Weekly Current Affairs (July 2026 – Week 5) – Exam Revision Notes
1) International Current Affairs
France Approves Social Media Ban for Children Under 15 – First in EU
France’s Parliament approved a Bill prohibiting children below 15 years from accessing social media platforms, adopted by both the National Assembly and the Senate on 21 July 2026. This makes France the first EU country to approve a nationwide blanket social media restriction for this age group.
Mount Olympus and D-Day Beaches Added to UNESCO World Heritage List – 48th Session, Busan
UNESCO added Mount Olympus (Greece) and the D-Day Landing Beaches of Normandy (France) to the World Heritage List during the 48th Session of the World Heritage Committee held in Busan, Republic of Korea (19–29 July 2026).
| Site | Key Facts |
|---|---|
| D-Day Landing Beaches, Normandy | Covers ~80 km of coastline | Six components: Omaha, Utah, Sword, Gold, Juno beaches, and Pointe du Hoc | Associated with Allied landings of 6 June 1944 (Operation Overlord) | Beginning of the liberation of Western Europe from Nazi occupation |
| Mount Olympus, Greece | Greece’s highest mountain | In ancient Greek mythology, regarded as the home of the Twelve Olympian Gods, led by Zeus | Located in northern Greece |
Favara–UPI Cross-Border Payment Corridor – Maldives and India
The Favara–UPI Cross-Border Payment Corridor between the Maldives and India became operational on 30 July 2026. It integrates Favara (the Maldives’ instant payment system) with India’s UPI, enabling real-time digital remittances from the Maldives to UPI-enabled bank accounts in India.
Pickaxe Mountain (Kuh-e Kolang Gaz La) – Iran
Pickaxe Mountain (locally known as Kuh-e Kolang Gaz La) is a volcanic mountain in central Iran, about 220 km south of Tehran, near the city of Natanz. It forms part of the Karkas Range, extending between the cities of Kashan and Ardestan.
2) National Current Affairs
Sarnath Added to UNESCO World Heritage List – India’s 45th Property
The Ancient Buddhist Site of Sarnath in Uttar Pradesh was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List on 25 July 2026 during the 48th Session of the World Heritage Committee in Busan, Republic of Korea. Sarnath’s inscription increased India’s UNESCO World Heritage properties from 44 to 45.
| Detail | Fact |
|---|---|
| Location | Near Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh |
| Significance | Gautama Buddha delivered his first sermon here — Dharmachakra Pravartana (“Turning of the Wheel of Dharma”) — in the 6th century BCE |
| UNESCO Criteria | Inscribed under criteria (iii) and (vi) |
| Key Monuments | Chaukhandi Stupa | Dhamekh Stupa | Dharmarajika Stupa | Mulagandhakuti Vihara | Ashokan Pillar |
| Four Buddhist Pilgrimage Sites | Sarnath (first sermon), Lumbini (birth), Bodh Gaya (enlightenment), Kushinagar (Mahaparinirvana) |
| Historical Note | Flourished as a major Buddhist centre before declining in the 12th century CE; rediscovered in the 18th century |
Kosi–Mechi Intra-State Link Project, Bihar – Under PMKSY-AIBP
The Kosi–Mechi Intra-State Link Project in Bihar has been included under PMKSY-AIBP (Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayi Yojana – Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme). Scheduled for completion by March 2029. Proposes to divert surplus monsoon water of the Kosi River to the Mahananda basin by remodelling the existing Eastern Kosi Main Canal up to 41.30 km and extending it to the Mechi River.
India’s First Integrated Telecom Manufacturing Zone – Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh
DoT and the Government of Madhya Pradesh signed an MoU on 30 July 2026 to establish India’s first integrated Telecom Manufacturing Zone (TMZ) in Gwalior.
Odisha Floods – Over 7 Lakh Affected Across 20 Districts
More than 7 lakh people across 20 districts of Odisha were affected by floods in late July 2026. Odisha received 644.1 mm of cumulative rainfall (July 1–30) against the normal of 327.4 mm — a surplus of 96.7%. Flooding was reported in the Mahanadi, Brahmani, and other river systems.
