Daily current affairs for UPSC, SSC, BPSC, Railway and all competitive exams
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Topic-wise Current Affairs
July 2026 — 13 Categories
MNREGA provides critical income support in rural areas during the Kharif agricultural season (July-October). States with high MNREGA demand include Rajasthan, UP, Bihar, MP, and Odisha. Work weeks generated are a key welfare metric tracked monthly.
Exam Tip: MNREGA: Person-days of work generated (2024-25): ~200+ crore. Average wage rate: ~₹237/day (varies by state). Highest demand states: Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh. Transparency: Every gram panchayat must post muster rolls online.
Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) provides solar pumps and grid-connected solar power to farmers. Component A: Solar power plants; Component B: Solar pumps (standalone); Component C: Grid-connected pumps. Target: 35 lakh solar pumps.
Exam Tip: PM-KUSUM: Launched 2019. Target: 35 lakh agricultural solar pumps + 10,000 MW solar capacity on barren land. 60% subsidy (Centre + State + Farmer 10%). Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE). Helps farmers reduce diesel costs.
National Health Mission (NHM) continues strengthening rural health infrastructure through Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs), Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, and expansion of free diagnostics, medicines, and teleconsultation services at PHCs and SHCs.
Exam Tip: NHM: Launched 2013. Subsumed NRHM (2005) + NUHM. HWCs/Ayushman Arogya Mandirs: 1.6 lakh target. PHC: Primary Health Centre (serves 20,000-30,000 rural population). CHC: Community Health Centre (4 PHCs). 3-tier healthcare: SHC → PHC → CHC.
July 1 marks GST Day, commemorating the launch of Goods and Services Tax in 2017. The day is observed by CBIC with events highlighting GST's transformative impact on India's indirect tax system. GST replaced 17+ central and state levies with a unified tax.
Exam Tip: GST Day: July 1 (since 2018). GST replaced: Excise duty, service tax, VAT, CST, entry tax, octroi among others. GST Council: 55th and ongoing meetings review rates. GST Council Article: 279A. Dual GST: First country to implement (Canada had separate federal/provincial).
Van Mahotsav (Forest Festival) is celebrated in the first week of July every year since 1950. Initiated by K.M. Munshi (Union Agriculture Minister), it aims to create awareness about tree plantation. Millions of saplings are planted across India.
Exam Tip: Van Mahotsav: First week of July (since 1950). Initiated by K.M. Munshi. India forest cover (2023): 21.76% of geographical area. FSI: Forest Survey of India (under MoEFCC). State Forest Report: Every 2 years.
The Delimitation Commission, constituted under the Delimitation Act, reviews parliamentary and assembly constituency boundaries based on census population data. Constitutional freeze on Lok Sabha seat enhancement was until 2026 (now extended to post-2031 census).
Exam Tip: Delimitation: Under Article 82 (post census). Delimitation Commission: Statutory body. Lok Sabha seats: Currently 543 (frozen since 1976 till post-2031 census). Delimitation done: 1952, 1963, 1973, 2002. 2026 delimitation: Postponed to after 2031 census.
India participates in BRICS summits contributing to discussions on de-dollarisation, reformed multilateralism, digital public infrastructure (UPI as model), green energy transition, and Global South development finance through New Development Bank.
Exam Tip: BRICS+: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa + Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, UAE. NDB (New Development Bank): HQ Shanghai. BRICS Presidency 2025: Brazil. 2024 expanded to include 4 new members formally.
India-Russia bilateral trade surpasses $60+ billion following oil discount purchases (Russia's largest oil buyer). Rupee-Rouble trade mechanisms are being developed. Indian companies invest in Russian energy projects despite Western sanctions pressure.
Exam Tip: India-Russia: Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership (2010). India's Russia oil imports: Scaled from 2% (2021) to 40% (2024). Russia: India's top crude supplier. India avoided sanctioning Russia (CAATSA waiver). S-400 deal: $5.43 billion.
India-China border talks continue under WMCC (Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs) and Corps Commander talks. Post-Galwan disengagement (June 2020) at multiple friction points along the LAC is monitored.
Exam Tip: LAC: Line of Actual Control (3,488 km). Galwan Valley clash: June 15, 2020 (20 Indian soldiers killed). Western Sector (Ladakh): Most contentious. WMCC: Diplomatic mechanism. Senior-level meetings: National Security Advisors + Foreign Ministers.
Income Tax advance tax payment deadlines (15% by June 15, 45% by September 15) track corporate and individual tax compliance. Income Tax Department monitors advance tax trends as an early indicator of economic performance.
