Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026: Key Features, Objectives, Significance, Concerns and Major Changes Explained

The Government of India has introduced the amendment bill called “The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026” in Lok Sabha for establishing a more harsh regulatory framework for foreigners’ donations to individuals, organisations, and NGOs. The amended bill aims at more transparency, accountability, compliance, and proper management related to foreign donations vis-à-vis the issues of misappropriation, diversion, and inappropriate use of various foreign contributions.

The proposed amendments specify stricter controls on foreign-funded property, automatic termination of registration and a deadline for use of contributions. At the same time, controversies have arisen around the matters of control by the executive branch, the autonomy of NGOs, and the property rights.

What is FCRA Amendment Bill of 2026?

The FCRA amendment bill of 2026 attempts to modify the act related to foreign contributions by providing it with better compliance facilities and a legal framework which can be effectively used to control foreign contributions.

Main objectives of the Bill are,

Efficient monitoring of foreign contributions.
Safeguarding the assets created by foreign contributions.
Ensuring greater transparency and responsibility in the use of foreign contributions.
Keeping away from misuse of foreign funds from abroad.
Establishing a greater security system in the country.

Purposes of FCRA amendment Bill of 2026

The bill is aimed at achieving a number of crucial aims which have been outlined below.

Better regulation of foreign contributions.
Ensuring the transparency in use of foreign funds.
Preventing the misuse of foreign resources.
Improving the management of NGOs getting foreign funds.
Creating defense from foreign money against any crimes.

Key Features of the FCRA Amendment Bill, 2026

1. Establishment of Designated Authority

The Bill proposes the creation of a designated authority to oversee management of foreign resources as per requirements.

The authority will get control of foreign assets and funds if,

FCRA Registration gets cancelled.
Registration expires.
The renewal gets rejected.
The registration is surrendered.

This will help to ensure the desirability of assets created through foreign donations obtained through regulated manner.

2. Transfer of Assets After The Closure of The Organization.

If the organization,

Gets closed,
Becomes inactive, or
Ceases to exist.

Its foreign-funded properties will get transferred to the government through designated authority.

This provision has been made to avoid misuse or ill usage of assets after closing of the organization.

3. Automatic Cessation of Registration.

The bill states that registration of the organization gets automatically terminated on,

Expiry of registration
Non-renewal
Denial of the renewal

This eliminates any administrative ambiguity and ensures compliance with registration requirements.

4. Foreign Contributions of Time-Bound Usage

There is a need of the amendment which binds organizations to use foreign contributions within a stipulated time period so that they do not accumulate funds unendingly, use funds effectively, and minimize chances of use for detrimental purposes.

5. Restrictions while undergoing suspension

If an organization is suspended of its license for FCRA, then it can neither sell its assets nor transfer its properties without the consent of the relevant authorities.

The provision secures that the assets are safeguarded during the process of investigation.

6. Centralized Permission for the Commencement of Investigations

The Bill makes it compulsory for the approval of the Central Government before the inquiry begins under the FCRA.

The purpose is to make sure that there is uniform application of the law regarding investigations.

7. Reasonable Penalties have been Stipulated in the Bill.

The earlier provision stated that imprisonment of up to 5 years could be awarded.

The new provision proposes imprisonment of up to one year or only a fine.
The aim is to strike a balance between the punishment and enforcement of the act.

Significance of the FCRA Amendment Bill, 2026

The proposed by this bill are also aimed at to improving India’s foreign funding regulatory system.

Robust Regulatory System
Higher Transparency and Accountability
Higher Regulation of Foreign-Funded Assets
Avoidance of Foreign Contributions Misuse
Financial Discipline
Improvement of National Security
Same Implementation
Better Governance of NGOs
Decreased Legal Ambiguity

Concerns Regarding the FCRA Amendment Bill, 2026

Apart from its main objectives, this Bill has invited the criticism from the several civil society organisations and opposition parties.

Excessive Executive Control
Property Rights Concerns
Reduced Parliamentary Oversight
Potential for Selective Enforcement
Ambiguity in Asset Management
Possible Chilling Effect on NGOs
Increased Compliance Burden

FCRA Amendment Bill, 2026 Highlights

The FCRA Amendment Bill, 2026 contains several important changes to the law.

Provision Significant Change

Designated Authority – Authority in charge of the foreign funds and assets after cancellation, expiry, or surrender of the registration
Vesting of Assets – The government will take over the foreign-funded assets after organisations are shut down
Registration – Registration ceases automatically after expiry or non-renewal
Fund Utilisation – Utilisation of funds done as per specified timelines
Suspension – No sale or transfer of foreign-funded assets allowed
Investigations – Prior approval by the central government necessary
Penalty – Sentences cut down from five years to one year of imprisonment or fine or both
Key Functionary – This term now includes the directors, trustees, partners, karta of HUF, office bearers, and the persons in the control of the management

Srisailam Project: Location, River, Water Supply, Features, Significance and Hydroelectric Power Generation

The Srisailam Project is among the most massive and significant multipurpose river valley projects of India, built on the Krishna River, at the border of the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The project is critical for generating hydroelectric power, irrigating land, supplying drinking water, controlling floods, and managing water resources. The official name of the project is the Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy Srisailam Project, which is key to the everyday life of millions of citizens, and vital for the development of the Krishna River basin in general.

