Union Cabinet Approves Bill to Strengthen Anti-Paper Leak Law with Up to 10-Year Jail and Rs 10 Crore Fine
In July 2026, the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, approved a draft Bill to amend the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, proposing stricter penalties of up to 10 years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs 10 crore for organised paper leak offences, along with provisions for fast-track courts to ensure speedy disposal of examination fraud cases.
About Amendments to the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024:
Key Amendments: The proposed Bill increases the minimum imprisonment for paper leak offences to 5-10 years for individuals, while retaining a maximum punishment of 10 years and raising penalties with fines of up to Rs 10 crore for organised offences.
- Before the amendment, the Act prescribed 3–5 years’ imprisonment alongside a fine of up to Rs.10 lakh for individuals involved in unfair means and 5–10 years’ imprisonment with a minimum fine of Rs 1 crore for organised examination fraud.
Cabinet Approved Rs 3,030 Crore BHAVYA Rasayan Scheme to Set up 3 Chemical Parks in India
In July 2026, the Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi approved a new scheme named “Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojana Rasayan (BHAVYA – Rasayan)” to set up three dedicated large chemical parks in the country with total budget outlay of Rs 3,030 crore.
- The scheme, initially announced by Union Minister Nirmala Sitharama, Ministry of Finance (MoF) in the Union Budget of Financial Year 2026–27 (FY27), would run for a period of 5 years from FY27 to FY31.
BHAVYA-Rasayan Scheme: Out of total financial outlay approved, Rs 3,000 crore will be used towards meeting the cost of establishing the common infrastructure facilities and basic utilities inside the park and remaining Rs 30 crores for administrative expenditure.
CSIR Transfers Four Indigenous Technologies to Industry & Commercially Launched Smart Rural Water Monitoring System
In July 2026, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has transferred four indigenous technologies to industry and commercially launched an Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled rural water service delivery, measurement and monitoring system during the Technology Transfer Event at CSIR headquarters in New Delhi, Delhi.
- The programme, organized by CSIR-Central Scientific Instruments Organisation (CSIR-CSIO), Chandigarh, witnessed the transfer of four indigenous technologies to Pump Academy Private Limited and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) developed by the CSIR-CSIO, Chandigarh, Punjab.
Bihar to Establish Permanent NSTI (Women) Campus and Skill India International Centre in Patna
In July 2026, the Government of Bihar and Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) announced the permanent National Skill Training Institute for Women (NSTI-W), Patna campus and Skill India International Centre (SIIC), Bihar to boost women’s skilling and global employment opportunities.
Highlights of NSTI-W campus and SIIC In Patna:
Campus: The permanent National Skill Training Institute for Women (NSTI-W), Patna campus will be developed at Bihta, Bihar with an investment of Rs 99.97 crore to provide modern infrastructure and industry-aligned training.
- The Skill India International Centre (SIIC), Bihar will be established with an investment of Rs 7 crore to support global employment through language training, certification and safe migration assistance.
ICAR-CMFRI Launches DeepDATA App for Deep-Sea Fish Documentation in Kerala
Indian Council of Agricultural Research – Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CMFRI) launched DeepDATA, a mobile application developed under the Deep Ocean Mission of the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) in Kochi, Kerala to provide scientifically verified information on deep-sea fish species and enable users to contribute field observations for creating a national digital repository.
Henley Passport Index: India Dropped to 81st Spot, Singapore Retained Top Position
In July 2026, Henley & Partners, a British consultancy expertized in investment migration, released the 20th anniversary edition of Henley Passport (HPI) Global Ranking– July 2026. As per the index, India dropped to 81st position globally with access to 55 destinations, down from the 75th position (in February 2026 edition). India shares the rank with countries like: Mauritania, Algeria.
- Singapore retained its position as the world’s most powerful passport with access to 192 destinations without a prior visa, followed by Japan, South Korea and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), sharing the 2nd position with access to 188 destinations; and Sweden which ranked at 3rd position with access to 187 destinations.
India Relaxes FDI Rules for Inventory-Based E-commerce to Enhance Exports of Indian-Made Goods
In July 2026, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoC&I), relaxed the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy by allowing foreign-funded e-commerce companies to operate an inventory-based model exclusively for the export of goods manufactured or produced in India.
- The policy change aims to boost exports by allowing foreign-invested e-commerce platforms to procure, stock, and export Indian-made products, giving domestic manufacturers and sellers easier access to global markets.
