MockSutraCurrent Affairs

MoPR Launches Atmanirbhar Panchayat Programme, SAMARTH Portal and Model OSR Rules

30 July 2026National

Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR), launched the Atmanirbhar Panchayat Programme, the SAMARTH Panchayat Portal and released the Model Own Source of Revenue (OSR) Rules at Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi. The initiative aims to strengthen the financial autonomy, digital governance and revenue-generation capacity of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), in line with Viksit Bharat @2047. The Atmanirbhar Panchayat Programme helps Gram Panchayats and Block Panchayats identify local assets and convert them into sustainable, revenue-generating projects to strengthen their OSR. The SAMARTH Panchayat Portal is described as India's first unified digital platform for end-to-end management of Panchayat OSR. The Model OSR Rules give States and UTs an advisory framework to strengthen assessment, collection and management of Panchayat revenues, including property tax, user charges and fees.

Static GK

Panchayati Raj given constitutional status by the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992 | Part IX, Article 243 of the Constitution | Three-tier structure: Gram, Block (Panchayat Samiti) and Zila Parishad | National Panchayati Raj Day: 24 April

⚡ Quick Revision

MoPR launched the Atmanirbhar Panchayat Programme, the SAMARTH Portal (India's first unified Panchayat OSR platform) and Model OSR Rules to boost the financial self-reliance of PRIs.

More Polity Current Affairs

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 by a voice vote on 29 July 2026 (amid Opposition walkouts). The Bill amends the parent Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 to extend its penal provisions to acts of intentional disrespect, obstruction or insult towards the national song ##Vande Mataram## - placing it on the same legal footing as the national anthem Jana Gana Mana. It was introduced in the Rajya Sabha on 24 July 2026 as Bill No. LIX of 2026. Under the parent Act, offences are punishable with imprisonment up to three years, or fine, or both, and a second/subsequent conviction carries a minimum of one year's imprisonment. The Minister of State for Home said the amendment reflects the nation's collective commitment to its cultural heritage and the ideals of the freedom struggle. Vande Mataram, written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay in his 1882 novel Anandamath, was adopted as the National Song by the Constituent Assembly on 24 January 1950.

GK ByteVande Mataram written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay (1882, in novel Anandamath) | Adopted as National Song on 24 January 1950 | National Honour Act enacted 1971 | Jana Gana Mana (Tagore) adopted as National Anthem 24 Jan 1950
📅 31 Jul 2026PolityRead complete →

PM Modi Constitutes Exam Reform Task Force Led by Nandan Nilekani

Prime Minister Narendra Modi constituted a six-member high-powered task force headed by Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani to recommend comprehensive reforms to India's examination system. The panel was formed in response to nationwide protests over exam paper leaks, particularly after the NEET-UG (National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test — Undergraduate) paper leak controversy. Other members include S. Somanath (former ISRO Chairman), Tapan Deka (former Intelligence Bureau Director), V. Kamakoti (Director, IIT Madras), Anita Karwal (former Education Secretary) and Amrit Lal Meena (logistics expert, former Coal Secretary). The task force will suggest measures to make examinations leak-proof, secure and technology-driven.

GK ByteInfosys founded: 1981 by N. R. Narayana Murthy, Nandan Nilekani & others | Nilekani was the first Chairman of UIDAI (Aadhaar) | ISRO HQ: Bengaluru | NEET is conducted by: National Testing Agency (NTA)
📅 29 Jul 2026PolityRead complete →

Govt Bars Telecom Infrastructure Providers from Storing Data Outside India

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) notified the Telecommunications (Authorisation for Telecommunication Network) Rules, 2026 (notification dated 20 July 2026), barring communication infrastructure providers - cloud-based telecom networks, mobile towers, satellite gateways - from storing or sharing telecom data outside India. Every new authorised entity must ensure that all telecom data, logs and information are stored within India, with no copies routed or shared abroad. The move advances data sovereignty and marks a transition from the old licensing regime to a regulatory framework under the Telecommunications Act, 2023.

GK ByteTelecommunications Act 2023 replaced the Indian Telegraph Act 1885 | TRAI (regulator) established: 1997 | Data localisation = storing data on servers physically inside the country
📅 25 Jul 2026PolityRead complete →

Vande Mataram Bill Introduced in Rajya Sabha to Criminalise Insults to the National Song

Union Home Minister Amit Shah introduced the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026 in the Rajya Sabha on 20 July 2026, the first day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament. What it does: The Bill amends the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, which currently criminalises acts of disrespect towards the National Flag, the Constitution of India and the National Anthem (Jana Gana Mana). The 2026 amendment extends the same statutory protection to the National Song, 'Vande Mataram'. Penalty: Under the existing Act, intentionally preventing the singing of the National Anthem or causing a disturbance to an assembly engaged in singing it is punishable with imprisonment of up to three years, or a fine, or both. The amendment makes the same penalties applicable to anyone who intentionally prevents or disturbs the singing of Vande Mataram. Significance: The Bill is introduced in the 150th anniversary year of the composition of Vande Mataram by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay in 1876.

GK ByteVande Mataram composed by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay in 1876; published in his novel Anandamath (1882) | First sung at the 1896 Calcutta session of the Indian National Congress by Rabindranath Tagore | Adopted as National Song on 24 January 1950 by the Constituent Assembly, given equal status with the National Anthem | National Anthem Jana Gana Mana written by Rabindranath Tagore, adopted 24 January 1950; playing time 52 seconds
📅 21 Jul 2026PolityRead complete →