3) Andhra Pradesh Current Affairs
AP Launches AI-Powered City Flood Alert Platform – Deployed First in Vijayawada
The AP government launched City Flood Alert, an AI-powered platform for predicting urban flooding, developed by the Real Time Governance Society (RTGS) in collaboration with APSDMA and IIT Gandhinagar.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Rainfall Forecast | Up to 48 hours in advance |
| Flash Flood Warning | Up to 6 hours in advance |
| Technologies Used | AI, predictive analytics, satellite-based terrain mapping, hydrological modelling |
| First Deployment | Vijayawada — low-lying areas frequently affected by the Budameru rivulet |
Andhra Pradesh Ranks 2nd in Mangrove Restoration – MISHTI Scheme
AP secured second place in India in mangrove plantation and restoration under the Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats and Tangible Incomes (MISHTI).
Fish Bone Technique: AP adopted this method — a network of branching channels resembling a fish skeleton is created to improve tidal water movement into degraded areas. Better tidal circulation maintains salinity, improves natural seed dispersal, and increases mangrove survival rates.
Blue Carbon: Mangroves are important reservoirs of blue carbon (carbon stored in coastal and marine ecosystems).
AstraZeneca to Establish Integrated Genomic Solutions Centre in Amaravati
The AP government signed an MoU with AstraZeneca India on 28 July 2026 to establish an Integrated Genomic Solutions Centre in Amaravati — India’s first integrated precision oncology ecosystem within the public healthcare system. Proposed under the Amaravati Quantum Valley programme.
Samagra Shiksha Partners with Khan Academy India for KGBV Teacher Training
AP’s Samagra Shiksha signed an MoU with Khan Academy India (with UNICEF support) to improve education quality in 352 Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBVs). Specialised training will be provided to Intermediate-level teachers handling Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Botany, and Zoology.
AP High Court Launches JOHA – India’s First Cashless Health Assurance for Judicial Officers
AP High Court Chief Justice Lisa Gill launched the Judicial Officers Health Assurance (JOHA) application on 28 July 2026. Provides cashless medical services to serving and retired judicial officers and their eligible dependent family members. Described as India’s first dedicated cashless health-assurance initiative for judicial officers at the State level.
Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport – Bhogapuram, Vizianagaram
The Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram, Vizianagaram district is designed as a major aviation gateway for North AP. Located about 45 km from Visakhapatnam. The passenger terminal resembles a fish when viewed from above, reflecting the region’s maritime economy. Engineered to withstand cyclonic winds of up to 275 kmph and heavy rainfall of up to 27 cm.
4) Polity & Governance
Public Examinations Amendment Bill, 2026 – Fast-Track Courts, ₹5 Crore Fine
The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 was introduced in the Lok Sabha on 27 July 2026. Amends the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024.
| Provision | Detail |
|---|---|
| Max Fine – Individual Using Unfair Means | ₹50 lakh |
| Max Fine – Offending Service Provider | ₹5 crore |
| Organised Crime Punishment | Minimum 7 years’ imprisonment and ₹10 crore fine |
| Investigation Deadline | Two months |
| Trial Deadline | Three months from filing of chargesheet | Special Fast Track Court (Court of Session) in every State/UT |
| Appeal | Before a two-judge Bench of the respective High Court |
MSME Development (Amendment) Bill, 2026 – Introduced in Rajya Sabha
The MSME Development (Amendment) Bill, 2026 was introduced in the Rajya Sabha on 28 July 2026. Amends the MSME Development Act, 2006.
Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2026 – Judicial Magistrate for Delays Beyond 2 Years
The Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2026 was introduced in Lok Sabha on 29 July 2026 and passed on 31 July 2026. Amends the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969.
| Delay | Authority Required |
|---|---|
| After 1 year but within 2 years | Order from District Magistrate, SDM, or authorised Executive Magistrate |
| More than 2 years | Order from Judicial Magistrate of the First Class (JMFC) having jurisdiction over the area |
The Bill shifts the authority to a judicial magistrate for delays exceeding two years, making delayed-registration provisions more stringent and encouraging timely reporting.
