Current Affairs for Competitive Exams: 01 August 2026, Daily Roundup

Current Affairs for Competitive Exams: 01 August 2026, Daily Roundup

Current Affairs – 01 August 2026

National Affairs

1. Additional Tax Devolution to States: The Union Government released an additional ₹1,09,019 crore as tax devolution to States, over and above the regular August instalment.

Key Points:

• Strengthens fiscal federalism and supports capital expenditure.
• Highest allocation:
  • Uttar Pradesh: ₹19,208 crore
  • Bihar: ₹10,845 crore
  • Madhya Pradesh: ₹8,010 crore

2. PM-Vidyalaxmi Scheme Expanded: The Ministry of Education revised the PM-Vidyalaxmi Scheme guidelines.

Key Features:

• 3% interest subvention on education loans up to ₹10 lakh.
• Applicable to families with annual income between ₹4.5 lakh–₹8 lakh.
• Benefits credited through the PM Vidyalaxmi Digital Rupee (CBDC) Wallet.

3. PM-KISAN Extended till 2030-31: The Union Cabinet approved continuation of the PM-KISAN Scheme from 2026–27 to 2030–31, ensuring continued income support to eligible farmers.

4. PM Surya Sarovar Yojana: The Cabinet approved the Pradhan Mantri Surya Sarovar Yojana (PM-SSY) with an outlay of ₹5,070 crore.

Objective:

• Develop floating solar photovoltaic projects with Energy Storage Systems (ESS).
• Promote renewable energy generation on water bodies.

5. Other Important National Updates

• Indian Railways transported a live donor heart by Vande Bharat Express for the first time, from Surat to Ahmedabad.
• APEDA facilitated the first-ever air shipment of Neelam and Totapuri mangoes from Karnataka to the Maldives.
• Indian Railways launched online personal luggage booking for reserved passengers.

International Current Affairs

1. India–UK Strategic Partnership: Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham and reaffirmed commitment to strengthening the India–UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

2. India–Bhutan Development Cooperation: India and Bhutan held the 5th Development Cooperation Talks in Thimphu, reviewing progress in bilateral development projects and future collaboration.

3. Parliamentary Panel on Polar Regions: The Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs recommended appointing a Polar Representative to strengthen India’s engagement in the Arctic and Antarctic.

4. Major World Developments

• Saudi Arabia and 13 countries formed a Maritime Defence Coalition to safeguard shipping in West Asian sea routes.
• The Board of Peace announced an agreement for the disarmament of Hamas and other armed groups in Gaza.
• Pakistan’s Balochistan coal mine explosion death toll rose to 34.
• Multiple earthquakes struck China, Tibet and Nepal.
• Protests continued in Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir (PoJK).

Defence Update

1. Rear Admiral Srinivas Maddula Takes Command: Rear Admiral Srinivas Maddula assumed command of the Indian Navy’s Western Fleet, succeeding Vice Admiral Vivek Dahiya.

2. Xtreme Weather Grade (XWG) Diesel: Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth launched XWG Diesel, jointly developed by the Indian Army and BPCL.

Importance:

• Designed for operations in extreme climatic conditions.
• Enhances logistics support in high-altitude and cold-weather areas.

3. Assam Sainik Welfare Contribution: The Directorate of Sainik Welfare, Assam contributed ₹25 lakh to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund for flood relief in Upper Assam.

4. Former Army Chief V.N. Sharma Passes Away: Former Chief of Army Staff General Vishwa Nath Sharma passed away at the age of 89. Served as the 14th Chief of the Army Staff (1988–1990) and was the first post-Independence commissioned officer to become Army Chief.

Science & Technology

1. IN-SPACe Re-entry Guidelines: IN-SPACe issued India’s first comprehensive guidelines governing the planned re-entry of space objects.

2. SHetA2 Therapy: Clinical development of SHetA2, an oral small-molecule therapy for HPV-related cervical disease, continued to advance. Targets HPV E6 & E7 oncoproteins to prevent progression to cervical cancer.

Sports Update

Commonwealth Games 2026 (Glasgow)

• Asmita Dey won India’s first-ever Commonwealth Games Judo Gold in the Women’s 48 kg category.
• Harsh Singh won Gold in the Men’s 60 kg Judo event.
• Five Indian boxers—Preeti Pawar, Ankush Panghal, Jaismine Lamboria, Arundhati Chaudhary and Jadumani Singh—advanced to the finals.
• Seema Kaliramna won Bronze in the Women’s Discus Throw.
• Neeraj Chopra secured Silver in the Men’s Javelin Throw (85.83 m).
• Tejaswin Shankar became the first Indian to win a Commonwealth Games medal in Decathlon.
• India’s medal tally reached 19 medals (5 Gold, 9 Silver, 5 Bronze).

Other Sports

• Unnati Hooda and Tanvi Sharma advanced to the Women’s Singles semifinals of the Taipei Open.
• The 11th All India Police Judo Cluster Championship 2026 concluded in Hyderabad.

Important Observance – 01 August

World Lung Cancer Day: Observed annually on 1 August to promote awareness, early detection and improved access to treatment for lung cancer. Smoking remains the leading risk factor, while early screening significantly improves survival outcomes.

Miscellaneous One-Liners Current Affairs

• Ladakh declared 23 rock art and historical sites as protected monuments.
• NSDC partnered with AVPL International to establish 350 Advanced Drone Skill Centres across India.
• IAIRO signed an MoU with IIT Gandhinagar for AI research infrastructure.
• AIIMS Patna launched AVBODHAN 2026, Eastern India’s first cadaveric endoscopic skull-base surgery training programme.
• GST collections for July 2026 grew 15.4% year-on-year to ₹2.11 lakh crore.
• Mission Shakti App provides integrated access to emergency helplines including 181, 112, 1930, 1098 and Tele-MANAS 14416.