LEGAL NEWS

MSME Amendment Bill 2026 Introduced in Rajya Sabha

• The Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Amendment) Bill, 2026 was introduced in the Rajya Sabha on 28 July 2026 to amend the MSMED Act, 2006.

• The Bill focuses on delayed payments, dispute resolution, digital MSME registration, and graded penalties for specified offences.

• It proposes that Central Public Sector Enterprises settle MSME invoices through RBI-authorised Trade Receivables Discounting System (TReDS) platforms to improve MSMEs’ liquidity and working capital.

• TReDS is an electronic platform that enables MSMEs to obtain financing against their trade receivables through multiple financiers.

• The Bill provides that mediation in payment disputes should be completed within 90 days, while arbitration awards should be issued within 90 days after completion of pleadings.

• Courts may direct payment of at least 50% of the awarded amount to MSME suppliers where an application to set aside an order remains pending for more than six months.

• The Bill proposes a free and voluntary national digital platform for MSME registration and permits states to establish their own registration platforms; it also allows additional Micro and Small Enterprises Facilitation Councils.

• Mediated settlement agreements and arbitral awards may be recovered as arrears of land revenue and recognised under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016. The Bill also proposes decriminalisation of certain offences by replacing criminal fines with graded monetary penalties.

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Nature Conservation Day 2026

• World Nature Conservation Day is observed annually on 28 July to promote the protection of natural resources, biodiversity, and the environment.

• The National Zoological Park (Delhi Zoo) observed the day on 28 July 2026 through conservation awareness and visitor outreach activities.

• Around 35 sanitation workers participated in a plastic removal drive conducted across the zoo premises.

• Approximately 230 kg of plastic waste, including bottles and single-use plastic items, was collected during the drive.

• An interactive awareness session was organised for visitors on LiFE — Lifestyle for Environment, focusing on environmentally responsible daily practices.

• The session highlighted waste segregation and methods of converting waste into useful products, encouraging sustainable resource use.

• A doodle activity was also organised for visitors to spread awareness about nature conservation and sustainable living.

• The National Zoological Park uses such public-awareness initiatives to promote wildlife conservation, biodiversity protection, waste management, and environmentally responsible behaviour.

NATIONAL NEWS

President Murmu Launches New Initiatives at Rashtrapati Bhavan

• President Droupadi Murmu launched several public-centric and green initiatives at Rashtrapati Bhavan on 28 July 2026, marking four years in office.

• The initiatives included an e-Audio Guide, the third edition of e-Upahaar, Bachpan Bal Parisar, the Rashtrapati Bhavan Access and Heritage Interconnector (RAAHI), and a new service block under the Net Zero Energy Strategy.

• The e-Audio Guide is available in Hindi, English and 14 other Indian languages and also contains a sign-language module to improve accessibility.

• RAAHI is a fare-free electric bus service connecting the President’s Estate with the nearest Metro station. It is operated by women drivers and conductors.

• The third edition of e-Upahaar features 300 curated Presidential gifts for online public auction, scheduled from 5 August to 5 September 2026.

• Bachpan Bal Parisar, established for children residing in the President’s Estate, includes Kilkari play zone and Samarth Anganwadi-cum-Palna, a childcare and nurturing facility.

• A foundation stone was laid for a new service block under the Net Zero Energy Strategy, focusing on energy efficiency and environmental sustainability.

• Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan also released five publications documenting President Murmu’s tenure, including Rashtrapati Bhavan: Rashtra Ka Bhavan and Ama Rashtrapati – Ama Gourav.

India Becomes World’s Second-Largest Seafarer Supplier

• India became the world’s second-largest supplier of seafarers in 2026, with 311,936 maritime professionals, accounting for 12.16% of the global seafaring workforce.

• India ranked behind the Philippines, which remains the world’s largest supplier of seafarers, according to the BIMCO-ICS Seafarer Workforce Report 2026.

• India supplied 140,718 ship officers, representing 13.41% of the global officer workforce, and 171,218 ratings, representing 11.29% of global ratings.

