LEGAL NEWS

Rajya Sabha Passes Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026

• The Rajya Sabha passed the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026 on 29 July 2026, amending the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971.

• The amendment extends legal protection to the national song, Vande Mataram, alongside the national anthem, Jana Gana Mana.

• The law provides that intentionally preventing or disrupting the singing of Vande Mataram is punishable with up to three years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both.

• The Bill was introduced in the Rajya Sabha on 24 July 2026 by Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai.

• It was passed by voice vote after a walkout by most opposition members during the proceedings.

• Vande Mataram, written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, first appeared in the novel Anandamath (1882), while Jana Gana Mana was adopted as India’s national anthem on 24 January 1950.

• The amendment was introduced during the 150th anniversary celebrations of Vande Mataram and grants it statutory recognition under the 1971 Act.

• The Bill also makes the playing of Vande Mataram mandatory during official events in State Legislative Assemblies.

Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2026

• The Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2026 was introduced in the Lok Sabha on 29 July 2026 by Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai.

• The Bill seeks to amend the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969, the principal law governing the compulsory registration of births and deaths in India.

• For registrations delayed by 1–2 years, approval will continue to require a District Magistrate, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, or Executive Magistrate.

• For delays of more than 2 years, the Bill proposes that approval must be obtained from a First-Class Judicial Magistrate.

• The amendment shifts the approval authority for delays beyond two years from the executive to the judiciary.

• The designated authority must verify the authenticity and correctness of the birth or death before permitting delayed registration.

• A prescribed fee will be applicable for all delayed registrations, with the amount to be notified through rules under the Act.

• The Union Cabinet approved the Bill on 20 July 2026, aiming to strengthen India’s civil registration system through stricter verification and procedural safeguards.

Extension to JPC on One Nation, One Election

• The Lok Sabha extended the tenure of the 41-member Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on 29 July 2026 to continue examining the One Nation, One Election proposal.

• The JPC is scrutinising the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024, which proposes simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha, State Legislative Assemblies, and local bodies.

• A Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) consists of members from both Houses of Parliament and examines Bills and important policy matters in detail.

• The proposal aims to synchronise elections across the country to reduce the frequency of polls and improve administrative efficiency.

• JPC Chairman P.P. Chaudhary moved the resolution for extension, which was approved by the Lok Sabha through a voice vote.

• The committee has been conducting nationwide consultations with stakeholders regarding the proposed electoral reforms.

• The committee is working towards a target implementation year of 2029, subject to legislative approval.

• The extension allows the JPC to submit its report by the first day of the last week of the upcoming Winter Session of Parliament.

APPOINTMENT

Ngulkham Jathom Gangte Appointed India’s Ambassador to Mexico

• Ngulkham Jathom Gangte, a 1994-batch Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer, was appointed as India’s next Ambassador to Mexico on 29 July 2026.

• Before this appointment, he was serving as Special Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

• An Ambassador heads an embassy and represents India in countries with which it maintains full diplomatic relations.

• The Indian Foreign Service (IFS) manages India’s foreign policy, diplomatic relations, and consular affairs, with officers recruited through the UPSC Civil Services Examination.

• Gangte served as India’s Ambassador to Tunisia (from 2021) with concurrent accreditation to Libya.

• He was also High Commissioner to Zambia (2017–2021) and has served in Indian missions in Egypt, Morocco, Ireland, and Tanzania.

• High Commissioners are appointed between Commonwealth countries, while Ambassadors are posted to non-Commonwealth countries such as Mexico.

• India’s overseas diplomatic network includes embassies, high commissions, and consulates, all functioning under the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

STATE NEWS

Assam Land and Revenue Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2026

• The Assam Land and Revenue Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2026 was passed on 29 July 2026 to regulate land ownership and transactions around heritage and religious institutions.

• The Bill creates a protected heritage zone of up to 5 km around institutions that are at least 250 years old, irrespective of community.

• Within the protected zone, only original inhabitants, Scheduled Tribes (STs), Scheduled Castes (SCs), indigenous ethnic communities, and other specified disadvantaged groups can buy, sell, or possess land.

• The indigenous ethnic communities specifically recognised include Ahom, Moran, Motok, Chutia, and Koch Rajbonshi.

• An original inhabitant is defined as a person whose family has lived in the area for at least three generations as of 1 January 2006, with one generation legally treated as 25 years.

• The Bill empowers the District Commissioner to evict unauthorised occupants from the protected heritage area.

• Important heritage sites covered under the framework include Kamakhya Temple, Barpeta Satra, Majuli Sattras, and Poa Macca at Hajo.

• The amendment replaces an earlier 2024 law that never came into force by introducing a fixed cut-off date (1 January 2006) and a clear legal definition of a generation.

Rajasthan Executes India’s First Rare Earth Exploration Licence

• Rajasthan became the first state in India to execute an exploration licence for Rare Earth Elements (REEs) on 29 July 2026.

• The licence covers 207.63 sq km in the Navatala–Devigarh (Pachpadra) region of Balotra district and Shergarh tehsil of Jodhpur district.

