Daily Current Affairs – 31 July 2026

Staying updated with today's current affairs is essential for competitive exam aspirants preparing for SSC, UPSC, Banking, State PSCs, and Railway exams. The 31 July 2026 current affairs cover India's first Telecom Manufacturing Zone at Gwalior, DAANVEER initiative for village digital infrastructure, India's 1st Department of Military Medicine, MoTA-CSIR NBRI MoU for tribal medicinal plants, India becoming World's 2nd largest seafarer supplier, ADB's USD 850 million rooftop solar loan, 2026 Fields Medal winners, CSL's 7th ASW vessel launch, ISSF World Cup India 3rd with 4 medals, IRDAI approvals, SBI Card-Google Pay co-branded card, the Delhi Lakshmi Yojana, Chhattisgarh's DWEEPTI Yojana, and International Tiger Day and Friendship Day - all of which frequently appear in the General Awareness section of government exams.

India – National Current Affairs

• MoPR Launches DAANVEER Initiative for Village Digital Infrastructure – The Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) launched the citizen participation initiative "DAANVEER" to strengthen digital infrastructure across Gram Panchayats (GPs) through voluntary public participation, from New Delhi. The initiative was launched by Secretary Vivek Bharadwaj, MoPR. The programme is intended to address the immediate shortage of computers in village councils and establish a long-term framework for citizen participation in strengthening local institutions. The platform enables citizens and organisations to contribute computer systems directly to eligible village councils through the 'Meri Panchayat' mobile application. Exam importance: MoPR is under the Ministry of Panchayati Raj; 'Meri Panchayat' is a mobile app for citizens to engage with gram panchayat services; India has approximately 2.55 lakh active gram panchayats; the initiative aligns with India's Digital India mission and the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) digital empowerment framework under Article 243G of the Constitution; Union Minister of Panchayati Raj: Rajiv Ranjan Singh 'Lalan Singh'.
• Union Minister Rajnath Singh Virtually Inaugurates India's First Dedicated Department of Military Medicine in Lucknow, UP – Union Minister Rajnath Singh, Ministry of Defence (MoD), virtually inaugurated the Department of Military Medicine at the Command Hospital (Central Command) in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh - India's first dedicated academic and operational department focused exclusively on military medicine, established under the Directorate General of Medical Services (DGMS) of the Indian Army. The facility aims to strengthen operational medical preparedness of the Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) by enhancing combat medical readiness, promoting research, and developing indigenous doctrines. Phase-wise development will include Centres of Excellence (CoEs) for HADR and CBRNE defence. Exam importance: The Department will offer PG programmes in Military Studies and focus on military trauma, combat psychiatry, operational medicine, military medical logistics, CBRNE response, emergency medicine, disaster medicine, and HADR; Command Hospital (Central Command), Lucknow is one of India's largest military hospitals; DGMS is under the Army Medical Corps (AMC); India has 4 Command Hospitals (Southern, Eastern, Western, and Central); CBRNE: Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and High-yield Explosives.
• DoT and Madhya Pradesh Sign MoU to Establish India's First Telecom Manufacturing Zone at Gwalior – The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Government of Madhya Pradesh signed an MoU at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, in the presence of Union Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia and MP CM Dr. Mohan Yadav, to establish India's first Telecom Manufacturing Zone (TMZ), Phase-I at Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh. Spread across approximately 350 acres, the zone will manufacture mobile phones, telecom equipment, optical fibre, semiconductors, and 5G/6G technology products. The project follows a plug-and-play model under a Special Purpose Company (SPC) and aims to build a robust ecosystem for telecom, data centres, semiconductor manufacturing, and allied technologies. Exam importance: DoT Secretary: Neeraj Mittal; the TMZ aligns with India's National Telecom Policy 2023 and the PLI scheme for telecom and networking products; India's telecom equipment manufacturing has been growing under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative; Gwalior is a major industrial city in Madhya Pradesh, strategically connected to Delhi NCR via the Bundelkhand Expressway; Union Minister for Communications: Jyotiraditya M. Scindia.
• MoTA Signs MoU with CSIR-NBRI for Conservation of RET Medicinal Plant Species – The Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) signed a 3-year MoU with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research–National Botanical Research Institute (CSIR-NBRI), Lucknow, UP, for conserving Rare, Endangered, and Threatened (RET) medicinal plant species and promoting sustainable utilisation of tribal medicinal resources. The collaboration will integrate traditional tribal knowledge with modern botanical science. Field assessments will require Prior Informed Consent (PIC) from Gram Sabhas, compliant with the Biological Diversity Act, 2002. IP and project benefits will be shared equitably with tribal communities through National/State Biodiversity Funds and MoTA welfare schemes. Exam importance: MoTA Minister: Jual Oram; CSIR-NBRI was established in 1953, HQ: Lucknow, UP; it is India's premier plant science research institute; the MoU aligns with the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS, 2010) under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD); India has ratified the Nagoya Protocol; tribal communities are the primary custodians of traditional knowledge of medicinal plants; India has approximately 8,000 species of medicinal plants.
• MoRD and PCI India Sign MoU to Strengthen Women-Led Enterprises through Public Procurement – The Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), through DAY-NRLM, signed a 3-year (2026-2029) non-financial MoU with Project Concern International (PCI) India to strengthen participation of Women-Led Enterprises (WLEs) and Self-Help Group (SHG) enterprises in government and institutional procurement. The partnership supports the creation of 6 crore Lakhpati Didis. A National Resource Cell/Public Procurement and Business Model Support Cell will be established under DAY-NRLM. Initial FY27 technical assistance will target Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and UP. Exam importance: DAY-NRLM (Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission) was launched in 2011 under MoRD; it has mobilised approximately 10 crore rural women into 93 lakh SHGs; Lakhpati Didi initiative targets creating 3 crore (later extended to 6 crore) women with annual income above ₹1 lakh from SHG-based enterprises; MoRD Secretary: Rohit Kansal.

