Bharat Taxi, a cooperative-based mobility platform, has been launched by Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited (STCL) under the aegis of the Ministry of Cooperation. Registered under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002, STCL operates on a 'Sarathi-owner' (driver-owner) and zero-commission model, allowing drivers to be members and share in the cooperative's surplus. The platform aims to provide an indigenous alternative to conventional aggregators, with features like transparent fares and real-time tracking. It is being rolled out in phases across the country, currently operational in Delhi-NCR and Gujarat. The article also clarifies that Bharat Taxi is distinct from Yatri Sathi, a state government initiative from West Bengal.
The Supreme Court has directed States and Union Territories to consider raising the retirement age of judicial officers from 60 to 61 years as an interim measure. This directive comes while the court is deliberating on a petition seeking a uniform enhancement of the retirement age for district judiciary judges from 60 to 62 years across the country. The decision is subject to consultation between the State/UT governments and their respective High Courts, and the interim arrangement will not prejudice the final adjudication on the substantive legal question.
The article details the review and implementation mechanism of the National Cooperation Policy (NCP) 2025. It highlights the establishment of a 'Policy Implementation and Monitoring Committee' and a 'National Steering Committee on Cooperation Policy' for central-state coordination, troubleshooting, and periodic review. The policy is implemented using a 'Whole-of-Government approach' and in the spirit of 'cooperative federalism'. A comprehensive National Cooperative Database (NCD) has also been developed by the Ministry of Cooperation, providing data on over 8.5 lakh cooperative societies across 30 economic sectors, crucial for policy formulation and implementation, including the formation of new PACS and other primary cooperatives.
INS Malvan, the second of the indigenously designed and built Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), was commissioned at Karwar. Built by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), Kochi, with over 80% indigenous content, it reinforces the Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision. The vessel is equipped for Underwater Surveillance, ASW operations, Low Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO), and Mine Warfare, bolstering coastal defence and maritime domain awareness. It carries historical significance from Malvan, Maharashtra, linked to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, and its crest features the 'Bagh Nakha'. The commissioning also highlighted the importance of safeguarding sea lines of communication and tri-service integration.
Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee was suspended from the Lok Sabha for the remainder of the Monsoon session for using "unsavoury" language against women members. The suspension followed a complaint to the Speaker, a resolution moved by a Union Minister, and a voice vote in the House. The incident occurred after a heated exchange between Banerjee and members of the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI), who are former TMC MPs now allied with the NDA.
The Government has launched several digital initiatives and enhanced welfare measures for Indian Haj pilgrims for Haj 2026, focusing on healthcare, accommodation, transportation, and emergency assistance. These efforts aim to ensure the safety, comfort, and well-being of pilgrims through improved digital governance and reforms. The information was provided by the Union Minister of Minority Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju, in Rajya Sabha.
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has amended its Standard Request for Proposal (RFP) documents for Authority Engineer (AE) and Independent Engineer (IE) consultancy services. The reforms mandate minimum remuneration for key professionals, sub-professionals, and young professionals, ensuring fair compensation through an escrow arrangement. Additionally, NHAI has revised its policy for Site Engineers, creating structured career progression opportunities and mandating that a minimum of 20% of sub-professional engineering staff in consultancy firms comprise previously engaged NHAI/MoRTH/NHIDCL professionals. A new mandatory empanelment and interview process through the NHAI Skill Bridge portal has also been introduced to enhance the quality of professional engagement and strengthen technical supervision in National Highway projects.
The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs has launched NYPS 2.0, an upgraded web portal for the National Youth Parliament Scheme. This new version is open to all educational institutions, groups, and citizens across the country, significantly expanding its reach compared to the previous version which was limited to recognized institutions. The article provides registration data by state/UT and notes that the information was shared in Lok Sabha by Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal.
The Ministry of Panchayati Raj is implementing the e-Panchayat Mission Mode Project (MMP) under the Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) to enhance transparency, efficiency, and accountability in Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) through digital enablement. Key applications like eGramSwaraj facilitate planning, budgeting, and asset management, while AuditOnline enables online auditing. These platforms are widely adopted by Gram Panchayats (GPs) across India, with high rates of GPDP uploads and digital payments. The project also integrates with platforms like GeM and BHASHINI, and promotes the adoption of Citizens' Charters for online delivery of various citizen services, improving accessibility and ease of living. While Panchayats are a State subject, the revamped RGSA, a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, supports capacity building and training for PRI stakeholders, including digital training. Funds for e-Panchayat MMP are provided to NICSI for central support, while funds under RGSA for digital governance initiatives are released to States/UTs.
The article details the 15th Finance Commission grants released to Rural Local Bodies (RLBs) across states for 2021-26, highlighting unreleased amounts due to non-fulfillment of eligibility conditions. It emphasizes that Finance Commission recommendations, once accepted, cannot be altered. Panchayats, as local self-governments, are a state subject, but the Ministry of Panchayati Raj promotes decentralized planning through the Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP) framework, uploaded on the eGramSwaraj portal. The article provides data on GPDP uploads and eGramSwaraj-PFMS linked fund transfers, including specific figures for Andhra Pradesh. It also mentions the 'Status of Devolution to Panchayats in States - An Indicative Evidence-Based Ranking, 2024' report, which assesses devolution effectiveness based on six dimensions (Framework, Functions, Finances, Functionaries, Capacity Enhancement, and Accountability) and notes an increase in devolution extent from 39.9% to 43.9% between 2013-14 and 2021-22.
The Indian government supports filmmakers through the Development, Communication and Dissemination of Filmic Content (DCDFC) Scheme, providing financial assistance for regional films. The National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) also offers financial aid. Initiatives include promoting Indian cinema at international film festivals and markets, collaborating with industry bodies like FICCI and ICC, and supporting Indian Missions abroad for promotional activities. Maharashtra remains a key film production hub with facilities like Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagari, FTII, and IICT. A High-Level Study Group has been constituted by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to formulate further policy interventions for the film sector.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) conducted an Independent Drive Test (IDT) in Lunglei, Lawngtlai, and Siaha Districts of Mizoram under the North East LSA in May 2026. The purpose was to assess and verify the real-time quality of mobile network services (voice & data) provided by Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) for key Quality of Service (QoS) parameters like coverage, call drop rate, call setup success rate, and data download/upload throughput. The findings, including specific performance metrics for Airtel, BSNL, RJIL, and VIL, have been published to inform consumers and encourage TSPs to improve services.
