The Ministry of Home Affairs reported that 12,898 beneficiaries currently receive pensions under the Swatantrata Sainik Samman Yojana, comprising 1,553 freedom fighters and 11,345 eligible dependents. Swatantrata Sainik Samman Yojana (SSSY) is a Central Sector Scheme administered by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). It provides Samman Pension to eligible Freedom Fighters and their eligible dependents. Pension is granted only after fulfilling the prescribed eligibility criteria and evidentiary requirements, through the concerned State Government.

DAANVEER is a citizen participation initiative launched by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj. It aims to strengthen the digital infrastructure of Gram Panchayats across India. It is a transparent, end-to-end digital and verifiable platform for citizen and organisational contributions. The platform enables support for the technology and infrastructure needs of Gram Panchayats. DAANVEER seeks to create a long-term citizen-powered ecosystem for strengthening local governance. It institutionalises the spirit of voluntarism through a structured and accountable mechanism.

Machilipatnam (BY 529), the 7th of 8 Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC), was launched on 29 July 2026. The ship has been built by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) for the Indian Navy. It is named after the historic port city of Machilipatnam in Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh, known for its rich maritime heritage. The vessel is designed for Underwater Surveillance, Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), Low Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO), and Mine Warfare. It will strengthen coastal defence and enhance Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA).

SHetA2 is a small molecule oral therapy developed to prevent HPV infection from progressing to cervical cancer. It is designed to treat HPV-induced cervical dysplasia (precancerous lesions) and cervical cancer. The therapy has been developed through collaboration between ICMR’s National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research (NICPR), India, and the University of Oklahoma’s Stephenson Cancer Center, USA. SHetA2 targets the proteins mortalin, hsc70, and Grp78, which help the HPV cancer-causing protein survive. The therapy is currently being evaluated in an oral capsule form.

A recent study identified the Soliga tribe of the Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple Wildlife Sanctuary (BRTWS) as a successful example of community-based conservation, highlighting the limitations of the fortress conservation approach. The term “Soliga” means “children of bamboo”, reflecting their close relationship with nature. They are an indigenous forest-dwelling tribe found mainly in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. They live around the Biligiri Rangana Hills and Male Mahadeshwara Hills. In 2011, the Soligas became the first tribal community living inside a tiger reserve to have their forest rights recognised by a court.