International Current Affairs

• BIMCO-ICS Seafarer Workforce Report 2026: India Becomes World's 2nd Largest Supplier of Seafarers – According to the BIMCO-ICS Seafarer Workforce Report 2026, India became the world's 2nd largest supplier of seafarers with 311,936 professionals, accounting for 12.16% of the global workforce, ranking after the Philippines and ahead of China, Russian Federation, and Indonesia. India's maritime workforce improved from the 5th position in 2015 (5.2% global share) to the 2nd position in 2026. India contributes 140,718 officers (13.41% of global officers) and 171,218 ratings (11.29% of global ratings). The BIMCO-ICS report estimates global seafarer supply at 2.57 million against demand of 2.55 million. Exam importance: BIMCO (Baltic and International Maritime Council) is headquartered in Bagsværd, Denmark; ICS (International Chamber of Shipping) is headquartered in London, UK; the Day of the Seafarer is observed on 25 June; India's Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) under MoPSW regulates seafarer training and certification; India has approximately 2.5 lakh seafarers serving on international vessels; India's maritime training institutes include T.S. Chanakya (Navi Mumbai), Marine Engineering Research Institute (MERI, Kolkata), and LBS College of Advanced Maritime Studies and Research (Mumbai).

Daily Current Affairs 31 July 2026: Download Free PDF Now

Economy & Banking

• ADB Approves USD 850 Million Loan to Boost Rooftop Solar Rollout in India Under PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana – The Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved a USD 850 million loan (Subprogram 2 of the Accelerating Affordable and Inclusive Rooftop Solar Systems Development Program) to support India's Prime Minister Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSG-MBY), helping India achieve its target of 30 GW of cumulative rooftop solar capacity by FY2026-27, reduce 28.8 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent emissions, and expand access to affordable solar energy for households. Exam importance: PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana was launched by PM Modi on 13 February 2024, providing ₹30,000-78,000 subsidy for rooftop solar panels (1-3 kW systems, providing up to 300 units free electricity/month); ADB HQ: Manila, Philippines; ADB President: Masato Kanda; India is ADB's largest borrower; Subprogram 1 was approved in November 2025; India's total solar capacity crossed 100 GW in 2024; rooftop solar capacity: approximately 15 GW (FY26); MNRE is the nodal ministry.
• IRDAI Approves Patanjali Ayurved and DS Group's Acquisition of Magma General Insurance for ₹4,500 Crore – The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) granted approval for Patanjali Ayurved (73.56% stake) and DS Group (24.50% stake) to acquire Magma General Insurance from Sanoti Properties (Adar Poonawalla-owned) for ₹4,500 crore, under Section 6A of the Insurance Act, 1938. The IRDAI also approved a licence for ProTec General Insurance - a JV between the M Pallonji Group and True North's Divya Sehgal. This marks the first merger under the Sabka Bima Sabki Raksha (Amendment of Insurance Laws) Act, 2025. Exam importance: IRDAI was established in 1999 under the IRDAI Act, 1999; HQ: Hyderabad, Telangana; IRDAI Chairperson: Debasish Panda; the insurance sector FDI limit was raised from 74% to 100% in Budget 2025-26; Patanjali Ayurved is a consumer goods company founded by Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna; DS Group is behind brands like Rajnigandha, Catch, and Pass Pass; the acquisition reflects the trend of diversified business groups entering India's fast-growing general insurance sector.