What is the Srisailam Project?

The Srisailam Project is one of the significant dams, and hydropower projects built on the Krishna River near Srisailam. The project was built to utilize river water for different purposes, such as electricity generation, irrigation, drinking water supply, and flood prevention.

The project is recognized as one of the most remarkable engineering accomplishments in southern India because of its big storage capacity, powerful hydropower facilities, and good system of hydraulic canals.

Where is the Srisailam Project Located?

The Srisailam Dam is found on the Nallamala Hills along the border of two Indian states, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

Features

River: Krishna River
State: Andhra Pradesh and Telangana
Nearby Town: Srisailam
District: Kurnool (Andhra Pradesh) and Nagarkurnool (Telangana)
Range: Nallamala Hills
Height: 300 metres approximately

The specific location of Srisailam makes it suitable for the creation of a huge storage reservoir for hydropower generation.

History of the Srisailam Project

The Srisailam Project was made for the purpose of utilizing water of the Krishna River for the benefit of Southern India.

Timeline of Events

Date of Commencement: 1960
Date of Completion of Main Dam: 26 July 1980
Inauguration Date: 1981
Name of the Project: Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy Srisailam Project.

Key Features of the Srisailam Scheme

Srisailam Project is counted among the biggest multipurpose river projects in India.

Major Attributes

Built on the Krishna River
Located between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana
Huge reservoir with a live storage capacity of around 178.74 TMC ft
An important hydroelectricity source
Provides irrigation facilities to various states
Gives drinking water to several cities.
Ensures flow regulation and flood management.

Srisailam Project Hydro Power Generation

Generating electricity is one of the main objectives of the Srisailam project.

It hosts the second major hydropower plant in the country based on total capacity in use.

Innate Power Factories

Left Bank Power Factory

It is placed on the Telangana side.
It produces hydroelectric power by using water supply from the reservoir.

Right Bank Power Plant

It is located on the side of Andhra Pradesh.
It is meant for producing electricity in large quantities.

The produced electricity is then supplied to the area of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

The Importance of Srisailam Project in Irrigation

The water storage in the Srisailam Project is very important for irrigation to large agricultural areas.

Important Canal Systems

Right Bank Canal of Srisailam
Left Bank Canal of Srisailam

Right Bank Canal of Srisailam serves,

Kurnool
Nandyal
Kadapa

Left Bank Canal of Srisailam serves,

Region of Nalgonda
Cultivated lands in Telangana
Water supply projects

The irrigation system plays an important role in cultivating various crops such as food grains, pulses, and cotton.

Srisailam Project Water Supply

Besides providing irrigation facilities, this project is known for supplying drinking water.

The water supplied reaches.

Hyderabad

Various areas in the state of Andhra Pradesh

Town in Telangana

Chennai through the Telugu Ganga Project.
The reservoir acts as an important source of drinking water during drought conditions.

Connections of Inter-basin Water Transfer Projects With Srisailam

The reservoir serves as a vital resource for various water transfer schemes.

Key Projects Associated With Srisailam

Pothireddypadu Head Regulator,
Handri-Neeva lift irrigation project,
Telugu Ganga Project,

These projects are instrumental in transferring Krishna river water to water scarcity areas.

Importance of the Srisailam Reservoir

The reservoir has various roles to perform.

Key Functions

Storage of water,
Hydroelectric power generation,
Providing irrigation,
Providing drinking water,
Flood control, and
Drought management.

Due to its huge capacity, the reservoir has enough water available throughout the year.

Significance of the Srisailam Project

The Srisailam Project has immense economic and environmental importance.

Major Significance

It supports agriculture in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana
Generates the renewable hydroelectric power
Provides the drinking water to millions of people
Controls floods in the Krishna basin
It promotes regional economic development
Strengthens the water security in southern India
Supports industrial growth through reliable water supply
Acts as a strategic water resource for interstate water management

TRAI Revamps MyCall App to Improve Voice Call Quality: Key Features Explained

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has announced the revised edition of the TRAI MyCall mobile application to better involve the consumers in judging the quality of voice calling services. This new application was introduced on August 3rd, 2026, it allows mobile customers to express their views on the quality of voice calls in real time with the parameters of the network. The combination of customer opinion with engineering data will serve to improve the quality of telecom services and the quality of regulatory oversight while allowing telecom service providers (TSPs) to solve problems with their networks faster and more efficiently.

What Does the TRAI MyCall App Do?

TRAI MyCall is a user-oriented mobile application created by TRAI enabling telecom users to assess the quality of their calls and report their experiences.

The application collects and transmits valuable information regarding the quality of calls and users impressions of the performance of mobile networks.

Data is provided anonymously and thus is used by TELCOS and TRAI to identify the weaknesses in their networks and enhance their services.

