Updates on 15 July 2026
All of July 2026 →ASHVINI to Float ₹28,000 Crore Mahi Banswara EPC Tender for Nuclear Power Project
Anushakti Vidhyut Nigam Limited (ASHVINI), a joint venture between Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) and NTPC Limited, is set to invite bids worth ₹28,000 crore for the Nuclear Island Mega EPC Package (NIMEP) at the Mahi Banswara Rajasthan Atomic Power Project (MBRAPP) in Banswara district, Rajasthan. This project involves construction of four 700 MWe Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) units, with a total capacity of 2,800 MWe. The project is part of India's indigenous 700 MW PHWR programme, with an overall estimated cost of ₹50,000 crore. Excavation activities for Units 1 and 2 were approved by the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board in March 2026, and the foundation stone was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 25 September 2025. This project supports India’s nuclear power capacity targets of 22 GW by 2032 and 100 GW by 2047.
Maharashtra Doubles Pink E-Rickshaw Subsidy for Women to 40%
On 14 July 2026, Maharashtra's State Cabinet approved increasing the Pink E-Rickshaw subsidy for women beneficiaries from 20% to 40% of the total vehicle cost and expanded the scheme's geographic coverage beyond its original eight districts. The scheme supports women to enter the urban transport sector by facilitating purchases of battery-operated e-rickshaws, with a required minimum self-financing of 10%, and the rest funded via interest-free partial deferred payments or bank loans. Subsidy distribution has been centralized in Pune to streamline processes. Existing beneficiaries receive retrospective subsidy increases, easing their outstanding loan burdens. The state is also working to designate dedicated non-congested e-rickshaw routes, particularly in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, to improve last-mile connectivity. The scheme is a significant effort toward women’s empowerment and sustainable urban transport in Maharashtra.
India Crosses 100 Crore Social Security Beneficiaries Milestone by July 2026
By July 2026, India’s social security coverage surpassed 100 crore beneficiaries, encompassing over 64% of the population by 2025. This expansion reflects enhanced labour welfare schemes, formal sector protections, and digital registration via platforms like the e-Shram portal. Key institutions such as the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) and the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) provide social security to millions of workers. Employment generation schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana aim to further increase formal jobs. Additionally, a Rs 50,000 crore welfare scheme was launched in July 2026 to provide direct financial assistance to eligible economically weaker and middle-class households.
India to Host 5th BIMSTEC National Security Advisers' Meeting in July 2026
India will host the 5th BIMSTEC National Security Advisers’ Meeting in New Delhi on 16 July 2026. BIMSTEC, comprising seven South and South-East Asian countries, promotes multi-sectoral cooperation including in security, trade, energy, and transport. The meeting focuses on security challenges such as cyber security, terrorism, trafficking, and transnational crime. Bangladesh, the current chair, will lead the delegation to the 2026 meeting. India has also organized related cyber security expert meetings in 2022 and 2025, as well as a Youth Leadership Exchange Programme in 2026, reflecting its active role in the region.
31st Divya Kala Mela Inaugurated in Kolkata
The 31st Divya Kala Mela was inaugurated on 14 July 2026 at Ravindra Sadan, Kolkata, by Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Virendra Kumar. This eight-day event, running until 22 July 2026, promotes products made by persons with disabilities, termed Divyang entrepreneurs. Jointly organized by the Central and West Bengal governments for the first time, it features around 40 stalls, with a significant number of participants from West Bengal. The mela supports self-reliance, dignity, economic empowerment, and social inclusion of persons with disabilities, aligning with India’s inclusive development goals.
Indian Railways Launches Eight New Freight Reforms Under 'Reform Express' Initiative
On 14 July 2026, Indian Railways announced eight new structural freight reforms as part of its ongoing 'Reform Express' initiative, raising the total number of implemented reforms to 17 out of a planned 52 within 52 weeks. These reforms focus on promoting containerisation of key commodities, introducing a unified licence for Container Train Operators, simplifying freight tariff structures, allowing private sector participation in wagon design, enhancing construction contracting norms, launching a land acquisition portal, and permitting oil companies to operate specialised tank wagons for petroleum products to modernise and streamline freight operations across India's vast rail network.
India Leads Adoption of Seven Codex Food Safety Standards at 49th CAC Session
At the 49th Codex Alimentarius Commission held in Geneva from July 6-10, 2026, India played a pivotal role by leading the adoption of seven international food standards and guidelines. The Indian delegation, headed by Rajit Punhani (CEO of FSSAI), successfully chaired discussions on dried coriander seeds and fresh curry leaves standards. Additionally, India co-chaired the adoption of standards relating to vanilla, large cardamom, safe water usage in food processing, control of foodborne bacteria in chicken meat, and prepackaged food labelling. India also secured approval to initiate work on a dedicated Cashew Kernels standard and was elected Co-Chair of the Electronic Working Group on New Food Sources and Production Systems, strengthening its influence on global food safety protocols.
Indian Scientists Develop Wearable Ammonia Gas Sensor
On 14 July 2026, Indian researchers at the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS), Bengaluru, developed a portable, self-powered, wearable ammonia sensor capable of detecting concentrations as low as 319 parts per billion. Utilizing a hybrid vanadium oxide-vanadium sulfide heterostructure, the sensor operates at room temperature and is fabricated on flexible substrates such as polymer, paper, and textiles. It provides real-time, threshold-based alerts on ammonia levels, benefiting sectors like agriculture, chemical industries, and indoor safety monitoring.
Navi Mumbai International Airport Begins International Operations
Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) commenced scheduled international operations on 15 July 2026 with Air India Express launching direct flights to Abu Dhabi, UAE. Managed by Adani Airport Holdings Ltd. in a joint venture with CIDCO, NMIA functions as the second international gateway for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region alongside Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. Domestic operations began on 25 December 2025, and since then, NMIA has connected 46 domestic destinations, handled over 2.3 million passengers, and managed around 150 air traffic movements daily as of July 2026.
Delhi Cabinet Approves Time-Bound Public Service Delivery Bill, 2026
On July 14, 2026, the Delhi Cabinet approved the Delhi (Right of Citizen to Time Bound and Ease of Delivery of Services) Bill, 2026, which seeks to replace the Delhi Right of Citizens to Time-Bound Delivery of Services Act, 2011. The new Bill aims to establish time-bound delivery of public services as a legal entitlement for citizens in Delhi, introducing a fully digital service delivery system, an automatic escalation mechanism for delays, and an independent grievance redressal framework. It also provides for the creation of a Delhi Right to Service Commission and penalty provisions to enforce timely delivery of services. Additionally, on June 23, 2026, the Delhi Government expanded the scope of the 2011 Act by adding 23 new services, raising the total covered services to 584 across various departments including Labour, Tourism, Delhi Jal Board, Energy, Excise, Forest, and the Real Estate Regulatory Authority.