5) Science & Technology
Zoopharmacognosy – Animals Self-Medicating with Plants
Zoopharmacognosy refers to the ability of animals to use plants, soil, and other natural substances to treat or prevent illness. The term combines zoo (animals), pharmaco (medicine), and gnosy (knowledge).
Geophagy: The practice of consuming soil or clay for medicinal purposes.
BitChat – Bluetooth Low Energy Mesh Network; I4C Directs Removal from GitHub
The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) under the Ministry of Home Affairs directed GitHub on 23 July 2026 to remove or disable access to three repositories associated with BitChat.
Government Concern: Anonymous and decentralised architecture could be misused to evade lawful surveillance, coordinate unlawful activities, and bypass internet restrictions during public-order emergencies.
Blue Straggler Star – Discovered by Indian Astronomers
Indian astronomers and international collaborators discovered a Blue Straggler Star (BSS) actively forming through the transfer of matter from a companion star. Blue stragglers are unusual stars in clusters that appear hotter, brighter, and more massive — and therefore apparently younger — than other stars formed at the same time.
Satellite Technology for Glacier and Disaster Monitoring in Ladakh
The Government of India uses satellite remote sensing and geospatial technologies to monitor glaciers, glacial lakes, snow cover, wetlands, waterbodies, and landslides in Ladakh.
| Programme/System | Purpose |
|---|---|
| CAP | Cryosphere Science and Applications Programme |
| LAMA | Ladakh Specific Modelling and Space Applications — space-based weather forecasts, heavy-rainfall alerts, hydrological simulations for snowmelt and river discharge |
| SILAAS | Satellite Integrated Landslide Assessment and Alert System — maps landslides and supports village-wise landslide alerts (since 2023) |
| High-Risk GLOF Lakes | Katkar and Suru | GLOF = Glacial Lake Outburst Flood |
6) Environment
Tribal Protests over Ken-Betwa River Link Project – India’s First Inter-River Linking Project
Tribal residents of Madhya Pradesh’s Chhatarpur and Panna districts protested in July 2026 against alleged irregularities in compensation and rehabilitation under the Ken-Betwa Link Project.
| Detail | Fact |
|---|---|
| Significance | India’s first river-interlinking project to enter implementation under the National Perspective Plan |
| Project Cost | ₹44,605 crore |
| Engineering | Transfers water from Ken basin to water-deficit Betwa basin via Daudhan Dam and a 221-km link canal (including 2-km tunnel) |
| Benefits | Irrigation: 10.62 lakh hectares | Drinking water: ~62 lakh people | Hydropower: 103 MW | Solar: 27 MW | Region: drought-prone Bundelkhand |
| Affected Families | ~7,193 families across 22 villages (14 in Chhatarpur, 8 in Panna) per Union government estimate |
| Environmental Concern | ~6,017 hectares of forest area in and around Panna Tiger Reserve may be affected | 12,404 of 17,101 identified trees already felled (as of July 2025) |
7) Schemes
DISHA 2.0 – Legal Aid and Justice Access Scheme; ₹255 Crore (2026–31)
DISHA 2.0 (Designing Innovative Solutions for Holistic Access to Justice) was approved as a Central Sector Scheme for April 2026 – March 2031 with a total outlay of ₹255 crore. Targets 3 crore beneficiaries during 2026–31. Fully funded by the Central Government.
| Component | Key Feature |
|---|---|
| Tele-Law: Reaching the Unreached | Free pre-litigation legal advice through Tele-Law mobile app, toll-free number 14454, and video/tele-conferencing at Common Service Centres | Nyaya Sahayaks — community legal facilitators in Aspirational Blocks |
| Nyaya Bandhu | Voluntary pro bono legal assistance by advocates | Pro bono panels in 23 High Courts | Pro Bono Clubs in law colleges |
| Legal Literacy and Legal Awareness | Awareness campaigns and community legal education programmes |
| VIDHI-Sanjeevani (New) | Centralised integrated dashboard for real-time monitoring | Integrated with Nyaya Setu AI Chatbot — voice-first, multilingual, multimodal legal assistant |
PM-Vidyalaxmi Scheme – Collateral-Free Education Loans for Meritorious Students
A Central Sector Scheme launched on 6 November 2024. Eligible students admitted on merit to designated Quality Higher Education Institutions with annual family income up to ₹8 lakh receive a 3% interest subvention on education loans of up to ₹10 lakh. Up to 1 lakh new students can benefit each year. Total outlay: ₹3,600 crore (2024–25 to 2030–31). Loans are collateral-free and guarantor-free.