This initiative aims at integrating the data gathered through technical means about Quality of Services (QoS) and users’ impressions of the operation of telecom services – Quality of Experience (QoE).

The Reason Behind the App Revamp

With over a billion telecom subscribers, voice calling is an essential part of communication in the country.

While telecommunications companies constantly evaluate technical performance, the experience for the consumer may vary depending on their location, congestion and other conditions.

The app has been redesigned with the following goals,

To enhance consumer involvement in evaluating telecom quality.
To provide updates in real-time about the quality of voice calls.
To help telecom enterprises in finding problematic spots in the network.
To assist TRAI in providing evidence-based regulatory framework.
To improve customer satisfaction overall.

Key Features of the Revamped TRAI MyCall App

This updated application introduces the several user-friendly features which are designed to make feedback easier and more effective.

1. Instant Voice Call Rating

2. Report Specific Call Issues

3. Automatic Post-Call Feedback

4. Feedback History with Interactive Map

5. Coverage Test Feature

How the Application Helps Telecom Operators and Consumers.

With the newly-enhanced application called MyCall, an ecosystem is created whereby the consumer, telecom operator and regulatory authority can join efforts in increasing the quality of services offered.

Benefits for Consumers

The ability to report a case of poor calling service in an easy way.
The experience regarding calls will get better day by day.
More opportunities for consumers to participate in the improvement of telecommunications services.
Increased transparency of quality monitoring.

Benefits for Telecom Service Providers

Access to anonymous customer feedback.
Quick detection of failures in the network.
Optimization of network operations based on data.
Higher level of customer satisfaction.

Benefits for TRAI

Improved identification of the Quality of Experience (QoE).
Better evidence for regulatory control.

Supreme Court Tightens Rules to Curb Digital Arrest Scams

To battle against digital scams and cyber financial crimes, the Supreme Court of India has provided various directions to strengthen cyber investigations, hasten the recouping of money by the victims, and bring about improvements in the systems. While hearing a case on its own, the Court has tasked the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) with the responsibility of formulating a standard operating procedure (SOP) for striking at mule accounts used in cyber crimes. The Court has also advised the different states to set up functional systems for cyber grievance redressal and to roll out the e-Zero FIR process across the country.

Why Did the Supreme Court Issue New Directions?

The country’s response to increasing digital kidnapping fraud cases, whereby imposters, act as police officials, CBI agents, judges, or other government officials in order to extract money from victims via long video chat conversations and psychological coercion can be duly noted as the Supreme Court has been following the developments.

The principles have been given under the leadership of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and judges Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohan, in the course of dealing with suo motu proceedings arising from the I4Cs fourth report presented to the Home Affairs Ministry.

The Supreme Court acknowledges that there has been a considerable decline in incidents of cyber fraud but still believes there is a dire need of stronger systems of governance to counter the incidence of newer forms of cyber crimes.

SOP to be Developed by RBI for Mule Accounts

One of the important directions of the Supreme Court is to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

The court has asked the RBI to prepare and circulate a comprehensive SOP within 4 weeks for the regulation of mule accounts.

A mule account is a bank account that is opened or operated in order to receive, transmit or wash money received through cybercrime and other illegal financial activities.

The SOP will lay down uniform procedure for banks for identification, freezing, inquiry and management of such accounts. The RBI shall circulate the SOP among the Registrars General of all High Courts.

Nationwide Cyber Fraud Grievance Redressal System

The Supreme Court has ordered all the states, union territories, and law enforcement agencies to put the Cyber Fraud Grievance Redressal Module and the Money Restoration Module into use instantaneously that have been developed under the Ministry of Home Affairs’ Standard Operating Procedure published on 2nd January 2026.

The above-mentioned modules work in conjunction with the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal and Cyber RMS to facilitate the processes of reporting, investigating, and getting the lost money back while being involved in the cyber fraud incident.

The Supreme Court has also directed the governments to take steps to raise awareness among the general public to maximize the use of these systems in emergency situations.

The Technology of e-Zero FIR Being Implemented Across India

The Court showed its disappointment that the e-Zero FIR technology is present only in 19 States whereas only 14 States have established State Cyber Crime Coordination Centers.

Therefore, the Court ordered that the jury of the State should,

Notify State Cyber Crime Coordination Centers in the next four weeks.
Implement the e-Zero FIR technology with the help of I4C only.
Increase collaboration among cybercrime investigation agencies.

The Supreme Court has taken note of the fact that digital arrest frauds frequently include video calls that go on for many hours, so the Court solicited the views of the amicus curiae Senior Advocate N.S. Nappinai regarding the introduction of a technological ‘kill switch’ which,

Would cut off the unusually long video calls,
Give alerts during suspiciously long video calls
Inform users about possible acts of cyber fraud.

The Court has asked the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Department of Telecommunications (DoT), and I4C, along with technology platforms, to assess the viability of implementing such safeguards and to submit an appropriate report.

Shared Liability and Victim Compensation Framework

The Supreme Court has also instructed the Inter Departmental Committee (IDC) to investigate a shared liability and victim compensation framework pertaining to digital arrest frauds.

