Current Affairs for Competitive Exams: 1- 31 July 2026, Compiled Daily Roundup

Current Affairs for Competitive Exams: 1- 31 July 2026, Compiled Daily Roundup

Monthly Revision Current Affairs Notes | 1–31 July 2026

1. NATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS

1. GST Completes 9 Years

• GST was introduced on 1 July 2017 through the 101st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2016.
• June 2026 gross GST collection: ₹1.95 lakh crore.
• GST remains India’s major indirect-tax reform.

2. VB-G RAM G Act

• The VB-G RAM G Act came into force, replacing MGNREGA.
• Rural employment guarantee increased from 100 to 125 days.
• Minimum wage: ₹300 per day.
• Important for questions on rural employment and social security.

3. Major Administrative Reforms

• EPF Scheme 2026 notified.
• EPFO Amnesty Scheme 2026 launched to provide a compliance window.
• Census 2027 self-enumeration began in Tamil Nadu and Tripura.
• Parliament’s Monsoon Session began on 20 July.
• Registration of Births & Deaths Amendment Bill, 2026 passed by Lok Sabha.

4. Examination Reform

• Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 proposed stronger action against organised paper-leak syndicates.
• A high-level examination reform mechanism was proposed, including technology-based solutions.
• Important for UPSC/SSC/BPSC/CDS examination-related current affairs.

5. Panchayati Raj & Digital Governance

• Atmanirbhar Panchayat Programme launched.
• SAMARTH Panchayat Portal introduced.
• DAANVEER Initiative encourages donation of computers and IT equipment to Gram Panchayats.
• AI-based Rural Internal Audit Portal launched.

6. Infrastructure & Connectivity

• Infrastructure projects worth over ₹1 lakh crore launched.
• Viksit UDAN launched to improve regional air connectivity.
• 75 Amrit Bharat railway stations redeveloped/inaugurated.
• Greenfield Refinery-cum-Petrochemical Complex inaugurated at Pachpadra, Rajasthan.

7. Important State-Level Developments

• Uttarakhand became India’s 6th fully literate state under ULLAS.
• Gujarat ranked first among major states in the Investment Friendliness Index 2026.
• Maharashtra ranked second.
• Uttarakhand topped the Hill/NE category.
• Bihar Legislature’s Monsoon Session was held during July.

8. Semiconductor & Industrial Development

• CG Semi OSAT plant inaugurated at Sanand, Gujarat.
• Karnataka Semiconductor Park announced.
• Semiconductor manufacturing remained a major national industrial priority.
• Gujarat announced a Data Centre Policy 2026–29, targeting 7.5 GW capacity.

9. Health & Social Sector

• QDENGA became India’s first licensed dengue vaccine.
• PMFME crossed 2 lakh loan sanctions.
• PM Surya Ghar received USD 890 million World Bank support.
• Pillale Sampada launched in Andhra Pradesh for child welfare.

10. Economy

• India’s first Index of Services Production (ISP) introduced.
• PPI is planned to replace WPI as the GDP deflator.
• Natural Gas Futures launched by NSE.
• India became the world’s second-largest supplier of seafarers.

2. INTERNATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS

1. India–Japan Relations

The India–Japan Annual Summit focused on:

• Semiconductors
• Artificial Intelligence
• Critical minerals
• ICT
• Defence technology
• Energy security
• Supply-chain resilience.

Japan also supported India’s proposed membership of the International Energy Agency (IEA).

2. India–UK

• India–UK CETA implemented.
• Cooperation expanded in trade, investment and social-security arrangements.
• CETA is an important development in India’s economic diplomacy.

3. India–New Zealand

• India and New Zealand moved towards a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
• Cooperation covers economic and strategic sectors.

4. India–Israel

• India–Israel Bilateral Investment Agreement came into force.

5. President Droupadi Murmu’s Three-Nation Visit

President Droupadi Murmu visited:

• Moldova
• North Macedonia
• Romania.

Important: It was the first-ever visit by an Indian President to Moldova.

6. BRICS

India hosted several important BRICS meetings:

• Anti-Drug Agencies Meeting — Guwahati
• Transport Ministers’ Meeting — Nagpur
• Labour & Employment Ministers’ Meeting — Hyderabad
• Health Ministers’ Meeting — Chandigarh
• Disaster Risk Reduction Meeting — New Delhi.

Major areas:

• Health
• Transport
• Labour
• Disaster management
• AI governance.

7. India–Afghanistan

• Cooperation expanded in climate-resilient agriculture.
• India continued engagement through regional platforms.

8. BIMSTEC

India continued cooperation with BIMSTEC countries in:

• Security
• Agriculture
• Connectivity
• Climate resilience.

GEOPOLITICS

1. Strait of Hormuz — Major July Issue

• US–Iran tensions continued to affect international shipping.
• Commercial shipping faced increased security risks.
• India monitored:
  • Crude oil
  • LPG
  • Fertilisers
  • Shipping insurance
  • Energy security.
• Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman/Arabian Sea.
• It is one of the world’s most important energy chokepoints.

Why is it important for India?

Any prolonged disruption can affect:

• India’s crude-oil imports
• LPG supplies
• Fertiliser prices
• Inflation
• Shipping costs
• Current-account balance.