Exam Tip: Advance Tax: Applicable if tax liability > ₹10,000. Schedule: June 15 (15%), Sept 15 (45%), Dec 15 (75%), March 15 (100%). CBDT: Central Board of Direct Taxes (under Finance Ministry). Income Tax Act: 1961.
Prime Minister's Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) provides credit-linked subsidy for setting up new MSMEs. Bankable projects up to ₹50 lakh (manufacturing) and ₹20 lakh (service) receive 15-35% subsidy. KVIC implements the scheme.
Exam Tip: PMEGP: Launched 2008. Nodal agency: KVIC (Khadi and Village Industries Commission). Project cost: up to ₹50L (mfg), ₹20L (service). Subsidy: 15-35% (varies by category, urban/rural). MUDRA: Another MSME lending scheme.
India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) leverages the postal network (1.55 lakh post offices, 3 lakh postmen) to deliver banking services in rural and semi-urban areas. IPPB provides savings accounts, direct benefit transfers, QR-based payments, and insurance.
Exam Tip: IPPB: Launched September 1, 2018. 100% GoI ownership. 1.55 lakh access points. DBT: Direct Benefit Transfer delivered through IPPB. Doorstep banking via 3 lakh postmen/grameen dak sevaks. Payments Bank: Cannot lend; deposits up to ₹2 lakh.
Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) provides refinancing and direct lending to MSMEs. SIDBI's MSME Pulse quarterly report tracks MSME credit trends. MUDRA (Micro Units Development & Refinance Agency) operates under SIDBI.
Exam Tip: SIDBI: Established April 2, 1990. HQ: Lucknow. MUDRA: Under SIDBI umbrella. PM SVANidhi: Through SIDBI's MFI network. MUDRA loan categories: Shishu (up to ₹50K), Kishore (₹50K-5L), Tarun (₹5L-10L). MUDRA Bank: Separate entity since 2015.
The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India is appointed by the President under Article 148. CAG audits Union, State, and UT accounts, provides independent audit of government expenditure. CAG reports are presented to Parliament/State Legislatures.
Exam Tip: CAG: Article 148-151. Tenure: 6 years OR 65 years (whichever earlier). Removed: Like SC judge. Reports: Presented to President → Laid before Parliament. OECD principle: CAG = Supreme Audit Institution (SAI). INTOSAI: International SAI body.
Indian musicians including Shankar Mahadevan, Ricky Kej (3-time Grammy winner), and classical fusion artists receive Grammy nominations and awards, raising the profile of Indian music globally. Ricky Kej won Grammy for Best New Age Album multiple times.
Exam Tip: Grammy: Recording Academy awards. Ricky Kej (Indian-American): 3 Grammys. First Indian Grammy: Pandit Ravi Shankar (1967). Shankar Ehsaan Loy: AR Rahman collaboration. Most Grammy wins ever: Beyoncé (30+).
India's BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment, and Employment) Policy drives biomanufacturing of sustainable chemicals, materials, enzymes, and biofuels. India targets a $300 billion bioeconomy by 2030. Biotech parks and innovation hubs are established.
Exam Tip: BioE3: Approved August 2024. DBT (Department of Biotechnology) leads. India bioeconomy: $180 billion (2024) → $300 billion (2030). Applications: Biofuels, bioplastics, biosimilars, green chemicals. BIRAC: Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council.
National Quantum Mission (NQM) advances quantum computing, communication, sensing, and materials. Phase II sees deployment of intermediate-scale quantum computers (50-1000 qubits) and quantum key distribution (QKD) networks between select cities.
Exam Tip: NQM: Approved April 2023. Budget: ₹6,003 crore over 8 years. 4 Thematic Hubs (T-Hubs). Quantum computing: 50-1000 logical qubits by 2031. QKD: Quantum secure communication. DST leads NQM. Applications: Cryptography, drug discovery, weather modelling.
Kargil Vijay Diwas is observed on July 26 every year, commemorating India's victory in the Kargil War (Operation Vijay) against Pakistan-backed infiltrators in 1999. The day honours the bravery of Indian soldiers who recaptured strategic peaks in Jammu & Kashmir.
Exam Tip: Kargil Vijay Diwas: July 26. Kargil War: May-July 1999 (Operation Vijay). India recaptured: Tiger Hill, Tololing, Point 4875. PM: Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Army Chief: Gen VP Malik. Pakistan denied involvement initially. Simla Agreement (1972) LOC.