• SBI Card and Google Pay Launch Co-Branded 'Google Pay Flex SBI Card' on RuPay and Visa – SBI Cards and Payment Services Limited and Google Pay jointly launched the 'Google Pay Flex SBI Card' on both RuPay and Visa networks - the RuPay variant supports UPI linkage for payments at UPI-enabled merchants. The card offers annual rewards of up to ₹18,000 on eligible spends, earns up to 8 Stars per ₹500 spent (redeemable instantly via Google Pay), and has a joining fee of ₹499 with waiver on annual spends of ₹1 lakh. Exam importance: SBI Card was launched in 1998 as a JV between SBI and GE Capital; HQ: Gurugram, Haryana; SBI Card is India's 2nd largest credit card company (after HDFC Bank); Google Pay India is operated by Google Payment Corp. India Pvt. Ltd.; this is Google's first credit card partnership in India; UPI-linked credit cards on RuPay allow credit line repayment through UPI; NPCI operates RuPay; SBI Card MD & CEO: Abhijit Chakravorty.
• NCDEX Launches 'NCDEX Nidhi' Mutual Fund Transaction Platform for Rural Penetration – The National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange Limited (NCDEX) launched 'NCDEX Nidhi', a new Mutual Fund (MF) transaction platform to expand MF penetration in rural and semi-rural India by leveraging its network of 800 Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and certified local MF distributors. The API-first platform features UPI AutoPay for SIPs, end-to-end transaction time-stamping, and has onboarded 6 initial AMCs (Nippon India MF, HDFC MF, Axis MF, LIC MF, Tata MF, and Invesco MF), with ~20 more expected by 31 August 2026. Exam importance: NCDEX was incorporated in April 2003 and is a SEBI-regulated digital commodity exchange focused on agricultural derivatives; HQ: Mumbai; India's MF industry AUM crossed ₹70 lakh crore (July 2026); rural MF penetration is a key SEBI priority; the Mutual Fund industry body AMFI (Association of Mutual Funds in India) runs the "Mutual Fund Sahi Hai" campaign; SIP (Systematic Investment Plan) inflows crossed ₹25,000 crore/month in FY27.

Awards & Recognitions

• 2026 Fields Medal Awarded to Yu Deng, John Pardon, Jacob Tsimerman, and Hong Wang – The International Mathematical Union (IMU) named John Pardon, Yu Deng, Jacob Tsimerman, and Hong Wang as winners of the 2026 Fields Medal - the "Nobel Prize of Mathematics" - at the opening ceremony of the International Congress of Mathematicians (ICM) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Yu Deng and Hong Wang became the first Chinese nationals to receive the award since 1982 (after Shing-Tung Yau). Hong Wang, a professor at NYU and permanent professor at IHES (France), became only the 3rd female Fields Medal winner in the award's 90-year history, after Maryam Mirzakhani (2014) and Maryna Viazovska (2022), for solving the century-old "Kakeya conjecture." Exam importance: The Fields Medal was established in 1936 by Canadian mathematician John Charles Fields; it is awarded once every 4 years by IMU to 2-4 mathematicians under the age of 40; cash prize: CAD 15,000 (~USD 10,600); each winner receives a gold medal featuring Greek mathematician Archimedes; John Pardon (Stony Brook University, USA) won for symplectic geometry; Yu Deng (University of Chicago) won for partial differential equations; Jacob Tsimerman (University of Toronto) won for proving the André-Oort conjecture; IMU was founded in 1920, HQ: Berlin, Germany; the ICM is held every 4 years.
• Union Minister Scindia Confers Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Telecom Excellence Awards-2025; Launches IMC 2026 Theme – Union Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia conferred the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Telecom Excellence Awards for 2025 to Amantya Technologies Pvt. Ltd. and Finaara for exceptional contributions in Telecom Technology. The awards were presented at the theme launch of the 10th edition of the India Mobile Congress (IMC 2026), scheduled for October 7–10, 2026, at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi. The theme for IMC 2026 is "Scale without Boundaries." Exam importance: India Mobile Congress (IMC) is Asia's largest technology, media, and telecom forum; it is jointly organised by DoT and COAI (Cellular Operators Association of India); Yashobhoomi (India International Convention & Expo Centre, IICEC) is located in Dwarka, New Delhi; Pt. Deendayal Upadhyaya was the founder of the Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY) ideological stream and the Jan Sangh (precursor to BJP); he passed away on 11 February 1968; DoT is under the Ministry of Communications.