2. Chabahar Port

• India does not own Chabahar Port.
• India operates the Shahid Beheshti Terminal.
• India has a 10-year agreement with Iran.
• Chabahar provides India strategic access to:
  • Afghanistan
  • Central Asia
  • International trade routes.

3. India–China

Key areas of engagement:

• Border issues
• Trade
• Economic relations.

4. Indo-Pacific & India–Japan

Strategic cooperation focused on:

• Indo-Pacific security
• Critical minerals
• Semiconductor supply chains
• Defence technology
• Energy security.

5. India’s UNSC Campaign

• India began its campaign for a UN Security Council non-permanent seat for 2028–29.
• Important for India’s wider multilateral diplomacy.

DEFENCE UPDATES

1. New Army Leadership

• General Dhiraj Seth became the 31st Chief of Army Staff.
• Defence exports crossed approximately ₹38,000 crore.

2. DRDO & Defence Modernisation

• DRDO Financial Powers 2026 increased financial autonomy.
• Baaz Battalions planned for drone warfare.
• Project Kusha continued as India’s indigenous long-range air-defence programme.
• Nebo-UM VHF radar inducted into India’s air-defence network.

3. Indian Navy

• INS Mahendragiri — Project 17A stealth frigate.
• India planned about ₹1 lakh crore of indigenous naval warship projects.
• INS Machilipatnam — 7th ASW Shallow Water Craft — launched.
• Indian Navy received another MH-60R Seahawk helicopter.

4. AS-HAPS

Air Ship-based High Altitude Pseudo Satellite (AS-HAPS) programme:

• Outlay: ₹15,000 crore
• Designed for:
  • Persistent surveillance
  • Intelligence
  • Communication.
• Operates at very high altitude.

5. Exercise Pitch Black 2026

• Indian Air Force participated in Exercise Pitch Black 2026 in Australia.
• Strengthens multinational air-combat interoperability.

6. RIMPAC 2026

• India participated in the Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC).
• Important for India’s maritime cooperation and interoperability.

7. Samudra Pradakshina

India’s first tri-service, all-women circumnavigation sailing expedition:

• 9 women officers
• Vessel: IASV Triveni
• Duration: 314 days
• Distance: approximately 25,500 nautical miles.

8. Kargil Vijay Diwas

• 26 July
• Commemorates India’s victory in the 1999 Kargil War.

9. CRPF Raising Day

• 27 July
• CRPF originated in 1939.
• Became a statutory force under the CRPF Act, 1949.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

1. India’s Private Space Sector

• Vikram-1, developed by Skyroot Aerospace, marked an important milestone for India’s private space sector.
• It completed its maiden orbital mission and placed payloads into Low Earth Orbit (LEO).

2. Semiconductor Technology

• CG Semi OSAT facility at Sanand strengthened India’s semiconductor ecosystem.
• Karnataka announced a Semiconductor Park.
• Semiconductor manufacturing remained a major national technology priority.

3. AI & Governance

• AI-based Rural Internal Audit Portal launched.
• AI used to digitise historical solar observations.
• Supreme Court’s AI Committee drafted AI Regulations for Courts, 2026.
• AI-based risk scoring for bail and sentencing was proposed to be prohibited.

4. AS-HAPS

• High-altitude platform technology for:
  • Surveillance
  • Intelligence
  • Communication.

5. Index of Services Production

• India’s first Index of Services Production (ISP) introduced.
• Designed to improve measurement of the services sector.

6. Quantum Technology

• Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) technology advanced secure communications.
• QKD is important for quantum-safe communication and cybersecurity.

7. Dengue Vaccine

QDENGA:

• India’s first licensed dengue vaccine.
• Tetravalent live-attenuated vaccine.
• Covers dengue virus types 1–4.

8. Small Modular Reactors

• Government planned five indigenous SMRs by 2033.
• Important for India’s clean-energy and nuclear-energy strategy.

9. Natural Gas Futures

• NSE launched India’s first domestic Natural Gas Futures.
• Allows industries to manage natural-gas price volatility.

10. Space Regulation

• IN-SPACe issued guidelines for planned re-entry of space objects.
• Important for the regulation and sustainability of India’s growing private space sector.

SPORTS UPDATES

1. FIFA World Cup 2026

• Spain won the FIFA World Cup 2026.
• Spain defeated Argentina 1–0 in the final.

2. Wimbledon 2026

• Men’s Singles: Jannik Sinner
• Women’s Singles: Linda Nosková.

3. Badminton

• PV Sindhu won the Japan Open Super 750 title.
• Important milestone in her international career.

4. Asian U-23 Athletics

• India won 16 medals at the Asian U-23 Athletics Championships.

5. Squash

• Anahat Singh became the first Indian to win a World Junior Squash singles title.

6. Commonwealth Games

• Commonwealth Games 2026 began in Glasgow.
• Mirabai Chanu and Lovlina Borgohain were selected as India’s flag bearers.

7. Chess

• World Chess Day — 20 July.
• Ishan Kishan reached the top position in T20I batting rankings according to the July compilation.

8. Durand Cup

• Durand Cup 2026 remained an important domestic football tournament during July.

IMPORTANT DAYS — JULY 2026