Current Affairs 31 July 2026

India’s First Integrated Telecom Manufacturing Zone Planned in Gwalior

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Government of Madhya Pradesh signed a Memorandum of Understanding on July 30, 2026, to establish India’s first integrated Telecom Manufacturing Zone (TMZ) in Gwalior. The project aims to strengthen domestic telecom equipment manufacturing and advance the objectives of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, Make in India, and Digital India.

The proposed TMZ will be developed as a 350-acre plug-and-play industrial cluster for telecom and electronics manufacturing, research and development, testing, certification, and innovation. A Special Purpose Vehicle will be created with 51% equity held by the Madhya Pradesh government and 49% by the Department of Telecommunications.

The Central Government will provide ₹493 crore as 100% funding support for Phase I infrastructure. Madhya Pradesh has allocated approximately 170 acres of land free of cost

Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport

The Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram in Vizianagaram district has been designed as a major aviation gateway for North Andhra Pradesh. Located about 45 km from Visakhapatnam, its passenger terminal resembles a fish when viewed from above, reflecting the region’s connection with the sea and maritime economy. The terminal has been engineered to withstand cyclonic winds of up to 275 kmph and heavy rainfall of up to 27 centimetres.

Key Points for Exams:

• Developer: GMR Visakhapatnam International Airport Limited
• Terminal design: Resembles a fish
• Maximum cyclonic wind resistance: 275 kmph
• Heavy-rainfall handling capacity: Up to 27 centimetres
• Design inspiration for climate resilience: Cyclone Hudhud of 2014
• Cultural feature: Muggulu-inspired motifs

‘Virtual Magnet’

Recently Bengaluru-based Vimag Labs replaced rare-earth permanent magnets in electric-vehicle motors with “virtual magnets”. However, the term refers to an established electromagnetic arrangement in which electric current passing through copper coils creates a controllable magnetic field. Software regulates the current’s strength and direction; it does not create magnetism independently.

An electric motor contains a stationary component called the stator and a rotating component called the rotor. The magnetic field formed between them enables the conversion of electrical energy into mechanical motion. Permanent magnets create this field without requiring continuous electrical power, whereas electromagnets need current to flow through copper coils wound around a ferromagnetic core.

This electrically excited principle has long been used in large generators at hydroelectric, thermal and nuclear power plants. A brushless excitation system supplies current to the rotating coils. According to the analysis, replacing permanent magnets with electromagnets introduces additional copper, core and electronic-switching losses, making it difficult to achieve the efficiency of a Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor.

Diving Support Vessel ‘Nipun’

Nipun, the second Diving Support Vessel (DSV) constructed by Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), was delivered to the Indian Navy on July 30, 2026, at Visakhapatnam. The name Nipun is derived from Sanskrit and means a person who is adept, capable, and well-versed in a particular discipline. Reflecting its name, the specialised vessel can undertake deep-sea diving, underwater rescue, and maritime search-and-rescue operations. Nipun is the second of the two indigenous Diving Support Vessels built by HSL. Its sister ship, INS Nistar, was commissioned into the Indian Navy in July 2025.

Dilip Mahadu Gavit Wins Historic Commonwealth Games Para-Athletics Gold

Indian para-athlete Dilip Mahadu Gavit won the gold medal in the men’s 100 metres T47 event at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland. He clocked a Games record of 10.71 seconds, becoming the first Indian male para-athlete to win a Commonwealth Games gold medal

Murali Sreeshankar Wins Second Consecutive Commonwealth Games Silver

Indian athlete Murali Sreeshankar won the silver medal in the men’s long jump at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland. He recorded a best jump of 8.09 metres in the final.

Q1. In the context of electric-vehicle motors, the term “virtual magnet” primarily refers to:
A. Magnetism generated independently by artificial intelligence
B. A magnetic field created by software-controlled current flowing through copper coils
C. A digitally simulated magnet that produces no physical magnetic field
D. A permanent magnet manufactured without rare-earth elements

Q2. The terminal of which airport in Andhra Pradesh has been designed in the shape of a fish and engineered to withstand cyclonic winds of up to 275 kmph?
A. Vijayawada International Airport
B. Tirupati International Airport
C. Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport, Bhogapuram
D. Rajahmundry Airport

Q3. Who among the following won the gold medal in the men’s 100 metres T47 event at the 2026 Commonwealth Games?
A. Dilip Mahadu Gavit
B. Mohammed Basil Morssinganakathi
C. Sumit Antil
D. Praveen Kumar

Q4. Who among the following won the silver medal in the men’s long jump at the 2026 Commonwealth Games?
A. Murali Sreeshankar
B. Tajay Gayle
C. Sarvesh Kushare
D. Lokesh Sathyanathan

Q5. India’s first integrated Telecom Manufacturing Zone is proposed to be established at which location?
A. Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh
B. Noida, Uttar Pradesh
C. Pune, Maharashtra
D. Bengaluru, Karnataka

Q6. ‘Nipun’, delivered to the Indian Navy by Hindustan Shipyard Limited in July 2026, is which type of naval vessel?
A. Diving Support Vessel
B. Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft
C. Fleet Support Ship
D. Survey Vessel