• Rare Earth Elements (REEs) comprise 17 metallic elements—the 15 lanthanides, scandium, and yttrium. The block contains lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, and neodymium.

• The exploration licence was granted to Central Mine Planning and Design Institute Limited (CMPDI) and executed by the Rajasthan Department of Mines and Geology.

• An exploration licence authorises prospecting and geological investigation before commercial mineral extraction.

• This is the first exploration licence agreement signed under India’s new critical minerals regulatory framework.

• The Union Government began auctioning critical and strategic mineral blocks in 2024, followed by the first exploration licence auctions in 2025.

• Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, who also holds the Mines portfolio, oversaw the initiative aimed at strengthening India’s critical mineral security.

India’s First Telecom Manufacturing Zone (TMZ) in Gwalior

• India’s first dedicated Telecom Manufacturing Zone (TMZ) will be established in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, following an MoU signed on 30 July 2026 between the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Government of Madhya Pradesh.

• The TMZ will serve as a specialised manufacturing hub for telecom equipment, data centres, semiconductor-linked hardware, and allied technologies.

• The project follows a plug-and-play model, providing ready industrial infrastructure for manufacturing units.

• The Central Government has approved ₹493 crore for Phase I, while the State Government will provide land for the project.

• The zone is expected to attract ₹12,000–15,000 crore in investment and generate around 5,000 direct jobs.

• The initiative supports Aatmanirbhar Bharat by promoting indigenous telecom design, manufacturing, and supply chains.

• The project was announced by Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, in the presence of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and Minister of State Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani.

• The Department of Telecommunications (DoT), under the Ministry of Communications, is responsible for telecom policy, licensing, and sectoral development in India.

NATIONAL NEWS

Nasha Mukta Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyaan

• The Nasha Mukta Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyaan is a 100-week nationwide youth mobilisation campaign scheduled to launch on 2 August 2026.

• The campaign is organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports through MY Bharat to promote the vision of a drug-free India (Nasha Mukt Bharat).

• More than 1 crore youth are expected to take the Nasha Mukti Pledge at nearly 10,000 locations across the country during the launch.

• Participants include MY Bharat Volunteers, National Service Scheme (NSS), Youth Clubs, Schools, Colleges, Universities, NGOs, Industrial Associations, and over 125 spiritual organisations.

• The campaign follows a Jan Bhagidari (people’s participation) approach to encourage community-led anti-drug awareness.

• Weekly activities will be organised every Sunday for 100 weeks, including sports events, walkathons, meditation, cultural programmes, art competitions, and street plays.

• Outstanding volunteers and organisations will be recognised at the 50th, 75th, and 100th week milestones for their contributions.

• The initiative supports the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision by combining youth engagement, community participation, and anti-drug awareness.

DAANVEER: Digital Infrastructure Initiative for Gram Panchayats

• The Ministry of Panchayati Raj launched DAANVEER on 29 July 2026 in New Delhi to strengthen the digital infrastructure of Gram Panchayats.

• The platform operates through the Meri Panchayat mobile application and enables citizens and organisations to donate quality-verified computer bundles to eligible Gram Panchayats.

• DAANVEER aims to support the digital needs of nearly 2.5 lakh Gram Panchayats, the lowest tier of the Panchayati Raj system.

• The platform integrates the Meri Panchayat app with the DigiHaat marketplace, allowing donors to select pre-approved computer bundles based on state-specific technical standards.

• The initiative was developed in collaboration with the National Informatics Centre (NIC) and DigiHaat, ensuring a transparent and technology-driven donation process.

• Vivek Bharadwaj, Secretary of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, inaugurated the platform and linked it to the Digital India and Viksit Bharat vision.

• Gram Panchayats function under Part IX of the Constitution, while the National Informatics Centre (NIC) operates under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).

• DAANVEER promotes a structured partnership model, enabling individuals and organisations to contribute verified digital equipment instead of unstructured donations.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Russia Charges Telegram Founder Pavel Durov

• Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) charged Pavel Durov, founder of Telegram, on 29 July 2026 under Article 205.1 (Part 1.1) of the Russian Criminal Code for allegedly aiding terrorist activities.

• The FSB also placed Durov on an international wanted list over the allegations.

• Article 205.1 deals with assistance to terrorist activities, including support, recruitment, financing, and related offences under Russian law.

• The FSB accused Telegram of failing to remove channels, chats, and bots allegedly used for terrorism, sabotage, cyberfraud, and extremist activities.

• Pavel Durov, a dual citizen of France and the United Arab Emirates, resides in Dubai, where Telegram is headquartered.

• Telegram, launched in 2013 by Pavel and Nikolai Durov, is a cloud-based messaging platform featuring channels, groups, bots, and encrypted secret chats.

• Durov was arrested in Paris in 2024 over allegations concerning Telegram’s misuse for illicit activities and returned to Dubai in March 2025.

• The case reflects Russia’s increased regulation of digital platforms and tighter internet controls following the 2022 Russia–Ukraine conflict.