Current Affairs for Competitive Exams

Monsoon Session Disruptions Waste 7,023 Minutes, Costing Exchequer ₹175 Crore

Parliamentary research data confirmed that persistent disruptions during the Monsoon Session resulted in 7,023 lost working minutes, causing an estimated financial loss of ₹175 crore to the exchequer.

IR Human Rights

UK, France, and 30 Nations Condemn Iran Over Executions

A diplomatic coalition of 32 nations, alongside the European Union, issued a joint declaration condemning the escalated use of capital punishment against political dissidents and protesters in Iran.

Governance Consumer Protection

Centre Directs Ride-Hailing Apps to Remove Pre-Ride Tipping Feature

The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) directed ride-hailing platforms including Uber and Rapido to disable pre-ride tipping features, classifying the practice as an unfair dark pattern.

Polity Service Law

Supreme Court Rules Formal Enquiry Mandatory Before Dismissing Employee for Suppressing Criminal History

The Supreme Court ruled that public employees cannot be summarily terminated for alleged suppression of criminal history without conducting a formal departmental enquiry under service rules.

IR Global Conflict

Ukraine Destroys Russian Air Defense Launcher in Drone Strike

Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces executed a precision long-range drone strike, destroying an advanced Russian surface-to-air missile defense launcher in occupied territory.

Polity Judiciary

Lok Sabha Panel Declares Judicial Probe Continues Despite Unilateral Withdrawal

A Lok Sabha Inquiry Committee examining judicial misconduct ruled that a statutory inquiry under the Judges (Inquiry) Act 1968 continues even if the judge under investigation unilaterally withdraws from proceedings.

Governance Road Safety

MoRTH Mandates Strict Emergency Response Timelines and Penalties for Highway Ambulances

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) issued binding emergency response rules, requiring highway ambulances to reach crash sites within 10 minutes and enforce Golden Hour care.

Polity Judiciary

Supreme Court Refers Demolition Policy Guidelines Plea to Union and State Governments

The Supreme Court disposed of a PIL seeking a uniform demolition policy, ruling that formulating executive demolition guidelines falls within the domain of Union and State governments under municipal laws.

Economy Employment

ILO Report Warns of Declining Youth Employment Prospects Globally

The International Labour Organization (ILO) released its 'Global Employment Trends for Youth 2026' report, warning that high NEET rates and informal employment strain youth job prospects.

Environment Environmental Law

National Green Tribunal Orders Comprehensive Environmental Audit of Mining Sites in Aravallis

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) directed a joint expert committee to conduct a comprehensive environmental audit of legal and illegal mining sites across the Aravalli hill range in Haryana and Rajasthan.

Science & Tech AI Policy

Ministry of Electronics and IT Releases Draft National Strategy on Artificial Intelligence Ethics

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) published the Draft National Strategy on AI Ethics, establishing ethical guidelines, algorithmic bias audits, and safety standards for AI deployments.

Economy Macroeconomics

India's Retail Inflation (CPI) Drops to 3.60 Percent in July 2026

Official data released by the National Statistical Office (NSO) confirmed that India's Consumer Price Index (CPI) retail inflation moderated to a multi-month low of 3.60 percent in July 2026.

Governance Housing

Union Cabinet Approves Extension of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana Urban 2.0

The Union Cabinet approved PMAY-Urban 2.0 with a target to construct 1 crore additional affordable houses for urban poor and middle-class families over a five-year outlay of ₹10 lakh crore.

Economy Financial Markets

SEBI Introduces New Asset Class for High Net-Worth Investors to Bridge Mutual Funds and PMS

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) approved a new financial asset class positioned between traditional Mutual Funds and Portfolio Management Services (PMS), setting a ₹10 lakh minimum investment threshold.

Polity Judiciary

Supreme Court Rules Special Courts Under POCSO Act Must Conduct Day-to-Day Trials

The Supreme Court issued binding guidelines directing designated POCSO Special Courts to strictly enforce day-to-day trial mandates under Section 35 to complete child protection trials within one year.

IR Bilateral Relations

India and Vietnam Sign Memorandum of Understanding on Maritime Security Cooperation

India and Vietnam signed a comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance maritime domain awareness, joint naval exercises, and hydrographic surveys in the Indo-Pacific region.

Agriculture Schemes

Cabinet Approves PM-PRANAM Scheme Incentives to Promote Alternative Fertilisers

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved fiscal incentive allocations under PM-PRANAM to encourage states to reduce chemical fertiliser usage and adopt organic alternatives.

Economy Monetary Policy

RBI Retains Repo Rate at 6.5 Percent in August Monetary Policy Committee Review

The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Reserve Bank of India decided by a 4:2 majority to keep the benchmark policy repo rate unchanged at 6.50 percent.

Science & Tech Space Technology

ISRO Successfully Launches EOS-08 Earth Observation Satellite Aboard SSLV-D3 Rocket

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully placed the EOS-08 Earth Observation Satellite into precise circular orbit using the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV-D3).