The purpose of this recommendation is to provide victims with financial relief that formalizes existing legal redress and assesses the responsibilities of banks, technology companies, and others in mitigating digital fraud.

Improved Transparency in Cyber Fraud Recovery

In terms of enhanced transparency in cyber fraud recovery, the Court has mandated that the future status report should consist of,

Complaints received per state
Complaints registered with banks across the country
Number of restoration orders issued
Money restored
Number of complaints resolved.

This data will lead to an understanding of the efficacy of the cyber fraud recovery mechanism in India.

Bankers Books Evidence Bill, 2026 Explained: Key Changes, Electronic Records

India’s Bankers Books Evidence Bill, 2026 is an important move in bringing changes to the existing structure for use of banking records in the courts of law. The Bill was first introduced in the Lok Sabha on August 3, 2026, and it proposes to do away with and replace the Bankers’ Books Evidence Act of 1891, enacted more than a hundred years ago.

Now that digital information and transactions have become an important part of the country’s banking system, the government is keen to modify the law as per the present-day banking system. So, by the proposed Bill, it is ensured that the laws recognize electronic and digital banking processes and transactions correctly.

The Bankers Books Evidence Bill, 2026?

The Bankers’ Books Evidence Bill, 2026 is a law proposed by the Ministry of Finance with the aim to repeal the past Bankers’ Books Evidence Act, 1891.

The 1891 Act had allowed producing a certified copy of the information contained in the bankers Books in court but did not require the banks to provide the actual registers or the records.

This clause was functional for banks for over a century; however, the legislation was enacted when records were kept in physical form only.

This new Bill provides for the necessary updates in a legal framework and comes to recognize electronic records, digital banking, and new ways of keeping financial records to correspond to the realities of the digital economy.

The Necessity for a New Law

The banking sector in India has evolved totally over the past decades. Today, most banking transactions are performed electronically using several methods including internet banking, mobile banking, ATMs, UPI, NEFT, RTGS and Core Banking Systems.

The law enacted in 1891 did not clearly recognize digital records or electronic databases. Hence, the courts had to depend on provisions of other laws to admit electronic evidence.

The Bankers’ Books Evidence Bill 2026 removes this ambiguity with a clear legal recognition of electronic banker records while providing mechanisms for identification of their integrity and authenticity.

Key Features of the Bankers’ Books Evidence Bill, 2026

Legal Validity of Electronic Banking Records

One of the most remarkable developments introduced by the Bill is the acceptance of electronic and digital banking information as valid legal evidence.
According to the suggested legislation, electronic copies of bank records will be received official acknowledgment in courts as long as certain conditions are met.

These conditions are as follows,

The copy must be genuine and authentic.
The provided data must reflect the information provided in the original banking record faithfully and accurately.
No unauthorized changes should take place while keeping the original records.
The electronic regulatory system should not show any evidence of manipulation or interference.

Safeguarding of Bank Officers

The bill has provisions similar to the existing law to safeguard bank officers from being unjustifiably called before courts.

A bank officer must not be obliged to,

Provide original banking documents or records.
Go to the court to confirm ordinary banking transactions.

These provisions apply in instances when the bank is not a party to the legal case.

This lessens unnecessary legal action and ensures that an institution can continue with its business operations smoothly.

Understanding “Special Cause”

This Bill provides an unambiguous interpretation of “special cause”, thus enabling the courts to demand the submission of the originals only under extreme conditions.

A special cause may be present when,

There is a doubt regarding the accuracy/genuineness of bank entries.
The record-keeping has been disturbed in some manner.
The bank has disobeyed a court order for inspecting records.

The Bill, in defining what constitutes a special cause, gives clarity and minimizes court intervention.

Broader Reach Throughout Finance Industry

The present Act affects,

Banking institutions
Postal Savings Bank
Money transfer organizations

The new Bill has progressed by giving the Central Government the power to apply its provisions to other financial sector companies via notification.

The government may impose certain rules, deviations, or changes when extending the Act to these entities.

This flexibility enables the law to keep up with the fast-growing financial market.

The Role of the Bill in Promoting Digital Banking

India ranks among the top countries in terms of digital payment systems. Every day, numerous banking transactions are performed electronically.

The Bill provides a boost to the trust in digital banking in the following ways,

Treating electronic banking records as the valid legal proof.
Minimizing the necessity of physical documents.
Promoting the use of paperless banking.
Making court proceedings easier.
Ensuring the validity of digital financial transactions.

Effects on Judiciary, Banking Institutions and Clients

It is expected that the legislation would benefit various stakeholders.

For judiciary, it would make it easier for banking records to get admitted as evidence and reduce delays in the court process.

For banking institutions, it would ease the burden of providing original records and sending representatives to the court constantly so that they could operate smoothly on a daily basis.

For clients and companies, the enactment of the law would provide that digital banking records are given higher legal status which would increase reliability in case of financial disputes.

