National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), in partnership with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), launched Gramodyam, an entrepreneurship-development programme for rural youth.
The initiative was launched on NABARD's 45th Foundation Day and aims to create sustainable livelihood opportunities by helping rural youth establish and expand enterprises.

Key Highlights:
Implementing Agency: NSDC will implement the programme with support from the Institute for Industrial Development.
Entrepreneur Support: Selected candidates will receive psychometric assessment, counselling, entrepreneurship-development training, industry-specific skill training, mentoring and support for enterprise establishment.
Credit Linkage: The programme will assist participants in preparing bankable Detailed Project Reports, applying digitally for loans and accessing credit through NABARD-supported Regional Rural Banks and other financial institutions.
Market Linkage: Beneficiaries will receive assistance for business-opportunity identification, business planning, enterprise management, market access and post-launch handholding.
Target: The three-year pilot programme aims to create and strengthen around 4,000 rural enterprises.
Digital Tracking: NSDC's digital platform will track candidates from registration and e-KYC to training, enterprise creation and business growth.

About NABARD :-
Established:, 1982
Headquarters:, Mumbai, Maharashtra
Chairman:, Shaji K. V.
Full Name:, National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development

Main Point :-

Department of Telecommunications (DoT) was declared the global winner of the WSIS Prizes 2026 under Action Line C6 – Enabling Environment for its flagship project, Samriddh Gram: Integrated Phygital Service Delivery Model Enabled by BharatNet.
The award was presented at the WSIS Forum 2026 in Geneva, Switzerland, recognising India's use of digital public infrastructure for inclusive rural development.

Key Highlights:
Initiative: Samriddh Gram is a rural digital-transformation initiative of DoT that uses the BharatNet connectivity backbone.
Samriddhi Kendras: The programme establishes village-level one-stop hubs called Samriddhi Kendras for integrated phygital service delivery.
Service Delivery: The centres combine telecom connectivity, digital platforms and assisted physical services to deliver government services, banking, financial services, telemedicine, education, e-governance and digital-skilling facilities.
Objective: The initiative aims to bridge the rural digital divide, strengthen local service delivery and expand inclusive development opportunities in villages.
Recognition: The award was conferred by the International Telecommunication Union under the Enabling Environment category.

About WSIS :-
Full Name:, World Summit on the Information Society
Organiser:, International Telecommunication Union
Headquarters:, Geneva, Switzerland
Established:, 1865

Main Point :-

World Bank Group approved a financing package of USD 890 million to support India's PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana.
The financing will accelerate adoption of residential rooftop solar systems, strengthen the domestic rooftop-solar ecosystem and support India's clean-energy transition.

Key Highlights:
Financing Package: The package includes an USD 820 million IBRD loan, USD 60 million concessional finance from the Clean Technology Fund and an USD 10 million grant from the IBRD Livable Planet Fund.
Scheme Objective: PM Surya Ghar aims to provide eligible households with free electricity of up to 300 units per month through rooftop solar installations.
Employment Generation: The programme is expected to create about 1.7 million jobs in solar manufacturing, installation, operations and maintenance activities.
Energy Transition: It will reduce household electricity costs, lower carbon emissions and increase decentralised renewable-energy generation.
Significance: The support will help India scale up rooftop solar and improve clean-energy access for households.

About World Bank :-
Established:, 1944
Headquarters:, Washington, D.C., United States
President:, Ajay Banga
Member Countries:, 189

Main Point :-

The fourth rhino census at Dudhwa Tiger Reserve in Uttar Pradesh recorded a total population of 53 one-horned rhinoceroses.
The census was conducted from 25 to 27 June 2026 through the total head-count method and recorded a net increase of five rhinos over the previous assessment.

Key Highlights:
Population Composition: The reserve recorded 17 adult males, 25 adult females and 11 sub-adults and calves.
Conservation Outcome: The population increase indicates the positive impact of habitat management, protection measures and regular monitoring in the Dudhwa landscape.
Species Status: The Indian one-horned rhinoceros is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
Conservation Importance: Dudhwa is an important rhino-conservation site outside Assam and plays a key role in conserving the species in northern India.
Census Method: Officials used the total head-count method to estimate the rhino population.

About Dudhwa Tiger Reserve :-
State:, Uttar Pradesh
Location:, Lakhimpur Kheri
Established:, 1977
River:, Suheli River

Main Point :-

Quality Council of India (QCI) and the National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to improve quality, competitiveness and market access for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.
The partnership will help MSMEs become more efficient, compliant and globally competitive through quality certification, capacity building and digital-market linkages.

Key Highlights:
Quality Support: The collaboration will promote quality standards, certification and best practices among MSMEs.
Key Platforms: It will create convergence with ZED Certification, MSME Global Mart, Open Network for Digital Commerce, TEAM and the Single Point Registration Scheme.
Capacity Building: MSMEs will receive support in adopting quality systems, improving processes and meeting market requirements.
Market Access: The MoU aims to improve small enterprises' participation in domestic supply chains, e-commerce and export opportunities.
Significance: The partnership supports the Government's objective of strengthening MSME competitiveness, formalisation and digital integration.