• India’s share of the global seafaring workforce increased from 5.2% in 2015 to 6% in 2021 and further to 12.16% in 2026.

• The Indian officer-to-rating ratio changed significantly from 60:40 in 2010 to 35:65, compared with the global ratio of 45:55.

• The government’s Mission 20% aims to increase India’s share of the global seafaring workforce to 20% through expanded training, shipboard opportunities, and digital services.

• The number of distinct Indian seafarers increased from 62,267 in 2010 to 3,23,429 in 2025, while female participation rose from around 1,600 in 2021 to over 7,000 in 2025.

• In 2025, 1,125 Indian seafarers were abandoned out of 6,223 abandoned seafarers globally. India recorded the highest number of abandoned crew members worldwide for the third consecutive year.

STATE NEWS

Maharashtra Approves Special Courts Under NDPS and SC-ST Acts

• The Maharashtra Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, approved new courts on 28 July 2026 under the NDPS Act and SC-ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

• A special NDPS court was approved for Pune district, where around 1,425 NDPS cases were pending.

• The Cabinet sanctioned ₹1.26 crore for the Pune court, including one District and Additional Sessions Judge and seven support staff.

• Five exclusive special courts were approved under the SC-ST Act in Ahilyanagar, Parbhani, Solapur, Nanded, and Yavatmal.

• The State sanctioned ₹4.51 crore for the five SC-ST courts, with one judge for each court.

• Maharashtra had 17,023 pending SC-ST Act cases statewide; Ahilyanagar had 1,014 cases and Nanded had 735 pending cases.

• The NDPS Act, 1985 deals with narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, while the SC-ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 provides legal protection against atrocities against members of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

• The Cabinet also approved a District and Additional Sessions Court at Karjat in Ahilyanagar and a Junior Division Civil Court and Judicial Magistrate First Class Court at Kurduwadi in Solapur district.

Rajasthan’s Tiger Population Rises to 149

• Rajasthan’s tiger population reached 149 across its five tiger reserves as of 28 July 2026, rising from 135 in 2025.

• The state has five tiger reserves: Ranthambore, Sariska, Mukundara Hills, Ramgarh Vishdhari, and Dholpur-Karauli.

• Ranthambore Tiger Reserve recorded the highest population with 72 tigers, up from 66 in 2025, while Sariska recorded 56, compared with 50 in the previous year.

• 54 tigresses gave birth to 53 cubs across the five reserves in 2026, compared with 52 tigresses and 43 cubs in 2025.

• Of the 149 tigers, approximately 96 are adults, while the remaining population comprises cubs, indicating continued breeding success.

• Ranthambore has an estimated carrying capacity of 40–50 tigers, but its current population of 72 exceeds this estimate, increasing the likelihood of dispersal into adjoining forests.

• Project Tiger was launched in 1973 to conserve the Bengal tiger and its habitat, while tiger population estimation is conducted under the framework of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).

• International Tiger Day is observed annually on 29 July to raise awareness about tiger conservation. A separate estimate dated 29 July placed Rajasthan’s wild tiger population at 152, with 15 tigers in captivity, taking the total to 167.

SPORTS

16th Hockey India Junior Men National Championship 2026

• The 16th Hockey India Junior Men National Championship 2026 began on 28 July 2026 in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.

• The championship features 30 teams competing across Division A, Division B and Division C.

• Division A generally comprises stronger teams, while Divisions B and C provide competitive pathways through the divisional structure.

• In Division B, Hockey Himachal defeated Hockey Maharashtra 1–0, with Shubhdeep Singh scoring the only goal.

• Hockey Uttarakhand defeated Kerala Hockey 5–2, while Hockey Andhra Pradesh beat Bihar 2–1.

• Hockey Chandigarh recorded a dominant 9–2 victory over Chhattisgarh Hockey, with Gurpreet Singh scoring five goals.

• In Division C, Goans Hockey and Hockey Rajasthan played out a 3–3 draw, while Le Puducherry Hockey defeated Hockey Gujarat 10–0.

• The championship is an important platform for identifying and developing junior players for India’s national hockey pathway, with pool-based matches and goal difference influencing standings.