Difference Between Bankers Books Evidence Act, 1891 and the Bankers Books Evidence Bill, 2026

Aspect	Bankers Books Evidence Act of 1891	Bankers Books Evidence Bill of 2026
Banking Document	Traditional records only	Traditional and electronic records
Electronic Evidence	Not provided	Has been explicitly stated
Definition of Special Cause	Not defined	Clearly defined
Extensions	Only banks and Post Office	Savings banks Can include financial institutions as well
Digital Banking	Not included	Included

Significance of Bankers Books Evidence Law, 2026

The Bill is a significant reform in the law in the financial sector of India.
This legislation repeals an old colonial law with a modern-day replacement.
In doing this, the Bill acknowledges the growing use of electronic banking transactions and introduces measures that check tampering of the judicial system and enhance the efficiency of the justice delivery system.
The Bill also highlights the process of digital governance and simplification of legal processes in India.

Government Proposes MDR on Select UPI Payments: Key Details

The Ministry of Finance is proposed changes in the Payment and Settlement Systems Act of 2007 which would provide the Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) back on some digital transactions including UPI transfers. The announcement made on August 3, 2026 is meant to eliminate the clause on current no-MDR application under Section 10A which prohibits banks and providers of payment systems to charge customers for some digital transactions. The goal of these changes is to ensure long-term sustainability of rapidly growing digital payments market.

What Does the Government Propose?

The amendment suggested will take away the provisions that mandate zero merchant discount rates on the mentioned digital payment processes.

Once the Parliament approves the proposal, lenders and companies involved with the digital payment platforms would be able to charge MDR on specific UPI payment transactions like transactions that involve big merchants.

The proposal for this would be through the Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Act, 2026, which will probably be introduced into Parliament in the first week of August 2026.

What Is Merchant Discount Rate (MDR)?

Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) refers to the fees that merchants must pay banks or payment service providers to process transactions carried out electronically. The rate is computed as a percentage of the total transaction amount.

MDR was applicable to all types of payments, including debit cards and other electronic modes of payment before January 2020.

In order to increase the adoption of digital payments, the government removed MDR on UPI and RuPay debit card payments after January 2020.

Who Will Likely Be Affected?

As stated in the proposal, it appears that the MDR will apply largely to large merchants.

To summarize the proposed framework,

Large merchants with an annual turnover greater than ₹50 crore may come under the ambit.
Small merchants with annual turnover less than ₹1.5 crore may be exempt.
Consumers would not need to pay any MDR.
The MDR on qualifying UPI transactions is suggested to be fixed at 0.5% of the transaction amount.
There is also speculation that payments over ₹2,000 may be subjected to the MDR, but the final outcome will depend on Parliament’s passing of the legislation.

Why Is the Government Considering MDR Again?

In recent years, India’s digital payments system has seen phenomenal growth. Nevertheless, banks and payment service providers have repeatedly pointed out that it is difficult to find the funds necessary to sustain and develop the technological infrastructure without specific revenues.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance issued a report in March 2026 indicating that the absence of the MDR made the UPI system financially unviable in the future.

The main goal of re-introducing the MDR for designated transactions is to establish a solid collection mechanism while safeguarding the interests of micro businesses and consumers.

UPI’s Huge Growth

These figures are coming in the middle of the explosion of use of UPI across the country.

Some noteworthy figures are,

In July 2026 alone, over 23 billion transactions were made through UPI.
Total transaction value was around ₹29.9 lakh crore during the month.
UPI is now India’s largest real-time digital payment system allowing for direct transfers between banks.

The growth of UPI over recent years has given rise to the idea of the need to develop the infrastructure for payment, security, and innovation.

Indigenous African Swine Fever Vaccine Developed by ICAR: India Unveils First Homegrown ASF Vaccine for Pigs

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has successfully created the first homegrown vaccine for African Swine Fever (ASF) in the country. The official launch of the vaccine was done by the Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, on ICAR Foundation Day 2026.

This homegrown vaccine is expected to enhance India’s biosecurity, save pigs from dying, and enable thousands of pig farmers to get sustenance from their income, especially in the North-Eastern states where the African Swine Fever has been a cause of considerable devastation since the year 2020.

First Indigenous African Swine Fever Vaccine by India

Indian scientists came up with the country’s very first live attenuated African swine fever vaccine made from MA-104 cell line at ICAR–National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (ICAR-NIHSAD), Bhopal.

This particular vaccine takes the nation one step closer to Atmanirbhar Bharat in the veterinary vaccine production field. This vaccine uses an innovative type of a weakened virus responsible for ASF made in a unique way through gene deletions, ensuring that it can be effectively produced on a large scale.

This achievement allows India to put itself amongst a few nations capable of crafting an efficient ASF vaccine and become a dependable supplier of affordable veterinary vaccines on an international scale.

What is African Swine Fever (ASF)?

African Swine Fever (ASF) is a serious contagious disease that affects domestic pigs and all types of wild pigs. The ASF virus is responsible for the disease and has been classified among the worst animal diseases in the world.