About QCI :-
Established:, 1997
Headquarters:, New Delhi
Chairman:, Jaxay Shah
Objective:, Promoting quality standards in India

Main Point :-

Ladakh approved the creation of 17 new tehsils, increasing the total number of tehsils in the Union Territory from 15 to 32.
The reorganisation aims to operationalise the newly created districts, improve administrative reach and bring public services closer to residents of remote and border areas.

Key Highlights:
Approval: The reorganisation of tehsils and revenue villages was approved by the Ladakh administration.
District Distribution: Under the revised framework, Leh will have 5 tehsils, Kargil 7, Changthang 4, Nubra 6, Zanskar 4, Sham 5 and Drass 1 tehsil.
New Districts: The five newly created districts are Sham, Nubra, Changthang, Zanskar and Drass; they join Leh and Kargil in the Union Territory.
Governance Reform: The Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council Act will be extended to all seven districts to strengthen grassroots governance and democratic decentralisation.
Significance: The decision is expected to reduce travel distance for public services and improve administration in remote regions.

About Ladakh :-
Union Territory Formed:, 31 October 2019
Capital:, Leh and Kargil
Lieutenant Governor:, Kavinder Gupta
Number of Districts:, 7

Main Point :-

India continued efforts to strengthen the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) ecosystem through digital platforms, quality certification, easier credit access and expanded market linkages.
These measures aim to improve the productivity, formalisation, competitiveness and resilience of small businesses across the country.

Key Highlights:
Digital Access: Digital platforms support MSMEs in accessing markets, government procurement, financial services and business information.
Quality Improvement: Quality-certification programmes encourage enterprises to adopt better manufacturing processes, improve product standards and become more competitive.
Credit Support: Invoice-discounting and digital-credit platforms help address working-capital requirements of small businesses.
Market Expansion: E-commerce and open-network platforms provide wider domestic and international market opportunities to MSMEs.
Significance: A stronger MSME ecosystem supports employment generation, local production, exports and inclusive economic growth.

About MSME :-
Full Form:, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
Administrative Ministry:, Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
Role:, Employment, manufacturing and exports
Key Challenge:, Access to finance and markets

Main Point :-

Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) announced the establishment of India's first dedicated Centre for High-Altitude Medicine at Keylong in Himachal Pradesh.
The centre will focus on research, diagnosis, prevention and management of health conditions associated with high-altitude living and travel in Himalayan regions.

Key Highlights:
Location: The proposed centre will be located at Keylong in Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh.
Research Focus: It will study altitude-related illnesses, including acute mountain sickness, high-altitude pulmonary oedema and high-altitude cerebral oedema.
Healthcare Support: The centre will develop evidence-based medical protocols and strengthen healthcare preparedness for residents, tourists, mountaineers and security personnel in high-altitude areas.
Strategic Importance: It will support medical research and emergency-healthcare response in Himalayan and border regions.
Significance: The facility will address the unique health challenges caused by low oxygen levels, cold climate and difficult terrain at high altitudes.

About ICMR :-
Established:, 1911
Headquarters:, New Delhi
Director General:, Dr. Rajiv Bahl
Parent Ministry:, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

Main Point :-

India continued to strengthen its Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) ecosystem to enable accessible, interoperable and inclusive delivery of public and private services.
DPI uses digital building blocks such as digital identity, payments, data-sharing systems and open networks to improve access to services for citizens and businesses.

Key Highlights:
Core Components: India's DPI ecosystem includes Aadhaar for digital identity, Unified Payments Interface for payments, DigiLocker for digital documents and Account Aggregator for consent-based data sharing.
Open Networks: Platforms such as the Open Network for Digital Commerce aim to widen digital-market participation for sellers, buyers and service providers.
Public Service Delivery: DPI supports paperless, cashless and presence-less access to government and financial services.
Inclusion: The ecosystem seeks to reduce transaction costs, expand access in remote areas and improve service delivery for underserved groups.
Significance: DPI has become an important tool for India's digital transformation and for building scalable digital solutions.

About UPI :-
Full Name:, Unified Payments Interface
Developed By:, National Payments Corporation of India
Launched:, 2016
Purpose:, Instant interoperable digital payments

Main Point :-

India strengthened its road-safety framework for National Highways by emphasising systematic road-safety audits at different stages of highway development and operation.
Road-safety audits are intended to identify potential crash risks in road design, construction and existing road corridors before they result in accidents.

Key Highlights:
Audit Stages: Road-safety audits can be conducted during planning, design, construction, pre-opening and operational stages of highway projects.
Risk Identification: Audits examine road geometry, junction design, signage, lighting, pedestrian facilities, crash barriers and black spots.
Corrective Measures: Identified risks can be addressed through engineering improvements, better signage, traffic-calming measures and safer road-user facilities.
Objective: The framework aims to reduce road fatalities and injuries by integrating safety considerations into the full life cycle of road projects.
Significance: A preventive audit approach helps detect safety deficiencies early and supports safer mobility on national highways.

About NHAI :-
Full Name:, National Highways Authority of India
Established:, 1988
Headquarters:, New Delhi
Parent Ministry:, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways

Main Point :-