Updates on 29 July 2026
All of July 2026 →IIT Roorkee Advances Solid-State Battery Research and Commercial Technology Transfer
IIT Roorkee has made significant progress in solid-state battery research, focusing on lithium-ion transport in garnet-type solid electrolytes such as Li7La3Zr2O12, known for high ionic conductivity and stability. The research aims to improve battery safety by replacing liquid electrolytes to prevent risks like thermal runaway and dendrite formation. On 23 May 2026, IIT Roorkee commercially transferred two lithium-ion battery technologies developed by Prof. Anjan Sil to Cathion Energy Private Limited, enabling faster charging (under 10 minutes) and enhanced electrochemical performance. Furthermore, on 27 June 2026, IIT Roorkee signed an MoU with WRI India to promote sustainable battery ecosystems and the clean energy transition.
Department of Military Medicine Inaugurated at Command Hospital, Lucknow
On 29 July 2026, Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh virtually inaugurated India’s first Department of Military Medicine at Command Hospital (Central Command), Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. This dedicated academic and operational unit, under the Directorate General of Medical Services (Army), will serve as a centre of excellence for Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS). It focuses on specialised education, training, and research in combat medicine, trauma care, military psychiatry, CBRNe response, and disaster medicine, enhancing India's defence medical preparedness and indigenous capability development.
Nasha Mukta Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyaan Launch
The Government of India will launch the Nasha Mukta Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyaan, a 100-week youth mobilisation campaign starting on 2 August 2026. Organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports through the MY Bharat platform, the campaign aims to mobilise over 1 crore youth across nearly 10,000 locations to take a pledge against drug abuse, aligning with the national objective of a drug-free India. It involves participation from MY Bharat Volunteers, the National Service Scheme, schools, colleges, universities, NGOs, industrial associations, and more than 125 spiritual organisations. Weekly activities such as sports competitions, walkathons, meditation sessions, cultural programmes, art competitions, and street plays will sustain engagement throughout the campaign.
Misir Besra, Senior CPI (Maoist) Leader, Arrested in Jharkhand After Two Decades
On 29 July 2026, Misir Besra, the last active Politburo and Central Committee member of the banned CPI (Maoist), was arrested near the Dhanbad-Giridih border in Jharkhand after nearly two decades on the run. He faced over 150 criminal cases across multiple states and was implicated in serious crimes including murder and bomb blasts. The arrest was conducted through a joint operation involving multiple security agencies and marks a significant blow to Maoist insurgency leadership in India.
Union Government Enforces 'One Officer-One Official Car' Policy
On July 28-29, 2026, the Union government tightened its official vehicle allocation by implementing the 'One Entitled Officer, One Official Car' policy, issued by the Department of Expenditure under the Ministry of Finance. This policy restricts central government officers from holding more than one official vehicle, even if they hold additional charges in other ministries or departments. The directive also prohibits the use of vehicles owned by public sector undertakings or autonomous bodies except during official duties, aiming to prevent misuse and improve vehicle utilization. This update builds upon the earlier guidelines from September 1, 2022, and emphasizes responsible management of government vehicles within Union ministries and departments.
Kerala Cabinet Approves Five Governance Reforms to Boost Public Administration
On 29 July 2026, the Kerala Cabinet approved a comprehensive package of five governance reforms aimed at enhancing transparency, reducing revenue leakages, and strengthening public administration. Key initiatives include the launch of SAMPATH, a digital platform for managing state-owned assets; PlanSpace 2.0, a GIS-enabled project registry; a comprehensive registry of 591 government institutions; legal review measures to eliminate outdated laws; and a process re-engineering programme for simplifying procedures in key departments. These reforms are led by the General Administration Department and supported by an Empowered Committee of secretaries to prioritize and coordinate projects effectively.
Rajasthan Tiger Population Reaches 149 in 2026
As of 28 July 2026, Rajasthan's tiger population reached 149 across its five tiger reserves, marking an increase from 135 in 2025. Ranthambore and Sariska tiger reserves recorded 72 and 56 tigers respectively. The state also witnessed the birth of 53 cubs from 54 tigresses in 2026, indicating active breeding success. This data was released ahead of International Tiger Day, observed annually on 29 July, highlighting Rajasthan's significant role in tiger conservation.
Russia Charges Telegram Founder Pavel Durov with Aiding Terrorism
On 29 July 2026, Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) charged Pavel Durov, founder and owner of Telegram, under Article 205.1, Part 1.1 of the Russian Criminal Code for allegedly aiding terrorist activities. The FSB accused Telegram’s administration of failing to remove channels, chats, and bots used for sabotage, terrorism, mass murder, and cyberfraud, also linking Ukrainian intelligence services and extremist groups to the use of Telegram for coordination inside Russia. Pavel Durov holds dual citizenship of the United Arab Emirates and France and resides in Dubai, where Telegram's official base is located. This charge is part of Russia's broader legal and regulatory pressure on digital platforms amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict since 2022.
India's Silver Medals at Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow
On 29 July 2026, India secured two silver medals at the Commonwealth Games held in Glasgow. Gulveer Singh won silver in the men's 10,000m race with a timing of 27:49.78, marking the first time an Indian male medaled in this event. Harjinder Kaur earned silver in the women's 69kg weightlifting category with a career-best total lift of 227kg. By Day 5, India's medal tally reached 12, placing the country ninth overall.
Lok Sabha Extends Joint Parliamentary Committee on One Nation, One Election Proposal Until July 29, 2026
On July 29, 2026, the Lok Sabha approved an extension of the 41-member Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) tasked with examining the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024. This bill aims to implement the One Nation, One Election policy, which proposes simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha, state legislative assemblies, and local bodies, targeting rollout by 2029. The extension allows the JPC to continue nationwide consultations and submit its report by the last week of the upcoming Winter Session of Parliament.