Science & Technology

• CSL Launches Seventh Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft 'Machilipatnam' for Indian Navy – Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) launched Machilipatnam (Yard BY 529), the seventh of eight Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC) indigenously constructed for the Indian Navy, at Cochin Shipyard, Kerala. The vessel is named after the historic port city of Machilipatnam in Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh. The vessel incorporates over 80% indigenous content under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision. Exam importance: CSL (Cochin Shipyard Limited) is a Schedule 'A' Miniratna Category-I CPSE under MoPSW; HQ: Kochi, Kerala; the Mahe-class ASW-SWC are small anti-submarine warfare vessels designed for littoral (coastal/shallow water) operations, with hull classification ASW-SWC; they are designed by the Indian Navy's Warship Design Bureau (WDB); the ASW-SWC are optimised for submarine detection, tracking, and neutralisation in coastal waters; Machilipatnam is known as 'Bandaru' in Telugu and was a major port of the Golconda Sultanate and later the British East India Company; CNS: Admiral Krishna Swaminathan.

Sports

• 2026 ISSF World Cup Rifle/Pistol (Hangzhou): China Leads, India Finishes 3rd with 4 Medals – The ISSF World Cup Rifle/Pistol 2026 was held at Fuyang Yinhu Sports Centre, Hangzhou, China (20–29 July 2026). India finished 3rd with 4 medals: Gold – Esha Singh (Women's 25m Pistol, 40 hits); Silver – Sainyam Vij (Women's 10m Air Pistol, 243.4 points); Bronze – Manu Bhaker (Women's 25m Pistol) and Sonam Maskar & Himanshu Dhillon (10m Air Rifle Mixed Team, 441.2 points). China topped the tally with 7 gold, 6 silver, 5 bronze (18 total); USA finished 2nd with 4 medals. Exam importance: ISSF (International Shooting Sport Federation) HQ: Munich, Germany; Esha Singh's gold was her 2nd ISSF World Cup gold of 2026; Manu Bhaker won 2 Bronze medals at Paris 2024 Olympics (Women's 10m Air Pistol and Mixed Team 10m Air Pistol - alongside Sarabjot Singh); Manu Bhaker also won Bronze at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in 25m Pistol; National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) HQ: New Delhi; Sainyam Vij is an emerging shooter from Uttar Pradesh; India won 25 medals (7 gold) at the ISSF Junior World Championship in Suhl, Germany (June 2026).
• Commonwealth Games 2026 Glasgow - Final Update (23 July – 2 August 2026) – The 23rd Commonwealth Games in Glasgow concluded with India's strong performance, with CWG Day 8 (30 July 2026) featuring notable results. India's overall medal tally continues to grow with contributions from boxing (Lovlina Borgohain – gold), shooting, wrestling, weightlifting, and athletics. Exam importance: CWG 2026 is hosted by Glasgow, Scotland; India won 61 medals at CWG 2022 Birmingham; India's flag bearers at Glasgow Opening Ceremony: P.R. Sreejesh and P.V. Sindhu; the next CWG (24th) will be hosted by India in 2030; CGF President: Sophie Olsson; India has participated in every CWG since 1934.

Obituary

• Oscar-Winning Irish Musician Glen Hansard Passes Away at 56 – Oscar-winning Irish singer-songwriter, musician, and actor Glen Hansard passed away at the age of 56 in Lucan, near Dublin, Ireland. Born on 21 April 1970 in Ballymun, Dublin, he founded the Irish rock band The Frames in 1990 and formed the folk-rock duo The Swell Season with Czech singer Markéta Irglová. In 2008, Hansard and Irglová won the 80th Academy Award (Oscar) for Best Original Song for "Falling Slowly" from the 2007 Irish musical film Once. He also appeared as Outspan Foster in the acclaimed 1991 film The Commitments. Exam importance: The Academy Awards (Oscars) are presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), established in 1927; HQ: Los Angeles, California, USA; Glen Hansard's "Falling Slowly" is among the most celebrated Oscar-winning songs; Irish film industry/talent has been globally recognised in recent decades; his solo albums include Rhythm and Repose (2012) and Between Two Shores (2018).

