grants for Panchayati Raj Institutions/Rural Local Bodies (RLBs) for the 2026-31 period.
- FC-16 recommended ₹4,35,236 Crore for RLBs across all 28 States for 2026-31.
- Grants comprise Basic Grant and Performance Grant in an 80:20 ratio.
- Tied Grants (50% of Basic) fund 'Sanitation and Solid Waste Management' or 'Water Management'.
- Untied Grants address location-specific needs under the Eleventh Schedule.
- The Ministry launched eGramSwaraj and AuditOnline in April 2020 for financial oversight.
💡 Remember: FC-16 grants for RLBs (80:20 Basic:Performance), with Tied for specific services, monitored by eGramSwaraj.
Source: Ministry of Panchayati Raj · PIB PRID 2298161
📊 Economy · UPSC track
India's CPI Inflation at 4.45% in July 2026
Provisional data for July 2026 shows All India Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation at 4.45%, with varying rates for rural and urban areas.
- All India CPI inflation for July, 2026 is 4.45% (Provisional) based on 2024 base year.
- Rural inflation stands at 4.84%, while urban inflation is 3.96%.
- Consumer Food Price Index (CFPI) inflation is 5.52% (Provisional) for July, 2026.
- Housing inflation for July, 2026 is 2.22% (Provisional).
- Top high-inflation items in July, 2026 include Silver Jewellery (109.84%) and Ginger (83.62%).
💡 Remember: July 2026 CPI is 4.45%, CFPI 5.52%, with rural higher than urban.
Source: Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation · PIB PRID 2298247
🛖 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
Tribal Research Institutes Bolstered by Central Scheme for Heritage
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs financially assists Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs) to preserve and promote tribal heritage under a Centrally Sponsored Scheme.
- Ministry provides financial aid to 29 Tribal Research Institutes via "Support to Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs)" scheme.
- TRIs document tribal languages, folklore, customs, and traditional knowledge.
- TribeX platform and Adi Vaani AI tool aid digital preservation of tribal culture and languages.
- Santhali and Mundari languages are supported by Adi Vaani for translation.
- Sohrai Painting, Dokra Craft, and Jadupetia Chitrakar are included in certificate courses.
💡 Remember: TRIs (total 29) use TribeX and Adi Vaani for tribal heritage under "Support to TRIs" scheme.
Source: Ministry of Tribal Affairs · PIB PRID 2298077
⚖️ Law & Judiciary · UPSC track
Forest Rights Act Implementation Status: Key Takeaways for Aspirants
The **Ministry of Tribal Affairs** reported on the implementation of the **Forest Rights Act, 2006**, across 20 States and 1 Union Territory as of June 30, 2026.
- The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 (FRA) is implemented by State Governments and UT Administrations.
- The Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) compiles Monthly Progress Reports from States/UTs.
- As of 30.06.2026, a total of 54,01,561 claims were received, with 25,42,359 titles distributed.
- 10,45,970 community claims remained pending across all states/UTs.
- Community-wise and district-wise segregated data is not maintained by the Ministry.
💡 Remember: States/UTs implement FRA; MoTA compiles reports; significant claims remain pending as of June 2026.
Source: Ministry of Tribal Affairs · PIB PRID 2298075
👶 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
Anganwadi-cum-Creches (Palna) scheme for early childcare
The **Ministry of Women and Child Development** operates **Palna**, a scheme for day care facilities for children aged 6 months to 6 years.
- Palna scheme began on April 1, 2022, for children aged 06 months – 06 years.
- Palna is centrally sponsored with a 60:40 Centre-State funding ratio for most states.
- For North East & Special Category States, the funding ratio is 90:10.
- As of 2026, 4,172 Anganwadi-cum-Crèches (AWCCs) are operational.
- The Ministry issued National Minimum Standards and Protocol in 2024 for creches.
- The Code on Social Security, 2020, mandates creches for establishments with 50 or more employees.
💡 Remember Palna for childcare (0-6 years) and its funding ratios (60:40, 90:10, 100%) and the 2024 standards for creches.
Source: Ministry of Women and Child Development · PIB PRID 2298278
🏗️ Economy · UPSC track
India's Infrastructure Boom: Key Milestones (2014-2026)
India's infrastructure landscape has transformed with increased capital expenditure and major advancements in various sectors.
- Public capital expenditure rose from ₹2 lakh crore (FY 2014–15) to ₹12.2 lakh crore (FY 2026–27).
- Rail electrification reached 99.6% by July 2026, up from 20% before 2014.
- National highways increased by 61%, from 91,287 km (FY 2014) to 1,46,572 km (March 2026).
- Operational airports grew from 74 (2014) to 165 (July 2026).
- Metro network expanded from 248 km (2014) to over 1,155 km (2026), in 26 cities.
- Major ports' cargo capacity nearly doubled from 873 MMTPA (2014) to 1,728 MMTPA (2026).
💡 Remember: Public capital, rail electrification, national highways, airports, metros, and port capacity all saw significant increases from 2014 to 2026.
Source: PIB Backgrounder · PIB PRID 2298526
📈 Economy · UPSC track
Electronics Manufacturing Sees Exponential Growth and Export Surge
India's electronics manufacturing sector has shown significant growth and become a major export category over the past decade.
- Electronics production grew 7-fold, from ₹1.9 lakh crore in 2014–15 to ₹13.11 lakh crore in 2025–26.
- Exports increased 11-fold, from ₹38,000 crore to ₹4.24 lakh crore during the same period.
- Electronic goods are now India's third-largest export category, reaching USD 47.96 billion in FY 2025-26.
- The sector supports nearly 25 lakh jobs, with women accounting for nearly 30% of the workforce.
💡 For the exam: Remember 7x production, 11x exports, 3rd largest export, and job creation in electronics manufacturing.
Source: PIB Backgrounder · PIB PRID 2298492
💰 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
PM-KISAN: Direct Financial Support to Farmers
The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme provides direct income support to farmers to ensure their financial stability.
- Over Rs. 4.47 lakh crore has been transferred to farmers' bank accounts via 23 instalments.
- The 23rd instalment benefited over 9.49 crore farmers, releasing over Rs. 18,984 crore.
- The scheme enhances rural incomes and supports agricultural diversification.
💡 For the exam: PM-KISAN, since launch, has provided over Rs. 4.47 lakh crore across 23 instalments to 9.49+ crore farmers.
Source: PIB Backgrounder · PIB PRID 2298435