Presidential Palace Durbar Hall, Ashok Hall Name Change:
- President Droupadi Murmu has decided to rename the two important halls of the President’s House, ‘Durbar Hall’ and ‘Ashok Hall’ as ‘Ganatantra Mandap’ and ‘Ashok Mandap’ respectively.
- The Durbar Hall is the venue for important ceremonies and celebrations such as the presentation of national awards.
- Ganatantra means republic, people’s rule.
- Ashok Hall was originally a dance hall known as a ‘ballroom’.
- The word Ashoka means “free from all suffering” or “free from any sorrow”.
- Ashoka refers to Emperor Ashoka, a symbol of harmony, peaceful living.
- The Mughal Garden of the President’s House was renamed ‘Amriti Udyan’.
Power to state governments to levy tax on mineral resources: Supreme Court
- The Supreme Court has ruled that state governments have the power to levy taxes on mineral resources.
- Parliament has no power to lay down mineral resources under Schedule 2, Article 50 of the Constitution.
- Royalty received from central government for mineral resources in states cannot be treated as tax.
- State governments have the power to levy taxes on mineral resources.
- The Mines, Minerals Development and Regulatory Act contains no clauses restricting the rights of States.
- 9-judge bench headed by Supreme Court Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud delivered the verdict.
Permanent Career Development Center in Coimbatore:
- Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said that a permanent industrial development center will be set up in Coimbatore on behalf of the Madhya Pradesh state government.
- Tirupur is a major textile manufacturing center in Asia.
- Tamil Nadu is leading in the production of automobiles, engineering and pump sets.
- A permanent industrial development center is to be set up in Coimbatore to connect the industries of Tamil Nadu with Madhya Pradesh.
- Major textile companies have invested in Madhya Pradesh due to cotton production and attractive financial returns.
- A new plant will be set up in Indore to promote the production of electric vehicles.
‘Tamil Puthalvan’ Scheme:
- The Tamil Nadu government has announced that the Tamil Nadu scheme, which will provide Rs 1,000 per month to college students, will increase the demand for higher education by 10 percent.
- The Tamil Puthalvan scheme will come into effect next month.
- It has been found that the number of students who will be enrolled in the Tamil Puthalvan scheme will be approximately 3.28 lakh.
- Rs 1,000 per month will be given to the students studying higher education in government and government-aided schools from class 6 to 12.
- No matter how many students are eligible from the same family, everyone can benefit under the scheme.
July 26: Kargil Vijay Diwas
- After the success of Operation Vijay, Kargil was named Vijay Diwas.
- On July 26, 1999, India successfully captured the highest areas occupied by Pakistani invaders.
July 26: International Day for Wetland Forest Environment
- In 2015 the International Day for the Mangrove Environment was adopted by the General Conference of UNESCO and is observed on 26 July every year.
- It is observed to raise awareness about the importance of unique, special and vulnerable mangrove forests and to establish solutions for sustainable management, conservation and uses of mangrove forests.
Important Facts:
- The 22nd Annual India-Russia Summit was held in Russia.
- UN warns of discrimination and violence against minorities in India Human rights group expressed concern.
- The Judicial Commission meeting will be held on July 27 in Delhi.
- At Dr. Rajendra Prasad Kendriya Vidyalaya School, President Droupadi Murmu took over as teacher for a day and interacted with the students.
- Trichy Railway Line has set a record in freight services.
- The 35th Conference of South Indian Urology Surgeons is going to be held in Madurai.
- Global Muthamizh Murugan Conference will be held in Palani on August 24 and 25.
- The Global Investors Conference 2025 is scheduled to be held on February 7, Bhopal.