The disease is known for the following signs,

High fever
Hemorrhages
General weakness
Loss of appetite
High rate of mortality that may go up to 100 %

Even though ASF does not affect man and does not raise food safety issues, it can kill whole lists of pigs, causing serious economic troubles for farmers and the entire livestock sector.

ASF Outbreaks in India

African Swine Fever was first diagnosed in India in the year 2020.

Since then, the outbreak has spread to various union territories and states, particularly the North-Eastern region where pig farming is a vital source of income.

In the lack of an approved vaccine for the disease, its control has had to resort to,

Quick diagnosis
Destruction of infected pigs
Stringent movement control measures
Improved biosecurity of farms

But despite such measures, the outbreaks have affected pig farming greatly.

Economic Impact of ASF in India

The disease has inflicted heavy financial losses on the nation at large.

Some major estimates include: Assam (2020-2021) losses close to ₹276 crore due to the death and culling of pigs. Mizoram (until 2025) More than 11,382 households affected with the loss amounting to nearly ₹982 crore.

The repeated outbreaks have pointed to the urgent necessity of having an effective indigenous vaccine to save the pig farming industry of the country.

Safety and Field Testing

Before being made available to the public, the vaccine has gone through thorough scientific scrutiny. Some of the tests that the vaccine has successfully passed are,

Sterilization
Purification
Safety
Genetic stability
Immunogenicity
Protective efficacy
Reversion in virulence.

In addition, the partnership with the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) in the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying has helped conduct field studies of the vaccine.

Vaccination Schedule

The recommendations for this vaccine include its use in,

Healthy pigs aged above 8 weeks

Dosage,

By means of intramuscular injection of 1 ml
A booster dose should be given after 14 days of the first dose

Notably, this vaccination should confer protection from the African swine fever.

RBI Monetary Policy August 2026: Key Announcements

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced its August 2026 Monetary Policy on August 5, 2026, following the 62nd meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) held from August 3 to 5, 2026 under the chairmanship of RBI Governor Shri Sanjay Malhotra. In line with market expectations, the MPC unanimously decided to keep the policy repo rate unchanged at 5.25% while retaining the ‘Neutral’ monetary policy stance.

The central bank highlighted that although inflation has risen above the target due to food and fuel prices, the underlying inflation remains moderate. At the same time, India’s economy continues to display resilience despite global uncertainties.

RBI Monetary Policy August 2026: Key Highlights

Repo Rate: Unchanged at 5.25%
Standing Deposit Facility (SDF): 5.00%
Marginal Standing Facility (MSF): 5.50%
Bank Rate: 5.50%
Policy Stance: Neutral
MPC Decision: Unanimous
Real GDP Growth Forecast (FY 2026-27): 6.7%
CPI Inflation Forecast (FY 2026-27): 5.0%
Next MPC Meeting: October 5–7, 2026

RBI Keeps Repo Rate Unchanged at 5.25%

The Monetary Policy Committee unanimously voted to maintain the repo rate at 5.25% under the Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF).

Accordingly:

Policy Rate	August 2026
Repo Rate	5.25%
Standing Deposit Facility (SDF)	5.00%
Marginal Standing Facility (MSF)	5.50%
Bank Rate	5.50%

The RBI also retained its Neutral stance, allowing flexibility to respond to evolving inflation and growth conditions.

Why Did RBI Keep the Repo Rate Unchanged?

According to the MPC, several factors influenced the decision:

Inflation has increased primarily due to food and fuel prices, not because of widespread demand pressures.
Core inflation remains relatively moderate.
India’s economic growth continues to remain resilient but faces external risks.
Global geopolitical tensions, volatile crude oil prices, El Niño conditions, and uncertainty in global trade require caution.
The RBI wants greater clarity on inflation trends before making any policy rate adjustments.

India’s Growth Outlook for FY 2026-27

The RBI maintained a positive outlook on India’s economy despite global challenges.

GDP Growth Projection

Quarter	Growth Forecast
Q1 FY27	7.0%
Q2 FY27	6.4%
Q3 FY27	6.5%
Q4 FY27	6.8%
FY 2026-27 Overall	6.7%
Q1 FY28	7.3%

Factors Supporting Growth

Strong domestic consumption
Healthy investment activity
Robust services sector
Infrastructure spending by the government
Continued bank credit growth
Rising exports supported by recent trade agreements
Stable employment conditions

Inflation Outlook

Retail inflation increased to 4.4% in June 2026, crossing the RBI’s target after remaining below it for 16 consecutive months.

The increase was mainly driven by:

Rising food prices
Higher fuel prices
Increase in restaurant charges due to higher input costs

However, core inflation (excluding food and fuel) remained stable at 3.9%, while core inflation excluding precious metals remained between 2.3% and 2.5%, indicating that demand-side inflationary pressures remain contained.

RBI’s CPI Inflation Forecast

Quarter	Inflation Forecast
Q2 FY27	4.7%
Q3 FY27	5.9%
Q4 FY27	5.5%
FY 2026-27 Overall	5.0%
Q1 FY28	5.3%

The RBI expects inflation to rise in the near term before moderating later in the financial year.