Samudra Manthan – National Offshore Exploration Scheme; ₹84,084 Crore
The Union Cabinet approved ‘Samudra Manthan’ — the National Offshore Exploration Scheme — on 31 July 2026. A Central Sector Scheme of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas with an outlay of ₹84,084 crore up to FY 2030–31.
PM-KISAN – Continued 2026–31; ₹3.15 Lakh Crore Outlay
The Union Cabinet approved the continuation of PM-KISAN (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi) from 2026–27 to 2030–31 with an outlay of ₹3.15 lakh crore. Launched in February 2019. Provides ₹6,000 per year to eligible landholding farmer families in three equal instalments of ₹2,000 each, directly credited via Aadhaar-linked DBT.
PM Surya Sarovar Yojana – 5,000 MW Floating Solar on Reservoirs; ₹5,070 Crore
The Union Cabinet approved PM Surya Sarovar Yojana (PM-SSY) on 31 July 2026 with a total outlay of ₹5,070 crore. Aims to develop 5,000 MW of floating solar capacity with co-located energy storage systems (minimum 2-hour storage duration) across reservoirs and inland waterbodies.
Khelo India Scheme – ₹36,441 Crore for 2026–31; 8× Previous Allocation
The Union Cabinet approved the expanded Khelo India Scheme and enhanced Assistance to National Sports Federations (ANSF) for 2026–27 to 2030–31. Combined outlay: ₹36,441 crore — nearly eight times the allocation of the previous Khelo India Scheme.
PM-AJAY – Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana
The Union Government proposed continuing PM-AJAY from 2026–27 to 2030–31 with an enhanced outlay. A 100% Centrally Sponsored Scheme implemented since 2021–22, created by merging three earlier schemes. Three components: Adarsh Gram | Grants-in-Aid for district and State-level projects | Construction of hostels.
8) Defence
ASW Shallow Water Craft ‘Machilipatnam’ (BY 529) – Launched by Cochin Shipyard
Machilipatnam (BY 529), the seventh of eight ASW Shallow Water Craft being constructed by Cochin Shipyard Limited for the Indian Navy, was launched on 29 July 2026. Named after Machilipatnam, the historic port city in Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh — recognising its maritime heritage and historical role in India’s eastern coast trade.
Diving Support Vessel ‘Nipun’ – Delivered by Hindustan Shipyard to Indian Navy
The DSV Nipun (second Diving Support Vessel built by Hindustan Shipyard Limited, Visakhapatnam) was delivered to the Indian Navy on 30 July 2026. Name derived from Sanskrit: adept, capable, and well-versed. Can undertake deep-sea diving, underwater rescue, and maritime search-and-rescue operations. Sister ship: INS Nistar (commissioned July 2025).
9) Awards & Honours
IIITDM Kurnool Tops All Four Categories of 5G Labs Excellence Awards
IIITDM (Indian Institute of Information Technology, Design and Manufacturing) Kurnool secured first position in all four categories of the 5G Labs Excellence Awards for cumulative performance during January–June 2026. Awards presented by Union Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia during a review meeting of the Bharat 6G Alliance. IIITDM Kurnool’s lab was among the 100 5G Use Case Labs inaugurated during the India Mobile Congress 2023. Categories: 5G Lab Excellence Award | 5G Lab Utilisation Excellence Award | 5G Lab Engagement Excellence Award | 5G Lab Innovation Excellence Award.
