Daily Brief

The Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025 (VB-G RAM G) came into force from 1 July 2026, replacing the two-decade-old MGNREGA. Guaranteed wage employment for eligible rural households rises from 100 to 125 days per financial year, with ₹95,692.31 crore allocated for 2026-27; states now bear 40% of the wage funding, versus 100% central funding under the old law.

Union Minister for Labour & Employment Dr Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurated seven Employees' State Insurance (ESI) healthcare projects worth over Rs 668 crore on 14 July 2026 from ESIC Hospital, Sanathnagar, Telangana, expected to benefit around 53 lakh ESI beneficiaries nationwide.

RBI unveiled its agenda for FY 2026-27, including the launch of next-generation core banking system e-Kuber 3.0, a new alternative payment system, a unified enterprise platform, and an AI-driven ecosystem for central banking operations; the central bank is also exploring a shift to polymer currency notes.

ISRO Chairman V Narayanan said on 19 July 2026 that the space agency is targeting seven launches during the current financial year, with the next mission — a PSLV flight aimed at restoring the rocket's credibility after two recent failures — expected within about two months.

The Union Cabinet's Modified UDAN (Regional Connectivity Scheme) continues rollout in 2026 with a ten-year outlay of Rs 28,840 crore (FY2026-27 to FY2035-36) to develop 100 airports, support 441 aerodromes/heliports and build 200 helipads, expanding on the original UDAN scheme's 663 operational routes across 95 airports as of February 2026.

SSC CPO 2026 Physical Endurance/Standard Tests (PET/PST) are being held from 21 to 25 July 2026 — 21 July for female candidates and 22-25 July for male candidates — with admit cards released on 13 July 2026.

UPSC Civil Services Mains 2026 is scheduled to commence on 21 August 2026 for five days, following the Prelims 2026 result declared on 15 June 2026.