Current Affairs for Competitive Exams: 24 July 2026, Daily Roundup
Current Affairs – 24 July 2026
National Affairs
1. ‘AAROH’ Report on Scientific Mine Closure: The Ministry of Coal released AAROH – Annual Report on Mine Closure, prepared by the Coal Controller Organisation (CCO).
Key Points:
- Covers scientific closure and ecological restoration of 42 coal mines, including 33 closed recently.
- Focus: post-mining land restoration, sustainable mining and productive reuse of abandoned sites.
- Coal NEER Plants of CIL subsidiaries—BCCL, CCL, MCL and SECL—were inaugurated for treatment and reuse of mine water.
2. Cotton – India’s ‘White Gold’: A Commerce Ministry factsheet highlighted India’s global importance in cotton.
- India ranks 1st in cotton cultivation area: 114.84 lakh hectares, about 38% of global area.
- India ranks 2nd in cotton production and consumption.
- Major destinations for Indian cotton fabrics/made-ups: USA – 26.35%, Bangladesh – 19.81%, Sri Lanka – 5.11%.
- Cotton remains crucial for farmers, textile employment and exports.
3. Digital Land Records to Improve Rural Credit: The Department of Land Resources (DoLR) and RBI Innovation Hub (RBIH) are integrating land-record Digital Public Infrastructure with digital lending. Enabling faster verification of land ownership and improve formal credit access for rural borrowers.
4. Five Indigenous Small Modular Reactors by 2033: The Government aims to operationalise at least five indigenous Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) by 2033, according to a Lok Sabha reply.
5. Other Important National Updates
- West Bengal constituted its Seventh Pay Commission for revision of salaries, allowances and pensions.
- Indian Railways approved a ₹440-crore third-line project between Nimpura West Outer Cabin and Midnapur.
- Railways plans manufacture of 17,000 new general and sleeper coaches to increase affordable passenger capacity.
International Current Affairs
1. 21st East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers’ Meeting: EAM S. Jaishankar represented India at the 21st EAS meeting in Manila, Philippines.
India’s Position:
- International waterways must remain safe, secure and unobstructed in accordance with international law.
- India supports a South China Sea Code of Conduct consistent with UNCLOS 1982.
- India will host the 7th EAS Maritime Security Cooperation Conference in Kochi and an EAS Maritime Heritage Festival at Lothal, Gujarat.
2. India–Romania Relations: President Droupadi Murmu held delegation-level talks with Romanian President Nicușor Dan. Agreements were exchanged to deepen cooperation, particularly in science & technology and sports.
3. US–Saudi Arabia Civil Nuclear Cooperation: The United States and Saudi Arabia announced a civil nuclear cooperation framework under Section 123 of the US Atomic Energy Act.
4. Bab-el-Mandeb Crisis: Houthi threats against maritime traffic continued to raise security concerns around the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait. Bab-el-Mandeb connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden, making it critical for shipping between the Indian Ocean and Europe via the Suez Canal. Its disruption can increase freight time, insurance premiums and energy/import costs for India.
5. Important World Updates
- China launched its Gravity-1 rocket, placing nine satellites into orbit from a maritime platform in the East China Sea.
- US President Donald Trump warned Iran over further Houthi attacks on commercial shipping.
Defence
1. AEW&C Mk-II Programme: DRDO’s Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS) is advancing the indigenous AEW&C Mk-II programme.
- Six Airbus A321 aircraft are planned for modification.
- Will incorporate indigenous AESA radar and surveillance systems.
- Intended to strengthen long-range airborne detection, command and battle-management capability.
2. ‘Bhargavastra’ Counter-Drone System: Indigenous Bhargavastra, developed by Solar Defence and Aerospace Ltd, has entered advanced testing. Its role is to detect, track, and neutralise micro/mini drones, strengthening layered low-altitude air defence.
3. DRDO Tests Long-Range SAM ‘Kusha’: DRDO conducted the maiden flight test of the Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (LR-SAM) Kusha from APJ Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha.
4. Samudra Pradakshina: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh flagged in the first tri-service all-women circumnavigation sailing expedition. Nine women officers returned aboard IASV Triveni after a 314-day, 25,000+ nautical-mile voyage across four oceans.
Science & Technology
UNNATI AI 2.0: The Government unveiled UNNATI AI 2.0 to expand AI innovation beyond major metros. To focus on AI computing access, deep-tech seed funding, incubation centres and talent development in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.
Sports
- India began its Commonwealth Games 2026, Glasgow campaign in boxing, swimming, lawn bowls and para-powerlifting.
- Boxer Lovlina Borgohain assured India of at least a bronze medal in women’s 75-kg boxing, becoming India’s first assured medal at the Games.
- Hyderabad hosted the 11th All India Police Judo Cluster 2026 at Gachibowli.
Important Days – 24 July
Income Tax Day (Aaykar Diwas): Marks the introduction of income tax in India by Sir James Wilson on 24 July 1860.
National Thermal Engineer Day: Recognises thermal engineers working in electronics, power systems, aerospace and thermal-management technologies.
Miscellaneous One-Liners Current Affairs
- Gujarat: NDRF and Army deployed amid severe monsoon flooding.
- Goa: Launched BHASHINI Rajyam to integrate Konkani and regional-language AI tools into governance.
- Karnataka: Greater Bengaluru Authority launched a Safe Footpath Drive.
- NCVET: Granted Dual Awarding Body recognition to NIRDPR for rural and Panchayati Raj skill certification.
- Sonam Wangchuk: Ended his 26-day hunger strike on 24 July following negotiations and government assurances.