SBI Life Insurance Partners with PCI as ‘Principal Partner’ of Indian Contingent for 2026 Para Sports Season
SBI Life Insurance Company Limited, one of India’s most trusted private life insurers, entered into strategic partnership with the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI), becoming the “Principal Partner” of the Indian Contingent for 2026 para sport season.
- The partnership aims to recognise and highlight the journey of India’s para-athletes, as high-performers who continue to redefine possibilities through their dedication and commitment.
Prem K. Vora Honoured with Rashtriya Ashok Samman (Bharat Samman) in New Delhi
Prem K. Vora, President of the Electric Merchants Association (EMA) for 2025-26, was honoured with the Rashtriya Ashok Samman (Bharat Samman) at the National Leadership Conclave held in New Delhi, Delhi.
- He received the honor in recognition of his exceptional contribution to India’s electrical trade sector and his commitment to ethical business practices, and his dedication to strengthening Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) while driving sustainable industry growth.
India’s World Chess Champion Viswanathan Anand Becomes Interim President of FIDE
Viswanathan Anand, India’s five-time World Chess Champion and Deputy President of the International Chess Federation (FIDE), assumed charge as the Interim President of FIDE after incumbent President Arkady Vladimirovich Dvorkovich voluntarily suspended his duties following sanctions imposed by the European Union (EU) and Switzerland over Russia’s war against Ukraine.
About Viswanathan Anand:
Championships: He won the World Chess Championship five times in 2000, 2007, 2008, 2010, and 2012, and remains the only Indian to have won the title multiple times.
FIDE Role: In August 2022, he was elected Deputy President of the International Chess Federation (FIDE).
Infosys Appointed Ashiss Kumar Dash as CEO-Designate
Infosys Limited, India’s second-largest Information Technology (IT) services company appointed Ashiss Kumar Dash as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Designate. He will assume charge as the Managing Director (MD) & CEO from 1 April 2027, following the completion of Salil Parekh’s second term.
- Dash’s appointment is for a five-year term (2027–2032), subject to shareholders’ approval. Parekh will continue to serve until 31 March 2027 to ensure a smooth leadership transition.
ZSI Discovers Two New Spider Species: Simonia lawbah and Hamataliwa papikonda
In July 2026, Scientists from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) discovered and documented two new spider species Simonia lawbah from Meghalaya and Hamataliwa papikonda from Andhra Pradesh (AP), highlighting India’s unexplored biodiversity.
- The discoveries, published in the peer-reviewed journals Zootaxa and Records of the ZSI, mark significant additions to India’s arachnological records and highlight the country’s rich but underexplored biodiversity.
Argentina’s Nicolás Otamendi Retires from International Football
In July 2026, Argentina‘s veteran centre-back Nicolás Otamendi announced his retirement from international football at the age of 38, ending a distinguished 17-year career during which he made 139 appearances for the national team.
- Although retiring from international football, Otamendi continues his professional club career after joining Club Atlético River Plate, an Argentine professional sports club
World In Vitro Fertilization Day 2026 – July 25
World In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Day, also known as World Embryologist Day, is annually observed across the globe on 25th July to raise awareness about IVF technology and honor embryologists, fertility specialists, and researchers advancing Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART).
- 25th July commemorates the birth of Louise Brown in the United Kingdom (UK), the world’s first baby conceived through IVF in 1978.
International Day for Judicial Well-being 2026 – July 25
The International Day for Judicial Well-being is observed on 25 July to highlight the importance of the mental, emotional, and physical well-being of judges and magistrates, emphasizing that judicial well-being is essential to judicial integrity, the rule of law, and the effective delivery of justice worldwide.
- The day commemorates the adoption of the Nauru Declaration on Judicial Well-being on 25 July 2024, the first international declaration recognizing judicial well-being and setting out seven guiding principles for judiciaries worldwide.
International Day of Women and Girls of African Descent 2026 – July 25
The United Nations (UN) observed the International Day of Women and Girls of African Descent on 25 July 2026 to recognise the contributions, leadership, achievements and resilience of women and girls of African descent while raising awareness about the multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination they continue to face..
- The 2026 observance focused on “Right to Health – A Fundamental Right Still Denied”, highlighting the need to address persistent inequalities in access to quality, equitable and culturally appropriate healthcare for women and girls of African descent.