Daily filter — 29 August 2026
5 exam-worthy stories from the day's PIB releases · interactive view
🌾 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
PMFBY: Crop Insurance Scheme Milestones and Allocations
The **Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)**, launched in 2016, continues to provide comprehensive crop insurance coverage nationwide.
- PMFBY was launched on 18 February 2016.
- ₹12,200 crore has been allocated for PMFBY in the Union Budget 2026–27.
- Over 92.46 crore farmer applications insured since inception until Rabi 2025-26.
- Claims exceeding ₹2.06 lakh crore paid to over 26.33 crore farmer applications.
- Farmers pay maximum premiums of 2% for Kharif, 1.5% for Rabi foodgrains/oilseeds, and 5% for commercial/horticultural crops.
💡 Remember PMFBY's launch in 2016, ₹12,200 crore for 2026-27, and the 2%, 1.5%, 5% premium structure.
Source: PIB Backgrounder · PIB PRID 2304549
💧 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
**Per Drop More Crop (PDMC)**: Boosting Agricultural Water Efficiency
The **Per Drop More Crop (PDMC)** scheme promotes micro-irrigation for improved water use efficiency and agricultural productivity across India.
- As of July 2026, PDMC has brought over 115 lakh hectares under micro-irrigation.
- Small and marginal farmers receive 55% financial assistance for micro-irrigation systems, others 45%.
- Since 2022-23, PDMC is implemented under the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PM-RKVY).
- States can now exceed previous caps (20% for general, 40% for specific states) for water conservation under PDMC.
💡 Remember PDMC: Micro-irrigation scheme under PM-RKVY, over 115 lakh hectares covered by July 2026, with flexible state funding for water conservation.
Source: PIB Backgrounder · PIB PRID 2304480
💊 Defence & Security · LAW track
CBN seizes 66.80 lakh psychotropic tablets in Vajra 2.0
The Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN) MP Unit seized a massive consignment of psychotropic tablets, disrupting an inter-state pharmaceutical diversion racket.
- Operation Vajra 2.0 targeted the Punjab–Himachal Pradesh corridor on 27-28 August 2026.
- CBN MP Unit intercepted a Uttar Pradesh registered truck on the Chandigarh–Baddi interstate route.
- A total of 66,79,980 psychotropic tablets including Alprazolam and Tramadol were seized.
- One person was arrested and one SML Isuzu Sartaj truck was seized under the NDPS Act, 1985.
- Batch numbers and expiry dates were erased to conceal the illicit supply chain.
💡 For the exam: Remember Operation Vajra 2.0 by CBN MP seized 66.80 lakh psychotropic tablets from Punjab-HP corridor, under NDPS Act.
Source: Ministry of Finance · PIB PRID 2304526
💊 Law & Judiciary · LAW track
DRI seizes over 18 Kg synthetic drugs, arrests four
The **Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI)** intensified its crackdown on synthetic drugs, seizing Amphetamine and MDMA in two operations.
- Around 14.9 kg Amphetamine was seized at Bengaluru on 25.08.2026.
- Approx. 2.53 kg Amphetamine and 878 grams MDMA were seized at Pune.
- Cumulatively, over 18 kg of drugs were seized, leading to four arrests.
- Arrests were made under the NDPS Act, 1985 for drug trafficking.
- In a fortnight, DRI seized around 150 kg Amphetamine Type Stimulant (ATS) drugs.
💡 For the exam: Remember DRI's recent 18+ kg synthetic drug seizures (Amphetamine, MDMA) and four arrests under the NDPS Act.
Source: Ministry of Finance · PIB PRID 2304522
⛽ Economy · UPSC track
Revised CBG Pricing Balances Producer Viability, Consumer Affordability
The Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas clarified the revised pricing for Compressed Biogas (CBG) under the GOBARdhan Scheme.
- New CBG price fixed at ₹2,110 per MMBtu for producers under the GOBARdhan Scheme.
- Government will provide affordability support of ₹10 per kg of CBG, equivalent to ₹215 per MMBtu.
- Effective CBG cost recovered through consumers will be approximately ₹1,895 per MMBtu.
- The net CBG cost will be spread across a domestic gas base 2.5 to 3 times larger.
💡 The ₹2,110 CBG price for producers is offset by ₹215 government support and a larger gas pool to protect consumers.
Source: Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas · PIB PRID 2304467