India's positive indigenisation list (negative import list) has 310+ defence items that cannot be imported, driving domestic procurement. HAL, BEL, BEML, Mazagon Dock, and private players (L&T, Tata Advanced Systems) produce these items.
Exam Tip: Positive indigenisation (negative import list): Items that must be bought domestically. Now 310+ items. Separate list for ammunition/explosives. Defence exports target: ₹50,000 crore by 2028-29. 2024-25 exports: ₹21,000+ crore (record).
Central Water Commission (CWC) monitors flood levels in major rivers during the peak monsoon season. India's flood-prone areas (Brahmaputra, Ganga basin, coastal areas) receive priority attention. NDMA coordinates state disaster management authorities.
Exam Tip: CWC: Central Water Commission (under MoJS). Flood forecast: 25 river basins, 200+ stations. India flood-prone: ~12% area. NDMA: National Disaster Management Authority (DM Act 2005). SDMA: State-level. NDRF: National Disaster Response Force (paramilitary).
Project Cheetah continues with cheetahs at Kuno National Park (Madhya Pradesh). India reintroduced cheetahs from Namibia (September 2022) and South Africa (February 2023). Cheetah was declared extinct from India in 1952.
Exam Tip: Project Cheetah: World's largest wild cheetah translocation. Kuno NP: Madhya Pradesh. 20 Namibian cheetahs (Sept 2022) + 12 South African (Feb 2023). Cheetah extinct in India: 1952. India's Big Cats: Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Cheetah (now), Clouded Leopard.
India's strong performance at Paris Olympics 2024 (6 medals including Neeraj Chopra silver, Manu Bhaker bronze) sets the tone for LA 2028 preparations. India focuses on athletics, shooting, wrestling, boxing, and badminton for the next Olympic cycle.
Exam Tip: Paris 2024: India 6 medals — Neeraj (javelin silver), Manu Bhaker (10m pistol bronze + 10m mixed team bronze), Swapnil Kusale (rifle), Aman Sehrawat (wrestling). Best Olympic haul. LA 2028: Los Angeles. India target: 10+ medals at LA 2028.
India prepares for Commonwealth Games 2026 (Glasgow, Scotland) targeting medals in shooting, wrestling, boxing, athletics, badminton, table tennis, and weightlifting. India finished 4th at CWG 2022 Birmingham with 61 medals.
Exam Tip: CWG 2026: Glasgow, Scotland. India CWG 2022 (Birmingham): 61 medals (22G, 16S, 23B), 4th overall. Shooting excluded from CWG 2022 (India lost medals opportunity). SAI (Sports Authority of India) coordinates preparation.
World Bank discontinued the EoDB index in 2021 citing methodology concerns. India had improved from 142 (2014) to 63 (2020) in the rankings. The Business Enabling Environment (BEE) index is the replacement. India continues implementing DPIIT reforms for investment facilitation.
Exam Tip: EoDB (Ease of Doing Business): Discontinued 2021. World Bank BEE (Business Enabling Environment): Replacement launched 2024. DPIIT: Ranks states on Business Reform Action Plan. GII (Global Innovation Index): India ranks 39 (2024), up from 81 (2015).
Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE) releases monthly unemployment data. India's unemployment rate hovers around 7-8% nationally. Urban unemployment is higher (9-10%) than rural (5-6%). Youth unemployment is a structural challenge.
Exam Tip: CMIE: Private research body. PLFS: Official government labour survey (MOSPI/NSO). Urban unemployment: Higher than rural. India LFPR: ~56%. Female LFPR: Historically low but improving. Gig economy: 7 million+ workers (NITI Aayog estimate).
India is the largest member of the Commonwealth by population. The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) convenes every 2 years. India engages on trade facilitation (CPTPP discussions), youth engagement, climate finance, and democratic governance.
Exam Tip: Commonwealth of Nations: 56 members. HQ: Marlborough House, London. India: Largest member by population. CHOGM: Every 2 years. Commonwealth Day: Second Monday of March. King Charles III: Head of Commonwealth (2022).
India's Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB) for India. India uses INTERPOL Red Notices for extradition of economic offenders and fugitives. INTERPOL General Assembly elects executive officials annually.
Exam Tip: INTERPOL: International Criminal Police Organization. HQ: Lyon, France. 195 member countries. NCB in India: CBI. Red Notice: Seek arrest/extradition. India used for: Vijay Mallya (returned), Nirav Modi (extradited from UK).