India's Critical Minerals Mission
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Current affairsMines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act 2026: Centre Restricts State Mineral Tax Powers, Voids Pending LeviesParliament passed the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill on 13 August 2026, restricting state governments from levying taxes or cesses on mineral rights and mineral-bearing lands, and voiding all uncollected state mineral levies — a direct legislative response to the Supreme Court's landmark nine-judge bench ruling in the Mineral Area Development Authority v Steel Authority of India case (July 2024). Current affairsIndia Records Highest-Ever Monthly EV Sales in July 2026 — 3.28 Lakh Units, Up 66% YoYIndia registered its highest-ever monthly electric vehicle (EV) retail sales of 3,27,901 units in July 2026, up 66% year-on-year, according to data released by the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA). Electric vehicles now account for approximately one in every eight vehicles sold in India. Electric two-wheelers crossed the two-lakh mark for the first time, while electric passenger vehicles grew 83% year-on-year.