Science & Tech Quantum Computing

Government Approves National Quantum Mission Operational Guidelines & Funding Phase II

The Union Government approved comprehensive operational guidelines and Phase II fund allocations under the ₹6,003 crore National Quantum Mission (NQM) to establish four specialized Thematic Hubs.

Polity Judiciary

Supreme Court Clarifies Criteria for Arbitrator Appointments Under Section 11 of Arbitration Act

A Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court ruled that judicial examination under Section 11(6) of the Arbitration Act is confined strictly to verifying the prima facie existence of an arbitration agreement.

Environment Disaster Management

Wayanad Landslides Proclaimed Natural Disaster of Serious Nature by Disaster Management Authority

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) classified the catastrophic Wayanad landslides in Kerala as a 'Disaster of Serious Nature', unlocking central assistance under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF).

Polity Governance

Bhartruhari Mahtab Panel Recommends Mandatory Registration for Online News Portals

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology, chaired by Bhartruhari Mahtab, recommended mandatory registration for digital news portals under a unified regulatory framework.

Polity Social Justice

Commission Weighs SC Status for Dalit Converts as June Deadline Passes

The Justice K.G. Balakrishnan Commission, examining Scheduled Caste status for Dalit individuals converted to Christianity or Islam, submitted an interim progress update as public consultations continue.

Polity Education

Delhi Cabinet Approves Private Universities Bill With Mandatory 25% Local Student Quota

The Delhi Cabinet cleared the Delhi Private Universities Bill 2026, enabling the establishment of private higher education institutions while reserving a 25% admission quota for local residents.

Science & Tech Cybersecurity

Meta Briefs Indian Government on New Tactics to Combat Deepfakes and AI Misinformation Bots

Technology giant Meta concluded a three-day consultation with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), detailing automated AI detection tools to counter deepfakes and bot networks.

Economy Banking

RBI Proposes Updated Leverage Ratio Norms for Commercial Banks in Draft Amendment

The Reserve Bank of India issued draft Eleventh Amendment Directions 2026, updating the Leverage Ratio framework for commercial banks to align with Basel III international banking standards.

Environment Ecology

Centre Reissues Draft Notification for Eco-Sensitive Zones in Western Ghats

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change reissued the draft notification declaring 56,800 square kilometers across six Western Ghats states as Eco-Sensitive Area (ESA).

Art & Culture Heritage

Sarnath Officially Designated as India's 45th UNESCO World Heritage Site

Sarnath in Uttar Pradesh, where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon (Dharmachakra Pravartana), was officially inscribed as India's 45th UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Polity Governance

Manipur Government Informs Centre of Readiness to Conduct National Register of Citizens

The Government of Manipur officially notified the Union Ministry of Home Affairs of its administrative readiness to execute the National Register of Citizens (NRC) to identify illegal migration.

IR Global Geopolitics

US Senate Passes Legislation Targeting Nations Buying Russian Energy

The United States Senate passed secondary sanctions legislation imposing trade and financial penalties on international entities purchasing Russian crude oil and natural gas above price cap thresholds.

Defence IAF

Squadron Leader Bhawana Kanth Qualifies as India's First Woman Fighter Combat Leader

Squadron Leader Bhawana Kanth completed the elite 20-week Fighter Combat Leader course, becoming the first woman pilot in the Indian Air Force authorized to lead complex aerial strike missions.

Economy Banking

RBI Finalizes Fair Practice Conduct Rules for Loan Recovery Agents Effective January 2027

The Reserve Bank of India finalized comprehensive fair practice conduct guidelines for loan recovery agents, prohibiting harassment, unannounced visits, and intrusive digital remote access tools.

Polity Judiciary

CJI Establishes Judicial Infrastructure Advisory Committee for Nationwide Court Standardization

Chief Justice of India constituted a national Judicial Infrastructure Advisory Committee to establish uniform standards for court complexes, digital connectivity, and barrier-free access across district courts.

IR South Asia

Bangladesh Election Commission Schedules Presidential Polls for August 20, 2026

The Election Commission of Bangladesh announced the official schedule for the presidential election, setting polling for August 20, 2026, following nomination filings ending August 13.

IR Maritime

Iran Proposes Strait of Hormuz Maritime Traffic Control Framework With Oman

Iran presented a revised bilateral maritime traffic control proposal to Oman, seeking joint navigational management and vessel tracking schemes through the Strait of Hormuz.

Environment Biodiversity

Meghalaya Launches Mission to Protect Clouded Leopard Populations

The Government of Meghalaya launched Project Clouded Leopard, a dedicated habitat conservation initiative protecting the state animal in the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot.

Polity Judiciary

CJI Constitutes Judicial Infrastructure Advisory Committee to Unify Nationwide Court Facilities

Chief Justice of India constituted a national Judicial Infrastructure Advisory Committee to standardize court facilities, digital infrastructure, and accessibility across trial courts.