State News

• Delhi Government Approves 'Delhi Lakshmi Yojana' for ₹2,500 Monthly Assistance to Women – The Delhi Cabinet, chaired by CM Rekha Gupta, approved the 'Delhi Lakshmi Yojana', providing ₹2,500 monthly financial assistance to eligible women, with a total budget outlay of ₹5,110 crore for 2026-27. Eligible women must be aged 21-60 years, annual family income up to ₹2.5 lakh, permanent residents of Delhi for at least 10 years, not income taxpayers/government employees. The online registration portal launches on 1 August 2026, with the first instalment on 28 August 2026 (Raksha Bandhan). Beneficiaries can receive ₹1,500 in RD/FD + ₹1,000 in CBDC digital rupee wallet, or full ₹2,500 in RD/FD. Exam importance: Delhi CM: Rekha Gupta (BJP, took office after BJP's landslide victory in February 2025 Delhi assembly elections); this follows similar cash transfer schemes - Gruha Lakshmi (Karnataka, ₹2,000/month), Lady Laxmi (Telangana, ₹2,500), Laadli Behna (MP, ₹1,250-1,500/month), and Mukhya Mantri Majhi Ladki Bahin (Maharashtra, ₹1,500/month); CBDC (Central Bank Digital Currency) - the Digital Rupee (e₹) - was launched by RBI in 2022; use of CBDC in state welfare disbursements is a first for India.
• Chhattisgarh Launches 'DWEEPTI Yojana' for Women-Led Solar Entrepreneurship – Chhattisgarh launched the Decentralised Women Empowerment on Energy and Policy for Transformative Inclusion (DWEEPTI) Yojana, India's first women-led distributed Renewable Energy (RE) policy, to empower rural SHGs as solar entrepreneurs, targeting 5,000 enterprises and 50,000 green jobs. It was developed by the Panchayat and Rural Development Department with Transform Rural India (TRI). It aims to provide clean energy access to 5 lakh families and 10,000 public institutions. Kabirdham district is the first implementation site. Around 35 women from SHGs were trained in rooftop solar installation, creating 'Solar Didis'. Exam importance: Chhattisgarh CM: Vishnu Deo Sai (BJP); the scheme complements PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSGMBY) and India's National Solar Mission targets; 'Solar Didis' is a women-centric component modelled on the broader Lakhpati Didi initiative; Chhattisgarh was created on 1 November 2000 as India's 26th state by carving out of Madhya Pradesh; the state has 5.24 GW of renewable energy potential (solar and small hydro).

Important Days

• International Tiger Day 2026 – 29 July – International Tiger Day (Global Tiger Day) is observed annually on 29 July to raise global awareness about urgent tiger conservation needs and their habitats. It was established in 2010 during the Saint Petersburg Tiger Summit in Russia, where the St. Petersburg Declaration on Tiger Conservation was adopted by 13 Tiger Range Countries (TRCs) to double the global wild tiger population by 2022 (TX2 goal). The first Global Tiger Day was observed on 29 July 2011. India is home to approximately 70% of the world's wild tigers (3,682 as per 2022 Tiger Census). PM Modi and MoEFCC Minister Bhupender Yadav reaffirmed India's tiger conservation commitment. Exam importance: Project Tiger was launched on 1 April 1973 by PM Indira Gandhi; India has 58 Tiger Reserves; NTCA (National Tiger Conservation Authority) was established in 2006 under the WPA 1972 (amended 2006); India's tiger reserves cover approximately 78,135 sq km; Rajasthan's tiger population reached 149 across five tiger reserves as of 28 July 2026; the Global Tiger Forum (GTF) - headquartered in New Delhi - coordinates international tiger conservation.
• International Day of Friendship 2026 – 30 July (15th Observance) – The UN observes the International Day of Friendship annually on 30 July to promote peace, solidarity, and mutual understanding through friendship across cultures and communities. The UNGA proclaimed 30 July as the International Day of Friendship through Resolution A/RES/65/L.72 in 2011; first observed on 30 July 2011; 2026 marks the 15th observance. The concept originated in 1930 when Joyce Hall (founder of Hallmark Cards) proposed Friendship Day; in 1958, Dr. Ramon Artemio Bracho founded the World Friendship Crusade; in 1988, the UN named Winnie the Pooh as the World's Ambassador of Friendship. Exam importance: India and many South Asian countries celebrate Friendship Day on the first Sunday of August (this year: 2 August 2026); the 2026 theme aligns with the UN's broader push for multilateralism, intercultural dialogue, and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.