National and International Affairs
Amit Shah approves advance release of Rs 2,117.85 crore SDRF for flood-hit States
1 August 2026 | Press Information Bureau
This item is carried forward from 1 August 2026 (PIB posted it that evening). Union Home Minister Amit Shah approved the advance release of Rs 2,117.85 crore from the Central share of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) to States affected by floods during the southwest monsoon of 2026.
PIB said Inter-Ministerial Central Teams (IMCTs) were deputed to Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, with two IMCT visits in Assam, and an IMCT is being constituted for Nagaland. Of the seven affected States, Himachal Pradesh, Odisha and Nagaland had already received the first instalment of SDRF for 2026-27.
Key facts- Advance SDRF release: Rs 2,117.85 crore
- Approved by: Union Home Minister Amit Shah
- IMCTs deputed to: Arunachal Pradesh and Assam
- Affected States: seven
Exam takeaway: SDRF is the State Disaster Response Fund, with a Central share.
Quick revision: Advance SDRF release Rs 2,117.85 crore (PIB, 1 August 2026).
Press Information Bureau original sourceAppointments, Awards and Important Days
Varsha Ashok Aglawe becomes first woman Director General of the Geological Survey of India
31 July 2026 | Press Information Bureau
This item is carried forward from 31 July 2026. PIB said Smt Varsha Ashok Aglawe assumed charge as the 54th Director General of the Geological Survey of India (GSI), becoming the first woman to head the organisation in its 176-year history.
She succeeds Shri Asit Saha as Director General.
Key facts- Appointed: Varsha Ashok Aglawe, 54th DG, GSI
- First woman to head GSI in its 176-year history
- Predecessor: Asit Saha
- Date: 31 July 2026
Exam takeaway: GSI is India's premier geoscientific organisation.
Quick revision: Varsha Aglawe first woman GSI Director General (PIB, 31 July 2026).
Press Information Bureau original sourceReports, Indices, Science and Technology
India's solar capacity reaches 162.15 GW till 30 June 2026
2 August 2026 | Press Information Bureau
A PIB explainer of 2 August 2026 says India's solar capacity has grown from about 3 GW in 2014 to 162.15 GW till 30 June 2026, more than fiftyfold, forming the largest share of renewable capacity.
It notes the approval of the Pradhan Mantri Surya Sarovar Yojana (PM-SSY), which aims to develop 5,000 MW of floating solar capacity backed by energy storage.
Key facts- Solar capacity: 162.15 GW till 30 June 2026
- Capacity in 2014: about 3 GW
- Growth: more than fiftyfold
- PM-SSY target: 5,000 MW floating solar with storage
Exam takeaway: Solar forms the largest share of India's renewable capacity.
Quick revision: India's solar capacity 162.15 GW (PIB, 2 August 2026).
Press Information Bureau original source