Economy Monetary Policy

RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25 Percent Amid Global Economic Uncertainty

The Monetary Policy Committee of the Reserve Bank of India unanimously voted to keep the benchmark repo rate unchanged at 5.25%.

Polity Judiciary

Parliament Passes Bill Increasing Supreme Court Judge Strength To 37

Parliament passed the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill 2026, increasing maximum judicial strength from 34 to 37 judges.

Economy Banking

RBI Appoints Monisha Chakraborty as Executive Director Over Foreign Exchange and Markets

The Reserve Bank of India appointed Monisha Chakraborty as Executive Director overseeing the Foreign Exchange Department, Financial Markets Operations Department, and International Department.

Polity Judiciary

J&K High Court: Domicile-Based Physical Relaxation Does Not Bar Open Merit Selection

High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh held that candidate relaxation in physical measurement standards granted to hilly domicile candidates does not disentitle them from Open Merit selection.

Governance Public Health

Gujarat FDCA Bans Sales of Analogue Paneer, Cheese, and Butter

Gujarat Food and Drugs Control Administration issued a state-wide ban on selling synthetic analogue dairy products labeled as natural paneer, cheese, or butter.

IR Global Trade

China Announces Trade Countermeasures Against U.S. Sanctions

China's Ministry of Commerce announced targeted trade countermeasures, restricting critical mineral exports and imposing tariffs on select US technology components.

IR Maritime

Iran and Oman Reach Agreement on Strait of Hormuz Maritime Coordinates

Iran and Oman signed a bilateral maritime agreement finalizing technical boundary coordinates and joint navigational safety protocols in the Strait of Hormuz.

History Art & Culture

Kalaburagi Marks 679th Foundation Day of the Bahmani Empire

Kalaburagi observed the 679th Foundation Day of the Bahmani Empire, honoring founder Alauddin Hasan Bahman Shah at his historic mausoleum.

Polity Judiciary

Supreme Court Suggests Replacing Pharmacy Council of India with Statutory Commission

The Supreme Court described the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) as an obsolete institution, recommending its replacement with a modern National Pharmacy Commission.

Economy Banking

RBI Mobilizes $40.8 Billion in Forex Inflows via Concessional Swap Facility

RBI confirmed that its concessional foreign currency swap window successfully mobilized $40.8 billion in total foreign exchange reserves.

Economy Disinvestment

Government to Sell 6.5 Percent Stake in LIC for Over ₹30,000 Crore

The Union Government plans to sell an additional 6.5% stake (over 82.22 crore shares) in Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) through an Offer for Sale (OFS).

Polity Judiciary

BCI Permits Two-Year Practice for Provisionally Enrolled Advocates Pending AIBE

Bar Council of India confirmed that law graduates provisionally enrolled with state bar councils may practice in trial courts for two years before passing the All India Bar Examination.

IR Conflict

Sudanese Army Drone Strike on Darfur Court Session Kills Thirty Five People

A Sudanese Armed Forces drone strike targeting an outdoor community court session in Darfur resulted in 35 civilian fatalities.

Polity Judiciary

Supreme Court Demands Report on Jharkhand Murder Trial Delayed for 44 Years

Supreme Court demanded explanations from Jharkhand Government and High Court over a criminal murder trial lingering for 44 years.

Economy Infrastructure

Government Launches Barrier-Free Satellite-Based Toll System on Manesar-Jaipur Highway

Ministry of Road Transport launched a GNSS-based barrier-free satellite toll system pilot on the Manesar-Jaipur highway stretch.

Economy Forex

RBI Concessional Swap Facility Mobilizes $40.8 Billion in Forex Inflows

RBI's concessional dollar-rupee swap facility mobilized $40.8 billion in foreign exchange inflows as of July 31, 2026.

Education Skill Development

ITI Trainees Granted Class 10 and 12 Academic Equivalency via NIOS

National Institute of Open Schooling launched an academic equivalency framework granting Class 10 and 12 certificates to ITI trainees.

IR Maritime

China Implements New Maritime Patrol Rules for Disputed South China Sea Shoals

China implemented new maritime patrol regulations establishing routine administrative jurisdiction over contested South China Sea shoals.

Polity Judiciary

Supreme Court Rejects Gender-Based Exclusion in Bihar's Compassionate Appointment Policy

Supreme Court invalidated rules excluding married daughters from compassionate appointment eligibility in Bihar government service.

Economy Banking

RBI Streamlines Supervision by Consolidating 628 Circulars into 64 Master Directions

Reserve Bank of India consolidated 628 legacy regulatory circulars into 64 streamlined Master Directions to simplify banking compliance.

IR Trade

New Delhi Monitors US Senate Bill Targeting Russian Oil With 100% Tariffs

India's Ministry of External Affairs and Commerce Ministry are assessing economic impacts of a proposed US Senate bill imposing 100% tariffs on refined products derived from Russian crude.