Global Economic Outlook

The RBI noted that the global economy remains uncertain due to several factors:

Continuing geopolitical tensions in West Asia
Volatile crude oil prices
Sticky inflation across major economies
Higher global interest rates
Strengthening US Dollar
Volatile equity markets driven by AI-related investments
Weak public finances in advanced economies

These developments continue to pose downside risks to global and domestic growth.

Domestic Economic Assessment

The RBI observed that India’s economy remains one of the strongest among major economies.

Positive indicators include:

Strong private consumption
Healthy manufacturing activity
Continued infrastructure investment
Resilient construction sector
Strong services exports
Recovery in merchandise exports
Robust bank credit growth

However, the central bank cautioned that:

Uneven southwest monsoon
El Niño conditions
Supply chain disruptions
Rising energy prices

could affect agricultural output and rural demand.

Why RBI Retained the Neutral Stance

The Monetary Policy Committee retained the Neutral stance because:

Inflation is expected to rise temporarily due to supply-side factors.
Core inflation remains under control.
Growth is likely to moderate compared to the previous year.
The evolving domestic and global environment requires flexibility in future policy decisions.

The RBI stated that future policy actions will depend on how inflation and growth evolve over the coming months.

Current Members of the RBI Monetary Policy Committee (2026)

RBI Internal Members

Member	Designation
Shri Sanjay Malhotra	Governor, RBI (Chairperson)
Dr. Poonam Gupta	Deputy Governor (Monetary Policy)
Shri Indranil Bhattacharyya	RBI Nominee

Central Government Appointed Members

Member	Designation
Dr. Nagesh Kumar	Economist
Shri Saugata Bhattacharya	Economist
Prof. Ram Singh	Director, Delhi School of Economics

Note: External members are appointed by the Central Government for a fixed term of four years and are not eligible for reappointment.

Next RBI Monetary Policy Meeting

The RBI announced that the next Monetary Policy Committee meeting will be held from October 5 to October 7, 2026.

UP Supplementary Budget 2026-27: ₹59,019 Crore Budget Presented; Check Total Size, Major Allocations and Key Highlights

The State of Uttar Pradesh has introduced the supplementary budget of ₹59,019.54 Crore, its major focus on infrastructure development, employment generation, health care, education, agriculture, and rural development for the fiscal year 2026-27. Finance Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna introduced this supplementary budget in the Uttar Pradesh assembly.

This comes just before the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections and aims to provide additional funds for ongoing investment projects and stimulate capital expenditure and enhance the development agenda of the state. Almost 70% of the allocation will go towards the capital expenditure as the government has intended to prioritize large scale infrastructure capabilities rather than the regular administrative expenditures.

UP’s Additional Budget for the Year 2026-27 in Overview

This additional budget is an addition to and a continuation of the state’s annual budget of ₹9,12,696.35 crore submitted before for the financial year 2026-27.

Key Budget Features

Overall Additional Budget: ₹59,019.54 crore
Capital Expenditure: ₹41,620.04 crore
Expenditure on Revenue: ₹17,399.50 crore
Help from Indian Government: ₹11,240.97 crore
Net Load on State’s Treasury: ₹47,778.57 crore

The significant thrust behind the budget is the creation of lasting properties, infrastructure improvement, and sponsorship of various development programs.

Capital Expenditure As Top Priority

The primary focus of the additional budget is its emphasis on capital expenditures.

The total allocation includes,

₹41,620.04 crore (70.5%) of the total allocated for capital spending.
₹17,399.50 crore (29.5%) has been allocated as a revenue expense.

Capital spending is related to investments in the construction of roads, industrial infrastructure, public utilities, education, and healthcare facilities.

As per the Finance Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna, prioritizing capital spending will boost infrastructure development and overall economic activity in the state.

Major Sector-Wise Allocations

The extra budget features additional financial allocations among several key sectors.

1. Development of Industry, Infrastructure and Energy.

The government has made significant investment towards industrial growth and infrastructure.

Heavy and Medium Industries.

Revenue Allocation: ₹130.30 crore.
Capital Allocation: ₹20,905.88 crore.

The budget aims to improve manufacturing capabilities, industrial infrastructure and promotion of investment.

Rural Development

Revenue Allocation: ₹8.10 crore
Capital Allocation: ₹14,184.72 crore

The focus is to establish rural infrastructure and connectivity and rural development programs.

Electricity and Energy

Revenue Allocation: ₹7,022.27 crore
Capital Allocation: ₹400 crore

This financial allocation would assist in establishing proper electricity distribution systems, management of electricity and development of energy sector activities.

Panchayati Raj

Revenue Allocation: ₹15.63 crore
Capital Allocation: ₹139.98 crore

The fund is aimed at the strengthening self-governing institutions.

Handloom and Textiles

Revenue Allocation: ₹1.50 crore
Capital Allocation: ₹125 crore

It aims at enhancing textile production and development of handloom industry.

Agriculture & other associated fields

Agriculture continues to be given due support via supplementary budget.