Fields Medals 2026 – Announced at International Congress of Mathematicians, Philadelphia
The International Mathematical Union (IMU) announced the four recipients of the 2026 Fields Medals at the International Congress of Mathematicians held in Philadelphia, United States, on 23 July 2026. The Fields Medal is presented every four years for outstanding mathematical achievement.
| Recipient | Institution |
|---|---|
| Hong Wang | New York University |
| Yu Deng | University of Chicago |
| John Pardon | Stony Brook University |
| Jacob Tsimerman | University of Toronto |
10) Committees & Conferences
High-Powered Task Force on Examination Reforms – Headed by Nandan Nilekani
PM Narendra Modi announced on 26 July 2026 that a High-Powered Task Force would be formed under the leadership of Nandan Nilekani to recommend reforms in India’s public examination system. Nilekani is a co-founder of Infosys and played a key role in developing India’s Aadhaar-based digital identity infrastructure.
Earlier Committee: In 2024, the Ministry of Education had constituted a High-Level Committee headed by former ISRO Chairman K. Radhakrishnan to recommend reforms in NTA procedures and data-security protocols.
11) Sports
2026 Commonwealth Games – Glasgow, Scotland; India’s Medal Highlights
The 2026 Commonwealth Games were held in Glasgow, Scotland. India secured a strong medal haul across weightlifting, athletics, para-athletics, and judo.
| Athlete | Event | Medal / Achievement |
|---|---|---|
| Mirabai Chanu | Weightlifting – Women’s 48 kg | Gold — India’s first gold at Glasgow; her 3rd consecutive CWG gold (Gold Coast 2018, Birmingham 2022, Glasgow 2026) |
| Chanambam Rishikanta Singh | Weightlifting – Men’s 60 kg | Silver — 121 kg snatch + 143 kg C&J = 264 kg total |
| Raja Muthupandi | Weightlifting – Men’s 65 kg | Silver — 126 kg snatch + 160 kg C&J = 286 kg total |
| Gyaneshwari Yadav | Weightlifting – Women’s 53 kg | Silver — career-best 199 kg total | Age: 23 | From Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh |
| Valluri Ajaya Babu | Weightlifting – Men’s 79 kg | Silver — 330 kg total | Age: 21 | From Vizianagaram district, Andhra Pradesh |
| Sharmila Dhankar | Para-Athletics – Women’s Shot Put F57 | Gold — 9.81 m (season-best) | First Indian para-athlete to win CWG gold | Ended India’s 20-year wait for CWG para-athletics medal |
| Shilpa K. Shyla | Para-Athletics – Women’s Shot Put F57 | Bronze — 7.26 m (personal best) | India’s double podium in this event |
| Dilip Mahadu Gavit | Para-Athletics – Men’s 100m T47 | Gold — Games record 10.71s | First Indian male para-athlete to win CWG gold |
| Sarvesh Kushare | Athletics – Men’s High Jump | Silver — cleared 2.25 m | First Indian to win CWG silver in men’s high jump |
| Murali Sreeshankar | Athletics – Men’s Long Jump | Silver — 8.09 m | Second consecutive CWG silver |
| Seema Kaliramna | Athletics – Women’s Discus Throw | Bronze — First major international medal; 27 years old, PhD scholar and mother of a 4-year-old |
| Harsh Singh | Judo – Men’s 60 kg | Gold — First-ever Indian male judoka to win CWG gold |
| Asmita Dey | Judo – Women’s 48 kg | Gold — First Indian judoka (male or female) to win CWG gold |
Anahat Singh – First Indian to Win World Junior Squash Championship
Anahat Singh became the first Indian to win the World Junior Squash Championships title on 25 July 2026, winning the girls’ singles championship at Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada.
Ajinkya Rahane Retires from All Formats of International Cricket
Former Indian cricket captain Ajinkya Rahane announced his retirement from international cricket and all formats on 30 July 2026. He captained India in six Tests, recording four victories and two draws — without a defeat.
International Tiger Day 2026 – 29 July; Theme: “Coexistence in action”
International Tiger Day (also known as Global Tiger Day) was observed on 29 July 2026 to raise awareness about tiger conservation and habitat protection. IUCN 2026 campaign theme: “Coexistence in action: Scaling solutions for people and tigers.”
Quick Revision Table
| Topic | One-Line Summary |
|---|---|
| Sarnath – India’s 45th UNESCO Site | Ancient Buddhist Site of Sarnath (near Varanasi, UP) inscribed as India’s 45th UNESCO World Heritage property on 25 July 2026 during the 48th Session of the WHC in Busan, Republic of Korea; inscribed under criteria (iii) and (vi); Buddha delivered his first sermon (Dharmachakra Pravartana) here; monuments include Dhamekh Stupa, Ashokan Pillar; one of four principal Buddhist pilgrimage sites (with Lumbini, Bodh Gaya, Kushinagar). |
| France – Social Media Ban Under 15 | France’s Parliament approved a Bill on 21 July 2026 prohibiting children below 15 from accessing social media; adopted by both the National Assembly and Senate; makes France the first EU country to approve a nationwide blanket social media restriction for this age group. |
| D-Day Beaches and Mount Olympus – UNESCO | UNESCO added D-Day Landing Beaches of Normandy (France) — covering ~80 km, six components including Omaha, Utah, Sword, Gold, Juno, and Pointe du Hoc; associated with 6 June 1944 Allied landings (Operation Overlord) — and Mount Olympus (Greece; highest mountain; mythological home of 12 Olympian Gods led by Zeus) to the World Heritage List during the 48th WHC Session, Busan. |
| Favara–UPI Corridor – Maldives | Favara–UPI Cross-Border Payment Corridor between Maldives and India became operational on 30 July 2026; integrates Favara (Maldives’ instant payment system) with India’s UPI for real-time remittances; transactions in Maldivian Rufiyaa or US dollars; recipients receive Indian rupees; customer limit: ₹24,000/month per bank. |
| Gwalior – India’s First Telecom Manufacturing Zone | DoT and MP government signed MoU on 30 July 2026 to establish India’s first integrated Telecom Manufacturing Zone (TMZ) in Gwalior; 350-acre plug-and-play cluster; SPV with 51% MP government and 49% DoT equity; Central Government provides ₹493 crore for Phase I; MP allocated ~170 acres free of cost. |
| AP – City Flood Alert (AI Platform) | AP launched City Flood Alert — an AI-powered platform developed by RTGS, APSDMA, and IIT Gandhinagar — providing rainfall forecasts up to 48 hours in advance and flash-flood warnings up to 6 hours in advance; initially deployed in Vijayawada (low-lying areas affected by Budameru rivulet); uses AI, predictive analytics, satellite terrain mapping, and hydrological modelling. |
| AP – 2nd in Mangrove Restoration (MISHTI) | AP secured second place nationally in mangrove plantation under MISHTI; planted/restored 2,047.70 hectares (2025–26) with ₹18.04 crore investment; used Fish Bone Technique (branching channels resembling fish skeleton to improve tidal water flow); target 1,618 more hectares in 2026–27; mangroves are important blue carbon reservoirs. |
| Public Examinations Amendment Bill 2026 | Introduced in Lok Sabha on 27 July 2026 to amend the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024; max fine for individual: ₹50 lakh; max fine for service provider: ₹5 crore; organised crime: minimum 7 years + ₹10 crore fine; investigation: 2 months; trial: 3 months from chargesheet; Special Fast Track Court (Sessions Court) in every State/UT; appeals to two-judge HC Bench. |
| Birth/Death Registration Amendment Bill 2026 | Introduced in Lok Sabha on 29 July 2026 and passed on 31 July 2026; amends Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969; for delays of 1–2 years: executive magistrate order required; for delays beyond 2 years: Judicial Magistrate of the First Class (JMFC) order required — making delayed registration more stringent and encouraging timely reporting. |
| BitChat – BLE Mesh Network | I4C (under MHA) directed GitHub on 23 July 2026 to remove three BitChat repositories; BitChat is a decentralised P2P messaging app linked to X co-founder Jack Dorsey, using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) mesh networks — works without internet, mobile network, central server, phone number, or user account; government concern: could evade lawful surveillance and bypass internet shutdowns. |