Agriculture

Revenue Provision: ₹13.24 crore
Capital Provision: ₹159 crore

This funding will allow for the agricultural development plans and enhancement of productivity.

Horticulture and Food Processing

Revenue Provision: ₹24.48 crore
Capital Provision: ₹10.05 crore

The Government is working on improving the production of horticulture and food processing system.

Animal Husbandry and Dairy

Animal Husbandry Revenue: ₹2.50 crore
Dairy Revenue: ₹204.25 crore
Capital Provision: ₹44.87 crore

This funding will enable livestock development, dairy infrastructure, and animal health service plans.

Fisheries

Revenue Provision: ₹3 crore
Capital Provision: ₹6 crore

The Government is trying to boost the fisheries sector and manage aquatic resources effectively.

Healthcare and Medical Education

The topic of healthcare is also an important topic in the supplementary budget.

Allopathy Medical Sector

Revenue Allocation: ₹1,100 crore
Capital Allocation: ₹96 crore

The allocation of funds helps deliver support to hospitals, medical institutions and healthcare systems.

Family Welfare

Revenue Allocation: ₹704.25 crore

Additional support is allocated to the obligation of maternal care, child welfare and public health.

Public Health

Revenue Allocation: ₹20.15 crore
Capital Allocation: ₹40.50 crore

The allocated sum enhances preventive medicine and public health services.

Ayurveda and Unani

Revenue Allocation: ₹25 lakh
Capital Allocation: ₹23 crore

The budget also helps advance traditional Indian medicine with support of the infrastructure development.

Education Sector Gets a Big Boom

The education infrastructure has received a boost with allocations.

Technical Education

Capital Allocated: ₹521.14 crore

This is the highest allocation made in the education sector, which will help in developing the technical institutions and skill development.

School Education

Primary Education: ₹351.25 crore
Secondary Education: ₹74.50 crore

These allocations are made to enhance the school infrastructure and educational facilities.

Higher Education and Culture

Higher Education: ₹5 crore
Vocational Education: ₹1.98 crore
Culture: ₹2.43 crore

The allocations are meant for strengthening the institutions of higher education, vocational education, and cultural programs.

Central Government Assistance

Help from Central Government In the supplementary budget, the Central Government provides financial assistance of ₹11,240.97 crore.

Once this support is taken into consideration, the net additional burden of the state comes to ₹47,778.57 crore.

The assistance makes possible the financing of important infrastructure and welfare activities in Uttar Pradesh while ensuring fiscal discipline.

Veteran Actor Pradeep Rawat Dies at 74 After Battling Blood Cancer

Veteran actor Pradeep Rawat, remembered for his remarkable performances in several films like Lagaan, Sarfarosh, and Ghajini was passed away on August 4th, 2026, at the age of 74 years old after fighting with the blood cancer. The reports suggest that the actor was receiving treatment in Mumbai’s Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital before he was transferred to another hospital, where he left us. Rawat has left a long legacy of an astounding career, which goes back over 40 years, encompassing multiple Indian film industries.

Pradeep Rawat Veteran Actor Passed Away

Pradeep Rawat’s passing has left an end of an illustrious journey in the industry, having earned him fame in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil and many other regional film industries.

Rawat has been known for doing exhilarating roles of severe villains and strong characters who help the protagonists.

The sad news has brought innumerable remembrances of colleagues, directors, and fans who will remember him as one of the most spectacular stars.

Who was Pradeep Rawat?

Pradeep Rawat was born on January 21, 1952, in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh. He began his career in film acting in Hindi cinema before appearing on the television screen and getting recognition across the country.

One of his earliest and most famous roles came when he played Ashwatthama in the popular B. R. Chopra show Mahabharat which paved his way into the living rooms of millions of Indians.

He made his debut in Hindi cinema with Meri Jung (1985) and over time gained recognition as an actor who could portray a variety of roles with equal finesse, be it in a negative role or character role.

The Most Famous Films of Pradeep Rawat

During his career, Rawat acted in numerous critically acclaimed and successful commercial productions.

The most notable films feature,

Sarfarosh (1999) where he portrayed Sultan in a memorable performance.
Lagaan (2001) featuring Deva Singh Sodhi, one of the leading Indian associates of the British group.
The Hero: Love Story of a Spy (2003)
Ghajini (2008), performed as the main villain in the Hindi remake after appearing in the original Tamil version.
Grand Masti (2013)
Singh Is Bliing (2015)
Chhaava (2025)

His roles in Sarfarosh, Lagaan and Ghajini continue to be remembered for the long time.

Long Career Across Indian Film Industry

Whereas Rawat gained popularity in Bollywood, he was also a famous name in Telugu film industry.

His first Telugu movie was Sye, under S. S. Rajamouli where he got a Filmfare Award for Best Villain in Telugu.

He worked in some successful Telugu movies like,

Chatrapathi
Stalin
Nenokkadine
Nenu Sailaja

Apart from Telugu films, Rawat also appeared in a number of Tamil films and worked in Kannada, Malayalam, Bengali, Marathi, and Bhojpuri films, establishing him as one of the few actors with a true pan-Indian career.