| Ken-Betwa Link Project | India’s first river-interlinking project under implementation per National Perspective Plan; cost ₹44,605 crore; transfers Ken basin water to water-deficit Betwa basin via Daudhan Dam and 221-km link canal (2-km tunnel); benefits: 10.62 lakh ha irrigation, 62 lakh people drinking water, 103 MW hydropower, 27 MW solar in drought-prone Bundelkhand; 7,193 families across 22 villages affected; ~6,017 ha of forest around Panna Tiger Reserve may be impacted. |
| DISHA 2.0 | DISHA 2.0 (Designing Innovative Solutions for Holistic Access to Justice) approved as Central Sector Scheme for April 2026–March 2031; ₹255 crore outlay; 3 crore beneficiaries; four components: Tele-Law (toll-free 14454), Nyaya Bandhu (pro bono, 23 High Courts), Legal Literacy, and new VIDHI-Sanjeevani (dashboard + Nyaya Setu AI Chatbot — voice-first multilingual legal assistant). |
| Samudra Manthan | Union Cabinet approved Samudra Manthan (National Offshore Exploration Scheme) on 31 July 2026; ₹84,084 crore outlay up to FY 2030–31; Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas; aims to extract offshore oil and gas from deepwater, ultra-deepwater, and frontier offshore basins to reduce import dependence. |
| PM Surya Sarovar Yojana | Union Cabinet approved PM-SSY on 31 July 2026; ₹5,070 crore outlay; aims to develop 5,000 MW floating solar with co-located energy storage (minimum 2-hour storage) on reservoirs; Central Financial Assistance: ₹1 crore/MW; India’s floating solar potential: ~102.18 GWp (NISE estimate); reduces competition for land by using waterbodies. |
| Khelo India Scheme – ₹36,441 Crore | Union Cabinet approved expanded Khelo India Scheme and ANSF for 2026–27 to 2030–31 with combined outlay of ₹36,441 crore — nearly 8 times the previous Khelo India allocation. |
| ASW SWC ‘Machilipatnam’ – AP Naval Connection | Machilipatnam (BY 529), 7th of 8 ASW Shallow Water Craft built by Cochin Shipyard Limited, was launched on 29 July 2026; named after Machilipatnam (Krishna district, AP) recognising its maritime heritage; sister crafts include INS Malvan (commissioned 22 July 2026). |
| Fields Medals 2026 | 2026 Fields Medals awarded at International Congress of Mathematicians in Philadelphia on 23 July 2026 (awarded every 4 years) to: Hong Wang (NYU), Yu Deng (University of Chicago), John Pardon (Stony Brook), Jacob Tsimerman (University of Toronto). |
| Mirabai Chanu – 3rd Consecutive CWG Gold | Mirabai Chanu won gold in Women’s 48 kg weightlifting at 2026 Commonwealth Games (Glasgow) — India’s first gold at the Games; her third consecutive CWG gold after Gold Coast 2018 and Birmingham 2022. |
| Anahat Singh – First Indian World Junior Squash Champion | Anahat Singh became the first Indian to win the World Junior Squash Championships title (girls’ singles) on 25 July 2026 at Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada. |
| CWG 2026 – Historic Firsts for India | Sharmila Dhankar: first Indian para-athlete to win CWG gold (Shot Put F57, 9.81 m); Dilip Mahadu Gavit: first Indian male para-athlete to win CWG gold (100m T47, Games record 10.71s); Harsh Singh: first Indian male judoka to win CWG gold (60 kg); Asmita Dey: first Indian judoka (male or female) to win CWG gold (Women’s 48 kg); Sarvesh Kushare: first Indian to win CWG silver in men’s high jump (2.25 m). |
| Valluri Ajaya Babu – CWG Silver, AP | Valluri Ajaya Babu (21 years, Vizianagaram district, AP) won silver in Men’s 79 kg weightlifting at 2026 Commonwealth Games with 330 kg total. |
| Zoopharmacognosy | Zoopharmacognosy — the ability of animals to use plants, soil, and natural substances to treat or prevent illness (zoo + pharmaco + gnosy); orangutans apply Dracaena leaf paste for muscle/joint relief; chimpanzees swallow leaves to remove parasites; geophagy = consuming soil or clay for medicinal purposes. |
